MANY SEEK RELIEF AT THE SHORE
During pandemic, Greenwich Point draws large number of off-season visitors
It may be winter, but there is no off-season at Greenwich Point this year. In fact, the beachfront park has seemingly grown in popularity since the COVID-19 pandemic hit last March, with crowds turning out regardless of the weather in seek of open space, fresh air and an opportunity to be outside and move.
“I’ve been working at (Greenwich Point) since 1994 and we haven’t seen these kinds of numbers in past history,” said Craig Whitcomb, the town’s Marine Division Operations manager in the Parks and Recreation Department. “This is definitely, to my perspective, pandemic-related.”
Due to the pandemic, entrance to the park is limited to allow for social distancing. And beach passes or proof of residency with a driver’s license or
lease is required. Staff members check from the entrance booths — which are usually not manned in winter.
Last Sunday, 2,262 cars entered the
park, and another 404 cars were turned away because they weren’t residents. Over the weekend of Jan. 2
and Jan. 3, First Selectman Fred Camillo said there were 4,762 visitors to the beach and park, with 2,700 cars admitted.
That continues a trend of heavy use and turning people away throughout November and December, Whitcomb said.
Parks in demand
The crowded conditions date back to the start of the pandemic. During the early days of the shutdown back in March, thousands of residents and nonresidents flocked to Greenwich Point and other open spaces. After making repeated warnings that parkgoers were failing to social distance, Camillo closed the town’s parks March 22 to all in an effort to mitigate the spread of the virus.
After many complaints — and after the COVID-19 cases began to decline — Greenwich Point reopened for walking, running and bicycing on May 7. The beaches welcomed visitors in June, while the town maintained limits on the number of visitors allowed.
According to Camillo, the policy will remain in place indefinitely. Personnel will continue to staff the gates to keep the numbers below the maximum occupancy.
The Parks and Recreation Department has the drill “down pat,” Camillo said.
“They’ve done a really good job, especially when it’s a sunny, warmer day, there are a lot of people heading out there,” he said. “Hopefully there’s a stabilization in the curve, and when we see more and
more people getting vaccinated, we can start to turn the corner and go back to the regular winter policy.”
It’s impossible compare the number of visitors this year vs. last year because the town does not normally keep a count of the number of cars in winter. But the anecdotal evidence for Parks and Recreation personnel shows there has been a surge.
Whitcomb agreed, saying that more people want to get outside due to the stayclose-to home pandemic lifestyle.
“I think this is also a function of the increased use of social media, where people are now able to broadcast out to their friends,” he said. “They can reach out and say, ‘Hey, come on down to Greenwich Point. We’ll all get together and walk the dogs or take the kids for a walk and get out of the house.’”
Whitcomb also pointed to the mild weather this winter, with sunny days on many recent weekends.
“When it’s nice out, you take the kids for a drive. And when it’s not nice out, you might stay home and play board games,” he said.
Staying safe
Camillo agreed that visitation at Greenwich Point has been higher than he has ever seen during the winter . The reasons? He said more residents may want to get fresh air and exercise or they may be feeling stir crazy while spending so much time at home during the pandemic.
“I’m sure it’s a little bit of all of that,” Camillo said. “I’ve been getting a lot more people reaching out to me with requests (to visit the park). These are people
who don’t live in town. They’re former residents or former town employees. They’re asking to open the beaches back up . ... This has really picked up, especially in the last few weeks.”
Also, more people are visiting the Babcock Preserve on North Street and other open spaces in town, Whitcomb said. At Byram Beach, there has been only a small increase — not as much as at other areas, he said.
“I won’t say we’re getting overwhelmed, but there is a definite influx of people coming in,” Whitcomb said. The entrance booth is not staffed there, so exact numbers
were not available.
Camillo said he understands why more people want to visit Greenwich Point, but he said the policy is in place for the safety of public health.
“We’re still in that red zone,” Camillo said. “It’s a capacity issue. We have to turn away Greenwich residents if it gets too crowded. We don’t want every parking space taken up. That’s why we set the limits. We want there to be space.”
When it comes to turning out away hopeful visitors, Whitcomb said there have not been any major issues because most people understand the unique circumstances of the pandemic.
“By and large people are being cooperate and understanding,” he said. “They understand that
things are different for now.”