The Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission (OSAC) met briefly via Zoom on July 3 but covered some important topics, mostly regarding use of Island Wharf Park.
Member Norm Hills said two years ago, the wharf area’s jurisdiction was transferred over to the Marine Commission. However, the use of the wharf has expanded to parking for other activities. Hills also said there is gravel parking and a road in the area with no official plan behind it.
“It’s unilaterally expanded its (use), Hills said, adding that there is no control over who parks in the area. Some trailers and boats are parked in the open space area, which has recently been banned. Hills said a committee has been formed to decide how parking should be conducted.
“It’s a situation over time. It has been creeping expansion in the area, and nobody has agreed to that or has approved that,” Hills added.
“It certainly has been nibbling away at the green space there,” OSAC Chair John Rockwell said. He said since the late 1980s, village parking has not changed much but an influx of activities and visitors have.
Rockwell said he had served on the Conservation Commission when it was proposed that a permit should be needed when they built a gravel parking lot. Rockwell said there is a storm drain in the area, which is why he argued against more parking expansion when he served on the Conservation Commission.
Rockwell said the gravel parking area turns into a “mud pit” when it rains.
Rockwell also said there are waterfront facilities there, but the Marine Resources Commission said it does not have the money to manage the parking area.
The Chair said there should be a legal determination for how parking in the area should be conducted and what boards or commissions should be responsible. He said some of the area has grass parking as well, which is often by people who attend concerts in the area. He said there should be a fee for that parking for the upkeep of the land.
Rockwell discussed the idea that police could issue tickets to people who are not permitted to park there, which could also generate revenue. “We need more parking because we are not enforcing the rules we have.”
Also at the remote July 3 meeting, OSAC Chair John Rockwell said the commission is looking to conduct a site visit for Grassi Bog, Rockwell said the commission plans to visit the site on July 13 at 10:00 am.
Grassi Bog is a former cranberry bog, just off Route 6, and is now a wildlife sanctuary, used also for walking trails. Some of the land there might be used as part of the South Coast Bike Path.
The next meeting of the Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission was not confirmed at adjournment.
Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission
By Jeffrey D. Wagner