KENT—The Emery Park Subcommittee is still mulling over options for the restoration of the Emery Park swimming area but decided on two concrete recommendations to forward to the Park and Recreation Commission during its meeting Tuesday afternoon.
The subcommittee looked favorably on allowing camping on the park’s grounds, located just outside of Kent village on Route 341, but only for small parties.
“We could start off with small, authorized groups like the Scouts or a mountain rescue team that needs to do overnight training. We have a porta-potty on site now, so that would work,” said Park and Recreation Director Matt Busse. “It would be at the discretion of Park and Rec. It would be up to us to approve it or not and to get a waiver.”
Member Melissa Cherniske referred to the camping regulations for Steep Rock Park in Washington, Conn., which has three remote, rustic campsites, saying those rules could be used as a model. “The Steep Rock regulations are spot on,” she observed.
Talk turned to the need to monitor the park when campers are there and how many individuals might be allowed to camp at one time. “I can see people wanting to camp on the upper field—maybe four or five tents for a recreational weekend,” said Rufus P. de Rham, chairman of the Park and Recreation Commission. Cherniske said the number of individuals on site might be limited by the number of cars allowed.
“I can see people wanting to camp on the upper field—maybe four or five tents for a recreational weekend.”
—Rufus P. de Rham, Park and Recreation chairman
She said that seven days notice should be given so preparations, such as providing firewood, can be made.
The group discussed whether a fire ring should be provided and what controls might be placed on burning. “There’s no access to water, except for the pool,” said Busse. “We might want to consider what we can do to remedy that situation.”
“We should make sure the level of fire danger is very evident, and that people are aware of it,” member Lisa Wolak said. Cherniske advocated for no camping when fire danger is high.
The concept of allowing dogs on leashes in the park divided the subcommittee. Busse proposed allowing dogs on leashes on park trails, but the position of those trails at the rear of the park would almost surely prompt people to walk their animals through the recreation area.
Cherniske proposed that the animals be allowed in the park except for the fenced area around the pool. Others objected, saying the animals should be walked around the park on the road, but Cherniske said people will naturally migrate through the park.
The group concurred that no dogs should be allowed when people are camping.
Cherniske asserted that the park should not supply dog waste bags or garbage cans, saying they could encourage litter and attract bears. “If a dumpster is closed, people will put their garbage bags next to it,” she said. “We have had problems there before with people dumping their garbage. People should take out what they bring in.”
A motion to recommend allowing dogs except in the fenced pool area was approved 3-2, with subcommittee Chairman John Grant and member Lynn Harrington dissenting. Members agreed that more discussion is needed to define how and where dogs can be present.
Busse said that the DOT has yet to create the berm it promised at the beginning of the summer to prevent drainage from the highway into the park. “I have reached out to the DOT twice,” he said, “but no work has been done.”
Work on the pool will be delayed until after the drainage problem is resolved. Busse proposed using the $150,000 budgeted in the capital plan for pool repairs to dredge the feeder pool, which filters the water entering the swimming pool. He suggested transferring funds in the capital plan earmarked for new playground equipment to the pool account to reline the swimming pool.
However, others said money should not be invested until plans are further developed and the drainage problem is repaired by the state.
De Rham said “a clear vision for the top three priorities for the park” should be developed first. “Then we can ask for money to be juggled,” he said.
The thought that the splashpad budgeted for South Commons Park could be moved to Emery Park was quashed by Busse. He said the ARPA appropriation was tied to South Commons and must be used there.
The group has called for a joint meeting with the Inland Wetlands Commission to walk the park and hear its members’ suggestions.
