Plymouth Police rarely enforce the state’s fireworks laws around the Fourth of July, but parking and road restrictions are another matter. The department has released its annual list of traffic rules for July 3 and 4. Brushing up on them now might save you money and aggravation later.
One off-limits area not mentioned in the department’s release: Stephens Field. The waterfront park has traditionally been a popular place to park on the Fourth, and its proximity to the fireworks barge in the harbor just to the north makes it an ideal viewing location. But with the $5 million Stephens Field makeover project not expected to be finished until the end of the month, people and vehicles won’t be allowed on the grounds for the Fourth this year. That could add to the crowd congestion at Pilgrim Memorial Park.
Also worth noting: Access to a section of White Horse Beach will be restricted on July 3 because of a piping plover nest.
If you’re planning on driving around town over the holiday, here’s what the police say you need to know:
July 3
Taylor Avenue will be closed to all traffic, except White Horse Beach residents. The road will be closed at White Horse Road / Rocky Hill Road and Manomet Point Road / Taylor Avenue beginning at 6 p.m. and remained closed as deemed necessary.
All side streets leading to the Priscilla Beach area will be closed to all traffic, except for residents, beginning at 6 p.m.
There will be no parking along both sides of Manomet Point Road, Highland Terrace, White Horse Road, Manomet Avenue, Old Beach Road, and Rocky Hill Road between White Horse Road and Powerhouse Road – all day.
There will be no parking on both sides of the following side streets: Brian’s Way, Lopresti Road, Vine Brook Road, Cary Road, Fair Oaks Road, Arboretum Road, Emerson Field, the Second Church, and Beaver Dam Road from State Road to Patriot’s Circle.
There will be additional parking restrictions on Melix Avenue, Cape Cod Avenue, Reed Avenue, and Strand Avenue.
Manomet Elementary School will be closed to the public all day.
July 4
There will be no overnight parking throughout the downtown area beginning at 12 a.m. This includes Court Street from Cordage Park to North Street, Main Street, Main Street Extension, and Water
Street. Any vehicle found in violation will be ticketed and towed beginning at 6 a.m.
There will be no parking on Water Street between Union and Brewster streets, the west side of Water Street between Brewster Street and Park Avenue, Carver Street, Market Street, and Summer Street from Market Street to Westerly Road all day beginning at 5 a.m.
Water Street will close between Union and Brewster Streets beginning at 6 a.m. and will remain closed until the conclusion of the fireworks. Fireworks will begin at approximately 9:30 p.m.
There will be no parking on the east side of Sandwich Street from Water Street to Stephens Field beginning at 5 a.m. This will remain in effect until after the fireworks.
There will be no parking all day on Morton Park Road and Thoreau Road.
Mark Pothier can be reached at mark@plymouthindependent.org.