East Lyme — With views of the water and nearby sand, residents and officials stood Saturday morning on the recently finished Niantic Bay Boardwalk to mark the completion of a project that speakers said took "perseverance and persistence." 

The rebuilding of the town's portion of the boardwalk was finished in March, resulting in a 1.1-mile concrete pathway overlooking Niantic Bay. Engineering firm Parsons Brinckerhoff and a local construction company, Wiese Construction, worked on the project.

"This boardwalk is truly a town- and region-wide community endeavor that shows what is possible when everyone, regardless of politics or profession, works toward one common goal," Former First Selectman and State Sen. Paul Formica, R-East Lyme, told a crowd of about a hundred attendees.

The East Lyme Public Trust Foundation, with the East Lyme Parks and Recreation Department, sponsored the rededication ceremony for the boardwalk, which comes 11 years after the first dedication ceremony in 2005.

Construction began in 2014 to rebuild the town's portion of the boardwalk as a concrete walkway after storms had damaged the original structure. 

Though the boardwalk originally was intended to withstand a 25-year storm, the boardwalk didn't make it through its first storm, which started "a series of conversations, critiques, repairs, lawsuits, and changes," Formica, the keynote speaker, said.

Tropical Storm Irene and Superstorm Sandy further damaged it.

When Amtrak was planning to build a new Niantic River railroad bridge, negotiations ensued on how to rebuild the eastern half of the boardwalk.

Amtrak's rebuilding of that portion as a concrete structure "set the design standard for what we will be walking on for decades to come," Formica said.

During the ceremony, Parks and Recreation Director David Putnam said thousands of people have walked the boardwalk in the past few weeks, with hundreds of thousands expected this summer and in the future.

"It is awesome to see families, individuals and seniors taking advantage of this walkway and starting a new walking routine, and some just coming to reflect and enjoy the outstanding views of Long Island Sound," Putnam said.  

First Selectman Mark Nickerson thanked all those involved with the boardwalk project and encouraged attendees to "enjoy the summer of Niantic Boardwalk 2016."

Robert DeSanto, past president of the East Lyme Public Trust Foundation, shared information about the boardwalk, including that the replacement of the eastern half of the boardwalk came as Amtrak complied with the state's environmental recommendations during the bridge replacement project.

Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, called the boardwalk "a perfect example of collaboration" among the nonprofit community and local, state and federal governments.

Formica said Andy Pappas and Jay Gionet came up with the idea for the boardwalk. Five different first selectmen have overseen the project and worked with the East Lyme Public Trust Foundation, "the group that stood by this project from its start to this morning."

Pappas said the boardwalk project was an opportunity to open up access to Long Island Sound and represents "volunteerism and follow-through."

The program noted that discussions on developing the town's waterfront began in 1866. 

"As we rededicate this dream fulfilled, we recognize that only perseverance and persistence could have achieved this result," said John Hoye, East Lyme Public Trust Foundation vice president. "It has been a dream that has taken 150 years, from 1866 to 2016." 

"Today, all of those who helped make this project a success can say: Thank you for the dream, the dream that was once deferred, the dream that is no longer a dream, a dream that is now fulfilled," he added. 

Speakers thanked town officials and staff, members of the East Lyme Public Trust Foundation, residents, and state and federal representatives.

At the ceremony, a bench was dedicated to Jenny Contois, the district director for Courtney's office who died last year. The dedication recognized that her "tireless efforts helped make this boardwalk a reality."

"It's going to be here for generations, and people can come and read the plaques and see the benches and donate plaques in honor of their loved ones," East Lyme Public Trust Foundation President Joseph Legg said. "It's just a wonderful achievement."

The ceremony also featured historical displays about the boardwalk and oldies music.

Among the attendees were Christine and Tony Terracciano of Waterford and their four children, ages 5½ years to 7 weeks. 

Ten years ago on Valentine's Day, Tony had proposed to Christine on a bench at the boardwalk, after having his fifth-grade teacher install a plaque the day before that said "Tony [heart] Christine Terracciano."

They have sponsored plaques on the boardwalk for the family and for Flanders Donut & Bake Shop, the bakery of Tony's family.

They are frequent visitors to the boardwalk and came Saturday in memory of Tony's father, Andrew Terracciano, who died a year ago. 

"We love this boardwalk," Tony said. "We come here as much as we can."

k.drelich@theday.com