Holiday Beachgoers Keep Their Distance

Grills, tents, coolers, TVs, footballs, jetskis, and kites — and New Haveners soaking in the sun 15 feet apart fron one another — were all out at Lighthouse Point Park Saturday as families celebrated a socially-distanced Independence Day at the beach.

The park had a capacity limit of 200 cars, which was reached around 11:30 a.m.

Some cars arrived at the park to wait for a parking spot around 5 a.m, said Deputy City Parks Director Bill Dixon, who arrived at the park early to control the expected traffic outside of the park’s entrance.

“Normally the waiting cars go down to the sea wall before we open. Today they only reached to about Anthony’s [Ocean View],” Dixon said.
Two officers stood outside of the closed gates around 11 a.m as park staff counted the cars in the parking lot.

“I thought most people would try to do their gathering at home so I didn’t rush, but now look at me,” said a Westville resident named Carmen, after being told at the entrance gates that the park had reached its car capacity. ​“I’m just disappointed a little, we come here every year. We got the kids ready, car loaded up, food, drinks the whole thing, but I guess we’ll do the whole backyard thing now.”

The officers informed people like Carmen hoping to get in to either park outside of the park in available areas or to come back around in about an hour to see if enough cars left for the gates to open back up. Carmen said she wasn’t interested in waiting the hour to return.

For the holiday weekend, a heavier police presence was staffed at the park, about 10 to 15 officers patrolled the park throughout the day. Officers patrol the park every weekend. During the week, officers on duty in the East Shore area drive through the park.

The park opened at 7 a.m and closed at 6 p.m for the July 4 holiday.

Since the park’s concession stand was closed, two food vendors, La Chalupa Mexican Food and Now We’re Smokin, were hired to be on-site to serve visitors. Dixon said the two food trucks are going to remain at the park on weekends.

Six lifeguards were staffed on the park’s beach, where many groups didn’t wear masks but were socially distanced from each other, most at the recommended 15 feet.

The splash pad was open and dozens of kids took advantage. Many also fished from the beach shore.

“He loves it, the water park is the main reason I came today,” said Jessica Shustack, who wore a mask while watching her 7‑year-old son Noel play on the splash pad with the other kids. ​“We all know it’s still out there so I’m still cautious. I just want to also make sure we’re enjoying our summer. I probably will stay for another hour then head out.”

Many found spots on the beach where signs with Covid-19 related rules were posted. ​“Spacing of 15 feet or more between beach blankets/chairs separating other parties” was one of the six park rules.

Some other rules told visitors to wear face-coverings if they were not able to socially distance, keep groups from being too large, and that the Pavillion was closed.

Normally, the park takes 400 to 500 cars during Independence Day weekend. Dixon said in previous years it wasn’t unusual for staff to be closing the gates at 9 a.m because all the parking spots were full. ​“It’s calm this year and people are focused on being safe,” he said.

An additional five staff members to direct parking were not needed due to the 200 car limit, he said.

In an effort to help families to socially distance, the city removed 125 benches from grassy areas throughout the park.

When Dixon arrived at 5 a.m, he said, two trespassers in hopes of claiming a spot in the park were caught and escorted from the park. 

“We heard it gets busy here so we packed everything last night,” said Bridgeport resident Xavier Moreno, who visited the park for his first time with his family to celebrate the holiday.

Moreno’s family brought a 13 inch TV along with them for the kids to play the video game Just Dance 2020 outside during the day.

Moreno and his family arrived around 6 a.m. in two cars and waited for the park to open. ​“We got the best spot and its away from everyone,” he said. Moreno’s family claimed a shady area under the trees. The family’s set up also had a grill, two hammocks, radio playing reggaeton music, and a small table with dominos and cards set out.

“I get why people come here,” he said. ​“It’s great. The kids can dance, run around and everyone’s just minding their business.”