State Doesn't Close Jetty, Instead Increases Signage to Improve Safety

The state has created new special warning signs as part of an ongoing effort to increase safety on state-owned beach jetties in the wake of several recent water rescues to save individuals swept off the jetties into the ocean.

There have been multiple water rescues near the Hampton Beach jetty over the past year, and the town recently discussed the possibility of asking the state to close the area to the public in order to prevent additional public injury or danger.

Local officials decided it would be difficult to fully restrict access to that area, though, and instead decided to work with the New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation on a way to make it more apparent that the area poses significant danger due to large waves.

The state announced the warning signs' creation Friday, stating that the signs are designed for both Hampton and the jetty at Wallis Sands State Park in Rye.

“The jetties have been a longtime fixture and experience in the parks, however the Division was recently asked to address the hazards the jetties may present to the public,” stated Phil Bryce, director of Division of Parks and Recreation, in a release. “We will be more actively doing what we can to make people aware of these hazards and are doing so now by putting up the signage.”