Situated on the Long Island Sound, Darien is a quiet bedroom community with nautical overtones. Recognized for its excellent schools (with Darien High School often ranked #1 in the state!), its benefits include civic organizations, social clubs, boutique shopping, active churches (representing seven denominations), and a variety of philanthropic activities.

TOWN RESOURCES

ELEMENTARY

SHOPPING

Situated on the Long Island Sound, Darien is a quiet bedroom community with nautical overtones. Recognized for its excellent schools (with Darien-High School often ranked #1 in the state!), its benefits include civic organizations, social clubs, boutique shopping, active churches (representing seven denominations), and a variety of philanthropic activities.

THEATRE AND ART

PARKS AND RECREATION

Woodland Park - Woodland Park Nature Preserve is a public nature park in Darien, CT which offers a unique environment and habitat for wildlife. Darien is fortunate to have a place for its community to appreciate and explore the natural wonders within 64.7 acres of land. The attractions of the park consist of multiple trail systems, two ponds, a stream, a footbridge, an archaic stonewall, and ornamental plantings. Many bird species, turtles, amphibians, ducks, rabbits, other mammals and insects live within the Park waiting to be spotted by visitors.

Selleck`s Woods Nature Preserve - Selleck`s Woods is a 28 acre nature preserve located between I-95 and the Metro-North railroad. The park has 3 entrances for residents to gain easy access to the extensive trail system. They can be found on Fairmead Avenue, Parkland`s Drive (parking) and Little Brook Road. The "Friends of Selleck's Woods" is an organization who's members volunteer to inspect the trails and report any problems to the Park and Recreation Department. They have been beneficial in preserving the natural wonder of the park. Many Darien residents can be found hiking, walking their dog, enjoying the fantastic scenery, or enjoying the wildlife throughout the park. Selleck`s Woods has densely wooded areas, two ponds, marshes, swamps, streams, and several prairie pockets throughout the park.

Cherry Lawn Park - Cherry Lawn Park is a magnificent park that covers 27.5 acres off Brookside Road. There are 4 tennis courts, a basketball court, community gardens, the wonderful playground area, a natural pond, gazebo, walking trails, a multi-use field (Casey Field), a softball field, several picnic areas and a public restroom. The park is also home to the Darien Nature Center. Cherry Lawn is one of the busiest parks in Darien. The playground area with swings and playscapes was built with funds raised by Park Pals of Darien, a group of dedicated individuals. Gallagher Field was renovated by Darien Little League in 2013. Darien Soccer Association contributes annually to the upkeep of Casey Field; Darien Community Gardens works each year to improve the gardens; and Darien Nature Center maintains walking trails. Additionally, the Girl Scouts of Darien raised funds and built the gazebo by the pond and Eagle Scout David Ziga repaired the stone bridge on the pond in 2013. The Parks and Recreation Department and the Town of Darien are extremely grateful for all the hard work that these and other individuals and groups undertake to improve and add to the quality of life in Darien.

McGuane Park - McGuane Park is a 7.5 acre park located off Noroton Avenue near the Noroton-Heights Firehouse. The field is home to Darien Little League and is named for Father James McGuane, a Darien icon that provided many recreational activities for youth in Town. The fields are used by minor and major league age groups, Challenger baseball, and girls softball. Through great generosity, Darien Little League raised funds then built and renovated the fields, constructed the wonderful building facility and playground in 2004. The park is used heavily throughout the Spring, Summer and Fall and boosts three playfields, children's playground equipment and swings, as well as a community building with concessions, comfort, and picnic facilities, and indoor batting cages. All facilities are handicap accessible.

Pear Tree Point Beach - Pear Tree Point Beach is arguably one of the most beautiful beaches in Fairfield County. Pear Tree Point Beach encompasses approximately 8 acres off Pear Tree Point Road at the mouth of the Goodwives River. The beach offers a bathing area, handicap accessible picnic area with picnic tables and grills, a beautiful gazebo overlooking the sound, a bathhouse, fully operational concession stand, a boat launch ramp, and two beautiful beaches. In addition, the Darien Boat Club is located at this beach.

Town Hall & Holahan Fields - The Town Hall fields are located in front of Town Hall on the corner of Rte. 1 and Renshaw Road. The field has a soccer field utilized by the Darien Soccer Association and two softball fields used by the Co-ed Softball league and the Darien Little League. The fields have been made handicapped accessible by installing an accessible pathway. The fields have a top of the line irrigation system to keep them in mint condition. Holahan Field, located in the rear of Town Hall, is a Babe Ruth Baseball field with 90` base paths. The field is also used as a practice field for the Darien Junior Football League.

Weed Beach - Weed Beach is truly a fantastic place to visit, go for a swim or just spend the day relaxing. Weed Beach encompasses 22 acres off Nearwater Lane (just off Rte. 1). The park includes a bathing area, picnic areas, 6 tennis courts, 5 paddle tennis courts, children`s play areas, a bathhouse, a fit trail with equipment, a fully operational concession stand, the Paddle Tennis warming hut (available for rent), and is home to Darien Junior Sailing Team.


Tilley Pond Park - Tilley Pond Park covers over 8 acres of property in the center of Darien on the corner of Lakeside and West Avenues. Tilley Pond Park offers residents an outstanding opportunity for passive recreation. Tilley Pond supports a variety of wildlife during the seasons. The Pond serves as an oasis from the busy down town area. Lovely fountains adorn the pond and decorative lights line the walkways within the park. A stone hut with a fireplace serves as the centerpiece jutting into the water. Open lawn areas and a wide variety of trees in several wooded areas to enhance it`s natural beauty. Several benches are available throughout the park to offer an opportunity to eat lunch or take a break from walking on the paths. Tilley Pond is in an ideal location for many residents to take advantage of one of the most beautiful parks in the area.

Stony Brook Park - Stony Brook Park is an 11.3 acre natural park located on Ledge Road. The park is a great place to go for a short hike and enjoy the beautiful waterfall. Several park benches are situated around the cascading. The low impact hiking trails provide hikers with an opportunity to take pleasure from a wide variety of trees and natural wonders throughout the park. If you are interested in a place to spend a couple hours to enjoy nature and some light exercise, Stony Brook Park is the place.

CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS

Country Club of Darien, 300 Mansfield Ave., Darien CT 06820 - (203) 655-9726
In addition to the 18 hole golf course, the Club has 8 Har-Tru tennis courts, 5 paddle courts and newly built Paddle Hut, a 6 lane pool and gated baby pool, 2 restaurants in the main Clubhouse, and a fitness center.

Wee Burn Country Club, 410 Hollow Tree Ridge Road, Darien CT 06820 - (203) 655-1477
The Club`s facilities include a magnificent Mediterranean-styled clubhouse, a championship golf course designed by noted architect Devereux Emmet with a three hole short-game practice area and a newly expanded and improved driving range, a private Beach Club on Long Island Sound, thirteen Har-Tru tennis courts, eight platform tennis courts with state-of-the-art warming facility, 4 ten-pin bowling lanes, trap and skeet and five stand shooting and extensive indoor and outdoor dining and banquet facilities at both the main and beach clubs.

Woodway Country Club, 540 Hoyt Street, Darien CT 06820 (203) 322-1661
At the heart of Woodway is the sport of golf. The gorgeous 18‑hole course is recognized as one of the best in the state of Connecticut. The Club has hosted many prestigious golf tournaments and events. Woodway also offers a full slate of other sports and activities for its membership to enjoy including tennis, bowling, swimming, beachside activities and paddle tennis. The Country Club property is located in Darien, Connecticut, which features its state-ranked 18 hole golf course, main clubhouse with banquet facilities, tennis and paddle courts and pool and tennis complex. Woodway Beach Club stands on Shippan Point on Long Island Sound in Stamford, Connecticut. It also features a beautiful clubhouse, picnic patios, beach, tennis, aquatic activities and a full schedule of events during the summer season.

The Darien Community Association, 274 Middlesex Road, Darien CT 06820 - (203) 655-9050
The DCA is a privately-funded nonprofit that does not receive any financial support from the Town of Darien. For 95 years, we`ve been making our community a nicer place to live, by providing people of all ages a place to gather, give and learn.

Blue Notes Singing Group
Founded over 60 years ago, the Blue Notes are a philanthropic group of women who volunteer their time and talent for a good cause. Singing music from Big Band to Broadway, the group performs in four-part harmony for senior centers, assisted living venues and for a variety of audiences throughout southern Fairfield County. The Blue Notes are directed by Dwayne Condon. The DCA is proud to have the Blue Notes as part of our philanthropic mission.

Darien Senior Program Center, Mather Center, 2 Renshaw Road, Darien CT 06820 - (203) 656-7490
The mission of the Darien Senior Programs is to nurture the physical, intellectual, and social well-being of the senior community aged 55 or better by providing a comprehensive and coordinated system of services that enhance individual lives, promotes well-being, dignity and independence throughout the aging process and keep members connected and integrated into the community by collaborating with other agencies and organizations who provide support programs and social services to senior, thereby enhancing the independence and wholesome lifestyle for seniors in Darien.