Westport Recreation
Posted on January 9, 2008
Filed Under Westport, Connecticut - Events and Activities | Leave a Comment
Situated along 5.5 miles of the scenic Long Island Sound, the recreational opportunities in Westport are unparalleled. Westport’s Recreation Commission oversees 210 acres of public fun space. Residents enjoy 3 town beaches, boating, golfing, tennis, biking, jogging or strolling in the several town parks.
A short ten minute car ride north offers Westport residents the benefit of the beautiful hiking trails they are welcome to share with their more rural neighbor Weston. Here one will find, the 1765 acre Devil’s Den Preserve, the 60 acre Katherine Ordway Preserve and the 53 acre Bisceglie-Scribner Park.
Ice skating, boating and kayaking are also available in various spots in and around Westport and Weston.
The Compo Beach-Longshore complex, “the gem of Westport”, offers so much.
There is the beautiful beach itself, a long stretch of sand leaning against the blue Long Island Sound. Compo Beach is a favorite among residents offering calm waters, an expansive playground plus picnic areas, barbeque facilities and snack bar. Boating enthusiasts will find the Compo Beach Marina a convenient place to dock their boat for the summer.
The other Westport beaches are Old Mill, Burying Hill, Cockenoe Island Beach and the 300 acre Sherwood Island beach and state park.
Longshore Country Club, is town-owned and is exclusive, for a nominal yearly fee, to Westport residents. Longshore offers residents a beautiful 18 hole golf course, swimming pool, tennis and paddleball courts and marina and yacht basin. At waterside is the Longshore Sailing School, filling the horizon line with a rainbow of colored sails. The Longshore Clubhouse occupies a sea-facing rise overlooking the mouth of the Saugatuck River. With its terraces, gardens and bright awnings, it offers great views and sumptuous dining at its public restaurant, Splash. The Inn at Longshore, a hotel open to the public, is also part of this complex.
Winslow Park is 29 acres of rolling lawn and trees located in downtown Westport. Known as “the dog park”, this is a favorite place for residents and their canines to stroll, jog or talk (bark).
The Westport/Weston YMCA, located in a historic mansion in the heart of downtown, has 2 swimming pools, 2 gymnasiums, a fitness center and a complete program of health, sports and exercise programs. Camp Mahackeno, a wonderful summer day camp run by the YMCA, draws children from all of the neighboring towns.
Earthplace, located in the woodsy interior of Westport is a 62 acre sanctuary with interconnecting trails, natural science museum and aquarium. There is a live Animal Hall, an Exhibit Hall with Connecticut flora and fauna dioramas and a hands-on learning Discovery Room.
The Rolnick Observatory, weather permitting, is open to the public and offers access to the heavens.
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