For decades, Allen’s Clam House was a prime Westport attraction.
But the Hillspoint Road restaurant — whose claim to fame was its spectacular setting on the Sherwood Mill Pond — also obscured most views of that wide, calming expanse. When Allen’s was torn down nearly a decade ago, the pond opened up to everyone driving, biking, jogging or walking by.
The Mill Pond as seen from host Jim Pendry's deck, as night falls during the fundraiser. (Photo by Wendy Crowther)
Except it was framed by a utilitarian (and very un-scenic) parking lot.
For several years, Westporters have quietly planned an environmentally sound, passive park dedicated to nature preservation. The project includes restoring native wetland plants at the water’s edge; a naturalized vegetated upland buffer; a walking path and benches; a kayak/canoe launch area; educational signage, and a small parking area.
The town is contributing some money; a matching grant helps. But more funds are needed. Last Saturday night, a great community event gave the Sherwood Mill Pond Preserve an important boost.
The host — Jim Pendry — lives next to the former clam house. A large crowd enjoyed Mill Pond Mojitos and more, while browsing paintings and prints sold at a silent auction. All work was created and donated by local artists.
Sherry Jagerson, 191 Hillspoint Road Committee chair, points to Audubon artist Edward Henrey's work. (Photo by Wendy Crowther)
Guests included the donor artists; neighbors; champions of the pond, preservation and open space; town historian Allen Raymond (who lives on Compo Cove); landscape architects; First Selectman Gordon Joseloff, who appointed the “191 Hillspoint Road Committee” that’s moving the project forward; and Republican challenger Gavin Anderson, a Mill Pond resident.
The event raised $7,000. More than $20,000 is still needed — along with materials and volunteers.
But excavation and grading begins now. Planting is planned for the end of the month — fall is the perfect time for wetland plants to take root.
Time and tide — and the tidal pond — waits for no man.
(To see the proposed site plan, click here. For more information, click here. To make a donation, click here.)
Sherwood Mill Pond Preserve site plan
that all sounds so beautiful (but the ‘educational signage’, not so much so, i.e., it’s information overload in an area that’s otherwise described as to become more tranquil via this project)
All so PC nice but……
Give me a nice fish platter prepared by Steve Russell at Allen’s any day.
I am so tired of gentrifying Westport, please give us back our Westport that did not necessitate driving to South Norwalk. Allens, Manarios, Derosas and now I hear MARIOS.
Allens parking serviced a GREAT local highlight, but recently has been a free staging area for local house improvement workers and trucks, was the site where the town paid good $$$ to keep the shack and then tear it down….
UGGGHHH
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