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S tratford’s Long Beach, together with Bridgeport’s Pleasure Beach, comprises a unique 2-mile long barrier beach that shelters the Great Meadows Marsh Unit of the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge. At 80 acres combined, Long Beach and
Pleasure Beach represent 20% of Connecticut’s undeveloped barrier beaches and contain a rich set of sand dunes, tidal wetlands, and sand flats. The area – widely recognized as a haven for birds and wildlife – also provides invaluable access to Long Island Sound at the heart of a densely populated area. This makes the permanent preservation of Long Beach and Pleasure Beach both a top recreation and a top conservation priority in the State, if not the region. With the goal of permanently protecting one of Connecticut’s most valuable coastal resources, The Trust for Public Land, Audubon Connecticut, and a coalition of private conservation organizations are working together to bring Long Beach and Pleasure Beach into the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge. The addition of Long Beach and Pleasure Beach to the Refuge will improve the management of the area for both people and wildlife, enhance passive recreational opportunities, and increase public access to this extraordinary natural area – right in the backyard of Connecticut’s largest city.
LONG BEACH and PLEASURE BEACH
LocationLocationLocationLocation
Stratford and Bridgeport, CT
AcresAcresAcresAcres
80
Natural Features and Natural Features and Natural Features and Natural Features and
Conservation Value Conservation Value Conservation Value Conservation Value
Significant barrier beach
Sand dunes and tidal wetlands
Public access to Long Island Sound
Passive recreation
Protects rare habitat for birds
and wildlife
PrPrPrProject Partnersoject Partnersoject Partnersoject Partners
The Trust for Public Land
Audubon Connecticut
Citizens Campaign for the
Environment
Connecticut Audubon Society
Connecticut Community
Boating, Inc.
Protect Your Environment of
Stratford
Save the Sound
Sierra Club – Connecticut Chapter
The salt marsh side of Long Beach in Stratford, Connecticut. This body of water, known as Lewis Gut, is adjacent to the Great Meadows Unit of McKinney National Wildlife Refuge. Jerry and Marcy Monkman/EcoPhotography.com
The Trust for Public Land
c o n s e r v i n g l a n d f o r p e o p l e
What is the current proposal for What is the current proposal for What is the current proposal for What is the current proposal for the protection of Long Beach?the protection of Long Beach?the protection of Long Beach?the protection of Long Beach? The Stratford Town Council is currently reviewing a 5-year option agreement to sell Long Beach West to the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) for permanent protection. The Town of Stratford will retain ownership of the parking lot and its public beach, up to the first breakwater. The agreement being considered guarantees public access and provides for the timely removal of the 4o+ cottages on Long Beach West during the option period. The Council will hold a public hearing on the agreement, which will take place on July 24th at 6 pm in the Town Council Chambers.
How will the purchase price be How will the purchase price be How will the purchase price be How will the purchase price be determined? determined? determined? determined? The purchase price will be determined by a full narrative appraisal to federal “yellow book” standards (the highest standard of appraisals). The agreement states that the Town will receive no less than $10 million for the property, and may receive more depending upon the results of the appraisal. How will public access be affected How will public access be affected How will public access be affected How will public access be affected by tby tby tby this proposal? his proposal? his proposal? his proposal? The Town of Stratford will retain a public access easement, which will guarantee continued public access to the site for passive recreation. Public access will be improved by the
removal of the cottages on Long Beach West and with additional investments in recreational amenities proposed by USFWS. What aWhat aWhat aWhat are the sources of funding for re the sources of funding for re the sources of funding for re the sources of funding for the purchase? the purchase? the purchase? the purchase? The Trust for Public Land, Audubon Connecticut, and our partners will be working during the 5-year option period to secure federal appro-priations from the Land and Water Conservation Fund – the primary source of funds for federal land acquisition. The federal funds may be supplemented by state monies, private philanthropy, and other grants as necessary.
What is the status of the sale of What is the status of the sale of What is the status of the sale of What is the status of the sale of Pleasure Beach to the USFWS? Pleasure Beach to the USFWS? Pleasure Beach to the USFWS? Pleasure Beach to the USFWS? The Trust for Public Land is currently working with the Mayor’s office to develop a detailed proposal for the sale of Pleasure Beach to FWS. This proposal will be presented to Bridgeport’s City Council and other appropriate Boards and Commissions in the near future for their consideration.
The Trust for Public Land (TPL), a national nonprofit organization with an office in New Haven, works with others to conserve land for people to enjoy as working landscapes, parks, gardens, and natural areas, ensuring livable communities for generations to come. TPL's Connecticut program has protected more than 5,000 acres of open space, watershed land, working farms and forestland, and historic resources in 32 communities across the state. For more information, please contact Lisa Bassani, The Trust forFor more information, please contact Lisa Bassani, The Trust forFor more information, please contact Lisa Bassani, The Trust forFor more information, please contact Lisa Bassani, The Trust for Public Land, 203Public Land, 203Public Land, 203Public Land, 203----777777777777----7367 or [email protected] or [email protected] or [email protected] or [email protected].
