Facility Rentals

Short Beach Tennis Court
Beach Sticker
Gazebo

Scheduling Use of School Buildings 
The Recreation Department schedules school buildings for use after 6:15 p.m. and on weekends. Nonprofit groups interested in using schools may go online and fill out a use of town property request form.  Insurance naming the Town as an additional insured is required.

Field Permits

Field permits may be obtained at the Recreation office at Birdseye Complex, Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 4:00 pm.

Beach Stickers

Beach Stickers for non-residents are $250 season pass or $20 per day Monday - Thursday and $40 per day Friday - Sunday and holidays for Long Beach and Short Beach.  For those residents with new cars or leased vehicles, a car registration or tax bill and a driver’s license must be shown to obtain the stickers at the Recreation Office at Birdseye Complex. Resident cars without stickers will be charged the parking fee.

Tennis Permits

Tennis permits may be obtained at the Recreation office at Birdseye Complex, Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 4:00 p.m. and tennis permits will become effective April 15. Call 385-4053 one week in advance for tennis permits.

Public Facility Permits

Groups interested in using Boothe Memorial Park, Short Beach Park, Paradise Green, West Broad Green, Academy Hill or another town facility or park should contact the Recreation Department.  Please fill out a Reservation Request Form online by clicking here.

General Facilities

For access to all of our town facility registration forms, click here.

For help with online registration forms, click here.

QUICK LINKS

Tennis Court Reservations
Boothe Park Reservations
Other Facility Reservations
Short Beach Campground
Register for Programs Online

ADDITIONAL LINKS

CONTACT INFORMATION

Recreation Office at Birdseye Complex

468 Birdseye Street Stratford, CT 06615

Amy Knorr
Superintendent of Recreation

Stratford Recreation Department
 468 Birdseye Street
Stratford, CT 06615
Email the Recreation Department

Facebook
Voice: (203) 385-4052
Fax: (203) 381-2072
Permits: (203) 385-4053
Youth Programs: (203) 385-4129
Cancelations: (203) 385-4129

Recreation Office Hours:
8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Monday through Friday

The Recreation Department is no longer open evenings or Saturdays.

Short Beach Facilities

Short Beach Picnic Areas

All 3 areas are handicapped accessible and adjacent to a boardwalk leading to a scenic overlook of Long Island Sound. A handicapped accessible bathroom is located in the middle of the 3 picnic areas.

Reservations are required and may be made through the Recreation Department.  Fee payment and bond must accompany application. Bond payment shall be returned if picnic area is left clean. Picnic Rentals can purchase passes for their guests.  Residents: 15 passes for $10 each.  Non-residents: 15 passes for $20 each.  Must be purchased in advance at the Recreation Department Office.  Regular daily pass fees apply.

No rain dates will be issued.

A Damage Bond equal to the fee must accompany fee and will be returned if area is left in good condition. In addition, a $200 bond must accompany the fee for pig roasts.

If a picnic reservation is cancelled 30 days in advance a full refund will be received minus a $10 administration fee. Cancellations within 29 days or less will result in a refund of their bond only.

Picnic Area 1

Short Beach Picnic Area #1

Reservations need to be made online by clicking here.

Short Beach Park has 3 picnic pavilions. Picnic Area #1 is the largest of the three and will hold over 100 people. It also has water and electricity to the site along with 2 large grills and 9 six-foot picnic tables. It is the first picnic shelter at the end of Dorne Drive.

Picnic Area 2

Short Beach Picnic Area #2

Reservations need to be made online by clicking here.

Picnic Area #2 is located near Pride’s Point and has 4 picnic tables with 1 grill. It has a capacity of 50.

Picnic Area 3

Short Beach Picnic Area #3

Reservations need to be made online by clicking here.

Picnic Area #3 is located at Pride’s Point and has 4 picnic tables with 1 grill. It has a capacity of 50.

Short Beach 
Picnic Area Fees - 2020

Resident

Weekday (Monday - Thursday)

Weekend & 
Holidays (Friday - Sunday)

Pavilion 1

$100

$200

Pavilion 2

$75

$100

Pavilion 3

$75

$100

NON-Resident

 

 

Pavilion 1

$350

$500

Pavilion 2

$200

$350

Pavilion 3

$200

$350

Short Beach Park

Short Beach Park is a 30 acre beachfront property located at the mouth of the Housatonic River and Long Island Sound. It provides a beautiful view of the colorful sail boats as they leave and return to shore in the evening hours.

The Park has a Par 3 Golf Course, Handicap Accessible Playground, 2 Little League Fields, 1 Regulation lighted softball field, 7 beach volleyball courts, 8 tennis courts, 2 basketball courts, 3 picnic areas with bathrooms, a soccer field, a lacrosse field, 1000 feet of beachfront with concession stand, bathrooms and deck.  It also recently added 2 bocci courts, and beach accessibility mats.

Lifeguards are on duty beginning Memorial Day through Labor Day from 10:00 – 4:30 p.m (weekends only Memorial Day - Last day of public school). Swimmers are asked to stay within the guarded area in front of the concession stand.

To ensure the safety of all who attend our beaches several rules must be adhered to:

  • Swimming is permitted in patrolled areas only.

  • No floatation devices are permitted on the beaches.

  • No swimming in the channel at Short Beach is allowed.

  • Pets and glass bottles are not allowed.

  • Bathing suits are required.

  • No boats or windsurfers are allowed in patrolled areas.

  • No climbing on rocks

  • No rock throwing

  • No kite flying on beach

Click here to register.