Here's When The Pear Tree Point Beach Improvement Project Could Be Finished

DARIEN, CT — The Pear Tree Point Beach improvement project continues to progress with a completion date in sight, according to engineering firm Weston & Sampson.

The project's building committee held a special meeting on Wednesday and heard from senior project manager Jack Grieshober of Weston & Sampson, who summarized recent work that was completed.

The meeting is available to watch on demand on Darien TV.

Overall, the project includes demolishing existing site features, installing new stormwater infrastructure, improving the parking lot, adding concrete curbing and sidewalks, upgrading the boat launch ramp, enhancing landscaping, restoring existing wetlands, dredging, and other beach enhancements.

"The dredging work was complete, thankfully before the weather really turned there and we got that cold snap with all the ice. In the interim, they've been a little hampered with the weather conditions being what they were, but they are still making progress," Grieshober said of the construction crew.

A "substantial amount" of concrete work has been completed, and boat ramp concrete work is expected to be finished in the coming weeks.

"Aside from the concrete work, they are preparing the parking lot for paving, so that involves boxing out where they need to, laying down the geotextile fabric and then putting in the stone and rough grading it to prepare for paving later this year," Grieshober added, noting drainage structures have been installed.

Paving is anticipated to begin in April, but it's dependent on the weather.

Overall, the project is expected to finish by the end of April. Grieshober said the formal completion date outlined in the project contract is May 1.

"They still think they can hit that, but the weather has to cooperate," Grieshober said.

Building Committee Chair Marcy Minnick reiterated that the parking lot won't be available for residents visiting Great Island until after May 1. The entire lot has been closed to the public since January.

Grieshober advised the building committee that a tree in the thin buffer area between the roadway and the parking lot along Pear Tree Point Road will be recommended for removal.

"One of the trees there is pretty close to where the curb line is going to go in. Based on where they're going to have to excavate, they believe a lot of the root structure is going to be damaged," Grieshober said. The tree is also near power lines. "We'd like to recommend that tree come out just to prevent a future issue."

Grieshober said the tree is "not in the best of shape" and somewhat lopsided due to pruning, and it could potentially fall on the power lines if the root structure is compromised.

"We're still having a net positive increase in the amount of trees on the property," Grieshober pointed out.

Director of Parks & Recreation Jen Fava said of the tree, "It's not a great specimen to begin with."

Grieshober said construction crews are planning on setting the curb line next week.