Boardwalk-goers Comment on Rebuilt Walkway

Written by Joley Welkowitz 

A four-block section of the Long Beach boardwalk was officially opened Saturday, as many bikers, runners, walkers soaked up the sun on the new Brazilian hardwood and concrete structure. The day before city official announced that the rebuilt section was inspected and ready to open, and Sen. Schumer vowed that he would work to have the Federal Emergency Management Agency fully reimburse the City of Long Beach for the cost of the $44.2 million reconstruction project.

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On Saturday morning Patch spoke with a few of the boardwalk-goers after city officials held a ribbon cutting on a boardwalk ramp at National Boulevard. Here is what some of them said about the new boardwalk:

“It is all very emotional. Watching the boardwalk being taken down, plank by plank and then watching it each week change and grow, it is amazing.” - Lauren Marino, who was displaced from her Long Beach home for four months after Hurricane Sandy.

• “I think it is pretty uplifting to be out here. I am hoping for not just things to be back, but for things to be better than they were before. People have had a hard time here and it is nice to be happy about something.” - Laura Darienzo, a Long Beach resident who said she enjoys running on the boardwalk with her kids in a stroller.

• “The boardwalk being back means everything to us. This is one of the biggest reasons, if not the biggest reason, we moved to Long Beach. One of the things we love about it is that it is the whole center, the whole soul of this town.” - Paul Curcio, who with his wife, Cici, and their daughters, Caroline, 10, and Aria, 8, live a few blocks from the boardwalk.

• “I think that it is a lot of money, but I guess if it is done the right way, this won’t happen again; we needed the protection of the seawall... Rebuild, rebirth; it is amazing that we are back up here. The old boardwalk meant a lot to us and now we have a new one and it is beautiful. - Patty Kelly.  

• “We just want it to be completed and we want life to move on. Everyone is up here smiling, happy and it is a gorgeous day. Something good comes out of something bad; it is just nice.” - Randi Navarro, a Long Beach resident.

• “The boardwalk seems very durable with the cement support and the metal railing. It appears that it will weather any future storm. Having half a mile now open, I look forward to the whole two miles looking similarly.”  -  Bob McMally, a Rockville Centre resident.  

• “I cried for the boardwalk when it was destroyed more than I did for my own house.”  - Loretta Simonelli, who lost the first floor of her Canals home during the storm in October.