Christiano Park - Playground, Tennis, Baseball Fields

Approximately 5 acres

Greenwich Shore apartments for rent and lease would like to remind our tenants of the excellent parks and playgrounds the Town of Greenwich has to offer.

Christiano Park and its history might surprise you. The recreational space that's frequented by picnickers and athletes, young and old, once served as the town dump. A makeover began in the 50's and continued through the 60's with the addition of two tennis courts, a baseball diamond, barbecue grills, a playground and one of the town's few cricket pitches.

The Greenwich Pigeon Club leases its clubhouse at Christiano Park from the town. In 1973, the park was dedicated to Albert Christiano, a 51-year-old former Greenwich athlete and beloved baseball coach who collapsed and died on the baseball field in the middle of a game. Parking is available at the end of Lyon Avenue.

Most parks come into being to preserve a particularly beautiful or unique spot; Christiano Park, tucked away in western Greenwich, has succeeded in creating one. and from some quite unpromising material.

Situated on five acres reached by Recycling Lane and Lyons Avenue (parking permitted only on the former), it was for many years the Town Dump. In the early 50's, farsighted planners began covering the area with landfill, and in the 60's added two tennis courts, a baseball diamond, barbecue grills, children's playground equipment, and even a cricket pitch, one of the few in town.

A part along the southern edge of the property was allowed to grow wild, and the maples, oaks and birches are now a haven for birds, squirrels, rabbits, pheasants, and one sharp-eyed resident attests, a family of foxes.

In 1971, Albert J. Christiano, born in Greenwich and a superb athlete in his youth who was passing on his skills by coaching youngsters in town league teams, collapsed and died on the baseball field in the midst of a game. He was 51. On May 5. 1973, the Park was dedicated in his name.

Christiano Park is a fine example of how a town midden can be coaxed back to ecological life when its capacity has been reached.