Framingham Open Space and Recreation Plan Framingham, MA July 2008 Framingham 2008 Open Space and Recreation Plan DRAFT 07/15/2008 Page i - 1 Framingham Open Space and Recreation Plan Framingham, MA July 2008 Prepared by the Open Space and Recreation Planning Committee, Department of Parks and Recreation, and Department of Community and Economic Development Special thanks go to all the residents who responded to the survey or provided comments and suggestions at public forums or meetings; your thoughtful comments are reflected in this plan. The Open Space and Recreation Planning Committee members were: • Thomas Branham, Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee • Karen Dempsey, Disability Commission • Dennis Giombetti, Board of Selectmen • George C. Harrington, Agricultural Commission • Pam Helinek, Conservation Commission • Dan Jones, Parks and Recreation Commission • Mark Lamkin, Resident At-large • Andy Limeri, School Committee • Tom Mahoney, Planning Board • Bob Moore, Resident At-Large • Chris Walsh, Historic District Commission Staff Support was provided by: • Jennifer Steel, Conservation Commission • Michele Grzenda, Conservation Commission • Geoff Kovar, Department of Public Works, Engineering • Stephanie McNulty, Conservation Intern • Trisha Powell, Parks and Recreation • Bryan Taberner, Community and Economic Development • Eugene Kennedy, Community and Economic Development • Stephen Wallace, Community and Economic Development Framingham 2008 Open Space and Recreation Plan DRAFT 07/15/2008 Page i - 2 Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS..............................................................................................................3 CHAPTER 1: PLAN SUMMARY.................................................................................................6 A. Purpose ......................................................................................................................6 B. Process ......................................................................................................................6 C. Goals..........................................................................................................................6 D. Implementation...........................................................................................................6 E. Highlights of the Action Plan ......................................................................................7 CHAPTER 2: INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................8 A. Introduction to the 2008 Plan .....................................................................................8 B. Statement of Purpose.................................................................................................8 C. Vision for Framingham ...............................................................................................8 D. Open Space and Recreation Committee....................................................................9 E. Public Participation and Input.....................................................................................9 CHAPTER 3: COMMUNITY SETTING: A CULTURAL INVENTORY......................................11 A. History of the Community .........................................................................................11 B. Growth and Development Patterns ..........................................................................13 C. Regional Context......................................................................................................14 D. Local Context ...........................................................................................................15 E. Population and Housing Characteristics ..................................................................15 F. Framingham’s “Gray Infrastructure”..........................................................................18 G. Framingham’s “Green Infrastructure” (Environmental Resources Used by Residents).....................................................................................................................22 H. Framingham’s Unique Cultural Resources...............................................................26 I. Framingham's Regulatory and Planning Framework.................................................31 CHAPTER 4: ENVIRONMENTAL INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS............................................37 A. Landscape Character ...............................................................................................37 B. Geology, Soils, and Topography ..............................................................................37 C. Water Resources .....................................................................................................38 D. Common and Rare Habitats: Vegetation and Associated Wildlife ...........................43 White Pine – Oak Forest...............................................................................................43 Oak-Hickory Forest.......................................................................................................44 Cultural Grassland ........................................................................................................45 Red Maple Swamp........................................................................................................45 Deep Emergent Marsh..................................................................................................45 Woodland Vernal Pool ..................................................................................................46 E. Wildlife and Fisheries ...............................................................................................47 F. Environmental Problems: Impacts of Development..................................................50 CHAPTER 5: INVENTORY OF LANDS OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION INTEREST ..................................................................................................................................................56 Framingham 2008 Open Space and Recreation Plan DRAFT 07/15/2008 Page i - 3 A. Overview...................................................................................................................56 B. Protected Open Space .............................................................................................58 C. Protected Active Recreation Land............................................................................66 D. Unprotected Open Space.........................................................................................68 E. Unprotected Active Recreation Land........................................................................71 F. Priority Parcels for Protection ...................................................................................72 CHAPTER 6: COMMUNITY GOALS ........................................................................................75 CHAPTER 7: ANALYSIS OF NEED .........................................................................................79 A. Selection of What Has Been Accomplished from the 2003 Plan..............................79 B. What Remains to be Done from 2003 Plan..............................................................79 C. Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan...............................................80 D. Environmental / Resource Protection Needs -- From Chapter 4..............................81 E. Community’s Needs -- From Chapter 6....................................................................81 F. Board/Commission/Committee Priorities..................................................................81 G. A Focus on Implementation and Funding ................................................................82 H. Compilation of Needs...............................................................................................83 CHAPTER 8: GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ...............................................................................85 CHAPTER 9: THE FIVE-YEAR ACTION PLAN .......................................................................86 A. Introduction...............................................................................................................86 B. Highlights of the Action Plan ....................................................................................86 C. The Five-Year Action Plan .......................................................................................89 CHAPTER 10: PUBLIC COMMENT .........................................................................................95 CHAPTER 11: REFERENCES ..............................................................................................101 APPENDIX A ..........................................................................................................................103 APPENDIX B ..........................................................................................................................104 2008 WINTER PROGRAMS.......................................................................................110 APPENDICES A. Conservation Commission Programs B. Parks and Recreation Programs C. Public Surveys (English, Portugese, and Spanish) D. Summary of Framingham’s ADA Self-Evaluation & Transition Plan MAPS 1. Trails 2. Unique Cultural Features 3. Zoning 4. Land Use 5. Physical Limitations to Development 6. Water Resources Framingham 2008 Open Space and Recreation Plan DRAFT 07/15/2008 Page i - 4 7. Protected and Unprotected Recreation