By KIMBERLY ACEVEDO
Well, we're going to have to address that situation when we see if this is going to be a reality, said Superintendent of Recreation Bob Carroll. If it is, yes then we definitely will have to make the necessary arrangements.
The USACE Storm Damage Reduction project proposes to refurbish the 15 existing groins, also known as jetties, erect a dune measuring 15-feet above sea level in front of the boardwalk and add a 110-foot berm of sand. The beach would be built up to ten feet above sea level, USACE officials said, and the new dune would stand five feet high and would be two feet less than they boardwalk. Finger boardwalks would be built as walkways over the dune.
In Long Beach, popular events such as the volleyball tournaments and beach concerts would have to be held elsewhere. Though the proposed height of the dune is two feet less than the boardwalk, the width of the dune would range from 25-feet at the top to 75-feet at the bottom.
For beach volleyball, it would be almost impossible to view the games from the boardwalk. This poses a problem for the people that want to enjoy the events without having to put a foot on the sand.
Depending on how this comes out, looking at to see if it's feasible to have them [volleyball tournaments] on the beach. If it's not, they would have them down hear [near the rec. center], Carroll said, we could fill the roller rink up with sand and play beach volleyball. They do that in the Midwest. There are alternatives, we're not going to curtail anything.
Carroll's suggestion of the tournament relocation doesn't pass with some volleyball players. Beach volleyball is beach volleyball. It's at the beach, said Long beach resident, Mike Canonico, who has been playing for 17 years. He believes relocating the tournaments wouldn't be a great idea since beach volleyball is played on the beach and not on an artificially constructed one.
Long Beach city manager Ed Eaton said that even though a dune will be placed on the boardwalk there will still be room to play volleyball and host concerts on the beach. As for relocating the events, it could be done said Eaton, What's more important? A volleyball game or shore protection?
For Long Beach resident and an avid volleyball player Jaime Shaper said, I think it's a shame. Not only for the elders but for the tournaments as well. Long Beach is known for them [tournaments]. It would be a shame and it would be unfortunate.
Albert Prisco, who has been playing for 12-years agrees with Shaper but offers a possible solution to the project. He suggests making one area for the volleyball tournaments and concerts. Then the finger boardwalk in that area can be built large enough for people who want to enjoy both events.
An audience is nice. I think the audience plays a role in the game even if they are just standing there, Prisco said.
As for the concerts on the beach, they could be heard from the boardwalk but officials are unsure how well. Since the concert will be at least 75-feet from the boardwalk, the visual aspect of the concert would be affected. This also poses a problem for seniors that either can't walk on the beach or can't see as far as 75-feet.
We can't put a band wagon on a dune or behind a dune. The might have to relocate them to another area which is possible, Carroll said. He suggested holding concerts on the recreation ball field, located between Magnolia Boulevard and National Boulevard.
The relocation of the events will be undetermined until the city decides on the USACE project. As of press time, the city has not received a response from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation or the USACE.
