Sherwood Island State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sherwood Island State Park |
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East Beach at Sherwood Island State Park
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 Sherwood Island State Park
Location in Connecticut
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| Location | Westport, Connecticut, United States |
| Area | 238 acres (96 ha) |
| Elevation | 10 feet (3.0 m) |
| Designation | Connecticut state park |
| Established | 1914 |
| Administrator | Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection |
| Website | Sherwood Island State Park |
Sherwood Island State Park is a fun place to visit on the coast of Long Island Sound in Westport, Connecticut. This state park is a great spot for swimming, fishing, and many other outdoor activities. It covers 238 acres (96 ha) of beautiful beaches, wetlands (marshy areas), and woodlands (forests).
Sherwood Island holds a special place in Connecticut's history. It was the very first state park! The state started buying land here way back in 1914. Today, the park is looked after by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
Contents
Discovering Sherwood Island's Past
Early Settlers and Farmers
In the 1640s, some of the first colonists from Fairfield settled in this area. They were known as the "Bankside Farmers." They lived on an island called Fox Island, which later became Sherwood Island.
In 1787, a man named Daniel Sherwood moved to Fox Island. His large family farmed the land on the west side of the island. They even had a gristmill (a mill for grinding grain) on the Mill Pond. Many farmers shared the nearby Machamux salt marsh. By the 1860s, the area was known as "Sherwood's Island."
Creating Connecticut's First State Park
In 1911, the Connecticut State Park Commission was formed. Their main goal was to find and create parks along Connecticut's coastline. Albert Turner, who worked for the commission, walked the entire shoreline looking for perfect spots. He wanted large, undeveloped areas with natural beauty, a good beach, and far from big cities. He decided that Sherwood Island was the best place in Fairfield County.
At that time, many different people owned parts of the land. A local farmer and public citizen named William H. Burr Jr. worked hard to create the park. In 1914, he bought two small pieces of land for the state, including a 5-acre (20,000 m2) strip of beachfront. This first purchase made Sherwood Island Connecticut’s first state park! However, it took another 20 years before many people started using the park. By 1915, the state had bought about 30 acres (120,000 m2) of land, which included 23,350 feet (7,120 m) of shoreline.
In 1923, the state bought another 18 acres (73,000 m2) of land north of the island, hoping to use it for a parking lot. But local landowners were not happy about the state buying more land. They convinced the town to oppose further purchases. This slowed down the park's development for nine years.
Finally, on April 29, 1937, Governor Wilbur L. Cross signed bills to buy more land and develop the park. This was a big win for supporters like William H. Burr, who is often called the "father of the park."
Park Improvements Over Time
In the 1950s, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built jetties (structures that protect the coast) and made the two beaches longer. In 1959, the state built a cool art deco style building with a pavilion and bathhouses. In 2002, a special memorial was built to remember the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Exploring Sherwood Island's Unique Features
Geography and Geology of the Park
Sherwood Island State Park is bordered by the Sherwood Mill Pond to the west and Long Island Sound to the south. Creeks and ditches separate it from the mainland. The park's beaches are super long, stretching over 6,000 feet (1,800 m) (more than a mile!).
If you look closely at the sand, you'll see something amazing! The waves on the beach separate three different colors of sand into lines:
The waves sort these sands because each type has a different weight and shape!
Connecticut's September 11 Memorial
Sherwood Island State Park was chosen for Connecticut's September 11 Living Memorial for a special reason. On a clear day, you can see the New York City skyline from here! On 9/11, people at the park actually saw smoke rising over the World Trade Center.
The memorial was dedicated on September 5, 2002. The names of 149 people who died in the attacks were read aloud. Each person was from Connecticut or had close family in the state. The memorial is made of strong granite, surrounded by beautiful trees, and looks out at the calm sea. The 9-foot (2.7 m) polished granite stone says, "The citizens of Connecticut dedicate this living memorial to the thousands of innocent lives lost on September 11, 2001 and to the families who loved them." It's also easy for everyone to visit, including those with disabilities.
Learning at the Nature Center
The Sherwood Island Nature Center is open in the summer. It's a fantastic place to learn about the environment and local history. You can see live animals up close and explore cool displays.
The first nature center started in the 1990s in an old first-aid building. In 2002, that building was found to be unsafe. So, people worked hard to build a new one! The new Nature Center opened in 2009. It was built with money from the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection and a group called the Friends of Sherwood Island.
Getting to the Park
You can get to Sherwood Island State Park from Exit 18 on Connecticut Route 95 (I-95). Just follow the Sherwood Island Connector, also known as Connecticut Special Service Road 476, and you'll arrive at the park's parking areas.
Fun Activities and Facilities
Sherwood Island State Park offers tons of fun things to do!
- Swimming in the saltwater
- Fishing
- Having picnics
- Scuba diving
- Playing field sports
- Bird watching
- Flying kites and model airplanes
- Visiting the nature center
The park also has great facilities to make your visit comfortable:
- A large pavilion
- Bathhouses for changing
- Concession stands for snacks
- A first aid station
- Toilets
- Drinking fountains
Gallery
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East from the pavilion roof
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Pavilion, from the south
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Distinctive picnic spot, west side
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Beach on west side and "Protected Sand Dune Area"
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Some of more than 100 picnic tables northwest of the pavilion
Images for kids
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9-11 Memorial at Sherwood Island (pictured during the memorial services on the 2013 anniversary of the attacks)
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