MATTAPOISETT – In 1943, the 7.8 acre parcel of land on Park Street in Mattapoisett was owned by the Society of the Holy Ghost. Today, the town owns the parcel, but the future use of the land is still up in the air. 

The results of a survey presented Jan. 24 by the Holy Ghost Reuse Committee seem to demonstrate however that while Mattapoisett residents agree the grounds should be dedicated to recreation, the specifics of that usage remain divisive in some respects.  

At the committee meeting Wednesday, attendees provided a wide range of ideas and comments regarding the potential future of the Holy Ghost Grounds during a public input session.

Committee chair Mike Rosa presented the conclusions of the survey, fielded in August and September 2023 and which gauged reception to several potential future usages of the parcel. More than 550 surveys were completed, according to Rosa.

A walking loop, playground and picnic area all scored positively, with more than 50% of respondents agreeing with those potential usages and about 20% or less disagreeing with the idea.

An amphitheater, meanwhile, was received negatively by respondents. More than 50% of surveys disagreed with that use of the grounds. 

Basketball courts, a fitness trail and function hall were received positively in slim margins by respondents.

During the public input session, Park Street resident Nancy Barrett said she remembered the site’s past of clambakes and cookouts, and she wondered if a “family element” could return.

“I’m disappointed that through the years, the Holy Ghost Grounds has not been frequented and used by the people,” she said.

A clear timeline hasn’t been set for any specific future uses of the grounds. Committee member Greta Fox said “nothing has been decided yet.”

“There’s many things up on the table for this, so it’ll all depend on funding, liability, maintenance,” Fox said. “There are so many things to take into account, so this is just information gathering now.” 

The potential of a dog park and pickleball courts took up part of the discussion. On the survey, those two potential uses split the vote, with nearly an equal percentage of respondents receiving the ideas positively or negatively. Multiple speakers at the meeting identified themselves as pickleball players.

Don Bamberger said he would like to see pickleball courts, though at a distance away from houses in the area, due to the game’s noise. He proposed the site serve as host to a town recreation center.

“Emphasize people, not cars,” Bamberger said. “Emphasize getting there walking or bicycling. Make it really easy for people to get there on their feet, because it’s a really nice land, and it would be a great asset to have available to the residents of the town.”

Mattapoisett resident Bonne DeSousa suggested that the town start its plans for the Holy Ghost Grounds with what the survey revealed to be some of the least controversial ideas to respondents: a walking loop and playground.

“I simply think that the town should proceed cautiously and should proceed with a plan that will make the property useful,” DeSousa said.

Rosa said the committee will put a report together regarding the survey, public comments and next steps for the Select Board.