OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION PLAN TOWN OF NORFOLK 2017 OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION PLAN FOR NORFOLK, MASSACHUSETTS Prepared for: Community Preservation Committee Prepared By: PGC Associates, Inc. 1 Toni Lane Franklin, MA 02038 (508) 533-8106
[email protected] June 2017 TABLE OF CONTENTS PLAN SUMMARY . 1 INTRODUCTION . 2 Statement of Purpose . 2 Prior Open Space Protection Efforts . 2 Planning Process and Public Participation . 2 COMMUNITY SETTING . 4 Regional Context . 4 History . 6 Population Characteristics . 8 Growth and Development Patterns . 11 ENVIRONMENTAL INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS . 17 Geology, Soils and Topography . 17 Landscape Character . 17 Water Resources . 19 Vegetation, Wildlife and Fisheries . 21 Scenic and Unique Environments . 24 Rare and Endangered Species . 26 Environmental Challenges . 29 INVENTORY OF LANDS OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION INTEREST . 30 Private Parcels . 30 Public and Non-Profit Parcels . 38 COMMUNITY VISION . 49 Description of Process . 49 Statement of Open Space and Recreation Goals . 49 . NEEDS ANALYSIS . 50 Resource Protection Needs . 50 Community Needs . 50 Management Needs . 51 OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION GOALS AND OBJECTIVES . 53 ACTION PLAN . 55 Action Plan Summary . 57 PUBLIC COMMENTS . 63 REFERENCES . 65 APPENDIX . 66 LIST OF TABLES 1 Population Growth, 1970-2013 . 8 2 Population Density, 1970-2013 . 8 3 Age, 1990-2010 . 9 4 Land Use Changes, 1971-1999, 2005 . 12 5 Rare and Threatened Species . 27 6 Protected Agricultural Land (Chapter 61A). 33 7 Protected Forestry Lands (Chapter 61) . 35 8 Perpetual Conservation Restrictions . 36 9 Temporary Conservation Restrictions . 37 10 Private Recreation Properties (Chapter 61B) . 39 11 Non-Profit Open Space . 40 12 Conservation Commission Properties . 41 13 Water Department Properties .