Clark's Beach Green Energy Park Presentation Planned For Village

Plans for a proposed green energy park for Clark's Beach will be pitched to the public during a presentation at Monday night's Greenport Village board meeting, which begins at 6 p.m. at the Third Street Firehouse.

The presentation detailing the "Greenport Eco Energy Park," prepared by studio a/b architects and Lillian Ball, is slated to provide the public with specifics on the proposal, which was discussed by Greenport Village Mayor David Nyce at earlier village meetings.

If approved, the Greenport Eco Energy Park would consist of a two to four megawatt, self-generated electric facility using renewal energy at the 8.7 acre parcel at Clark's Beach owned by the village. 

The parcel would also be developed as a public park, educational facility, conference center, and demonstration site for a range of sustainable and green infrastructure practices, with an eye toward becoming an important eco-tourism attraction for the entire East End, according to plan details.

The site currently contains the village outfall pipe from its sewage treatment plan.

Renewable energy generation from both solar and wind installations would be designed to supplement the five-megawatt, hydroelectric power purchases already serving the village's basic needs, according to the plan.

The goal is to build a two-to-four megawatt, self-generated system to replace costly, open-market purchases of additional electrical power made when demand exceeds the limits of the hydro-generation contract, Nyce has said.

According to the presentation prepared for the village, currently, during peak months the overage represents a high percentage of the monthly costs, compared to a lower percentage of consumption.

For example, in July, 2012, overage represented 27.8 percent of the power used but 78.9 percent of the costs, the presentation stated.

Trails would be created to link the facility to other public lands, including a bay-to-Sound trail system.

In addition, a new entry and spaces to accommodate 40 spaces would be designed; a solar charging station for electric vehicles would be provided; permeable pavement installed; electric car parking would be available, and a bike rack offered.

A stabilized route to support fire and maintenance truck access to the site and existing sewer outfall system would be created.

Other overall site improvements would include removal of debris, including abandoned cars and concrete rubble, identification of native and invasive species at the site, and removal of invasive species, restoration of wetlands and roadside grasses, stairs, a path, bluff protection enhancement at the base of the cliff face, and collection of building, solar panel and path stormwater run-off for reuse, irrigation, and rain gardens.

A community garden and composting area has also been proposed, as well as signage for entry, identification of natural species, explanation of systems, sustainable practices and other educational purposes.

Natural and artistic components underlying the park's theme, such as living bridges and fences, a boardwalk, a micro-wind sculpture, and "dark sky" lighting and reflective installations would be implemented.

The education and conference center, under solar panels, would feature a meeting and conference center, exhibition space and data monitoring presentation, a kitchen, public bathrooms using composting, urine collection, gray water systems and other sustainable wastewater treatment options, bathrooms and shower facilities for overnight stays  -- those could be a separate structure and part of the project's second phase -- a utility room, office space and storage, as well as caretaker accommodations.

Finally, camping facilities would be created, with up to 20 cabins or camp sites for overnight stays. 

What do you think of the proposed plans for a green energy park at Clark's Beach? Tell us in the comments section.