NPS photo

Marconi beach, Wellfleet, lost its staircase.

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Date: March 8, 2010
Contact: Karst Hoogeboom, Chief of Maintenance and Facilities Management, 508-771-2144

The recent storms have significantly damaged facilities at Cape Cod National Seashore beaches, according to Superintendent George Price.

At Nauset Light Beach in Eastham and Marconi Beach in Wellfleet, the stairs to the beach are gone. Bluffs at these beaches are very steep and visitors are being restricted from these areas. Sand slumping off in large sections is a serious safety issue for visitors standing at the edge or attempting to climb down the front of the dune. At Coast Guard Beach in Eastham there is a significant drop from the edge of the walkway to the beach. The bike bridge that crosses Nauset Marsh near Coast Guard beach in Eastham was inundated. It has been closed because it is structurally unsafe. Damages to these facilities are estimated at $150,000 to $500,000.

“Wind-generated high waves, compounded by astronomical high tides over several days have caused repetitive and cumulative damage to these important visitor access facilities,” Superintendent Price said. “We’re asking visitors to stay back from the edges of bluffs because they are very unstable and could collapse at any time without warning.”

Park staff are evaluating the damage so cost estimates can be developed and storm repair funds can be requested. The timeframe for replacing the beach access stairs is anticipated to be 2-1/2 months.

 

--NPS--