Photos: A New London beach returns to normal, with a few pandemic reminders
As the Fourth of July weekend approached this summer at Ocean Beach Park in New London, there were plenty of signs that it was returning to its pre-pandemic normal — but not without a few reminders of the past year and a half.
Jeff Mullen watched customers enjoy the carousel ride on a recent overcast day. Mullen opened the carousel, the jumping star and other rides at the park in 2000. “We like the nostalgia stuff,” Mullen said, sporting a straw hat with a gold horse sculpture above its brim.
But Mullen isn’t so devoted to the past that he can’t embrace change. Noticing the adverse conditions that essential workers faced during the pandemic, Mullen and one of his employees came up with the idea last winter to write the names of essential workers on the flanks of the carousel horses.
“We wanted to honor people who we think are important,” Mullen said.
As he spoke, people were having drinks near the boardwalk, listening to live music, taking selfies and walking on the beach holding hands. Massachusetts resident Jan Canedo, 16, and his family from Massachusetts were among them. As Canedo and his family threw chips in the air, birds from around the beach flocked to the family.
“Very good,” said one woman in the group about their time on the beach. “Beer, smoke, everything. That’s a life.”
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Jan Canedo, 16, tries to get a bird to eat out of his hand at Ocean Beach Park in New London. The bird did not cooperate.
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Wave at Ocean Beach Park in New London.
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A curious seagull inspects a pile of sand toys.
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A carousel and a jumping star ride at the entrance of Ocean Beach Park in New London.
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One of the horses at the carousel now reads, “Thank you essential workers.”
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A horse honoring the New London Police Department shines in the sunset. Staff at the carousel wrote the names of essential workers on the horses last winter.
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Jeff Mullen, who has run the carousel since 2000 at Ocean Beach Park in New London, wears a hat with a horse decoration. “We like the nostalgia stuff,” Mullen said.
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A binocular tower viewer shines at sunset .
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Birds flock to eat as chips are tossed in the air.
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People walk along the beach. Live music concerts were happening at the beach last weekend.
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A seagull cleans its feathers.
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Jay Dejesús, 6, of Massachusetts, walks up the beach.
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A seagull in flight at Ocean Beach Park.
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