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 -- 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 then Common Council President Michael Coffey. Final signing of the easement was April 22nd, Earth Day, 2007. 

The two-acre 34 Sammis Street site, adjacent to the Hart Peninsula, provides an area where the rest of us can enjoy this special, quiet space. Although the property could support several homes, this will never happen now. the Norwalk Land Trust. The only structure on the site is 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. Several observation areas 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.

The support for this project is widespread. It’s the right thing to do. The Campaign for Farm Creek Preserve converts this support into dollars.  And as of July 2010 we have only $80,000 left to raise.  Over 900 donors have made this possible.  We are almost at the end of the campaign.

Page 3: The History of the Hart Castle