Input Needed on Three Concepts for Seaside

As part of the continuing effort to gather public input in planning for a new state park at Seaside in Waterford, the public is asked to comment on three proposed concepts by visiting the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s page on Seaside.

“More than 700 individuals responded to last month’s survey with thoughtful ideas for re-use of this historic property,” said Susan Whalen, Deputy Commissioner of the DEEP, via a press release. “We encourage everyone to go online now and review details of the concepts we’ve developed and then take a new survey to provide additional feedback to the state planning team.”

The state planning team is made up of representatives of the Office of Policy and Management, DEEP, and the Department of Administrative Services. Sasaki Associates and Oak Park Architects, LLC, of Connecticut, were selected to assist with a master planning process for the park.

For each of the concepts, the committee is looking for input on meeting the goals of:

• Promoting recreation and public access to Long Island Sound
• Adaptive reuse of the historic buildings
• Improving the site’s ecology and habitat
• Creating a plan for the park that is financially feasible

The concepts are as follows.

Destination Park

Features potential for adaptive re-use for some or all of the historic buildings as a State Park Lodge – with a balance of recreation and ecology components on the site. Special attention will be given to the landscape including meadows, woodlands and tidal pools, boardwalk, fishing pier, preservation of historic buildings and on-site lodging.

Ecological Park

Features potential for some adaptive re-use of the smaller buildings, with an emphasis on recreation and ecology features. Consideration will be given to the landscape and its use for a nature trail, observation points including bird blinds and public art, kayak launch, and a new visitor center.

Passive Park

All or nearly all of the buildings are demolished – keep one building for a Visitor’s Center, with full emphasis on ecology and recreation. Attention will be passive us for the expansive lawn, limited parking for visitors, a jogging path, and low investment.

Which of these concepts is your favorite? Do you have other suggestions for Seaside? Share your thoughts in the comments below or on the Seaside post on the Waterford Patch Facebook page.

Click here to take the DEEP survey.

(Photo by Joel Stocker)