After Jennifer Johnson published an Opinion piece on “06880” last tweek, urging open access to Compo Mill Cove in exchange for the town’s expenditure of $5.58 million to rebuild 2 tidal gates at Sherwood Mill Pond, leading to the Cove’s pedestrian pathway, and homes, dozens of readers contacted her.
Many offered to help support removing the locked gate and “Private Property/No Trespassing” sign, installed over a decade ago.
Johnson — a Representative Town Meeting member — thanked each one. She’s organizing a Google group, and will set up a Zoom meeting for early January.
She was particularly touched by a note from someone who no longer lives here. Lynn Castelli wrote:
I am a former resident of Compo Beach. From 1956 to 1982 my parents, Albert and Ruth Castelli, owned the property at 7 Soundview Drive. As a child and teenager, one my greatest pleasures (and now fondest memories) was walking from my home to Sherwood Island via the sandy path beyond the Mill Pond sluice gates.
Tidal gate at Sherwood Mill Pond (Photo/Paul Delano)
Growing up on Compo Beach I often walked the coastline from my home, over the jetty, over the boulders, along the shore to Old Mill Beach and then onto the bridge above the sluice gates. There I would stand to rest and watch the rushing waters from the Mill Pond flow beneath me. Then I proceeded to the quiet, sandy path that led me to Sherwood Island.
There has been no other place in my lifetime that has filled me with as much joy and wonder as did this small strip of coastline. Practically at our front door and beyond, the waters of Long Island Sound sparkled clear and teemed with life.
My father and I fished and harvested mussels, oysters and clams. There was abundant bird life everywhere. I saw my first seahorse at Old Mill Beach. The sands between the Mill Pond and Sherwood Island were a treasure trove of clam, oyster, scallop shells and sea glass. It saddens me to think that others are deprived access to the magic of the Mill Pond walkway.
Compo Cove, and the pedestrain path. When Lynn Castelli was young, the homes were much smaller.
Sentiment may not win the day in the attempt to unlock the gate to the walkway. But I hope that words still have the power to move those in whose hands this decision rests. Surely I am not alone in my reverence for the beauty to be found between the shores of Old Mill Beach, the gate to the Mill Pond walkway and beyond to Sherwood Island.
I sincerely hope that the Mill Pond walkway will once again be accessible. I would love to know that other children and their families might experience the enchantment to be found there. Too, I would be overjoyed to learn that I may return to Old Mill Beach and retrace my steps to Sherwood Island.
Thank you for sparing the time to read my message. I hope that by sharing my perspective others will understand more deeply what residents who stand outside the gate might gain by having access.
Experiences in nature, especially for children, are life-altering. The path from Compo Beach to Sherwood Island was an adventure I was delighted to repeat and share with my friends and family over and over again.
I was fortunate to be able to pass freely onto the path beyond the Mill Pond. May others pass freely in the future.
Old Mill, Sherwood Mill Pond, and Compo Cove (right). (Drone photo/Brandon Malin)
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