TEST FOR BEACHES
Warm weekend to challenge restrictions in coastal towns.
With the long-awaited approach of good weather this weekend, the state and its shoreline towns are calling on quarantine-fatigued residents to obey social distancing rules so that parks, beaches and other recreational areas don’t get shut down.
Leaders of several coastal communities said people should expect new capacity limits forced by the coronavirus threat. They’re also hoping users remember that some activities are still restricted.
Fairfield, for instance, reopened its beaches Friday for the first time since mid-March, but cautioned that traditional spring and summer activities still aren’t allowed for now. Walking the beach is permissible, but chairs, blankets, bonfires, group gatherings and sports aren’t. The town also lifted the shutdown of its marina and golf course.
“Reopening these select facilities for passive recreation is a positive step as we all try to resume some of the activities we all enjoy,” police Chief Christopher Ly
ddy said. “However, we must remember to still practice aggressive social distancing to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus.”
The state expects several of its parks will reach capacity Saturday and Sunday, and is advising visitors to be prepared for the possibility that their first choice will be closed by the time they arrive.
The best strategy is to head for a less popular park earlier in the day and also have a second choice in mind, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said Friday. Connecticut’s state parks have remained open throughout the pandemic.
“Lower capacity closings help DEEP to keep the park system operating — and the public safe — during a time when many other recreation options are not available,” the agency said in a statement.
Like other New England states, Connecticut this spring wants to avoid the kind of fiasco that California encountered when it reopened beaches last weekend. Tens of thousands of visitors crowded into some, leading Gov. Gavin Newsom to promptly shut down the most popular Orange County beaches again.
DEEP said it wants residents to enjoy recreational facilities throughout the peak season, but added that they must help by complying with distancing rules.
Based on excessive crowds earlier in the year, Connecticut has instituted a long-term shutdown of Kent Falls State Park, Seaside State Park, the boardwalk connector at Silver Sands State Park’s parking lot and the tower at Sleeping Giant State Park.
“On the whole, our parks staff have reported that Connecticut residents have been doing a good job observing these safety recommendations and restrictions when in our state parks, and we commend them for that,” DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said. “We encourage residents to stay the course and continue these good practices, particularly as beautiful weather arrives and the urge to spend more time outdoors increases.”
While beaches in Guilford have remained open, the town plans this weekend to reopen recreational facilities including the high school track, tennis courts, golf course and playing fields. First Selectman Matthew Hoey said he’s confident residents will comply with restrictions.
“My observations of being out and about in town, people are taking it seriously,” Hoey said.
Guilford parks staff have been assigned to drive around to monitor that people are keeping proper distances and wearing masks. If violators refuse to comply, staff have been told to contact town police.
In Old Saybrook, a popular destination for beachgoers, signs have been put up asking people to follow guidelines of social distancing and limit group sizes to fewer than five people, police Chief Michael Spera said.
“We have no interest in closing our beaches,” he said. “We think it’s good for people to get outside and get some fresh air, we just need people to adhere to the local laws and public health guidelines when they do so.”
During past weekends with warm, clear weather, police have responded to several complaints about social distancing, but Spera said a quick conversation usually resolves the problem.
“We will watch for groups that are violating and ask them to comply with the law,” Spera said of the department’s weekend plans.
Milford is keeping playgrounds, tennis courts and basketball courts closed, but has left open bikeways and hiking trails. The town is considering reopening its golf course.
“It’s my position that a big part of making sure you stay healthy is to get exercise and boost your immune system,” Mayor Ben Blake said.
Blake would like better regional or state planning by shoreline towns, since their decisions about the spring and summer seasons will affect each other significantly this year. Neighboring West Haven closed its popular waterfront boardwalk at the end of March, for instance, so now Milford has to consider banning out-oftowners from using its beach parking, Blake said.
“When West Haven closed the boardwalk, it put a lot of pressure on Milford’s shoreline — we’ve gotten a lot more traffic because of that,” Blake said. “Planning during this pandemic has to be approached regionally.”
Don Stacom can be reached at dstacom@ courant.com.