Overview/History

The State Park acquisition of Silver Sands, ultimately involving over 300 parcels, began after Hurricane "Diane" destroyed 75 homes in 1955.  The City of Milford, needing help to renovate the battered beach, asked the Park Commission for help with the nearly overwhelming task.  When the land transfers were complete in 1960, Silver Sands became the state's fourth shoreline park.

Early vision of the park was to create both extensive buildings and infrastructure and an inviting shorefront and also to reclaim the inland acreage from its prior use as a municipal landfill.  The present master plan seeks to return the site to its historic coastal past including ecologically healthy interior tidal wetlands separated from Long Island Sound by sand dunes, and to only build limited structures needed to support the park's visitors.  

2011 saw the ribbon cutting for the cross-park boardwalk which merges seamlessly with the City's Walnut Beach boardwalk to provide a unique and extensive coastal access experience. 

Video Tour of Silver Sands State Park (link to ‘The Outdoor Enthusiast’ - CT Public Broadcastings’ Media Lab online project)