After many years of planning, the boardwalk that connects Walnut and Silver Sands beaches in Milford is completed -- and Monday there was a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate.
The new boardwalk added on 3,430 feet, bringing the total length to 4,030 feet.
The State Department of Public Works directed the $2.4 million project. LaRosa Building Group LLC of Meriden built the boardwalk and the engineer was the BSC Group of Glastonbury.
'The remarkable transformation from the former landfill to Silver Sands State Park is a story within itself," Mayor James Richetelli said at the 11 a.m. Monday dedication. "We think this is a great destination spot and with great things come great responsibility. We have some of the greatest natural resources in the state."
Richetelli also took the time to commend all those who participated in Milford Earth Day on April 30th.
The walkway provides a scenic route through the beaches complete with benches and plaques marking the mileage.
"We take our responsibility of being on Long Island Sound very, very close to heart," Richetelli said.
State officials also commented on the project.
“We were glad to be a part of helping support DEP’s crucial missions,” said Acting State Public Works Commissioner Jonathan Holmes. “This will allow the public to further benefit from the state’s tremendous natural resources and could not have been accomplished without the support received from all levels of government and the hard efforts of all the workers involved.”
State Environmental Protection Commissioner Daniel Esty stated, “Silver Sands is a beautiful shoreline treasure and the expansion of the boardwalk will make it more accessible and appealing to state residents and visitors. Protecting Connecticut’s natural resources and providing opportunities to enjoy those resources are both crucial missions of the DEP. This boardwalk was designed and built to highlight the beauty of this area while having a minimum impact on the shoreline environment.”
