The Easton Parks Advisory Board is seeking more details on plans for a rowing boathouse and related facilities at Easton Point Park following the Town Council’s approval of an agreement with two local rowing organizations.
The Town Council on September 8 considered Resolution No. 6227, authorizing a memorandum of understanding with Freedom Rowers, Inc. and Eastern Shore Community Rowers, Inc. regarding construction of a boathouse and related facilities at the park.
At the Parks Board’s September 22 meeting, Town Engineer Rick Vandenberg said the proposal remains conceptual. Plans discussed so far include a boathouse for rowing shells and a pier, with public restrooms potentially incorporated into the building. The project would still need to move through the town’s review process, likely including the Planning Commission and Parks Advisory Board.
Board members asked for additional information about the MOU and requested that Chloe Allen, executive director and head coach of Freedom Rowers, attend a future meeting to explain the rowing groups’ plans.
Vandenberg said the rowing organizations are expected to develop the design and bring it through the town’s review process, while the town would provide the site. Details of the arrangement and final design have not yet been settled.
Watch the full meeting here
3 Responses
Please, development in Easton has already proceeded to the point where traffic deadlock has set in during rush hour. Now, pressure is building to develop even the parks. There’s the movement to install a Disc Golf Course at John Ford Park and recently, a proposal to build a boathouse at Easton Point Park. Does anyone think that maybe a little sense of moderation is in order here?
Not sure where the rowing club building may go but as a daily user of Easton point park, as it is one of few dog friendly parks, one would hope it would be on the old Easton utilities portion where there is already a parking lot.
Of note is the previously installed canoe launch, which by any standard appears relatively unused being so far up the creek from port street and the main river, with no formal parking and a long trek from the road. The canoe launch in st Michael’s seems much better designed, close to the water with storage racks etc.
I would hope that the current users of Easton Point are properly accommodated in this new plan. Finally please consider us, its current users we use it most days where I suspect the rowing club might be evenings and weekends.
A concerned resident.
Great Idea! The Tred Avon is a great place for rowing, and having sufficient facilities to support the sport will benefit the residents of the town and Talbot County. A boathouse could be a catalyst for further recreational activities so more citizens can enjoy Easton’s tiny bit of public waterfront. And if the rowing groups are funding the construction and maintenance, there’s a win-win for the town. Also, a well-designed launch dock could also be used by kayakers as the existing launch is a bit difficult to access.