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Surf Club Concept Plan Survey

As part of the long-term master planning process for the Surf Club, the Beach & Recreation Commission recently proposed a preliminary Concept Plan to make long term improvements to the park (see preliminary Concept Plan here). This preliminary Concept Plan was designed by a professional landscape design firm to address problematic site and facility conditions, and reflect feedback from elected officials, the Beach & Recreation Commission, Town staff and the broader community after two public workshops and a survey conducted last fall. Any final Master Plan will likely be implemented and funded through multiple phases over time.
To assist in the next phase in the planning process, this second survey is being launched to gain additional public input on specifics in the preliminary Concept Plan, and identify key community concerns overall. To provide assistance, defined terms are located at the end of this survey.

Instructions:

1. One submission per resident; each Madison Resident may only submit one form. 2. Bolded terms and terms with an asterisk (*) throughout the Survey have additional definitions that can be found below the question and again at the end of the Survey. 3. Most questions allow you to select one answer, but some allow you to select all that apply. Please read each question for individual directions.

General Park Improvements

The preliminary Concept Plan encompasses a full assessment of the park, including current and future uses. Key goals include preserving the beach, determining the future of the Surf Club building, improving accessibility and connectivity throughout the park, enhancing community amenities, and addressing public safety concerns. The preliminary Concept Plan would be implemented over a number of years and includes new amenities that would be added depending on cost.

1. Have you reviewed the preliminary Concept Plan for the Surf Club?

Please select one

2. How supportive of the preliminary Concept Plan are you?

Please select one

3. What is your primary concern about the preliminary Concept Plan?

Please select one

4. The preliminary Concept Plan proposes several new amenities to the Surf Club. Of the new amenities proposed, which would you like to see continued as part of the preliminary Concept Plan?

Please select all that apply

The Beach

Resident feedback indicates that the single most important asset of the Surf Club is the beach, and the Town should make significant efforts to preserve it for future generations. Historical data has shown that the beach has lost more than half of its size since the 1930s, and recent winter storms have accelerated its erosion. The Town will be engaging a coastal engineer to more fully evaluate strategies it can implement to protect the beach. Each option could result in capital projects that will require state permitting, and potentially impact the character of the beach and swim areas.

1. The preliminary Concept Plan recommends the Town use nature-based solutions (a living shoreline) to counteract erosion. A living shoreline approach could consist of dune restoration, sand replacement, and the installation of a submerged reef. In order to preserve the beach, should the Town:

Please select one
1. Living Shoreline: Nature-base method that uses natural materials like plants, sand, and rock to stabilize coastal edges, reduce erosion and protect against storms.
2. Submerged Reef: Underwater structure built parallel to shore to reduce wave action and prevent wave erosion and create underwater habitat.
3. Stone Jetty/Breakwater: Large stone structure built parallel to, and offshore. The top will be much higher than sea level and is designed to absorb significant wave action
4. Stone Sill: Smaller stone pile built parallel to but close to shore. The top of the sill may be under water at high tide and is intended to dissipate wave action

Seawalls

The existing seawalls were designed to protect the upland areas (i.e. playground, picnic areas, and buildings). Due to structural deterioration, the Garvan Point Seawall was rebuilt in 2024 and is now adequately protecting the picnic areas. However, the older seawall (in front of the playground and main buildings) has reached the end of its functional life and is becoming unstable. Additional repairs will be required in the short-term to sustain the structure.

Long-term options being explored are to either replace the wall with a larger, more robust wall that would protect the upland assets, or pursue a living shoreline (utilizing dune restoration, beach nourishment, and living subsurface breakwaters) that would protect both the beach and the upland assets.

1. If both options are deemed viable and cost neutral, which would you prefer to see at the beach?

Please select one

Surf Club Building

1. The existing Surf Club building is an ageing facility in need of significant repairs. The building lies within a FEMA designated flood zone and high-velocity wave action zone, leaving it vulnerable to storm surge and flooding. Due to FEMA regulations, the Town cannot make substantial improvements (more than 50% of the structure value) without meeting all FEMA requirements. The preliminary Concept Plan proposes building a new building in a more protected location. To address these conditions, should the Town:

Please select one
5. FEMA Designated Flood Zone: The Federal Emergency Management Agency creates maps for communities to use to know which areas have the highest risk of flooding. The Surf Club is within AE Zone which is a high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area designated with a 1% annual chance of flooding, equal to a 26% chance over a 30 year period. 6. High Velocity Wave Action Zone: The FEMA VE zone is a high-risk coastal area that will face both flooding and destructive waves of 3 feet or higher during a major storm. The existing Surf Club building is partially within this zone.

2. The existing Surf Club building is approximately 5,550 square feet. The preliminary Concept Plan proposes a new, larger building with a size range of 10,700-13,700 sqft, depending on final design. The new building would separate event rental space from programming space, bathrooms from changing rooms, and include a larger kitchen facility, along with other amenities. If the Town moves forward with a new building, should the Town:

Please select one

3. The existing Surf Club building has one indoor space available, shared between Beach & Recreation year-round programming and summer camps, and resident events such as weddings, parties, meetings, fundraisers, and other community-based gatherings. The preliminary Concept Plan proposes a new, larger building that incorporates dedicated programming space that is separate from event space. Should a renovated or new building include separate programming and event spaces?

Please select one

4. The existing Surf Club building has one shared indoor space that can host up to 75 people inside, and 120 people with use of the outdoor deck, which is vulnerable to inclement weather. The preliminary Concept Plan proposes an event space that can accommodate up to 150 people indoors. Should a renovated or new building include…

Please select one

5. The preliminary Concept Plan proposes additional improvements to the Surf Club building in order to address community concerns. Which amenities should be included in a renovated or new building?

Please select all that apply

6. The preliminary Concept Plan proposes relocating and building a new snack bar facility. Should the existing snack bar/concession be…

Please select all that apply

General Comments

Additional comments regarding the preliminary Surf Club Concept Plan can be sent to SurfClubPlan@MadisonCT.org

Defined Terms:

1. Living Shoreline: Nature-base method that uses natural materials like plants, sand, and rock to stabilize coastal edges, reduce erosion and protect against storms.

2. Submerged Reef: Underwater structure built parallel to shore to reduce wave action and prevent wave erosion and create underwater habitat.

3. Stone Jetty/Breakwater: Large stone structure built parallel to, and offshore. The top will be much higher than sea level and is designed to absorb significant wave action

4. Stone Sill: Smaller stone pile built parallel to but close to shore. The top of the sill may be under water at high tide and is intended to dissipate wave action 5. FEMA Designated Flood Zone: The Federal Emergency Management Agency creates maps for communities to use to know which areas have the highest risk of flooding. The Surf Club is within AE Zone which is a high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area designated with a 1% annual chance of flooding, equal to a 26% chance over a 30 year period.

6. High Velocity Wave Action Zone: The FEMA VE zone is a high-risk coastal area that will face both flooding and destructive waves of 3 feet or higher during a major storm. The existing Surf Club building is partially within this zone.