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This will be such an important day. Ive heard so many stories from people about their memories as kids going to Pleasure Beach. Now, those people can bring their own kids there to create new memories. I know I will. -- Mayor Bill Finch
Ø WHAT: Media access to Opening Day of Pleasure Beach Ø WHERE: Water Street Dock (near Port Jefferson Ferry dock), 1 Ferry Access Road, Bridgeport, CT (ONLY MEDIA WILL BE PICKED UP AT THIS LOCATION) Ø WHEN: Saturday, June 28, 2014. There will be two departures. One will leave at 10 a.m. and return at 11:30 a.m. The second will department at 11:35 a.m. and return at 1 p.m. Ø WHO: Mayor Bill Finch, community members and members of the public visiting Pleasure Beach for the first time in nearly two decades By BRETT BROESDER Bridgeport Saturday is the big day. After nearly two decades, Bridgeport residents will again have access to Pleasure Beach. Were hoping for a nice turnout and hoping to see you there. The water taxis will begin running for the public at 10 a.m., Saturday June 28th from the dock at Central Avenue near Seaview Avenue. This will be such an important day. Ive heard so many stories from people about their memories as kids going to Pleasure Beach. Now, those people can bring their own kids there to create new memories. I know I will, said Finch. This really is an historic day and we hope to see you there. For more information, please email brett.broesder@bridgeportct.gov or call (203) 257-1049. Pleasure Beach background: Dating back to the late 19th century, Pleasure Beach has played a significant role in the citys history. It once served as home to the states Democratic Club, followed by housing a professional level baseball field owned by hall-of-famer James ORourke and an amusement park owned by Coney Island developer George Tilyou. And, in 1932, then New York Governor Roosevelt spoke to a crowd of 20,000 people on the peninsula shortly before he became the Democratic nominee for President, and then President of the United States. Click here for historic photos of Pleasure Beach: http://bit.ly/1jOKgaz By the mid 20th century, the amusement park closed and outdated structures on the peninsula were plagued by fires. And, after serving as a park for several years, Donald Trump and Steve Wynn in the 1990s sought the creation of a casino and housing development at Pleasure Beach. But that never came to fruition. And, the bridge to Pleasure Beach the only way to access the peninsula from Bridgeport burned down on Fathers Day in 1996. Click here to for a sourced timeline for Pleasure Beach from 1896-2014: http://bit.ly/1uYmEY4. With the bridge being far too difficult and expensive to repair, the peninsula has been closed for public use for almost two decades. But thats changing on Saturday, June 28th. Pleasure Beach is back! Pleasure Beach will officially re-open on Saturday, June 28, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. and will close at 6:00 p.m. The peninsula will be accessible seven days a week via free water taxi, which will pick beach goers up at the fishing pier located on Seaview Avenue near its intersection with Central Avenue. Two water taxis the 23 passenger Lewis H. Latimer and the 18 passenger Gustave Whitehead will run frequently from the fishing pier on Seaview Avenue to the T-Pier on Pleasure Beach. Click here for current Pleasure Beach photos: http://bit.ly/1q2tUT8. Upon arrival on the T-Pier on Pleasure Beach, its about a half-mile walk along a boardwalk to the beach area. While en route, visitors will pass an info depot where beach goers will be able to ask questions and gain more information about the park. After passing the info depot, visitors will come upon a pavilion and relaxation area that includes several bathrooms, showers, picnic tables and a limited concession stand. And, after walking through the pavilion area, beach goers will walk down a boardwalk and onto the beautiful beach. For more information, please visit www.bridgeportct.gov/pleasurebeach.Click here to follow Daily Voice Bridgeport and receive free news updates.
