Wood Duck resident concerned about opening park easements
By Chip Bertino
To some it seems simple enough: open up entry easements to Wood Duck Park, fill in wet areas, construct a wooden walkway as well as a fishing and crabbing pier and provide parking spaces for up to six cars at one of the five entry points.  Such were the recommendations made to the Ocean Pines Board of Directors by Barbara Kissel of the Ocean Pines Association (OPA) Recreation and Parks Advisory Committee on April 20. 
 
However, to a long time resident of Wood Duck I, the issue is a bit more complex.  Barry Hallowell has owned a house on Wood Duck since 1979.  Hollowell's home is adjacent to one of the access points that have been identified for possible opening.  The problem, as Hallowell sees it, is that the easement area between his house and his neighbor's house is only five feet wide, too narrow to use effectively.  Additionally, there is considerable foliage that has grown in the area and utility wires and boxes are located in the area that would be the entrance to the walkway. (Left: Hallowell stands in front of access easement between homes.)
 
Frustrated by what he has read about the proposals to open the park, Hallowell said he needed to voice his concerns so that people and the board realize that there are some "blaring problems" with opening the access points, especially the one adjacent to his home.
 
Hallowell explained the challenges faced by opening the easement were set in motion at the time he and his neighbor built their houses more than two decades ago.  The first mistake was that the Environmental Control Committee (ECC), the precursor to the current Architectural Review Committee (ARC) allowed his neighbor to "cock" his house at an angle, thus bringing it closer to the property line.  The second mistake, as Hallowell sees it, was the ECC's decision that Hollowell move his garage from the left side of his house to the right, thus requiring a variance at the time, and ultimately placing the footprint of the garage in the easement area. 
 
Since Hallowell and his family moved into the house, trees and shrubbery have grown in the easement area.  Also, Hallowell, a self described "shade tree mechanic," built a screening fence so his neighbor would not be bothered by the site of his garage as they sat on their back porch.
 
The Hallowell home is located on a cul-de-sac and as Hollowell pointed out, there is no room for parking.  He challenged the idea of people walking to the park area, asserting that they would bring their cars and questioned where they would park. 
 
Hallowell said he understands why people would be attracted to the just under two acre park but after more than 25 years of living there, he believes the tranquility of the area would be disrupted.  When asked whether he knew at the time he built his house that his property was adjacent to a walking easement entrance and a community park, he said he did.  He said that when builder Marvin Steen developed the area, the park was referred to as a "passive park."
 
Hallowell is concerned by the frenzy that has been created over issue, especially by residents new to the area.  He says that he is not completely opposed to the idea of opening the park but wants to make sure that the OPA board takes a "common sense approach to the issue."
 
Dave Ferguson, OPA general manager, said at the April 20 meeting that although opening up the public access seemed simple, there were issues that required research and legal consultation before proceeding. 
  

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