Kayak Tour to Cokenoe Island in Westport

Submitted by David Park

Did you know that at one time a nuclear power plant complete with a causeway from Saugatuck Shores was proposed for Cockenoe Island off the coast of Westport? The proposal was defeated and today Cockenoe Island is one of Westport’s jewels for recreation, open space and conservation efforts.
The Norwalk Islands, including the 27.8 acre Cockenoe Island, was discovered by Dutch explorer Adrian Block in 1614. Cockenoe has had several owners over the years, including the Smith family who owned the island since around 1898. The Smith’s also owned several other Norwalk Islands, including Sheffield Island off the coast of Norwalk.
Cockenoe Island was purchased in 1966 by the United Illuminating Company of Bridgeport for $160,000 from the heirs of the William B. Smith estate and a power plant was soon proposed. Opposition to the plan was started and went into full gear with the forming of a committee called “Save Cockenoe Now.” The committee held a meeting on August 9, 1967 that was attended by about 800 residents who were largely opposed to the plan. Soon after, the Westport Representative Town Meeting voted to block construction and to seek federal and state funds to purchase the island as open space for public access. The island was purchased by the town for $200,000 with 75% of the cost coming from state and federal funds. In 1970, the acquisition was heralded as a significant conservation victory for the nation by “Life Magazine.” All things considered, the town of Westport and the entire region would not be what it is today had the plant been built.
One Westport resident instrumental in defeating the plan was Jo Fox, who contacted me during the summer of 2013 with more details on the fight to save Cockenoe. In 1967, Jo (Jo Brosious at the time) was editor of the four year old “Westport News” newspaper. The editor of the established “Town Crier” newspaper was in favor of the proposal because of perceived economic benefits. (Who remembers the Town Crier?) Jo started the fight with news stories and editorials in the Westport News and the effort to defeat the proposal soon mushroomed from there, including the forming of “Save Cockenoe Now.” Her story of those two years and the many residents and public officials involved in the effort are available at the Westport Historical Society.
Today, Cockenoe Island is one of the favorites of all the Norwalk Islands and is enjoyed by all types of boaters, fisherman, clammers, campers, picnickers and bird watchers. A boat trip out to the island on a summer weekend is a testament to the islands success for recreational activities and conservation efforts.
The island is currently the most successful of all the Norwalk Islands for migratory nesting birds. There are several shared colonies of a variety of herons and egrets that have expanded over the years, including Snowy Egrets, Great Egrets and Black Crowned Night Herons. They can be seen from the water in trees and bushes on the south and east sides of the island as well as at the waters edge along northern areas of the island. These wading birds are commonly seen throughout the region standing in shallow water looking for small fish and vegetation to eat.
There is also a Common Tern nesting colony on the western sand spit and in some years the spot is shared by a few Least Terns or Roseate Terns. The Least Terns are considered threatened and the Roseate Terns are endangered. It is quite a sight to see the hundreds of terns flying all around, overhead and watching them dive straight down into the water to pluck out a small fish.
The tern nesting spot as well as the egret and heron nesting areas are protected by Westport Conservation officials. The terns are the most vulnerable as they lay there eggs in the sand and can easily be stepped on by humans and on several occasions, storm surges have destroyed nests above the high water mark. The area is roped off with signs to warn people of the nesting spot. And in 2011, Westport Conservation formed a partnership with the US Fish and Wildlife Division for conservation work on the island. US Fish and Wildlife also oversee the nearby islands of the Stewart B. McKinney Wildlife Refuge in Norwalk.
The non-profit Westport Historical Society (WHS) will be sponsoring their sixth annual kayak tour to the island led by yours truly on Saturday, August 29th at 10 am and the rain date is Sunday at 10. The cost is $15 per boat for WHS members and $20 for non-members. Call the WHS at 203 222-1424 for more details and to make a reservation. Participants will launch from the Longshore Sailing School at Longshore Park in Westport. Kayak rentals are available by calling 203 226-4646 or bring your own boat. Out-of-town residents are welcome. The tour group will land on the island, take a stroll along the shore and discuss many details of the island, including how the Saugatuck River watershed effects the water quality of Long Island Sound and wildlife of the Norwalk Islands. Intermediate level kayak ability is required and please wear appropriate apparel for conditions. Clothes made of synthetic materials is recommended, clothes made of cotton should be avoided.
In past years, we have been joined by several well known Westport residents, including former State Representative and Wilton Town Council, Ken Bernard; the late Westport Town Historian, Al Raymond; Westport artist and unofficial event photographer, Miggs Burroughs; our escort powerboat pilot, Peter Jennings; WHS executive director (Bridgeport resident) Sue Gold and former Westport News editor, Jo Fox.
Please come and join our armada of kayaks as we head out to Cockenoe for this fun and educational event.