Our Town | written by: Darien MagazineCT | photo by: BAMBI RIEGEL | riegelpictureworks.com
WHAT YOU SEE HERE, almost impossibly considering our proximity to New York City, are images from our town. Darien features a depth of protected ecosystems worthy of some of our most cherished national parks. That they exist is no accident. Powered by passion and a fierce, intentional commitment, generations of residents through groups such as the privately-funded Darien Land Trust and Darien Community Association, as well as the taxpayer-supported town government and others have insisted on them through stewardship, donations and civic advocacy. They still do. Preserving and adding to our wild places and outdoor spaces is a job that is never done. We dare not let it be. For, as Henry David Thoreau so famously said, “In wildness is the preservation of the world” …and it is in the wild places and outdoor spaces that we find our truest selves.
While Darien offers a wonderful array of parks and open spaces such as McGuane, Highland Farm and Tilley Pond, as well as extensive playing fields at Town Hall and our schools, the list below represents areas in town where you can immerse in nature. Most are open from dawn to dusk and allow dogs on leashes (with the exception of the DCA Bird Sanctuary). For more information, including why it is critical to remain vigilant about preserving our green spaces (and adding to them when and where we can), as well as opportunities to volunteer or donate, check out darienlandtrust.org, darienct.gov, woodlandparknaturepreserve.com and dariendca.org.
● Baker Park
An 11.7 acre park located off Noroton Avenue. Includes a playground, playing fields and a walking trail around the park courtesy of Eagle Scout Alex Von Stuelpnagel in 2011. Owned and maintained by the town.
● Cherry Lawn Park
27.5 acres at 120 Brookside Road. With parking in several areas, Cherry Lawn includes tennis courts, pickleball courts, a basketball court, playing fields, picnic areas and a playground and is also home to the Darien Community Gardens and the Darien Nature Center. Additionally, it features a natural pond, gazebo and three-acre walking trail. While the park is owned and maintained by the town, the walking trail is maintained in partnership with the Darien Land Trust (which owns a portion of it) and the Darien Nature Center.
photo courtesy the DCA
● Darien Community Association (DCA) Bird Sanctuary and Nature Trail
Four acres of swooping trails among majestic trees, native plantings, open spaces and water features located at 274 Middlesex Road. Entrance is behind the DCA. Plenty of parking. Features include a rope bridge, stump and log walks, a rock spiral and nesting sites for birds and insects. Surrounded by deer fencing. Owned by the Darien Community Association. Maintained in partnership with Chris Filmer and his merry band of volunteers.
Darien Land Trust photo
● Dunlap Woods
A 22-acre Nature Preserve adjacent to Selleck’s Woods (see next below). Together the two areas represent seven interlinked ecosystems with well-maintained trails and natural features. Owned and tended by the Darien Land Trust with support from volunteers and other community groups, it
is open to the public and accessed through the entrance at 3 Parklands Drive.
Darien Land Trust photo
● Goodwives Meadows
This three-acre coastal meadow was acquired by the Darien Land Trust in 2012. It is maintained as a natural meadow with native grass and flower species to accommodate migrating birds and other wildlife. While not open to the public, the meadows are an important natural gem in our town.
● Great Island
60 acres of beautiful coastal land located across from Ring’s End Bridge. While a percentage of the property acquired by the town in 2025 is developed, preservation efforts are underway as the town considers a broad range of uses for the area. Access is limited to pedestrians at this time. Recreational activities are limited to walking/running in designated areas. There is no parking on Great Island at present though pick up and drop off are now allowed at the entrance to the property.
● Mather Meadows
10-acres located at the intersection of Brookside and Stephen Mather Road. Owned and maintained by the Darien Land Trust as natural meadows as part of the disappearing grassland habitat in Connecticut. Used by certain migrating bird species on the Atlantic Fly-Way and by the Monarch butterfly as they stop to feed on their return migration to Mexico each fall. While not open to the public for walking, the Meadows too are an important natural asset to Darien.
Darien Land Trust photo
● Nearwater Lane
The Darien Land Trust owns more than six acres in the Nearwater Lane corridor, including Brendan’s Meadow. In an ongoing effort to reestablish the habitat at these properties by planting a wildflower meadow, removing invasive phragmites, and replanting the native tidal marsh plants that enhance the coastal ecosystem, they gift residents with restorative nature and scenic vistas.
Darien Land Trust photo
● Olson Woods & Piacentini Preserve
16-acre wilderness oasis right off of Hoyt Street. lies adjacent to the Noroton River on the Stamford border. Open to the public from dawn to dusk. The River creates a lagoon where ducks and other shore birds can be observed from trails well-maintained by the Darien Land Trust, owners of the preserve. Accessed from Heather Lane or Echo Drive North with parking coming soon at the entrance on Hoyt Street thanks to a $100K grant from The Darien Foundation.
● Pear Tree Point Beach
8 acres off Pear Tree Point Road at the mouth of the Goodwives River. Includes a picnic area with grills, a gazebo, a boat launch ramp and two beaches. Ample parking and opportunities to enjoy the Sound and explore the coastline. Owned and operated by the town.
● Selleck’s Woods
A 28-acre nature preserve located between I-95 and the Metro-North Rail Line. Main entrance is 3 Parklands Drive where there is parking. Owned by the town, preserved and maintained by volunteers working with the town. Extensive, well-marked trail system through densely wooded areas past ponds, swamps, marshes, streams, wildlife and more. Contiguous to Dunlap Woods.
photo by: BAMBI RIEGEL | riegelpictureworks.com
● Stony Brook Park
11.3 acres located at 126 Ledge Road. Offers easy hiking, several benches and a cascading waterfall. Parking is at the Ledge Road entrance. Owned and maintained by the town.
● Tokeneke Preserve
The Tokeneke Preserve consists of 21 acres of woods and meadows within the Tokeneke Association donated in parcels large and small to the Darien Land Trust for the preservation of habitats and native plantings critical to environmental conservation in our area. While not open to the public, they balance the building that has Darien nearly
98% developed.
● Valley Forge
The two open spaces at Valley Forge, totaling more than four acres, were donated to the Darien Land Trust in 2006. By replacing an old dam, removing a garage and planting native plants, removing invasives and rebuilding walls, they effectively restored the habitat making its peaceful pond home to many birds and animals which can be quietly observed from the bridge on Half Mile Road.
● Waterbury Field
The Darien Land Trust acquired the nearly three acres that comprise Waterbury Field on Hollow Tree Ridge Road across from Wee Burn Country Club in 2008 with generous donations from many Darien residents. The group maintains the property as an example of a bio-diverse suburban habitat using native plants and invites passers-by to enjoy the view across this lovely open space and observe the activity at the two bluebird boxes in the meadow.
● Weed Beach
22 acres located at 155 Nearwater Lane on the right immediately before the entrance to Noroton Bay. Plenty of parking. While the park includes paddle and tennis courts, pickleball (during the summer), a bathing pavilion with concession stand and a playground, there is also a fitness trail and Darien’s largest beach area. Owned and operated by the town.
● Woodland Park Nature Preserve
64.7 acres in Noroton Heights. Extensive hiking trails plus ponds, streams and open fields. Parking at Middlesex Road entrance. Owned by the town. Supported by Friends of Woodland Park.
