Photo by Steve Piazza
Dexter Drumlin
Section 7. Analysis of Needs
7. A. Summary of Resource Protection Needs
Lancaster has a rich abundance of natural resources and open space that our residents value and
want to maintain. The challenge for town planners is to balance the fear of losing these
resources to developers, while meeting the need for increasing our tax base. Our residents do
not want to lose the Town’s historic and cultural heritage. The residents of Lancaster have
identified the protection of our water supply and the natural resources of the town as very
important to them.
1. The Community Workshops held as part of developing the new Master Plan,
enacted in 2007, called out the protection of open space and natural resources
as a high priority.
2. The survey conducted in 2008, responded to by over 300 Town residents, and
identified the protection of our water supply, the protection of agricultural
land, and the protection and preservation of forest lands as being the highest
priorities.
3. Finally, attendees at the Public Forum on the proposed Open Space and
Recreation Plan held March 22, 2009 confirmed these choices.
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Our community recognizes several natural resources protection needs and issues:
• Problems with quality of our surface waters
• Need to protect our aquifers and their zone of contribution so as to safeguard
groundwater quality
• Invasive species
• Fragmentation of our remaining open space and large blocks of forest land
• Conversion of agricultural land to development
• Loss of historic character and small town New England feel
• Storm water runoff and erosion
• Loss of soil biodiversity; loss of original topography, especially our hills and ridges
• Accessibility of trails and walkways and connection of trails
• Vulnerability of much of our open space for lack of permanent protection
• Separation of our wetlands from adjoining upland habitat
• Flooding, especially in the Nashua River Floodplain
• Loss of unique habitats in our community that host rare, uncommon or threatened species
• Lack of trail and walkway connection between North and South Lancaster
A combination of zoning initiatives, such as an expanded water resource protection district and
an aquatic and fisheries habitat overlay district, management practices, land protection,
mitigation methods, and stewardship initiatives will be further explored in the Goals and
Objectives section.
Photo by Pastor Cardamone
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7.B. Summary of Community’s Needs
The 2006 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP), otherwise called
MassOutdoors 2006, looks at the recreation needs of the state, breaking down areas by planning
region. Lancaster is in the Central Region. Data informing the MassOutdoors 2006 document
was gathered from many sources, including a 1995 demand survey of users and a review of 20
Open Space and Recreation Plans (OSRPs) . The major issues identified were: resource
protection, education and information about recreational resources, partnerships, funding, access,
and maintenance. The 2008 Lancaster Open Space and Recreation Survey and two Public
Forums (one is March 2009 and one in June 2010) identified the same issues. According to the
SCORP, the Central Region ranks 5 of 7 for “open space and recreation acreage” at .26 acres per
capita. Lancaster is fortunate to have plentiful open space but the majority of this acrea is
vulnerable to change of us as it is not permanent. Accessibility for person with disabilities was
ranked low in the Central Region with water-based resources and trails being the least bad. The
accessibility report done by Lancaster’s Commission on Disability confirmed these findings in
Lancaster. There is also a direct match between the 1995 demand survey results informing the
SCORP and those of Lancaster’s 2008 Open Space and Recreation survey. Walking and hiking
were ranked first with swimming and access to playgrounds and neighborhood parks ranked
high. According to the SCORP, attraction of lakes and ponds is highest in the Berkshires and the
Central Region. The ponds of Lancaster are extremely popular and residents care deeply their
long-term health and stewardship. The SCORP ranks the Central Region first in appreciation of
and use of forests. Lancaster’s Open Space and Recreation survey ranked “the protection and
preservation of our forest lands” a tied second to “the protection of agricultural lands and
viability of farming.” Several of the action items of the 2009-2016 Lancaster Open Space and
Recreation Plan relate to the sustainable use of town-owned forest land, linkage of contiguous
forest blocks, and wise stewardship of forest resources. Lancaster mirrors the findings of the
SCORP that the growth explosion of the Central Region without the corresponding set-aside of
recreation and conservation resources exacerbates both the fiscal effects to the municipalities and
inability to meet recreational needs. The proportion of funds going to the maintenance,
improvement, and addition of recreational resources in Lancaster has steadily declined for many
years. Programs that were once robust in Lancaster that “connected people to their recreational
resources” have shrunk. It is an important aim of this OSRP update to reverse that trend and
connect Lancaster (and area) residents to their open space and recreational resources. In so
doing, it is the aim to increase and better steward these resources. The SCORP identifies the
Central Region as first in the Commonwealth of the protection of drinking water supplies. The
Quabbin and Waschusett reservoirs are within our region. The SCORP demand survey results
indicated that non-motorized boating ranks high in our Central Region. The Town of Lancaster
has been collaborating with its neighbors to increase access to and use of car-top boat launches
on the Nashua River. The City of Leominster and Mass Highway recently built a boat launch
near the Lancaster town line. The Office of Fishing and Boating is building an access point
further south on the Nashua River here in Lancaster in 2011 (site planning started in 2010).
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Today’s resources are protected in Lancaster by active boards of governance, such as the
Planning Board, Conservation Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, Board of Health, the
Historical Commission and the fairly new Agricultural Commission. The Town also gets benefit
from the good work done by the Recreation Committee, the Open Space and Recreation
Committee, the DPW, the Lancaster Land Trust, and other groups such as the Friends of the
Oxbow, the Trustees of Reservations and the New England Forestry Foundation who contribute
to the acquisition, maintenance, protection, and overall well-being of our natural resources.
Additionally, several large landowners protect and conserve their working landscapes for the
benefit of agriculture, wildlife, and the scenic beauty of our town.
There are many improvements and enhancements needed to be made to the existing resources.
These break into several major categories.
Open Space and Natural Resource Needs:
The Town Master Plan calls for finding “the appropriate balance between safeguarding important
natural areas, wildlife habitat, and providing opportunities for human recreation and enjoyment
of Lancaster’s rich natural resources.” To do this, we must do several things.
1. Work with the Planning Board to revise site plan review criteria to include recreation or
open space requirements in new development projects. The Town recently approved two
new Planning Overlay Districts that will permit mixed-use developments, making it
easier for developers to achieve this goal, and strengthening the flexible development
bylaw to require more allotment of open space.
2. Develop and enhance the Town Forest by either purchasing abutting land, or putting
conservation restrictions on abutting land. Develop and implement a certified Forest
Management Plan.
3. Support the several Pond Associations in town in their efforts to preserve the quality of
these important natural resources.
4. Work to carry out the recommendations for improved water quality, quantity, and open
space and resource protection as outlined in such documents as the Nashua River
Watershed Association (NRWA) 5 Year Action Plan 2003-2007, the 2006 Environmental
Overlay Pilot Project of Lancaster completed by Comprehensive Environmental, Inc.
sponsored by a Commonwealth of Massachusetts Riverways grant, the 1995 to 2020
Vision for the NRWA document, and additional MassWildlife guidance documents.
5. Participate in the Agriculture Preservation Restriction (APR) Program and work with
landowners to explore ways to keep agriculture viable in Lancaster.
6. Promote the donation of conservation restrictions or easements by private landowners.
7. Top areas to protect in Lancaster were identified as:
a. Lancaster’s ponds and rivers and lands around them
b. Existing open fields and farmlands
c. Nashua River Greenway and Nashua River Floodplain
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d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
k.
Land around Town Forest including Ballard Hill
Bolton Flats/Pine Hill
Land around Bolton Fairgrounds and Bolton Flats
Fields along Main Street between Town Green and Atlantic Union College
George Hill
Dexter Drumlin (under protection by the Trustees of Reservations)
Land around Eagle Ridge Subdivision
Land in southwest Lancaster, near the South Meadow Pond
Recreation Needs:
Simply put, there is a need for more and better space for the town’s recreational needs. Some of
our recreation fields and resources have suffered from lack of support and repair. One example is
the tennis court in the center of town, which is no longer usable due to deterioration and neglect.
Another example is the collection of walking trails in town, all of which need to be maintained
and updated, with trail maps or marking provided to make them more usable for townspeople.
The October 2008 Lancaster Open Space and Recreation Survey of townspeople provided the
following recommendations:
1. Expand recreational opportunities for all ages.
2. Open a Community Center (rehabilitation of existing building that is behind Thayer
Library and near Town Hall).
3. Improve and construct more bike paths, trails, and sidewalks.
4. Improve access and signage to existing paths and trails and indicate difficulty level so
as more “user friendly”
5. Renovate the tennis courts.
6. Create a dog park.
7. Provide recreation opportunities, a place to go, and programming for seniors.
8. Create playgrounds and picnic areas accessible at the neighborhood level.
9. Consider transportation to recreation events and to the town beach, along with
swimming lessons.
10. Have trails for snow shoeing, cross country skiing and a place to ice skate.
11. Designate places for off road vehicles and snowmobiling.
12. Create clubs to help maintain and foster environmental stewardship.
Additional recommendations from other planning venues include:
1. Improve trails for biking, hiking, walking by clearing brush, posting signs, and
developing extensions to connect various trails.
2. Improve accessibility and ease of use of Lancaster’s open space and recreational
opportunities for the benefit of persons with disabilities.
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3. Improve and publicize Lancaster’s trail system, and develop new trails to connect the
Town Forest, the State Forest, and other conservation lands in Lancaster. Create new
trails to connect North and South Lancaster and foster a greater sense of community.
4. Provide signage and access to canoe and kayak access points to the Nashua River.
5. Develop a brochure (or a series of brochures) that showcases and explains Lancaster’s
trails, natural history, historical treasures, and paddling waterways for newcomers and
for town residents.
6. Work with non-profit landowners in Town to explore ways that their facilities can be
extended to Town residents for recreational use. The Mass Youth Soccer Association,
The Perkins School, and Camp Lowe YMCA Camp are examples of where this is
already happening.
7. Work with surrounding towns in efforts to preserve water quality, habitat, connect
regional and cross-town trails, and expansion & collaboration in senior recreational
programming events and recreation opportunities for all residents.
One specific proposal that was raised at the Open Space and Recreation Forum called for the
development of a central recreation area near the Town Green, connecting existing resources
behind the future community center that is currently being rehabilitated and the Little League
Fields, enhancing these with a walking trail. This would provide a central hub for recreation,
contribute to enhancing community spirit, and provide a campus for all different types of events
and activities for the use and enjoyment of Lancaster residents and visitors.
American with Disabilities Act compliance – The Chairman of the Lancaster Commission on
Disability, Lawrence Schultz, J.D., Ed.D., members of his commission and a representative each
from the Conservation Commission and the Recreation Committee visited jurisdictional
properties and issued an American with Disabilities accessibility report, which is in the appendix
section of this Open Space and Recreation Plan update. Accessibility for all persons,
conservation lands and recreation sites in particular, remain a challenge for the town to address.
A goal of this Open Space and Recreation Plan update will be to improve accessibility and
signage for all, which includes ADA compliance for at least a fair and representative sample of
recreation and conservation commission jurisdictional open space properties. A goal of past
Open Space and Recreation Plans (as early as 1980) is the creation of a handicapped trail, which
has never been done. Perhaps a Five-Year Action Item for this current plan update will finally
make this goal a reality. Recreation Committee meetings and Conservation Commission
meetings are held at Town Hall, which has handicapped access to the first floor. The above
referenced report includes samples of the ADA grievance procedure and public notification
requirements.
7. C. 1. Management Needs
The need for enhanced communication across the several boards and committees that
address open space and recreation needs of the Town of Lancaster was recognized in the
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planning process for the new Town Master Plan, adopted in 2007. This plan directed that
a coordinating committee be formed, with representatives from the various boards, with
the mission to “advance the goals, objectives, and actions of the Town’s Open Space and
Recreation Plan and to serve as a centralizing forum of this effort.”
Following is a partial list of current and potential future collaboration with other town
groups to address management needs:
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•
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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A staffed recreation person to coordinate programming for all ages (seniors,
children, adults and adolescents) and assist with operations planning and
maintenance, as well as grant writing and general fundraising.
Active recruitment of volunteers and volunteer coordination.
Partner with The Thayer Memorial Library, Lancaster’s cultural and intellectual
media center, to centralize and distribute information.
Educational programming activities (everything from best management practices
to protect watersheds, to natural history and summer programming, to archery and
other outdoor skills).
Created “Friends of (insert specific project or initiative)” to foster and coordinate
fundraising, public participation, and caretaking.
Invasive species management control.
American with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance and upkeep.
Clubs for ATVers, snowmobilers, and other off road enthusiasts to safeguard
trails for the safety, aesthetics, and the environment.
Joint meetings with the various town boards and committees to discuss and study
issues of mutual interest and overlap, held quarterly.
Work with town’s agricultural commission to foster and advance mutual goals
and work plans.
Work with Lancaster’s Historical Commission and Historical Society to foster
and advance mutual goals and work plans.
Twice yearly meetings with our area non-profits (educational, recreation, and
conservation organizations) to discuss good community partnership, issues of
mutual concern, and joint conservation and recreation initiatives.
Active relationship and communication with the Department of Public Works,
Fire Chief and Police Chief.
Improved mechanism of information exchange and public involvement when
Chapter 61 lands become available.
Develop and grow stewardship program as well as a management plan for all
conservation commission and other town owned open space.
Town wide collaboration on Forest Management Plan development and
implementation.
7. C. 2. Potential Change of Use
The special opportunities for potential change of land use include:
For Energy:
•
Landfill re-use off of Route 70 – convert this capped landfill to a solar generation
site allowing the Town to generate electric power for its municipal buildings and
to generate revenue from re-sale to an electricity distributor, all the while
reducing our carbon footprint and dependence on fossil fuels.
For Economic Development:
•
•
•
Development in North Lancaster – which includes new zoning for mixed-use
development (IPOD –
Integrated Planning Overlay District), and the 43D Expedited Permitting program
with four Priority Development Sites approved.
Two undeveloped sites – currently zoned as Light Industry that are being
developed by an automotive dealership and a trucking company.
Conversion of earth products removal sites for economic development,
agriculture, open space, or recreation.
For Community Facilities:
•
•
Sewer and public water supply infrastructure and capacity – particularly in North
Lancaster for economic development and in the Town Center for its idle
municipal buildings.
Town Green Building complex – conversion of three former school buildings to a
new Community Center, for town office expansion, and other office rental space.
For Recreation:
•
•
•
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Retired/old rail lines – as bike trails.
Lunenburg Road (Rt. 70) – area along this road for a bike trail to connect North
and South Lancaster
Landfill site – re-use as a solar generation site and for passive recreation along the
Nashua River (walking trail, canoe launch, picnic areas).
For Conservation and Open Space:
• Conversion of Chapter 61 land.
• Mandate of open space – through the Flexible Development zoning and the
Integrated Planning Overlay District zoning.
• Update of Open Space & Recreation Plan – to designate areas of future
acquisition for land earmarked for conservation, open space, natural resource
protection, or recreation.
• Update of FEMA maps – to identify flood zones and to protect flood-prone areas
along the Nashua River.
• Participate in the Community Preservation Act as a means of establishing a local
funding source for conservation and open space acquisition.
For Natural Resources:
• Conversion of vacant Town land for a new public water supply well.
• Expansion of Water Resource Overlay districts for public water supply protection.
• Creation of an Environmental Overlay district for water supply and wildlife
protection.
• Selective harvesting of the Town Forest and other Town-owned forested areas for
forest management and potential revenue generation.
For Housing:
• Identify areas where more compact housing can be implemented, and change
zoning laws accordingly to allow for mixed types of residential housing
(townhouses, apartments, duplexes), thus reducing footprint and creating better
walk-ability (and reducing carbon emissions) and more open space.
For Transportation:
• Intersection improvement – major re-modeling of two major intersections (Rt.
70/Old Union Turnpike, Five Corners) to improve public safety and to reduce
congestion.
Other:
• Re-development of the Devens South Post (in the future).
• Future of Brandli parcel in southwest Lancaster.
• (Demolition of the State’s Department of Capital Asset Management (DCAM)
complex near the old Industrial School for Girls on Old Common Road.
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