Like no
place else.
for Manresa Island
Overview
Manresa Island will become a thriving, publicly accessible park that reconnects the community to the waterfront for the first time in nearly 75 years.
Anchored by a decommissioned power plant, the new Manresa Island park will be activated with programming and natural spaces for people of all ages, abilities and interests. Visitors can explore a revived ecological habitat with multiple access points to the water and year-round spaces for events and education.
The project is led by the non-profit Manresa Island Corporation and supported by private philanthropic investment.
Get InvolvedPARK HIGHLIGHTS
- 1.75 miles of new public waterfront access in Norwalk
- A public amenity with a variety of dynamic programming centered around water
- Partnering with local and national institutions and community organizations to activate the park
- Industrial site turned activated regional attraction for people of all ages
- Adaptive Reuse model to transform a 20th century decommissioned coal-fired power plant into a resilient publicly accessible park that supports new and restored ecology
Mission
An island
for all.
Manresa Island Corporation’s mission is to inspire engagement with the waterfront through abundant public access, top-tier programming and activities centered around water and opportunities to research and learn about the region’s ecology.
- Location
- Norwalk, CT
- Area
- 125 Acres
- New Shoreline Access
- 1.75 Miles
- Coordinates
- 41.072982, -73.410092
VISION
A resilient and welcoming space.
The Manresa Island park will be a first-of-its-kind community hub that offers visitors of all ages, abilities and interests a place to enjoy the waterfront. With the first phase projected to open by 2030, the park will transform the abandoned power plant site into a vibrant and sustainable space for Norwalk and the region.
Get InvolvedA community TREASURE
The park will offer year-round programming including water access, play areas, ecological experiences, education and event spaces and university-led research. A community engagement process will begin in early 2025 to receive feedback and hear from locals what they want to see in the new publicly accessible park.
An ecological marvel
The park will reopen the waterfront and revive Manresa’s coastal ecosystems through extensive brownfield remediation. It will heal and enhance Manresa's coastal ecosystems and post-industrial wilds in order to cultivate a landscape that is healthy, safe and vibrant.
A civic model
The park will be an adaptive reuse model for post-industrial infrastructure that revitalizes communities, unlocks waterfront access and brings more quality public space to the region.
Awe-inspiring scale waiting to be discovered.
HISTORY
Pre-1700
Manresa Island is located at the crossroads of historic Schaghticoke, Munsee Lenape and Wappinger territories.
PRESS
Explore the latest news and views.
Let's talk!Donors Aim to Revive a Scarred Island
SCAPE and BIG to transform Connecticut brownfield into public park
How Norwalk couple's kayak trip changed the fate of Manresa Island
'Absolutely dazzling' gift
Norwalk Couple plans to turn closed down power plant into a public park
Details of Manresa Island's transformation plan revealed
BIG set to "reanimate" 1950s power plant on Scape-designed park
PARTNERS
A new hub for learning and recreation.
The park will partner with national institutions and community organizations to activate the site with top-tier programming for Norwalk and the surrounding region.
Partner with ManresaMeet the team reviving the shores of Norwalk.
The world renowned design teams at SCAPE and Bjarke Ingels Group are shaping the new park in collaboration with expert partners across disciplines. Together they’re transforming legacy fossil fuel infrastructure into vibrant social infrastructure.
FAQ
Learn more in our FAQ.
Who is this park intended for?
What is the programming in and around the power plant buildings?
What educational opportunities will the Manresa Island park provide?
When can we expect the project to be completed?
What does the community engagement process look like for the project?
Does the site require remediation to be turned into a publicly accessible park?
Who owns Manresa Island?
Who will fund the Manresa Island project?
Get involved to share your perspective.
Join our community engagement process to help us advance a park design that is sustainable, resilient and dynamic. Manresa Island Corporation and SCAPE will hold community engagement meetings in early 2025.
Get Involved