Magens Bay Authority Shares Mooring Plan, Hears Community Concerns at First Town Hall Since COVID

Moorings, lounge chair rentals and planned future developments were among the topics Saturday at the first town hall meeting of the Magens Bay Authority since the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted the gatherings. More than 40 people crowded under Shed 2 on a rainy, windy morning to ask questions and voice their concerns about practices they fear are geared more to attracting tourists than serving Virgin Islanders.

As if to drive home that point, just feet from the shed five rows of mostly empty lounge chairs stretched along the beach to the end of the concession building, awaiting the day’s cruise ship passengers.

“We need to remember that Magens Bay is for the people of the Virgin Islands,” said Dalma Simon, taking in the scene.

Barbara Petersen, chair of the Magens Bay Authority board, said the sustainability of the park relies on both locals and tourists, and they also must consider the feedback and concerns of the cruise ship companies. The setup is intended to save tourists time, so they’re not spending half of their two-hour excursion situating chairs, she said.

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