Located in Green Farms, Westport, Sherwood Island State Park is recognized as Connecticut’s oldest state park. The expansive outdoor haven covers approximately 235 acres, and is a favorite destination for nature enthusiasts of all ages.
Creation of the park started in 1914, when the Connecticut State Park Commission surveyed the coastline and discovered an area ideal for turning into a shore park. However, the area already had multiple owners, so legal issues prevented public access for several years. It was only until 1937 that construction for park facilities and recreational improvements were given the go signal.
Today, Sherwood Island State Park offers many fun-filled recreational activities for visitors and residents. The park is surrounded by breathtaking scenery, and is a great destination if you’re looking for the perfect place to relax, soak in some sunlight, and enjoy fun activities with friends and family.
Sherwood Island Nature Center
The Sherwood Island Nature Center is located between the park’s East Beach and salt marsh trail, and is open from Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm.
Here, visitors can get a closer look at the rich and diverse variety of plant and animal life inhabiting the park through a fascinating collection of exhibits and displays.
Outdoor exhibit
Sherwood Island State Park features an outdoor exhibit called “Viewpoints,” a joint project of the Connecticut Art Trail, Connecticut Commission on the Arts, and the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
The exhibit features works of art depicting the appearance of the Connecticut landscape from more than a century ago. Each painting also contains information about the artist, as well as the landscape’s location.
Activities
The park offers many fantastic outdoor activities for visitors.
Anglers can look forward to spending endless hours catching fish, as fishing is allowed in nearly any point of the shoreline, save for the swimming area.
Swimming is a great activity to enjoy at the park too, but swimmers are advised to wear water shoes, as there can be sharp shells and rocks scattered around the beach.
For those simply looking forward to a relaxing experience surrounded by gorgeous scenery, the park features multiple picnic areas and shaded areas.
