Two-way traffic, golf improvements, more waterfront views and access, and pickleball courts are all possibilities for Longshore.
Plans were unveiled Wednesday night, at a Parks & Recreation Commission Zoom meeting.
As first reported by Westport Journal, commissioners heard and saw preliminary “concept” diagrams” from Stantec. The Canadian landscape architect, planning and engineering firm has been hired to develop a 10-year capital improvement plan for the 168-acre town-owned park.
Options include:
- Making the current entrance two-way; the exit road would be reserved for pedestrians and bicyclists
- New traffic patterns near the first tee
- Walking paths — especially along the waterfront near Hendricks Point, site of the current driving range
- Additional parking near the driving range
- Construction of a new golf clubhouse
- Pickleball courts, and a pavilion.
Preliminary ideas for Longshore.
The ideas — still in the discussion phase — are called “light” by both Gary Sorge of Stantec and Jennifer Fava, Parks & Recreation director.
Members of the public can examine diagrams up close, ask questions and offer feedback to the consultants at upcoming Westport Library open houses:
- Wednesday, October 26: (10 to 11:30 a.m.; 3 to 4:30 p.m.; 7 to 8:30 p.m.)
- Saturday, October 29: (9:30 to 11 a.m.; 1 to 2:30 p.m.).
Wednesday’s presentation to Parks & Rec is available on the project website: Stantec Longshore Club Park.
A survey will be available on the website beginning October 31.
Plans showing changes to the entrance and exit roads.
If contemplated two way traffic involves removal of trees, it should be a non starter.
I fully agree with Mr. Katz’s comment regarding tree removal.
For my part I would encourage us to avoid the momentum that often comes with ‘improvement programs’ to make changes. If there is not a general consensus that there is a problem to be fixed, maybe leaving things alone is a good answer.
e.g. what problem is being solved in making the main entrance a 2 way road? The suggestion is that this allows conversion of the exit road to a bike/pedestrian only road. Currently bikes freely use the roads with no problem. And the current one way traffic pattern is safer for pedestrians walking the roads than if it were 2 way. Additionally the experience of towns/cities that increase bike usage is that bikes are a bigger danger for pedestrians than cars. Making the exit road a shared bike/pedestrian only route, if it led to more bike traffic, would be a step backwards in making the exit road a safe and pleasant route for pedestrians to enjoy nature and get some exercise.
Making the present entrance to two way is a mistake. This will be a narrow roadway and you won’t keep many people from bike riding , walking their dogs ir just walking side by side. This is an accident waiting to happen. Anytime you can keep vehicle traffic moving in one direction has proven over and over it’s Safer!
While we at it how about policing many folks walking their dogs on the golf course! Signs are posted! But why should people read them?
As it stands, the driving range does not permit the use of drivers. If you really want to practice your drives, you have to go elsewhere.
I’m curious about the data that informs this plan other than a survey and stakeholder interviews. Has there been a traffic study at Longshore that can support the recommendation to make the entrance road 2-way? That is a significant change to the traffic and pedestrian flow. Before adding another lane of traffic, and probably the required sidewalk for pedestrians seeking the most direct path to the heart of the park, a quantitative study of the proposed new traffic volumes and its associated risks should be required.
This will always be my frame of reference for Longshore.
https://06880danwoog.com/2013/09/19/larry-silvers-longshore/
All the trees from Larry Silver’s iconic photo are long gone. Over the years, the town has done great job replacing them a little further back from the road. Gradually, the drive entering the park has regained it’s splendor. I hope that continues.
I agree with problematic and dangerous two way traffic. How about enforcing speed limit in park (have almost been hit bt speeders while walking).
I also am also concerned about any further healthy tree removal plans.
I wonder how much of the idea to remove cars from the exit road traces to its precarious origins of being built over landfill. For years, that road was quite a roller coaster as the ground (and buried trash) settled unevenly below it. In any case, turning that stately tree- snooped entrance road into two lanes is insanity.
I am excited about this plan, especially the designated pedestrian only road and the shoreline path. As a biker/rollerblader/walker, a safe space away from cars would be a pleasure. There are already existing, little used roads within the park that could be better utilized, and I believe this plan takes them into account (through zone 7 in diagram). I also like making the main entrance both directions. Also the roundabout is a good idea for traffic flow.
Longshore definitely can use some updates (the golf building was already decrepit when I worked there in the 90s) but seeing this plan which seems very focused on traffic flow when no one has ever found traffic flow an issue and encourages people to walk and bike on an active golf course gives me very little confidence that this consultant or the P&R department leaders have what it takes to actually use our money wisely on improvements. Is there anywhere in the P&R plan to fire Hook’d before next summer?
Well said.
I don’t see any reason to make the road two-way. Now it’s safe for both pedestrians and bikers, especially when peds walk facing traffic and bikes flow with traffic.
So glad to see a bunch of POVs (against) on the idea of a two way entrance road. My take is that part of the majesty of Ali shore is in fact that one way tree lined entrance. Rather than make the exit road a walking path, why not just make a nice walking path next to the road (similar to the one that is in the south side of Compo Basin).
PS: if anything, just lower the speed limit for the cars.
There seems to be a tremendous amount of energy from Stantec on walking, biking and traffic patterns in the presentation of last Tuesday. Though I am certainly in favor of serious upgrades due at Longshore especially as it pertains to the clubhouse, mens and womens restrooms adding a pub et cetera, I need to remind everyone that this is a golf course. It is a most dangerous place to walk, jog or ride a bike. The tee on one is a kill zone in that many of us amateur golfers hook left right into the road way. The tees on six and seven parallel the main entrance and again can be kill zones. Most walkers, joggers, bikers are so oblivious to the danger that they put themselves in it is frightening. If you are familiar with the seventeenth hole a women was recently pushing an open stroller toward the tee again a total kill zone. I kinda of lost my composure in trying to explain to her that her baby could easily be killed with an errant golf ball……I don’t think she understood. I believe there is “an assumption of risk” anytime someone enters a golf course (which includes golfers themselves) that won’t do anyone any good should they be hit in the head with a 100 mph Titleist. I too ride my bike through Longshore, however I am so aware of the danger and avoid on coming golfers at every turn. I do not have any data on the frequency of accidents at golf courses, but I know they happen and in a phrase are waiting to happen. I am all for walking, jogging, biking but at Longshore the improvement plan needs to figure out how to keep it safe. If you read this far thanks! I love this town, I hope meaningful upgrades to Longshore become reality and not in ten years.
Very true. I’ve explained to my non-golfing wife who loves to walk around Longshore all those same danger zones, so she pays attention to golfers on the tee box and avoids the danger. And even so she’s had a couple close misses with errant balls. I have myself sent many shots on to the road, and will shout out a warning when I tee off on 6 to anyone who is unwise enough to be on the entrance road anywhere near where I might hook it.
Our garden (of British origin; therefore, garden equals backyard) is right next to the ladies 4th tee. We have lived here for 5+ years (long time Westport residents) and have collected many errant balls that end up towards the end of our garden – fortunately not near our house or patio area! There have been serious problems in the past with balls hitting walkers around the course, and at least one lawsuit that I am aware of.
Two concerns:
One – The two way traffic on the current one-way entrance access will need to have enough width for party buses, now potentially back and forth, that are here every weekend, along with pedestrians and bikers. I am doubtful that can be accomplished without compromising the inviting and somewhat timeless feeling we get from travelling along the existing one-way access.
Two – All these new walkers and bikers enticed by the water views and car free meanderings. Sounds great, but it’s the golf balls that are the potential danger concerns, and if the cars are a concern, let’s put in speed bumps. At least that will slow down the cars – not sure what you can do to slow the errant golf balls.
Thanks for reading!
Craig
As Parks & Recreation Chair, I appreciate your post in order to make more of the public aware of the Open Houses scheduled this week. We hope many will attend. They will be great forums for Westport citizens to make their views (positive and negative) known. The options created were in response to the wishes of many, many residents including but not limited to: (1) moving of the maintenance shed/offices/parking which will: (A) open up high-value land near pool/inn/tennis/sailing school, (B) remove a somewhat unsightly structure to a more effective spot in the park, and (C) provide employees with a more habitable facility; (2) add 2 paddle tennis courts+warming hut, (3) create 6 pickleball courts, (4) give vehicles the ability to return to the Inn from the Marina-adjacent parking lots without having to drive all the way out to Compo, (5) minimize pedestrian-vehicle conflicts, and (6) provide shoreline walkways & views–among many other suggestions.
Part of what we hire consultants for is to offer up new ideas and possibilities for consideration & review. The two-way traffic pattern is one of those.
As Commission Chair, I am dedicated to hearing all viewpoints, taking suggestions, and serving the people of Westport.
Those of us who frequent Longshore for its nature will appreciate how the park has contributed to the return and resurgence of Ospreys in Connecticut. There are 3 nests on the property, 2 man made by the exit road, and 1 on a tall pine on the entrance road near the turn on the side of the 1st golf hole. The broods are bigger every year. I certainly hope that that any construction will avoid disruption to the nesting platforms. It would be great if the plan could add a couple more man-made platforms! There are enough adolescent Osprey every year to grow the population even more.
I have followed the process and reviewed the plans… there are a few (very few) adjustments that make sense, but the whole endeavor misses the mark. In order to serve the community Longshore must be remade to be sustainable and environmentally friendly… as the best courses in the world are doing. Longshore should be re-planned for low fertilization, minimum run off, native plants, minimum gas powered equipment and the like. This study is more impressive for costing us money than for saving us with sensible recreational options.