TOWN OF CONWAY OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION PLAN 2013-2020 Photo credit: Michele Turre. South River – Slow and Shallow in June Prepared by: CONWAY OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION PLAN UPDATE COMMITTEE AND FRANKLIN REGIONAL COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS PLANNING DEPARTMENT TOWN OF CONWAY 2013 OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION PLAN Prepared by: CONWAY OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION PLAN UPDATE COMMITTEE Rick Bean, Select Board Tami Borton, Open Space Committee Carol Kurkolonis, Parks, Recreation and Trail Committee Diane Poland, Planning Board Bruton Strange, Conservation Commission Michele Turre, Friends of the South River and FRANKLIN REGIONAL COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS PLANNING DEPARTMENT Peggy Sloan, Planning Director Kimberly Noake MacPhee, Land Use and Natural Resources Program Manager Alyssa Larose, Land Use Planner Mary Praus, Land Use Planner Ryan Clary, Senior GIS Specialist This project was funded by a Conservation Assistance for Small Communities Grant provided by the Massachusetts Division of Conservation Services Table of Contents Section 1: Plan Summary .................................................................................. 1-1 Section 2: Introduction ...................................................................................... 2-1 A. Statement of Purpose .......................................................................... 2-1 B. Planning Process and Public Participation .......................................... 2-1 Section 3: Community Setting .......................................................................... 3-1 A. Regional Context................................................................................ 3-1 B. History of the Community 1767-1900’s ............................................ 3-4 C. Population Characteristics .................................................................. 3-5 D. Growth and Development Patterns .................................................. 3-11 Section 4: Environmental Inventory and Analysis ......................................... 4-1 A. Ecosystems and Mapping .................................................................. 4-1 B. Soils, Geology, and Topography ....................................................... 4-3 C. Landscape Character .......................................................................... 4-7 D. Water Resources ................................................................................ 4-8 E. Vegetation......................................................................................... 4-17 F. Fisheries and Wildlife ....................................................................... 4-22 G. Scenic Resources and Unique Environments ................................... 4-24 H. Environmental Problems .................................................................. 4-28 Section 5: Inventory of Lands of Conservation and Recreation Interest ..... 5-1 A. Private Lands...................................................................................... 5-4 B. Public Lands ....................................................................................... 5-8 C. Nonprofit and Utilities Parcels ......................................................... 5-13 D. Opportunities for Funding Open Space & Conservation Projects in Conway .......................................................................... 5-15 E. Criteria for Open Space Protection................................................... 5-17 Section 6: Community Goals ............................................................................ 6-1 A. Description of Process ....................................................................... 6-1 B. Statement of Open Space and Recreation Goals ................................ 6-2 C. Vision Statement ................................................................................ 6-2 Section 7: Analysis of Needs .............................................................................. 7-1 A. Summary of Natural Resource Protection Needs .............................. 7-1 B. Summary of Community’s Needs ...................................................... 7-3 C. Summary of Management Needs ....................................................... 7-6 D. Regional Strategies for Resource Protection ................................... 7-10 Section 8: Goals and Objectives........................................................................ 8-1 Section 9: Seven-Year Action Plan ................................................................... 9-1 Section 10: Public Comment ........................................................................... 10-1 2013 Conway Open Space and Recreation Plan • Table of Contents • Page i Section 11: References ..................................................................................... 11-1 Appendix A: Letters of Support ............................................................................. Appendix B: Meeting Sign-In Sheets and Agendas .............................................. Appendix C: Public Survey and Public Forum ..................................................... Appendix D: ADA Self-Assessment Report ........................................................... Maps Regional Context .............................................................................................. 3-20 Zoning ............................................................................................................... 3-21 Water Resources .............................................................................................. 4-33 Plant and Wildlife Habitat .............................................................................. 4-34 Soils and Geologic Features ............................................................................ 4-35 Unique Resources ............................................................................................. 4-36 Protected Open Space Inventory .................................................................... 5-21 Seven-Year Action Plan Map ............................................................................ 9-9 2013 Conway Open Space and Recreation Plan • Table of Contents • Page ii Section 1: Plan Summary The Conway Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP) coalesces the interest, effort, and motivation of community members to identify, prioritize, conserve and protect Conway’s natural, recreational, cultural and historical resources. The purpose of the OSRP is to provide a framework for land use decisions and community planning efforts that may impact valuable natural resources and the lands that contain unique historical, recreational, and scenic values. Photo credit: Ben Barnhart South Station Dam on the South River in Conway The 2013 Conway OSRP reflects the high regard Conway residents have for the forests, streams, wetlands, agricultural fields, scenic views, and significant historic and cultural resources that make the town unique. The OSRP illustrates the role that all undeveloped open spaces have in providing wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities and how appropriate economic development strategies, such as promoting agriculture and encouraging cottage industries, can help maintain the characteristics of the town that its residents cherish. An updated OSRP for Conway is critical to help ensure the quality of life that the residents of Conway now enjoy, while planning for growth that will not be in conflict with the town’s open space and recreation goals. A public survey of residents and two Public Forums gave a clear indication of the town’s open space and recreation interests and concerns. The residents of Conway highly value the town’s rural character, which encompasses both natural and cultural 2013 Conway Open Space and Recreation Plan • Section 1: Plan Summary Page 1-1 features. In this case, rural character is defined as active farms; views from the road of farm fields, woods, and stone walls; and historic structures and sites and existing recreational facilities. Main Street follows the South River as a result of Conway’s manufacturing days and the town center is on the National Register of Historic Places, adding to the town’s rural character. In addition to the rich historical heritage, scenic views from the road, and abundant and diverse natural resources, the residents are interested in protecting wildlife habitat, ensuring continued high water quality, and having an accessible and well-maintained network of trails. The 2013 OSRP contains recommended actions to help protect these valued resources and qualities. The town’s proximity to Interstate Highway 91 and the suburban sprawl of larger, valley towns make Conway vulnerable to the negative repercussions of unplanned growth. In the past, there has been an assumption that Conway’s hilly terrain and soils that have poor percolation would inherently protect the town from excess development. Development has been happening, however, along roadways and in back-lot sites as the town’s current zoning allows. This development often blocks rural views, disrupts habitat and native vegetation, and may threaten the clean water supply that the town’s residents currently enjoy. The 2013 OSRP includes recommended actions that are achievable within the jurisdiction of existing town boards and committees, and with the help of dedicated volunteers. Many of the actions involve helping the community to be informed and active in regards to its Open Space and Recreation Plan. The OSRP is meant to be useful in maintaining the balance between