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Date: 11/15/2023
LONGMEADOW — There are two conservation projects in the early stages in Longmeadow. Both projects were approved by the Conservation Commission on Nov. 8, said Longmeadow Tree Warden and Conservation Agent Leah Grigorov.
The Conservation Commission has requested $321,650 in community preservation funding to redesign the Riverfront Conservation Area off Anthony Road, adjacent to the Pioneer Valley Yacht Club. Grigorov said plans for the redesign, completed with funding in phase one of the project, include removing dead or unhealthy trees, invasive species and choking vines. Healthy trees and “mitigation plantings” would be put in their place, she said. A formal walking loop and parking area would be added, and there would be some form of security to avoid damage or vandalism.
The funding request is for phase three of the project, which involves seeking quotes for the work. Phase 2, which was funded but not yet begun, relates to securing permits for the work.
While Grigorov could not give a time line for the project, she said the Community Preservation Committee will vote in the spring on the funding requests it has received, after which they will go to Town Meeting in May for voter approval. The permitting is a 6- to 8-month process, after which it is valid for three years, so the project should be completed within that time.
The second project that the Conservation Commission approved earlier this month is the Meadows Area Redevelopment. This project would begin with a survey of the trails in the Fannie Stebbins Memorial Wildlife Refuge, locally known as The Meadows. Grigorov said there may be areas that need steps or a “bog bridge.” She added that the project would also be looking at creating small accessible trails that have turnarounds large enough to accommodate a wheelchair. She noted there is already a parking area that is compliant with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.
While the Conservation Commission is still gathering quotes for the redevelopment of the trails, she said the town has received a $26,000 quote from The Conway School of Landscape Design. A funding request for the construction phase of the project would come next year, but Grigorov said local Scouts often donate their time to projects such as these as part of their Eagle Scout projects.