2017 Open Space and Recreation Plan Update
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Town of Bridgewater Open Space and Recreation Plan Update 2017 Prepared for: Town of Bridgewater Prepared by: January 2018 Acknowledgements Town of Bridgewater Community and Economic Development Town Council Michael Dutton, Town Manager Andrew Delonno, Director, Community and Economic Development Lisa Sullivan, Executive Assistant, Community and Economic Development Open Space and Recreation Plan Steering Committee Tom Hall, Planning Board Carlton Hunt, Master Plan Committee Charlie Simonds, Parks and Recreation Department Superintendent Kevin Mandeville, Open Space Committee Marilyn MacDonald, Conservation Commission Kitty Doherty, Nunckatessett Greenway & Taunton Wild & Scenic River Study Committee Planning Consultants VHB Renee Guo, AICP Stephen Derdiarian, ASLA, LEED AP JM Goldson Community Preservation + Planning Jen Goldson, AICP Bridgewater Open Space and Recreation Plan Update Table of Contents Table of Contents Plan Summary ................................................................................................................................. 1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 4 Statement of Purpose ............................................................................................................. 4 The Planning Process and Public Participation ...................................................................... 4 Community Setting ......................................................................................................................... 6 Regional Context .................................................................................................................... 6 History of the community ...................................................................................................... 10 Population Characteristics .................................................................................................... 14 Growth and Development Patterns ....................................................................................... 18 Environmental Inventory and Analysis ...................................................................................... 34 Geology, Topography, and Soils .......................................................................................... 34 Landscape Character ........................................................................................................... 37 Water Resources .................................................................................................................. 39 Vegetation ............................................................................................................................ 51 Fisheries and Wildlife............................................................................................................ 54 Scenic Resources and Unique Environments ...................................................................... 57 Environmental Challenges .................................................................................................... 59 Inventory of Lands of Conservation and Recreation Interest ................................................... 63 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 63 Open Space and Recreation Inventory ................................................................................. 65 Important Open Space and Recreational Resources ........................................................... 77 i Bridgewater Open Space and Recreation Plan Update Table of Contents Community Vision ....................................................................................................................... 106 Description of Process ........................................................................................................ 106 Statement of Open Space and Recreation Goals ............................................................... 107 Analysis of Needs ....................................................................................................................... 108 Summary of Resource Protection Needs ........................................................................... 108 Summary of Community Needs .......................................................................................... 110 Management Needs, Potential Change of Use................................................................... 115 Goals and Objectives .................................................................................................................. 116 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 116 Goals and Objectives ......................................................................................................... 116 Seven-Year Action Plan .............................................................................................................. 119 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 119 Accomplishments Since the 2009 Plan .............................................................................. 119 Seven Year Action Plan ...................................................................................................... 121 Appendices ......................................................................................................................... 128 ii Bridgewater Open Space and Recreation Plan Update Table of Contents Maps Map 1 Regional Context.................................................................................................................. 7 Map 2 Town of Bridgewater Zoning Map .................................................................................... 24 Map 3 Soils and Geologic Features ............................................................................................. 36 Map 4 Water Resources ................................................................................................................ 43 Map 5 Scenic Resources and Unique Features .......................................................................... 58 Map 6 Inventory of Open Space and Recreation Land .............................................................. 76 Map 7 Action Plan ....................................................................................................................... 122 Figures Figure 1 Map of the envisioned Nunckatessett Greenway ........................................................ 10 Figure 2 Population Change by Age Group, 2000-2010 ............................................................. 15 Figure 3 Acreage Change of Farmland in Bridgewater, 1971-2013 .......................................... 19 Figure 4 Proposed Bicycle Improvements in the Downtown Community Development Master Plan ..................................................................... 29 Figure 5 Pedestrian Access in Central Square ........................................................................... 30 Figure 6 Water Consumption Change in Bridgewater, 1995-2014 ............................................ 31 Figure 7 Sub-watersheds of the Taunton River Watershed within Bridgewater ..................... 40 Figure 8 Confluence of the Town, Matfield, and Taunton Rivers in Bridgewater .................... 41 iii Bridgewater Open Space and Recreation Plan Update Table of Contents Tables Table 1 Historic Population Change in Bridgewater .................................................................. 12 Table 2 Town of Bridgewater Population Change and Projection ............................................ 14 Table 3 Bridgewater Household Income, 2000-2011 .................................................................. 16 Table 4 Bridgewater 2017 Employment and Wages by Industry .............................................. 17 Table 5 Bridgewater Population by Race/Ethnicity, 2010 .......................................................... 18 Table 6 Rare Flora Species Documented in Bridgewater .......................................................... 53 Appendices Appendix I: Open Space and Recreation Plan Community Survey Results Summary Appendix II: Recreation Needs Assessment Community Survey Results Summary Appendix III: Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance and Self-Evaluation Appendix IV: State of Water Supply Conservation Appendix V: Letters of Approval iv Bridgewater Open Space and Recreation Plan Update 2017 1 Plan Summary Plan Summary 1 The Town of Bridgewater is a suburban community with an interesting array of athletic fields, open space, and parks within its borders. The Town strives to continue providing adequate and varied recreation opportunities to its people. The Town recognizes the needs to improve and upgrade existing recreation facilities and to continue preserving valuable open space resources. This 2017 Open Space and Recreation Plan was prepared under the guidance of the Bridgewater Community & Economic Development Department and the Open Space and Recreation Plan Committee. It represents an update to the 2009 Open Space and Recreation Plan. Since the adoption of the prior Plan, the Town has embarked on a variety of initiatives to implement the recommendations set forth in that Plan. A list of accomplishments is included