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Rutland planners narrow pocket-park grant application, drop beach trail over safety and flood risks
Summary
The Planning Commission revised a pocket-park pre-application due Dec. 6, removing a north-side beach trail and boat launch because of steep terrain, AOT right-of-way and floodplain concerns; the revised plan focuses on a south-side loop trail, picnic area, ADA access and signage with a 20% match.
Speaker 2, a Planning Commission member, opened discussion of the pocket-park pre-application, noting the submission deadline is the night after the meeting. "The beach trail is not going to really fly... it's going to get destroyed and it could be a liability," Speaker 2 said, explaining the Select Board and consultants advised removing the north-side beach trail and boat launch.
The commission agreed the new design will focus on a south-side loop trail (number 10 on the revised plan), picnic and overlook areas, an ADA-compliant path from a south parking lot, limited Fisher Trail improvements (steps rather than full resurfacing) and up to three signs or a kiosk. Speaker 2 said the town will request funding to construct the loop trail, provide picnic amenities and improve access from the parking area.
Speaker 2 described site constraints: the north parcel is steep, contains an AOT (Agency of Transportation) right-of-way and a guardrail that limit parking and development, and there are buried utility hazards near the proposed south loop. The commission discussed access and parking counts; the plan currently anticipates adding about two extra parking spots at the south parking area with a goal of possibly expanding to four in coordination with town crews.
Funding and administration: Speaker 2 said this is a recreational trail-type grant administered through Forest, Parks and Recreation; it requires a 20% town match the commission expects to meet largely through in-kind labor, staff time and review (crew contributions). Mary Ashcroft's letter confirming conveyance from GMP will be included with the application, although the formal GMP signature was delayed by staff vacation and could slightly impact scoring.
Next steps: commissioners will seek quotes from landscape and trail contractors, finish refinements to the design, account for floodplain/floodway constraints in application materials and submit the pre-application by the deadline. Further site visits (leaf-off or spring) were proposed to refine access and feasibility, and the commission will monitor any permitting or municipal-ordinance approvals needed for work in the floodplain.
