A Possible Compromise for Pond Lane Park Plans? Southampton Village Board Says One Is in the Works

The Southampton Village Board and other stakeholders have been working toward a possible compromise on the proposed plan to close Pond Lane to vehicular traffic and create a world-class public garden on two vacant parcels of land on the street currently owned by the John Paulson Foundation and another adjacent parcel already owned by the Southampton Town Community Preservation Fund program.

The plans, first introduced to the public at a board meeting in September, have animated and divided the community for months, with a group of residents speaking out in strong opposition to the plan, mainly because of the closure of Pond Lane.

Southampton Village Trustee Roy Stevenson laid out what a potential compromise could look like during his comments to the board and those in attendance at the November 9 meeting.

He said he does not want to see the plan fall apart, not only because he believes the conversion of the land into a world-class park — with gardens designed by famed architect and Southampton Village resident Peter Marino — would be a lasting and cherished gift for the community, but also because Southampton Town has already agreed to purchase one of the Paulson lots in order to satisfy a land “swap” that is necessary so the village can install $10 million algae harvesters at another site. He said the algae harvesters, which the village acquired with town and federal grant funds, are crucial in the effort to clean up the long-polluted lake and restore it to its former glory.

Paulson has said he would sell one parcel to the CPF for the same price he paid for it and would donate the other parcel for the project. The Lake Agawam Conservancy, a local nonprofit group, has agreed to fund the construction of the park and gardens, and to create a $10 million endowment to cover the cost of maintaining the park.

Stevenson said that although both Paulson and the town had initially made any deal for the land contingent upon the closure of Pond Lane to vehicle traffic, both parties have indicated in recent weeks that they’d be open to a compromise that would see Pond Lane turned into a one-way street, running from south to north, that would be closed to vehicle traffic entirely on weekends and holidays, which is when the new park and gardens would see the most pedestrian and bike traffic, and closing the road to cars for safety purposes would be the most necessary.

“The town sees this area becoming a broader recreational resource for people,” Stevenson said, adding that if the lake can be cleaned up, it could be used in the future for sailing and kayaking. “I believe, and I believe a strong majority of village residents believe, that the park and the preservation of space is a good thing.” He pointed out, however, that the plan isn’t possible without the land currently owned by Paulson’s foundation.

A group of Southampton residents, represented by local business owner Erin Meaney, who spoke at the board meeting earlier in the night, said they have come up with an alternative plan for the area that keeps Pond Lane open as a two-way street.

Meaney said the residents want an opportunity to present those plans to the public and accused the board of catering to the whims of Paulson rather than listening to what a large group of residents want.

“You are elected officials who are supposed to be making decisions on what is best for the community, not what is best for John Paulson,” she said.

In his comments, Stevenson responded to the accusation that the board cares more about what Paulson wants rather than the residents who oppose the road closure.

“Mr. Paulson is donating over $20 million [in land value],” he said. “Without his money and the town CPF funds, there is no park. If Paulson pulls out, that would be a tragedy and a huge lost opportunity to create something meaningful and wonderful for the citizens.

“So far, none of the people offering alternate plans have been willing to step forward and buy the property,” he added.