The Town of Marion approved its newest Master Plan in 2017, but only now is it closing in on finalizing the open space and recreation part of that document.
The draft Open Space and Recreation plan includes juicy possibilities such as installing sidewalks and shared paths on Front Street, Point Road, Delano Road, the village area and Route 6, upgrading River Road behind the former Stone Rooster and building canoe and kayak launches at River Road beach, Boatyard Park and the Sippican River at Ichabod Lane.
Thanks to the shutdowns caused by the pandemic; however, the Stewards of Community Open Space whose members represent locally based entities with a vested interest in Marion’s open-space future, such as the Sippican Lands Trust and the Marion Open Space Acquisition Commission, have had to delay reviewing the 2017 draft Open Space and Recreation plan with the above ideas until this year.
The Stewards most recently met on April 21 to review the last seven pages of recommendations. The meeting revealed the aforementioned plans as the committee reviewed which town department will be responsible for implementing each task.
Stewards (and Select Board) Chairman Norm Hills explained after the meeting that the town’s last Open Space and Recreation Plan was approved in 2005. It is a state requirement that the town approve an updated one now, he said. “We started this process before COVID and the shutdowns began,” he explained. “Now we are picking up the ball again.”
Nothing within the plan right now is in its final form, he cautioned. The committee will be discussing the draft further, then presenting it in public meetings before it is finally approved.
The draft plan’s other possibilities include a beach nourishment plan at the Planting Island causeway, a comprehensive management plan for Holmes Woods, upgrades to the tennis courts at Sippican School and a comprehensive review of bylaws and conservation restriction holdings.
The committee scheduled its next, Zoom-only meeting for Thursday, May 19, at 7:00 p.m.
Marion Stewards of Community Open Space
By Michael J. DeCicco