Econ Club GR

For most people, a boardwalk is little more than a place to take a stroll.  While this is the main function of the boardwalk, it is not the only one and that may come as a surprise to some individuals. Whether it is a raised boardwalk or elevated walkway really does not make a difference when considering the many other uses that these simple features have inherited over the years. Some wetland walkways and boardwalks extend into custom docks and piers, while others will showcase many shops and restaurants along its length. There are so many different functions of a boardwalk today that it can hardly be called a simple outdoor walkway.

In reality, a boardwalk is a walkway that allows visitors ease of movement from one waterfront area to another. There has been a long standing tradition that many businesses can be found flanking one side of the boardwalk while the other side looks out towards the water. This can mean a large influx of clientele during the warmer months, and sometimes extending into the fall. No matter where the boardwalk is located, it has the duel function of being a path for pedestrians and a homing beacon for shops, bars and restaurants that make it very convenient for customers to patronize.

A true boardwalk is usually maintained either by a city or buy a commercial business, depending on the location and the size. In the case of a boardwalk that most people would recognize, the boardwalk is the property of the city that it is located in, but there are some that are the property of the business that it surrounds. There are many larger waterfront hotels and bed-n-breakfasts that have their own boardwalk. This type of feature is usually added to bring a little romance to their visitor’s stay.

Today, as in the past, a raised boardwalk holds many functions, but it is the legendary romance that it creates in most individuals that keeps this type of feature popular for both cities and larger establishments. It is known to create a certain atmosphere that seems to have a universal appeal and this trend does not seem to be fading any time in the near future. While it is important to realize that an actual boardwalk is nothing more than a outdoor walkway for pedestrians, the culture that arises around it makes it a truly unique feature for any town.

When it comes to the many reasons for building a boardwalk, they are usually centered on the amount of traffic that a boardwalk generates. The simple pleasure of taking a stroll along the water line is enough to attract people from all walks of life. A boardwalk is not only used as a place for pedestrians to take a stroll, but many businesses depend on the crowds that it generates to increase sales and keep a fresh and ever changing customer base. The types of shops that can be found along a boardwalk are usually boutiques with unique items that cannot be found anywhere else. This is what has kept the romance and the excitement about taking a stroll on the boardwalk alive.