Lighthouse Point Park — Attraction in New Haven

The $25 in-season admission only applies if your car is not registered locally. If you are a New Haven resident, show them your car registration and driver's license or city ID and ask for a season pass sticker you can put on your car. The lifeguards staff the waters until 5:00pm and will whistle if you climb on the rocks near the swim area. But after they clear the water and head home, by 5:30, strong swimmers can choose to reenter at their own risk.

The pros: This park is staffed and thus better maintained than many waterfront areas. The sand is pretty soft, and usually warm. Even though it is the sound, and thus no crashing waves, there is a tide and some light waves. There are bathrooms/changing rooms while lifeguards are present. In addition to the small area on the beach for swimming there is a large splash pad for kids to run through, and areas for picnics/grilling, as well as a playground and grassy areas to play games.

It makes a good half-day or whole-day venture. Some people bring canopies and tents and really settle in for the day. Unlike another reviewer, I have never visited and found it too crowded to get parking. I have never been, but I understand there is a concession stand as well. Also, New Haven public schools has (at least in the past) distributed summer meals for kids here.

The cons: My biggestcomplaint is that the outdoor showers/spray nozzles (that are designed to be used when exiting the beach toward the grass in order to remove sand) are either never turned on or don't work. This discourages me from swimming, as given the lack of big waves, the water can feel more like lake water/dirty water than beach water usually does. Note that there is a lot of seaweed in this location as well.

This is a very popular spot and it can be crowded and even loud. Depending on the crowd, it can be friendly or hostile. Relatedly, when it gets crowded, there are always more messes. For example, kids will find some trash strewn about the playground some days. The rules for the splash pad are very strict, which is a good thing overall, but sometimes it can go overboard. I don't believe they allow shoes, which is unfortunate because, again, the park really needs a way for people to rinse feet after being at the beach.

Depending on your own life circumstances and viewpoint, it may be a pro or a con that dogs are not allowed, at least in the summer. I am grateful not to have to worry about dog poo that people have neglected to clean up, but not being able to bring my dog also means I definitely can't take advantage of a full day oreven half-day adventure at the beach. I am not gonna crate her just to leave her at home while I go off and enjoy the outdoors for...

I'm so very glad the beach park exists for people to enjoy, there are many nice things about it, mostly the nature speaks for itself, but it does have some issues for me, Frst of all, the lifeguard station building is really horrible. There used to be bathrooms in it, they aren't open for the public now but when they were it was dark and weird in the dilapidated building, reminiscent of a time passed and not kept up appropriately. The building gives me the creeps. "Staff only" is spray painted on a door in sloppy red writing, the windows to the room there have tattered blinds that no one has probably touched for years. I can't believe the town hasn't overhauled that building, it makes think of horror scenarios and leaving it in that state makes it seem like a memorial to bad things. The benches are in bad shape around the park, they never even get a coat of paint, as I walked a path by the shore past the lighthouse a bunch of plants had been cut down for no reason and it ruined the natural view. I know people like the splash pad area but to me it is a huge waste of water and people can use the beach for swimming! The city must get money for upkeep of the park, I can't imagine where it goes but that sick building needs to be cleaned up. Some people pay money to enter the park and it should be nice, but even if they decided to renovate it there is a good chance it would cost a ridiculous amount so someone can milk it for all it's worth, or maybe it can be done right. (I just read an article that they spent 3 million dollars on a boat ramp and a maintenance building, meanwhile that disgusting building is still there and the park benches are rotting away, plus there is a pier no one can use, what a shameful waste, and I don't know what that maintenance building is or how it could possibly cost 3...

Over the years, I’ve been to many of beaches. Some beaches I’ve adventured to with my family and others with friends. Now, I cannot say this has been the worst beach I've visited, but it’s not the best or even one I would encourage a friend or family member to go to (unless they are severely broke or looking for something quick last minute for children to do). So, my family and I chose this beach because of the reviews. It sounded like a great beach that was born romantic and family (children) friendly. However, that was not the case! First, it is not worth the $30 entrance fee (again, unless this was a last minute decision & it was easily accessible). The man at the front was very pleasant. The parking lot is big with plenty of spots, as well as an area for people whom are in need of an area with closer accessibility. There is a bathroom with both restrooms and showers. The painting on the walls are beautiful; yet, it’s in a desperate need of some TLC (cleaning!) In addition, the lifeguards were EXTREMELY rude. We were yelled at for putting a life vest on our 5 year old daughter. Meanwhile, a parents biggest fear is something happening to their children. Well, this would be the place it would happen! The lifeguards sit by the restroom/changing area. There are NO life vests or floating devices allowed on the beach or in water. Food area is dirtier than the restrooms/changing area. Also, make sure to bring water shoes because the shells and rocks are so big you’ll hurt your feet. Now, I always try to find at least one positive when dealings with a bunch of negatives. So that little water area for children is it! I wasn’t fond of the beach or lifeguards, but the water play area was nice. Both my 5 year old and 6 month old enjoyed it, which made this day a little...