Turning Greens Harbor Beach green was just a test

New London – Tracer dye injected into storm drains on Montauk Avenue today alarmed some passersby when they saw the fluorescent green fluid emptying out of an outfall pipe that flows into the waters off Greens Harbor Beach, but the harmless dye was actually part of an effort to improve the city park.

Public Works Director Tim Hanser said the dye was released to trace the path of water through the grassy park across the street from the beach, and through the beach. The purpose, he said, was to determine whether water that periodically floods the park and the beach is leaking from city storm drains or coming from natural groundwater flows, so that the problems can be addressed.

"We're trying to pinpoint where all that water that comes onto the park and washes out the beach comes from," he said.

The department, he said, would like to clear an overgrown area at the rear of the grassy area of the park to create more usable space for residents, "but we have to address the water issues first."

With a playscape, picnic tables with grills and the city's only free public beach, the park is heavily used on summer weekends.