1. Project History
The Long Pond Town Landing is comprised of a beach, associated parking lot, boat ramp, and vehicle with trailer parking spaces on town land across the road from the Landing. The swim area is delineated through a float line and has two floating docks. Long Pond also has a series of “No Wake” floats around the entire shoreline of the pond delineating a safe area for slower boats and other recreation near shore. The facility was constructed almost 60 years ago. The ramp has been Brewster’s only access point to launch boats into Cape Cod’s largest great pond. The ramp is typically used by residents and visitors to launch canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, sailboats, and power boats. Four years ago, the Town added seasonal kayak rack storage facilities at the site due to public demand. The proposal includes a pier and floating dock to further separate the ramp from the swim area, and to allow better entry and exit to boats, including a kayak launch amenity. The Town has heard repeated requests from residents to repair the ramp. This has been an ongoing request as the ramp has deteriorated.
On January 18, 2022, the Town of Brewster held a public forum via Zoom to discuss the planned improvements at the Long Pond Town Landing, and afterwards held a public comment period until February 1, 2022.
The Town went out to bid in Spring 2023 and selected Speakman Excavation of Harwich, MA as the contractor. Chris Miller, Natural Resources Director and Griffin Ryder, Public Works Director have shared oversight of the project, along with the engineering firm, Horsley Witten. The Select Board voted during their meeting on July 10, 2023, to close access to Long Pond Town Landing from September 5 through December 1, 2023 to begin construction. This closure was extended through December 31, 2023 in order to in order to complete final paving, and the installation of the dock and kayak launch. Additional closures will occur from May 6 to May 10, 2024 in order to complete site work and landscaping. The project is expected to be completed by Summer 2024.