In what is anticipated to be a busy beach season, the town is updating, adding, and altering programs and services to help deal with this year’s crowds. Town officials said overall they were pleased with how the season ran last year, and barring new pandemic issues, expect an even busier season, but said whatever situation develops they are prepared.

Beach & Recreation Director Austin Hall said that last season was a success, but his department is looking to improve on several services, including access and traffic flow. The department expects to be fully hired despite labor issues for this season, according to Hall.

“Our staff are working hard preparing for the spring/summer season. It’s awesome when the parks come alive with patrons enjoying all that Madison has to offer. We are looking forward to a wonderful beach season,” Hall said.

Shuttles buses will return to provide beach access and mitigate the number of vehicles at Hammonasset Beach State Park. Last year the shuttles ran all week, but due to what town officials said was a low participant number in shuttle use, they will only operate on weekends this season. Officials pointed to the lack of promotion as a factor in the low use and as such the shuttles will be more effectively publicized.

First Selectwomen Peggy Lyons said the Hammonasset shuttles, which are a state-operated program, was an excellent idea that just needed some refining to maximize their effectiveness.

“We are going to advertise more and hopefully that will help,” said Lyons. “We’ll start promoting that soon and hope that we will see more use this year.”

Hall also said the program will help mitigate vehicle traffic, which is essential especially on the weekends when the beaches traditionally see a large uptick in users.

The Beach & Recreation Department will be moving from its current location at the Senior Center to the Surf Club temporarily until the department’s new home is ready as part of the Academy building renovations. Hall said he expects the move to the Surf Club to occur in mid-April.

“We are pretty excited about the move, even if it’s only temporary until Academy is finished,” said Lyons.

Hall said it will be welcome move for several reasons.

“Our biggest town park is the Surf Club and that’s where a majority of folks go in the summer to recreate, and having fulltime leadership down there year-round people will have greater access to us and we will have greater access to our staff,” said Hall. “We are excited about it. It’s a great opportunity for Beach and Rec to be more involved in the day-to-day operations of the beach and the parks, because we will directly on site.”

According to Hall, all town passes can now be purchased online and renewed online. The Town Hall will no longer be involved in pass sales or transactions and residents should go to the new site on Surf Club Road to purchase Beach and Recreation passes.

“Make sure you have your beach passes by Memorial Day weekend and we hope everybody has great summer and enjoys all we have to offer,” Hall said.

Hall also said his team will be taking on the task of repairing the tennis courts at the Town Campus on Horse Hill Road. The recent cold weather put a hold on any work to the courts, but according to Hall, the repairs will be completed as soon as warner temperatures set in for spring and that he expected that upgrade to be completed soon.

“Once the weather clears, we expect to get those repairs done quickly. We need steady temps in the 50s to begin, so that will be happening soon hopefully,” said Hall.

Another program that Hall is hoping to see be relaunched is a sailing program, which had been mothballed as a result of COVID restrictions for several years.

“I think it’s important for Madison to have a sailing program. We haven’t had one in three-plus years, which I think is pretty much COVID related,” said Hall. “Sailing is a different program because the liability and safety of the participants is of utmost importance...You need to have the right lead instructor and staff to go along with that. I rather would see us not offer sailing than to hastily put one together and risk safety.”

According to Hall, he has interviewed several promising candidates and is cautiously confident that the program will be operated this season. Hall said he is expecting to make a final decision on that in the coming weeks.

“However, not doing it is better than hiring someone who will not be doing it safely or correctly, but I think we are on the right path,” said Hall.

Lyons said her office is expecting a crowded but fun filled summer and urged residents to partake of the town’s beauty.

“I think we are all excited about staffing up for the summer season,” Lyons said. “Hopefully it will be a nicer season, as last year we had quite a bit of rain. All of the Fourth [of July] activities will be happening this year, the concert, the fireworks, and the parade will all be held. And that will be the first time in three years that we’ve held all three activities for the Fourth of July. We are expecting it to run smooth.”

Major Beach & Recreation Events this Summer

• Saturday, May 28: beach stickers will be required to park at all beaches on weekends.

• Last day of school is Friday, June 17. On Monday, June 20, beach stickers will be required to park at all beaches 7 days a week.

• Surf Club and East Wharf will have gate guards from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. West Wharf will have gate guards from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• Lifeguards will be at Surf Club and East Wharf on weekends starting on May 28 and then seven days a week beginning on June 20.

• Memorial Day weekend is May 28, 29, and 30.

• July 4 weekend will run in the same manner as last year. No pass sales will take place after Friday, July 1 at noon for the remainder holiday weekend.

Concert on the Green is Saturday, July 2

Fireworks are on Sunday, July 3. Staff will be stationed at the corner of West and Surf Club Road. No one will be allowed down Surf Club Road without a beach sticker.

The Independence Day Parade is Monday, July 4

• Labor Day is Monday, Sept. 5.