What Will We Leave to Future Generations?

The 100-year old stone barn will be the only remaining structure on the site. Photo by Rick Pank.

The opportunity you have before you, to protect 16 acres of contiguous coastal open space in densely-built Rowayton CT, is a worthy endeavor no matter how you look at it. The 10-acre Hart Peninsula is untouched forest, rimmed by tidal marsh and meadow, and owned by the City of Norwalk since 1983. It is Rowayton’s only undisturbed wildlife habitat and feeding ground for numerous birds and animals and contains many plant species as well. Salt marshes are vital to the ongoing health of all of Long Island Sound; but they are increasingly being destroyed by home development along the water’s edge.

The Norwalk Land Trust has worked with the City of Norwalk to create a conservation easement which will protect this vital habitat. Happily, every one of the 15-member Common Council understood the importance of protecting this land. The easement vote was 15-0. “It’s so beautiful and so tranquil, and it will be like this in 500 years.” said Common Council President Michael Coffey. Final signing of the easement is slated for April 22nd, Earth Day. 

The two-acre 34 Sammis Street site, adjacent to the Hart Peninsula, will provide an area where the rest of us can enjoy this special, quiet space. Although the property could support several homes, the current owner has offered the acreage first to the Norwalk Land Trust. There would be no homes. The only structure on the site would be the 100-year old stone barn, a wonderful vestige of Rowayton of old times.

Imagine an open space of peace and tranquility. A path winds its way through meadows of wild flowers and grasses and native vegetation down to a trail along the water’s edge. An observation deck and benches where adults and children can sit and watch – the grasses swaying in the tide, the blue herons and the osprey.

A place to relax and breathe and think. A sanctuary. 

Next to 34 Sammis Street is the Langdon property, a half-acre strip of land which the Land Trust owns. It was part of of the old trolley way out to Bell Island and will anchor the eastern end of the Farm Creek Preserve created at 34 Sammis Street. And to the west, the Kulze Preserve offers another 3.5 acres of preserved tidal wetland.

Rowayton’s Sixth Taxing District is providing $125,000 in support of the purchase of this property in this taxing year, with a possible second $125,000 in next year’s budget. In presenting this budget item Commissioner Ed Kweskin spoke of visiting 34 Sammis Street and of being enthralled with the view of Farm Creek and the Hart Peninsula – “It made my spirit soar.” The budget item was passed unanimously by the Rowayton citizens who attended.

The support for this project is widespread. It’s the right thing to do.

• It helps Rowayton keep its value and ambiance over time.
• It creates passive public open space.
• It supports and protects wildlife habitat, so threatened in the area.

We must translate this support into dollars; and have those dollars by the summer’s end. We can only ask once. This is it.    

The Farm Creek Preserve is our chance. Please join us today.