THE SUMMIT BEACH PARK MASTER PLAN UNVEILED — Or— “My City Paid Almost $20K for a Survey and All I Got Was This?!”

The October 13 Summit Beach Park Open House turnout was light. The number of people polled — underwhelming (220). But most results say, “Don’t Mess with the Park!”

Look at all those HIGH, DO-NOTHING Percentages below!

Here’s the quick takeaway on the Open House at the Orono City Council Chambers as the hired guns at Bolton & Menk concluded most of its work. This firm was paid almost $20,000 for its “research.” You decide if it was worth it. The council will discuss -- and move -- on the recommendations November 14.

You may want to contact council members, so they know you’re out there, even if you weren’t involved in the survey or in attendance at the Open House event.

Recapping the results, the public seems to be saying pretty much laisse faire – hands off — Summit Beach Park. But didn’t we know this going into the survey?! Hundreds of people emailed, called and sent letters pretty much saying, don’t touch this little jewel of a park, generously donated by Bruce Dayton in the late ‘70s.

·         EXISTING BEACH – DO NOTHING – 60.1%

·         SWIM PLATFORM – DO SOMETHING – 24.4%

·         SMALL DOCK – DO MORE – 15.9%

·         EXISTING TOILET – DO NOTHING – 32.0%

·         VAULT TOILET – DO SOMETHING – 43.1%

·         RESTROOM/ SMALL SHELTER BUILDING – DO MORE – 24%

·         EXISTING PARKING LOT – DO NOTHING – 68.3%

·         BITUMINOUS PARKING LOT – DO SOMETHING – 16.3%

·         BITUMINOUS PARKING LOT + RAIN GARDEN -- DO MORE – 15.4%

·         EXISTING HILL – DO NOTHING – 62.2%

·         NATURAL SLIDE & SWING SET – DO SOMETHING – 27.6%

·         PLAYGROUND – DO MORE – 10.2%

·         EXISTING CANOE LAUNCH – DO NOTHING – 59.2%

·         STORAGE RACK – DO SOMETHING – 20.6%

·         STORAGE RACK + SMALL DOCK – DO MORE – 20.2%

·         EXISITING PICNIC TABLES – DO NOTHING – 60.9 %

·         SHADE CANOPY – DO SOMETHING – 14.3%

·         PICNIC SHELTER – DO MORE – 24.8%

·         PLOW PARKING LOT +TRAIL – DO NOTHING – 47.9%

·         ICE RINK ON LAKE – DO SOMETHING – 32.1%

·         WARMING HOUSE – DO MORE – 20%

 What will the council do?

Tune in next month. Or better yet, participate in the meeting!