Eichler’s Cove Readies For Swimming, Boating, Picnicking

Kendra Bobowick

Other than swimmers, few people may have seen what was happening in the second week of March 2006. Slightly more than two years ago, Parks and Recreation Director Barbara Kasbarian was dismayed at the cascades of soil spilling into Dickinson Pond from the backs of town trucks.

Crews had anticipated roughly three weeks of work to cover with finality more than 50 years of town history since the pond had been opened to sun-baked swimmers. In the early days of March 2006, heavy equipment flattened the soil piled into Newtown’s longstanding swimming hole.

 “It’s a sad, sad day for me,” Ms Kasbarian said at the time. “Another piece of Newtown’s history is going…it’s going to make me cry.” Other swimming options for that summer had included the high school pool, heavier use at the Treadwell pool, which turned out to be true, and one new prospect — Eichler’s Cove. The town had recently purchased the ten-plus acres of the private marina fronting Lake Zoar. At the time, Ms Kasbarian had said the cove did not appear to be a feasible swimming alternative. “That beach could never take the place of Dickinson, it’s the size of a postage stamp,” she had said.

Not any more.

Describing the ongoing cove renovation work Parks and Rec crews have completed as of this month, Ms Kasbarian described the site as “a war zone.” The result? As far as the beach area, Ms Kasbarian said this week: “We increased it substantially.” Two retaining walls now border the water, and a new boat ramp is on order. Another new touch includes the new aluminum boat slips, which will replace the older wooden slips. Ms Kasbarian anticipates they will go in before May 15.

Crews are currently sifting and screening soil and sand for the enlarged beach, which has an opening date for the Memorial Day weekend. More than just a beach and boating area, the cove also will have new picnic tables for families interested in packing a lunch, cold drinks, and some summer-ripened fruits. New tables are on order. In the near future Ms Kasbarian also wants to see a playground on the site. “This will be a park, not just a marina,” she said.

This season begins with good news that residents can read online through the recreation link on the town website, newtown-ct.gov. On page 38 of the recreation department’s summer guide are the words, “Now open!” under the heading for Eichler’s Cove — the boat launch, marina, and small beach. The rustic Lake Zoar facility will soon see boaters renting a seasonal slip or launching for a day of fishing, and moms and dads packing bags filled with Coppertone, towels, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

Lifeguards will be on duty from noon to 6 pm through the end of the school year, and after the school ends, the hours will begin at 11 am the following Saturday. The swimming area will also be roped off in the water.

Residents who may work up a sweat in the yard during the summer months of 2008, or have an interest in doing a few laps for exercise, can now take a meandering ride down Route 34 toward the Stevenson Dam. Almost out of Newtown, a road sign perpendicular to Route 34 to the left will say “Great Quarter Road,” and below it indicating the road running parallel to 34/Berkshire Road is the sign to look for — Old Bridge Road. Less than 100 yards long and bordering a section of the Halfway River that spills into Lake Zoar, the road ends at the cove.

According to the town website’s recreation link, the Eichler’s Cove Beach memberships are now available. Use online registration. Passes cannot be purchased on site. Beach passes will be received by mail within five business days. Be sure household information is up to date. Membership cards must be shown to gain admittance to Eichler’s Cove Beach. Replacements of lost cards will be $2 per card. Multiple families living in one household must pay per family.

Proof of residency may be required.

Resident membership for Eichler’s Cove Beach (not marina or boat launch), for a family is $140 for the season, $50 for an individual. Daily passes are $30 for a guest with a family with membership, and $48 without membership.

A daily pass allows up to six visits — once for six people, six times for an individual, or however the six visits are spent, Ms Kasbarian explained — and must be purchased online prior to visiting Eichler’s Cove Beach.

Eichler’s Cove Beach memberships do not apply to other town swimming facilities. Although the cove is town owned, Parks and Rec does not yet manage the facility. Once the private management contract ends and the recreation department takes over, Ms Kasbarian hopes that beach memberships will also work for Treadwell Park’s pool.

Be sure to print a receipt for memberships and passes. Bring the receipt to Eichler’s Cove Beach and the gate attendant will stamp the number of visits. Daily passes do not expire. They can be used from summer to summer, but cannot be used at the high school pool.

To be admitted to the beach area, residents must present a membership card each visit. Money will not be accepted on site. Daily user fees must be paid online and a printed receipt shown to the attendant for admittance. The fee to replace a lost membership card is $2, payable at the Parks and Recreation office. For the full details, and rules for use at the beach and marina, visit www.newtown-ct.gov, and look for the recreation link.