The park is intended for all residents and visitors, with an emphasis on accessibility and inclusivity for people of all ages and abilities. There will be no entry costs—everyone is welcome!
Thousands of Norwalk residents participated in the community engagement process through meetings, surveys, site tours, and neighborhood sessions. Community feedback directly shaped every major design decision—including expanding natural areas by 30%, reducing active features by half, eliminating active water features, and strengthening forest buffers.
Yes. Manresa Island Corp. is committed to being a good neighbor. Site tours and construction updates will continue, and the project requires local site plan approval and state-level permitting—both of which include public input opportunities.
The first phase—the Northern Forest—will open in spring 2027, giving Norwalkers access to 28 acres of trails and outdoor classrooms. From there, the park continues to grow: the heart of Manresa Wilds—including the beach, community pool, nature play areas, and the reimagined Turbine Hall—will open between 2028 and 2031. The full waterfront experience, with the promenade, kayak terrace, pier, and field station, is planned for 2032–2035.
A phased approach ensures a responsible construction schedule. It also allows the community to access the waterfront sooner while ensuring the park's long-term success.
The site is owned and operated by Manresa Island Corp., a nonprofit organization founded in 2024.
Manresa Island Corp. will manage and maintain the park in perpetuity using private philanthropic funds, supported by a private endowment from the McChords.
The site has a history as a coal power plant, which generated ash and contaminated the soil with heavy metals. Environmental safety is the first priority for this project. Without intervention, this land would continue to degrade, posing a long-term environmental burden. Manresa Island Corp. is taking on the full responsibility of this complex cleanup at no cost to taxpayers.
Yes. Extensive brownfield remediation will be conducted in accordance with all environmental, state, and local standards. In December 2025, Connecticut's DEEP granted a stewardship permit approving the comprehensive remediation approach with ongoing state oversight. The land will be made safe, revitalized, and transformed into an ecologically thriving landscape.
Manresa Wilds will be a hub for learning and discovery. Through R.E.S.A. (Research & Education Station at Manresa Wilds), the park partners with The Maritime Aquarium, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Wesleyan University, Sacred Heart University, and Norwalk Public Schools. The Maritime Aquarium will operate an Ecology Center on site. Visitors can explore outdoor classrooms, participate in field trips, and learn about Long Island Sound ecology and environmental stewardship.
The strategy is multi-modal: 365–420 on-site parking spaces, expanded bus service with two bus stops at the Northern Forest entrance, shuttle partnerships, bike infrastructure (15 bike racks at the Northern Forest), water access through future ferry services and 20 slips for day-use docking.
Yes, the project must meet all City of Norwalk and State of Connecticut approval requirements before moving forward.
