Norwalk Coronavirus Update: More Details On May 20 Reopening Plan

NORWALK, CT — With Norwalk beginning its phased-in reopening plan on Wednesday, Mayor Harry Rilling issued a reminder to residents about the new restrictions at Calf Pasture and Shady beaches.

As with the rest of Connecticut, Norwalk shutdown its schools, parks, beaches and recreational areas beginning in March due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

"As we reopen the beach to vehicular traffic and head into the Memorial Day weekend, it is of utmost importance for residents to verify their vehicle information," Rilling said. "We will be strictly enforcing the parking rules, and I do not want to see residents towed. Please, verify your license plate to ensure the information is up-to-date in our system before heading to the beach."

The full reopening document can be found at norwalkct.org/reopennorwalk. (Don't miss local and statewide news about coronavirus developments and precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.)

Also set to reopen on Wednesday is Norwalk's new mall The SoNo Collection.

Parking at both beaches will be limited to 50 percent capacity, or 500 vehicles. A designated area at Taylor Farm will be for nonresident parking, and those spaces will be limited to 50 vehicles.

Activities at the beaches — such as swimming, fishing, grilling or using playground equipment — will be prohibited.

In addition to the beaches and The SoNo Collection, many restaurants will be open for outdoor dining, as will some retail shops. Some offices also will reopen for employees, and all will be under strict social distancing guidelines.

According to the Mayor, local enforcement of the guidelines will be handled by the Norwalk Health Department and Norwalk Police Department (Gov. Ned Lamont's Executive Order can be viewed here). "Those with a complaint should call the Police non-emergency line at 203-854-3000," Rilling said. "The public should not report issues on social media, as those are not being monitored in real-time. Specific sector guidance from the State of Connecticut can be found at ct.gov/coronavirus."

Additionally, state officials will be distributing 50,000 infrared thermometers to small
businesses, nonprofits, and places of worship throughout Connecticut to support safe reopening activities amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Entities that would like to request a thermometer can fill out the forms located at ct.gov/coronavirus in the "Access to Personal Protective Equipment" section.

Rilling also reminded residents that there are 15 food distribution sites in Norwalk available to families with children under the age of 18. The sites are open weekdays from noon to 2 p.m. Members of the public do not need to show ID, and children do not need to be enrolled with Norwalk Public Schools to receive food. More details at norwalkct.org/meals.

"With Phase One starting May 20, we are heading into some uncharted territory," Rilling said. "Outdoor dining will occur, the mall will be open, and offices will have more people reporting to work. All of these are normal, but these activities now will be operating under strict guidelines to protect the health and safety of employees and the public. If an employee has a concern with their place of work, they should report that issue to the State of Connecticut via 2-1-1. If a member of the public sees an issue with a local establishment, please contact the Norwalk Police Department so we can follow up. I ask for everyone's continued patience and cooperation in the days and weeks ahead."

Read Rilling's Tuesday beach parking announcement below:

Phase One of the Reopen Norwalk Plan starts tomorrow, May 20, 2020. As part of the plan,
vehicular access to Calf Pasture Beach and Shady Beach will be restored at 50% capacity to help with social distancing. Norwalk residents are asked to verify their license plate information before heading to the beach as ticketing and towing will be strictly enforced. Residents can check their information at norwalkct.org/passes.

Resident-only parking for 500 vehicles will be available in the main lots at Calf Pasture and Shady Beaches. Signage will be posted at the beach entrance stating resident-only parking. Non-residents who park in these areas will be ticketed and towed. Non-resident parking for a maximum of 50 vehicles per day will be available in a designated area at Taylor Farm. As soon as the lot hits 50 cars, no additional non-resident vehicles will be allowed for the day.

The public is reminded that swimming, fishing, and the use of all park amenities, including splash pad, picnic tables, grills, restrooms, and playgrounds, are prohibited. Umbrellas, blankets, and chairs, as well as passive recreation, such as walking the beach, are permitted. Per the Governor’s Orders, gatherings of more than five people are prohibited, and face coverings must be worn when a six-foot physical distance is unavoidable. Parks Ambassadors and Norwalk Police Officers will be on-site to enforce these rules. Those found in violation will be told to leave.

“As we reopen the beach to vehicular traffic and head into the Memorial Day weekend, it is of utmost importance for residents to verify their vehicle information. We will be strictly enforcing the parking rules, and I do not want to see residents towed. Please, verify your license plate to ensure the information is up-to-date in our system before heading to the beach,” Mayor Rilling said. “This is Phase One, and to help promote physical distancing, we have reduced capacity in the lots and removed virtually all amenities from the beach. This will help with overcrowding and reduce long stays at the beach which will allow residents to enjoy some time with their families. I know it won’t be the same beach experience as years past, but we must take things slow and continue to take necessary precautions as COVID-19 remains a serious issue in our community.”

The City receives information from the State Department of Motor Vehicles once per year, so those who have registered cars in Norwalk after October 2019 will likely not appear in the system. In those instances or for residents who have company cars, the information will have to be brought to City Hall for staff to enter a vehicle into the system manually. Residents can verify their license plate information anytime by visiting norwalkct.org/passes. Residents do not need to print a Parks Pass, as license plate readers are used to verify resident and non-resident vehicles. The public is reminded that residents may have vehicles registered in other states. These vehicles are permitted after paying a fee, so there may be out-of-state plates in the main parking lots. If a non-resident vehicle is illegally parked in the main lots they will be towed.

More details on the Phase One of the Reopen Norwalk Plan can be found online at norwalkct.org/reopennorwalk.