and carry out all trash and garbage. and trash all out carry and

essary supplies. Practice “Leave No Trace “principles Trace No “Leave Practice supplies. essary

Carry your own water, food and other nec- other and food water, own your Carry (seasonal).

Shea Island and Sheffield Island have sanitary facilities sanitary have Island Sheffield and Island Shea

• There is no fresh water on the public islands and only and islands public the on water fresh no is There

to late afternoon. late to

up early to mid afternoon, and storms are common mid common are storms and afternoon, mid to early up

and know their limitations. The wind is known to pick to known is wind The limitations. their know and

Paddlers must constantly keep an eye on the weather the on eye an keep constantly must Paddlers

• Know the weather forecast and leave a float plan. float a leave and forecast weather the Know

to the mainland. the to

the islands, heading in a northerly direction gets you you gets direction northerly a in heading islands, the make the next right onto Calf Pasture Beach Road. Beach Pasture Calf onto right next the make 203-341-1170 for information and permitting. and information for 203-341-1170

heavy rain sets in and the shore cannot be seen from seen be cannot shore the and in sets rain heavy the monument, go left around the monument, and then and monument, the around left go monument, the , 1 Myrtle Ave., Westport, CT or call call or CT Westport, Ave., Myrtle 1 , Commission

and wind direction will help to orient you. If fog or fog If you. orient to help will direction wind and ately bear right onto Gregory Boulevard. Go 0.6 miles to miles 0.6 Go Boulevard. Gregory onto right bear ately Contact the Westport Conservation Westport the Contact

bells or foghorns, sightings of buoys and steady wave steady and buoys of sightings foghorns, or bells

0.1 miles, then bear left around a cemetery, then immedi- then cemetery, a around left bear then miles, 0.1

call 203-854-7806 for information and permitting. and information for 203-854-7806 call

result in sudden and total disorientation. The sound of sound The disorientation. total and sudden in result

tle bridge. Continue straight under the railroad trestle for trestle railroad the under straight Continue bridge. tle

, 125 East Ave., Norwalk or Norwalk Ave., East 125 , Department Parks

nautical chart and a compass. When fog occurs, it can it occurs, fog When compass. a and chart nautical

Follow East Avenue for about 0.4 miles to a railroad tres- railroad a to miles 0.4 about for Avenue East Follow

Contact the Norwalk Recreation and Recreation Norwalk the Contact

It is strongly recommended that paddlers travel with a with travel paddlers that recommended strongly is It

and turn left at the end of the ramp onto East Avenue. Avenue. East onto ramp the of end the at left turn and

• Fog is a common occurrence in . Island Long in occurrence common a is Fog

Connecticut Coast is especially useful. especially is Coast I-95 North to Exit 16 Exit to North I-95 South: the From - Directions

A Code of Ethics for Wildlife Watching Along the Along Watching Wildlife for Ethics of Code A

nearest marker. nearest

and turn right at the end of the ramp onto East Avenue. Avenue. East onto ramp the of end the at right turn and

CTDEP guide entitled Sharing the waterways: waterways: the Sharing entitled guide CTDEP

www.tidesonline.com - Greens Ledge is the the is Ledge Greens - www.tidesonline.com

I-95 South to Exit 16 Exit to South I-95 North: the From - Directions

formations, coastal access and wildlife habitat. A habitat. wildlife and access coastal formations,

and wave conditions, even on calm days. days. calm on even conditions, wave and

and maps concerning Long Island Sound, geologic Sound, Island Long concerning maps and

Beach in East Norwalk, Connecticut Norwalk, East in Beach sheer force of their flow can also cause difficult eddy difficult cause also can flow their of force sheer

http://dep.state.ct.us for more detailed information detailed more for http://dep.state.ct.us

Directions to Calf Pasture Calf to Directions Connecticut: Norwalk, felt between Shea Island and Chimon Island, and the and Island, Chimon and Island Shea between felt

at (860) 424-3034 or visit their website at website their visit or 424-3034 (860) at

foul weather conditions. Strong tidal currents can be can currents tidal Strong conditions. weather foul

nent of the local and state economy. state and local the of nent

Environmental Protection (CTDEP) (CTDEP) Protection Environmental

and mid-incoming tides and are more intense during intense more are and tides mid-incoming and

stakes: the shellfish industry is a very important compo- important very a is industry shellfish the stakes:

Contact the Connecticut Department of Department Connecticut the Contact

hours. Tidal currents are strongest on the mid-outgoing the on strongest are currents Tidal hours. • Do not tamper with lobster pot buoys or shellfish bed shellfish or buoys pot lobster with tamper not Do

information about each boat launch site. launch boat each about information (from low to high) has duration of approximately 6 approximately of duration has high) to low (from

is: http://a013.uscgaux.info/requirements.htm. http://a013.uscgaux.info/requirements.htm. is:

Go to www.lisrc.uconn.edu/coastalaccess for more more for www.lisrc.uconn.edu/coastalaccess to Go

the Norwalk Islands area is 7.5 feet. Each tidal cycle tidal Each feet. 7.5 is area Islands Norwalk the

Guard federal requirements for paddle craft in our area our in craft paddle for requirements federal Guard

Saugatuck River. Saugatuck

blow out of the southwest. The average tidal range in range tidal average The southwest. the of out blow

visible to other larger vessels. The link to the Coast the to link The vessels. larger other to visible

• past the sewage treatment plant on the the on plant treatment sewage the past Throughout most of the year the prevailing winds prevailing the year the of most Throughout

is required by the Coast Guard -make sure that you are you that sure -make Guard Coast the by required is

under thruway and take first right. Boat ramp is ramp Boat right. first take and thruway under

the right of way. of right the A light is necessary before sunrise and after sunset and sunset after and sunrise before necessary is light A

Turn right at next light Bridge St. (Rte 136). Go 136). (Rte St. Bridge light next at right Turn

larger vessel has sighted your vessel or that you have you that or vessel your sighted has vessel larger (w/croakie), watershoes, suntan lotion and bug repellant bug and lotion suntan watershoes, (w/croakie),

lights. Turn left at stop light. Turn right at first light. first at right Turn light. stop at left Turn lights.

right angles. Make yourself visible and never assume a assume never and visible yourself Make angles. right includes - wicking fabric, not cotton, hat, sunglasses hat, cotton, not fabric, wicking - includes

Exit 17. Straight at end of ramp. Through two stop two Through ramp. of end at Straight 17. Exit

markers for channels, stay in close groups and cross at cross and groups close in stay channels, for markers 16 in marine emergencies. Recommended clothing Recommended emergencies. marine in 16

I-95 North to North I-95 South: the From - Directions

channels. It is imperative that paddlers know the bouy the know paddlers that imperative is It channels. waterproof container) is recommended . Monitor Channel Monitor . recommended is container) waterproof

•

plant on the Saugatuck River. Saugatuck the on plant Access to the islands requires crossing boating boating crossing requires islands the to Access have a flashlight. A VHF radio and a cell phone (in a (in phone cell a and radio VHF A flashlight. a have

first right. Boat ramp is past the sewage treatment sewage the past is ramp Boat right. first

poor due to fog, rain, etc and at night, it is important to important is it night, at and etc rain, fog, to due poor

in the water. the in

Bridge St.(Rte 136). Go under thruway and take and thruway under Go 136). St.(Rte Bridge

device, i.e., whistle or air horn. Since visibility becomes visibility Since horn. air or whistle i.e., device,

of navigation and seamanship and be comfortable comfortable be and seamanship and navigation of

signs. Turn left at first light. Turn right at next light next at right Turn light. first at left Turn signs.

hat, flares, first aid kit, an efficient sound producing sound efficient an kit, aid first flares, hat,

information. All paddlers should know the principles principles the know should paddlers All information.

light, Greens Farms Road. Go through two stop two through Go Road. Farms Greens light,

bring warm clothing, a spare paddle, a space blanket, space a paddle, spare a clothing, warm bring

8&depNav_GID=1620 or (860) 434-8638 for further for 434-8638 (860) or 8&depNav_GID=1620

Exit 18. Stay right on ramp. Turn left at second at left Turn ramp. on right Stay 18. Exit

• In addition to food and water, it is recommended to recommended is it water, and food to addition In

http://www.ct.gov/Dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2222&q=32063

I-95 South to South I-95 North: the From - Directions

Protection or other organizations. Contact organizations. other or Protection

October 1st through May 31st. 31st. May through 1st October

Saugatuck River State Boat Launch Boat State River Saugatuck the Connecticut Department of Environmental of Department Connecticut the

on any vessel. ALL paddlers must wear a life jacket from jacket life a wear must paddlers ALL vessel. any on

Directions to Directions Connecticut: Westport, take a course in safe boating such as those offered by offered those as such boating safe in course a take

encouraged at all times for both children and adults while adults and children both for times all at encouraged

as any other small boat operator. All paddlers should paddlers All operator. boat small other any as

pelled vessels. However, life jacket usage is strongly is usage jacket life However, vessels. pelled Pasture Beach) Pasture

• Paddlers must follow the same safe boating practices boating safe same the follow must Paddlers

13 years old on canoes, kayaks and other manually pro- manually other and kayaks canoes, on old years 13 around to boat launch area. (Look for signs to Calf to signs for (Look area. launch boat to around

• Life jackets are required to be worn by children under children by worn be to required are jackets Life Safety & Emergency Reminders Emergency & Safety Go 0.6 miles to the beach. Follow the parking lot parking the Follow beach. the to miles 0.6 Go

Fairfield County is easy to reach by car, train, bus or ferry. Fairfield County/CONNECTICUT Norwalk Islands Kayak Trail

MetroNorth Commuter Train • www.mta.info

The Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Ferry • www.bpjferry.com

Fairfield County

Merritt Parkway, a National Scenic Byway

COMPLIMENTS OF

Merritt Parkway

Exits 2 - 33 Exits 27- 52 Economy to Luxury Easy • Fun • Rentals

Fairfield County Convention & Visitors Bureau Instructions • Tours 297 West Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06850 • 203-853-7770 i 800-473-4868 • www.visitfairfieldcountyCT.com Norwalk, Connecticut The Norwalk 3. Chimon Island - This 70-acre island is part of the 7. Cockenoe Island - (pronounced “kah-KEE-nee”) has Islands SBMNWR. The north and west coasts are gravely; the almost all the bird rookeries in the island chain. Herons, Launch your own kayak or rent locally. south and east coast are strewn with boulders. Access is egrets and black cormorants can be seen on Cockenoe. Instructions and tours available. Find outfitters restricted from April 1st to August 15th during bird-nesting Camping permits limited to 4 parties per night can be at www.visitfairfieldcountyCT.com. season. No overnight camping or use of the island’s inte- obtained from the Westport Conservation Commission. Environmental/Wildlife Consideration rior is allowed. For more information, visit the SBMNWR Harbor seals have been spotted with greater frequency website at http://northeast.fws.gov/. on the southwest corner of Sheffield Island on the rocks 4. Shea Island - The entire shoreline of this 45-acre at low tide in the winter months. Recent studies suggest island is strewn with rocks and boulders. Many bird Saugatuck that kayak and canoe approaches disturb the seals who species are found on the island. Two solar powered River and may sense predatory danger from the low-draft silent restrooms are available seasonally along with 16 State Boat vessels. Please maintain a safe distance (50 yards) camping sites. Camping permits can be obtained from Launch from the harbor seals. The Marine Mammal Protection the Norwalk Recreation and Parks Department. Act protects these mammals from harassment and sets limits as to how close observers can approach. 5. Sheffield Island - This 53-acre island is located Visit Norwalk's Maritime Aquarium or its website 1.5 miles off the coast of Norwalk and is part of the www.maritimeaquarium.org for information about SBMNWR. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service controls marine life. the island except for the 3.5-acre parcel occupied by the Sheffield Island Lighthouse and grounds owned by the The Norwalk Islands Norwalk Seaport Association. This is the largest island, There are approximately 23 islands located off the and the entire shoreline is strewn with rocks and boul- coast of Norwalk, Connecticut. Many of these islands ders. Sheffield Island supports a variety of bird species are privately owned, some with residents living on them and has considerable nesting potential for osprey, herons seasonally and others year-round. The islands of Chimon and other migratory birds. To protect these birds, and Sheffield are part of the Stewart B. McKinney Sheffield Island is seasonally closed to public access National Wildlife Refuge (SBMNWR) and access is each year. The refuge also provides important resting, restricted. The City of Norwalk owns Shea Island and feeding, and nesting habitat for many species of wading Grassy Island, both of which are open to the public. birds, shorebirds, songbirds and terns, including the Cockenoe Island is owned by the town of Westport. The endangered roseate tern. Adjacent waters serve as islands are located about one mile off shore and provide wintering habitat for brant, scoters, black duck and other canoeists and kayakers with daylong sightseeing, wind waterfowl. Kayak landing fee. sheltered, and open-water paddling opportunities. Overnight camping is permitted only on Shea, Grassy 6. Sheffield Lighthouse - The Sheffield Island and Cockenoe Islands. (Camping permit information Lighthouse was built in 1868 and provided navigational below.) No fresh water is supplied to the islands. aid to mariners until about 1902. The Lighthouse is maintained by the Norwalk Seaport Association, a local 1. Calf Pasture Beach Boat Launch - Recognized non-profit, and Friends of the Norwalk Islands in point of entry for car-top carrier boats. There is a $15 partnership with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. entrance fee into the park for non-residents during the beach season and launching is from a gravel and mud The Lighthouse and surrounding picnic grounds are open beach entry area. This exposed launch area is the best seasonally. Tours and use of the picnic grounds are point of entry to get to the islands quickly and safely. available during the summer for a nominal fee. Kayaks are also available for rent. Enjoy walking the nature trail 2. Grassy Island - The coastline of this 7.3-acre on the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge. island is composed of smaller gravel, sand and silts. The trail was constructed to provide controlled public The northwest, west and southwest coast are nice, access while protecting the natural resources of the sheltered areas to rest. Camping is permitted at four island. Visit the Norwalk Seaport Association website for sites and permits can be obtained from the Norwalk information on events, island cruises and membership at Recreation and Parks Department. www.seaport.org. Lighthouse admission fee.

Acknowledgements: Based on: Norwalk Island Canoe/Kayak Trail Calf Pasture Beach, Norwalk Connecticut. Prepared by the South Western Regional Planning Agency, October 2001. www.swrpa.org; Base Map - National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration, Nautical Chart #12368: Sherwood Point to Stamford Harbor.

This map is not to be used for navigational purposes.