SANDWICH, Mass. — The Sandwich Boardwalk, a picturesque structure that has been in place 150 years, might be torn down and replaced with a modern design. That prospect is upsetting many residents of Cape Cod.
The boardwalk is truly something from a postcard, transporting beach lovers over Mill Creek, and in many ways, back in time. On a hot day taking a leap off the boardwalk is sure way to beat the heat. Dozens of thrill-seeking young people are drawn to the bridge every day at high tide.
Although it’s basically been rebuilt “as-is” a half dozen times, now the plan is to tear it down and replace it with a taller structure that has more substantial handrails. The rebuilt footbridge would be better able to withstand climate change and bring it into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities act.
Ray Howard, one of the organizers for Friends of the Sandwich Boardwalk, understands that any replacement has to be compliant with the ADA. But Howard believes the current design is ugly and would destroy the quaint atmosphere for which Sandwich is known. He wants a structure that’s “aesthetically pleasing and that doesn’t damage the image of the marsh, and the image of the town, that people will want to take pictures and photographs of and get married on.”
So far, a Facebook page dedicated to saving the boardwalk has gathered more than 1,200 followers. Howard believes the support the group is drawing is indicative of how important preserving this piece of history is to people in Sandwich.
“More than any other structure, people have that emotional and physical connection to the structure,” he said.
On Tuesday afternoon at Sandwich Town Hall, the Old King’s Highway Regional Historic Commission held a hearing on an appeal to the demolition permit that was previously issued by the town. They voted three to two in favor of tearing down the boardwalk in favor of a new one.
Howard said his group will try to appeal Tuesday’s decision at the state and federal levels as the demolition of the boardwalk isn’t scheduled to start until the fall of 2022. The new boardwalk is scheduled to be ready for summer 2023.