Open Space and Recreation Plan Public Input Meeting

1. Open Space and Recreation PlanPublic Input Meeting Sections VI, VII, VIII Review June 4th, 2013

2. Agenda • Overview of the Open Space and Recreation Plan and process • Mary Reilly • Review of Plan Sections VI, VII, VIII • Mike Chapman, Hamilton Mehlman • Discussion of input to sections VI and VIII of the 2013 Plan • Mike Chapman, Hamilton Mehlman

3. What is the Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP)? • Inventory and Assessment of all Open Space and Recreational Parcels in a Town or City in the state • Follows a prescribed format as defined by the Mass Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs • The term “open space” includes: • Conservation Lands • Recreational Playing Fields • Parks • Bike/walking paths • Green buffers • Undeveloped land

4. Manchester Open Space Parcels

5. Purpose of the OSRP • Planning tool preservation of open spaces for conservation and recreation • Helps identify and prioritize parcels for future protection • A tool for determining CPA funding for open space • A planning aid for creating a greenway network for the region • A watershed protection planning tool – identifying parcels that may need more protection for the health of the town’s water supply • A town with an approved Open Space and Recreation Plan becomes eligible to apply for Self-Help, Urban Self-Help, Land and Water Conservation Funds, and other grant programs administered by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Division of Conservation Services.

6. Following the prescribed format, it must contain the following sections: • Plan Summary • Introduction • Community Setting • Environmental Inventory and Analysis • Inventory of Lands of Conservation and Recreation Interest • Community Vision • Analysis of Needs • Goals and Objectives • Five-Year Action Plan • Public Comments • References • Appendices Tonight’s meeting will focus on Sections VI, VII and VIII

7. Open Space and Recreation Plan • The last Manchester OSRP was done in 2004/2005 but never officially approved by the state • The OSRP is being updated for 2013 • Committees formed of interested residents and members of town committees, meetings held • Analysis of Needs Input for 2013 • Online survey 137 respondents • Review and Update of Entire Plan

8. Goal Of This Meeting • Review Sections of the Plan to Provide Context • VI: Community Vision (2004) • VII: Analysis of Needs (2013) • VIII: Goals and Objectives (2004) • Provide input to sections VI and VIII of the 2013 Plan • VI: Community Vision • VIII: Goals and Objectives

9. VI. Community Vision2004 Plan • By and large, the goals of Manchester’s residents have not changed dramatically over the last two decades. Generally, the most favored aspects of the Town are its beaches, harbor, parks, nature trails, salt marshes, woodlands, wetlands, and ponds. • Residents have many concerns about their local environment. Among the most often cited concerns were: • beach overcrowding • water quality concerns particularly from road salt run-off • drainage and flooding problems • loss of open space • adequacy of water supply and protection • the changing character of the Town • air quality concerns and traffic impacts • lack of adequate protections for wetlands • commercial development north of Route 128

10. VI. Community Vision2004 Plan • The consensus in Manchester favors careful, slow, managed growth centered on single family homes. The citizens expressed the need to adopt policies that balance growth with the limitations of the Town’s infrastructure and natural resources. A strong minority appears to favor no growth or minimal growth. The citizens also expressed the desire to preserve the character of Manchester as exemplified by its scale, density and the inherent charm of its diverse architecture, shops, streets, and natural and historic features, as well as to work to make the downtown more accessible and attractive and to support the vitality of local businesses . • Many favor stronger support for greater recreational opportunities and facilities accessible to all residents. Preservation and improvement priorities include the Town’s wetlands, woods, water supply, harbor, seashore areas, and downtown trees.

11. VI. Community Vision2004 Plan • There is a growing awareness of the need for neighboring communities to look at issues on a regional basis. This is evident in the Town’s desire to establish an inter-community/regional group to address issues related to water supply and protection. Additionally, in light of growth in nearby communities, there is a call for stricter zoning measures and other growth-management incentives. • Overall, there is a general desire to see that the open space and recreation goals accommodate the changes of the region while preserving the qualities that make the community special.

12. VII. Analysis of Needs2013 Plan • From data collected via the online survey of 2013 • 137 total respondents • 14 questions in the survey • The results of key questions and general conclusions follow

13. VII. Analysis of Needs2013 Plan • Question 1: How long have you lived in Manchester? • 71.33% have lived in Manchester more than 10 years • Conclusion: over 70% of respondents have lived in Manchester for more than 10 years • Question 3: Do you have school age children? • 50.85% have school age children • Conclusion: over 50% of respondents have school age children

14. VII. Analysis of Needs2013 Plan • Question 5: Are you a year round resident of Manchester? • 92.75% are year round residents • Conclusion: over 90% of respondents are year round residents • Question 6: How important is it to you to preserve Open Space in Manchester? • 81.75% Very important • Conclusion: over 80% of respondents thought preserving Open Space is Very Important

15. VII. Analysis of Needs2013 Plan • Question 7: What type of Open Space would you like to see the Town of Manchester preserve? (Check all that apply.) • 84.67% Open Space for Trails and Hiking • 76.64% Open Space for Water Supply Protection • 73.32% Open Space for Wildlife and Habitat Protection • 70.80% Open Space for Aesthetics and Scenic Resources • 64.23% Open Space for Family Recreation • 51.09% Open Space for Organized Sports • Conclusion: Over 50% of respondents would like to see Open Space preserved for specific uses. The top four uses with over 70% of respondents each were Trails and Hiking, Water Supply Protection, Wildlife & Habitat Protection, Aesthetics and Scenic Resources

16. VII. Analysis of Needs2013 Plan • Question 9: How often do you or members of your household participate in the following activities in or near Manchester? • More than 10 times per year out of 137 respondents • 119 Hiking Walking Running (87%) • 92 Swimming (67%) • 63 Road Bicycling (46%) • 54 Athletic Team Activities (39%) • 44 Informal football, baseball, soccer, etc. (32%) • 42 Organized recreation activities (aerobics, Yoga, other) (31%) • 35 Sailing (26%) • Conclusion: The most popular activities with respondents participating more than 10 times per year were: Hiking/Walking/Running, Swimming, Road Bicycling, Athletic Team Activities, Informal Athletic Activities, Organized Recreation Activities, and Sailing

17. VII. Analysis of Needs2013 Plan • Question 10: How many times a year do you frequent the following areas: • More than 6 times per year out of 136 respondents • 121 Singing Beach (89%) • 99 Masconomo Park (73%) • 92 Tuck’s Point (67%) • 48 Sweeney Park (35%) • 48 White Beach (35%) • 42 Black Beach (31%) • 43 Coach Field Playground (31%) • 30 Chebacco Woods (22%) • Conclusion: The most popular areas that respondents used more than 6 times per year were: Singling Beach, Masconomo Park, Tuck’s Point, Sweeney Park, White Beach, Black Beach, Coach Field Playground, Chebacco Woods.

18. VII. Analysis of Needs2013 Plan • Question 12: What recreational facilities do you think should be added or improved? • Times mentioned in comments, 57 respondents • 16 Athletic Fields • 9 Bicycling (road and mountain) • 8 Boating • 6 Walking/Hiking/Trails • 6 Areas for Dogs • 6 Parks/Playgrounds • 4 Rest Facilities • 4 Beaches • 3 Conservation/Wildlife/Water Quality • Conclusion: in the comments of the respondents who replied to the open-ended question about recreational facilities that should be added or improved, the following areas were mentioned most often: Athletic Fields, Bicycling, Boating, Walking/Hiking/Trails, Areas for Dogs, Parks/Playground, Rest Facilities, Beaches, Conservation/Wildlife/Water Quality

19. VIII. Goals and Objectives2004 Plan Major goals fell into the following categories: • Increase safeguards for water supply • Minimize flooding and storm damage potential, and protect water quality in streams and coastal waters • Protect important wildlife habitat • Enhance passive recreation opportunities • Promote active recreation • Promote and maintain an awareness of the aesthetic environment • Implement A.D.A. Transition Plan

20. VIII. Goals and Objectives - 2004 Plan 1. Increase safeguards for water supply

21. VIII. Goals and Objectives - 2004 Plan 2. Minimize flooding and storm damage potential and protect water quality in streams and coastal waters

22. VIII. Goals and Objectives - 2004 Plan 3. Protect important wildlife habitat

23. VIII. Goals and Objectives - 2004 Plan 4. Enhance passive recreation and nature study

24. VIII. Goals and Objectives - 2004 Plan 5. Promote active recreation

25. VIII. Goals and Objectives - 2004 Plan 6. Promote and maintain awareness of aesthetic environment

26. VIII. Goals and Objectives - 2004 Plan 7. Implementation of A.D.A. Transition Plan

27. Discussion

28. VI. Community Vision2013 Plan • Are there items in the Community Vision from the 2004 OSRP Plan that should be changed? • Are there items that should be deleted or added?

29. VIII. Goals and Objectives2013 Plan • Have some of the 2004 Goals and Objectives been achieved? • Are there 2004 Goals and Objectives that should be: • Retained? • Deleted? • Deferred?