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Date: 4/24/2015
WEST SPRINGFIELD – Residents of West Springfield have a chance to voice their vision for the Open Space and Recreation Plan update.
The committee tasked with the update is asking for public participation at a visioning session on April 30, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the West Springfield Senior Center.
The Open Space and Recreation Plan helps form goals and objectives for the town in regards to land use and programming and stays in place for seven years, according to Assistant Planner Tara Gehring.
The previous plan expired in July 2014, and the plan is being developed is on track to be submitted to the state by July 1.
Gehring said updating the Open Space and Recreation Plan, as required by the state, helps when it comes down to applying for grants, but it also helps shape decisions made about land usage in the coming years.
This, she said, is why public participation is crucial.
“We want as many citizens as possible to come and express their opinion on open space and recreation,” Gehring said. “People that work for the town are not going to see the same things as a kid going to a park who might want to see more swings unless we hear what they want. Public participation is really important in planning, and we want to hear as many people as possible.”
Suggestions from the previous plan include a dog park, an outdoor hockey rink, a disc golf course, more access to rivers and reducing the loss of open space to development. These broad vision statements are then turned into more specific goals and objectives in the plan that can be used to apply for grants, Gehring said.
Gehring said that she “foresees a lot of these visions staying the same.” This input will help dictate the use of open space in the future, whether it is in regards to zoning changes or parks and recreation programming.
Gehring encourages all residents, especially those who will not be able to attend to session, to complete a survey to maximize feedback for the town.
The questionnaire is available until May 31 at City Hall, West Springfield Public Library, West Springfield Senior Center or online at www.surveymonkey.com/s/WestSpringfieldOSRP.