Above, a group portrait of donors who supported the reopening of Heinz Beach along with Boys’ and Girls’ Club lifeguards Wednesday at Heinz Beach.
Betsy Vance, Chip Hancock and Karla Van Drunen Littooy pose for a portrait. Vance and Van Drunen Littooy both advocated for the re-opening of Heinz Beach and Hancock, a relative of the Heinz family the beach was named after, also supported their efforts.
PATRICIA BEAGLE
Staff Writer
Heinz Beach, the site of fond memories for many families, reopened this year through community-driven partnership, philanthropy and persistence. The beach had been closed since 2019, when Chautauqua Institution reported budgetary restrictions and lifeguard shortages. After the beach closed, various community members had voiced a desire for the return of swimming at Heinz Beach but had not overcome those issues.
Laura Rice Dawson, a lifelong Chautauquan, stood at Heinz Beach and recalled how often she and other families had enjoyed the beach after finishing a day at Boys’ and Girls’ Club. “All of the mothers were here,” she said. “After Club, we would play at Heinz Beach until dinner.” She added, “I lifeguarded here. It was a community. My mother, grandmother and my two daughters came here.”
Carol McKiernan also has fond memories. “I grew up on this beach and spent my life with friends and family, and I want it to be there again,” she said.
Betsy Vance, a board member of the Chautauqua Property Owners Association, explained that last summer, Chautauqua held listening sessions. The possibility of building boat docks at Heinz Beach was discussed. “People were upset over boat docks,” said Vance, who serves as the CPOA representative for CPOA’s Area 3, a section of the grounds that includes Heinz Beach.
Chip Hancock said he does not want the beach turned into boat dock space. He is a member of the family whose philanthropy gave Heinz Beach its name. A 1982 plaque at the beach memorializes Frederick C. Heinz and Margaret E. Heinz of Pittsburgh. Hancock’s mother, Babs Heinz Hancock, taught swimming at Boys’ and Girls’ Club. Following in the footsteps of his father, Chip Hancock worked as a lifeguard at Heinz Beach. “I always want it to remain as a beach area that I can enjoy with children and grandchildren,” he said.
Hancock discussed his concern about docks with Karla Van Drunen Littooy. She, too, wanted to save the beach. “When the Institution floated the idea of docks, my interest was to keep the space forever open, clear and free,” she said, using words from a book by Lois Wille. The book, Forever Open, Clear, and Free, chronicles the struggle to retain lakefront parks in Chicago. After talking with Hancock, Van Drunen Littooy reached out to the CPOA through Vance.
Mary Stroh Henderson, president of the CPOA, explained that the CPOA surveyed its members about Heinz Beach. “The CPOA conducts surveys to help inform Chautauqua Institution of what the community feels is important, to ensure we effectively advocate for our members. We used a data-based approach,” she explained. The CPOA also established a Waterfront Committee, currently chaired by Vance.
Van Drunen Littooy praised the Institution’s partnership and follow-up steps taken in support of this effort. She noted that in a community newsletter, Interim Chief Executive Kyle Keogh invited those interested in Heinz Beach restoration to make a gift for that purpose. Chautauquans donated thousands of dollars to the cause. The CPOA also donated funds and provided outdoor furniture and a maple tree that will grow to shade the area.
Henderson pointed out that considerable behind-the-scenes work was necessary to open the beach. Alyssa Porter, director of community education and youth programs, attended every planning meeting and acted as a liaison to CPOA, according to Henderson.
“Alyssa Porter did phenomenal work with how the beaches were staffed,” Van Drunen Littooy said.
In addition to arranging lifeguards and rescue equipment, Porter had to submit a safety plan to Chautauqua County. Porter shared that she, along with Brandon Sublett and Jennifer Majewski’s dock team, installed the Heinz Beach docks. Majewski, executive assistant and waterfront manager, also worked with Chautauqua Lake Association to ensure weed cutting. Porter, Derek Hosier and Anna Entenberg Coats set lines and buoys to properly mark swim area boundaries.
In addition, the Institution submitted water samples to the County Health Department for testing. Sampling is repeated regularly throughout the season. “This was doing good work with good people,” Porter recalled. “Community members were really passionate and care about having a space for the community.”
Henderson said she is proud of the community effort, grateful for each gift and pleased with the outcome.
“This was driven by community advocacy. Community organizing and philanthropy made this happen. Generous donations prompted the administration to rethink the decision about Heinz Beach,” she said, adding, “I knew we could make it happen. The community cares about it.”
Keogh expressed thanks to the CPOA and described the organization as “tireless.” He said, “We are a place, a program and a community. It is amazing to see the combination of staff and community come together to launch this special place.”
Henderson said she wants to remind the community that lifeguards keep a daily tally of people entering the water and a tally of people relaxing on land at Heinz Beach. That data will inform Chautauqua’s decision regarding future use of the space. “If you want swimming to remain available,” Henderson advised, “vote with a splash and bring your friends and family. In this case, I encourage you to vote often!”
Vance invited community members who contributed to the effort to come together for a photo. An impressive number of supporters enthusiastically participated, demonstrating their passion for Heinz Beach.
They are (in alphabetical order) Nikki Benatovich, Penny Benatovich, Bob Bowers, Pam Bowers, Jillian Brosofsky, Lisa Brosofsky, Sarah Brosofsky, Bijou Clinger, Laura Rice Dawson, Debra Dinnocenzo, Townes Doane, Chip Hancock, Jennifer Hancock, Mary Stroh Henderson, Alice Hood, Helen Ingram, Joan Ingram, Thomas Loughrey, Walter Loughrey, Bob McKiernan, Carol McKiernan, Pat Mead, Denise Minnigh, Todd Minnigh, Heather Overton, Barbara Park, Robert Park, Sue Ann Power, Linda Spaulding, Jay Summerville, Rick Swegan, Bud Toole, Kate Toole Doane, Reed Toole Loughrey, Karla Van Drunen Littooy, Caroline Van Kirk Bissell and Betsy Vance. The group thanked lifeguards Abigail Mellors and Owen Wilson-Black for their service and invited them to join the photo.
