WESTFORD CENTER — The Northern Middlesex Council of Governments presented the new Open Space and Recreation Plan to the Planning Board on May 18.
Presented by NMCOG Executive Director Jennifer Raitt and Deputy Director Kelly Lynema, the plan outlines a 10-year roadmap intended to guide the town’s conservation, recreation and environmental priorities through 2036.
The plan, titled “Where Westford Plays,” was developed through a public process led by NMCOG, town staff and the Open Space and Recreation Committee. According to Raitt, the document is designed to prioritize open space preservation, recreational improvements, policy initiatives and future funding opportunities.
Raitt said the plan reflects extensive community engagement, including interviews with residents, outreach to environmental justice populations and young people, a public survey, virtual forums and appearances at community events.
“This is essentially your road map that helps to prioritize open space and recreation projects and opportunities,” Raitt said.
The updated plan replaces the town’s previous open space plan, which expired last year. Raitt explained that having an approved plan is also necessary for eligibility for certain state grant programs and funding opportunities.
The document outlines several long-term goals for the town over the next decade, including protecting the Westford’s natural landscapes, maintaining and improving recreational assets, expanding equitable access to parks and open space, strengthening trail and multimodal connections, supporting recreation as a community gathering resource, integrating climate resilience efforts and improving communication and wayfinding.
Planning Board members largely praised the report for its depth and detail while offering several suggested revisions.
Board Vice Chair Robert Shaffer recommended adding a summary section to consolidate the extensive land inventory data in the report. He also suggested including Westford Academy in sections on volunteer partnerships, noting the school’s history of community projects.
Additionally, Shaffer raised concerns about parcel ownership information for certain Nashoba Valley Technical High School properties and suggested clarifying language related to Community Preservation Act funding references throughout the document.
The Planning Board ultimately voted unanimously to endorse the Open Space and Recreation Plan, contingent on the discussed revisions.
The plan will next move to the Select Board before being submitted to the Massachusetts Division of Conservation Services for final approval.
