The Sherwood Mill Pond Preserve offers a natural habitat of wetland plants by the water’s edge, and a naturalized, vegetative buffer above the tidal zone. The pond is home to over 70 species of birds and many forms of aquatic life.
A series of crushed stone paths constructed in conjunction with native wetlands plantings leads visitors through the small preserve, and benches are provided for relaxation and nature observation. Educational signs display historic and wildlife information, and there is a designated launching area for canoes and kayaks. A small parking lot is located on the site.
The Preserve is located at 191 Hillspoint Road on the site of the former Allen’s Clam House Restaurant. When Captain Allen’s century-old shellfishing business and eatery closed in the late 1990s, the property was put up for sale. To protect the site from developers, the town of Westport bought the property with the help of many local residents who donated nearly half the funds necessary to complete the purchase. Around 2009-2010, after many years of planning, the former restaurant site was converted into the Sherwood Mill Pond Preserve. A committee of volunteers created the design, raised funds, and worked collaboratively with the town to build the nature preserve.
Management of the tidal basin started in 1705 with the construction of a tide mill. In the 1800s, a stone dam was constructed on Mill Creek, which forces ebb flows to exit via the mill providing power to the grist mill. In 1855 the Sherwood family took possession of the mill and pond, and in 1907 Captain Walter Allen acquired the majority of shellfish licenses within the Mill Pond. The Department of Public Works re-established the tide gate management program for the pond in 1988, including the opening of the gates in the evening, to increase flushing within the Mill Pond basin. Find more information on the tidal management on the town website.
Parts of the trail are wheelchair accessible (pea stone), others are natural tidal meadow ground.
Take Route 1 East and turn south onto Hillspoint Road. Shortly after crossing over I-95, the small Preserve parking lot will be on your left.
From I-95, take Exit 18 and turn north onto Sherwood Island Connector (towards Westport Center/Route 1). Turn west onto Route 1/Post Road East (towards Westport Center), and then where two lane traffic resumes, turn south onto Hillspoint Road. Shortly after crossing over I-95, the small Preserve parking lot will be on your left.
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