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Soon you'll trek through sea, marsh, and forest, and explore amazing structures that once powered our region. This is the Wilds, where every path sparks curiosity and a new lore takes root.

The Northern Forest

In February 2026, we unveiled our final vision for Manresa Wilds—shaped by thousands of community voices into a park designed with and for Norwalk.

See the vision
Phased for Growth

The non-profit Manresa Island Corp., with the support of philanthropic and community partners, is leading this once-in-a-lifetime transformation. At its heart is a commitment to environmental safety and ecological renewal, ensuring the land is safe, healthy, and resilient for generations to come.

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Lead Partners
A Good Neightbor from the Start

Together with the community, Manresa Wilds is opening this once-private shoreline for all to enjoy. Every decision is made with respect to the landscape and the lives around it. Remediation will make the land safe for people and wildlife.

Active park areas will face the harbor, while natural spaces will be conserved and protected. Discreet lighting, buffered trails, and smart traffic planning help minimize disruption and maximize harmony with our surroundings.

Originally a glacial island, the site of Manresa Wilds has been home to a Jesuit retreat, and a power plant that once supplied energy to the region. Now, it’s being reimagined as a world-class park that invites everyone to revel in the wild.

Latest From The WildsLatest From The Wilds

🦪 Why are the Norwalk Islands so important to Connecticut's oyster industry?

As part of the Wesleyan University Oral History Project, Norm Bloom of Copps Island Oysters shares how the islands protect the coastline, support the local oyster industry, and how storms have shaped oyster beds over the years. 🌊

#NorwalkCT #WesleyanUniversity #OralHistory #ManresaStories #NorwalkIslands
Live from the Wilds is here. 🍃🎥
Explore what’s happening at Manresa in real time. Check it out on our website 

#Osprey #LongIslandSound #NorwalkCT
What songs should we add to the turbine hall playlist? 🎶 Facilities Coordinator Dave shares his top picks. 

#NorwalkCT #ManresaWilds #TurbineHall #powerplant
A different perspective from the outside in 

📸 by @todd.raw 

#PhotographyFriday #ManresaWilds
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