Pear Tree Point Beach in Darien is currently undergoing a $9 million renovation project, hoping to respond to the flooding it deals with on a regular basis.

"It's one of those things that maybe doesn't need to be done today, but needs to be done," said Darien First Selectman Jon Zagrodzsky.

Town officials say even if there was no rain and it was a perfect sunny day outside, the parking lot and road across from the beach would flood if there was an especially high tide.

"Two summers ago, there was a young mom, she had spent a beautiful day at a beach, and she came back, and her car was about ten inches underwater," remembered Marcy Minnick, a member of the Darien Board of Selectmen, and the chair of the Pear Tree Point building committee.

Zagrodzky says the town's engineers said the flooding was also causing serious erosion to the beach, which would become a serious issue sooner than later.

In response, the town is currently raising and leveling the parking lot, while also adding a new drainage system.

At the same time, the area around the Boat Club is being dredged, and a new boat ramp is being built, both of which will make the area more accessible.

Officials say they were told the project should protect the area for at least the next 50 years.

"We have had very minimal complaints about the work," said Minnick.

"When we said go, (construction crews) started immediately," added Zagrodzky.

So far, the construction company says everything is right on schedule.

The dredging and boat ramp are expected to be done by the end of January, and the new drainage system in place in February.

The town says they believe the entire project can be finished, and the beach fully opened on Memorial Day.

"This is going be a space for more serenity," said Minnick, "a place for people to come and have a bit of quieter environment, there's not a playground here, decompress, have a picnic, look at the beautiful sound."