| AUTHOR: Overarching Issue #3 of 5 |
Oct. 2, 5:03 PM |
| Conservation of Open Space |
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The actions in this plan are structured to target five overarching issues as identified by the team. One of the five issues is:
3. Conservation of Open Space
As in the past a host of new changes and threats are presenting themselves. “Often referred to as “sprawl”, unplanned growth results in a decentralized and incoherent pattern of development -- that consumes large amounts of open space, overburdens existing infrastructure and resources, and damages our environment. Between 1950 and 1990, the population of Massachusetts grew by only 28% while the amount of developed land grew by 188%. Sprawl development usually results in the abandonment of our historic urban and village centers accompanied by the needless consumption of land for poorly planned development in our growing suburbs and rural communities. The negative impacts of sprawl development on our communities extends beyond the aesthetic changes but also to the quality of that life that is both alarming and often irreversible.
Metropolitan District Commission - This system was the first regional organization of public open space in the United States. It is internationally recognized as a model for multi-jurisdictional park systems and designed to encourage public appreciation of open space. Within the North Coastal Watershed are two of the largest parklands Breakheart and Rumney Marsh Reservations.
Formulating a Watershed wide Open Space plan compatible with the needs and interests of 27 communities was beyond the capabilities of the team.
Strategies Several years ago the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) and its North Shore Task Force (NSTF) sponsored a “Harvard School of Design” project to investigate the potential to create a metropolitan open space system for the Greater Boston Metropolitan region and adjoining areas of Eastern Massachusetts. The final report entitled Mass Bays Common proposed a network of large protected natural resource systems. As a natural progression from this larger effort, the NSTF commissioned a similar effort for the 15 communities in the North Shore area. The report entitled Grow Smart North Shore proposes a network of interconnected existing preservation areas, new preservation areas, riparian corridors setbacks and a harbor walk as the means to consider the needs and character of the region's resources and people; the needs of the regional ecology; address the issues of water quality and quantity; address the rich cultural heritage of the region; and create a realistic, regional open space reserve on the North Shore and Cape Ann. Several NCW team members were active in the formulation of this project and the subsequent presentations to local officials and the public. It was the consensus of the team that Grow Smart North Shore could effectively serve as the NCW comprehensive Open Space plan. Planning for growth and community preservation has been an active component of team activities.
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