Government

Boating groups may not need park permits in Greenport

Mitchell Park Marina (Cyndi Murray file photo)
Mitchell Park Marina. (Credit: Cyndi Murray, file)

No mass assembly permit? No problem.

As the Greenport Village Board members continue to debate whether mass assembly permits should be issued for events at Mitchell Park that are not village-sponsored, they agreed informally to exempt large boater groups, which bring in big revenue for the marina, from the need to obtain permits for gatherings in designated areas of the park. 

For years, a handful of such organizations, like the United States Power Squadron, have docked 30 to 40 boats at the marina and used the park to gather under tents. Those events bring in roughly $15,000 in revenue annually for the marina, Trustee David Murray said Tuesday night.

“The park is there for the marina to prosper and we want to accommodate these groups,” he said.

Boating groups were previously allowed to set up anywhere in the park, but they will now be restricted to a certain area near the marina office, away from the carousel.

“The big tent depriving other people use of the park is a problem,” said Trustee Mary Bess Phillips.

Trustee Julia Robins also voiced concern that the events may block access to public restrooms and the marina office.

Village attorney Joe Prokop said the boaters would have to allow public access to those facilities during and restrict the size of any tents to no more than 40 feet by 80 feet.

“I think that is a good compromise,” Ms. Phillips said.

Mayor David Nyce is vacationing in Mexico until the end of the month, but the four other Village Board members told marina manager Jeff Goubeaud that they supported him booking boating events to keep the marina profitable.

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