Nahant residents argue against proposed changes to park layout

NAHANT – Short Beach neighbors agreed dune restoration was vital to prevent coastal flooding, but thought the other ideas in the proposed Short Beach Master Plan were unnecessary expenses.The discussion came from a public hearing held by the Planning Board to discuss the Short Beach Master Plan which could improve the Nahant Life Saving Station, restore the beach, and enhance vehicle and pedestrian circulation.Much of the discussion centered around Project Manager Ron Headrick?s recommended drop-off area in the parking area across the street at Veterans Park. While Headrick said the one-way drop-off circle at the lot?s entrance would improve safety for parents dropping off their children, residents argued drop-offs were not an issue.?This is Nahant. If kids are old enough to go to the beach, they walk or take their bikes,” said one woman. “There aren?t many parents who are stopping off and leaving.”Resident Christine Johnson said increased traffic to the lot?s entrance on Ward Street could put resident children in danger since the street had no sidewalks.Many argued that the drop-off wouldn?t be used since it was even farther away from the beach.One resident joked that neighbors wouldn?t want a restructured parking lot because it would encourage people from outside Nahant to use the beach.When asked if he had conducted study in the area, Headrick admitted his company Stantec had not, and later added he had not seen any records of accidents related to drop-offs at the beach.Johnson said she spoke for Short Beach neighbors when she argued that changing the layout of Veterans Park could disturb the adjacent wetlands.Planning Board Chairman Richard Snyder said the meeting had been held at the request of the Board of Selectmen to get an idea of what residents would and would not like for beach restoration. Snyder said eventually the plan would be used to build back elements of protection, such as the dunes and vegetation at the beach, but for less money than the proposed $948,729 plan.Kait Taylor can be reached at [email protected].