Photo Credit: Courtesy of NH Division of Parks and Recreation
Hampton Beach State Park is a 40-acre linear park that occupies 2 miles of the 18-mile New Hampshire seacoast. The area is heavily developed with seasonal cottages, hotels, attractions, and businesses. The park and its host community, Hampton, N.H. (population 14,976), have over 75 years of social and economic interdependence. The redevelopment of the park is an example of strong partnerships between the executive and legislative branches of government, state agencies and community, clients and contractors, and contractors and community.
A Look Back In Time
The history of Hampton Beach starts at the turn of the 20th century when enterprising individuals laid out the streets, installed utilities, and sold lots on which to build seasonal cottages and resort hotels. The streetcar and railroad were the primary ways to access this tourist and resort area until the mid-1930s when increased personal car ownership made it easier to visit. The proximity to major urban areas such as Boston, Lowell, and Lawrence, Mass., and Manchester, N.H., expanded the appeal to day visitors.
In 1933, the town deeded the beach and the parking facilities to the state. After World War II, the state made significant investments in seawall, road, and bridge construction that encouraged more day visitors. The beach facilities remained unchanged with basic amenities, including a small bathhouse and bandstand until 1963, when the “new” Seashell Complex opened. The complex provided much-needed visitor services including a modern outdoor performance space, expanded bathrooms, and office space for park administration and the local chamber of commerce.