02/14/2012

Download Draft Fort Williams Park 2011 Master Plan update (37 MB)

Council refers Fort Williams Park Master Plan 2011 update to Planning Board

The 2011 Master Plan draft update for Fort Williams Park is on its way to the Planning Board for further review.

Following a public hearing Feb. 13, 2012, the Town Council voted unanimously to refer the 94-page document to the Planning Board.

Bob Metcalf, representing consultant Mitchell & Associates, outlined the top 10 priorities included in the plan for maintaining and setting the future direction of the park.

The comprehensive plan calls for review of master plans every seven years to be sure they are being implemented appropriately.

"We recognize this is a fluid document - there's nothing magic about these 10 recommendations it's just something that, we tried to break the 90 (total recommendations) down to a smaller number," said Bill Nickerson, chairman of the Fort Williams Advisory Commission.

The update includes results from an internet survey of park users, and incorporates input from interested groups including dog walkers, Cape Elizabeth Little League, the Arboretum at Fort Williams, and supporters of the preservation of the Goddard Mansion. A public forum was also held in 2011 to assist the commission with the update. "We believe that the product we've ended up with is straight-forward, easy to understand, easily readable, has been broken down in different sections which address areas of the park; as well as topical areas such as pedestrian circulation, traffic circulation, things of that sort," Nickerson said.

Most of the top priorities concern public safety and vehicular and pedestrian circulation, as well as potential for generating revenue to help support the park.

In all, costs for improvements spanning the life of the plan exceed $760,000 in current dollars, Metcalf said.

"It's definitely a long-term project," said Council Chairman Sara Lennon. "Sort of a wish-list," she said. Council Finance Chairman Frank Governali affirmed that the referral to the Planning Board was not a proposal to spend money. "We will address the costs associated with this over time, but this is laying out a game plan for how we would like to approach upgrading and improving the park over time," Governali said.

The council asked for comment back from the Planning Board in 60 days, in accordance with the Zoning Ordinance.

In order of priority, the proposed update lists these recommendations:

1. Expand Ship Cove parking area and incorporate turn-around at the end.
2. Upgrade group picnic area slab at Ship Cove, including potential use of a canopy structure.
3. Review the feasibility of a group reception area located at the westerly end of the overflow parking area above the Parade Grounds.
   
4. Evaluate Cliff Walk safety along top of slope, identify safety improvements and or modifications to path location.
   
5. Improve vehicular and pedestrian accessibility at the intersection of the main access road (Ocean Road) and the road (Wheatley Road) leading to the grass overflow parking area.
   
6. Review and repair Central Power Station (along the entrance road) to avoid structural and water damage. Remove vegetation from lower roof and evaluate use of bituminous sealant.
   
7. Review the feasibility of improving the intersection of the main entrance road and Ship Cove parking lot; and widen sidewalk to six feet with a new curb along the northerly side of the main access road (Ocean Road) from Ship Cove parking lot to the pull-off. Repair stone wall along the sidewalk as required.
   
8. Reconfigure circulation and parking areas in the vicinity of the maintenance buildings to improve circulation, provide usable parking and maintain access to maintenance facilities.
   
9. Investigate potential for a second picnic shelter to be located west of Merriam Road in close proximity to the multi-purpose field and central parking area.
   
10. Reconfigure picnic shelter parking lot to provide more efficient use of space.

It is the third rendition of master plans for the Fort Williams Park, acquired by the Town in 1964 and established as a park in 1976. The first master plan was developed in 1990 and updated in 2003. Summaries of previous plans, as well as those of other park-related plans and reports, are included in the 2011 update proposal.