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Town outlines Scallop Town Park concept: dog park, shoreline work and state/federal funds
Summary
Town staff and landscape architects presented a concept for Scallop Town Park that would formalize an unofficial dog park, add shoreline improvements, ADA access and utilities; the project leverages a DEM recreation grant and a federal shoreline appropriation and will require DEM/CRMC permitting and soil‑management planning.
Director of Community Services and Parks Andy Wade and landscape architect Joshua Wheeler of BL Companies presented conceptual plans for Scallop Town Park at the Feb. 2 council meeting, describing a proposal that combines a multi‑use lawn, two defined dog‑park areas, shoreline improvements, and a waterfront pavilion.
Wheeler described design elements intended to balance recreation, access and environmental protection: a 10‑foot multi‑use path relocated along the water side for safer pedestrian access; a reconfigured parking footprint with planted islands to slow runoff; and two fenced dog‑park areas (Wheeler said the large dog park is “a little bit over an acre” and the small dog park “a little over 0.5 an acre”). The plan calls for shade pavilions, mounding to allow tree planting without penetrating the landfill cap, a composting toilet, and selective clearing and invasive‑plant management along the shoreline.
Wade reviewed funding that underpins the work: a Rhode Island DEM recreation development award the team cited as $100,000 and a federal shoreline appropriation the team said is roughly $963,000. He said the town’s planning work and a waterfront study informed the grant applications and that BL Companies was selected through an RFQ process in 2025. The presenters said soil‑management plans and potential excavation will require coordination with DEM because of prior landfill capping; consultants emphasized most landfill work can be avoided by raising grades and using surface anchors for events rather than deep stakes.
On permitting, staff said the project will need approvals from DEM and the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC); consultants described pre‑application feedback that treated the park as an existing recreation property where adding defined uses may be permitted with appropriate plans for monitoring wells and vegetative management. If permits proceed on schedule presenters said construction could break ground in late summer with completion in spring 2027, but utilities (power and water) and phasing will affect final timing.
No formal action was required that night; councilors asked follow‑up questions about deed restrictions, the DEM grant conditions, soil handling and long‑term maintenance. Staff said the project will return for additional public engagement and permitting steps.
