Volunteers clean up Milford beach after Sandy

MILFORD, Conn. (WTNH) -- The sun still rises over Milford's Walnut Beach, but walks along the boardwalk are blocked by sand and debris carried to shore by superstorm Sandy.

"After the devastation to see it get ruined like that is kind of upsetting," said Sean McGinley, President of Milford Youth Lacrosse.

So a grassroots effort to clean up was born. Young lacrosse players traded sticks for shovels. The sand is littered with dangerous debris, pieces of the boardwalk strewn about. City crews have been working here but there are other priority spots around town so this volunteer effort making it safe, and saving money.

"There is going to be a lot of expense associated with this storm," said Mayor Ben Blake, D) Milford, "but this is good for the spirits, good for just the heart of the community and helping to get us back on track."

Organizers wanted to time the cleanup at low tide so come summertime it will be safe to walk along the waterline.

"Everyone is cleaning up the high tide areas, but on the low tide you got all that debris that has kinda been buried," McGinley said, "so they want to make sure that gets picked up so next year people aren't just stepping on things and cutting up their legs and stuff because no on really cleaned that section up."

So the sun will shine on a cleaner, safer beach.

Connecticut's Environmental Commissioner is set tour Walnut Beach and nearby Silver Sands State Park on Tuesday.