When my kids used to play baseball and softball, I looked forward to the games played at the Bible Street fields in Cos Cob. First, because it was close to home. Secondly, because Bible Street was like no other park in Greenwich. It's got a unique vibe you won't find anywhere else. It truly is a neighborhood park.
Bible Street is a "one off" meaning it's not a Bruce Park or Binney Park with all the bells and whistles of being situated off a main street like Sound Beach Ave or the Post Road. Bible is an eclectic blend of sport's fields, Bocce Ball, a cemetery, community building/pre-school, and an array of houses that line the perimiter of the park. It's those houses outside of the park that lend so much charm inside. They stand like local guardian's giving the appearance of keeping an eye out, or just making sure everyone is having a good time.
When my kid's played ball there, the homeowners would sit on their porches and decks appearing to be watching the games. I used to tell my kids, playing at Bible Street was like having built in fans!
The property was originally owned by the Mead family, then later acquired by Daniel and Joseph Maher. According to the surrounding neighbors, the property was used for making and selling ice. In the past, the property was lower than the actual road and had a brook and a pond. The brook was known as Strickland Brook. The pond was used for swimming and ice skating by the locals.
During the winter some of the frozen ice was cut and hauled out by horses using chains. A Cos Cob resident, Mr. Robert H. Cox, had an ice and coal business and sold the cuts of ice from an ice house that was then located in the area that is now the tennis courts.
The area was filled and Strickland Brook was relocated toward the western end of the property. At the southern end, west of the tennis courts, the stream was piped underground to the edge of the property where it continues under Orchard Street. After World War II, temporary housing was fabricated for returning servicemen. Eight two-family dwellings were erected, for a total of 16 units.
When housing was no longer needed it was dismantled and removed. The present community center structure was built in September 1956, and is now used to house the Parks and Recreation Preschool Program. The athletic activities consist of baseball, tennis, basketball, bocce, football, and soccer.
There are two baseball diamonds, two tennis courts, two bocce courts and two playgrounds for children. The large field is used for many community and school activities. The cemetery is listed under the name of the Timpany family, who lived near here for several generations. The first burial date is 1811.
The cemetery is maintained by the Town's Parks and Trees Department. The Park, bordered on all sides by private properties, is lined with a variety of stately trees: oak, English oak, maple, and elm. When the elm die they are replaced by Zalkovia. A tree lined walk bisects the Park adjacent to the Tennis Courts.
Cos Cob's Bible Street is rich in history. Next time you come for a stroll, to play with the kids, or walk the dog, think about all the ways it has morphed through the generations...and still stands as a great place to kick-back in Cos Cob.