New Chapter for Seaside State Park - What's Next? “This property has been let go for quite a while and time is urgent,” McCarty said. Before DEEP announced its funding source, McCarty introduced a bill to authorize state bonds for renovating the grounds at Seaside. State Representative Kathleen McCarty (R-Waterford) is also passionate about the park. “There is a lot to this property,” Brule said. Another eight years of an attractive nuisance,” Brule said.īrule said he was thankful for past visits from the governor and his administration, but wanted to see the state take action. “I just don’t want to continue to see another eight years of nothing. He called the property one of the most beautiful in town, along with one of the most frustrating. NBC Connecticut spoke with Waterford’s first selectman before the state made its announcement. “I’ll be dead before they finish this park,” said Robert Marelli, who lives nearby. Any of the options in the plan are expensive and so we are trying to improve the park in a way that is best investment of our state dollars,” Trumble said.Īs time has moved on with no improvements, frustration has grown in Waterford. “We have been looking for funding for this project. Video of Seaside from DroneRanger in 2018 is nearly identical to video shot in 2023.Īfter the 2019 request for proposal process concluded with no award, the state applied for a federal grant last year. Since then, the park has sat virtually untouched. That was the last public update on the progress of the park. In July of the following year, the process concluded with no award. In 2018, the state put out a request for proposals. The state published a master plan in 2015 with three options, one of which would have created a destination park and preserved the historic assets. There have also been efforts to privately develop the park, but nothing has changed at the property. In the years since, the state has held public meetings, created a master plan and conducted environmental impact studies. Windows on the buildings are broken and bricks are missing.įormer governor Dannel Malloy designated Seaside as a state park in 2014. is not responsible for any damage or loss to vehicles or contents.Striking Caregivers Rally Outside Governor's Residenceĭesigned by renowned architect Cass Gilbert, the buildings now sit in disrepair. Parking in all areas, whether designated here or not, is at your own risk. gives no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy or reliability of this data. The information shown here is for general reference purposes only. Peter Marteka – A Seaside State Park That Stands On Its Own(2015). As of July 2019 no progress has been made. The state was been working on a plan to save the buildings and possibly turn it into a resort since 2015. It was a hospital from children with tuberculosis until it was abandoned in 1996. The site of a former sanatorium – built in 1934 by renowned architect Cass Gilbert. History:Įstablished as a Connecticut’s 108th state park in 2014. I certainly hope the park receives the investment it needs to become another Harkness type property. I meandered along the park’s paths admiring the fenced off buildings and was able to accumulate just under a mile of distance. Wide lawns and a paved path curve down to the seawall and there are a two small beaches for fishing. An overgrown fountain hides along the back of the property and a slowly collapsing covered bridge connects the path between the two major buildings. Imposing patterned brick with towers and spires and stonework. The buildings, despite their graffiti and disrepair are beautiful. Purchased in 2014, the property is open as a state park where visitors are allowed to walk around the property and the seawall, but the buildings are fenced in and off limits. Seaside State Park is in a bit of a holding pattern. Trail Map Trails: Less than a mile Rating: ★★☆☆☆ Parking: Small lot near Seaside Dr, Waterford, CT
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