Great Island Parking Design Committee To Continue Review Of Parking, Access And Infrastructure Plans

DARIEN, CT — Darien's Great Island Parking Design Committee is scheduled on Thursday to continue reviewing plans for the access to Great Island, with discussions expected to focus on parking, circulation, accessibility and infrastructure improvements.

The committee will meet virtually at 4 p.m. Thursday, July 16. Public comment is listed on the agenda.

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One of the meeting's agenda items is an update on the Route 23A connection associated with the property.

The committee also is scheduled to receive a presentation from landscape architecture firm Reed Hilderbrand, which is expected to include a project schedule and continued design discussions for the site's access improvements.

According to the agenda, the design discussion will cover circulation and accessibility, including technical criteria, internal circulation, the Route 23A connection and crosswalks.

Committee members also are expected to review proposed materials and site details, including boardwalk construction, parking paving and gates.

Additional discussion topics include infrastructure elements such as stormwater management, site amenities, lighting and utilities.

The committee also is scheduled to review planting conditions, including proposed tree removals and replanting plans, before discussing next steps for the project.

As of July 3, pedestrians may access Great Island seven days a week from dawn to dusk by using the new sidewalk along 23A to the traffic circle.

Vehicles and bicycles may travel to the traffic circle only for passenger drop-off and pick-up on weekdays from 4 p.m. until dusk and on weekends from dawn until dusk, with access beyond that point limited to pedestrians.

There is currently no public parking on the property, and bicycles are not permitted beyond the traffic circle, where bicycle racks are available.

Gates mark the end of vehicular access, and no parking, standing or waiting is allowed in or around the traffic circle.

Construction continues along 23A, and police are monitoring the property while visitors are asked to follow posted signs, gates and traffic controls.