My View of Life on the Dock
Long Beach, Nov. 10, 2022
This year, several of the stairs had to be dug out several feet for removal.
Sign of winter coming: Saratoga Creek footbridge severed access between Cape Hedge and Long Beach until spring returns.
Sand is covering the rip rap in November 2022, not as high as 2011, and deposited the entire stretch. Sand depth shifts on Long Beach. Read more here in an older post from 2017.
Seawall repair October 2022 Before | After
Even though it was cloudy on Saturday, Good harbor never disappoints.
The sun was coming through the clouds at Good Harbor Beach.
Beautiful build by Gloucester DPW to Good Harbor Beach is seeing steady use. The new pedestrian bridge spanning the marsh little river makes it easy to linger over a sweeping November vista to Good Harbor Beach and back.
Prior posts on Good Morning Gloucester about the marsh walkway under construction.
October 6, 2018 snazzy new guardrails
September 12, 2018 construction begins
A new mini marsh promenade is underway along Thatcher Road from Gloucester’s Good Harbor Beach entrance all the way around to the foot bridge. Walkers will have safe access via sidewalks and a natural path.
Gloucester has been planning for an opportunity to extend safer pedestrian access along Thatcher Road for years. When National Grid scheduled replacing antiquated gas lines along the busiest and scenic stretch, Gloucester Public Works was ready to seize the opportunity with collaborative solutions sensitive to conservation. Sidewalk upgrades were built out at both ends and paused until National Grid completed its underground infrastructure work. Prior to paving, Thatcher Road will be widened slightly to accommodate a safe and scenic path. The city hoped to complete repairs and paving by autumn and is on track to meet that goal. This week crews were clearing brush. The rusty guardrail was removed and will be replaced with a new design. “It will all happen quickly now,” says Mike Hale, director of Public Works.
Thatcher Road Under Construction
There’s an ideal and creative scenic overlook solution over the river that’s under construction off site. I can’t wait for the reveal! I have been documenting progress and will post various updates, fast stats and history as another impressive project moves along.
Gloucester’s great marsh walk will afford safer access for sweeping seasonal observation
winter, spring, summer, fall
One of my favorite Gloucester motifs, Gloucester oxbow, view from Thatcher Road
Good Harbor beach Footbridge is now complete. Great job from Gloucester’s DPW
Gloucester’s DPW Phil Cucuru and Mike Tarantino arrived at Good Harbor Beach this morning ready to work with a truckload of pressure treated marine wood. Work will continue for the next two weeks. Looks like the footbridge will be operational by Fiesta weekend!
The new guest station at the footbridge end of Good Harbor Beach is progressing right on schedule, with today’s work entailing masonry and setting a granite stone border.
John Trupiano and Noel Mitchell
In response to a GMG readers’ recent inquiry, Joe Lucido shared that the shower spigot will be set to a timer, with time set to roughly 5am to 9pm, to take into consideration the early morning surfers and late day beach goers.
Work is progressing at the Good Harbor Beach footbridge at a fast and steady pace.
Newly installed outdoor shower.
Joe Lucido, Phil Cucuru, and Mike Tarantino
Today the sign was installed at the new guest area at the footbridge. The sign will display information about Good Harbor Beach and, as was the previous sign, will be maintained by the community group “Friends of Good Harbor Beach.”
John Trupiano and Nick Fletcher
At daybreak–ready to pour the concrete for the shower and bases for two benches.
The concrete had been poured by noon. Mark Cole stated that the shower is similar to the one at Stage Fort Park. Peastone will be placed around the cement bases, along with some landscaping. My sincere hope is that native plants only will be planted. We don’t want non-natives such as daylilies and hosta planted where they can easily spread into the marsh. Seaside goldenrod is an example of a native pollinator plant that would blend beautifully with the surrounding area. We have an abundance of it at the HarborWalk Butterfly Garden that are ready to divide so the plantings wouldn’t have to cost the city a single penny!
The work at the footbridge will be completed within the next week or so.
Preliminary signs of the new Good Harbor Beach guest landing pad.
These coaches and kids show up Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays and really dig in. The Volunteer coaches today were Zach Smith and Kyle. Michael Lattoff (sp?) is retiring and started this boot camp 30+ years ago. I marvel at the dedication of volunteer coaches.
My piping plover watch shift overlaps with this session. Good Harbor Beach piping plovers are conditioning alongside these hardworking athletes. The birds have to be well and strong for migration; zipping about the beach is no picnic.
Tough drills start low and use the ocean, too
Janet Rice submits-
A nicely painted rock with an important public service message at the Good Harbor Footbridge.( Thank you to the person who took the time to do this-made my day! )
Best-Janet Rice
The crew was also hard at work repairing parts of the the stone wall that runs adjacent to the footbridge.
Amazing how much can happen in just two months.
Good Morning Gloucester 