Summer Fun in Stratford

In part two of this series we take a look at our many beaches and parks we have to enjoy in Stratford.

Short Beach, located at 1 Drone Drive in the Lordship section, is probably our most popular beach in town. Short Beach has a playground, golf course, ample parking, courts for basketball and tennis, and a concession stand with bathrooms and showers. There is handicap access at the northern most section as well. There are picnic areas, softball fields, and three covered pavilions. You can even learn to sailboat at the Southend most section. The beach is home to Least Terns, Pipping Plovers, and Horeshoe Crabs who all feed and breed here.

Long Beach is located at the end of Oak Bluff Road and is a coastal barrier beach between the waters of Long Island Sound and the Lewis Gut. This is an 'unimproved' beach, meaning there are no permanent restroom facilities or a concession stand. The Eastern end is a public beach where residents and non-residents can enjoy swimming and playing in the sand. The middle sections are maintained as shorebird nesting areas. Considered to be some of the best nesting habitats in the state for Piping Plovers and Least Terns, Long Beach West has been proposed as an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society.

Russian Beach , known locally as 'Lordship Beach', is located on Park Blvd in the Lordship section of town. The name 'Russian Beach' comes from its historical use by Russian immigrants employed at Igor Sikorskys' Sikorsky Manufacturing Company. Russian Beach is believed to be one of the few natural beaches in Connecticut this is expanding in a seaward direction resulting in a series of dunes. Access is provided by the Point-No-Point walkway, the beach is located at the East end of Point-No-Point.

Stratford has many parks. Some well known, some not. For the not-well -known ones, You can take a walk in Elliot St Park on Elliot Street, Exchange Park on Reeds Lane, enjoy a game of basketball at George L. Force Park on Woodend Road, or catch a Stratford Brakettes softball game at Frank Deluca Hall of Fame Field at 1000 Main Street. Take a walk on the Greenway located directly behind Deluca Field. Enjoy the Community Gazebo at Greg Ackley Park at Prospect Drive and Stratford Road, this park was named in honor of life long Lordship resident Gregory Ackley. High Park located on Graham Street has a playground and basketball court. Have a picnic at John Chanda Park on Wigwam Lane, Lordship Park at Jefferson and Stratford Road, or Lyric Park on North Ave. Take a walk through Stonybrook Park on Klondike Street, Veterans Park on Sea Breeze Drive. Woodend Park at Woodend Road and Columbus Ave has a wonderful playground for children. Enjoy events on Paradise Green in Main Street and Huntington Road, and be sure to enjoy the view over on the Town Hall Green at 2725 Main Street.

For our well known parks we start with Booth Park. Located at 5774 Main Street, this 34-acre site is of much historical significance to Stratford, we will explore that aspect in part 3. The grounds were willed to the town following the deaths of the Boothe brothers Aside from the museum and historical buildings, it also includes flower gardens, ponds,and a working planetarium. This park is great for a day of exploring and picnicking.

Far Mill River Park is located at CT-110 and Main Street on the Stratford/ Shelton town line. While there is little public parking and the terrain is rough, it is worth it to explore this park. The park has the largest watercourse in Stratford and has a great stream for trout fishing. The river runs through a deep gorge from and elevation of 200 feet for 1.5 miles and continues down under River Road to the Far Mill Estuary at the Housatonic River. Features of the park are two mill sites, several dams and sluices, and three waterfalls. While the path through ancient trees and carpets of wildflowers requires much effort, that effort is rewarded by the wild beauty and peace of this unique park.

Juliette Low Park, located on Woodend Road is named for the founder of Girl Scouts and is a great park to enjoy a picnic, or relax on a blanket with a book. There is even shelter from the rain! This park is the site of the annual South End Expo and Youth Basketball Tournament.

Longbrook Park is probably one of the most well know parks in town, and the most visited. Located on Glendale Avenue, this 34-acre park was built under the W.P.A program during the depression. From winding trails to man-made waterfalls, Longbrook park is a great place to take a walk on a summer day. The stone walls and bridges were quarried from Roosevelt Forest. You can catch a game at Penders Field. The kids can enjoy the town's only splash pad here, or Vicki's Playground, named after Victoria Soto, resident hero who lost her life saving her student on December 14, 2012.

Great Meadows Marsh stretches along Long Beach Blvd. This salt Marsh protects the Lewis Gut from the wave action associated with Long Island Sound. With an extensive tidal Marsh ecosystem behind and protected by, Long Beach, the Great Meadows March provides critical habitats for a diversity of fish and wildlife. 270 species of birds can be seen at different times of the year. The area North and West of Lewis Gut contains the only unditched High Marsh left in the state.

Pirhala Farm on Connors Lane, known as ' The Farm at Stratford', is home to the Terry Backer Community Farm of Stratford. Backer died in December of 2016 and was a State Representative. Mr. Backer was an advocate for protecting the environment. Residents can use plots to grow frutis and vegetables.

Roosevelt Forest, at 700 Peters Lane, was set up during the depression era in the 1930's. This Forest system includes a pond, various wetlands, playgrounds, picnic tables, picnic shelters, cooking pits, and restrooms. Walking paths, hiking cross-country skiing, and showshoing are some of the activities enjoyed in the forest. This is also the site for the town's first dog park.

Birdseye Launching Ramp and Fishing Pier is a favorite spot for many a fisherman. Birdseye Dock is located at the East end of Birdseye Street and is primary access to the river for those who want to launch boats from a trailer. The Coast Gaurd Auxiliary and a small concession stand are located on site as well.

Bonds Dock and Fishing Pier on Shore Road is North of Mac's Harbor, the original site of the Stratford Puritan settlers. The dock was named for John Bond who had a boxers training quarters on site. Fishing boat launching and scenic overlooks are all enjoyed here.

We also have many ponds in town as well. Motil Park on Motil Avenue, Pecks Mill Pond at River Road and Main Street in the Putney section, Raven pond park on East Main Street, Spring Pond Park on Ross Drive, and Wooster Park and pond on Freeman Avenue adjecten to Wooster Middle School.

I hope that you will take the time this summer to visit many of these parks , ponds, and beaches!

Image via Shutterstock