Summary of Proposals for Discussion  6-27-09

Route.  We have discussed several alternative routes and believe that the most needed, desirable and feasible route is from the Chappy ferry to the Dyke bridge. The south side of the black top road from the ferry was considered best because of the Chappaquiddick Beach Club parking and Mytoi Garden.  There is a right of way of 50 feet owned by the town of Edgartown upon which the 20-22 foot wide Chappaquiddick black top road currently lies, leaving ample room for a path.  Most of the path can be done along pre-existing rights of way owned by the Town, in some areas with slight shifting of the road within the right of way to avoid wetlands.  In a few instances telephone poles may need to be moved and/or the wires buried.  The path would be separated from the road and itself be 5-8 feet wide.  Appropriate signs and markers will be used to promote safety. 

Surface.  There are several possible surfaces including asphalt (which can be black or tan) and a composition surface that looks like sand but is firm and requires little maintenance.  Based upon initial reaction from Chappy residents, the surface ideally would not be paved. A packed surface composed of stone dust looks like sand and provides a solid and well draining path for bikes and is used in other paths (e.g., Minute Man National Park, Concord).  This surface is keeping with the country feeling that many Chappaquiddick residents and visitors desire.  The non-paved surface would obviate the objections to more blacktop and the issue of sand on the path, as well as discouraging fast bicycling and is expected to have low maintenance. However, it will be important to test the durability in Chappy conditions.

Demonstration path.   As a next step we seek to develop a consensus in favor of a demonstration path on a portion of the proposed route.  The presence of this path will allow residents to evaluate the advantages and (if any) disadvantages of a path.  An esthetically appealing path will help convince skeptics of the merits of further path development.  The path will also allow determination of how well the proposed surface withstands the stress of Chappy weather and use.  Funding for a section is expected to be modest, based on prior estimates of about $33/foot.  We will seek the opinion on the best of these alternative sections:

1.	Gardner property (Manaca Hill Road to Ferry).  This section of the road is heavily used by children, parents, and baby strollers in the summer to and from the beach club and as the entrance to the Chappy Ferry, the most congested area on Chappy.  The path will relieve this congestion, chaos and confusion and be useful whether or not further paths are constructed.  The path will provide an opportunity to test the durability of the stone dust material which has proved successful in other settings, but needs to be tested under Chappy conditions.  A non-asphalt surface will be appealing to Chappy residents, if it can withstand our weather and use.  Such an esthetically appealing path will go a long way towards convincing skeptics of the merits of further path development. The land is town property that already has walking paths.  

2.	Land Bank near CCC.  This section is contains blind curves and hills that increase the hazard to bikers and walkers.  The Land Bank owns a substantial parcel of land along the road which could make a very attractive site for a path.  Preliminary discussions with the Executive Director, James Lengyel, indicate interest in this proposal.  The MVLB has been very supportive of bike paths in other towns.  

3.	Dyke Bridge Road.  The sand road is particularly difficult for bikers and is necessary for getting to the East Beach and Mytoi.   It should be relatively easy to move the sand road a few feet if necessary to avoid obstacles, wetlands or close properties.  The feasibility of this will depend on the findings of the survey to be done this summer, which will show exactly where the 50 foot right of way is located.