Charlestown commission approves Atlantis Rising with larger buffer to protect wildlife and recreational access

The Charlestown Parks & Recreation Commission voted to approve the Atlantis Rising sand-sculpture festival at Ingrid Park after adding a larger gated buffer intended to protect shoreline nesting habitat and preserve recreational access.

The decision followed more than an hour of public comment and commissioner discussion about whether large commercial events should be held in the federally constrained park. An unidentified resident told the commission that a recent town survey showed "only 8% of the people said that they wanted more events," and urged clearer application rules and limits on how long the park is closed for set-up and takedown. Commissioners repeatedly noted the park’s history: a 1979 General Services Administration decision by Paul E. Goulding assigned portions of the property to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the EPA and the town for conservation and recreation, a constraint several members said should shape approvals.

Event manager Dana Hollis, of South County Tourism, described the proposal as family friendly and pledged organizers would work with the commission on hours and impacts. "We're so willing to work with everyone," Hollis said during the meeting, adding that last year roughly $16,000 in alcohol sales were split with partner organizations.

Commissioners pressed organizers on several fronts: the application originally listed event hours ambiguously (appearing as a '24 hours' field), vendor company information for carnival rides was missing, and staff had not yet finalized proposed police-detail staffing. Residents and a parks staff member flagged environmental concerns: migratory songbirds arrive in mid-to-late May, and the period proposed for the event coincides with nesting season for some species; one staff member also said the park may require an endangered-species environmental screening form if certain activities (wide-ranging ambient lighting, fireworks or loud amplified music) are proposed.

After debate, a commissioner moved to approve the event with a modification to increase the buffer/gating area that separates event operations from the most sensitive shoreline and nesting areas. The motion was seconded and passed by voice vote.

Commissioners stressed that insurance levels and final contract terms are set at the town-council level and by the town solicitor. Several speakers noted the town’s insurance trust recommends higher coverage for alcohol events (discussed in the meeting as a $2,000,000 minimum, with prior discussion of a $3,000,000 recommendation that was not adopted by council). The commission can make a recommendation on insurance and conditions, but staff said the council and solicitor finalize contracts and insurance obligations.

Next steps: organizers were asked to submit a corrected application with specific dates and times, vendor company names, a police-detail plan consistent with local ordinance staffing ratios, and any environmental screening materials requested by federal partners. The commission said it will forward its recommendation and the buffer modification to the town council for final contract and insurance decisions.