The Labyrinth at Hammonasset State Park
Madison, Connecticut
I wasn’t so sure about this one.
First, it’s on a beach very close to the water. It is vulnerable to storms, winds, wild tides, etc.
Second, it’s a secular site in a state park which means it is maintained by Connecticut’s parks department. I suspect it’s hardly a priority.
Third, despite that it’s listed as a “permanent” structure, it is made from rocks placed on beach sand. That means it may be more whimsical than permanent.
Nevertheless, it is a labyrinth and one that is known by a few of the locals with whom I’m acquainted, so off we went.
For those who have never been, Hammonasset Beach State Park is huge. There are actually three separate beaches, West, Middle, and East, with two other shoreline areas. Each has its own parking and they are linked with walking/biking trails.
Offseason, it’s a great place for exercise. During the summer season, it is often closed on weekends due to having reached its capacity for beachgoers. That speaks to its popularity.
We had one of those January days when the temperature was in the balmy mid-40’s and the sun wasn’t an entire mystery, so we had a pleasant ramble about the park and beach.
To reach the labyrinth one must travel through a roundabout, past East Beach, past Meigs Point, and, just when you think you’re about to run out of roadway, to the final parking lot at the southernmost area, Fisherman’s Point [named such on the old maps, anyway]. There is a small parking lot there and ready access to the rocky beach from two or three different trails.
The labyrinth is not visible from the lot and, as it matches its surroundings rather well, is not entirely visible when on the beach. But it is not a far walk.
The beach itself is mostly not sand, but small shells that give it a unique consistency. Despite my early reservations, for a rustic construction it is well-made and mostly maintained.
The labyrinth is based not on the Chartes model but a broad spiral making use of the 100 foot diameter [!] that it has been granted. While there were a number of people on the beach, all taking advantage of a day without snow or the debilitating cold/wind that we’ve experienced lately, no one was bothering with the labyrinth.
On the other hand, no one seemed nonplussed at two people walking the spiral, even with one random geriatric using a rosary.
[As the reader may hear in the video, the shells make a satisfying “crunch” sound when trod upon.]
The Useful:
Due to the size of the area it has been granted, the spiral has ample room for a number of people to use simultaneously.
There is proper parking and the beach walk is pleasant.
It’s outdoors, open year-round, and available to the public without the need for special arrangements.
It seems generally well-maintained and we didn’t need to re-position any of the rocks ourselves.
It fits well with its rustic setting and makes use of natural materials.
It’s useful for all ages.
The Questionable:
It is not easily accessible for those with mobility issues, as few beaches are in the United States.
One must be ready to step over some rocky ground to get to the site.
When you think you have driven far enough, keep driving. It’s found off of the very final southern parking lot.
There are some wild pitch pine trees that block parts of the path, growing from the beach sand/shells. However, these also may be part of the reason that the spiral isn’t as disturbed by the vagaries of weather as the trees serve as small wind breaks.
It is a meditative site, certainly, as all seashores can be. Again, while no one but the two of us were using the spiral, none of the other beachgoers paid us any mind. Especially not the inevitable guy with the metal detector.
“The soul advances toward God not in a straight line, but by many turnings of humility” - Guillaume de Saint-Thierry (c. 1085-1148)
/ray-ban-meta-ai-glasses ??
Yes, a soothing “crunch”, but how I still love the sound of your companion’s gentle laughter 🥰