Bringing back Nantasket Beach: Renovating the oceanfront community

HULL, Mass. — With memories of Paragon Park and its famous roller coaster, Hull resident Doug Henry fondly recalls what Nantasket Beach was once like. “Back in the day this was a hopping place. The people came down. There used to billboards on the Expressway:  Paragon Park. Nantasket Beach. New England’s summer fun spot.”

Although Nantasket Beach is a short ride from Boston, it’s been a long time since it was a popular destination. Paragon Park has been closed since 1984.

"In recent years, it seems that businesses have been having a tough time making it," added Henry.
Now an entire block right on the strip is getting a facelift. It covers 55,000 square feet.

It’s called “Paragon Boardwalk.”

Project general manager Chas Boggini said it’s a pretty ambitious vision - but believes those big thoughts are what’s needed to revitalize an underutilized area.

There are 60 state-of-the-art games in the renovated arcade.

The project will also include a beer hall, featuring local craft beers and a wide range of food.

The beer hall was decorated by 16 local graffiti artists. It will be the first time in 40 years that space has been used.

The mini-golf course will get a makeover, as well as the game room known as "Fascination."
Hull town planner Chris DiIorio likes this project and thinks it could jump start other development up and down the beach. "I think seeing some private investment coming in can be an incentive, and be encouraging for other people to do the same thing."

Boggini is already envisioning what this summer is going to be like. “I hope that we have hundreds of folks, young and old, rolling in here with smiles on their faces, enjoying the food we have to offer, and just creating memories that are so often made in the summer.”

Paragon Boardwalk plans to do a soft opening this Friday and Saturday before going fully operational in a few weeks.

Cox Media Group