Land Bank approves ADA upgrades at Long Pond Landing

The Nantucket Land Bank Commission voted to approve additional accessibility upgrades at Long Pond Landing, including replacing a gravel accessible parking stall with a concrete pad, installing boardwalks for improved access to the dock and viewing deck, and restoring some crushed-stone areas to grass.

Staff presented design changes after receiving feedback that the existing crushed-stone path, while intended to be accessible, posed practical difficulties for some wheelchair users. The proposed plan reserves a single concrete ADA parking space and places boardwalks in the brown-marked areas shown in the staff design; other parking and crushed-stone areas would remain unchanged or be restored to grass where appropriate.

Commissioners discussed the problem raised by a wheelchair user being pushed by an elderly helper, and staff confirmed that gravel—even when placed in a grid—can be difficult in practice for mobility devices. Commissioner Alan asked whether a washed-aggregate concrete that is used at another Land Bank site could be considered; staff said they would obtain price and specification comparisons.

A motion to accept the upgrades and design changes was made and seconded. Roll call: Commissioner John: Aye; Commissioner Alan: Aye; Commissioner Mark: Aye; Chair: Aye. Tally: 4 yes, 0 no. The motion carried.

Staff said permitting is required for some of these changes and that bidding or in-house work will proceed after budget and permitting steps are confirmed; the work might take until the fall to complete, depending on permitting timelines.

The commission asked staff to check material options (including washed-aggregate concrete) and to proceed with budgeting and procurement steps.