by Gretchen Webster
A small “pocket” park on the Saugatuck River, newly remodeled with fire pits, planters with blooming flowers, and new furniture, is attracting both customers of neighboring businesses, and pedestrians walking by to the riverfront.
The small park, located at 575 Riverside Avenue between The Whelk restaurant and MOMU ice cream parlor, is different from most parks in Westport. It is privately owned, by Hamilton Development, part of the Gault family businesses.
The co-owner of MOMU, Emily Muñoz, is a big fan of the park. “It definitely brings a crowd,” Muñoz said of the upgraded park. The park remodeling project took several months, she said, with the final touch – the fire pits – going live within the last two weeks.
“Sam Gault wanted to do something for the community,” she said of her landlord.
After 5:00 p.m., the fire pits are lit and patrons of The Whelk and MOMU spill out into the park.
David McPherson, owner and founder of Sea Kayak Connecticut, adjacent to the ice cream store, said the renovated park “is more people friendly,” than it was before the upgrade.
There was a large planter in the middle of the square, and not much else, he said. But now, with the changes, the riverside park is much more popular.
“Absolutely, people are using it. They turn on the fire pits and people are gathered around them at night with the visual backdrop of the river,” he said. Some of Sea Kayak’s customers relax in the park after they enjoy kayaking on the river, he added. “Bring a lunch, it’s open to anyone.”
Kristin Purcell and her son, Lochlann, 10, relaxed in the park by the river with their ice cream treats yesterday afternoon.
“We like being on the water,” Purcell said. “There was nothing here before. …We love it down here now.”
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