Harbor Point and Kosciuszco Park Harborside Walk

By
Harbor Point Boardwalk, Stamford CT
Harbor Point Boardwalk, Stamford CT

Harbor Point in Stamford is an urban waterfront redevelopment - a mixed use real estate venture that has brought high end luxury residential, office, and a minimum amount of retail to a once gritty industrial neighborhood. Part of that development is the installation of public waterway access - a boardwalk.

This recreational space provides an opportunity for people to walk and jog along the waterfront. Additional amenities include a free water taxi to harbor side restaurants and bars, green spaces for dog walking or sunbathing, harbor access to sailing and boat slips, and a small open air flexible theatre where performances are staged during the summer.

Harbor Point Boardwalk, Stamford CT
Harbor Point Boardwalk, Stamford CT
It is a great afternoon for a walk by the waterfront. But, oh no! you live in Connecticut where every square inch of water front real estate is owned and gated ... or an industrial brownfield. Connecticut is coming around though. Realizing the lure of the Ocean, albeit stagnant Long Island Sound, some communities are beginning to creep back to the waters edge. After all, there is money to be made when you bring people together and provide a place to live and thrive.

Harbor Point Boardwalk, Stamford CT
Harbor Point Boardwalk, Stamford CT
Stamford has a few excellent waterfront parks. Now add to that the new Harbor Point development linking these parks with safe boardwalks, cafes, restaurants, and entertainment - and on top of that provide free parking for all - and all of the sudden you start hearing words like "revitalization" "thriving" and "community" being thrown around.

I have to hand it to the private developers behind Harbor Point. They didn't build just another playground for the uber-wealthy behind wrought iron gates. They have created an integrated waterfront community that adds to the overall value of the City and the State. And their reward? ... Stamford now ranks among the top ten leaders in home sales in the US. And this is after the housing bubble burst. But, with rents in these new luxury high rises averaging $4k/mo not everyone can get the long view of Long Island. That doesn't mean you can't join in the rebirth of Stamford the City.

Harbor Point Boardwalk, Stamford CT
Harbor Point Boardwalk, Stamford CT
The Harbor Point boardwalk connects to Kosciuszco Park to create a 2 mile long flat walking route. You can walk right up to sail boat slips and take in New England nautical culture; sip beers outside before live entertainment; take a free water taxi ride to more harborside walking across The Rippowam River; and play catch with your dog in a number of wide grassy areas.

The boardwalk itself is wide and offers amenities such as architecturally designed street lighting, benches, railings, and grand staircases leading to the water's edge. Further out in Kosciuszco Park you will find a shaded crushed stone walking/running path that offers grand views of Stamford Harbor and several good fishing spots. There are also sports fields, playgrounds, and reservable picnic shelters. Across the river is a fairly clean beach to be enjoyed on hot summer afternoons as well.

Kosciuszco Park Harbor Point Stamford
Kosciuszco Park Harbor Point Stamford
As Stamford continues to assert itself as Connecticut's hip and trendy city it will likely grow and connect public waterfronts like Harbor Point. Hopefully, a pedestrian link between Harbor Point and Stamford's vibrant downtown can be made. And, hopefully the young college educated professionals in their first jobs, who can nary afford to pay $1200 a month for a one bedroom apartment will be considered as the real estate barons continue to recreate Stamford into a 21st century corporate center fit for young unmarried professionals.

Beer Garden, Harbor Point Stamford CT
Beer Garden, Harbor Point Stamford CT

Harbor Point Stamford CT
Harbor Point Stamford CT
Kosciuszco Park
Kosciuszco Park



Directions and Map


Click to activate map

Click Map Image to load the full interactive map.


From Bridgeport: 1/2 Hour
From New Haven: 50 Minutes
From Hartford: 1.5 Hours
From New London: 1.5 Hours
From New York: 50 Minutes
From Providence: 2.5 Hours