Town of Dedham Open Space & Recreation Plan August 2010 Town of Dedham Open Space & Recreation Plan Open Space and Recreation Committee Marie‐Louise Kehoe, Chairperson Jonathan Briggs Kevin Flaherty Joanna Hamblin Michael Podolski Advisory Members Christopher J. Ryan, Town Planner Virginia LeClair, Environmental Coordinator Robert Stanley, Assistant Park and Recreation Coordinator Steve MacAusland Polly Pierce Peter Smith Consulting Assistance by: Juliet Walker and Sue Brown, Taintor & Associates, Inc. August 2010 ii Open Space & Recreation Plan 2010 Table of Contents Section 1 - Plan Summary ........................................................................................................................1 Section 2 - Introduction ............................................................................................................................5 Statement of Purpose.........................................................................................................................5 The Planning Process and Public Participation.............................................................................5 Section 3 – Community Setting ..............................................................................................................7 Regional Context................................................................................................................................7 History of the Community ...............................................................................................................8 Population Characteristics..............................................................................................................10 Growth and Development Patterns ..............................................................................................16 Map 1: Regional Context........................................................................................................................23 Map 2: Population ...................................................................................................................................25 Map 3: Zoning ..........................................................................................................................................27 Section 4 - Environmental Inventory and Analysis ..........................................................................29 Geology, Soils and Topography ....................................................................................................29 Scenic Resources and Unique Environments...............................................................................45 Map 4: Soils ..............................................................................................................................................59 Map 5: Unique Features..........................................................................................................................61 Map 6A: Surface Waters .........................................................................................................................63 Map 6B: Groundwater ............................................................................................................................65 Section 5 - Inventory of Lands of Conservation and Recreation Interest.....................................67 Why Open Space Protection is Important....................................................................................67 How Open Space is Protected........................................................................................................68 Public and Non-Profit Land ...........................................................................................................69 Private Land......................................................................................................................................78 Equitable Access to Open Space ....................................................................................................81 Map 7: Open Space Inventory...............................................................................................................83 Section 6 - Community Vision ..............................................................................................................85 Description of Process .....................................................................................................................85 Statement of Open Space and Recreation Goals..........................................................................85 Section 7 – Analysis of Needs ...............................................................................................................87 Summary of Resource Protection Needs ......................................................................................87 Summary of Community’s Needs.................................................................................................90 Management Needs.........................................................................................................................99 Case Studies....................................................................................................................................104 i Open Space & Recreation Plan 2010 Section 8 Goals and Objectives ..........................................................................................................111 Natural Resource Protection, Stewardship, Restoration & Enhancement.............................111 Recreation Area Planning and Maintenance..............................................................................111 Land Acquisition, Funding, and Management..........................................................................112 Section 9 Seven-Year Action Plan ......................................................................................................113 Natural Resource Protection, Stewardship, Restoration & Enhancement.............................113 Recreation Area Planning and Maintenance..............................................................................117 Land Acquisition, Funding, and Management..........................................................................120 Map 8: Action Plan ................................................................................................................................123 Section 10 Public Comments...............................................................................................................125 Section 11 References and Resources ................................................................................................143 Section 504 Accessibility Report.........................................................................................................147 Part 1: Administrative Requirements..........................................................................................147 Part 2: Program Accessibility .......................................................................................................161 Part 3: Employment Practices.......................................................................................................173 Appendices .................................................................................................................................................a Appendix 1: Massachusetts Grants and Funding Sources for Open Space and Recreation Projects .................................................................................................................... b Appendix 2: Inventory of Public Open Space Properties.............................................................e Appendix 3: Inventory of Private Open Space Properties (Protected or Restricted)................................................................................................................................... u Appendix 4: Town Properties with Unassigned Management / Jurisdiction ..........................z Appendix 5: Private Undeveloped Properties that Abut Existing Open Spaces...................dd Appendix 6: Notes from Public Meeting #1 January 11, 2010.................................................. hh Appendix 7: Notes from Public Meetings 2 and 3 ....................................................................... ll ii Section 1 - Plan Summary This Plan continues the ongoing efforts by the Town of Dedham to enhance and protect its natural areas and to provide and maintain accessible parks and recreational areas for the enjoyment of its residents and visitors. The previous Open Space and Recreation Plan was approved by the Massachusetts Division of Conservation Services in 2004 and subsequently qualified for town equivalency to the Open Space and Resource Protection Planning requirements of Executive Order 418. In 2009, voters at Town Meeting recognized the necessity of updating the Plan to re‐assess the Town’s open space priorities and to identify new opportunities for protecting the Town’s remaining natural areas and improving its recreational facilities. Town Meeting re‐ authorized the creation of an Open Space Committee to guide the update process and appropriated funding for consultant services. A plan’s success is most effectively measured by how much of it is implemented. Between 2004 and today, the Town of Dedham has completed the following actions to support protection and management of the Town’s open spaces and natural resources: The Mother Brook Community Group has been leading a revitalization initiative