The Shoreline Restoration Committee (SRC) has chosen GEI Consultants for Phase 2 of the West Haven Boardwalk Resilience and Eco-Restoration Project. They will collaborate over the next four months to complete the coastal resilience and ecological restoration of a 1.5-acre portion of the shoreline adjacent to Old Grove Park in West Haven. The final plans will be announced to the public in February 2024.
“The project addresses challenges associated with restoring and preserving native coastal habitat in a densely-populated urban area and in response to climate change,” said project co-coordinators Marilyn Wilkes, Vice President, Land Trust, and Mark Paine, Director, Parks and Recreation. “It will help the community understand the connection between robust ecosystems and coastal resilience, provide accessible, healthy green spaces to systemically marginalized and vulnerable populations, and manage the shoreline space so that wildlife and people can thrive.”
The target outcomes and impacts of the West Haven Boardwalk Resilience and Eco-Restoration Project include:
- restoration of 1.5 acres of native coastal habitat and improved habitat connectivity to adjacent public green spaces;
- long-term plan for invasive plant control and restoration maintenance at the site;
- a living classroom for public school and public use that includes interpretive signage linking by QR code to in-depth information on the Land Trust’s website;
- free educational events onsite designed to appeal to a range of audiences and ages;
- improvements to public amenities, including benches and walking paths at the site;
- ADA access for residents including access mats to the beach area;
- the creation of a replicable model to be used for similar coastal restoration efforts in other communities;
- more site visitors equating to more economic opportunity in the area.
In August 2022, State Rep. Dorinda Borer (D-West Haven) secured $200,000 in State funding for the design phase of the project. Additional funding will be needed for the construction phase of the project and the SRC is applying to a number of state and local environmental agencies.
GEI Consultants provides geotechnical, environmental, water resources, civil design, and construction services throughout the project delivery life cycle from conceptual planning to permitting, design, engineering, and construction management. It was chosen by the SRC from a competitive pool of RFP applications because it is a full-service ecological firm known for its innovative strategies, extensive experience with successful shoreline projects, and team approach.
The SRC is comprised of members from the Land Trust, the City and City Council, and residents who volunteer with local environmental groups. Extensive community outreach contributed to Phase 1’s completion of preliminary engineering plans to 30% design. Phase 1 plans and community surveys can be viewed on the project’s website.
For information on the Shoreline Restoration project and updates, visit the Land Trust of West Haven website or the City’s website.
