Tag Archives: Old Mill Beach

Pic Of The Day #2555

Posted on April 16, 2024 | 2 comments

Waiting for summer at Old Mill Beach (Photo/Lynda Ialeggio)

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Parks & Rec: All You Need To Know About Beaches, Boats, Golf And More

Posted on March 23, 2024 | 6 comments

One of the best things about Westport is the Parks & Recreation Department amenities.

And one of the best things about spring is the chance to get outside and enjoy them.

Here is just a sampling of what Parks & Rec offers:

Longshore Golf Course:
The course opens Monday, April 1 (no fooling — and of “course,” weather permitting). To book a tee time, click here.

18th hole. (Drone photo/John Videler for VidelerPhotography.com)

Beach parking stickers:
Vehicle parking emblems are required for all town beaches beginning May 1. They can be purchased online, or at the Parks & Recreation office (at Longshore, near the golf course 1st tee) weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

(Photo/Mark Marcus)

Dogs at town beaches:
Animals are not allowed at Compo, Old Mill or Burying Hill beaches, in or out of vehicles, from April 1 through September 30.

Soon to be a scene of the past (for a while). (Photo/Nicola Sharian)

Compo Beach playground renovation project:
The Compo Beach Playground Committee, led by the Westport Rotary Club and Westport Young Woman’s League, will renovate the iconic structure.

They’ll present a proposed plan to the Parks & Recreation Commission on Wednesday, March 27 (7:30 p.m., Zoom). Click here for information.

Compo Beach playground.

Annual Clean-Up Day:
Westport Parks & Recreation’s Annual Clean-Up Day is set for Saturday, April 27. Past participants will receive invitations this coming week.

If you or your civic group have not participated in the past but want to get involved, email jboone@westportct.gov

Parks and Recreation Programs:
Some spaces are available in spring and summer programs. Click here for information.

Boating:
Residents who have a slip at a town marina may bring their boats in starting April 1. If you need assistance docking, contact the dockmaster on VHF channel 11 or by calling 203-341-1062. Boaters must send a copy of this year’s boat registration to Rick Giunta (email rgiunta@westportct.gov, or deliver to the Parks & Rec office at Longshore, near the 1st tee).

Dry stall assignees:
Dry stall decals will be mailed to you before May 1. Place the decal on your vessel where it can be seen by staff. Dry stall vessels may be placed on storage racks beginning May 1. Any vessel stored before May 1 will be removed, and may be auctioned off.

If you’re interested in a place to store your kayak, sunfish, paddleboard or other small boat for the summer season, click here for a dry stall application. Wait times are 1-2 years.

Kayaks at Compo Beach. (Photo/Eric Bosch)

Animals on town athletic fields, playgrounds, beaches and Longshore Golf Course:
Animals are prohibited from all athletic fields and playgrounds at any time, including the Longshore golf course. Animals are prohibited from town beaches from April 1 through September 30.

Dogs at Wakeman Field. (Photo/Marc Katz)

(“06880” is your hyper-local source for everything you need to enjoy spring — and summer, fall and winter. Please click here to support our work with a tax-deductible contribution. Thank you!)

6 Comments

Posted in Beach, Longshore

Tagged Burying Hill Beach, Compo Beach, Longshore golf course, marinas, Old Mill Beach, Westport Parks & Recreation Department

Pic Of The Day #2529

Posted on March 21, 2024 | 2 comments

Old Mill Beach (Photo/Alison Lee)

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Pic Of The Day #2498

Posted on February 19, 2024 | 5 comments

Old Mill Beach and Compo Cove (Photo/JD Dworkow)

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Tagged Compo Cove, Old Mill Beach

233 Hillspoint Road: New Owner Has Neighborhood Roots

Posted on February 18, 2024 | 6 comments

Our long blue nightmare is over.

The sale of 233 Hillspoint Road — site of the former Café de la Plage and Positano restaurants, but since before COVID a half-finished, Tyvek-wrapped, litigation-snarled residential property, and an eyesore and headache for neighbors and passersby — closed earlier this month.

Work has already begun to finish the home.

Who bought it? Read on …

Work resumed this month at 233 Hillspoint Road. (Photo/John McKinney)

The cat is out of the bag. My identity is public. I am the owner of 233 Hillspoint Road, and have been in contract since mid-July. My name is James Pendry.

I have lived in Westport since the late 1980s. I sent my children to Staples High School.

I was a member of Westport Rotary for years, and have lived in an antique home on the Mill Pond for over 2 decades.

I have logged many hours sipping coffee outside Elvira’s, and many summer days reading at Old Mill Beach. I’d like to think I know the neighborhood.

I know there have been many rumors, many fingers pointed, much outrage and vituperative attacks on everyone from the seller, Planning & Zoning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals and Building Department.

Virtually everything I’ve heard is the worst form of gossip: false and mean.

For years, 233 Hillspoint Road looked like this.

Unfortunately, and I guess to disappoint many of you, there is no villain here. There is only a profound lack of communication, the lost years of COVID, and the ill-effects of “silo-ing.”

At each turn in this drama, every actor was doing the logical and right thing from their specific and singular point of view. Omniscience was required — someone or some authority to look at the big picture, and forge a workable compromise.

That entity does not exist in the land use departments of the town of Westport — or in the halls of Congress of the United States. The result is the same: missed opportunities, little productive debate, and either no outcome or a bad outcome.

In the last week we have cleaned up the site, moved the security fence so as not to impede pedestrian traffic, and replaced all the blue skin on the exterior of the building.

The neighbors, who had sued the previous owner, were gracious enough to meet with me and keep an open mind to some changes. Ultimately, we were able to reach a compromise that each of the plaintiffs and I can abide by.

Construction will start in earnest, as soon as the ZBA signs off on the compromise reached.

I am hopeful that that can happen at their next meeting.

(“06880” has followed the saga of 233 Hillspoint — and plenty of other real estate and beach news. Please click here to support our work. Thank you!)

6 Comments

Posted in Beach, Real estate

Tagged 233 Hillspoint Road, James Pendry, Old Mill Beach

Pics Of The Day #2496

Posted on February 17, 2024 | Comments Off

Scenes from today’s perfectly timed, just-the-right-amount, and absolutely beautiful snowfall:

One birdhouse … (Photo/Elisabeth Levey)

,,, and another … (Photo/Lauri Weiser)

… as a beach toy adds color … (Photo/Robin Frank)

… along with this colorful sky at Old Mill … (Photo/Matt Murray)

… and nearby Sherwood Mill Pond … (Photo/Nicole Gorman)

… while, not far away, Compo Beach … (Photo/MaryLou Roels)

… and, closer to town, the view from the Westport Library … (Photo/Molly Alger)

… and at the adjacent Levitt Pavilion … (Photo/Patricia McMahon)

… to, a bit north, Winslow Park … (Photo/Mark Mathias)

… while this was the classic view from inside a home … (Photo/Wendy Levy)

… and this was a welcome sight for anyone needing help. (Photo/Jonathan Alloy)

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Posted in Beach, Library, Weather

Tagged Birdhouse, Compo Beach, Levitt Pavilion, oil truck, Old Mill Beach, Winslow Park

Pic Of The Day #2491

Posted on February 12, 2024 | Comments Off

Compo Cove, at Old Mill Beach (Photo/JD Dworkow)

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Tagged Compo Cove, Old Mill Beach

Pic Of The Day #2302

Posted on August 7, 2023 | 1 comment

Old Mill tidal current (Photo/June Rose Whittaker)

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Roundup: Levitt Pavilion, Crabbers, Absentee Ballots …

Posted on August 6, 2023 | 1 comment

Last night was another glorious one at the Levitt Pavilion.

Theo Kandel and Grace Gardner headlined.

Tonight it’s Quadrature. Click here for more information on Westport’s premier outdoor entertainment venue, including a calendar of upcoming events.

(Photo/Joel Treisman)

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Also last night:

“06880” has run several photos of crabbers in Sherwood Mill Pond.

They’re also in Long Island Sound — using the same LED headlamps as in the pond itself, to illuminate their work.

This view — taken at 8:45 p.m. — is from the Old Mill Beach parking lot.

(Photo/Jamie Walsh)

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Also this weekend:

Filming took place in Westport for a documentary about film critic Susan Granger. She has spent 8 decades in and around the movie industry, from the Golden Age of Hollywood to present-day streaming.

Granger’s father directed and produced films like “Born Yesterday.” Her godfathers were Milton Berle and Red Skelton. Thanks to her dad, starting at age 4 she appeared in small roles with Skelton, Lucille Ball, Abbott & Costello and others.

That background gave Granger a unique perspective as a film critic and speaker. She writes often for Westport Journal and Hearst Connecticut Media Group.

Others interviewed in recent weeks include Fairfield residents Keir Dullea and Mia Dillon.

The documentary short is projected to be ready for film festivals next year. (Hat tip: Fred Cantor)