Shippan Point, A Waterfront Community in Stamford, CT

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The Shippan Project

The SPA’s latest endeavor is The Shippan Project. An effort to document the rich history of our unique and wonderful neighborhood.

SPA 2025 Year in Review. Video by SPA Director, Ian Schindelman.

A montage of photos from Shippan Point Association events from 2017-2020. Including Celebrate Shippan, Kids Parades, Wine Tasting, 2020 Graduation Parade, and the first Easter Bunny and Santa Parades. Enjoy the trip back through history!

Long time resident Bobbie Bensaid discusses how the spirit of community makes Shippan a very special place. Having lived and traveled all over the world, Bobbie loves to call Shippan home.

This installment of The Shippan Project features Van Ren resident Helen Chagaris. Helen shares wonderful memories of her life on the Point and reminds us why “..no one moves out.”

Grace Hallenbeck reminisces about her life on Shippan Point in Stamford, CT

In our first installment, we speak with Grace Hallenbeck, a lifelong resident, about her memories of growing up on Shippan Point and what makes our neighborhood such a special place.  We hope you enjoy watching it as much as we have. 

Welcome to Shippan, a peninsula of 800 acres extending south into Long Island Sound.

“By the Water, but Down to Earth”

-New York Times
Aerial View Photo: Malcolm Dickinson

Shippan is an ideal residential community with its broad mile long avenue, beautiful plantings and scenic beaches.​​

Annual Celebrate Shippan signature event

Once farmland bought from the American Indians and tended by English settlers, then a summer play land for the wealthy, Shippan Point is steeped in history and one of Stamford’s most desirable neighborhoods.

Stamford Harbor Photo: David Sussan

Now, its wide, mile long main avenue, multiple beaches and beautiful homes make the perfect setting for families to flourish year round.

Shippan Point Easter Bunny Parade

Shippan Point Association

The Shippan Point Association (SPA) was formed in 1902 and sought to protect the beauty of the neighborhood. 

Today, the SPA continues to protect and beautify the area while building a community through neighborhood events, regular information meetings, tree planting, police patrol and much more.

Stamford officer and K9 chat with neighborhood kids. Photo: Tracey O’Neill

Becoming a member of the Shippan Point Association is an important part of becoming involved in the community and maintaining the strength and integrity of the neighborhood we all have chosen to make our home. 

Shippan Point Holiday Dog Parade & Fundraiser. Photo: Ian Schindelman

Mission Statement

The Shippan Point Association, Inc. is a voluntary, non-political, non-profit corporation organized to safeguard the mutual interest and welfare of its members; to preserve and enhance the physical beauty and tranquility of the area; to ensure the safety of its inhabitants; to protect the integrity of the environment and the historic nature of Shippan Point as well as the value of the individual properties located there; and to do all and everything necessary, suitable, and proper for the attainment of any of these purposes, including, without limitation, submissions to and appearances before municipal, state, and federal boards and agencies.​​​

Pam Abere paints a utility box in Shippan. Photo: Kristen Hayes

2026 Officers of the Board

Chairperson of the Board: Sarah Black

President: Michele Freshwater

Vice-President: Ian Schindelman

Treasurer: Brian Jay

Secretary: Valerie Rickens

Communications: Jill Luciani

Board of Directors

TERM EXPIRING 05/2026

  • Sarah Black (Ocean Drive West)
  • Andy Chang (Sea Beach Dr.)
  • Saira Hopper (Stamford Ave.)
  • David Lasnick (Hobson St.)
  • Panthea O’Connell (Downs Ave.)
  • Kevin Pasquarella (Rippowam Rd.)
  • Richard Recker (Ocean Drive West)
  • Bob Unnold (Lanark Rd.)
TERM EXPIRING 05/2027
  • Brian Jay (Ocean Drive West)
  • Sabine Neumann (Lighthouse Way)
  • Valerie Rickens (Sea Beach Dr. )
  • Ian Schindelman (Van Rensselaer Ave.)
  • Lindsay Shea (Van Rensselaer Ave.)
TERM EXPIRING 05/2028
  • Thomas Brennan, Sr. (Fairview Ave.)
  • Charlie Dill (Auldwood Rd.)
  • Michele Freshwater (Ocean Drive West)
  • Shelley Gibson (Woolsey Rd.)
  • Jay Keeshan (Van Rensselaer Ave.)
  • Andrew Krill (Mitchell St.)
  • Jill Luciani (Van Rensselaer Ave)
  • Susan Pitkin-Rudkin (Harbor Dr.)

District Reps

Tom Bouchard (Van Rensselear ave.)
Steve shore (Auldwood rd.)


Useful Links