The proposed walkway from Main Street to The Hole in the Wall is in the final stages of easement acquisition and design. This project would not be possible without the community support of Ring's End Lumber Company, George Mitchell, and Robert Reardon, for considering easements on their own property to place the walkway. The walkway was further supported by the Niantic Rotary who raised $25,000 toward the project at the annual Gold raffle held February 13, 2010.
The following is a transcription of a speech given by First Selectman - Paul Formica at the Gold Raffle:
This is a very special day for me ... really for all of us. Today we celebrate partnerships. Each year at this time, we all stop our lives for a few minutes and say thank you to our partner. But partnerships, true partnerships are more than a few moments shared on just one day. They endure every day, all week throughout the entire year. The Niantic Rotary Club has been a true partner to all the citizens of East Lyme and beyond for 50 years----25 of those years the money raised thru this annual gold raffle has strengthened the lives of others; improved the bottom line of other non-profits as they gave of themselves, the club grew and prospered. This years Rotary partner is the Town of East Lyme---specifically for the creation of a public walkway that will link the Hole in the Wall parks Boardwalk entrance and the Niantic village. A village recently improved with a new streetscape project inc new sidewalks, trees and streetlamps. I would like to recognize the Towns Public Works and Engineering Dept, Candy Shapiro and the group from Niantic Main Street for their hard work on this successful project. Niantic Rotary's walkway will create a safe and serene environment that compliments our village as it shortens the distance between the Hole in the Wall parking lot and the village center. Where the walkway meets with Main Street there will be a large resting spot, a few benches and planters for people to sit relax and watch the village go by. Tonight ; I would like to announce that as part of the streetscape renovation, the Town of East Lyme will install a 16 foot tall Street clock complete with chimes and seasonal music in the entrance to Rotary Walkway…. believe that this magnificent timepiece ... obtained with the help of the Niantic Clock shop ... located at the base of the Rotary walkway will mark the center of our growing and improved Niantic Village district. As a tribute to my life's partner---who's time with us was cut far too short---the Formica family will donate $5000.00 toward the purchase of the street clock in Donna's memory. It is my hope that the Niantic Village Street clock at the entrance of the Niantic Rotary walkway will signify that true partnerships are indeed Timeless. So this evening on behalf of the town of East Lyme ..... thank you Niantic rotary for all you do for our town and its people every day, all week long throughout the entire year and especially for the your help in creating the this wonderful walkway. And thank you to all of you here tonight because with out your support these projects would not be possible. So enjoy the evening and may your hearts this Valentines day feel a little lighter through your generous love of our town and each other AND as you leave ... may your pockets be full of gold!
Pending easement acquisitions, this project is slated to start this spring. Additional donations toward the Walkway or the Clock can be made to the Niantic Rotary Foundation. Checks should be made out to the "Niantic Rotary Foundation" and can be delivered to or mailed to Esther Williams East Lyme Town Clerk PO Box 519, 108 Pennsylvania Ave Niantic CT 06357. Please indicate that the donation is for the walkway or the Clock.
 Niantic Rotary Club Walkway siteplan | [Street Clock Location] | 1884 Kb |
