became separated from the mainland after a flour watermill was expanded by its owners in the late 1700s. Ownership of the land transferred to Henry J. Sanford in the late 1830s, who founded Stamford Manufacturing Co. in 1844, which operated the Cove's mills and manufactured dye extracts, bleached minerals, licorice. The factory on Cove Island stayed in business until 1919, when it burned down, with the Stamford Advocate calling it the most damaging fire in city history. Over time, the island was converted to a park by the City of Stamford, with the United States Army Corps of Engineers developing the island's beach in the late 1950s. The park was flooded during Hurricane Sandy in 2012, with Stamford's parks and beaches suffering $2.5 million in total damages from the storm. The City of Stamford and conservation groups have worked with national experts on a comprehensive long-term plan for the park in light of environmental risks. In 2015 the jogging trail was the scene of a sexual assault. The incident led to the installation of an emergency phone and security cameras at the park. In July 2018, mosquitos at the park tested positive for West Nile virus. Trivia The movie Reservation Road was filmed at the park, including the opening scene of an outdoor concert and a climactic scene near the end. Weed Avenue, just north of the park, was used in two scenes where a character jogs. References External links Cove Island Park - City of Stamford Famous Cove Mills Perish in Stamford's Biggest Fire Article on manufacturing at the site of Cove Island Park (Stamford Historical Society newsletter) Geography of Stamford, Connecticut Beaches of Connecticut Long Island Sound Landforms of Fairfield County, Connecticut Parks in Fairfield County, Connecticut Tourist attractions in Stamford, Connecticut