Campaign to rebuild seawall ongoing

SWAMPSCOTT-A grassroots campaign has begun in an effort to rebuild a seawall on the Swampscott-/Marblehead line that collapsed due to a storm surge on April 15, 2007.The Clifton Improvement Association (CIA) has launched a campaign to rebuild the park and save the seawall.Marblehead resident Nancy Hamlin, who is co-chairing the campaign, said rebuilding the seawall is necessary to prevent further erosion of Beach Bluff Park and to ensure public safety.She pointed out Atlantic Avenue in Marblehead and Humphrey Street in Swampscott are primary egress routes for evacuation in the event of an emergency.?With the seawall down there is a potential for disaster,” she said. “If there were an emergency you would have 22,000 people trying to evacuate from Marblehead and, without a seawall, that road could be a lake. People would be trapped with nowhere to go.”Hamlin said rebuilding the wall would prevent destruction of the park, flooding of the roadway and the neighborhood. Hamlin said the project is expected to cost $350,000 and the CIA has raised approximately $120,000 to date.?We’ve been working on this for about a year,” she said. “We have had about 700 people donate. It’s really incredible. Everyone is being so supportive.”Hamlin pointed out Alex Falk, who owns the home closest to the seawall on the Marblehead end of the beach, is assisting in the effort to rebuild the seawall. She said Falk has pledged a $100,000 matching grant if the group is able secure the necessary permits for reconstruction, which are currently being considered by Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management.When the seawall is completed, plans call for it to be integrated into a redesigned Beach Bluff Park centered around a unique sun circle sculpture. The sun circle installation is an educational, scientific and artistic project that demonstrates the journey of the earth around the sun and has been designed by Marblehead sculptor and architect Bruce Greenwald.Lauren Lautner, who designed the park, is working with Greenwald to recreate the park.?The park will offer the public a spectacular vantage point from which to experience the sun’s path and will be a gathering place for all to contemplate the beauty of this site and how both art and science can enrich our lives,” she said.The group will continue its fundraising efforts on Saturday, Aug. 16 (rain date Aug. 17) at 4 p.m. In Beach Bluff Park.Hamlin said the event would be multi-faceted.?It’s a party,” she said. “It’s also a fund raiser and educational event. It’ll be fun for the whole family.”Hamil said the event would include a beach walk led by biologist Juditha Burchsted, a silent auction, beach yoga with Danielle Jacobs and a myriad of activities for children.Hamlin said the event is free, but tax-deductible donations are encouraged. Those who would like to make a tax-deductible donation toward repairing the seawall can send a check made payable to Clifton Neighborhood Association to Nancy Hamlin, 34 Pilgrim Road, Marblehead MA, 01945