Boardwalk and Bath Houses Should Return to West Beach

Upon a recent visit to the over two-mile Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison, I took a walk on the boardwalk that used to span from Middle Beach to West Beach. 

It is now the boardwalk to nowhere.  

Hurricane Irene wrecked havoc in 2011 and washed away parts of the boardwalk and caused flood damage to the West Beach bathhouses. 

Rather than replacing the damaged parts of the boardwalk, they were removed and the boardwalk truncated to end with two benches and metal railings. 

At the very least, steps should have been installed so that walkers would not have to turn around and back track to access the beach. 

In removing the boardwalk, West Beach did gain more space for sunbathers and the shortened boardwalk features gradual ramps that descend walkers from the boardwalk to the beach.

The old dangerous drop-off areas from the boardwalk to the beach have been eliminated thanks to a reverse in the previous beach erosion trend. 

Two new restroom trailers, with handicapped-accessible facilities, were installed earlier this year in West Beach to replace the damaged bathhouses which were removed this past winter.

It’s possible that this temporary solution could be long-term, according to Park Supervisor Henry Alves.  

While a concessions cart is provided near the trailer restrooms, the food concessions building is further down the beach near a former section of boardwalk as evidenced in this photo. 

New foot showers were installed near the trailer restrooms, both of which are near a number of old picnic tables.

However, there is no dedicated space for folks to change their clothes.

I applaud the park in building its Middle Beach facility building which features large restrooms, separate changing rooms, vending machines, and a few outdoor picnic tables. The project suffered from delays and was scaled back from its original plans due to funding issues. 

Unfortunately, the Middle Beach parking lot is much smaller than those of West Beach, East Beach, and Megs Point. 

East Beach and Megs Point both have covered picnic pavilions and restrooms while Megs Point also has a nature center, a concessions area and more walking areas near the rocks.

Most visitors have their favorite places to park and visit just like the varied reasons people go to Hammonasset: sunbathing, swimming, walking, biking, camping, taking photos, or taking advantage of the educational opportunities at the Megs Point Nature Center. 

More should be done to make West Beach more inviting for visitors of Connecticut’s largest beach. 

The trailer restrooms and truncated boardwalk give the wrong impression in a similar manner as the expensive admission fees.

Non-residents are charged $22 on the weekends while residents pay $13. On weekdays there is a $15 charge for non-residents and a $9 charge for residents. 

My friend couldn’t believe that even after 4 p.m. there is a $7 fee for non-residents and a $6 fee for residents. 

I joked with him that those walking in or biking in can get in for free now but I’m sure that will evaporate like ice cream on a sweltering day.