Ridgefield Answer Book: Recreation

Where is the recreation center and what is there?

The Ridgefield Recreation Center complex (431-2755) is at 195 Danbury Road (Route 35). Office hours are 8:30 to 4:30, Monday through Friday. The facility is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 6 to 6 on Saturday, and 9 to 6 on Sunday.

The recreation center offers a pool, gymnasium, fitness center with locker rooms featuring steam and sauna, multi-purpose rooms for programs, a child-care area, lounge, and food court. Also on the property is the Founders Hall Senior Citizen Center and the Sky’s the Limit fully accessible playground.

Recreation Center membership includes use of the pool during recreation swim and discounts on programs. The fees are $115 for a single, $175 for a couple, $230 for a family. Add-ons are $210 per person for use of the lap pool and $290 per person for use of the Wellness Center. There is a 10% discount for seniors and disabled members.

The Ridgefield Parks and Recreation Guide, which lists seasonal programs, is mailed to all households. Copies are also at the Recreation Center or may be downloaded from ridgefieldct.org.

What local parks are there? What do they offer?

To commemorate the International Year of Astronomy (2009) and the 40th anniversary of the moon landing, this summer Ridgefield opened the Star Park at the Onalfo soccer field off Prospect Ridge Road. It will be open year-round for viewing of the night sky with your own telescope or binoculars. It is expected organized viewing events will be held throughout the year. For information, call Parks and Recreation at 431-2755 or visit starpark.org.

Ballard Park on Main Street is a full-fledged park, complete with a playground and a bandstand. Special events are held there.

Martin Park is Ridgefield’s local swimming hole, with a public beach for residents only on spring-fed Great Pond. For summer swims, there is a daily fee or you may purchase a seasonal tag ($155 per family/$80 for singles/seniors free) at the parks and recreation office on Danbury Road (431-2755).

Veterans Park, where Veterans Park School is, Ridgebury School and Branchville School all offer a good sledding hill plus athletic fields and a playground. With swings and picnic tables, Richardson Park, off Route 116, is excellent for picnics and also hiking. Pierrepont State Park on Barlow Mountain Road has miles of trails plus fishing on Pierrepont Pond.

Lake Windwing on South Shore Drive has Little League fields, hiking, and cross-country skiing. Aldrich Park on New Road offers hiking trails. Sturges Park on Rippowam Road offers camping and hiking.

There is also the Bark Park on Prospect Ridge where dogs may run off the leash.

A full list of fields and parks is in the recreation brochure.

How much open space is in Ridgefield?

Ridgefield’s open space encompasses about 5,200 acres. That is nearly one-quarter of the town’s area. The largest open spaces include Bennett’s Pond, Hemlock Hills/Lake Windwing, and Pine Mountain.

Bennett’s Pond is on Bennett’s Farm Road, off Route 7. The 440-acre property offers two trails along old logging roads and pre-existing trails. The orange trail connects to Pine Mountain Preserve and the blue trail connects to the Hemlock Hills property.

Hemlock Hills/Lake Windwing offers a variety of trails and a deep gorge near the Pine Mountain entrance. Parking and trail entrances are at North Shore Drive, Ned’s Mountain Road, South Shore Drive ballfield, and Pine Mountain Road.

Pine Mountain trails are difficult with steep sections over rocks, but the payofff is a panoramic view of Long Island Sound. There is parking for five cars at the trail head at the end of Pine Mountain Road.

Where can I go hiking?

The Ridgefield Walk Book lists many parks and open spaces for hiking. They include:

• Hemlock Hills (273 acres)
• Pine Mountain (289 acres)
• Peterson Gorge (16 acres)
• Ridgebury Slope (14 acres)
• Kiah’s Brook Refuge (12 acres)
• Sarah Bishop (39 acres)
• Levy Park (38 acres)
• Barrack Hill Refuge (9 acres)
• Bobby’s Court (34 acres)
• Brewster Farm (104 acres)
• Topstone Preserve (9 acres)
• Beechwood (14 acres)
• MarJoy Pond/Casey Lane (47 Acres)
• West Mountain Refuge (55 acres)
• Blacksmith Ridge (15 acres)
• Peaceable Refuge (16 acres)
• Florida Refuge (61 acres)
• Aldrich Park (37 acres)
• Norwalk River Environmental Study Area (6 acres)
• Seth Low Pierrepont State Park (313 acres)
• Woodcock Nature Center (70 acres with access to 143 acres)
• Bennett’s Pond (460 acres, two trails)

The book’s maps show access and parking. The book may be purchased for $5 at the town hall, Ridgefield Office Supply, or the Chamber of Commerce. You may also purchase a map of open spaces for $3 from the Conservation Commission office at 66 Prospect Street in the town hall annex.

Aquarion issues hiking permits that give access to the five-mile Saugatuck Nature Trail along the shore of the Saugatuck Reservoir and 35 miles of scenic trails in Redding and Weston. Call the watershed management department at 452-3510.

What is the Rail Trail?

The Rail Trail is a 2.4-mile stretch that can be accessed at the end of Prospect Street or Halpin Lane, where there is parking. It follows the old railroad tracks to Florida Road and is open for walking, jogging, cross-country skiing, or snowshoeing. No bikes or motorized vehicles are allowed.

Are mountain bikes allowed in open spaces?

Mountain biking is legal in open spaces around town but, due to erosion of the trails, conservationists urge bikers to use extreme care.

Regional popular spots nearby include Bear Mountain Reservation in Danbury, 797-4632; Cranbury Park in Norwalk, 203-854-7806; or Huntington State Park in Redding, 860-424-3200.

What recreational facilities can I use without joining something?

All outdoor town facilities, except Martin Park, are open to the public without membership. There are lighted basketball courts and tennis courts at the Yanity Gym. Outdoor basketball hoops are at the schools, too.

Baseball diamonds are next to Veterans Park School, on Playground Road in Branchville, at Farmingville School, at Ridgebury School, at Branchville School, at Lake Windwing across from Ridgebury School, at Aldrich Park off New Road, at Ridgefield High School, Sachem Field on Old West Mountain Road, on Prospect Ridge, at East Ridge Middle School, and behind the Venus municipal building on East Ridge.

Soccer is played on many elementary school fields and on Diniz and Onolfo fields on Prospect Ridge. Gyms of the schools and recreation centers may also be rented by the public. Call 431-2755 between 9 and 5 Monday through Friday for details.

Can I go in-line skating or skateboarding here?

The Graham Dickinson SPIRIT Skate Park, 30 Prospect Street behind Yanity Gym, has moved to the parking lot behind Veterans Park Elementary School on Market Street for the summer due to construction at the permanent par.

Normally, the park is open seven days a week from March through November, weather permitting. Hours are noon to dusk during the summer (as well as weekends, holidays, and school vacation days), 2:30 to dusk on school days. Skaters may purchase an annual membership, buy a 10-day punch card, or pay a daily drop-in rate. Lessons and camps are offered. For information, call Linda Caponetti at 431-2368 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The rinkside number is 431-2342 during regular hours in season.

A parent-child skate park at the new recreation center on Route 35 is designed to allow young children to learn to skate.

Where can I go ice skating?

Winter Garden, 111 Prospect Ridge Road (behind East Ridge Middle School), is open for public skating from September to late May. A synthetic skating surface used for training purposes is open all year. There are seasonal hockey leagues for youths and adults, summer hockey camps, and learn-to-skate (figure skating) programs. Call 438-4423 for information or visit online at wintergardenarena.com.

Pond skating in town is at your own risk. Lake Mamanasco and Pierrepont State Park are popular spots. Skating is not allowed on reservoirs.

What adult sports are offered?

Men’s basketball takes place every Sunday morning from 6:30 to 9:30 and every Wednesday night from 8 to 10:30 at the Yanity Gym, and every Sunday morning from 9 to 11 at the Recreation Center Gym. To participate, just stop by ready to play; a modest fee will be collected from those who are not members of the Recreation Center. Open to men 18 and older.

Women’s drop-in basketball takes place at the Recreation Center gym from September to May on Monday evenings from 8 to 10. There is a drop-in fee for non-members. Open to women 18 and older.

There is also a summer basketball league at the Yanity gym. Check rbahoops.com for details.

For the Ridgefield Men’s Softball League, call Mike Bedini at 788-5137; for the Ridgefield Women’s Softball League, call Connie Cozens at 438-6687. The Web site is rwsa.net.

Adult tennis lessons are offered at Yanity Gym. Call 431-2755.

Where can I play tennis?

The Ridgefield Tennis Club (431-1466/ridgefieldtennisclub.com) at 748 Danbury Road is a private, year-round tennis facility with an outdoor pool, clubhouse and fitness area for members.

Where’s the nearest batting cage?

Baseball Plus (431-4131/baseballplusct.com) is at 88 Sugar Hollow Road (Route 7).

Are there activities for special adults?

The Out and About Club is open to all adults 18 or older with special needs. The club meets twice a month and offers a variety of activities. Fees vary. For details, call Susan Bonistalli at 431-2755.

Is there a public golf course?

Ridgefield Golf Course at 545 Ridgebury Road (748-7008) is Ridgefield’s public golf course. Greens fees are $25 for residents all week ($15 for seniors and juniors on weekdays). There are discounts after 4 p.m. For details, visit ridgefieldct.org and click on Ridgefield Golf Course.

Is there a golf league I can join?

The Ridgefield Ladies Golf Association offers both nine and 18 hole leagues. Call Debbie Murphy at 438-9301 or visit rlga.net.

The Ridgefield Men’s Golf Club is open to area residents and offers an extensive list of tournaments. There is also Ridgefield Senior Men’s Golf. For information on either group, visit online at rgconline.org.

Are there any miniature golf courses in town?

Belmont’s Ridgefield Golf Complex, Route 7 at Great Pond Road (431-8989/belmontsgolf.com), has both miniature golf and a driving range. Weather permitting, the complex is open daily year-round.

Where can I go swimming here?

Martin Park, which is on Great Pond, is a public beach requiring seasonal membership. The Ridgefield Recreation Center has an indoor pool for recreational and lap swimming. Parks and Recreation also has a lesson program. For details, call 431-2755.

Are there any competitive swimming opportunities?

The Barracudas, run through the Parks and Recreation Department, is a summer swim team for boys and girls age five to 16.

The Ridgefield Aquatic Club ((RAC) is a year-round competitive swim program offering many levels for swimmers of all ages and abilities, including the Olympic Way program, a pre-competitive program, and four competitive swimming levels, depending on ability and commitment. RAC even offers a Masters program for adult swimmers. The team practices at Barlow Mountain pool in Ridgefield and at WestConn in Danbury. Visit online at racswimming.org or call Head Coach Bob Shearer at 438-3951/e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Are any public beaches on Long Island Sound?

One of the most popular spots to visit is Sherwood Island State Park (203-226-6983) in Westport. It has a long beach, changing and eating areas, two large picnic grounds, space to play beach sports, and a concession stand in season. For details online visit ct.gov/dep and click on Outdoor Recreation / State Parks & Forests.

Where can I fly a kite?

Any public fields, such as the local schools and the Parks and Recreation Center, that are free of power lines or other obstacles, are available for flying kites.

Are there any bicycling clubs in the area?

Sound Cyclists runs group rides throughout Fairfield County year round. There are special events, a newsletter, and members are entitled to discounts at more than a dozen area bicycle shops. For more information, visit soundcyclists.com.

Is there a helmet law for bicyclists?

Children 15 and under in Connecticut must wear a helmet when they are bicycling.

What local health clubs are available?

Everywoman’s Spirit, at 109 Danbury Road in Copps Hill Commons (431-0006/everywomanspirit.com), is a center for yoga, fitness, and soulful living offering more than 60 classes per week and child care.

Ridgefield Fitness Club, 66 Grove Street (431-7796/ridgefieldfitness.com), offers full service, state-of-the-art cardio and fitness equipment, along with personal training, nutrition consultants and massage therapy.

Body Sense, 456 Main Street (894-8558/bodysenseridgefield.com), is a professional/private studio offering Pilates, machines, one-on-one fitness training, a fast-fitness circuit training program, Gyrotonic®, and Synergy cellulite reduction treatments.

The Ridgefield Recreation Center on Danbury Road, (431-2755/ridgefieldct.org) has an indoor pool and gym with weight training and cardiovascular equipment. Use of these facilities costs an additional fee to the center membership fee.

Results Personal Training at 26 Prospect Street (438-8771/resultspt.com) offers one-on-one personal training and specializes in weight loss and sport-specific conditioning.

Herzog Body Tech at 383 Main Street (438-1190/herzogbodytech.com) is a personal training facility offering exercise, weight loss and nutritional counseling, acupressure and shiatsu massage.

Contours Express at 470 Main Street (rear lower level) (431-3456/contoursexpress.com/ridgefieldct/) offers a 29-minute circuit training program with weight-bearing machines and 30-day weight loss and behavior modification program.

Your Personal Best Trainer at 10 Roberts Lane (438-6709/personalbest35.com) specializes in women over 35, offering exercise instruction and weight loss consultation.

Is there a jogging trail here?

Ridgefield High School on North Salem Road has a running track. For wild trail running, try Pierrepont State Park off Barlow Mountain Road. The Pine Mountain and Hemlock Hills open space lands offer challenging trails over a combined 562 acres; they may be accessed from Lake Windwing off South Shore Drive. The Rail Trail off Halpin Lane is also good for jogging.

Are there any running clubs in the area?

Wolfpit Running Club meets regularly for running and walking. Members hold a couple of road races yearly including the annual Ridgefield Half-Marathon in early October. Visit wolfpitrunningclub.org.

Where can I go cross-country skiing?

Cross country skiing is allowed on town-owned open spaces, at the Ridgefield Golf Course, and along the Rail Trail. Presumably, cross-country skiing would be allowed at Pierrepont State Park but there are no official ski touring trails.

Are there any parades in town?

The Memorial Day Parade is the most popular parade in town. The local joke is that if you aren’t watching it, you are in it. There is also a small homecoming parade in the fall, put on by the Ridgefield High School students to show class spirit.

Is camping allowed anywhere in town?

Camping is allowed in certain areas with a permit. Camp sites are at Hemlock Hills, Lake Windwing, and Sturges Park. Call 431-2755 for permit information.

Can I rent an athletic field for a company picnic and softball game?

One field is set aside for such purposes. Call 431-2755 to apply.

Are there any nature centers in or near town?

Woodcock Nature Center is at 56 Deer Run Road, just across the Ridgefield line in Wilton (762-7280/woodcocknaturecenter.org). The Nature Center building is open to visitors Monday through Friday, 9:30 to 4. Grounds and hiking trails are open daily dawn to dusk. The center offers such nature programs as moonlight hikes, composting demonstrations, bird seed sales, and its annual wreath decorating festival.

Where may I launch a boat in town?

State boat ramps are at the southern end of Lake Mamanasco, on Mamanasco Road, and on Pierrepont Pond at Pierrepont State Park, Barlow Mountain Road. However, gasoline motors are not allowed on either pond.

Are any streams good for canoeing here?

Many lakes and ponds are good for canoeing, but not many streams or rivers. Some sections of the Norwalk River along Route 7 are navigable, but the nearest sizable river is the Housatonic.

Is there a rowing club?

The Norwalk River Rowing Association (299-5467) offers youth and adult programs, instruction, and recreational and competitive activities. Visit norwalkriverrowing.org.

Where can I go fishing in town?

Fishing is available in all public ponds and lakes, if you have a fishing license. For privately owned ponds and lakes, permission from the owner must be obtained. Popular are Lake Mamanasco, with public access from Richardson Park or the state boat launch, and Pierrepont Pond, with access from Pierrepont State Park.

Aquarion offers fishing permits that allows access to reservoirs in Weston, Redding, Monroe and Shelton. Call the watershed management department at 452-3510 for details.

What kinds of fish can you catch here?

Brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, kokanee, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, northern pike, striped bass, white perch, yellow perch, walleye, brown bullhead, channel catfish, whitefish are typical to the area, including Long Island Sound. Check the 2009 Connecticut Angler’s Guide descriptions of these fish. Free copies of the guide may be found in the town clerk’s office in town hall.

Is the fish safe to eat?

Most types of fish caught locally may have small amounts of mercury in them. Therefore, women who are pregnant, nursing, planning to be pregnant, and children under six should not eat more than one meal a month of fish caught in Connecticut rivers and lakes. The lone exception is trout, which is safe to eat.

Where do I get a fishing license?

Inland fishing licenses are $20 (free to seniors and the disabled) and are required for anyone 16 and older. They are available at the town clerk’s office and many tackle shops. Fishing licenses are not needed in the marine district unless you are taking lobsters or menhaden. For details, check the Connecticut Angler’s Guide, available free at the town clerk’s office or online at dep.state.ct.us.

What do I need to get a hunting license?

To obtain a hunting license, you must have had a resident license within the last five years or have proof of successful completion of a hunter safety course. A firearms hunting license costs $14, $3 for a junior (age 12 to 15) firearms hunting license. An archery license is $30, $13 for juniors. Hunting licenses may be purchased at town hall, archery licenses must be applied for by mail. Permits for hunting specific animals are extra. For details, consult the Connecticut Hunting and Trapping Guide, available free at the town clerk’s office, call DEP at 860-424-3011, or visit the Web site at dep.state.ct.us.

What are the hunting seasons here?

Depending on the game, hunting seasons begin and end at different times. Check the latest state Hunting and Trapping Guide, available in the town clerk’s office, for details, or go online to dep.state.ct.us.

Bowhunting deer season on state land in bowhunting only areas is from Sept. 15 to Dec. 31. On private property the season is Sept. 15-Jan. 31. Check the above Web site for shotgun dates.

Fall turkey bowhunting on state and private land runs from Sept. 15 to Nov. 17 and Dec. 23-31. The season for private land is Sept. 15 to Jan. 31.

Where can I go hunting in town?

Hunting is permitted on the state-owned portions of Great Swamp, off Farmingville Road and Ivy Hill Road, and in a section of Norwalk River flood control land near the intersection of Route 7 and Simpaug Turnpike.

While hunting is usually permitted on sizable state-owned tracts, it is specifically prohibited in Pierrepont State Park because of a deed restriction.

You may also hunt on private property. All hunters are required to have permission from the landowner when hunting on private lands. Verbal permission for the hunting of animals other than deer and turkey is sufficient.

Deer and turkey hunters must carry the written permission of the landowner for the current season on official DEP forms. A landowner must have a minimum of 10 acres to authorize the use of a rifle for deer hunting.

How can I participate in Ridgefield’s annual deer hunt?

In response to the abundant deer population, the town runs a controlled hunt on several town-owned open spaces. Applications to participate are available at the town clerk’s office in town hall.

Who teaches firearms safety courses?

Call the state’s Conservation Education Firearms Safety office in Burlington at 860-675-8130 or check with the town clerk’s office.

Where can a person legally practice shooting?

The Ramapoo Rifle & Revolver Club at 60 South Street (438-2095/ramapoo.com) offers a 50-foot indoor range with nine shooting booths. The club periodically offers NRA courses. Call for public hours and other information.

There is public trap shooting at the Wooster Mountain range on Sugar Hollow Road. Call 794-9821 for details.