Lancaster Open Space & Recreation Public Forum March 22, 2009

Open Space & Recreation Committee History Mission Goals Survey Open Space & Recreation Plan Implementation Plan Grant Opportunities Public Forum

History Offshoot of the Open Space, Natural Resources and Recreation chapter in the 2007 Master Plan Will be an update to the 2000 Open Space and Recreation Plan Many groups/entities in Town have been launching individual efforts (Land Trust, Conservation Commission, Recreation Committee, Town Forest Committee, Nashua River Watershed Association, Agricultural Commission)

Mission The mission of the Open Space and Recreation Committee is to advance the goals, objectives and actions of the Town’s Open Space and Recreation Plan, and to serve as a centralizing forum of this effort.

Goals To develop a new 2009 Open Space and Recreation Plan To secure funding sources in order to implement the new Plan To advise other Town boards and committees on open space and recreation opportunities To be a voice for other Town boards and committees that share mutual interests To partner with the non-profit agencies/entities in Town in order to benefit from their offerings To promote the open space and recreational resources in the Town To improve access and usability of our resources To form a sense of Community

Survey Mailed in October 2008 to approximately 3000 households Received over 300 completed surveys 18 questions with a myriad of answers and comments Some common threads throughout the surveys

Open Space and Natural Resources Top types of resources to protect: 1.Protection of water supply 2.Protection of agricultural land for food resources and open space 3.Protection and preservation of forest lands

Open Space and Natural Resources Top actions included: 1.Promote the donation of conservation restrictions or easements by private landowners 2.Mandate the dedication of open space by developers 3.Participate in the Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) program 4.Provide explanation of the Community Preservation Act (CPA)

Open Space Protection Top areas to protect: 1.Fields along Main Street between the Town Green and AUC 2.Lancaster’s ponds, rivers and lands around them, including flood plains 3.Nashua River Greenway 4.George Hill 5.Dexter Drumlin 6.Large forested blocks, agricultural land, and wildlife corridors

Recreation Top recommendations included: 1.Expand recreational opportunities for all ages, especially for ages and Open the Community Center 3.Improve and construct more trails, bike paths, and sidewalks 4.Renovate the tennis courts 5.Create a dog park 6.Add more programs for seniors

Common Threads Protect our quality of life and our resources Develop tax base with well-planned development, but protect our open space and natural resources at the same time Do not lose the Town’s historic or cultural heritage Lancaster can be a great place for living and working Need for an energetic, proactive Committee to further the goals of the Town

Present and Future Lancaster Today Lancaster in Ten Years Rural New England town 75%61% Close to nature 48%51% Good place to raise a family 61%66%

Open Space and Recreation Plan All input/comment from the Master Plan, surveys and today’s forum will be incorporated into the updated 2009 Open Space and Recreation Plan The updated Plan will be used to create a five- year implementation plan for rolling out open space mapping, natural resource protection areas, and for expanded recreational programs The updated Plan will also allow us to apply for certain State and Federal grants for land procurement, protection and even development

Funding Opportunities Requirement for being eligible for State Self-Help grants, which can fund the purchase of land or to construct a park State funds available for outdoor recreation, for water supply protection, and for agricultural land protection Many non-profits are potential funding sources

Open Space and Recreation Committee Immediate work of maximizing open space and recreation opportunities Plan to be completed by September 2009 Five-year implementation plan begins this year

Public Forum Today’s public forum will solicit public input and comments in the following areas: Open Space and Recreation Resources – promotion, access Active Recreation – team sports, swimming, biking, ice skating Passive Recreation – walking, boating, yoga, dancing Seniors – programs, recreation Fund Raising and Volunteerism

Thank You for your Time and Interest!