OUR PROJECTS
Your Contribution is
Tax Deductible
TREES, TREES, TREES
The Westport Arbor Program plants trees in our parks to honor the friends and family of our donors. In coordination with the Parks & Rec Department, Westport's Tree Warden has prepared a map and specified trees that will provide a living legacy for generations. Contributions support plantings and maintenance. Our website carries photos and biographical information about honorees.
WAKEMAN TOWN FARMS
Wakeman Town Farms is an organic demonstration homestead established in 2009 on the site of the Wakeman Farm, a 41-acre property that was the last farming operation in Westport. The Friends is proud to serve as a financial sponsor to the Farm, helping collect donations from individuals and private foundations. To learn more about Wakeman Town Farms go to http://www.wakemantownfarm.org/ .
FOOD FOR THE FRONT LINES
Every day due to the COVID-19 crisis, over a thousand Fairfield County’s nurses, doctors, EMS workers and police are emotionally drained and famished after logging back-to-back shifts. At the same time, our local restaurants are laying off workers and scrambling to reinvent their businesses. Food for the Front Lines, led by Westport's Nicole Straight, brings packaged meals from over 35 restaurants to hospitals and EMS staffs from Greenwich to Bridgeport.
Click here to see Food for the Front Lines on NBC Local News.
COMPLETED
Cliff’s Place, a Halfway House built near the 9th Green of Westport’s historic Longshore Golf Course, was the Friends first project. The Friends supported the efforts of the 9th ½ Hole Committee and the Longshore Men’s Golf Association to raise close to $300,000 to replace the former “9th ½ Hole” that was destroyed by fire in 2003 and replaced by a temporary trailer. Besides serving quick foods, snacks and drinks to golfers Cliff’s Place serves as a storm shelter and rest room for golfers and those using the park for alternative recreation (walkers, runners, bikers).
NEW and ONGOING!
At long last plans are underway to build The Clubhouse at Longshore, a state-of-the-art facility that will house the pro shop, locker rooms, a grill room and kitchen, and a storage garage for up to 55 carts and accessories. Designed by James G. Rogers Architects, the new Clubhouse will provide golfers and their guests with the elegance and comfort they deserve after a round on one of Connecticut's most beautiful links-style courses.
LONGSHORE GOLF COURSE
Since 2012 the Friends have helped the Longshore Men's Golf Association raise funds for Cliff's Place, completed in 2013, as well as an effort to redesign and rebuild the Clubhouse, driving range, practice putting green and adjoining parking areas. The LMGA is working with the Parks & Recreation Commission, Town planning and funding bodies, and interested citizens to undertake a project to upgrade the course facilities.
WESTPORT ARBOR PROGRAM
The Arbor Program was launched in 2016 to enhance Westport's parks and to provide a way to honor and celebrate the lives and achievements of friends and families. Working with the Parks & Recreation Department, our Tree Warden has identified locations where he would like to plant trees and the specimens and species that he would like to plant. Donors can choose their location and tree. The price of the tree is based on the cost of planting as well as a fund to support maintenance (e.g., fertilization, watering, pruning and replacement if necessary) for five years.
Visit our map and GPS locator and choose your tree. Send us pictures and biographical information about the people you wish to honor. We will make arrangements to plant your tree and post this information on our website. Our map will highlight the location of trees planted under the Arbor Program.
TO PLANT A LIVING LEGACY FOR A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER, CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR GPS MAP LOCATOR AND CHOOSE A TREE.
WHO WE ARE
The Friends of Westport Parks and Recreation is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to enhance, preserve, protect and promote the Town of Westport's Parks and Recreation facilities in partnership with the Town, for the enjoyment of present and future generations of Westport residents.
WHAT WE DO
The Friends serve as a financial sponsor, helping to marshall funds from individual contributors and private foundations for projects and services that benefit our Town. Funds contributed are deductible to the extent provided by law. As a public private partnership we help finance worthwhile projects and services for which taxpayer dollars may not be readily available. The Friends understand that there are many ways in which our citizens can contribute to these projects. We welcome contributions in cash or through in-kind contributions of goods and services.
OUR PROCESS
The Friends will accept funds for projects and services that meet the following requirements:
(1) If a resident believes a project is worthwhile, he or she should present their proposal to the Director of Parks & Recreation or the Parks & Recreation Commission.
(2) The Director and Commission will evaluate the proposal to make sure it will not interfere with the Department's current operations and that the budget takes into account future maintenance operations.
(3) If the Commission approves the Friends will enter into an agreement with the project managers that provides for disbursement of donations for related expenses.
(4) To protect all donors, funds will be disbursed only when it is certain the project will be completed.