Old Harbor Task Force outlines revisions to South-end park, says sundial placement, ADA path and brick fundraiser unchanged

Margie Cummings, chair of the Old Harbor Task Force, presented updated plans for the South End park in New Shoreham at a meeting of the Stark District Commission, describing adjustments to the sundial installation, patio and walkway layout, bike-rack placement and fundraising methods.

Cummings told the commission the proposal retains the previously shown sundial design and most plantings, but changes the walkway approach and expands the patio area around the benches. She said the task force sold about 145 engraved bricks to help cover added costs and that the benches already have been removed and are now in storage.

The revisions respond in part to the slope toward the water, Cummings said: to make the path ADA compliant and to align the sundial on a true north–south axis, the pathway will approach the sundial from the south, entering at the edge of the property north of an existing tree and swinging around to the south side so the sundial can be read on its correct axis. Cummings said bike racks will remain part of the plan but that the racks are movable and typically are placed by the town each spring and removed in the fall. She also said the task force may add low plantings if visitors routinely cut across the lawn to reach racks.

Cummings corrected an earlier record that had described a stone wall: "The first thing I wanna correct is ... there was never a stone wall there," she said, adding that stones had been present on site but that a wall itself did not exist in historic records.

Chair of the commission moved to approve the changes to the South End park during the meeting. After the vote-call the meeting proceeded with plans for construction if scheduling holds; Cummings said the task force hopes to break ground in early to mid-September.

The proposal also changes the patio footprint around the benches to create a circular patio and adds bluestone near bench locations, Cummings said. She said added costs led the group to sell engraved bricks (about 145 sold) and that the bricks are the same style used elsewhere in the park and are leftover material from an earlier terrace.

The task force noted plantings, seating and most design elements remain as previously approved. Questions from commission members touched on bicycle access and the potential need for guidance plantings; Cummings said the group will monitor how visitors use the site and add low-growing shrub beds if necessary.

Cummings emphasized the design will provide ADA-compliant access; she described the change to the route as necessary so the sundial sits on a proper north–south axis. The commission member who moved approval characterized the changes as "in keeping with the rest of the park" and cited consistent materials and benches as supporting that finding.

Cummings closed by thanking the commission and reiterating the task force's timetable if permits and scheduling proceed as planned: "If everything goes according to plan, we will break ground in, early to mid, September," she said.

Less critical details: the plan retains bike racks placed seasonally by the town, and the task force said plantings, bike racks and other features will be adjusted during early use of the redesigned area.