The water isn’t the only thing heating up midsummer in Oak Bluffs. At a Tuesday meeting of the town selectmen, residents held passionate debates about the new lifeguard force at Inkwell Beach and parking safety in the North Bluff neighborhood.

Plan to Refurbish Beach Stirs Emotion

By JEANNIE VANASCO

Thomas Wirth unrolled a map mounted on two poles and planted them in
the sand on Inkwell beach in Oak Bluffs last Thursday morning. Mr.
Wirth, who worked as the landscape architect for the PBS programs This
Old House and Victory Garden for 20 years, has drafted a design concept
for this section of waterfront, in conjunction with the Oak Bluffs
Boardwalk to Beach Task Force.

Plan to Refurbish Beach Stirs Emotion

By JEANNIE VANASCO

Thomas Wirth unrolled a map mounted on two poles and planted them in
the sand on Inkwell beach in Oak Bluffs last Thursday morning. Mr.
Wirth, who worked as the landscape architect for the PBS programs This
Old House and Victory Garden for 20 years, has drafted a design concept
for this section of waterfront, in conjunction with the Oak Bluffs
Boardwalk to Beach Task Force.

The Inkwell Beach is a symbol of pride for many Islanders,
especially African Americans, whose families have visited this stretch
of sand for generations.

The beach - which is no longer than a football field and
bookmarked on both sides by jetties - does not have the royal
vistas of Lucy Vincent or the commercial appeal of South Beach.

The Oak Bluffs parks commission on Monday reviewed draft rules for town parks and beaches that among other things would close parks at 10 p.m., prohibit flower picking and ban pets from playgrounds and baseball fields.

Authored by Nancy Phillips, chairman of the parks commission, the rules would apply to all town beaches and parks, including Ocean Park, Waban Park, Nashawena Park, Sunset Park, Veira Park, Inkwell Beach and the old pay beach.