Pleasure Beach

Prior to June, 2014, when Pleasure Beach re-opened, the area was Connecticut's largest and most recent ghost town[1] after it was abandoned in the late 1990s due to a fire on the bridge connecting it to the mainland.

After a portion of the bridge burned in 1996, Pleasure Beach was cut off and became accessible only by a lengthy trek along the shoreline, or by small private boats from the mainland.

As late as December 2008, Bridgeport considered a ferry service to relink the beach with the city, but this was rejected due to parking considerations and the need for a Coast Guard registered captain.

"After passing the info depot, visitors will come upon a pavilion and relaxation area that includes several bathrooms, showers, picnic tables and a limited concession stand.

Pleasure Beach is a protected refuge for endangered birds (piping plover, osprey) and plants (prickly pear cactus, southern sea lavender).

An aerial view (from a kite ) of Pleasure Beach
A view of the carousel that was part of the original amusement park at Pleasure Beach
View of the rear hallway of the theater (2019)
View of the main theater hall (2019)
The abandoned community theater is one of the few buildings that remain on the peninsula (shown here as it stands August 2012).