Parking & Recreation

Church Street Tennis Courts: 12 Spaces Existing, 48 Spaces Proposed

Church Street Parking Lot and Tennis CourtsThe two tennis courts, located between Church and Center streets, just west of Main Street, have often been cited as a site for a municipal parking lot. (There is a small 12-car lot on the site today.)

  • The lot would serve both downtown needs and also provide off-street parking for Cornell Theater, the Playhouse, and Churches in the neighborhood.
  • However, past proposals have recommended a lot holding 80 or more cars. To accommodate that many cars, the site would have to be completely paved over, destroying the ambience of a historic neighborhood.
  • Moreover, an adequate alternative site for the courts had not been offered.

Step One: Relocate the Tennis Courts

Existing Site

Existing Site of Tennis Courts
  • A large field to the rear of the Annex and just a few blocks away from the current courts can be developed to accommodate the relocated tennis courts, as well as two new basketball courts.
  • The courts would be easily reached by the William Street neighborhood, as well as other nearby neighborhoods.
  • They would also serve as recreation facilities for the school.

Sketch of New Tennis and Basketball Courts (New Emergency Services Building Shown in Front)

Sketch of New Tennis and Basketball Courts (New Emergency Services Building shown in front)

Step Two: Build Medium-Sized Parking Lot and Vest-Pocket Park at Former Tennis Court Site

  • A parking lot of approximately 42 to 48 cars would fit comfortably into the space vacated by the tennis courts.
  • At that scale, we can preserve and augment the surrounding topography and vegetation, include seating areas, and provide pedestrian pathways between Church and Center Streets, through the cemetery to Cornell Theater and Spring Street.

Church Street Lot - 48 Spaces, Pedestrian Path Through Cemetery to Town Hall and Cornell Theater

Church Street Lot - 48 Spaces, Pedestrian Path Through Cemetery to Town Hall and Cornell Theater

Parking Policy Options

Since we know that parking spaces in downtown Vineyard Haven are leased to private users for up to $800 per space, we should consider how we allocate this valuable resource. There are several options for the use of downtown parking facilities that we may want to consider:

  • Keep the parking lots and street spaces open and free of charge for general public use. Regulate their use by time limitations.
  • Provide parking stickers for a fee to applicants. Allow hotels and businesses to purchase stickers for their visitors and customers.
  • Provide stickers to Tisbury residents for a reduced fee or for free.
  • Reserve the Church Street lot for Tisbury residents only. This option would allow Vineyard Haven residents to access to a downtown lot without circulating through Main Street.
  • Use the Church Street lot for designated downtown employee parking. Charge business owners for the spaces.
  • Install parking meters on the streets.
  • Install metered or gate-controlled parking in the lots.
  • Lease spaces to individual users.
  • Seek State permission to charge much heavier fines for parking violations (a ticket today is considerably cheaper than a typical parking garage fee).