East Chop Association Parks

Park Management Goals

To preserve the natural appearance of all properties and parks owned by the Association through sound principles of conservation and land preservation.  The trees, shrubbery and grasses on our properties contribute to many values of our community.  Important benefits include:

• A greenbelt to provide a shield to noise and traffic and a sense of space to closely located houses and roadways.
• A vegetative buffer strip to filter nutrients and reduce runoff and erosion into Crystal Lake.  Absorption of chemicals, fertilizers, road runoff and a trapping of sediments is instrumental in the Association’s continued efforts to stabilize the lake and prevent eutrophic conditions.
• Bluff stabilization is enhanced through maintaining root structures provided by the grasses and shrubs.  These assist in the prevention of wind and water erosion while discouraging harmful practices including walking and climbing on the banks.
• A home for birds and wildlife and a tempering to our climate by serving as a wind screen.

Improving the appearance of our parks and properties can be achieved through selective cutting and pruning.  The cutting of dead trees will promote safety and improve the view of abutters to the parks.  Selective thinning will promote the growth of sounder and more attractive trees by preventing overcrowding.  Attractive frames of views to Crystal Lake and the ocean can be maintained through selective trimming and pruning techniques. Crown reduction and the pruning of understory branches are examples of maintaining the natural appearance of our properties while accommodating requests to maintain existing views.

The Association’s goals can be achieved through a careful balance between conservation Law and maintenance permits, Parks policy guidelines and objectives, and the valuable cooperation of the Town Of Oak Bluffs and the Association’s membership.

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For questions or comments about this website, please email the East Chop Association Webmaster.
Last modified: 05/13/07