Prepared under a grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs for the communities of Agawam, Chicopee, Longmeadow, South Hadley, Springfield, and West Springfield Pioneer Valley Planning Commission June 2005 CONNECTICUT RIVER RECREATION MANAGEMENT PLAN June 30, 2005 Prepared by Pioneer Valley Planning Commission Prepared under a grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs for the communities of Agawam, Chicopee, Longmeadow, South Hadley, Springfield, and West Springfield ii Acknowledgements Thank you to the following local officials and individuals, who provided assistance in developing this plan, attended planning meetings, or reviewed plan drafts: Brian Ashe, Longmeadow Board of Selectmen Ted Belsky, South Hadley Canal Committee Terry Blunt, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation John Bresnahan, Longmeadow Conservation Commission Kate Brown, Chicopee Planning Department Kathleen Casey, Managed Action Partnership, Inc. John Coughlin, sportsman Deborah Dachos, Agawam Planning Department Andrea Donlon, Connecticut River Watershed Council Richard Harris, South Hadley Planning Department Jeff Hayden, Holyoke Planning Department Jeanne Kidwell, Chicopee Community Development Department Ellie Klepacki, South Hadley Canal Committee Shemaya Laurel, Holyoke Sailing Juanita Martinez, Springfield Conservation Commission Michael McCarty, Longmeadow Parks and Recreation Department Karen Mendrala, Holyoke Planning Department Michael O’Loughlin, Springfield Park Department Shaun Phelan, Springfield Park Department Carolyn Porter, Holyoke Recreation Department Katie Stebbins, Springfield Planning Department Janice Stone, South Hadley Conservation Department Richard Werbiskis, West Springfield Planning Department PVPC Staff Credits Christopher Curtis, Project Manager Anne Capra Jessica Allan Jim Scace Shaun Hayes Matthew Delmonte Ray Centeno iii iv TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................................ 1 Purpose ...................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Area Covered by Plan ................................................................................................................................................ 1 Planning Process ........................................................................................................................................................ 1 Success Stories ........................................................................................................................................................... 1 REGIONAL RIVERFRONT RECREATION ACTION STRATEGY ................................................................................................. 3 Summary of Issues and Opportunities ....................................................................................................................... 3 Current Recreational Use ........................................................................................................................................... 3 Recommended Regional Action Strategies ................................................................................................................. 4 1. Pursue National Heritage Corridor Designation ............................................................................................. 4 2. Clean Up Combined Sewer Overflows ........................................................................................................... 4 3. Complete Construction of 21-mile Connecticut Riverwalk and Bikeway.......................................................... 5 Regional Riverfront Recreation Action Plan .............................................................................................................. 7 AGAWAM RIVERFRONT RECREATION ACTION STRATEGY .................................................................................................... 9 Summary of Issues and Opportunities ....................................................................................................................... 9 Public Access Along Connecticut Riverwalk ............................................................................................................ 10 Recommended Action Strategies.............................................................................................................................. 10 1. Pynchon Point Park Enhancements .............................................................................................................. 10 2. Fishing and Canoe Access Along Connecticut Riverwalk ............................................................................... 12 3. Agawam Bikeway Loop ............................................................................................................................... 12 4. Agawam Meadows Wildlife Area ................................................................................................................. 12 5. Develop School Street – River Road Town Park ............................................................................................ 12 Agawam Riverfront Recreation Action Plan............................................................................................................. 13 CHICOPEE RIVERFRONT RECREATION ACTION STRATEGY ............................................................................................... 17 Summary of Issues and Opportunities ..................................................................................................................... 17 Recommended Action Strategies.............................................................................................................................. 18 1. Chicopee Riverwalk and Bikeway ................................................................................................................ 18 2. Connecticut Riverwalk and Bikeway ........................................................................................................... 19 3. River Confluence Wildlife Refuge (Old Power Plant Site).............................................................................. 19 4. Informal Fishing Access to Chicopee River at Granby Road ........................................................................... 19 5. Hiking Trail along the Connecticut River Linking Chicopee to South Hadley................................................. 19 6. Riverfront Conservation Easements .............................................................................................................. 20 7. Improvements in State Boat Ramps ............................................................................................................... 20 8. Reductions in Flood Control Dike Height ....................................................................................................... 20 Chicopee Riverfront Recreation Action Plan ........................................................................................................... 20 HOLYOKE RIVERFRONT RECREATION ACTION STRATEGY ................................................................................................ 25 Summary of Issues and Opportunities ..................................................................................................................... 25 Recommended Action Strategies.............................................................................................................................. 26 1. Holyoke Canalwalk .................................................................................................................................... 26 2. Jones Ferry River Access Center .................................................................................................................... 28 3. Connecticut Riverwalk - Northern Extension ............................................................................................... 28 4. Shoreline Access Improvements ..................................................................................................................... 28 5. Log Pond Cove Wildlife Sanctuary ............................................................................................................... 29 6. Holyoke Fishway Area ................................................................................................................................. 30 7. Holyoke Riverfront Park and Connecticut Riverwalk Link ............................................................................ 30 8. Other Holyoke Riverfront Projects ................................................................................................................ 30 Holyoke Riverfront Recreation Action Plan............................................................................................................. 31 v TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued) LONGMEADOW RIVERFRONT RECREATION ACTION STRATEGY ......................................................................................... 37 Summary of Issues and Opportunities ..................................................................................................................... 37 Recommended Action Strategies.............................................................................................................................