The Palmer Open Space and Recreation Plan Advisory Committee is proud to announce completion of a draft of the 2014 Open Space and Recreation Plan. Open Space and Recreation Plans are required by the Massachusetts Division of Conservation Services in order to participate in programs offered by the Commonwealth. The committee is now seeking input from town residents on the plan.
Plan requirements include community setting (regional context, history of the community, and population characteristics), an environmental inventory, an inventory of lands of conservation and recreation interest, community vision, analysis of needs, goals and objectives, and a seven-year action plan. Among other items, the plan highlights the renovation of Burleigh Park, expanding access to the four (4) rivers in town, the addition of a dog park to Chase Memorial field and increasing walking and biking trail connectivity, both within town and to surrounding towns as well.
Feedback from the community is critically important for the plan to be approved by the state and for plan to become a true “living document” that can be used by town residents to protect and utilize open space in the community. The Palmer Open Space and Recreation Plan Advisory Committee plans to spend August meeting with town officials and boards and committees to seek their input. The committee also hopes to receive feedback from town residents.
The draft of the report will be available on the Town’s website (http://www.townofpalmer.com) through September 1, 2014. On Tuesday September 2, 2014, the committee will hold a public meeting to present the plan to residents. Angela Panaccione, Town of Palmer’s Conservation Agent and Open Space and Recreation Plan Advisory Committee Coordinator will give a presentation to residents about the purposes and benefits of creating an open space and recreation plan. The meeting will occur at 7PM in Meeting Room #1, of the Town Administration Building located at 4417 Main Street, Palmer MA.
Residents may also provide email comments to conservation@townofpalmer.com. Written comments may also be mailed to the Palmer Open Space Preservation Committee, Town Administration Building, 4417 Main Street, Palmer MA 01069.
Public comments will be incorporated into the draft that will be sent to the Commonwealth for approval.
