Sherwood Island State Park

Sherwood Island State Park is a coastal park with a mile-long sandy beach showing three sand colors: reddish garnet, black magnetite, and white quartz. The 238-acre property sits on Long Island Sound and provides various facilities for outdoor activities.

The initial land purchase for Connecticut's first state park took place in 1914, followed by a lengthy acquisition process against local property owners. This marked an important step in securing public coastal access in the region.

The September 11 memorial displays a granite stone with views toward Manhattan's skyline, bearing inscriptions honoring the victims. It serves as Connecticut's official tribute to those affected by the attacks.

The park allows saltwater swimming, fishing from rocky jetties, disc golf, and model airplane flying, mainly from April through September. An on-site nature center offers educational programs to help visitors learn about the environment.

The park offers direct views of the New York City skyline, providing an unexpected glimpse of the distant city from a quiet shoreline. This geographic proximity to a major metropolitan area creates an interesting contrast between natural landscape and urban surroundings.