News 12 gets rare look inside Bridgeport's Remington Woods project
The 400-acre site once tested munitions for the Civil War and both world wars. But soon it will become a massive nature preserve – and even generate enough electricity to pay for itself.
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Bridgeport’s Remington Woods have been shrouded in secrecy for decades, but News 12 got a rare look inside on Wednesday.
Soon, the public will be able to go too.
WARTIME HISTORY
Deep in the Remington Woods, if you listen closely, you can hear the ghosts of past wars.
“From the Civil War up to World War II, all of the artillery shells were made here,” said state Rep. Joe Gresko (D-Stratford).
Remington Arms used the 400-acre site on the Bridgeport-Stratford border to test war munitions. In fact, it was a prime target for the German military.
It took decades to clean up all the unexploded ordinances. But soon, Remington Woods will be a park – and even generate power to lower your electric bill.
On Wednesday, Gov. Ned Lamont got a tour of what will soon become a 400-acre nature preserve, including a natural science center, outdoor classroom and viewing platform for students.
“One of the greatest urban forests in the country,” Lamont said. “So now, 40 years later, we’ve got a really good strategic plan.”
The property will be turned over to a conservation steward to own and manage the property, which will be selected by early next year. The state would also place a conservation easement on it.
PAY FOR ITSELF
The park could be open by 2028 – and it will actually pay for itself.
Fifty-one acres will house solar panels and electric battery storage. United Illuminating has already agreed to purchase the solar power for the next 20 years.
Both projects will generate income by generating power for the grid. Project planners estimate that the park’s fund could grow to $50 million in the next three decades.
“They would take those funds and operate the park,” said David Trepeck, CEO of TRITEC Americas. “So it would be a zero impact to the residents or the businesses.”
Trepeck said that battery storage could also limit power outages during storms.
“What a battery allows you to do is, there's a switch,” he said. “And if the grid goes down, the switch switches and now you’re pulling just from the battery.”
WHAT’S NEXT?
Trepeck is hoping to get the solar panels online by the end of next year, but the battery storage will take until at least the end of this decade.
