Sherwood Island State Park pavilion to be closed for at least the entire 2026 season
The state says pieces of concrete were falling off the ceiling.
The large picnic pavilion at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport will be closed for the entire 2026 season, and possibly longer, according to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
Connecticut State Parks Director Brian Wilson tells News 12 that earlier in the spring, workers noticed some chipping and concrete pieces falling off the ceiling.
While they originally hoped it would be a quick fix, an inspection revealed deeper structural damage which could potentially lead to even bigger pieces falling as time went on.
"Sometimes, there are simple fixes, and in this case, that is not the case," Wilson said.
The pavilion, which was built in 1960, was closed immediately as a safety hazard.
"We don't want to wait on something like this that's so important to the park, and so high profile,” Wilson explained.
The state has been told it will cost an estimated $1.5 million to fix the damage - a project which will also include new roofing for the top of the pavilion.
"It's going to need some more structural work done to it to make sure that it's safe for everybody to get back in. So that takes some more time, and more cost and everything else involved with that," he said.
While the hope is for it to be fully fixed and back open in the spring of 2027, Wilson says it is still too early on to say for sure.
In the meantime, the park does have a second picnic pavilion which is still open and available for events.
