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Landings in Gloucester

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Landings in Gloucester APPENDIX B STATUS OF PUBLIC LANDINGS IN GLOUCESTER Note: This list contains references to 58 landings that have historically existed in Gloucester. Twenty-five of these landings currently provide public access to the water. Four beaches allow landings during off-hour and off-season. The remaining landings may no longer exist, cannot be clearly located or lack clear legal documentation establishing they are public landings. Updated February 2010 with assistance from Harbormaster James Caulkett and Shellfish Warden David Sargent. 1. CRIPPLE COVE, East Main Street opposite Haskell Street (Ben Smith Property) Assessor's Map 58/Lot 40 STATUS: Public. Property was sold by the City, later deeded back (in 1914) by Benjamin Smith "to be used as a park, playground and landing." This historical landing is to be surveyed by Cape Ann Survey, as part of the Incentive aid Grant, and will be recorded in Salem. CONDITION: Excellent, redone in 1999. Public parking 100 feet of floats. Dingy Dock tie-up (permitted). ENCROACHMENTS: Encroachments removed. RECOMMENDATIONS: None 2. CLAY COVE LANDING, 93-97 East Main Street. Assessor's map 58 STATUS: No longer City property, although the landings were to be the use "of the people of the commonwealth forever," and not to be sold or leased. Could not be found. Private homes now located here. Could not be located in deed research at assessor’s office. RECOMMENDATION: Title search needed. 3. GARDINER LANDING, Rear 167 East Main Street. Assessor’s Map 63 STATUS: No longer City property. Property owned by Americold. The approximate site of the old landing place is a portion of their parking lot, and water beyond. Ruins of a pier still exist. RECOMMENDATION: This property is being researched by the County Engineers to establish the landing's exact location. City should work with Americold to obtain some use of the water portion (not presently used by the company) and a portion of the parking lot. Gloucester Public Landings List: Status as of February 2010 APPENDIX B STATUS OF PUBLIC LANDINGS IN GLOUCESTER 4. ROBINSON'S LANDING, East Main Street, at Pirate's Lane. Map 79 Lot 1. STATUS: Public. Three existing houses are built on a portion of the original landing. Seawall rebuilt in 2001. Sliver access can reach water with a kayak or dingy. New sign identifies access. 2 parking spots. Access tide dependent. ENCROACHMENTS: Shrubs, railroad ties, a sign post and sign remain. Also, four apple trees on what may be our only remaining access. RECOMMENDATIONS: Remove encroachments. Grade launch area. More research at Registry through the County Commissioner. City needs to obtain use of greater portion of the small cove area, as access is very limited due to houses, trees and signpost. Another option is to seek negotiations with abutters for the use of this property in exchange for the signs and trees remaining. A direct purchase is safer for the future. 5. FLAT (WONSON) COVE LANDING: Eastern Point Road at Ledge Lane. Assessor's Map 131/Lot 18. STATUS: Public. City owned. Surveyed as part of the volunteer survey project. A plan was recorded. Sign, two park benches and small salt marsh grass. Must climb down wall to access. Sandy intertidal landing good for kayak access. CONDITION: Flats, on-street parking only. Provides foot access. Close to other City owned property. RECOMMENDATIONS: Waterways Board at Keith Trefry Park will install steps down to the landing. 6. GRAVING PLACE LANDING, Commercial Street, Assessor's Map 11. STATUS: No longer exists. Probably incorporated in the present St. Peter's Square, as are landings #7 and #8. (All three appear on a plan at the Historical Society, no date.) Municipal parking with public landing for pick up and drop off. No action recommended. 7. TOWN (SAMUEL GILBERT) LANDING, Washington and Commercial at St. Peter's Square. Assessor's Map 7/Lot 16. STATUS: Public. The original landing was filled in when Rogers Street was created. The present landing area includes the access way between #9 and #17 Rogers Street, a public wharf, ramp and float, the Lobster Marina, and the parking lot--all of St. Peter's Square. St. Peter’s landing has been surveyed and recorded. Gloucester Public Landings List: Status as of February 2010 APPENDIX B STATUS OF PUBLIC LANDINGS IN GLOUCESTER CONDITION: Good. New ramp and float. Abundant parking. ENCROACHMENTS: Lobster pots from the Marina stored on the public wharf for a large part of the year. 8. GEORGE STEELE LANDING, off Commercial Street. STATUS: No longer a public landing. See #6. 9. ANDREW PARKER LANDING, Parker and East Main Streets. Assessor's Map 53. STATUS: Was discontinued by an act of the Legislature. The approximate site of the original landing has been partially filled, and a parking lot built. Was in the general vicinity of Cripple Cove. Gordon Thomas Park dedicated at this location but public no longer has access to water. 10. LOBSTER COVE LANDING, Lane Road and Leonard Street. Assessor's Map 183 STATUS: Public. Survey in 1980 and update in 1987 by Carter and Towers. Legal Department was to have recorded the plan CONDITION: Four parking spaces. Three signs show landing at two locations. Clutter removed, clean. Extensive mud flats except at high tides. ENCROACHMENTS: Failed septic fixed. Materials moved. Neighborhood notifies of boats sit for more than two hours. RECOMMENDATIONS: Deed research could indicate further access on northern section of landing. Ensure that access of Lane Road remains open. 11. TRENNEL COVE LANDING. So Ferry St off Marsh. Assessor's Map 89/Lot 31 STATUS: Public. Recorded 1988, by the County Engineers Office. Book 9386492, Plan 235-194. Abutter’s contest reached a negotiated settlement. ENCROACHMENTS: Portion of a garage, portion of a tennis court, possibly a shed, brush often piled to block access to hill area. CONDITION: Fair. Stone monument there, but plaque missing. Very limited parking along side of way. Three parking spots created for clammers and striper fishermen created by abutter to offset tennis court. RECOMMENDATION: Monitor to ensure clutter such as boats and floats removed. Gloucester Public Landings List: Status as of February 2010 APPENDIX B STATUS OF PUBLIC LANDINGS IN GLOUCESTER 12. GOOSE COVE LANDING, Holly and Dennison Streets, Assessor's map 115. STATUS: Undetermined location and ownership. Deed research had not revealed former location. CONDITION: Poor. Cove appears accessible by brook or by water only. RECOMMENDATION: Further deed research at Registry. 13. LITTLE RIVER LANDING (aka Stubby Knowles and Frenchmen’s Pier), Essex Avenue at Magnolia Avenue. Assessor's Map 220/Lot 50. STATUS: Public. Laid out by the County Commissioners in 1973. Recorded at the Registry of Deeds, Book 5999, Page 672. Also found in County Engineers Plan 3123. CONDITION: Large area with great potential. Good location, plenty of room for parking, and several possible locations for a simple launch area. The Department of Public Works repaired the smelt fish pier and the parking area. Presently no launch area except a rough dirt path for carry-downs. Plaque, but not in a noticeable location. Very overgrown and neglected. Picnic bench. New plaque on a rock. ENCROACHMENTS: On one side, a small portion of the abutter's driveway remains on landing property. On the Essex Avenue side, there is a "lawn area", evergreen trees, and small shrubs which may be on City property. RECOMMENDATIONS: None 14. CLAY PIT LANDING, Concord Street. Assessor's Map 242. STATUS: Public. Historical landing, still public property. To be surveyed by North Shore Survey as part of the Incentive Aid Grant, and recorded at the Registry. City owns the corner lot. CONDITIONS: Largely marsh. Not useable in present condition. Tidal access for less than two hours a day. Beautiful area. ENCROACHMENTS: None. RECOMMENDATIONS: Boardwalk or ramp to gain access to water not practical. Good viewing spot for local marsh studies, field trips bird watching, etc. Gloucester Public Landings List: Status as of February 2010 APPENDIX B STATUS OF PUBLIC LANDINGS IN GLOUCESTER 15. SAWYER'S DOCK LANDING, Atlantic Street below Long Wharf. Assessor's Map 246. STATUS: Present status still unclear in 2010. Also known as Short Wharf. CONDITION: Unknown, probably marsh and water (approximately across from Pierce Island). ENCROACHMENTS: Unknown RECOMMENDATIONS: Deed research at Registry 16. KENT'S COVE LANDING. Off Concord Street opposite West Parish School, at the granite posts. Assessor's Map 229. STATUS: Public. This landing being surveyed by the County Engineers, and will be recorded by them at the Registry of Deeds. The Way to the landing is privately owned, but access must be provided to the public landing per conditions in the deed. The abutters plan to improve the Way (presently a footpath) to a gravel drive, which will increase the public's access. CONDITION: This landing is small, useable only at high tides. No parking along Way. Monument and plaque at beginning of landing, Very quiet, pretty spot. Small boats only. ENCROACHMENTS: None. City should be diligent about maintaining access to the Way to the landing. RECOMMENDATIONS: Access from the private road has washed out and needs some maintenance. 17. FRESHWATER COVE, end of Waterside Lane. Assessor's Map 204. STATUS: Public. Adjoining properties have all been land-courted, and public landing shows up on all the plans. Will be surveyed as part of the contract with North Shore Survey, and filed with the Registry. CONDITIONS: Waterside Lane regularly washes out, and is very difficult to use. No parking area, or room for easy turn-around of vehicles. Landing itself is a rocky beach. Well-used by lobstermen, and recreational. Monument there, but plaque is missing. ENCROACHMENTS: None. RECOMMENDATIONS: End of road rutted. Needs new plaque. Gloucester Public Landings List: Status as of February 2010 APPENDIX B STATUS OF PUBLIC LANDINGS IN GLOUCESTER 18.
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