“We set out to bring back Pleasure Beach to make it a destination for families from throughout the region and that’s exactly what is happening. I couldn’t be prouder of the results so far.” – Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch
Bridgeport, Connecticut (September 15, 2015) – More than 50,000 people have visited Bridgeport’s historic Pleasure Beach since it reopened last June after decades of neglect, Mayor Bill Finch announced today.
“We’re thrilled that thousands of kids and their families are now enjoying the beauty of Pleasure Beach,” said Mayor Bill Finch. “We set out to bring back Pleasure Beach to make it a destination for families from throughout the region and that’s exactly what is happening. I couldn’t be prouder of the results so far.”
After 18 years of neglect and closure, Pleasure Beach opened to the public on June 28, 2014.
People can get to Pleasure Beach – a 71-acre barrier island off the Long Island Sound that is owned by the City of Bridgeport – via a free water taxi from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday for the remainder of the season. New attractions at the barrier island this year include a historical walking tour, expanded concessions, and a recently opened playground.
“Our Parks Department and Public Facilities worked countless hours to reclaim Pleasure Beach for our residents after decades of neglect,” said Mayor Finch. “It’s like a little piece of Nantucket right here in Bridgeport, I’m proud to say that more than 50,000 people have had the chance to experience it.”
Bridgeport took ownership of Pleasure Beach in 1892. It served as home to a nationally acclaimed amusement park and ballroom for the first half of the 20th century. But fires and declining visitor numbers put the amusement park out of business in 1966. The barrier island continued to go through periods of revival and decay until Father’s Day of 1996 when the bridge to Pleasure Beach set ablaze. The bridge was deemed unusable after the fire, and Pleasure Beach remained inaccessible until last year.
Bridgeport is called the Park City, and it wants to make sure it’s living up to its name while improving the quality of life for its residents. Bridgeport is creating new parks and revitalizing old ones to give kids cleaner air to breathe and to revitalize neighborhoods.
Living up to its name as the Park City isn’t just so Bridgeport kids have cleaner air to breathe, it also makes sound economic sense. A recent study found that Bridgeport parks serve as a catalyst for neighborhoods, attracting investments and economic development. That’s a tangible win/win for families, businesses and the city.
Including Pleasure Beach, under Mayor Finch’s administration, the city has renovated and created over 100 acres of parkland. In recent years, the City made created new or improved 16 different parks across the city, including new basketball courts, splash pads, playscapes, and baseball and soccer fields, giving our kids and grandkids safe places to play, Mayor Finch said.
“We’re proud to have another successful season in our parks, especially in Pleasure Beach,” said Charles Carroll, Director of Parks and Recreation.
For more information on Pleasure Beach, visit:
For more information, please visit http://www.bridgeportbettereveryday.com/pleasure-beach/ or contact Brett Broesder at (203) 257-1049 or brett.broesder@bridgeportct.gov.
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