Ash Creek is a tidal creek and intertidal wetland that serves as a border between the city of Bridgeport and the town of Fairfield, and is the last salt water estuary in the area, extending from Long Island Sound and up the Rooster River. It is an important stopover area for migratory shorebirds, some of whom travel from as far away as the Arctic Circle to Argentina and back again each year.
The creek has served as Fairfield’s main harbor since the founding of the town in 1639. The name was given to the body of water after Fairfield Center was burned to the ground by the British during the Revolutionary War. Due to the wind direction that day, a majority of the ashes were deposited in “Ash Creek.”
This cache was placed at a culvert for Ash Creek close to the Riverside Drive entrance of the open space area. A culvert is a structure that channels water, facilitates drainage and prevents flooding. This one is a self-regulating tide gate between Riverside Creek and Ash Creek.
Please note: The geocache is placed within a few feet of the trail. There is no need to climb on or around the tide gate or down the embankment. Smile at the young fisherman…he’ll be watching you.
Bring your own pen or pencil. Please replace cache where it was found.
https://www.fairfieldct.org/filestorage/10726/10988/12222/88566/71631/2PenfieldMills2009.pdf