Westporters love to complain about Westport. We’re not happy if we’re not bitching about some aspect of life here. Traffic, teardowns, taxes — it’s all fair game.
Whatever we say, we always wonder why “no one ever listens.”
Now it’s time to put up or shut up. And the topic is something nearly every Westporter feels passionately about: Compo Beach.
The spiritual heart of Westport has many stakeholders. Swimmers, joggers, boaters (with or without slips), human walkers, dog walkers, softball players, playground goers, neighbors, picnickers, bicyclists, summer campers, basketball players, barbecuers, skateboarders — everyone feels passionately about his or her favorite part of the beach.
Somehow, Compo manages to serve them all. But it gets harder every year.
Compo Beach is both timeless and ever-changing. Much is now different from this early 20th-century scene — but plenty is not.
As part of its much-needed, long-awaited Compo Beach Master Plan, Parks & Rec is hosting a public meeting. But — like the beach itself — this one is special.
From 9 a.m. to noon this Saturday (November 23) at Bedford Middle School, Westporters are invited to a “charrette.” That’s a collaborative work session — including breakout sessions — at which community members, planners, landscape designers, architects and anyone else interested can craft solutions to a design challenge.
The challenges facing Compo’s master planners are many. How can traffic patterns be reconfigured to account for everything from more and wider strollers (the baby kind) and larger vehicles, to our increasing desire to park as close to our destination as possible?
Do the sports facilities still serve the needs of beachgoers? What should we do about the ancient lockers — beloved by some, an eyesore to others? Can we extend the boardwalk? Should all that land on South Beach stay open, or is it underutilized? Do some parts of the beach favor some groups, and shut out others? Why not move the cannons? (Just kidding about the last one.)
All are welcome at this important charrette. Pre-registration is not required. For more information — including a project summary — click here.