Every high school has its favorite hangout spots, and for Waterford High, there are a few places that everyone knows. Some of these include: Cini Beach, Mago Point, Pleasure Beach, and the Community Center.
These aren’t just random locations; they are places that students hang out for the afternoon, weekends, or nights to make memorable moments.
If you ask around, most students will tell you that Cini Beach is the number one spot. The most popular part of the beach is not the beach itself, but the parking lot. Located under the Niantic bridge, this is where students meet up, talk, and figure out what to do next.
Aneeb Mirza explains, “Cini is the best place to hang out any day of the week. It’s where all my friends go to meet up, and honestly, I’m probably there more than I’m at home.”
Brodie Scott agrees, “I also feel the same way. Cini is the best place to go if you’re looking for something to do or just to chill. I’ve never been to Cini without seeing someone there.”
For those who have a little more to do, they are more likely to go to Mago, which is about a 2-minute drive from Cini and features a basketball hoop and a pickleball court, making it perfect for quick games with friends. In addition, there are two restaurants, The Docks and Fat Tuna, in case visitors get a little hungry.
Jillian Saad explained, “I usually go to Mago. It’s a little bit closer than Cini to me, and I like playing basketball there with the hoop that’s out and pickleball with my friends.”
Mago is less about sitting around and more about actually doing something, whether that be shooting hoops, playing pickleball, or just hanging out while others play.
If students are looking for something more calming, then Pleasure Beach is the spot; it is all about the scenery, the water, the rocks, and the quiet vibe.
Madison Vernotzy shared, “I prefer going to Pleasure because I feel like the scenery is better than other places. I like looking out at the water and going on the rocks if I feel like it.”
Pleasure is the type of place students go to when they want to relax, clear their head, or simply take in the view. It’s not as crowded as Cini, but that is part of what makes it special for those who prefer it.
When it starts getting chilly, though, the Community Center is the place to be. The Community Center is indoors, so no one has to stand around outside in the cold. The boys especially love the Community Center after school since there is usually something going on in the gym, most likely a basketball game. The gym gives them a place to hang out, shoot around, and spend time together without worrying about the weather.
Alex Picardi explained, “My friends and I go to the Community Center pretty frequently after school. It’s a fun place to go play basketball, and it’s inside, so we don’t get cold when it’s winter.”
From the busy parking lot at Cini to the courts at Mago, the peace and views at Pleasure, and the warmth of the Community Center, each spot has its own crowd and vibe. Cini is the most populous; Mago is for activities, Pleasure is for relaxing in scenic areas, and the Community Center is mostly where the boys go to play ball.
These hangouts are not just places; they are part of the high school experience. They are where WHS students spend time together, laugh, and make memories that will stick forever.
