Milford's New Public Art Is A Link To Walnut Beach's Past

MILFORD, CT —During the first week of June, two unexpected additions arrived in the area near Walnut Beach.

Without much explanation or ceremony, two little boats, one yellow, one light blue, both inscribed with the words "Walnut Beach," in red lettering were installed within a few blocks of one another. One is at the intersection of Broadway and Joy Road, across from the beach, while the other sits at Viscount Drive and Broadway, near the beach parking lot.

As some might have discovered already, the public art also is a link to the area's past. The boats were part of a carousel-like children's ride at the old Walnut Beach Amusement Park, which was in the area from the 1920s to the 1950s.

A few local residents were instrumental in the preservation, refurbishment and installation of the boats. Max Nowicki and his family stored the boats on their property for nearly 60 years. In the last year, Susan Patrick, a member of the board of directors of the Walnut Beach Arts and Business Association, took the lead in the fix-up and display of the boats.

Though a plaque - with some details about the boats' history and Nowicki's preservation - is expected soon, the installation of the boats came as a bit of a surprise to residents.

"We didn't make a big fuss about it and we'll do something a little more to talk about (the boats) when the plaque comes in," Patrick told Patch. "But it was kind of fun, people from the neighborhood were texting each other asking 'what is this?' Where did it come from?'

"There have been so many unpleasant surprises this year, it was nice to have a pleasant surprise."

Last week, Nowicki explained to the Milford Mirror that his parents knew the family who ran the boat ride and stored the boats for them in their barn. The boats sat there, and at a few other associated local properties, for decades. Initially there were eight boats, eventually there were two.

Three years ago, Nowicki told Alderwoman Connie Gaynor that he had the boats in his possession, and she ended up contacting Patrick.

"These sort of fell into our lap, we weren't actively looking for it and we didn't even know it existed," Patrick said. "But (Nowicki) held onto them all those years. Give him credit (for saving them). He grew up with the amusement park and had a lot of memories."

Patrick, who owns the Walnut Beach Creamery, said she had a friend pick up the boats for her last summer. During the winter, Patrick said she and husband Dan, the well-known sportscaster, went to work on restoration.

"My husband and I sanded, painted, varnished, did the lettering, made them ready to go out there," said Patrick, who said she consulted with local paint stores about what products to use. "They required quite a few coats of paint, it took a while and I took my time with it."

Patrick also hired a few contractors for the project. Carolyn Dennis designed the base for the statues to resemble waves. Joe Woyciesjes, Carolyn's father, carved and painted the wooden bases. Matt Pastir, of Pastir Construction, put the boats and bases together.

Patrick said she collaborated with Chris Saley, Milford's public works director, to identify the locations where the statues would sit and get the necessary city approvals. Pastir and the city then worked together on the final installation.

The city funded the construction of the bases and the plaque, Patrick said, and the Public Works Department has agreed to store the boats indoors over the winter.

Though citywide public art displays have become increasingly popular in recent years, Patrick said the Milford boats were not necessarily inspired by something she had seen previously.

"I hadn't seen anything like that. Not that I don't think it exists," Patrick said. "It just seemed like it branded the area, was part of the history and seemed like a perfect fit."