Posted August 12, 2024Aug 12 Here are answers to questions a participant sent me: Quote Would you please post a Google Maps link for where we should meet and park? Information about the availability of bathrooms near the put-in would also be useful. I initially was using my saved Pavilion Beach link from past NSPN paddles https://maps.app.goo.gl/5wwfMGfzEfehnez87 The link above is for Pavillion Beach in Ipswich which provides access to Crane's Beach (can't land kayaks there), Sandy Point at Plum Island, the Ipswich River, and a vast portion of the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. It's a popular put-in after Labor Day but we are not meeting there. Quote I think I found the correct beach https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZS97ivcWWh7b6cCRA Yes, the above is the correct beach, Pavillion Beach at Stacy Boulevard on the outer Gloucester harbor waterfront. There are porta-potties at the put-in. Unfortunately they're often a mess. As for parking, free parking is available at the put-in for 10-12 cars. Abundant free parking that requires a short walk back to the put-in is available on both sides of Western Avenue and on the right-hand side of Stacy Boulevard. Here are some driving tips. The first right off the first rotary in Gloucester, the most common route to Pavillion, puts you on Washington Street which is often clogged with traffic. If that's the case, take the third right off the rotary, then take the almost immediate right onto Poplar Street at the Cape Ann Museum green. Follow Poplar to where it meets Maplewood Avenue. You are now in one of the many hearts of the real Gloucester. Take a right onto Maplewood Avenue and follow it past MacDonalds and over the train tracks. At the three-way intersection marked with a green can navigation buoy, take a soft right onto Prospect Street, not the hard right onto Railroad Avenue. Follow Prospect to a Dunkin' Donuts on the left. At Dunkin's, take a left to reconnect to Washington Street. Follow Washington until you see in front of you Joan of Arc astride a horse and brandishing a sword. Bear right at the statue and proceed about 1/8 mile to the harbor. You could throw a rock onto Pavillion Beach from here if you have a good arm, but you can only turn right here, away from Pavilliion. This is Western Avenue. If the bridge is open about 1/4 mile ahead, be ready to wait 5-10 minutes on Western Avenue with your ignition off. Lean on your horn while waiting here and someone is likely to give you the finger or worse. Once the bridge opens and traffic starts moving again, make the next move only at your discretion: make a U-turn to reverse direction onto Stacy Boulevard so you can double back to the put in. If you don't want to risk the U-turn (pedestrians, bicyclists, traffic, police, blind spots) pass over the Cut Bridge, proceed about 200 yards, then use the traffic triangle on the right to reverse direction, recross the bridge, and make your way back to the put-in. This is not as complicated as it may seem on paper. But it's not uncommon for the bridge to be up. If you want to avoid all of the above, take the Essex/West Gloucester/Route 133 East exit off route 128 several miles before you get to Gloucester. Take a right at the bottom of the exit ramp then follow 133 East all the way to Stacy Boulevard. After you pass The Causeway restaurant, White Oak Farms and the movie theatre on the right, and the marinas on your left, you come to the end of 133 at Stacy Boulevard. Take a left onto the Boulevard, pray that the aforementioned bridge isn't up, and drive to Pavillion Beach on your right. Edited August 19, 2024Aug 19 by Bolonsky Adam directions, images, typos
August 12, 2024Aug 12 By golly, I think I've now figured out where we voted to MEET at 1:00 PM on August 21, 2024. Google Street View of the Put-In. https://maps.app.goo.gl/1eWQAaQUDA6H4jHt8 Google Navigation link to the Put-In (not just the Beach). https://maps.app.goo.gl/kU3zCQ5DTrNB6S6d8
August 13, 2024Aug 13 Author I'm glad you got it sorted, Bill. I look forward to meeting you next Wednesday, the 21st.
August 13, 2024Aug 13 Is this paddle indeed starting at 1 pm?! If so, I'm out. When I’ve organized Pavilion Beach paddles, we've gotten early start so parking isn't an issue. If it's a nice day, parking midday could be a challenge… So pease confirm start time, and if it is indeed 1 pm, I regretfully bow out. Prudence
August 13, 2024Aug 13 Author Yes, we're leaving at 1:00 p.m. Having grown up in Gloucester, I know plenty of nearby places, if necessary, where we can park. Edited August 13, 2024Aug 13 by Bolonsky Adam update
August 17, 2024Aug 17 On 8/13/2024 at 8:54 AM, Bolonsky Adam said: Having grown up in Gloucester, I know plenty of nearby places, if necessary, where we can park. Adam - for those that have not been there in years or have never been can you share alternate places to park if the nearby street parking is full - either in this post of a group pm? Planning on an early arrival but don't want to be driving around for an hour looking for a spot to park. Weather is looking good which could result in a lot of beach goers.
August 17, 2024Aug 17 Author Alternative parking spots include a short walk back to the beach. I plan on arriving early to keep on eye on gear anyone drops off at the beach before parking. Details: Parking along Stacy Boulevard is available as far west as the entrance to Stage Fort Park on the left (Hough Street). Park along this stretch and it's a nice walk from the Avis Murry tennis courts back to Pavillion Beach - 10 minutes, maybe. There's also Prospect and Washington Streets. Alternatively: Gemmellaro Ciaramitaro Playground (the playground at Fort Point overlooking the Greasy Pole) off Fort Square Street. First right after the Beauport Hotel on Commercial Street St. Peter's Square at the intersection of Rogers and Commercial Streets city lot at 102 Rogers St. I4-C2 cit lot at 65 Rogers St. Middle Street off Washington Street or make a donation to park in this church lot on Washington Street Drop off your gear with me at Pavillion then try both sides of Western Avenue as far as the cut bridge. If necessary, follow Western Avenue (Route 127) as far as the Stage Fort Park entrance on the left (Hough Avenue). Then turn around and double back along Stacy Boulevard. You'll likely find something. Pavillion Beach is not much of a tourist beach. It's used by locals, mostly. I've never had a problem parking there. Any of the places mentioned above other than Stacy Boulevard and Western Avenue will cost you a little money but will give you a chance to walk around downtown. Cape Ann Olive Oil Company has a wide variety of olive oiIs you can buy or or sample. If you enjoy vintage clothing, try Bananas. I bought my senior prom tuxedo there in 1978. If you want pick up lunch, try Virgilio's (29 Main St) or Cafe Bishko (51 Main St). I like the St. Joseph's sandwich at Virgilio's. If you're a vegan, back away...and climb back into that Prius of yours and go take a yoga class somewhere... Edited August 18, 2024Aug 18 by Bolonsky Adam links, typos
