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Sun’s out, fun’s in.
What could be better than a day on the beach at Branford Point? That’s the sentiment of many as Branford’s long, hot summer winds down. What’s more, this is the last week of beach activity for kids before the town’s public schools open tomorrow.
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Parker Memorial Park, with its breathtaking views of the sea, is located at Branford Point and is “the splendid gift of the late Dr. Frank J. Parker,” the town ordinance authorizing its creation, says. The management of all property is under the care, custody and control of the Town of Branford and is subject to the regulation of the Parker Memorial Park Commission, which was created in 1939.
Today the beach and park are family and friend favorites for swimming, relaxing and experiencing nature at its finest.
“The water’s always nice here, it’s not too crowded. It’s secluded and there are beautiful views,” said Barbara Franco, a local cashier and Branford resident of 30 years. “I live here, love it out here, grew my kids out here, and now my grandson’s out here.”
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Branford Point and the beach are popular spots for family and friend events.
Franco along with a group of four Yale New Haven nurses all came to the consensus that the best activity is spending time with friends.
“Tanning, hanging out with friends, and jumping in the water is all kind of refreshing on a hot day,” said Nicholas Pyle, a rising junior at Branford High School.
The sand that’s colored like coffee ice-cream topped with seaweed seems to be best accompanied by the flag on Branford Point and all of the patriotic connotations that come with Parker Memorial Park.
“The fireworks are definitely one of my favorite activities to go to because it happens every 4th of July,” Pyle said. (Actually July 4th is celebrated at the park in late June.)
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Here is another view from above the beach.
Yale-New Haven Hospital nurses, Amanda Francheka, Ashlyn Dilbone, Ashley Harkins, and Rebecca Marien all like to relax in the sun after a busy day at work.
“I enjoy going in the water, laying in the sun, and catching up with friends,” Harkins said.
Branford Beach life guards, Miriah Ventre and Brian Curseaden concurred that the best part of their job is the people.
“The most exciting part of the day is the people because we get to meet a lot of people in the town that we don’t know,” Ventre said.
The most difficult part of Ventre and Curseaden’s day is managing the children if they play haphazardly.
“The major problem is that the kids are not allowed on the rocks and kids play around and they’ll try and play chicken and climb on each other and we just can’t have that,” Curseaden said.
There is an upside. “Sometimes we get free food,” he said.
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There are occasions when the kids actually swing from the swings.
Between drinking a Miami Vice cocktail, delving into the newest New York Times bestseller, or playing ball with friends, the decision seems to be unanimous: A day at the beach is a day well spent.
Parking is for Branford residents only. All Branford residents are required to have a current Branford parking sticker affixed to their car in order to park. The park and beach are public. Out-of-towners are welcome if they can find other places to park. Dogs are not allowed on the beach.
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While at the Parker Memorial Park reach for the highest point where you will find four concrete squares and a few side bars anchored to the ground. They are the foundation of a 100 feet tall observation tower that was used during the "Red Scare" (of the 1950s) to alert the town when "The Russian Are Coming".
My neighbor while in high school spent 6 hours shifts looking for the Russians. But she could not remember how she were to identify "The Russians" and what she was supposed to do when she saw one.
(While we were looking for the Russian to come in the front door they used the back door in Korea).
Thus Spake Moshe Gai