Happy Friday to all. I wanted to add some thoughts I have had to add to this discussion with the Town of OG.
Your ideas are totally welcome for the Town Meeting on June 11th. Use the link in the petition to share your thoughts with our Selectmen and Town Board, or call them next week before June 10th to chat to them directly.
Here is what I can share that I have been brainstorming about, but I have no idea if these were already thought of for OG. The market has an established operating history. It occupied approximately 30 parking spaces for vendor tents and utilized approximately 45 parking spaces for customer parking. The market is seeking a comparable replacement site within Old Greenwich that can accommodate the same footprint and operating conditions.
Time: Wednesday market from 2–6 PM
• Customers arrive and leave continuously.
• Parking spaces turn over multiple times.
• Many OG residents walk or bike. Parents use Babboes or cargo bikes. Bike Parking would be great.
• Students, parents, and local residents often stop by for short visits, 20-30 minutes for just veggies, or a bit longer for lunch or dinner.
• 35 parking spaces with turnover over four hours can accommodate a surprisingly large number of shoppers.
OTHER SUGGESTED SITES IN OG:
- A small portion of the lot diagonally behind CVS for the market, and use the parking lot at OG school and walk through the fence to get to the market?
Details: Lot spaces: OG School: ~68 spaces Lot next to School: ~58 Spaces
Pros:
1. A smaller market could be possible here and keep the location in town and not far from its original location.
2. Bike and scooter friendly, walkable and some accessible parking and ramp.
Cons:
1. When construction begins at OG school, the school lot will be partially used by construction vehicles (but maybe some of it can be preserved for our community?)
2. A Highly utilized, public parking lot is adjacent to this, behind CVS, however, that back corner close to the school is rarely full and for 4 hours a week, 2-6, it might work as a temporary solution with 2 exits and entrances and fire station nearby.
----- - Public parking area behind the US Post Office and up against the train station wall, all the way to the tall shade trees that border the golf course?
Details: ~45-48 spaces that are rarely fully utilized, partially shaded area, with other parking exposed to full-sun, nearby. Put market under shade trees, at back, allow the public to flow into that area.
Pros: In the Village, walkable, bikeable and ability for commuters to stop at market near train station, some parking nearby or on town streets. 2 ways in and out, via Sound Beach and Arcadia. Bike parking could be set up in 3 or more spaces.
Cons: No area for kids play. Would add some traffic to that area, but again, people do not go to the market "all at once". Traffic is dispersed over 4 hour period and there is a high rate of turnover of parking spaces.
----- - 25%-30% of Cohen Eastern Greenwich Civic Center parking lot that is across the street from the building. Owned by the Town of Greenwich (taxpayers!)
Details: 216 spaces in the Town Owned Lot, utilized by Civic Center and OGRCC sports, music and art classes and special events
Pros: Plenty of space and parking. Bucolic. Shade. Access to bathrooms, playground and water fountain at Civic Center, across the street. OGRCC Director Endorsed. Sidewalks do exist on two main streets leading to the Civic Center. (Forest and Tomac). Close to train station, Innis Arden, The Gables and First Church.
Cons: Some residents have complained that this is not walkable for them, however, others who live closer to the Library and First Church see it as closer for them.
----- - St. Saviors Episcopal Church offered us their lot, but it is only ~40 spaces.
Pros: This could accommodate 1 or 2 vendors for a smaller, organic market experience, say the Organic Riverbank Farm and one or two other vendors. Walkable and bikeable for many who live near town or South of town.
Cons: Limited parking available for vendors and customers. Not in town.
----- - First Church has not offered their lot, but it is larger and their parking spaces are closer to 80 in total, similar to the number of spaces at Living Hope Church.
Pros: ~80 spaces in shade, surrounded by trees and church. Lush lawn area in the shade that is used by Summer Camps and other events. Across from Binney Park and park is easily accessible. Not far from downtown, close to train station, Library and Civic Center.
Cons: On a hill. Additional hill from the Village to Church and Park that can be avoided by biking either around 1)Binney Park, or 2) via Lockwood to Tomac to Forest. Bike friendly for some and not for others.
Wouldn't it be nice if someone willed a private estate within walking distance to OG for these future needs? I would also like to see painted bike lanes marked for kids and parents. We all benefit from town planning and infrastructure improvements.
Have a nice weekend, everyone.
-Colleen