$1.2 million Sears Park plan outlines ways to increase use and protect the lake

Proposed Sears Park plan - from Ferrero Hixon Associates. -----

A $1.2 million landscape plan for upgrading Sears Park was presented to the Town Council by architect Christopher J. Ferrero, a partner in Ferrero Hixon Assoc. LLC based in Simsbury.

The three-acre, town-owned park lies on the west shore of Lake Pocotopaug.

Ferrero said the proposed plan is designed to maximize the use of the beach front, open the center of the park by grouping uses, mitigate storm water runoff, improve traffic flow by creating one-way traffic, add more parking, improve enforcement of parking rules, and add educational opportunities in terms of the environment and the town’s history.

The design also increases the size of the beach area - which involves removing the existing jetty - and building a new bathhouse. And dealing with the goose droppings.

One of the more common criticisms from residents who responded to a survey regarding Sears Park improvements is that the sandy area is too small, too rocky and often full of trash.

Some residents also suggested making more use of the park as a town green, i.e., “Would love to see open-air markets held here as well as other community functions. Without a town green, this is the only space available.”

Grouping uses

The plan divides the park into four areas:

One area, at the southwest corner of the park, would be designated for basketball (including a new court), tennis and a skate park.

Another area, at the northwest end of the park, would include a new boat launch, parking for 17 boat trailers, and a picnic area,

Along the beach front itself, there would be an expanded picnic area (near the pavilion) and a play area for toddlers (As one survey respondent said, “This town has a need for indoor play for young children. There are very limited services [in] East Hampton for young children under the age of 5 to have recreational play. Considering the number of families with young children, the Parks & Recreation Department should figure out how to accommodate this age group.]

One of the advantages of grouping uses, Ferrero said, is to open “a lot of new real estate” in the center of the parcel, which creates the possibility of constructing an amphitheater (bandshell).

One-way traffic

The park would have a single entrance off of North Main Street, at the south end of the property. The boat launch area and beach would be accessed from an interior road.

Proposed one-way traffic plan with interior road - from Ferrero Hixon Associates.

The exit road would lead to the north end of the park.

The plan will now go to the Parks and Recreation Commission for its comments, and will be presented at a public information session, not yet scheduled.

Town Manager Jeffrey O’Keefe also was asked to prepare an implementation plan outlining a timeline for the project’s components.

To read the Sears Park plan (in PDF format) which includes a breakdown of costs and the results of the town survey, go to the Town of East Hampton Web site, or click here http://www.easthamptonct.org/Pages/searsparkmasterplannew.pdf

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