Calf Pasture Beach facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Calf Pasture Beach |
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| Type | Park, beach |
| Location | Norwalk, Connecticut |
| Operated by | City of Norwalk |
| Website | Calf Pasture Beach |
Calf Pasture Beach is a well-known park and beach in Norwalk, Connecticut. It has a rich history and offers many fun activities for everyone. The park is managed by the City of Norwalk. You can easily reach the beach by car or public bus. The Norwalk Transit District provides direct bus service. The East Norwalk Metro-North train station is also about a mile away.
History of Calf Pasture Beach
How Calf Pasture Got Its Name
Long ago, in the 1600s, early settlers of the Connecticut Colony used this area. They let their cows graze here, which is why it became known as "Calf Pasture."
The Revolutionary War and Norwalk
During the American Revolutionary War in 1779, Calf Pasture Beach played a role. British troops, led by General William Tryon, landed here. They arrived by boat on July 10, 1779, with about 2,600 soldiers. They spent the night near a small island called Round Beach on the Calf Pasture peninsula. The next day, they marched into Norwalk. They burned most of the town, leaving only six houses standing.
Creating a Public Park
In 1917, the city of Norwalk decided to buy the land. They wanted to create a public park at Calf Pasture Beach. The process of buying the land started in 1919. By 1922, some families who owned nearby land, like the Betts, Marvin, and Taylor families, donated their property to the city. The park officially opened in 1924. Work on buildings and roads continued for a few more years.
Rebuilding After the Hurricane
More buildings and sidewalks were added in 1935. This work was funded by the Federal Emergency Relief Administration. However, a big storm hit in September 1938. This was the 1938 New England hurricane. Many of the new buildings and sidewalks were washed away. Workers from the Works Progress Administration then helped rebuild them.
Recent Additions and Events
In the 1960s, the city added Shady Beach to the park area. From 2000 to 2006, a charity event called Kayak for a Cause was held here. It was a fundraising event using kayaks. The event returned to Calf Pasture Beach in 2008. Today, the City of Norwalk still owns and takes care of all the park facilities. This includes Calf Pasture Beach, Shady Beach, and Taylor Farm.
Fun Things to Do at Calf Pasture Beach
Calf Pasture Beach offers many exciting activities. It has a large beach where lifeguards are on duty. There's also a fishing pier where you can try to catch fish. Kids can enjoy a shady playground area. If you have a small boat, there's a simple boat ramp for launching.
Sports and Recreation
For sports lovers, there are sand volleyball courts and bocce courts. You can also find a skateboard park for skaters. Baseball fans will enjoy the baseball diamonds, which even have lights for nighttime games.
Food and Other Activities
The park has restrooms that are easy to access. There's also a restaurant called Ripka Beach Cafe where you can grab a bite to eat. During spring and autumn, the parking lot is used for kart racing, which is very exciting!
Nearby Parks
Right next to Calf Pasture Beach is Shady Beach Park. It has an unsupervised beach, picnic tables, and grills. It also has more restrooms. Next to Shady Beach is Taylor Farm Park. This park has a tidal pool and grassy areas. It's a great place to walk your dog. Taylor Farm Park also hosts an annual dog show.
Boating and Water Sports
If you love being on the water, you can rent Sailboats and kayaks. The Norwalk Sailing School is located right in the park. They also teach small craft safety. Calf Pasture Beach is an important spot along the Norwalk Islands Canoe/Kayak Trail. You can also take boater safety courses at the Dominic Lametta training center. This center is run by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 72.
Annual Fireworks Show
Every year, the city of Norwalk holds its big 4th of July fireworks show at Calf Pasture Beach. It's a fantastic event that draws many people.
