Open Space Committee | Town of Harvard MA

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DRAFT 2024 Open Space & Recreation Plan

Harvard's Open Space Committee has released a draft of its 2014 Open Space and Recreation Plan. The Plan has been prepared and formatted according to specifications of the Massachusetts Division of Conservation Services. It also contains the results of the survey of residents that was conducted last spring.

A PDF of the plan can be found here.

The Harvard Open Space Committee will be holding a virtual public forum on April 10, 2024 at 7:00pm to present a summary of the plan and accept public comments. Written comments may also be submitted to the Conservation Agent by email at lallard@harvard-ma.gov or dropped off at Conservation Commission’s office located at the Hildreth House, 15 Elm Street, Harvard.

For those who wish to focus on the recommendations in the plan, we encourage review of Sections 7, 8 and 9.
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The Need
Open space and recreational planning will help us preserve open space while allowing development to occur that is consistent with the character of the Town. Harvard’s open space and park system is a valued and limited resource, which has been difficult to acquire and maintain, and needs to be protected and improved upon.

The local farms, open space, and our natural resources are key elements of our rural character -- and all are irreplaceable. Currently 58% of Harvard is open space, but only a half of that is permanently protected. The character of the Town would be dramatically and permanently altered if all the unprotected open space were to be developed. We need to identify key areas for future acquisition for passive and active recreation.

The Town needs to develop a stronger open space and recreation management program. This need to incorporate region-wide solutions, where feasible, in order to meet the competing demands of the varied constituencies. Predicting the Town’s needs would help us plan for funding, but we also recognize that more efforts to supplement Town resources will be needed.

A committee, representative of the varied interests, is needed to address these issues, and to provide the Town with the information and potential resources that can support the stated goals.

The Committee
The Open Space Committee will consist of six members who are appointed to 3-year terms by the Select Board comprised of a member or designee: of the Select Board, Agricultural Commission, Conservation Commission, Harvard Conservation Trust, Parks and Recreation Commission and School Department. The Town Conservation Agent may participate as a non-voting member on an as needed basis. To ensure OSC regularly has a quorum for its meetings, there will be two members from the School Department as Committee members but only one will attend and vote at OSC meetings. The Town Conservation Agent may participate as a non-voting member on an as needed basis.

The Goals

Using the 2016 Open Space and Recreation Plan (“OSRP”) as a starting point, develop a process for prioritizing lands for open space preservation and recreational needs based on current and anticipated future demand.
Evaluate and recommend land for possible acquisition for open space and recreational use.
Advise the Town on land acquisition and open space protection by assessing the Town’s right-of-first refusal on land coming out of Chapter 61, and evaluate any surplus land or tax-default properties that may come up.
Provide guidance for future development or redevelopment of the Town’s land for passive or active recreation, which also includes open space, trails, natural features, landscape and viewshed.
Develop a capital improvement plan for the protection and development of open space and recreation.
Act as Town liaison with individuals and land protection advocacy groups working to protect open space or develop recreational facilities with the authority to apply for, negotiate, and with appropriate approvals direct Town funding for OS acquisition.
Work with Town boards to identify private/non-profit, State and Federal funding sources.
Assist in updating the Open Space & Recreation Plan when required by the State, and provide interim updates as needed.
Work with other Town Boards & Committees to implement the Goals and Objectives of the Town’s Open Space and Recreation Plan.
Identify which group is responsible for maintenance of land acquired for open space and recreational use.
Present a semi- annual report at a duly convened Select Board meeting.