Improvements On The Horizon For Westport's Longshore Club Park

WESTPORT, CT — Longshore Club Park, one of Westport's crown jewel public facilities, is slated to undergo a massive upgrade over the next decade, under a new improvement plan unveiled by officials last week.

The park is 168 acres, and includes an 18-hole golf course, swimming pool, tennis courts, an inn and restaurant and a sailing school, among other amenities.

According to a preliminary summary of findings from a recent survey, the possible improvements under consideration include:

• Open views to water.
• Consolidate and/or cluster active recreation amenities.
• Provide a cohesive and more extensive pedestrian/bike path network with a shoreline walkway.
• Improve park road intersections.
• Provide more passive recreation opportunities for all age groups.
• Enhance and/or relocate the playground.
• Improve pedestrian access to and through parking areas in the park core.
• Provide shade and picnic amenities at and/or near the pool.
• Provide a new golf clubhouse.
• Redesign and renovate the golf practice facility.
• Provide pickleball courts.
• Provide additional platform tennis courts and a warming hut.
• Enhance restroom access for Sailing School patrons.
• Relocate the park maintenance building and grounds.
• Remove the brush pile and optimize use of the space.
• Upgrade water service from the golf course to the park core.
• Upgrade fuel facilities at golf barn and marina.
• Improve parking area Lot F.
• Convert cabin(s) and Knoll House locations to accessible park space.

How many, if any, of these suggestions come to fruition is unknown, but the recommendations are based on feedback from the community.

The Parks and Recreation Department will host open houses at the Westport Library this week to allow the public to view diagrams and speak with consultants about the plans:

• Wednesday, October 26: 10am – 11:30am, 3pm – 4:30pm, 7pm – 8:30pm
• Saturday, October 29: 9:30am – 11am, 1pm – 2:30pm

For more information on the improvement project, click here.