York’s Short Sands Beach to get playground makeover and more
YORK, Maine — Ellis Park will be getting a new playground and volleyball courts, as park directors prepare for their next round of capital projects.
A new merry-go-round will be part of the playground located next to the basketball court at Short Sands Beach. Meanwhile, Ellis Park directors are waiting for word from the town manager’s office about whether they need special permitting from the state for the new volleyball courts.
Security cameras, a new wooden guard rail for safety, and improvements to the Ellis Park pavilion are also on the list of projects park directors say will be done with current funds.
They are also looking at improving the parking lot, though that will take place in a few years and may require more funds, the directors told the Selectboard this month.
The park is run separately from the town by a board of directors previously named the Ellis Park trustees.
They gave their report to the board Dec. 11 per an agreement with the Selectboard this year to hold annual public meetings for feedback from the public.
Ellis Park directors prepare for five years of capital projects
The directors have between $1 million and $1.3 million in available cash on hand to use on projects like the new playground, according to David Bridges, president of the Ellis Park directors.
He told the Selectboard they expect to complete most of the projects on their list with the funds they have. Several, like the playground, should take place in fiscal year 2023-2024, which ends in June.
The playground should cost $150,000, according to the directors. Bridges said the playground being replaced has not been updated for 11 years, which was the expected lifetime for the equipment. The layout will be the same, featuring swings, slides and several climbable pieces of playground gear. There will also be a merry-go-round.
Bridges said the playground is important for visitors who may not want to be on the sand but still have kids looking for fun.
“A lot of people, they don’t use the beach per se,” Bridges said. “But they do use the playground for their kids.”
Just east of the playground, Bridges said a spot was identified where volleyball nets could go.
“There was a wasted spot that would be a nice spot for them to play,” Bridges said.
The volleyball courts would be much cheaper than the playground, according to Bridges. However, Town Manager Peter Joseph said it is still being determined whether any permits from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection are required for the project. Bridges said improvements at Ellis Park have been limited in the past by its proximity to shoreland.
If constructed, Parks and Recreation Director Peter Murray said the courts would likely meet a significant demand in town. He said it is too early to know if his department will run any programming at the beach, but he said many families in town have middle school and high school-aged children involved in the sport. He said York Middle School has more than 50 kids enrolled in their girls volleyball program.
“That just shows the potential demand for more volleyball facilities in town,” Murray said.
Other improvements to amenities include a new wooden guard rail that Bridges said will replace the current metal one. He said the wooden one is likely to be safer for beachgoers.
Also coming are upgrades to the pavilion, where live music takes place throughout the summer. He said the pavilion takes “quite a beating” from the weather and that its steel and wood need to be examined and redone. That would take place in fiscal year 2024-25, they said.
New security cameras are also in the queue for the directors’ capital projects. They told the Selectboard that there are parts of the beach that are difficult to see with the currently available security cameras.
Directors look to maintain transparency
Selectboard members gave feedback on the presentation by the Ellis Park directors, who have an agreement with the Selectboard as part of their oversight of the park. The land is owned by the town, but under the terms of an 1887 deed is managed and controlled by the directors. A judge in 1956 reconfirmed the terms of the deed, which led to the establishment of five trustees who are now called directors.
Selectboard members asked questions about the capital plan, including about revenue. They asked the park directors if they were willing to raise parking rates to bring in additional revenue. The directors replied they intended to do so if the town does next year as the Selectboard is planning a $2 increase to $4 per hour.
Board members also asked if a future repaving of the parking lot will include charging stations for electric cars.
“I just see more and more Teslas driving around town,” Selectman Mike Estes said.
Park directors said the proximity to the ocean makes charging stations difficult. The electrical hardware would need to be underground, exposing it to ocean water that comes ashore.
“Ocean water and electricity sure don’t mix,” Doug Bracy, an Ellis board director said.
The directors have held meetings in the past for the public but were criticized earlier this year for a lack of transparency and not holding some scheduled meetings at all. They were also criticized by the group called the Committee for Ellis Park Transparency, who accused them of withholding key financial documents in a state Freedom of Access Act request.
Bridges said the directors have improved their transparency in response to complaints.
“We’re here to help the town’s people, help them out, educate them, as much as we can,” Bridges told the Selectboard. “And have a good park for them. That’s what we’re here for.”