Cedar Island (Clinton, Connecticut) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cedar Island
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 Cedar Island
Location in Connecticut
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| Country | United States |
| State | Connecticut |
| County | Middlesex |
| Town | Clinton |
| Elevation | 3 ft (1 m) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 100 to 150 (summer) |
Cedar Island is a special place in Connecticut. It used to be an island in Long Island Sound. It belongs to the town of Clinton, Connecticut. Today, Cedar Island is connected to Hammonasset State Park. This park is in Madison. It became a peninsula because a narrow water channel was filled in. This project helped the Hammonasset River flow better.
Contents
What is Cedar Island Like?
Cedar Island is very low to the water. Its average height is about 3 feet (1 meter) above the water at high tide. When the tide is low, the land can appear 5 to 6 feet (1.5 to 1.8 meters) higher.
Size and Homes
The island is about one and a half miles (2.4 kilometers) long. It is also about a quarter-mile (0.4 kilometers) wide. It sits about a quarter of a mile from Clinton Harbor. There are around 54 houses and summer cottages on the island. Most of these homes were built before 1950. Many houses have docks for boats and fishing. During the summer, about 100 to 150 people live on Cedar Island.
Plants and Animals
Most of the western part of the island is undeveloped. This means it's a natural shoreline area. You can find special plants here. These include salt marsh and salt meadow cord grasses. There are also beach plum plants and rugosa roses. Juniper trees grow here too, which locals call "cedars."
Many different birds live on Cedar Island. It's a protected place for some birds to build their nests. For example, the piping plover bird nests here in the spring. You might also see American oystercatchers. The osprey is another large bird often seen. Many other seabirds common to Long Island Sound also visit.
Island Services
Cedar Island is a unique place because it doesn't have some common services. Most homes do not have regular electricity or phone lines. There is one special solar-powered phone on the town dock. This phone connects directly to the Clinton Police Department for emergencies.
Many houses use propane for heating and hot water. Some homes also use solar power to get electricity from the sun.
Water Supply
The island has a public water system. This system provides water to homes, but only during certain seasons. A permanent water pipe was installed to the island. This pipe provides water for fire protection all year round. There is one fire hydrant on the island.
Getting Around Cedar Island
The only way to get to Cedar Island is by boat. There is no airport or bridge connecting it to the mainland. You can try to walk from Hammonasset State Park. However, it's very difficult because of the marshy, wet ground.
The closest place to dock a boat is Cedar Island Marina. This marina is about a quarter mile north of the island.
Roads on the Island
Cedar Island has five roads. They form a shape that looks a bit like a sideways number 8. Hammonasett Avenue and Central Avenue run mostly east to west. Wigwam Street, Indian Street, and Fort Lane run mostly north to south. These roads are not made for cars or other vehicles.
