As you can see from this photograph, despite all the badmouthing about Beach Road, it does have its charms. And those charms lay mainly in the trees that provide shade and greenery and enhance the experience of drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.
As you can see from this photograph, despite all the badmouthing about Beach Road, it does have its charms. And those charms lay mainly in the trees that provide shade and greenery and enhance the experience of drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.
In a recent effort to “beautify” Beach Road it was proposed to widen the road five and a half feet. Not only would this be disastrous to businesses, but it would erase all of the beauty that does exist and force the removal of the most important addition to Beach Road — its trees and vegetation.
This photograph illustrates something critically important. In fact, I would say that looking northeast from the Saltwater Restaurant, there is an important lapse of trees that should be corrected. In addition, if trees could be added to the north side of Beach Road as well, there would be a delightful canopy of greenery that would totally change the area.
Frank Brunelle
Vineyard Haven
Comments
Excellent point made here.
Nick van Nes West TisburyExcellent point made here. Save existing trees, add more. The more friendly and accommodating we try to make things for cars and traffic, the more intrusive and dominant they become. We should be thinking, first of all, what's good for the people?
If they want to "beautify"
Katherine May-Waite Oak BluffsIf they want to "beautify" that area I hope the town will consider a new sidewalk on at least one side of the road. Both sides of the sidewalk in that section (Steamship to Winds Up) are dangerously uneven (and bushes block a portion of the more even side) and tripping hazards abound - forcing you to be constantly looking down instead of paying attention to passing traffic. Ironically, the best portion is in front of Boch's.
FYI - The plan is to create
Frank BrunelleFYI - The plan is to create new sidewalks on both sides of Beach Road. This is all a part of the MV Commission TIPS Transportation Policy meetings. There is also an effort underway to put the electrical lines and most poles underground. If this happens it will create an opportunity for a tree canopy. MassDot has stated that it may require taking an additional 3 feet - or 1 1/2 feet from both sides of the road. However, this could be minimized and still have excellent sidewalks. The problem arose when an initiative was started by a local business owner to take not 3 feet but 11 feet - an additional 5 1/2 feet from both sides. This would be draconian and do a lot of harm. Beach Road would be devoid of trees, the impact on some businesses would effectively either ruin them or force rebuilding. This alternative would allow for what is necessary, good sidewalks, bicycling on both sides of the now new road, which could be a light color to reflect heat and so on.
No matter how wide we made
Mark Jenkins OBNo matter how wide we made that road, it could never be wide enough to accommodate the amount of traffic on the Island in the summer. If we accept that we'll be sitting in traffic, let's make sure we do it under the shade of a tree. LEAVE what's there, and PLANT MORE.
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