Elle Fair ’19

Westport Parks and Recreation approved plans for renovations at Compo Beach including the installation of sidewalks, bathrooms, more tables and grills, a pickleball court and some new parking spaces. Although they were approved by Parks and Recreation on Nov. 15, the plans still need approval from the Conservation Commission, Flood and Erosion Control Board and Planning and Zoning Commission in order to reach the town’s funding committee.

The renovations are aimed at improving the overall flow of the South Beach, and they will not exceed more than $850 thousand. Jacob Lubell ’18 visits the beach regularly and thinks highly of the upcoming renovations.

“I think the improvements will make it an even better place to spend time especially with the new courts, which I am super excited for,” Lubell said.

According to Representative Town Meeting member Matthew Mandell, the addition of bathrooms to south beach was the most common request made by residents.

“The Parks and Recreation commission held numerous meetings about what should be done at the beach,” Mandell said. “Residents filled out surveys and gave a huge amount of input. I believe they ordered their concerns in terms of priority.”

The restroom facilities will be built to match the exterior of other buildings located on the beach. The facility will include three unisex bathrooms, water fountains for filling bottles and a new outdoor shower.

The proposed renovations include safe sidewalks which are similar to the one currently located at the East Beach. This will allow citizens to safely walk along the beach instead of behind the parked vehicles, and in the middle of the road.
In addition to the walkways, there will be “picnic pads” installed. These will serve as handicapped accessible picnic tables, complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

These new renovations are also aimed at reducing crowds and traffic at the beach. Izzy Cardello ’19, Parks and Recreation staff member, understands how crowded the beach scene gets.
“The new renovations to the beach will attract more people,” Cardello said, “because they will be able to park easily, use the restroom without waiting in long lines, and the sidewalks will let residents walk along the beach easily.”