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.
Size: 5 Acres
Hrs. of Operation: Year round Dawn to Dusk
Parking: Street side
Directions from Town Hall:
Follow Field Point Rd. to Traffic light at intersection w/ Railroad Ave. Make right turn onto RR Ave. follow rd. until intersection with St. Roch's Ave. make right hand turn follow rd. to third left hand turn Lyon Ave. park at end of street.
Use of Tennis Courts
Tennis Passes are required for all "in season" play on Town of Greenwich Tennis Courts. Annual Tennis season runs from May 15th through December 1st.
Court Reservations
Courts are only available to Tennis Pass holders. Instructions for reserving court times are included when Tennis Pass is issued.
