OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION PLAN TOWN OF NATICK 2012 TOWN OF NATICK OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION PLAN 2012 UPDATE Board of Selectmen Open Space Advisory Committee Paul R. Joseph, Chairman Martin Kessel, Chair Carol A. Gloff, Vice Chair Michael Linehan, Vice-Chair Charles M. Hughes, Clerk David Coffey, Clerk Nicholas S. Mabardy George Bain, Conservation Commission Joshua Ostroff Representative (until 2012) Pat Conaway (until 2012) Terri Evans, Planning Board Representative David Ordway, Recreation and Parks Commission Representative (until 2012) Margie Brenner (from 2012) Mark St. Hilaire, Recreation and Parks Commission Representative (from 2012) Doug Shepard, Conservation Commission Representative (from 2012) Prepared by: Open Space Advisory Committee With assistance from: PGC Associates, Inc. 1 Toni Lane Franklin, MA 02038 (508) 533-8106 [email protected] www.pgcassociates.com Cover photo: Entry to Pegan Cove ACKNOWLEGEMENTS Many Town of Natick boards, commissions and departments participated in supplying and/or reviewing information that went into the preparation of this report. These include, in particular: Board of Selectmen Conservation Commission Recreation and Parks Commission Planning Board Board of Assessors GIS Division, Department of Public Works Community Development Department A special acknowledgement is due to the residents of Natick who attended and participated in the public forums and/or otherwise provided valuable comments and assistance. 12/3/12 ii TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION 1 - PLAN SUMMARY ...................................................................... 1 SECTION 2 - INTRODUCTION ...................................................................... 3 A. Statement of Purpose 3 B. Planning Process and Public Participation 4 SECTION 3 - COMMUNITY SETTING ........................................................... 7 A. Regional Context 7 B. Natick’s History 9 C. Population Characteristics 11 D. Growth and Development Patterns 15 SECTION 4 - ENVIRONMENTAL INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS .......... 23 A. Geology, Soils and Topography 23 B. Landscape Character 27 C. Water Resources 29 D. Vegetation 34 E. Fisheries and Wildlife 39 F. Scenic Resources and Unique Environments 45 G. Environmental Challenges 48 SECTION 5 - INVENTORY OF LANDS OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION INTEREST ............................................. 53 A. Introduction 53 B. Protected and Recreational Open Space 53 C. Other Public Lands 54 D. Other Private Lands 54 SECTION 6 – COMMUNITY VISION ........................................................... 77 A. Description of Process 77 B. Statement of Open Space and Recreation Goals 77 SECTION 7 – ANALYSIS OF NEEDS ........................................................... 78 A. Summary of Resource Protection Needs 78 B. Summary of Community’s Needs 79 C. Management Needs 81 SECTION 8 – OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ................................................................... 83 SECTION 9: ACTION PLAN ......................................................................... 85 SECTION 10: PUBLIC COMMENTS ............................................................. 97 SECTION 11: REFERENCES ....................................................................... 104 iii Appendix A: Accomplishments Since 2002 Plan .............................................. 107 Appendix B: Community Input ......................................................................... 116 Appendix C: ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan .................................... 124 Appendix D: Field Use Data ............................................................................. 173 LIST OF TABLES 1 Population Growth, 1990-2010 . 11 2 Ethnicity, 2000 and 2009. 12 3 Current and Projected Population by Age Cohort . .. 13 4 Income, 2000 and 2009 . 14 5 Land Use Changes, 1971-1999 . 18 6 General Soil Association . 26 7 Water Resources . 29 8 Common Wetland and Upland Species Observed in Natick . 35 9 Wildlife Species in Natick . 42 10 Vernal Pools . 43 11 Protected Public Open Space and Recreation Parcels. 56 12 Protected Private Open Space and Recreation Parcels. 66 13 Conservation Restrictions . 67 14 Chapter 61, 61A and 61B Lands . 69 15 Private Cemeteries . 70 16 Other Public Lands/Unprotected . 71 17 Other Public Lands/Tax Possession . 75 LIST OF FIGURES 1 Regional Context . 8 2 Zoning Map . 21 3 Bedrock Lithology . 24 4 General Soils Map. 25 5 Land Use . 28 6 Surface Waters . 30 7 Aquifers and Public Wells . 32 8 Zone II Areas . 33 9 BioMap . 40 10 Estimated and Priority Habitats . 41 11 Scenic and Unique Resources . 46 12 Protected and Recreational Open Space . 76 13 Action Plan Map . 96 iv SECTION 1 - PLAN SUMMARY This 2012 Open Space and Recreation Plan is an update of a previous plan completed in 2002. The plan contains the following major elements: A description of the public input utilized in developing the Plan; A demographic profile; A summary of recent and projected growth trends; An environmental description of the Town; An inventory of existing protected open space and recreation facilities; An analysis of open space and recreation needs; A statement of goals and objectives; and A seven-year action plan. This plan stresses the need for protecting water resources and other sensitive environmental lands, including priority habitat areas, as well as the need for the preservation of cultural resources. It also stresses the need for developing trails, improving recreation facilities, and addressing management needs. It recommends a combination of acquisition and regulatory measures to expand the open space and recreation inventory, protect natural resources, increase access to both passive and active recreation resources, link open space areas to promote biodiversity and maintain migratory paths for wildlife and trails for humans, and expand the range of recreation resources that are available to serve the needs of residents of all ages and diverse interests. The Community Setting section notes the regional context, history, development patterns and population growth of Natick. It notes that the 1970 population was accommodated on .13 acres per person. However, the growth between 1970 and 2000 required .64 acres person resulting in the loss of substantially more open space. Population projections to 2030 by age cohort indicate modest growth to 35,139 persons from 33,006 in the 2010 U.S. Census. The Environmental Inventory and Analysis section describes the geology, soils and topography of the Town and includes a description of landscape character and scenic resources. Major surface waters are noted and mapped along with public wells and aquifers. Priority habitat areas are also mapped and species that are endangered, threatened or of special concern are identified. The Inventory of Lands of Conservation and Recreation Interest identifies 1074 acres of protected open space and recreation land owned by the Town, State and abutting towns. Another 665 acres are protected by private, non-profit groups and an Agricultural Preservation Restriction. A total of 265 acres are in Conservation Restrictions and 90 acres are in private cemeteries for a total of 2095 acres of well-protected land. There are also 467 acres are in limited protection as Chapter 61, 61A and 61B lands (it should be noted that some of these overlap with the conservation restrictions so they cannot be added to the other figures for a total. 1 The Analysis of Needs section identified a variety of needs and priorities, Among these are the strong stewardship of natural resources, especially protection of aquifers; providing connections among open space areas; developing trails and other passive recreation facilities; improving maintenance of existing recreation facilities; and increasing communication among entities responsible for open space and recreation sites and programs. The Community Vision section describes the process used for public input that was used to develop the goals and objectives. The goals include the following: Protect Natick’s open spaces, including lakes, rivers, streams, woodlands, farms, and parks, that can be enjoyed by future generations; Provide and maintain playing fields and other recreational facilities that support the needs of the population; Preserve and protect the town’s water supply, wildlife, and other natural resources; Provide a system of walking and bicycle trails that connect our open spaces and provide a way to travel throughout the town; Seek opportunities for reclaiming previously developed sites for recreational opportunities; Increase awareness, appreciation, and use of the town’s open spaces, trails, natural resources, and recreational opportunities; and Develop and implement a management plan for open space. The Action Plan makes recommendations addressing each of the goals. It also identifies the lead agency for each action, recommends implementation mechanisms, and includes a general schedule for each item. The key recommendations are also mapped. 2 SECTION 2 - INTRODUCTION A. Statement of Purpose This is an update of Natick’s 2002 Open Space and Recreation Plan, which was written in 2002 as required by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts1 to qualify for grants. The original plan was prepared by a special Open Space Advisory Committee appointed by the Board of Selectmen for that purpose. One of the recommendations of that plan was to establish and appoint the Open Space Advisory Committee as a permanent town committee, with responsibility for ensuring the implementation