Town Installs New Winthrop Beach Stairs at Locust Street Entrance

By Adam Swift

The state’s Department of Conservation & Recreation has signed off on the town’s installation of a new set of stairs at the Winthrop Beach access point on Locust Street.

The condition of the stairs had been an issue for over a year, but Town Council President James Letterie said the issue can now come off the council’s docket.

“Last spring/early summer, there was a set of stairs at the Locust Street entrance to the beach that was taken down from the DCR,” said Letterie. “We immediately called and asked them to rectify the situation.”

While the old stairs were not initially installed by the DCR, Letterie said they removed them because of safety concerns.

“We were told they would take a look at it, and I asked state Representative Jeff Turcom to also call,” said Letterie. “He called on behalf of the town and we were told they would look into it.”

Last year, Letterie said the DCR told the town it was too late in the season for them to do too much about the stair situation, so the town asked about it again this spring.

“We called with our concerns again,” said Letterie. “There are not an incredible amount of good access points to the beach that have a nice beach area right there, and we felt that was one that really needed to be done.”

Eventually, Letterie said he and Town Manager Tony Marino decided to move ahead with the town installing new stairs at the Locust Street access point. The DCR gave the okay for the town to complete the project.

“We were pleased that DCR understood our concerns and they appreciated the fact that we took steps to rectify the situation,” said Letterie.

Letterie thanked the town’s public works department for installing a solid set of stairs that will benefit the residents of the town.

The town is also looking back at the town’s original agreement with the then Metropolitan District Commission about the care of the beach, which dates back to the Blizzard of ‘78. “We talk about the beach so much, and Winthrop Beach is technically DCR’s, but it’s Winthrop property,” said Letterie. “We’re in the process of trying to look at that document … to see what