Seabrook Dune Walkway Evaluation Project
Background
In 2024, the Rockingham Planning Commission, in partnership with the Seabrook Hamptons Estuary Alliance (SHEA), UNH Extension/NH Sea Grant (UNHE/NHSG), and the Town of Seabrook, secured a Coastal Resilience Grant from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of Seabrook’s 18 beach and dune walkways. The project emerged from ongoing conversations with Seabrook residents about the need for improved structural walkways and safer access to the beach.
Project Goals
The goals of the project were to:
- Assess the physical condition, accessibility, and ecological impact of the existing dune walkways.
- Identify locations in need of repair or enhanced maintenance.
- Engage community members to gather insights, build local support, and improve understanding of the importance of dune health and long-term walkway management.
Safeguarding Seabrook’s dunes is essential for maintaining the town’s treasured beachfront and natural defenses against storm impacts. Walkway improvements will help protect this vital resource while ensuring that residents and visitors can continue to enjoy safe and convenient access to the beach.
Community Survey
From July to October 2024, the RPC, SHEA, NHSG conducted a public survey to gather feedback and understand local perspectives regarding Seabrook’s dunes and walkways. The survey was designed to assess what residents value about these natural resources, the challenges they face when using the walkways, and their ideas for improving public access and preserving the resilience of the dune systems. Visit the links below to see explore survey results:
Final Evaluation Report
The final evaluation offers a set of practical, actionable recommendations to guide the Town of Seabrook in maintaining and adapting its dune walkways - enhancing public safety and access while protecting and restoring the integrity of the dunes. These recommendations consider both near-term improvements and longer-term strategies to build climate resilience and support ongoing stewardship of the coastal environment.
As part of the evaluation, the project team conducted field visits and developed site profiles for each of Seabrook's municipal dune walkways. Visit the links below to explore individual site profiles:
- Amesbury Street
- Andover Street
- Ashland Street
- Chelmsford Street
- Dracut Street
- Groveland Street
- Haverhill Street
- Hooksett Street
- Hudson Street
- Lawrence Street
- Lowell Street
- Merrimack Street
- Methuen Street
- Nashua Street
- New Hampshire Street
- Newbury Street
- Tilton Street
- Tyngsboro Street
Other Resources
- Seabrook/Sun Valley Beach Long-Term Management Plan (2004)
- Environmental Assessment for the Seabrook Dune Improvement Project Report (1988)
- Dune Die-off Fact Sheet UNH
