Medford to Create New Open Space & Recreation Plan
First Public Meeting Wednesday, April 6
Columbus Park, pictured above during last year’s Medford Invitational baseball tournament, is one of many parks and open spaces in Medford that will be part of a seven year action plan to upgrade the city’s recreational facilities.
Mayor Michael J. McGlynn announced that the City is undertaking the preparation of a new Open Space and Recreation Plan that will present a seven-year action plan for the upgrading of various recreational facilities. The City has engaged the firm of Weston & Sampson who will work collaboratively with the Office of Community Development, the Energy and Environment Office, the Open Space Committee and the public to create a unified vision and goals for preserving and upgrading the city’s natural and physical recreational facilities. Other stakeholders to be included in identifying needs are the Historic Commission, MBELT, Historical Society, Park Board, Conservation Commission, Hormel Commission, DCR, elected officials and representatives of key municipal departments that maintain and operate facilities. The plan will allow the City to apply for state and federal grant programs to implement improvements and projects identified in the plan. As part of this effort, all parks, open space and recreational resources will be inventoried as to the condition of the facility and for handicap accessibility. Meetings will be held in order to receive public input and to present the draft plan. The first public meeting will be conducted on Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at 6 00 p.m. in the Alden Memorial Chambers at Medford City Hall. At this meeting an overview of the project and initial assessment of conditions will be presented. Public comments will be received on a variety of open space issues and needs.
The City intends to complete a Draft Open Space and Recreation Plan by June 15, 2011 to submit to the Commonwealth for its review. Your input is encouraged in the development of this important strategic plan, which seeks to identify actions that protect, preserve and enhance the vital park and open space resources that contribute greatly to the quality of life in Medford.
– Information from Lauren DiLorenzo, Director of the Office of Community Development