Kayak for a Cause

Calf Pasture Beach is a historically significant park and beach in Norwalk, Connecticut. The area of the park lands (including adjacent Shady Beach Park and Taylor Farm Park) is approximately .45 square miles. The beach is accessible by road or by public transit; Norwalk Transit District provides direct bus service to the park and the East Norwalk Metro-North station is about one mile to the north along Calf Pasture Beach Road, Gregory Boulevard, and East Avenue. East Avenue also provides access to I-95 at exit 16.

Norwalk Harbor is a recreational and commercial harbor and seaport at the estuary of the Norwalk River where it flows into Long Island Sound in Norwalk, Connecticut, United States. The last portion of the Norwalk River from the head of navigation near Wall Street in Central Norwalk to the Long Island Sound forms Norwalk Harbor. It is a federal navigation channel of the "recreational and small commercial harbor" variety.In and around the harbor there are 15 marinas, 13 private clubs with boating facilities, and 5 commercial port facilities. There are more than 1800 berthing spaces and more than 500 harbor mooring locations. About 800 boats may be launched from storage racks at marinas and clubs as well as via the city maintained launching ramp in Veterans Park. More than 2700 commercial vessel trips to and from the harbor occur each year. The main harbor channel is small enough to restrict the size of vessels that could attempt to use it. In 2001 waterborne commerce in the harbor totaled 512,000 short tons (464,000 t). Typical freight included fuel oil, sand, gravel, stone, and shellfish (particularly oysters and lobsters).

Manresa Island is a former island located in Norwalk, Connecticut, at the mouth of Norwalk Harbor in the Long Island Sound. The earliest name for the landform was Boutons Island, which dates to 1664. By the 19th century, the island had been purchased by John H. Keyser, who lived there and cultivated rare vegetation. He built a causeway in 1860, connecting the island to the mainland of South Norwalk. This gave rise to the name Keyser Island, which was sold to the Jesuits toward the end of the century. On the island, the Jesuits established the Manresa Institute, which was the only dedicated retreat center in the United States. It hosted both prominent Catholic prelates as well as laymen, as part of a growing lay retreat movement in the United States. The institute was named for the Spanish town of Manresa, in which Saint Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus, wrote his Spiritual Exercises. In 1911, the Jesuits sold Keyser Island, which became known as Manresa Island in the mid-twentieth century. In the 1950s, Connecticut Light & Power constructed a coal-fired power plant on the land. Over the years, the company filled in much of the tidal flats surrounding the island with coal ash, greatly increasing the size of the island from its original 23 acres (9.3 hectares) to 144 acres (58 hectares), and leading to significant ground pollution. In 1972, the plant was converted to burn fuel oil, and an oil spill occurred, damaging the surrounding environment. The plant was sold to NRG Energy in 1999, and was severely damaged by Hurricane Sandy in 2012, leading to its permanent closure in 2013. A portion of the land today is an undeveloped and ecologically important marine habitat.

The South Main and Washington Streets Historic District — 68-139 Washington St. and 2-24 South Main St. is a historic district in South Norwalk, Connecticut. The 110-acre (45 ha) district encompasses 35 buildings and two other structures (including the South Norwalk Railroad Bridge). Varied architectural styles from the late 19th and early 20th centuries include Romanesque Revival, Second Empire, and Italianate architecture. Half (5.5 acres (2.2 ha)) of the area first became part of the National Register of Historic Places in 1977 (35 buildings and two structures). The district was increased in 1985 with the addition of nine buildings on 2.5 acres (1.0 ha) (11-15 through 54-60 South Main St.) and again in 1999, with another 10 buildings on 3 acres (1.2 ha), roughly along North Main Street from Washington Street to Ann Street.The original district included 26 contributing buildings and 2 other contributing structures over a 5.5-acre (2.2 ha) area. The district was first increased to add 9 contributing buildings over a 2.5-acre (1.0 ha) area. The second increase added 10 contributing buildings over a 3-acre (1.2 ha) area. The district is a densely packed area, with an 1895 railroad bridge at its "visual center". Its "primary significance" is as "an extensive and cohesive collection of late 19th century and early 20th century commercial structures."

Established in c. 1655, the East Norwalk Historical Cemetery is Norwalk's oldest cemetery, and many of the area's first settlers are buried there. The cemetery is owned and maintained by the Third Taxing District, formally known as the East Norwalk Fire District of the Town of Norwalk, and before that it was known as the Down Town School District. Triangle shaped and surrounded clockwise by Gregory Boulevard, Cemetery Street and East Avenue it is situated in the neighborhood of East Norwalk. At the north entrance of the grounds stands the First Settlers of Norwalk Memorial, inscribed with the following names of 31 settlers who founded Norwalk in 1649: George Abbitt, Robert Beacham, Stephen Beckwith, John Bowton, Matthew Campfield, Nathaniel Eli, Thomas Fitch, John Griggorie, Samuel Hales, Thomas Hales, Walter Haite, Nathaniel Haies, Rev. Thomas Hanford, Richard Homes, Ralph Keiler, Daniel Kellogge, Thomas Lupton, Matthew Marvin, Sr., Matthew Marvin, Jr., Isacke More, Jonathan Marsh, Widow Morgan, Richard Olmsted, Nathaniel Richards, John Ruskoe, Matthias Sention, Sr., Matthias Sention, Jr., Matthew Sention, Thomas Seamer, Richard Webb, and Walter Keiler. Many graves are unmarked by headstones as remains were deposited before stones were available, and of which no mark or tradition is known. In 1843, the Down Town Cemetery Association was founded to maintain and conduct the business of the cemetery. In 1933, the name was changed to the East Norwalk Cemetery Association. In 1941, the Norwalk Third Taxing District entered into an agreement to supplement the association's perpetual care fund, due to a dwindling amount of donations. In 1966, the district took the deed to the land, so as to secure better insurance. Today, the district provides for the perpetual care of the grounds, while cemetery business is conducted by volunteers of the association.

East Norwalk is a neighborhood of Norwalk, Connecticut, located mostly in Norwalk's third taxing district with segments of its northernmost area within the first and fifth taxing districts. As one of the earliest settlements of Norwalk, it was so marked with a block of 'suitably inscribed' 'native granite' formally located on the corner of Fitch Street and East Avenue.

East Norwalk station is a commuter rail station on the Metro-North Railroad New Haven Line, located in the East Norwalk neighborhood of Norwalk, Connecticut. The station building was constructed by Metro-North in the 1980s.The Founder's Stone Monument, which formerly located at East Avenue and Fitch Street, is adjacent to the station. It marks the earliest Norwalk settlement and adjacent first Meeting House (seat of government), which were located at its former site.

Dooney & Bourke is an American luxury leather goods brand founded in 1975 by designer Peter Dooney and entrepreneur Frederic Bourke in Norwalk, Connecticut. Originally a men's supplier of belts, suspenders, and ties, the company now specializes in handbags and small accessories. Peter Dooney has maintained his role as designer at the company throughout the brand's history. Dooney's competitors include Coach and Kate Spade.

St. Thomas the Apostle is a Roman Catholic church in Norwalk, Connecticut, part of the Diocese of Bridgeport. The Parish of St. Thomas the Apostle was established in 1935.

The Norwalk Oyster Festival is an annual fair in the city of Norwalk, Connecticut, United States, held on the first weekend after Labor Day in Veterans Park, near Long Island Sound. Funds raised by the festival help the Norwalk Seaport Association maintain the Sheffield Island Lighthouse as well as develop science education classes. The festival is also used as a fundraiser by more than 20 other local non-profit organizations. The festival has been run by the Norwalk Seaport Association, a non profit organization, since its inception in 1978. Average annual attendance exceeds 90,000. Each year, the Oyster Festival contributes over $5 million to the local economy.It features various food, vendors, and entertainment, and celebrates the history of the oyster industry based in Norwalk. In the past, featured performers have included the Village People, Kansas, Charlie Daniels Band, Joe Walsh, Willie Nelson, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Tito Puente, Cheap Trick, Little Feat, The Monkees, Judy Collins, Up with People, and Little Richard.

Washington Village, is a 136 unit public housing complex in the South Norwalk neighborhood of Norwalk, Connecticut, USA, in the block bound by Water Street, Raymond Street, Day Street and Concord Street. It is the oldest public housing development in Connecticut, occupied since 1941. It was designed by Frank Bissell, an architect who had moved to Norwalk after having worked in the New York offices of Barber and Bissell.Due to flood damage from Hurricane Sandy and increased demand for housing in the South Norwalk area, a major three-part reconstruction plan for Washington Village broke ground in 2016. The plan has involved phasing in the site's original 136 public housing units, as well as an additional 137 mixed use and market rate units. The project is scheduled to complete in 2021. The South Norwalk area, locally referred to as SoNo, is seeing an increase in population in recent years, contrary to the state-wide population loss. In addition to it being one of the only walkable downtown neighborhoods in the City, the neighborhood features restaurants, a lively arts scene, the Maritime Aquarium, and seasonal celebrations. Nearby projects which have the same goal of improving access to housing include 19 Day Street, which features 20 affordable units in a new modular structure. Increased densification of the area may offer additional opportunities to increase the availability of urban open space on the nearby waterfront. The project is led by New England-based Harriman Group. The developer, Trinity Washington Village Limited Partnership, has been working alongside the Norwalk Housing Authority to make a smooth transition for public housing renters. Also involved in the project is the quasi-governmental Norwalk Redevelopment Agency. Funding for the Washington Village reconstruction was fulfilled in part by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s $30 million Choice Neighborhoods grant. This increase in local affordable housing was part of a greater initiative by now-former Governor of Connecticut, Dan Malloy during his time in office, when 22,000 affordable units were created. The state likewise contributed towards this project's funding through the Bonding Commission and Connecticut's Housing Finance Authority's Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program. As of August 13, 2019, the Norwalk Housing Authority approved minor changes to the final part of the project, which has been in accordance with the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency. Additionally, urban densification efforts include the recent adjustment of zoning laws for parking by the City of Norwalk. The tightening of parking availability contrasts widespread availability in neighboring suburban areas.

Village Creek is a coastal community in the South Norwalk neighborhood of the city of Norwalk, Connecticut which was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 2010. It is also the name of a creek upon which the community is built. Managed and maintained by the VCHOA, residents are entitled to access a private beach, marina and tennis courts. Established in 1949, the neighborhood is historically distinctive for its efforts to maintain a balanced racial composition, a practice enforced by the home owners association, at a time when deed covenants restricting ownership by race and ethnicity were common. The neighborhood was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2010.