Apponegansett Park improvement study results announced

The results of the Apponegansett Park and Dias Landing Study to improve Apponegansett Park were presented to the Select Board during their Monday, June 1 meeting. 

The Town received a grant to conduct a study on improving Apponegansett Park. Joe James, an architect with Eponymous Practice, presented the findings.

There are six project goals: establishing the best use of the property; maximizing use; protecting the property from sea-level rise and natural disaster; economic benefit; encouraging public use and providing accessibility. 

To do this, there are a number of improvements that are recommended, which include improving park buildings, creating a set parking lot, planting more trees, replacing the sea wall, improving the living shoreline and relocating or adding more lighting. 

The main buildings that would be upgraded would be the Bucket and the Harbormaster’s office. Both buildings would need to be at least 23 feet high at the base, as they need to be two feet above maximum sea level of 21 feet. 

They would make the Bucket more efficient inside, without changing the outside. 

James recommended that they either build a new Harbormaster’s office with two floors so that it is the required height, or add a second floor onto the current building. 

They will be painting and paving the current parking lot to maximize the space, creating about 150 spots. The Parks and Recreation Department said this should be adequate for day-to-day visitation. There will be overflow parking on the grass for concerts. 

The sea wall will either be replaced with a precast or a stone wall. They will also add more vegetation to create a living shoreline, which would help to prevent sea rise. 

To better light the park, the fixtures would either be moved to light the parking lot or add a number of lighting fixtures around the park.  

These improvements would be done in a number of phases, and James stated they hope the town will be able to receive grants to fund the project. 

Currently, the Parks and Recreation Department, Harbormaster and Planning Board are reviewing the results of this study. The next step will be to conduct a feasibility study. There is no cost estimate at this time.