Connecticut
Between NYC And New Haven Is One Of Connecticut’s Oldest State Parks With Scenic Beaches And Fishing – Islands
The state of Connecticut is blessed with over 600 miles of intricate shoreline fronting the idyllic Long Island Sound; however, 80% of it is privately owned. Therefore, Connecticut’s waterfront state parks, such as Sherwood Island State Park, are rare gems that allow public access to the state’s scenic coast. Sherwood Island State Park is also unique, as it is one of Connecticut’s oldest state parks, dating to 1914. However, it took nearly 30 years to officially open to the public, because wealthy residents wanted to keep the coastline private. Today, the park measures 235 acres, and it’s tucked just outside of Westport, a hidden town with sandy shoreline strolls and a cute downtown. Westport is a train stop between New Haven and Manhattan’s Grand Central Station, so in less than 90 minutes, New Yorkers can trade towering skyscrapers for blissful beach days and outdoor adventures.
Sherwood Island State Park is flanked by two scenic beaches, the longer East Beach and the cove-like West Beach, which are both lapped by the cool and calm waters of the Long Island Sound. The park is also a popular fishing spot to hook saltwater species that dwell in the Sound. Further inland, visitors can traverse nature trails or visit the park’s 9/11 Living Memorial and Nature Center.
Sherwood Island State Park is open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset year-round. However, the best time to visit the state park for swimming is between Memorial Day and Labor Day, when lifeguards monitor the coastline. Entry to the state park is free for Connecticut-registered vehicles, but out-of-state drivers will have to pay a fee, ranging from $7 to $22 (at the time of writing), depending on the time of year and day of the week.
Scenic beach days at Sherwood Island State Park
Sherwood Island State Park’s two scenic beaches are the park’s main draw, promising about 1.5 miles of prime waterfront footage. Both beaches have a unique array of shells, sea glass, and pebbles that are deposited along the water. The East Beach is the larger crescent, and it’s just steps from the park’s main parking lot, bathrooms, and concession stand. During the summer, lifeguards are on duty here from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. “The water was calm with some small waves, and while shallow, you could swim without going too far out,” wrote a Tripadvisor reviewer, who also recommended bringing water shoes, as the sand bed can be rocky. Active travelers can launch kayaks and paddleboards from the eastern end of the beach to explore the Sound and the park’s shoreline from a new perspective. Set back from East Beach is the park’s Nature Center, where you can learn more about the park’s flora and fauna.
For a quieter escape, head to the smaller West Beach, which is accessed by the beachfront path along the shoreline. Marking Sherwood Point between the East and West Beach is the 9/11 Living Memorial, where a stone memorial is carved with the names of Connecticut residents who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. In the distance, you can see the skyline of New York City rising over the water, if the weather is right. Continuing along the path, you’ll reach West Beach, flanked by a basalt jetty. There are also bathrooms here, and picnic tables are nearby for group gatherings. For more beaches in the area, head 5 miles east to Fairfield, a thriving Connecticut beach town that offers plenty of recreation.
Fishing at Sherwood Island State Park
Anglers can fish anywhere off of Sherwood Island State Park’s Long Island Sound shoreline, except for the designated swimming areas at the beaches between April 15 and September 30. Outside of those months, surf fishing is permitted anywhere on the beach. One of the most popular spots for anglers to congregate is along the park’s Sherwood Point jetty that juts into the Sound in between the two beaches. The waters of the Long Island Sound are brackish — a combination of saltwater and freshwater — due to its location between Connecticut’s rivers and the Atlantic Ocean. These waters support over 100 species of fish, and from the park’s shore, you can catch a number of saltwater species, including bluefish, flounder, and striped bass. “I fished the last couple of weeks over at the west beach but changed it up today and went over to the Far East side near the channel,” wrote a Reddit reviewer. “Beautiful spot, feel so lucky to have Sherwood island to explore.”
Fishing is only allowed at Sherwood Island State Park with a Connecticut fishing license, which costs $32 for residents and $63 for non-residents (at the time of writing). However, there are a few free fishing days offered throughout the year when you can get a free one-day license. For a more adventurous Long Island Sound fishing trip, venture to the uninhabited Shea Island, Connecticut’s hidden island retreat with rustic camping and serene sunsets, which is about 8 miles west of the state park off the coast of Norwalk.
Connecticut
Florida High School State Bronze Medalist Dajah German Verbals To Connecticut For Fall 2027
Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.
Florida high school state bronze medalist Dajah German has announced her verbal commitment to swim and study at the University of Connecticut beginning in the fall of 2027. She publicized the news on SwimCloud, writing:
I am so excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of Connecticut! I’m incredibly grateful for everyone who has supported me throughout this journey, my family, coaches, teammates, and friends who have pushed me to be my best throughout the years. And a very special thank you to Coach Chris and Coach Nicole for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. I’m so excited for what’s ahead. GO HUSKIES!
A rising senior at Fort Lauderdale High School in Florida, German trains year-round with Swim Fort Lauderdale and primarily specializes in the sprint and middle-distance freestyle events.
German has improved each year of her high school career, most recently dropping from 23.78, 51.39, and 1:50.56 in the 50/100/200 free to 23.54, 51.35, and 1:49.69 during the 2025-26 short course season.
German’s top meet of the season was the Florida Senior Championships in March, where she recorded her current PBs in both the 50 and 200 free. She finished second in the 500 free (4:55.94) and 1650 free (17:02.78), third in both the 50 free and 200 free, and fifth in the 100 free (51.43). She set her current 100 free PB at a smaller holiday meet in December. In the 500 free, she clocked a season-best 4:55.21 at the Speedo Cup in January, with her lifetime best of 4:53.19 coming at the 2025 Florida Senior Championships.
German has qualified for the FHSAA (Florida High School Athletic Association) State Championships for the past three years, with her top performance coming at the 2025 iteration in November. She placed third in the 50 free (23.96), fifth in the 500 free (5:01.12), and helped Fort Lauderdale to fourth place in both the 200 free relay (24.64 leadoff) and 400 free relay (53.08 anchor).
Top SCY Times:
- 50 Freestyle: 23.54
- 100 Freestyle: 51.35
- 200 Freestyle: 1:49.69
- 500 Freestyle: 4:53.19
A Division I Mid-Major program, Connecticut competes in the Big East, with the women’s team placing second out of seven teams at this past season’s conference championships. German’s current lifetime bests would have placed third in the 200 free, fourth in the 500 free, eighth in the 50 free, and ninth in the 100 free, setting her up as an immediate contributor with two full seasons of training still ahead before her first conference meet.
German joins Anna Mumford, Lyla Devlin, Lena Brown, and Louisa Holda in committing to the Huskies’ class of 2031 so far.
If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].
About the Fitter and Faster Swim Tour
Fitter & Faster Swim Camps feature the most innovative teaching platforms for competitive swimmers of all levels. Camps are produced year-round throughout the USA and Canada. All camps are led by elite swimmers and coaches. Visit fitterandfaster.com to find or request a swim camp near you.
FFT SOCIAL
Instagram – @fitterandfasterswimtour
Facebook – @fitterandfastertour
Twitter – @fitterandfaster
FFT is a SwimSwam partner.
Here are the forecast details for northern Connecticut via the National Weather Service:
Today: Sunny, with a high near 80. Light west wind increasing to 6 to 11 mph in the morning.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. Northwest wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: A chance of showers before 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 2pm and 4pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 4pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 76. Calm wind becoming southeast around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Monday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 59. Southeast wind around 8 mph becoming southwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
WASHINGTON (7News) — A Park Police chase ends with a moped rider getting hit and killed on the Taft Bridge in Northwest D.C.
7News’ Washington, D.C. reporter, Phylicia Ashley, went to the scene moments after it happened Saturday evening and spoke to multiple witnesses.
Ximen DeFillippes was riding her bike near Woodley Road when she saw the chase.
ALSO READ | Secret Service detains fleeing driver after deadly crash near White House
“The Park Police passed me. We were on Woodley Road. And then I saw the car they were pursuing,” said DeFillippes. “It was going very fast on the sidewalk. It drove up on the sidewalk up Woodley Road.”
DeFilippes was on one side of the Taft Bridge.
“I’d never seen anything that crazy,” said DeFillippes. “It was, it was like really like homicidal. It was just insane. I’ve never seen anything like that.”
7News also saw the aftermath of the chase and found Lamont Penry on the other side of the bridge. He also saw the chase. It ended on the steps of the Chinese Embassy staff housing.
“The car crashed into the diplomatic car,” Penry said. “A young man jumps out, takes off running down the street. The other three guys came out kind of dizzy. They apprehended one who was on the bench. One was at the rear. Tire of the vehicle, looked to be a Camry, and the other was on the other side of the diplomatic car.”
In the middle of the bridge, 7News saw the victim’s body covered by a white sheet. Witnesses said that when the chase reached the Taft Bridge, one of the vehicles involved struck someone riding a scooter.
“Once the gentleman on the bridge was hit. We realized that no one stopped,” said Penry. “Police continued the pursuit until here, and then they turned around.”
RELATED | President Trump allows US Park Police to chase fleeing vehicles
Penry said all the alleged suspects involved looked young. While on scene, 7News saw one person get arrested and placed in an ambulance.
DeFilippes was riding her bike when she said two cars blocked her from getting caught in the midst of the chase.
“I’m feeling lucky that for those few seconds of my path being kind of blocked,” said DeFillippes. “I’m just so glad that happened. Or else I would have been right there. I’m not at all surprised that someone was hurt. Just. Just from the way everything was unfolding, I could just tell it was going to be bad.
-
Louisiana11 minutes agoDriver dies from gunshot wound after Louisiana State Police chase in New Orleans
-
Maine18 minutes agoMatt Dunlap wins primary in Maine’s 2nd District as Democrats seek to hang on to Jared Golden’s seat
-
Maryland21 minutes agoAP Decision Notes: What to expect in Maryland’s state primary – WTOP News
-
Michigan26 minutes agoWNEM Morning Extra: Lane closures begin across mid-Michigan for bridge inspections, road work
-
Massachusetts33 minutes agoFormer Emmanuel College Admissions Director Sentenced In Sex Trafficking Case
-
Minnesota36 minutes agoBygones: ‘Wets’ had their day in 1926 Minnesota primary
-
Mississippi41 minutes agoMississippi Association of Coaches Inducts Six New Members
-
Missouri48 minutes agoPatrol reports 10 arrests in north Missouri from June 19-21, 2026
