Alert “06880” reader — and longtime Westport observer — Tom Lowrie is intrigued by open spaces.
There’s a lot more of it here than we realize.
The other day, Tom did a deep dive into untouched territory.
Here’s an index he found. It’s accurate as of December 28, 2020. (It’s also about as random as can be.)
As Westport “opens up” after the pandemic, it’s good to know there are places to go without even a whiff of indoor fear.
Haskins Preserve – an underappreciated town jewel. (Photo/Krista Gelev)
The guide also helps the 672 newcomers who have moved here during COVID. One of the driving forces to leave Manhattan and Brookyn is a desire for more space.
Recent arrivals, oldtimers, ex-pats: We’d love to hear your thoughts. What’s your favorite open space? Any surprises on the list? Any that have been missed? Any you’ve never heard of?
Click “Comments’ below. Then we’ll see you — out and about.
Town of Westport
- Compo Beach
- Old Mill Beach
- Sherwood Mill Pond Preserve
- Burying Hill Beach
- Longshore
- Veterans Memorial Green
- Jesup Green
- Winslow Park
- Levitt Pavilion/Riverwalk
- Baron’s South
- Grace K. Salmon Park
The view from Grace Salmon Park (Photo/Patricia McMahon)
- Dr. William P. Teuscher Wetland Preserve
- Imperial Avenue Lots
- Imperial Park
- Luciano Park
- Stroffolino Park
- Riverside Park
- St. John Place/Myrtle Avenue Park
- Eugene Pasacreta Park
- Eloise A. Ray Park
- Lillian Wadsworth Arboretum
- Machamux Park
Machamux Park — one of the oldest sites in what is now Westport. (Photo by Fred Cantor)
- Canal Green
- Canal Beach
- “Needle” Park (1 Main Street)
- Town Hall Fields
- Nevada Hitchcock Park
- 90 Hillspoint Road Fields
- Nistico Fields
- Staples High School Fields
- Wakeman Park
- Coleytown Middle School Fields
- Long Lots Elementary School Field
- Greens Farms Elementary School Field
- Saugatuck and Kings Highway Elementary School Fields (Doubleday and Romano)
- Westport Community Gardens
State of Connecticut
- Sherwood Island State Park
- Saugatuck River Trout Management Area
Shewood Island State Park: 232 acres of prime real estate, right here in Westport.
Connecticut Audubon Society
- H. Smith Richardson Wildlife Preserve and Christmas Tree Farm
- Meadow Restoration at Greens Farms Road
Aspetuck Land Trust
- Haskins Preserve
- Newman-Poses Preserve
- Leonard Schine Preserve
- Hilla Rebay Arboretum
- Peter’s Gate Wetlands
- Comstock Preserve
- Eno Marsh Preserve
- Guard Hill Preserve
- Allen Salt Marsh
- Talcot Wakeman Vineyard Wildlife Habitat
- Taylortown Salt Marsh
- Lees Canal Wetlands
Taylortown Marsh, near Kings Highway North and Wilton Road in downtown Westport. (Photo/Ed Simek)
Private
- Earthplace
- Partrick Open Space Preserve
- Kowalsky “Peaceful Valley Farms”
- Nyala Farms Corporation
- Westport Weston Family YMCA Mahackeno Outdoor Center
- Fairfield County Hunt Club
- St. Vincent’s Behavioral Health Services
- Birchwood Country Club
- Greens Farms Academy Fields and Wetland
Cemeteries
- Burying Hill Beach Colonial
- Assumption Church
- Christ & Holy Trinity and Assumption
- Evergreen Avenue (Saugatuck Church)
- Willowbrook
Willowbrook cemetery – with the remnants of Daffodil Mile.
- Greens Farms Church (upper and lower)
- Poplar Plains
- Old Burial Ground at Kings Highway
- Platt Burial Ground
- Gray’s Creek
- Compo Colonial
Wow wow wow and we thought we found a lot thank you for sharing this day and thank you for keeping us informed ❤️
Cockenoe Island
Great informative piece. Our open space is of great importance and should be steadfastly preserved including Barons South which always seems to be an item of interest by a vocal minority..
LOL on ‘Needle Park’ only known to long-time Westporters!
An impressive list—and there was indeed a town park I had never heard of: Stroffolino Park. Having now seen where it is located on a map, I’m not sure it is open space that I have ever seen anyone using but, then again, we have a variety of wonderful alternatives around town.
Beautiful photos!
Nice article We have many beautiful open space preserves which people are discovering. Maintaining and increasing our passive open spaces is important as we are still currently below the State mandated goal of 10%. We are also till below the State mandated tree canopy requirements . Please keep enjoying the serenity these parks provide and keep planting trees.
Cathy Walsh along with Chip Stephens and Al Gratrix all former P & Z members deserve genuine credit for their energetic and tireless creation and implementation of open space regulations which have provided permanent protection for many open space parcels throughout town. Most notably saving Barons South from large scale development in favor of creating regulations which provided the path for these facilities in more logical locations, the creation of Riverside Park which was about to be the location of a new fire station and to permanently protect Longshore and many other open space parcels from over development with the newly created Open Space regulations. Their work will provide great benefit for generations to come. As citizens we must remain diligent in who we support for P & Z and to continually be informed as to the commission’s actions as there will always be threats to dismantle these successes in favor of one project or another
Well said!
We’re very much blessed with a beautiful state, though nothing in my opinion beats Compo Beach, maybe it’s the food (thank you Joey’s for staying alive) but nothing beats the feeling of sand in your toes.
Let’s not forget the work of Dick Fincher, Dick Stein and other members of the Tree Board. Lillian Wadsworth Arboretum was 11 acres of neglected Town property that has been brought to life and use by the public. Brian Stern has been a big proponent of funding our parks and open space as well. And then there has been Jim Marpe’s support too.
My computer wasn’t working right and my phone gave me only a half of the line to write so that’s why it took so long. Anyway, near the end of Wakeman Place is some land given by the Holmse’s in the 60’s to the Aspetuck Land Preserve. Right after 11 & 12 is the walk to three hills I used to sled down in my youth. It was always cleaned up then of brush etc. Walkers can easily get there and there may be room for one car. There is the river right beyond the three hills. The neighbors won’t be happy with me but I thought it should finally be known.