The Open Space and Recreation Committee reviewed the final draft of the open space plan on Tuesday night. (Photo courtesy of Greg Fitzpatrick)
WESTFIELD – On Tuesday night, the Open Space Plan and Recreation Committee reviewed the final draft of an open space plan they created.
The open space and recreation plan allows municipalities to apply for various grants in the state but they have a certain time-span for which they are eligible for grants
Communities throughout Massachusetts have the option to create a new plan every seven years and Westfield’s open space plan was set to expire this summer.
During the summer of 2017, the committee held two public sessions along with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, who is heading the effort through a District Local Technical Assistance grant.
The purpose of the public sessions was to allow residents the opportunity to brainstorm and offer opinions on what pieces of land in the city should be a part of the new open space plan.
Jay Vinskey, city planner for Westfield
City Planner Jay Vinskey went over the four separate goals that the committee has come up with for the plan, and they are:
- An abundant and safe drinking water supply for current and future generations
- Large, protected connected blocks of open space which preserve landscape character and viable wildlife habitat corridors
- An intermodal city-wide transportation network linked to the open space and recreational fabric, and which supports the community’s identity
- Recreational and open space facilities which are available and comparable for residents of all neighborhoods, ages, classes, and abilities.
According to Vinskey, the next step is to send letters of the final draft of the plan to Mayor Brian Sullivan, the Planning Board, and PVPC. After there is approval from all three parties, the plan would have to be submitted to the state. Once the state approves, the plan would be in effect and good for another seven years.
“Any recreation improvement or open space improvement fits into the framework,” said Vinskey. “It really just the goal to make policy decisions.”
