Category: Activities (Page 7 of 33)

 URBAN HIKE

   STAMFORD CT

FEBRUARY 23, 2023

      10:30 AM

We will meet at 10:30 in the parking lot for Harbor Point on the northwest corner of Washington and Atlantic Streets in Stamford.

(See directions below) The lot is quite large and free. 

Our urban tour will take us along the West Branch of the Rippowam River past the many new apartment and office buildings looking across the river mouth at the Crab Shell and Prime Restaurants on the opposite shore. We will continue into Kosciusko Park and walk the perimeter of the park past Shippan on the opposite shore. Leaving the park we will again pass through more of the new construction and have lunch in one of the restaurants there. Our total hike will be about 2.5 miles which should take us a little less than 90 minutes.

DIRECTIONS-Since the parking lot does not have an address, the route to follow is to take I-95 south to Exit 7. Turn left onto Canal Street and then right onto Dock at the first light. Follow Dock to Atlantic and turn left. Straight ahead on Atlantic to Washington. Turn right on Washington then a quick left into the lot.

Guests and dogs on a leash are welcome!

Dave McCollum and  Bob Plunkett

Recap:

The temperature was 38 degrees and a light mist was falling at 10:30 in the morning but 22 hardy DMAers and guests gathered in the Harbor Point parking lot for a hour and a half walking tour of the new South End. The area bounded by the east and west branches of the Rippowam River (“South End”) in Stamford has been redeveloped over the past several years into an impressive complex of apartments, restaurants, other retail and offices. We toured much of that new area and hiked around Kosciusko Park for a total of 2.2 miles in a little under 1.5 hours. 

We paused to pose for Marilyn Parker to take the group photo but otherwise kept walking, talking and looking at the scenery. 

Sixteen hikers stayed on for a burger lunch at Bareburger Restaurant which set up a long table for us. A delightful way to spend a late February morning!

Dave McCollum

Bob Plunkett

Hiking: Monday, January 30, 2023, at 10:30 a.m.:  Sherwood Island State Park, Sherwood Island Connector, Westport CT

We will be walking about 3 miles through Sherwood Island State Park on mostly hard and gravel paths. Very little up and down. We will meet in the Pavilion parking lot at 10:30 AM. The Park hugs the Sound shoreline and is often quite windy. Dogs are permitted on a leash and, as always, bring anyone with you who would enjoy a one hour plus walk in a beautiful setting. We will have an optional lunch after at The Little Barn restaurant in Westport.

HISTORY

Sherwood Island State Park is the oldest state park in Connecticut dating to 1914. The island itself was first settled by Daniel Sherwood in1787 where he built a grist mill. Over the next 70 years the land was farmed by many others but around 1860 the property became known as “Sherwood’s Island”.

After the Connecticut State Park Commission was formed in 1911 the search for suitable shorefront property to buy was on. The first piece of the existing park was purchased in 1914 making this the oldest state park. The park officially opened in 1932 but not until 1950 did the Army Corps of Engineers build the jetties and extend the beaches. The Pavilion opened in 1959 and a 911 Memorial was added in 2002.

DIRECTIONS

This one is easy! Take Exit 18 off I-95 (Sherwood Island connector) and turn right towards the Sound. The road goes directly into the park. Keep straight onto the wide roundabout and take the exit marked “Pavilion Parking”. We’ll meet at the front of that lot up towards the Pavilion.

Contacts: 

Recap:

Well, the third time was certainly the charm for our “hike” today at Sherwood Island! After two postponements due to rain, a baker’s dozen DMAers and guests (plus two dogs) enjoyed sunny skies and mild temperatures as we walked a little over 3 miles in an hour and a half. 

The initial portion of the hike took us along the beach west before turning inland onto a loop trail through a section of forest. The trail then turns north along a field with open views of the salt marsh and finally back south towards the beach. A moving 911 Memorial sits on a point of beach facing Ground Zero where we paused to reflect and take a group photo. The remainder of the hike was eastward along the beach until we turned and headed back to the parking lot.

Following the hike, seven of us enjoyed a lunch at The Little Barn in Westport.

For our February hike we are planning a walking tour of the South End  of Stamford including Kosciusko Park. Details forthcoming.

Dave McCollum

“HIKING” GREENWICH POINT PARK

  MONDAY DECEMBER 12, 2022

10:30

We will be walking around Greenwich Point starting at 10:30 am.  

NOTE THAT THIS START TIME IS ONE HALF HOUR LATER THAN OTHER HIKES. We will be walking about 3 miles over flat, mostly paved or packed gravel paths, which should take us about an hour and a half.

Greenwich Point is a 147 acre property owned by the Town of Greenwich which bought the property in 1945. The peninsula, surrounded on three sides by water, was the private estate of J. Kennedy Tod who purchased the property in the 1880s. Greenwich Point offers spectacular views of Manhattan and the Greenwich shoreline. It is a beautiful place to walk and only available to non-Greenwich residents (without a substantial fee) during the months of December-April. 

We will assemble in the first parking lot on the right after you pass the gatehouse. Greenwich Point can be windy and cold so layer up! Dogs on a leash are permitted and, as always, bring guests.

We will have an optional lunch at a restaurant TBD.

DIRECTIONS: Google Greenwich Point Park for guidance

Contacts: 

Dave McCollum 

Bob Plunkett

Hiking: November 14 at 10:00 a.m. Pomerance-Montgomery Pinetum Park COS Cob, Connecticut

Dave McCollum and Bob Plunkett will lead our hike at this 100-acre property which is now owned by Greenwich but was originally the estate of Earnest Seaton and later the home of financier Maurice Wertheim. The estate house was demolished by the town after falling into disrepair, but the stone walls remain. Mr. Seaton is credited with starting a boys group called “The League of Woodcraft Indians” which evolved into the Boy Scouts. Mr. Wertheim’s daughter, Barbara Tuchman, lived on the property and wrote the Pulitzer Prize winning book “The Guns of August” there.

This hike is more of a walk in the woods as the trails are wide, relatively flat, and well maintained. It is a very scenic property with mature trees, rock outcroppings and moving water in addition to its historical features. We will hike for about two hours and then enjoy an optional lunch at Louie’s Restaurant nearby in Cos Cob. Please bring cash for lunch.

Dogs and guests are welcome.

DIRECTIONS

Google Montgomery Pinetum Park

130 Bible Street, Cos Cob, CT

CONTACTS

Dave McCollum

Bob Plunkett

Report:

A hearty group of 15 DMAers and two spouses spent a little less than two hours traversing the 100 acre property originally owned by Ernest Seton and later by Maurice Wertheim. The Town of Greenwich purchased the property in 2002 and turned it into a nature center and park. The mansion was demolished by Greenwich after it fell into disrepair and was vandalized. The original stone walls remain. We visited the home site which sits high above Cos Cob Pond hiked a combination of paved roads and rough woodland paths. It is a remarkable piece of rural land right in the heart of Cos Cob.

This was one of the largest groups of hikers we have had outside of the beach venues we visit. Thanks to all who participated!

The  only wildlife sighting was a bird which we could not identify. Slim wildlife pickings as usual!

Following the hike we enjoyed a delicious Italian lunch at Louie’s in Cos Cob.

NEXT HIKE—December 12 at Greenwich Point

Bob Plunkett

Dave McCollum