[ARCHIVED] Mayor Rilling Announces Certain Parks and Amenities to Open May 9
Mayor Harry W. Rilling announced on May 7, 2020 that most City parks and certain amenities would be opening Saturday, May 9, 2020 under strict new guidelines. These include the Boat Ramps and Marina at Veteran's Park, garden plots at Fodor Farm, the dog park at Taylor Farm, and Veteran's, Flax Hill, Oyster Shell, and Matthews Parks. Calf Pasture Beach and Cranbury Park remain closed to vehicular traffic until further notice. Those parking in and around the parks may be ticketed and towed.
"I am opening these parks and amenities with optimism that members of the public will continue physically distancing and that those who cannot, will wear a face covering. These sites are going to be monitored closely by the Norwalk Police Department, and if we find that people are not adhering these guidelines and taking good precautions I may have to close them down again," Mayor Rilling said. "I get it – people are frustrated and want to get to back a new normal. We will slowly get there and this is a first step."
The Boat Ramps and Marina at Veteran's Park will be open this weekend, Saturday, May 8 and Sunday, May 9, from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. for daily launches and marina slip holders. Daily launches must be back by the posted times as the ramps will be closed each night.
The Fodor Farm garden plots will be open daily 7:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. Those working one their plots must wear face coverings and gloves, as gates, faucets, and hoses are being shared. The City and Friends of Fodor Farm will be monitoring physical distancing.
The Taylor Farm Dog Park, Veteran's Park, Flax Hill Park, Oyster Shell Park, and Matthews Parks will be open daily 7:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. Members of the public must physically distance when using the parks, and wear a face covering when that is not possible.
All playgrounds, public restrooms, picnic tables, and other amenities and areas remain closed until further notice. No more than five people are to be in any one area at a time and members of the public are asked not to interact with those outside of their immediate household.
Public access to these facilities are subject to change based on State of Connecticut guidelines. Residents can stay up-to-date on the schedule of services and amenities in Norwalk by visiting norwalkct.org/citynews.