The idea to have a look-out constructed at the top of Savin Rock got a boost recently, with the go-ahead given by the city’s top administrator. Mayor Nancy Rossi said she would support the idea of a look-out, or belvedere built on the site, but with conditions.
“I think the history of West Haven and Savin Rock is important to our community. I would be willing to sit down with anyone who would like to discuss a lookout point atop Savin Rock. The look-out point would need to be funded privately and I would be more than happy to help raise money should it be a feasible and possible project. I have not been approached about this idea yet but look forward to those discussions in the future,” she said.
The idea for the look-out was reintroduced three weeks ago by Michael Mercuriano, chairman of the West Haven Carousel Committee, who first proposed the idea more than a decade ago. The recnet clean-up of the city’s most iconic landmark has prompted the committee to look at the idea again.
That doesn’t mean its primary goal of putting a carousel at the Savin Rock Museum has changed, the members are still looking to fund a building to house a 65-foot carousel.
The move was prompted by the city’s massive beautification project at the shore landmark, where trees and dense brush were removed, and the “Rock” returned to the way it looked decades ago.
“The Carousel Committee is exploring the possibility of installing a look-out pavilion atop of Savin Rock. We want to restore the history of Savin Rock, reminiscent of the mid-1800’s when an observatory stood majestically on the Rock,” said Carousel Committee Chairman Michael Mercuriano in a press release.
The look-out tower – or “belvedere” – was on the Rock through the early part of the 20th Century, when the Savin Rock amusement park was fast becoming a go-to place for summer visitors.
Mercuriano said the look-out dovetails with the Carousel Committee’s efforts to bring a merry-go-round to the city as part of paying homage to its history as a resort and amusement area – something he personally believes developers should look into exploiting.
“We think it will be a great attraction to the city of West Haven and a source of pride to the citizens of West Haven,” Mercuriano said in the press release. “It would beautify the shoreline and reflect a testament to preserving the history of old Savin Rock. The location next to our educational Savin Rock museum is ideal.”
That project calls for a pavilion constructed as an adjunct to the Savin Rock Museum and a large merry-go-round placed there similar to the one that was on Beach Street until the amusement park was closed in 1966. A carousel made by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company, makers of the original ride, has been eyed for the site.
The committee’s plan for the site would include a walkway entrance, which would be three-tiered would begin at the handicapped area created by the West Haven Lions Club in the 1980’s by then-president Michael Mercuriano. There would be stops along the tiers with resting benches.
The project would be a private enterprise, done with the approval of city officials, according to Mercuriano, making Rossi’s OK a step in the right direction. The committee is looking to secure other organizations’ help for the plan.
“We invite any groups or individuals interested in working on this project to please contact Michael Mercuriano at mmercuriano@sbcglobal.net,” he said.