OPEN SPACE PLAN 2018-2025.pdfOpen Space, Recreation &
Multi-Use Trail Plan
(2018-2025)
Open Space, Recreation, and Multi-Use Trail Plan
This plan is Northampton’s vision and blueprint for open space, recreation and multiuse trails. It is
consistent with broader city goals for quality of life, vibrant urban centers, and sustainable and resilient
community.
The plan is consistent with the Sustainable Northampton Comprehensive Plan (2008), the City’s duly
adopted comprehensive plan, and has been adopted as an additional component of that plan.
For information on related projects, visit Planning & Sustainability at www.northamptonma.gov/plan.
Plan Adopted or Endorsed by 7 City boards
Planning Board (June 14, 2018) adopted as part of the city’s comprehensive plan
Conservation Commission (June 14, 2018)
Parks and Recreation Commission (June 5, 2018)
Historical Commission (April 30, 2018)
Transportation & Parking Commission (April 11, 2018)
Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee (March 21, 2018)
Agriculture Commission (April 24, 2018)
Plan Approved by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (__________)
Staff
Wayne Feiden, FAICP, Director of Planning & Sustainability (project manager)
Sarah LaValley, Conservation, Preservation, and Land Use Planner
Carolyn Misch, AICP, Senior Land Use Planner
Ann-Marie Moggio, Director of Parks and Recreation
James Thompson, GIS Coordinator
Table of Contents
1 Plan Summary 3
2 Introduction 4
3 Community Setting 5
4 Environmental Inventory and Analysis 18
5 Conservation and Recreation Inventory 33
6 Community Vision 99
7 Analysis of Needs 100
8 Goals and Objectives 102
9 Seven-Year Action Plan 108
10 Public Comments 118
11 References 120
A ADA Self-Evaluation Report 121
1 Plan Summary
The Open Space, Recreation and Multi-Use Trail Plan is Northampton’s vision and its blueprint for using
its resources to meet the City’s open space, agriculture, conservation, multi-use trail, parks, and recreation
needs. The plan builds on extensive citizen and board participation, the city’s comprehensive plan, and
analysis of city resources.
Northampton aims to be one of the most sustainable and resilient communities in the Commonwealth
and the nation. In the context of this plan, sustainability and resilience includes protecting valuable
habitat, restoring natural systems, and creating passive and active recreation opportunities. It also means
encouraging housing and economic development in the appropriate places while avoiding sprawl. Most
importantly, we want to create opportunities for all of our residents.
Our 12 point action plan is:
. Manage conservation lands to preserve natural systems and be user friendly.
. Preserve the city’s most ecologically valuable areas.
. Open space to serve people.
. Preserve farmland.
. Support agricultural operations to ensure farmers thrive on our farmland.
. Ensure adequate land for parks and active recreation.
. Improve parks and recreation areas to serve active recreation needs.
. Maintain existing parks and recreation areas.
. Develop multi-use trails for easy public access.
. Convert unloved pavement to beloved parks.
. Honor history in the landscape.
. Improve public awareness of all of these resources.
Statement of Purpose
Northampton is blessed with an exceptional
wealth of scenic, natural, cultural, and recreational
resources. The city and our public and private
partners help us make the most of these resources.
There is unmet demand, however, for open space,
parks, recreation, and multi-use trails for public
use, health, and appreciation. We can meet these
demands by carefully husbanding and expanding
our ecological, cultural, and recreational resources.
The plan is both specific, to guide decision-making,
and flexible, to respond to new opportunities.
The City’s permanent protection and wise
stewardship of its natural, cultural, and recreational
resources are intrinsically important and essential
to the community’s quality of life, long-term
economic health, resiliency, and sustainability.
This plan meets the Open Space and Recreation
Plan requirements of the LAND/PARC Act and
is an element of the Sustainable Northampton
Comprehensive Plan. Our plan endorsers
include the primary stewards of open space,
the Conservation Commission, Agriculture
Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission,
Historical Commission, and Transportation
and Parking Commissions. The Planning Board
adopted the Plan in accordance with Massachusetts
General Laws, Chapter 41, §81D.
Participatory Planning
This plan builds on eight earlier Open Space,
Conservation and Recreation Plans, most recently
the 2011-2018 plan, and other plans, including the
Sustainable Northampton Comprehensive Plan.
The plan was developed with extensive public and
board participation. This included two formal
public workshops and one rolling field workshop,
a wikimapping interactive mapping website, and
twelve public meetings of each of the boards who
adopted or endorsed the plan.
Enhanced outreach was provided to Environmental
Justice neighborhoods for one of the public
forums.
The Office of Planning & Sustainability, the
Department of Parks and Recreation, and
other city agencies and boards are charged with
implementing the plan.
2 Introduction
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3 Community Setting
Regional Context
Northampton, Massachusetts, is 36.1 square miles
of land and water. It is approximately mid-way
between Connecticut and Vermont and between
Albany and Boston.
Northampton is within the Connecticut River
watershed, on the west side of the river. It is in the
valley between that ancient waterway and the hills
to the west. The Connecticut River floodplain has
rich, fertile soils and a deep agricultural history.
Adjacent to that floodplain is the relatively flat
glacial outwash, proglacial lake lustrian clays,
and glacial tills, which underlies much of the
historic residential, commercial, and industrial
development in downtown Northampton,
downtown Florence and the older residential
neighborhoods. Further west, the elevation rises
and the soil thins out, and with steeper hills
composed of bedrock-dominated glacial till.
The 11,000 square mile Connecticut River
Watershed is the largest river ecosystem in New
England. It spans four states, including Vermont,
New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut.
The river is Northampton’s eastern border. The
many brooks and streams that flow through
Northampton eventually find their way to the
Connecticut River.
The 410 mile long Connecticut River drops 2,400
feet from its source to the sea. The watershed is
approximately 80% forested, 12% agricultural, 3%
percent developed, and 5% wetlands and surface
waters. The Connecticut River Watershed was
designated the “Silvio O. Conte National Fish and
Wildlife Refuge” by an act of Congress in 1991,
the first refuge of its kind, encompassing an entire
watershed ecosystem. The Connecticut River also
received special attention in 1998 when it became
one of only 14 rivers in the US designated as a
National Heritage River.
Northampton’s natural neighbors are the
Connecticut River and surrounding picturesque
hills. Its political neighbors are Westhampton to
the west, Williamsburg to the north, Hatfield to
the northeast, Hadley to the east, and Easthampton
to the south.
Northampton’s primary water supply is from
surface water reservoirs in the towns of Conway,
Williamsburg, and Hatfield and groundwater
in Northampton. Much of Hatfield’s drinking
water aquifer is located in Northampton, which
Northampton regulates and protects.
Contiguous forestland land open space in
Northampton and nearby conserves water supplies,
prevents flooding, improves water quality, allows
natural migration for flora and fauna. Open
space add to the quality of life in the community
and passive and active recreation opportunities.
Northampton and its abutting communities
contains many very large forests on relatively
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pristine lands that cross political borders. These
contiguous blocks of land allow climate change
induced migrations and prevents isolating flora and
fauna.
The map of open space in a regional context shows
the open space holdings within Northampton and
the surrounding communities (from MassGIS).
Northampton has worked with Easthampton,
Williamsburg, Hatfield, and Westhampton, as
well as numerous federal, state, and non-profit
organizations on joint open space and multiuse
trail acquisitions and improvements.
Socioeconomic Context
Northampton’s lifestyle is rich in recreation,
cultural, artistic, academic, and business opportunities.
Northampton features one of the most vibrant downtown
centers in New England and was named “Number
One Best Small Arts Town in America” by author John
Villani. It was also recognized as one of the top 25 Arts
Destinations in the nation by American Style magazine.
The National Trust named it as one of the Dozen
Destinations of Distinction for Historic Preservation.
Four village centers provide focal points for residential
areas while the downtown is alive during the days and
evenings. The City offers a wide selection of retail,
services, restaurants, music and arts venues, coffee, and
hospitality, including the only municipally owned theater
in the state and the new Arts Trust facility. All of this
activity provides a perfect atmosphere for casual strolling
along the tree-lined streetscape.
RegiOnAl COnTexT
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The City also offers strong municipal programs
in education, recreation, public safety, and public
works. As the first city in the country to receive
the STAR Communities Five Star rating for
sustainability, Northampton is known for its
sustainability and resiliency efforts
Northampton’s strong and diverse economic base
consisting of a mixture of traditional machine shop
operations and newer innovative ones. It also has
a large institutional base, which includes a VA
medical center, a Cooley Dickinson Hospital, and
Smith College. It is also strongly influenced by
the nearby Amherst College, Hampshire College,
Mount Holyoke College, and the University of
Massachusetts, Amherst.
The quality of life in Northampton contributes
to its strong economic base with strong
manufacturing, technology, and service sectors.
The local labor force is diverse, well educated, and
highly skilled.
Northampton’s downtown is especially strong,
during both the day and the night. It thrived
when many similarly sized downtowns around the
US have suffered. Downtown is the cultural and
shopping hub of Hampshire County and attracts
tourists, visitors, and residents from far and near.
Main Street retail and upper floor vacancy rates
remain low, with mixed and diverse uses.
While downtown Northampton remains the most
defined urban center in the county, it has a smaller
market share of total county retail spending now
than in the past and a smaller market share of
non-restaurant/non-hospitality retail spending. Per
capita retail and restaurants sales for Northampton
are significantly above those sales for Hampshire
County and for the Springfield Metropolitan
Statistical Area.
Vibrant service, commercial, and institutional
sectors are also found in the City’s villages of
Florence, Leeds, Baystate, and Village Hill.
Florence village has an especially hearty commercial
and residential hub. It is center of business
and culture for many City residents and the
surrounding hill towns. It is one of the most livable
OPen SPACe OveRlAy On HiSTORiCAl MAP
Of nORTHAMPTOn
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places in the Pioneer Valley. Retail businesses serve
primarily local, while other commercial uses serve
a much larger market area. Florence fills a critical
economic and social niche not provided in higher
rent downtown Northampton or in highway strip
commercial areas. Florence village complements,
rather than competes, with other commercial areas.
environmental Justice
Environmental justice populations (low income
and/or minority status) are traditionally
underserved by recreation opportunities. Low-
income families tend to conglomerate in urban
areas while upper income groups exist in suburban
or rural areas. Northampton has worked to ensure
environmental justice.
Northampton environmental justice populations
are all within easy walking distance of open
space (see map below). Northampton has three
recreation areas in its urban core area, which serve
concentrations of poverty even in neighborhoods
that are not formally EJ areas. The biggest
challenge, however, is that access to open space
does not necessarily mean access to specific
culturally appropriate recreation
needs. In addition, sidewalk
availability and high traffic can
create isolation.
When planning for new parks,
recreation areas, or multiuse
paths, Northampton considers
environmental justice. Future
projects will ideally take cultural
uniqueness into account as well,
providing locations for specific
activity within open spaces.
northampton
History
For thousands of years, Native
Americans camped and fished
along the rich floodplains of the
Connecticut River in the Pioneer
Valley.
Northampton’s Puritan founders were drawn to
the area more by accounts of abundant tillable
land and ease of trade with the Native Americans
than by the religious concerns that characterized
their eastern Massachusetts brethren. In May
1653, 24 persons petitioned the General Court for
permission to plant, possess, and inhabit the land
called “Nonotuck.” Northampton was settled in
1654 on a low rise above the rich meadowlands by
the Connecticut River. Relations between settlers
and Native Americans, though initially cooperative,
became increasingly strained, culminating in King
Philip’s War in 1675.
Northampton grew as a trade and marketing center
in the 18th century. The ministry of Jonathan
Edwards, whose preaching sparked the religious
revivals of the Great Awakening in the 1740s,
quickened religious fervor. The Revolutionary War
produced heroes like General Seth Pomeroy. The
economic upheavals in the wake of the war moved
Daniel Shays and his followers into open rebellion
on the eve of the Constitutional Convention. A
delegate to the Convention, Caleb Strong became
Massachusetts’s first senator and an 11-term
governor.
Demographic Indicator In Northampton
Population 2000 28,968
Population 2010 28,549
Population 2014 (estimate)28,637
White population (2014)86.2%
Black/African American population (2014)2.9%
Asian population (2014)6.6%
Other population (2014)4.3%
Latino/Hispanic (any race) (2014)7.6%
Northamtpon workers working in Northampton 50.0%
Northampton workers commuting out of City 50.0%
Educational attainment 4 or more years of college 55.7%
Persons below poverty level 14.6
Housing units-owner occupied 56%
Housing units-renter occupied 44%
Housing with subsidies 12%
—Pioneer Valley Planning Commission “Community Profile” and “Data Portal” 2015
DeMOgRAPHiC AnD HOUSing DATA
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In the early 19th century, great hopes were raised
by the prospect of the Northampton-New
Haven Canal. The canal, however, failed after
a short time with the coming of the railroad.
Other industries grew and prospered, including
the utopian community of the Northampton
Association, which combined radical abolitionism
with a communally owned and operated silk mill.
Sojourner Truth was, at one time, a member of
that community which included William Lloyd
Garrison and Frederick Douglass among its circle
of supporters. Other reformers included Sylvester
Graham, diet and health food enthusiast and
inventor of the Graham cracker, and abolitionist
Lydia Maria Child.
19th century Northampton drew visitors like
Timothy Dwight, the Marquis de Lafayette,
Henry James, and Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Artists like Thomas Cole thought the environs
of Northampton to be the epitome of the
“picturesque,” the middle landscape between the
sordid city and wild nature.
Northampton was the site of a number of schools
and educational institutions. George Bancroft
established the Round Hill School in 1823, and
enviROnMenTAl JUSTiCe POPUlATiOnS
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Smith College opened its doors in 1871. Author
George Washington Cable founded the Home
Culture Clubs in 1892, and the Hill Institute
sponsored one of the nation’s earliest kindergartens.
The Northampton Law School sent one of its
students, Franklin Pierce, on to the Presidency.
Northampton was also the home of Calvin
Coolidge, who became President in 1923.
The 19th century diva, Jenny Lind, dubbed
Northampton “paradise of America” after a long
stay here. Ever since, Northampton has kept its
moniker, “Paradise City.”
Northampton’s streets follow, essentially, the
same paths that were laid out in the 17th century,
and there are a number of surviving 18th century
structures in Northampton. Downtown retains
much of its 19th century character. The modest
fortunes of local merchants and industrialists
financed numerous Victorian mansions and
picturesque cottages as well as the commercial
blocks in the Downtown Historic District.
Pomeroy Terrace (1850-1885) and Elm Street
(1860-1920), both located at the edge of
downtown, have Gothic Revival, Italianate, Second
Empire, Queen Anne, and Colonial Revival Styles,
part of the city’s diverse architectural heritage.
Northampton’s economy has changed significantly
since the end of World War II. The industrial
component of the economy, once the linchpin, has
receded. In its place, the commercial and service
sectors of the economy have grown.
The City’s economy was once heavily dependent on
two major institutions, the former Northampton
State Hospital and the U.S. Veterans Affairs
Medical Center. The Northampton State Hospital
closed in 1994 and the Veterans Medical Center
is now a smaller part of Northampton’s economy.
Smith College, however, has remained stable in
employment and economic importance, with
a growing physical plant. The University of
Massachusetts at Amherst, the largest employer of
Northampton residents, remains strong.
For an artist, a gourmand, a bicyclist, or a
parent, the City just might be paradise. Authors
of numerous magazine articles and books have
named Northampton one of the best places in the
country to raise children, ride bicycles, eat out
in restaurants, and make a life as an artist. While
many might quibble with Northampton’s self
embrace of “the best place” in which to raise a child
or “the best small arts town,” no one can argue that
Northampton is rich in offerings.
Population
Northampton has a population of approximately
29,000 people, with a population density of
840 people per square mile. The population has
remained stable since 1950.
With the all female Smith College, there are
significantly more college age women than men.
From ages of 25 to 65, there is approximately the
same number of men as women. After age 65,
women outnumber men, because of significantly
higher male mortality rates age 65 and over.
The Age-Sex Distribution graph, or population
pyramid, shows that Northampton, like many
regions of the country, has an aging population.
There are significantly fewer people per age range
in the ranges less than 19 years versus the ranges
between 20 and 44.
Although Northampton’s overall population has
been stable for 70 years, a dramatic decrease in
family size and the decrease in institutionalized
populations at the State Hospital and the VA
Medical Center has created a corresponding
increase in the number of households and,
therefore, the number of housing units. While this
trend exists in most US communities, it has been
especially sharp in Northampton and much of the
last 50 years of residential development.
Northampton has high migration rates of people
moving into and out of the city, but those
migrations are well balanced. College-age students
contribute to the population turnover, but there is
also a significant amount of turnover at other age
levels. This turnover contributes to the vibrancy
of Northampton and has not created any loss
of stability or residents’ commitment to their
neighborhoods.
Northampton’s unemployment is consistently
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lower than the Commonwealth as a whole, even
during the 2007-2010 Great Recession. The largest
employment sector is the service sector, which
includes health care and education, and is larger
than the statewide average. The next highest is
retail and trade, although this represents a decline
over the past decade. The percentages of people
who are self-employed, work from home, and are
part-time is larger than the state-wide average.
Half of employed Northampton residents work in
the city. Most residents who commute out of the
city commute to Amherst and Hampden County.
Northampton residents fill slightly over half of
the available jobs in Northampton (U.S. Census
Bureau, Journey-to-Work).
Over half the population lives within walking
distance of downtown or Florence village, which is
high for a small city. This population, with a wide
variety of incomes, may be the most important
factor in supporting a healthy downtown. This
population provides a base of customers for
downtown businesses and helps provide the
vibrancy that is critical to the health of downtown.
It also generates a need for a variety of housing
types and opportunities.
HiSTORiCAl PATTeRnS (1800–2010)
1900 1950
2010
1800 1850
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Development Patterns
Northampton terrain ranges from the flat Mill
River and Connecticut River floodplains to the its
western and northern hills. The hills are covered
with shallow ledge, soils, and topography poorly
suited for development. Most development in
Northampton occurred between the floodplain
and the steeper hills. Although Northampton looks
“built-out” from many of the roads, the majority of
the City’s land area has not been developed. 25%
of the city is permanent open space and additional
land has floodplains and wetlands, so the actual
developable land is significant less.
Most of the City’s historic development occurred in
a corridor along the Mill River and other level areas
of the city northeast of the Mill River. Downtown
Northampton, Bay State, Florence, and Leeds are
all located within one mile of the Historic Mill
River (in 1939 the Mill River was diverted from
downtown to control floods). Starting in the
1950s, development expended to suburban areas in
the southwestern quarter of the city
Transportation
Northampton is located in the center of the
Pioneer Valley. The Massachusetts Turnpike (I-
90) connects the region to Boston and Albany.
Interstate 91 provides access to Hartford and
Brattleboro. The principal highways are Interstate
91, US Routes 5 and 10, which run north-south,
and Interstate Route 90, which runs east-west.
Amtrak stops in Northampton once a day, soon
to increase to three times a day, in each direction,
connecting to Vermont, Springfield, New Haven,
and New York. Pan Am freight rail service is
available. Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA)
provides fixed route and para-transit service
to the region. The Franklin Transit Authority
also provides a bus service from Greenfield to
Northampton. Peter Pan provides inter-urban in all
directions.
Northampton Airport is a general aviation airport
one mile southeast of downtown Northampton. It
has a 3,506-foot by 50-foot asphalt runway. The
airport has been in operation since 1929.
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Northampton has 150+/- miles of paved streets, 15
miles of gravel streets, 70 miles of sidewalks and
crosswalks, 20 bridges, and 11 miles of multi-use
trails.
The percent of workers walking or bicycling to
work is higher than the state as a whole, but the
percent of people using transit is lower than the
state average.
Water Supply Systems
Northampton’s drinking water comes from three
surface water reservoirs outside of Northampton
and a drinking water aquifer within the city. The
system draws filtered water from the reservoirs.
Reservoir water is treated at a water treatment
plant (built in 2008) in Williamsburg. Additional
treatment comes from decentralized chlorination
and corrosion control facilities.
The City of Northampton supplies approximately
1.25 billion gallons of water to the residents per
year. On average, the City supplied 3.4 million
gallons of water each day, with a maximum peak
Area Population % of City Population
City of Northampton 28,549 100%
Live within one mile of center of downtown 11,235 39%
Live within one-half mile of center of downtown 5,674 20%
Live in or abutting Central Business District 935 3%
Live within one mile of Florence Village 5,106 18%
Live within one-half mile of Florence Village 3,327 12%
—2010 uS Census and 2015 City Census
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of 4.8 million gallons. On large water withdrawal
days, water is drawn from the two wells located
in Florence. Northampton has approximately 150
miles of water pipes, 1,200 fire hydrants, and 8,000
water meters.
The Department of Environmental Protection
Source Water Assessment Program Report reviewed
the watershed lands and aquifer protection zones.
The largest threats to the water supply identified
in the report were from residential fuel storage and
large scale commercial uses.
The Department of Public Work protects and
monitors the water supply and watershed land and
acquire additional lands to preserve current and
future water supplies.
Wastewater Systems
The Northampton Wastewater Treatment Plant
(built 1973, expanded 1998) can treat 8.6 million
gallon per day. It serves most of Northampton
and 425 people in the Williamsburg, including
institutional, commercial and industrial users. The
treatment plant was built in 1973 and expanded in
1998. Wastewater receives preliminary treatment,
primary treatment, secondary treatment, and
disinfection.
Wastewater is discharged to Connecticut River via
outfall pipe. Sludge is treated on-site and then trucked
outside of Northampton for final disposal.
The facility accepts industrial wastewater from
significant industrial and institutional users (e.g.,
Coca Cola, Cooley-Dickinson Hospital, Smith
College, and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center).
The city has 100+/- miles of sanitary sewer pipes.
Development Constraints
Geography and infrastructure systems constrain
large-scale commercial, industrial, and residential
expansion.
Upgrading and extending water and sewer
lines outside of the currently developed areas
to proposed locations for commercial or light
development may not be feasible due to the
high costs and limited available sites. Upgrades
of existing water and sewer lines may encourage
infill development for greater concentrations of
commercial, industrial, and large scale residential
uses near current village center areas.
Development Patterns
Almost all development in Northampton is located
outside of the Connecticut River floodplain.
During the last four decades, the agricultural
economy of Massachusetts has declined, resulting
in the loss of some marginal farms, both on and
off the floodplain. Northampton is seeing a
small increase in the number of small farms but a
decrease in acreage currently being farmed.
Since World War II, many rural areas have been
transformed to suburban residential development.
Commercial development has spread from the
original Northampton-Florence-Leeds corridor
to include highway commercial on King Street.
Industrial uses in the Northampton-Florence-Leeds
corridor and along the Mill River have shrunk.
The single largest industrial concentration is in the
Northampton Industrial Park.
Northampton has a strong sense of community
and place. The development pattern has been
shaped by the strength of the urban centers of
Northampton and Florence, the King Street
shopping areas, the strong character of the
residential neighborhoods. The existence of large
tracts of public and quasi-public land, including
the Northampton State Hospital/Village Hill,
Smith College, Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary,
Smith Vocational and Agricultural School, Look
Memorial Park, Northampton Reservoir watershed
lands, and the VA Medical Center has also been
influential.
Land Use Controls
Zoning and land use controls promote the City’s
economic, environmental, and social health.
Environmentally focused zoning includes:
1. Open Space Residential: Allows
predominately residential development
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to be clustered on a portion of a
property, with a majority of a site
preserved as open space.
2. Planned Village District: Creates
a mixed-use village at the former
Northampton State Hospital.
3. Special Conservancy and Watershed
Protection Districts: Protects against
flood hazards by prohibiting new
residential development in the 500-
year floodplain, while allowing
redevelopment of existing buildings
and uses.
4. Water Supply Protection District:
Protects public drinking water from
any inconsistent use or development.
5. Farms, Forests and Rivers: Allows
virtually no development. Primarily for
permanently protected open space.
Northampton has approximately 5,000 acres of
land that could, in theory, be developed.
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2005
lAnD USe: 1999
Northampton Land Use (MassGIS) 1985 Acres 1999 Acres
Non-protected Forests 12,306 11,607
Non-protected Agricultural Lands 3,385 3,176
Developed Land 1,264 1,177
Residential Land 3,414 4,236
Water/Recreational/Open land 2,478 2,652
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4 Environmental Inventory and Analysis
Topography, geology,
Soils
Topography
Northampton’s land is a three part geological story.
• The alluvial/ lacustrine floodplain, including
3,000 +/- acres of farmland along the
Connecticut River.
• Deep, flat glacial outwash and proglacial
lacustrian former lake bed, underlying much of
Baystate, Florence, and downtown.
• Rolling glacial till in Leeds and in much of
the suburban areas of the city, along with the
steeply sloping bedrock-dominated glacial till
in the hills on the north and western ends.
Elevations range from 99 feet mean sea level
(MSL) at the Connecticut River to 890 feet MSL
on the western hills. Mount Tom and Mount
Holyoke, running in a unique east-west oriented
boomerang shape, are southeast of Northampton.
These mountains define the northerly limit of the
Springfield-Chicopee-Holyoke metropolitan area
and help define Northampton and Hampshire
County.
Geology
Geologically, Northampton is the result of millions
of years of geologic history: upheavals of the
earth’s crust and volcanics and the sculpting power
of water, ice, and wind. This physical base has
determined the distribution of water bodies, soils
and vegetation and settlement patterns.
The movement of the earth’s plates have formed
mountains that generally run northerly to southerly
The pressure of mountain building folded the
earth, created faults, and produced layers of
metamorphosed rock. Collision stress also melted
large areas of rock, which cooled and hardened into
the granites that are found in the area. Preceding
the collisions, lines of volcanoes sometimes formed.
The Connecticut River Valley was one of many
smaller rifts to develop. Streams flowing into the
river from higher areas brought alluvium, including
gravels, sand, and silt. At the time, the area that
is now Northampton was located south of the
equator. The Dinosaur era had begun, and the
footprints of these giant reptiles are still visible in
the rock formed from sediments deposited on the
valley floor millions of years ago.
By the close of the Dinosaur age, eastern United
States, including Northampton, was part of a large
featureless plain, known as the peneplain. It had
been leveled through erosion, with the exception
of a few higher, resistant areas. Today, these granite
SECtION 4: ENVIRONmENtAl INVENtORY AND ANAlYSIS | 19
mountaintops, called monadnocks, are still the
high points in this region (e.g., Mt. Wachusett, Mt.
Greylock, and Mt. Monadnock).
As the peneplain eroded, the less resistant rock
eroded to form low-lying areas, while bands of
schist remained to form upland ridges. By this
time, the Connecticut Valley had been filled
with sediment while streams that would become
the Deerfield, Westfield, and Farmington Rivers
continued to meander eastward.
A long period of relative quiet in geologic terms
followed the Dinosaur era. Then, as the Rocky
Mountains were forming in the west eight million
years ago, the eastern peneplain shifted upward
a thousand feet. As a result of the new, steeper
topography, stream flow accelerated, carving deep
valleys into the plain. Today, the visible remnants
of the peneplain are the area’s schist-bearing
hilltops, all at about the same 1,000-foot elevation.
Mountain building, flowing water, and wind
roughly shaped the land. Then the great glacial
advances would shape the remaining peneplain into
its current topography. Approximately two million
years ago, accumulated snow and ice in glaciers
to the far north began advancing under their
own weight. A series of glaciations or “ice ages”
followed, eroding mountains and displacing huge
amounts of rock and sediment. The final advance,
known as the Wisconsin Glacial Period, completely
covered New England before it began to recede
about 13,000 years ago. This last glacier scoured
and polished the land into its current form, leaving
layers of soil and rock we see today.
Legend
Abundant Outcrop and Shallow Bedrock
Artificial Fill
Beach and Dune Deposits
Cranberry Bog
Salt Marsh Deposits
Swamp and Marsh Deposits
Alluvium
Valley-floor Fluvial Deposits
Alluvial Fan
Inland Dune
Marine Regressive
Stream-Terrace
Talus
Coarse
Glaciolacustrine Fine
Glaciomarine Fine
Stagnant-ice Deposits
Thick Till
Thrust Moraine
Till Overlying Sand Deposits
End Moraine Deposits
Bedrock Outcrop
Thin Till
SURfiCiAl geOlOgy
20 | SECtION 4: ENVIRONmENtAl INVENtORY AND ANAlYSIS
The glacier picked up, mixed, disintegrated,
transported, and deposited material in its retreat.
Material deposited by the ice is known as glacial
till. Material transported by water, separated by size
and deposited in layers is called stratified drift. The
glacier left gravel and sand deposits in the lowlands
and along stream terraces. Where deposits were
left along hillsides, they formed kame terraces and
eskers. Kames are short hills, ridges, or mounds of
stratified drift, and eskers are long narrow ridges or
mounds of sand, gravel, and boulders.
During the end of the last ice age, a great inland
lake , Lake Hitchcock, formed in the Connecticut
River Valley. Fed by streams melting from
the receding glacier, the lake covered an area
approximately 150 miles long and 12 miles wide,
from St. Johnsbury, Vermont to Rocky Hill,
Connecticut. Streams deposited sand and gravel in
deltas as they entered the lake, while silts and clays
were carried into deeper waters and deposited.
Soils
Soil is the layer of unconsolidated minerals and
organic material. Soil scientists classify soils by
their characteristics, including topography; physical
properties including soil structure, particle size,
stoniness, and depth of bedrock; drainage or
permeability to water, depth to the water table, and
susceptibility to flooding; behavior or engineering
properties; and biological characteristics such as
presence of organic matter and fertility. Soils are
classified and grouped into common associations,
or soil types.
The US Dept. of Agriculture Natural Resource
Conservation Service lists three generalized soil
types for Northampton:
1. Hadley-Winooski-Limerick Association:
Deep, nearly level, well-drained,
moderately well drained, and poorly
drained, loamy soils formed in alluvial
material; on floodplains, including much
of city’s Connecticut River floodplain and
most of its prime agricultural soils.
2. Hinckley-Merrimac-Windsor Association:
Deep nearly level to steep, excessively
drained and somewhat excessively drained,
sandy and loamy soils formed in outwash
deposits; on outwash plains. Includes most
of downtown Northampton and Florence
and the level to rolling terraces parallel to
the Connecticut River.
3. Charlton-Paxton-Woodbridge Association:
Deep, level to steep, well and moderately
well drained, loamy soils formed in
glacial till; on uplands. Includes much
of the residential areas of town and
Northampton’s western hills. They are
the most common upland soils found in
Massachusetts and were developed on
glacial till.
landscape Character
Northampton has a diverse and unique landscape.
The City consists of densely developed urban areas,
open farmland, forested hills, numerous streams,
wetlands, and an abundance of wildlife patches,
corridors, and matrices. The Connecticut River
floodplain contains much of the City’s prime
agricultural lands, the Meadows. The steep forested
uplands on the western part of the city cover about
one-third of the City.
water Resources
Watersheds
Northampton is rich in water resources, including
brooks, streams, ponds, vernal pools, wetlands, and
aquifers (see the Water Resources Map).
Most of the City of Northampton lies in the
Connecticut River Watershed. The Connecticut
River has a “Class B” water quality designation
from the New Hampshire-Vermont border to
Holyoke and is classified as a warm water fishery.
Class B waters should provide suitable habitat for
fish and other wildlife and should support primary
contact recreational activities such as fishing and
swimming. The water should also be suitable
for irrigation and other agricultural uses. The
classification of rivers in Massachusetts represent
the state’s goal for each river.
SECtION 4: ENVIRONmENtAl INVENtORY AND ANAlYSIS | 21
The Connecticut River still has some
contamination from PCBs, chlorine, heavy metals,
erosion, and storm water runoff. These pollutants
come from both point sources, like wastewater
treatment plants and manufacturing plants, and
non-point sources, including improperly operating
septic systems, and farm and stormwater runoff.
Although never as polluted as the section of the
river below the Holyoke Dam, the water quality
in the Connecticut River in Northampton has
improved since the Clean Water Act (1972).
Improved sewage treatment plants, expansion of
areas served by sanitary sewers, and the ending of
combined sanitary and storm water sewers (CSOs),
have combined to improve water quality in the
Connecticut River and Mill River. Northampton’s
Hockanum Road wastewater treatment plant
was upgraded to secondary treatment in the
early 1980s and currently services almost 90% of
Northampton’s population. Improving the quality
of stormwater runoff is a work in progress, with
some major success stories and much left to be
done.
Flood Hazard Areas
The 100-year floodplain (1% chance of flooding
in a given year) and 500-year floodplain (0.2%
chance of flooding in a given year) have been
mapped based on historical rainfall and flooding,
but do not take climate change into account.. The
floodplain includes floodway and flood fringe. The
floodway is the channel of a river or stream and the
adjacent land areas that must be reserved in order
to discharge the base flood without cumulatively
increasing the water elevation more than one foot.
Construction on floodways creates significant
risk to structures from flood depths and velocities
of floodwaters. Northampton zoning prohibits
SOilS
22 | SECtION 4: ENVIRONmENtAl INVENtORY AND ANAlYSIS
structures in these areas.
The flood fringe is the area of the floodplain lying
outside of the floodway but subject to periodic
inundation from flooding. Northampton’s zoning
severe limits development in the FEMA 500
year floodplain, as a surrogate for the 100 year
floodplain with climate change.
Floodplain and floodway boundaries are delineated
on FEMA’s Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs).
In Northampton, the 500-year floodplain does not
generally extend significantly beyond the 100-year
flood area. Major floods, such as those caused by
heavy rains from hurricanes, and localized spot
flooding can exceed the 100- and 500-year flood
levels. In addition, many small streams are not
mapped for their flood hazard on FEMA maps, but
are estimated in Northampton’s zoning.
Northampton can experience flooding in any part
of the City, even outside of the floodplain. With
sufficient rain, almost any area will experience
at least pockets of surface flooding or overland
flooding. Overland flooding in rural areas can
result in erosion, washouts, road damage, loss of
crops, and septic system back-ups. Heavy rain
in the more urbanized parts of the City with
extensive paved and impervious surfaces can
easily overwhelm stormwater facilities resulting
in localized flooding and basement damage.
Stormwater flooding also contributes to water
pollution by carrying silt, oil, fertilizers, pesticides,
and waste into streams, rivers, and lakes.
The following table represents existing flood
mitigation strategies in Northampton.
Wetlands
Wetlands are transitional areas where land-based
and water-based ecosystems overlap. Inland
wetlands are commonly referred to as swamps,
marshes, and bogs. Wetlands are places where the
water table is at or near the surface or the land is
wATeR ReSOURCeS
SECtION 4: ENVIRONmENtAl INVENtORY AND ANAlYSIS | 23
covered by shallow water.
Historically, wetlands were drained, filled and
“improved” for more productive uses. Over the past
century, scientists have recognized that wetlands
perform a variety of extremely important ecological
functions. They absorb runoff and prevent
flooding. Wetland vegetation stabilizes stream
banks, preventing erosion, and trap sediments that
are transported by runoff. Wetland plants absorb
nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which
would be harmful if they entered lakes, ponds,
rivers, and streams. They also absorb heavy metals
and other pollution. Wetlands are extremely
productive, providing food and habitat for fish and
wildlife. Many plants, invertebrates, amphibians,
reptiles, and fish depend on wetlands to survive.
Wetlands also have economic significance related
to their ecological functions. It is far more cost-
effective to maintain wetlands than build treatment
facilities to manage stormwater and purify drinking
water, and wetlands are essential to supporting
lucrative outdoor recreation industries including
hunting, fishing, and bird-watching.
The Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act is
designed to protect eight “interests” related to
their function: public and private water supply,
ground water supply, flood control, storm
damage of pollution, and protection of land
containing shellfish, fisheries, and wildlife habitat.
The law defines and protects wetland resource
areas, including banks of rivers, lakes, ponds, and
streams; wetlands bordering the banks; land under
rivers, lakes, and ponds; land subject to flooding;
and riverfront areas within 200 feet of any stream
that runs all year. The Northampton Conservation
Commission administers both the state Wetlands
Protection Act and the Northampton Wetlands
Protection Ordinance.
Many, but certainly not all, of Northampton’s
wetlands are mapped by the National Wetlands
Inventory and local supplemental data extracted
from wetlands protection filings (see the Water
Resources Map).
Vernal Pools
Vernal pools are temporary bodies of fresh water
that provide critical breeding habitat for many
vertebrate and invertebrate wildlife species. They
are defined as “basin depressions where water
is confined and persists for at least two months
during the spring and early summer of most years,
and where reproducing populations of fish do not
survive.” Vernal pools may be very shallow, holding
only five or six inches of water, or they may be
quite deep. They range in size from fewer than
100 square feet to several acres (Natural Heritage
& Endangered Species Program, Massachusetts
Division of Fisheries & Wildlife, Massachusetts
Aerial Photo Survey of Potential Vernal Pools, Spring
2001). Vernal pools are found across the landscape,
anywhere that small woodland depressions, swales,
or kettle holes collect spring runoff or intercept
seasonal high groundwater and along rivers in
the floodplain. Many species of amphibians and
vertebrates are completely dependent on vernal
pools to reproduce. Loss of vernal pools can
endanger entire populations of these species.
The state’s Natural Heritage and Endangered
Species Program (NHESP) has predicted the
location of vernal pools statewide based on
interpretation of aerial photographs. This probably
misses smaller pools. The NHESP has identified
approximately 60 potential vernal pools throughout
Northampton with several clusters especially in the
northwestern part of town. According to NHESP,
clusters indicate a particularly good habitat for
species. Also, with clusters, there are alternate
habitats if something happens to one pool, and
slightly different conditions in each may provide
different habitats for species dependent upon the
pools.
NHESP also certifies vernal pools when they
receive evidence on the presence of certain breeding
amphibians that depend on vernal pools. Certified
vernal pools are protected by the Massachusetts and
Northampton Wetlands regulations. Northampton
has 74 Certified Vernal Pools.
Aquifers and Recharge Areas
Aquifers are composed of water-bearing soil and
minerals, which may be either unconsolidated (soil-
like) deposits or consolidated rocks. Consolidated
24 | SECtION 4: ENVIRONmENtAl INVENtORY AND ANAlYSIS
rocks, also known as bedrock, consist of rock and
mineral particles that have been welded together
by heat and pressure or chemical reaction. Water
flows through fractures, pores, and other openings.
Unconsolidated deposits consist of material from
the disintegrated consolidated rocks. Water flows
through openings between particles.
As water travels through the cracks and openings
in rock and soil, it passes through the unsaturated
zone, in which both air and water fill the spaces
between soil particles. Below the unsaturated layer,
water fills all spaces in the saturated zone, the
groundwater. The upper surface of the groundwater
is called the water table.
Groundwater travel and speed is determined by the
properties of the aquifer materials and the aquifer’s
width, depth and composition. This information
helps determine how best to extract the water for
use and determine how contaminants will flow in
the aquifer.
Aquifers are unconfined or confined. The top of
an unconfined aquifer is identified by the water
table. Above the water table, in the unsaturated
zone, interconnected pore spaces are open to
the atmosphere. Precipitation recharges the
groundwater percolating to the water table.
Confined aquifers are sandwiched between two
impermeable layers. Northampton public wells and
many private wells tap unconfined aquifers. Wells
in confined aquifers are artesian wells.
The Northampton Aquifer has three delineated
Zone II recharge area. A Zone II is that area of
an aquifer that contributes to a well under the
most severe pumping and recharge conditions
that can be realistically anticipated (180 days
of pumping at approved yield with no recharge
from precipitation). The Zone II areas are located
in the southwestern section of the City and the
northeastern section of the City. Threats to the
Zone II recharge areas can include contamination
from residential use, roadways, hazardous materials,
oil contamination, and agricultural uses.
vegetation
Northampton has diverse natural habitats
that support a variety of plants and animals.
Approximately 50 percent of Northampton is
covered by a mixed deciduous forest, including
oak, maple, and beech, with smaller coniferous
forests, including spruce, pine, and hemlock.
Several thousand more acres of land are in
agriculture, abandoned fields, and wet meadows.
In 1993 and then again in 2014, Planning &
Sustainability hired a naturalist to do an ecological
assessment of conservation properties, and some
other key parcels. This report, Rediscovering
Northampton, The Natural History of City-
Owned Conservation Areas, provides data for land
management and land acquisition decisions. Major
findings have been incorporated into this plan.
Unfortunately, certain non-native invasive plants
are threatening natural habitats. These plants
can take over part of the indigenous habitat and
decrease the ecological value for native animals.
Public Shade Trees
Public shade trees are highly valued and can
substantially to the economic and ecological
values of those neighborhoods. The City’s Tree
Committee and the City’s Tree Warden, work to
protect and expand shade trees.
City trees in parks, cemeteries and public spaces
are generally protected with the same care as public
shade trees, but are not subject to the jurisdiction
of the Massachusetts Public Shade Tree Law
(M.G.L. Chapter 87).
Forests
Plants moderate temperatures, store carbon, and
provide shelter, food, and habitat for other plants
and animals. Natural communities are interacting
groups of plants and animals that share a common
environment and occur together in different
places on the landscape. The City generally focuses
on protecting natural communities, rather than
focusing on individual species.
Forests are one of the City’s most important
renewable natural resources. The City’s forests are
diverse, including unusual communities such as
SECtION 4: ENVIRONmENtAl INVENtORY AND ANAlYSIS | 25
major river floodplain forests.
flOODPlAin fOReST
Major-River Floodplain forests occur along
large rivers such as the Connecticut River. Soils
are predominantly sandy loams without a very
minimal surface organic layer. Flooding occurs
regularly is often intense. The dominant species
of this floodplain forest is the silver maple
(Acer saccharinum), with lesser amounts of
cottonwood (Populus deltoides). American elm
(Ulmus americana) and/or slippery elm (Ulmus
rubra) can be found in the subcanopy. Shrubs
are lacking and the herbaceous layer primarily
consists of stinging nettles (Laportea canadensis).
Ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris) also
occurs and whitegrass (Leersia virginica) is found
in small amounts. Riverbank floodplain forests
have similar species, but cottonwood, sycamore
(Platanus occidentalis), and American ash (Fraxinus
americana) are also present in the canopy. Box elder
(Acer negundo), staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina),
bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculata), riverbank grape
(Vitis riparia), and Virginia creeper Parthenocissus
quinquefolia) are also present.
Floodplain forests are insect-rich habitats that
attract many species of songbirds. Raptors such
as bald eagles and red-shouldered hawks also use
riverbank trees as perch sites. Wood ducks and
hooded mergansers are found along the shady edges
of the riverbanks, as are Eastern comma butterflies
and several species of dragonflies. Floodplain forests
also provide sheltered riverside corridors for deer
and migratory songbirds. Many state protected
rare animal species use the floodplain forest as an
important component of their habitat.
Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Plant Species
• Vascular Plant Lygodium palmatum Climbing Fern
SC
• Vascular Plant Ophioglossum pusillum Adder’s-
tongue Fern T
• Vascular Plant Panicum philadelphicum
Philadelphia Panic-grass SC
• Vascular Plant Eragrostis frankii Frank’s Lovegrass
SC
• Vascular Plant Eleocharis diandra Wright’s Spike-
rush E
• Vascular Plant Eleocharis intermedia Intermediate
Spike-sedge T
• Vascular Plant Carex typhina Cat-tail Sedge T
• Vascular Plant Carex bushii Bush’s Sedge E
• Vascular Plant Arisaema dracontium Green Dragon
T
• Vascular Plant Salix exigua Sandbar Willow T
• Vascular Plant Waldsteinia fragarioides Barren
Strawberry SC
fisheries and wildlife
Deer, bear, and other mammals thrive in the
woodland and forest edge, especially in the
northern and western sides of Northampton. Game
birds, such as pheasants, native grouse, woodcock,
and turkey are also present in large numbers, along
with raccoons, muskrats, and fox. For several years,
there have been increases in the numbers of otter,
opossum, and beaver. Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary,
which conducts detailed biological assessments and
bird counts, has counted upwards of 200 species of
birds in or passing through the sanctuary, including
the Bald Eagle, Redtail Hawk, and Screech Owl.
Northampton’s lakes, rivers, and streams support
a variety of fish, including trout, salmon, bass,
pickerel, northern pike, shad, and walleye. The
Connecticut River, the Ox-Bow, and the Mill River
in the Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary are especially
significant aquatic habitats.
Northampton wildlife habitat is not as productive
as it once was; wetlands were filled prior to federal,
state and local wetlands protection programs,
development has fragmented habitat, and non-
native species have been introduced.
Wildlife Corridors
Rediscovering Northampton and other data sources
have helped identify key wildlife corridors and are
represented in this plan’s acquisition targets.
The short version of wildlife corridors can be
summarized in an exercise we often with the
community. Take a map of Northampton. Draw
a 200’ corridor in blue along every stream and river
in the city. Then add connecting lines between
26 | SECtION 4: ENVIRONmENtAl INVENtORY AND ANAlYSIS
all of the major conservation areas in the city.
These maps will cover the vast majority of the
wildlife corridors in the city. The City prioritizes
all wildlife corridors, not only the ones used by
charismatic large game species that spark the
public’s imagination.
Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Species
We have identified many species that are rare
or of special concern (“SC”), threatened (“T”),
or endangered (“E”) in Northampton. This
information is considered in permitting, planning,
and open space preservation efforts:
• Amphibian Ambystoma jeffersonianum Jefferson
Salamander SC
• Amphibian Ambystoma opacum Marbled
Salamander T
• Amphibian Scaphiopus holbrookii Eastern
Spadefoot T
• Beetle Cicindela duodecimguttata Twelve-spotted
Tiger Beetle SC
• Bird Botaurus lentiginosus American Bittern E
• Bird Ixobrychus exilis Least Bittern E
• Bird Haliaeetus leucocephalus Bald Eagle E
• Bird Accipiter striatus Sharp-shinned Hawk SC
• Bird Vermivora chrysoptera Golden-winged
Warbler E
• Bird Pooecetes gramineus Vesper Sparrow T
• Bird Ammodramus savannarum Grasshopper
Sparrow T
• Bird Ammodramus henslowii Henslow’s Sparrow E
• Butterfly/Moth Satyrium favonius Oak Hairstreak
SC
• Dragonfly/Damselfly Gomphus ventricosus Skillet
Clubtail SC
• Dragonfly/Damselfly Gomphus abbreviatus Spine-
crowned Clubtail E
• Dragonfly/Damselfly Ophiogomphus aspersus
Brook Snaketail SC
• Dragonfly/Damselfly Aeshna mutata Spatterdock
Darner SC
• Dragonfly/Damselfly Boyeria grafiana Ocellated
Darner SC
• Dragonfly/Damselfly Neurocordulia yamaskanensis
Stygian Shadowdragon SC
• Dragonfly/Damselfly Stylurus amnicola Riverine
Clubtail E
• Dragonfly/Damselfly Stylurus scudderi Zebra
Clubtail SC
• Dragonfly/Damselfly Stylurus spiniceps A Clubtail
Dragonfly T
• Fish Acipenser brevirostrum Shortnose Sturgeon E
E
• Fish Hybognathus regius Eastern Silvery Minnow
SC
• Fish Catostomus catostomus Longnose Sucker SC
• Fish Lota lota Burbot SC
• Mussel Alasmidonta heterodon Dwarf
Wedgemussel E E
• Mussel Alasmidonta undulata Triangle Floater SC
• Mussel Lampsilis cariosa Yellow Lampmussel E
• Mussel Ligumia nasuta Eastern Pondmussel SC
• Mussel Strophitus undulatus Creeper SC
• Reptile Glyptemys insculpta Wood Turtle SC
• Reptile Terrapene carolina Eastern Box Turtle SC
• Snail Ferrissia walkeri Walker’s Limpet SC
Scenic Resources and
Unique environments
Building on the Dept. of Conservation and
Recreation Scenic Landscape Inventory the City
has identified significant scenic resources and
unique environments. These resources include
notable viewsheds, or vistas, from roads, water
bodies, protected open space, and historic districts.
Archaeological sites are not specifically identified
to protect them. They are primarily concentrated
on the Connecticut River and, to a lesser extent, on
the Mill River.
Some development with little sensitivity to the
community’s views has obscured some scenic
views. As farmland is abandoned, closed forests are
replacing formerly pastoral views.
Scenic Landscapes
Cultural and historic areas and areas with
Northampton Water Resources Acres
Water bodies (rivers, streams, ponds)1,200 +/-
Floodplain (100 year flood)4,800 +/-
Wetlands (swamps, marshes)3,000 +/-
Water supply watersheds & Aquifers 5,000 +/-
Note: Some resources are in more than one category
SECtION 4: ENVIRONmENtAl INVENtORY AND ANAlYSIS | 27
unique geology (see below) provide important
local scenery. Community members identify
the following as the most scenic landscapes in
Northampton:
• The Northampton Meadows, in essence the
3,000 acre floodplain of the Connecticut River,
and all other pastoral and agricultural views in
the city.
• Vistas of Mt. Tom and the Holyoke Range, the
Saw Mill Hills and the Mineral Hills.
• Vistas of any water bodies (e.g., Connecticut
River, Mill River, Manhan River, Oxbow, City
reservoir system and streams).
Cultural and Historical Areas
THe nORTHAMPTOn STATe HOSPiTAl
The Northampton State Hospital (NSH) and
its burial ground are on the National Register of
Historic Places. The Preservation Guidelines for
Municipally Owned Historic Burial Grounds and
Cemeteries (Dept. of Environmental Management
Historic Cemeteries Preservation Initiative, 2000)
provides additional details on the NHS cemetery:
The Northampton Lunatic Asylum (1858) was the
state’s second state hospital. It was co-founded by
Dorothea Dix, who led the reform movement for
more humane treatment of the “insane.” She found
the mentally ill people were often chained or caged
in basements and attics and beaten or otherwise
mistreated. She successfully campaigned for state
asylums with more humane methods (Brown
1998).
The NSH burial ground was in use from 1858
until 1921. At least 181 patients who were not
claimed for burial were buried there. An additional
413 burials of state hospital patients are poorly
vegeTATiOn, fiSHeRieS & wilDlife
28 | SECtION 4: ENVIRONmENtAl INVENtORY AND ANAlYSIS
documented, and at least some of them were
probably also buried on-site.
The cemetery location was described as “what
used to be the hospital cemetery which borders
on Mill River and runs up towards the spring in
the back of the barn” (Superintendent’s Report,
1933). This matches the oral history from DMH
groundskeepers.
The burial ground is accessed by dirt roads that run
from Burts Pit Road to the Mill River. It is an open
field with no gravestones, paths, entranceways,
or fences indicating the locations of graves or
the boundaries of the cemetery. It does contain a
monument installed by the Northampton Historic
Commission in 2017. There is also an unmarked
gravestone in woods to the north of the field. A
cobblestone-covered north-south mound marks
the grave with a small upright gravestone at the
south end that is flat on the north side but is not
engraved. A bit to the west, another north-south
cobblestone-covered mound that might also be a
grave although it lacked a gravestone.
Archaeological reconnaissance of the site confirmed
the burial ground’s location. Squarish soil
deflations were found extending in two to three
fairly straight, nearly north-south rows from the
woods on the south edge of the field northerly
along the top of the hill. Further, very distinctive
squarish to rectangular patches of very green
mound cover about one inch high were found
where the taller straw-colored hay in the rest of the
field did not grow. The long axis of the patches of
low green vegetation extended roughly east to west,
which is the traditional direction for Christian
burials. Further, the patches were roughly formed
rows running north-south as is typical in Christian
cemeteries.
There is little indication of underground
disturbance in the pattern of deflations and
patches of low green vegetation, except that some
vegetation patches were no longer or shorter than
a typical adult burial would be. Historic tilling
of the field may have caused some disturbance
of the vegetation patches. A 1916 map labels the
burial ground parcel as “Tillage” (Davis 1916).
Alan Scott reported in 2000 that groundskeeper
Bud Warnock said he planted corn in the field c.
1943. Mr. Warnock had heard that the field was
a cemetery from his father and uncle who were
groundskeepers in the 1920s. Since the 1950s, the
parcel has changed hands between various state
departments and, at one point in the 1950s, was
used for instruction in haying by the University of
Massachusetts agricultural department.
HiSTORiC nORTHAMPTOn
Historic Northampton is a collection of 50,000
objects and three historic buildings. It is a
repository of Northampton and Connecticut
Valley history from the Pre-Contact era to the
present. The three contiguous historic houses are
on their original sites at the edge of downtown
Northampton. The grounds are part of an original
Northampton home lot laid out in 1654.
The Damon House (1813), built by architect,
Isaac Damon, contains Historic Northampton’s
administrative offices and a Federal era parlor,
featuring Damon family furnishings and period
artifacts. A modern structure, added in 1987,
houses the museum and exhibition area. It features
changing exhibits and a permanent installation, A
Place Called Paradise: The Making of Northampton,
Massachusetts, chronicling Northampton history.
The Parsons House (1730) affords an overview
of Colonial domestic architecture with its interior
walls exposed to reveal evolving structural and
decorative changes over more than two and a half
centuries.
The Shepherd House (1796) contains artifacts
and furnishings from many generations, including
exotic souvenirs from the turn-of-the-century
travels of Thomas and Edith Shepherd and reflects
one family’s changing tastes and values.
Historic Northampton’s collections attract
historians and scholars of New England material
culture from around the world. The museum’s
collection includes more than 10,000 photographs,
documents, and manuscripts from the 17th to
the 20th centuries, fine art, furniture, ceramics,
glass, metals, toys, tools and implements, and an
important collection of textiles and costumes.
SECtION 4: ENVIRONmENtAl INVENtORY AND ANAlYSIS | 29
SMiTH COllege MUSeUM Of ART
The Smith College Museum of Art is housed in the
spectacular and renovated (2003) Brown Fine Arts
Center (designed by Polshek Partnership).
THe CAlvin COOliDge PReSiDenTiAl libRARy AnD MUSeUM
The Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library and
Museum documents the private life of Calvin
Coolidge (1872-1933), beginning with his birth
and formative years in Vermont, his student days
at Amherst College, and his years as a lawyer in
Northampton. Exhibits and manuscripts cover his
political career from Northampton to Boston to
the White House, his post-presidential years back
in Northampton resident, and the life of Grace
Goodhue Coolidge (1879-1957).
Areas of Critical Environmental Concern
Areas of Critical Environmental Concern are
places that receive special recognition because of
the quality, uniqueness, and significance of their
natural and cultural resources. They are community
nominated and then designated by the Secretary
of Environmental and Energy Affairs. There are no
ACECs in Northampton.
Unusual Geologic Features
MOUnT HOlyOke AnD MOUnT TOM RAngeS
Northampton’s many special geologic features
include: glacial outwash plains and deltas (i.e.
sandplains/pitch pine habitats), drumlins, ravines,
woodlands on glacial tills, and rocky uplands.
Mt. Holyoke/Mt. Tom Range, just outside of
the city to the east and south help define the city
and form the city’s backdrop. They formed 200
million years ago when lava flowed from the valley
floor, cooled, and was upended. More recently,
glaciers left their signature, scouring the ridges’
jagged edges smooth in some places, exposing
bedrock, or depositing till, sand, clay, or muck in
others. Since the early days, settlers used all but the
sheerest inclines for woodlots and pastures. Now
mostly wooded, the ridge’s steep slopes and east-
west orientation create a number of forest types,
including birch-beech-hemlock on the north side
and oak-hickory on the south. Thickets, streams,
ponds, and wetlands add to the diversity.
The Range runs east to west for 20 miles across
the Connecticut River Valley, rising up to 900 feet
from the valley floor. They are laced with hiking
trails including the Metacomet-Monadonock
Trail, which runs the length of the Range and
is a National Recreational Trail. Mt. Holyoke
borders Hadley, South Hadley, Amherst, Granby,
and Belchertown to the east of the Connecticut
River and rises again to the west of the river as
Mt. Tom, bordering Northampton, Holyoke,
and Easthampton. The Mt. Holyoke and Mt.
Tom Range were named one of 10 ‘Last Chance
Landscapes,’ defined as natural wonders with
pending threats and potential solutions by the
National Scenic Organization (2000).
A MineRAl HiSTORy
Turkey Hill Quarry has unique exposures of
bedrock. The quarrying operations uncovered
a glacially smoothed surface with folded
metamorphic rocks intruded by Williamsburg
Granodiorite, an igneous rock. Area geologists
study this unusual natural feature and incorporate
it into classroom teaching.
The Galena Mines section of Mineral Hills
Conservation Area preserves historic Galena (a lead
containing mineral) mine shafts that were used
by local farmers until the mid-19th century when
imported bullets replaced local mining.
environmental
Challenges
Northampton has many sensitive ecological
resources, especially water resources (e.g.,
wetlands, streams, floodplain, and aquifers and
watersheds). Some of the richest wildlife habitat is
at some risk, and some surface water and wetland
resources have been degraded, especially from new
suburban development.
Over the past 60 years, our approach to the
30 | SECtION 4: ENVIRONmENtAl INVENtORY AND ANAlYSIS
environment, separation of combined sanitary
and storm sewers, construction and expansion of
the wastewater treatment plant and pretreatment
facilities, lined landfills, wetlands regulations,
erosion control standards, improved forest
management practices, and our newer focus on
reducing city and community energy uses and
carbon dioxide emissions have all softened the
impacts of development on ecological resources.
Air pollution continues to present a local health
hazard (especially summer ground level ozone).
Non-Point Source Pollution, Erosion and Sedimentation and Flooding
Non-point source pollution from contaminated
runoff (e.g., stormwater that picks up contaminants
from septic systems, soil erosion, roadway salt
and sand, leaking underground storage tanks,
agricultural runoff, and excessive lawn chemicals).
Government and private actions have focused on
reducing man-made pollutants, designing and
building to reduce the likelihood of picking up
contaminants, and providing opportunity for
removal of contaminants that enter stormwater,
groundwater, and surface water.
Erosion occurs when soil is exposed to fast moving
water and gets carried away by that water. The
problem is especially acute from unprotected
soil during construction and some agricultural
operations. Sedimentation is when the speed of
the water slows down and drops its sediment load,
typically in lakes and slower water bodies.
Keeping storm drains that connect to our lakes,
streams, and rivers clear of debris, minimizing lawn
chemicals and roadway sand and salt, controlling
soil erosion, enforcing city stormwater and erosion
control ordinances, ensuring good septic system use
and management, and educating residents about
the issues and their role are all critical.
Stormwater, erosion and sedimentation are
controlled through four coordinated regulatory
programs:
Un
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A n D S
C en
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SECtION 4: ENVIRONmENtAl INVENtORY AND ANAlYSIS | 31
• City stormwater permits for projects that will
disturb one acre or more.
• Federal clean water act permits for projects
that will disturb one acre or more or is within a
water body or wetland.
• Wetlands permits for projects within 100’ of a
wetlands, 200’ of a river, or on any floodplain.
• Planning Board site plan approval for any
project over 2,000 square feet.
The City has approximately 4,000 acres of
FEMA mapped floodplains with some of the
strictest floodplain regulations in the state (no
new buildings are allowed in most of the 500-
year floodplain) property. These areas suffer from
periodic flooding but at least such flooding is
predictable using the FEMA maps. Other areas
outside of the mapped floodplains have localized
flooding from natural sources aggravated by
obsolete infrastructure.
Hazardous Waste
Massachusetts General Law, C. 21E and the
Massachusetts Contingency Plan regulations
regulate the release and clean up of hazardous
materials. Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
hire Licensed Site Professionals (LSPs) to oversee
most cleanups, with limited DEP oversight.
Releases, cleanup, tier classification, institutional
controls (“activities and use limitations”) must be
reported to DEP. DEP also has emergency response
capability, ability to monitor sensitive projects, and
audits both cleanups and AULs.
As a post-industrial city, Northampton has its share
of historic releases of hazardous materials in various
states of cleanup, monitoring, and institutional
controls (AUL).
Solid Waste Sites
Northampton’s former regional solid waste landfill
opened in 1969 and closed in 2013. The landfill
is lined with a leachate collection system with a
methane to electricity conversion system and solar
photovoltaics on the closed landfill. The City has
aggressive recycling and composting programs.
Development Impacts
Much new development in Northampton is
“smart growth,” reusing previously developed land
within the historic core of Northampton with
few environmental impacts. Suburban projects in
undeveloped greenfields usually create more habitat
and farmland loss, emit more carbon dioxide,
generate more traffic, and consume more energy
than urban infill projects.
Forestry Impacts
Northampton has few large scale forestry
operations. More common small forest cutting
projects support sustainable working landscapes
with minimal environmental impacts. Some poor
forestry operations, however, reduce wildlife habitat
and lead to erosion and sedimentation.
Environmental Equity
The City seeks equitable sharing of its open
space and recreation resources by all populations,
especially those that have historically been
underserved (i.e., environmental justice
populations). This issue is discussed and analyzed
in detail in Chapter 3, Community Settings. The
key finding is that Northampton has equitable
sharing of open space and recreation resources, but
additional recreation opportunities are necessary
to serve diverse cultures with different sport
backgrounds.
Unique Community
Concerns
This plan was developed with extensive
community participation, as described earlier.
Urban neighborhoods needs must be addressed
consistent with the City’s goal of making urban
neighborhoods more desirable, and thus reducing
pressure for suburban and rural development.
There was strong support for conserving farmland,
32 | SECtION 4: ENVIRONmENtAl INVENtORY AND ANAlYSIS
tree-lined streets, significant open space parcels,
access to water, community gardens, better access
to the cemetery, and ensuring new development is
well planned and has open space.
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5 Conservation and Recreation Inventory
Northampton open space includes farms, forests,
parks, recreation areas and multi-use trails under
public, non-profit and private ownership and
management. Open space provides wildlife and plant
habitat, agricultural and forest products, watershed
and groundwater protection, flood control, scenic
landscapes, heritage resources, public access, and
recreation.
Protected open space is planned to remain in
perpetuity. The land can be owned by a land trust,
city, state or federal conservation or recreation
agency or by less-than fee conservation or agricultural
restrictions or easements.
Conservation Restrictions (CRs)and Agriculture
Preservation Restrictions (APRs) are legally binding
agreement between a landowner and a public or
non-profit holder. The landowner agrees to forfeit
some or all development rights in the land to protect
certain conservation and/or agricultural interests.
Northampton’s CRs and APRs all run in perpetuity.
Land can only be removed from an APR, a
conservation restriction, or city or state conservation
or park control with a roll call by two thirds of the
State Legislature (Article 97, Amendments to the
Massachusetts Constitution). The legislature has,
however, voted to release this protection at the
request of local communities for some school and
public projects not related to resource protection.
Land owned by municipal water supply providers
and other non-park, recreation commission, or
conservation commission agencies typically
has some protection from development, but
this protection is not permanent if there are no
restrictions and the land was not purchased for
park purposes (thereby subject to Article 97).
Unless there is a legal restriction attached to the
deed or if the deed reads that the land was acquired
expressly for water supply protection, the level of
protection afforded these types of parcels varies.
Often, the City would be required to show the
Massachusetts Dept. of Environmental Protection
just cause for converting the use of the land.
Property owners can voluntarily enroll eligible
land in the Massachusetts Chapter 61 current
use taxation programs. “Chapter lands” offers
landowners reduced property taxes in return
for maintaining land in productive forestry
(Chapter 61), agricultural (61A) or recreation
(61B) for a period of time. Public benefits include
conservation, recreation, forestry and farming. The
City has a 120-day right of first refusal to purchase
the land when Chapter land is proposed for
conversion to non-Chapter use.
34 | SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY
Type of Permanently Protected Open Space Acres % of City 2018
Agricultural 780
Managed for ecological values (conservation and CRs)4,008
City Parks and Recreation 350
Northampton Water Supply 493
Northampton Parks and Recreation 350
TOTAL 6,023
Source: Northampton GIS
The toal is less than the sum because of land in two categories
Mineral Hills
Saw Mill Hills
Parsons Brook Greenway
Beaver
Brook
Greenway
Mill
River
Rocky
Hill
Greenway
Downtown
and
Florence
Broad Brook/
Fitzgerald Lake
Greenway
Connecticut River
Greenway
and Meadows
Burts Bog
Greenway
UV10
UV9
UV66
£¤5
§¨¦91
SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY | 35
5.1: Permanently Protected
CR#Grantor Holder Acres Name/Comments
CR# 1 Smith College Mass Audubon Society Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary
CR# 2–8 Cancelled
CR#9 Mass Audubon Society Pascommuck Cons. Trust Inc.10.0 Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary
CR#10 Commonwealth MA (DAR)City 37.0 Adjacent & part of APR
CR#11 Millbank II Condominium City 0.9 Historic Mill River
CR#12 Lathrop Community, Inc.Conservation Commission 13.5 Broad Brook/Boggy Meadow
CR#13 Gothic St Develop. Partners.Recreation Commission 0.15 Common law easement
CR#14 Armand & Rosel LaPalme City 88.0 Cancelled, (APR instead)
CR#15 Nancy Hughes Conservation Commission 3.6 Broad Brook/Coles Meadow
CR#16 City of Northampton Broad Brook Coalition 5.5 Braod Brook
CR#17 City of Northampton Mass Audubon Society 38.0 LC 970010110
CR#18 City Celico Partnership 11.7
CR#19 Edward Sheldon III Broad Brook Coalition 10.0 Recreation area
CR#20 Massachusetts (DCAM)Conservation Commission 8.1 Meadows, Atwood Dr
CR#21 Elaine G. Boettcher Conservation Commission 2.2 Protect wetland & wildlife
CR#22 City of Northampton Mass Audubon Society 66.1 Meadows/Arcadia
CR#23 Schramm, Primm, Russin,
Gray, & Peppard
Conservation Commission 23.0 Park Hill Rd, Parsons Brook,
adjacent to APR
CR#24 Millbank II Condominium
Trust
Conservation Commission 0.3 400’ Mill River allow river
restoration and trail
CR#25 Lathrop Community, Inc Conservation Commission 11.2 Park Hill/Parsons Brook
CR#26 Sabra Partnership Conservation Commission 3.1 Broad Brook/trail access
CR#27 TCB Hospital Hill, LLC Conservation Commission 3.2 State Hospital/Village Hill
CR#28 Oak Ridge Road, LLC Conservation Commission 38.0 The Oaks
CR#29 Joseph Kielec Broad Brook Coalition Sheldon Field addition
CR#30 Tofino Association, Inc.Conservation Commission 10.3 Rocky Hill Cluster
CR#31 Seven Bravo Two, LLC Conservation Commission 0.8 Conn. River, Airport
CR#32 Stephen & Heidi Robinson Conservation Commission 4.5 Broad Brook/Coles Meadow
Road
CR#33 Bridge Road, LLC Recreation Commission/
Conservation Commission
4.6 Bear Hill subdivision
CR#34 Sweet Meadow Properties Conservation Commission 1.3 Reservoir Road
CR#35 John & Diane Clapp Conservation Commission 20.0 Mineral Hills/Chesterfield Road
CR#36 Patrick Melnick (Beaver
Brook)
Conservation Commission 41.0 Beaver Brook
CR#37 Clarke School, Hinckley &
James
Conservation Commission 0.4 Round Hill
CR#38 Miriam Clapp Conservation Commission 57.9 Mineral Hills
CR#39 Benjamin G. James & Oona
Mia Coy
Conservation Commission 1.8 Meadows/Venturers Field Road
36 | SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY
CR#Grantor Holder Acres Name/Comments
CR#40 John & Diane Clapp Conservation Commission 35.7 Mineral Hills
CR#41 John & Diane Clapp Conservation Commission 11.1 Mineral Hill addition
CR#42 Jane Hill Conservation Commission 9.8 Roberts Meadows
CR#43 Benjamin G. James & Oona
Mia Coy
Conservation Commission 3.6 Meadows/Venturers Field Road
CR#44 Guyett & Anderson Nonotuck/N’hampton BPW 168.4 Priority wildlife habitat
CR#45 Joseph & Kira Jewitt Conservation Commission 5.6 Parsons Brook, Westhampton
Rd
CR#46 Robert Zimmerman Conservation Commission 36.0 Broad Brook/N. Farms
CR# 47 Conservation Commission Kestrel Land Trust Turkey Hill (Skibiski)
CR# 48 Moses Miller Conservation Commission 0.6 Mill River, Leeds
CR# 49 Conservation Commission Kestrel Land Trust 369 Saw Mill & Mineral Hills,
Broad Brook Greenway, Mill
River Greenway
CR# 50 Parsons Brook/Burke Conservation Commission 19 Parsons Brook/Park Hill
CR#51 City of Northampton Friends of Northampton
Recreation
24 Florence Recreation Fields
CR#52 City of Northampton Friends of Northampton
Recreation
6.08 Connectictur River Greenway
riverfront park
CR#53 City of Northampton Meadows City Conservation
Coaltion
14.8 Montview Ave, Pomeroy
Terrace, Damon Road
CR#54 City of Northampton Mass. Audubon Society 49 Rocky Hill Greenway
CR#55 Dostal City of Northampton 1.138 Parsons Brook, Westhampton
Rd
CR# 56 City of Northampton Kestrel Land Trust Saw Mill Hills
CR# 57 Hampshire COG City of Northampton Main Street, Historic
Courthouse Lawn
CR# 58 City of Northampton Kestrel Land Trust Beaver Brook/Broad Brook
Greenway
CR# 59 Hospital Hill Development City of Northampton Morningside, Beech Tree and
Oak Parks
CR# 60 City of Northampton Kestrel Land Trust Burts Bog
CR# 61 City of Northampton Mass. Audubon Society Rocky Hill Greenway -
Goldfarb
CR# 62 City of Northampton Mass. Audubon Society Rocky Hill Greenway - O’Brien
SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY | 37
Bear Hill Recreation Area recreation Rec. Com.3 poor excellent residential
Beaver Brook Greenway conservation Cons. Com.48 good fair FFR
Broad Brook/Fitzgerald Lake Greenway conservation Cons. Com.746+good boating
excellent
FFR
Brookwood Marsh conservation Cons. Com.22 good fair FFR
Burts Pit Road CR conservation Private, Cons.
Com oversight
2 good poor residential
Childs Park park Child’s Park
Association
40 excellent fair residential
Clarke School CR conservation Private, Cons.
Com oversight
<1 excellent poor residential
Community Gardens agriculture Cons. Com.8 good fair FFR
Connecticut River Greenway conservation Cons. Com.142 good excellent FFR
David Musante Beach recreation Rec. Com.11 good excellent residential
Edmund J. Lampron Memorial Park park City 1 good excellent residential
First Churches Park park City <1 good excellent CBD
Florence Conservation Area conservation Cons. Com.4 good excellent FFR
Florence Recreation Fields recreation Rec. Com.24 poor excellent residential
Halligan and Daley Historic Site park Rec. Com.<1 good fair PV
Hospital Hill CR conservation Smith College,
Cons. Com.
oversight
20 good fair FFR
Look Memorial Park park City 140 good excellent residential
Maines Field Recreation Area recreation Rec. Com.21 poor excellent residential
Manhan Conservation Area conservation Cons. Com.1 good poor FFR
Manhan Rail Trail recreation City 6 excellent fair residential
Marble Brook Conservation Restriction conservation Private, Cons.
Com oversight
169 good poor FFR
Mary Browns Dingle conservation Cons. Com.2 good poor FFR
Meadows Conservation Area conservation Cons. Com.134 good poor FFR
Mill River Greenway conservation Cons. Com.181 good excellent FFR
Mineral Hills Conservation Area conservation Cons. Com.384 good fair FFR
Northampton State Hospital Agriculture
Lands
agriculture MA DAR 200 good fair FFR
Northampton Water Supply water supply City Water 505 good fair WSP
Inventory of Permanent Open Space
Summary (listed alphabetically)
• See full entries below for details
• Grants & funding in entries below
• ALL have permanent protection;
No additional protection needed.
Use (public
access on
all EXCEPT
private and
water)
Owner &
manager (if
different)
Acres Condition Recreation
potential
Zoning
408 Bridge Road conservation Cons. Com.<1 good poor residential
64 Gothic Street park Private, Cons.
Com. oversight
<1 good poor residential
Agnes Fox Playground recreation Rec. Com.2 good excellent residential
Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary conservation Mass Audubon 47 good fair floodplain
Arcanum Field Recreation Area recreation Rec. Com.9 good fair residential
Barrett St. Marsh Conservation Area conservation Cons. Com.26 good fair FFR
38 | SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY
Inventory of Permanent Open Space
Summary (listed alphabetically)
• See full entries below for details
• Grants & funding in entries below
• ALL have permanent protection;
No additional protection needed.
Use (public
access on
all EXCEPT
private and
water)
Owner &
manager (if
different)
Acres Condition Recreation
potential
Zoning
Norwottuck Rail Trail recreation City 25 excellent fair residential
Oaks Subdivision conservation Private, Cons.
Com oversight
33 good excellent residential
Park Hill Road Restrictions (CR and APR)agriculture Private, Cons.
Com oversight
262 good poor residential
Parsons Brook Conservation Area conservation Cons. Com.28 good fiar FFR
Pulaski Park park City 1 poor excellent CDB
Rainbow Beach conservation MA DFW 81 good poor floodplain
Rainbow Beach Cons Area conservation Cons. Com.16 good poor floodplain
Ray Ellerbrook Recreation Field recreation Rec. Com.14.4 good fair FFR
Ridge Conservation Area conservation Cons. Com.36 good excellent FFR
Roberts Meadow Conservation Area conservation Private, Cons.
Com oversight
22 good poor FFR
Rocky Hill Greenway (includes Ice Pond)conservation Cons. Com.73 good excellent
for trail
FFR & BP
Sawmill Hills Conservation Area conservation Cons. Com.564 good excellent FFR
Sheldon Field Recreation Area recreation Rec. Com.13 poor excellent floodplain
SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY | 39
A. Conservation & Agriculture—Public & Non-Profit
The lands in this section are as close to permanently protected as possible. Municipal and state fee and
less than fee interests listed here all require, in accordance with Article 97 of the Amendments to the
Massachusetts Constitution, a two-thirds roll call vote of the state legislature. This section includes fee
interests and less than fee interests held by federal, state, municipal, and non-profit conservation groups.
Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary 650 acres
Ownership: Massachusetts Audubon Society
Location: Connecticut River Ox-Bow
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
B12, p44 45-67
11/1/1966 B1497, p25 45-10
9/13/1968 B1538, p277 52-01
5/17/1974 B1772, p199 45-10; 45-63; 45-65 (bridle path)
4/17/1979 B2091, p126 38D-75
1/14/1982 B2260, p100 45-10
4/13/1986 B1880, p241 38D-75
6/23/1988 B3199, p238 38D-75
4/13/1986 B1880, p241 38D-73
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
12/31/1987 B3114, p29 38D-77
12/31/1987 B3114, p29 38D-70
1/6/1988 B3316, p1 38D-70
12/31/1987 B3114, p29 45-10
1/23/2004 B7662, p85 From Mitchell G. Watras, Jr for $218,725
Description:
Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary has varied habitats, wetlands, and the last mile of the Mill River before it
connects with the Connecticut River Oxbow. Arcadia offers environmental education, hiking (five+ miles
of trails). It receives heavy use throughout the year. The former Easthampton Trolly Line was donated by
Smith College to Mass. Audubon and is now part of Arcadia (Conservation Restriction on trolley line
merged with fee ownership). Conservation Restriction on Map ID 38D, Parcel 70 held by Pascommuck
Conservation Trust).
Barrett Street Marsh 24.7 acres
Ownership: City/Conservation Commission
Location: Barrett St. & bicycle path
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
12/21/1976 B1939, p321 Transfer from City
40 | SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
12/29/1978 B2075, p28 Private donations
2/8/1990 B3518, p204 & 206 Land swap
2/8/1990 PB165, p70
12/31/1993 PB176, p133
2/9/1994 B4420, p243 Donation in settlement of lawsuit of Carlon Dr.4.978
2/10/1998 B5309, p206 Right of Way Easement from Carlon Dr.
Permit history:
Date Permit History
1990/1991 Walkway permits (wetlands & building)
Wetlands 246-114, Stop & Shop’s responsibility to clean up trash
Partners: Formerly Barrett Brook Advisory Committee, currently none.
Description:
This meadow and wetland serve as important stormwater detention and filtration facilities, provides wildlife
habitat, and provides nature viewing in an urban environment. The site is surrounded by heavily developed
residential and commercial properties. A city drainage easement runs through the site. The area includes a
right-of-way from Carlon Drive.
A 600-foot (375’ Trap Rock Gravel/sone dust & 200’ wooden boardwalk completed in 1992) wheelchair
accessible walkway extends from the bikeway into the marsh. The Commission, Smith Vocational School,
and volunteers built the boardwalk. The Jackson Street Parent Teacher Organization and the Community
Development Block Grant provided the materials.
The City manages the property to allow beaver activity while preventing flooding. Beaver deceiver pipes have
been installed on several successive beaver dams, the most recent in 2010 (CPA funding).
History: Barrett Street Marsh was originally part of a larger wetland system. In the early nineteenth century
it was used for agricultural purposes. Ditches were put in place to dewater the marsh. In 1905 Northampton
sewer commissioners diverted the flow of King Street Brook away from “the mouth of the State Street River.”
The Brook was diverted into what is known today as Barrett Street Marsh.
The history of the Barrett Street Marsh is well documented and shows that the entire area has been highly
altered since the early 1800s, when transportation corridors began to be established nearby and development
spread northward from the center of Northampton. The area now known as the Barrett Street Marsh was
originally part of a much larger wetland system that extended to the east, having been severed from the larger
system by development. Reportedly, the Barrett Street Marsh was used as agricultural land from the early
19th century, having been dewatered by a system of drainage ditches that were dug throughout the low-lying
area.
The Hampshire and Hampden Canal (reorganized as the New Haven and Northampton Canal) was built
through the Barrett Street Marsh (1829-1847). The canal changed the area drainage patterns and gave
Northampton a permanent liability to maintain the waterway (something that does not happen from a natural
flowing stream). This led to a lawsuit against the City for lack of maintenance over 180 years after the canal
was abandoned (referred to in liability circles as a long liability tail). Human-built drainage was developed on
the site to allow much of the site to be used as farmland. Portions of the site were farmed until the early to
mid 1960s.
SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY | 41
The main flowage into the
marsh is a perennial stream
known as King Street Brook
that consists of drainage from
the Round Hill/Prospect
Street area. The brook enters
the southern-most point of
the marsh, through a culvert
under the bike trail that runs
along an abandoned railroad
embankment. Until the early
1900s, King Street Brook
did not flow into the Barrett
Street Marsh but instead flowed
in a more southeasterly direction
towards State Street and the center of Northampton. As recorded at the Hampshire County Registry of
Deeds (Book 596, Page 375), in 1905 the Northampton Sewer Commissioners voted to divert the flow of
King Street Brook away from “the mouth of the State Street sewer,” for the purposes of “public health and
convenience”. The brook was to be diverted to the “center of an old ditch” which then existed northeast
of the railroad embankment and presumably ran through what is now known as the Barrett Street marsh.
The City proceeded with the taking of a strip of land almost 1,800 feet long and 15 to 25 feet in width
to encompass the old ditch and hence the brook along its diverted course to the Connecticut River. The
ditch was thereafter known as the King Street Brook Diversion. Also in 1905, the City was granted an
easement from the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad Company to construct “a box culvert
four feet deep by four feet wide suitable for carrying through the waters now running in King Street
Brook, so-called” (HCRD, Bk 597, pg 202), which is the now-existing culvert under the bike trail.
The character of the King Street Brook Diversion was thus established almost one hundred years ago. The
configuration of the ditches within the Barrett Street Marsh at the time of the diversion is not known.
Anecdotal information indicates that the marsh area was used for agricultural purposes into at least the
1970s. Aerial photographs from the 1960s and ‘70s clearly show the ongoing agricultural use and the
diversion channel in it original (1905) location with a geometric array of ditches leading to the diversion
from many areas of the marsh. In a photograph taken on April 20, 1971, the water within the diversion
appears to be 8-10 feet in width, and the most upgradient half of the diversion channel within Barrett
Street marsh appears to have been recently maintained prior to the photograph being taken.
Coincident with the advent of restrictive environmental regulations and changing attitudes regarding
the value of wetland areas, maintenance of the diversion channel and system of ditches waned in the
1970s, and use of the land for agriculture altogether ceased over twenty years ago. The date of the
last maintenance dredging of the King Street Brook Diversion is not known. While records of ditch
construction and effectiveness are not available, considerable evolution of the marsh’s hydrology has taken
place in the recent past since the ditches were last maintained.
Broad Brook-Fitzgerald Lake Greenway 1,055 acres
Includes Beaver Brook and all related Conservation Restrictions
Ownership: City/Conservation Commission (land under CR is privately owned)
Hampshire and Hampden Canal at Barrett Street marsh
42 | SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY
Location: N. Farms Rd, Coles Meadow Rd, Morningside Dr., Marian St, Boggy Meadow Rd,
Haydenville Rd (Rt 9).
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
5/20/1977 B1951, p261 Fitzgerald Lake: Self-help ($72,825) & City ($72,826),
Land & Water Conservation Fund covenants in 1993
152
B1993, p11 R-O-W to dam (NO longer valid)
3/13/1989 B3344, p284 Dorothy Burke donation- N. Farms Rd
5/8/1990 B3557, p148; PB166, p52 Pines Edge: comprehensive permit cluster donation 15.89
3/25/1991 B3696, p9 CR, Lathrop (permit condition)14
1/28/1993 B4138, p271 Richard Abuza bargain sale: Bargain discount ($33,200),
Land & Water ($37,500) & City ($5,000)
86
6/10/1993 B4223, p145 John A. Cimek: City ($25,000), BBC ($5,250) w/Land
& Water Conservation Fund covenants
38
10/13/1994 B4570, p294, 298, 300, 302 New England Telephone release, donation
11/30/1994 B4595, P134 Cooke’s Pasture: City ($39,540), self-help ($112,200),
BBC ($26,000), Wharton Trust ($5,000) & Sweet Water
Trust ($10,000). Commonwealth Land Title w/City
Clerk
161.1
12/18/1994 B2521, p1 Marian St: self-help w/34% match from neighbors 11.85
12/4/1995 B4785, p150 Conservation easement, Anciporch (held by USFS)36
12/20/1995 B4796, p38 Wharburton: purchase 5.5
2/9/1996 B4822, p184
PB179, p98
Nancy Hughes: donation required by cluster. Lawers
Title Insurance Corp policy 136-00-110653 w/City
Clerk
8.876
2/20/1996 B4826, p170 Conservation Restriction to BBC. Commonwealth
Land Title insurance on underlying title 165-686836 on
file with City Clerk
5/9/1996 B4880, p192 & 203
PB179, p235
Nancy Hughes CR, required by cluster special permit 3.481
4/30/1998 B5360, p15 Swayze: Broad Brook Coalition ($2,000); Wharton
Trust ($6,000) & City (closing costs),. First American
Title insurance 20301162, w/City Clerk
10
12/19/2000 B6090, p202 Helen Kabat donation north of lake 17
1/15/2001 B6100, p313 & 320 Finn, “friendly” taking, City ($2,000), BBC ($10,000)15
1/22/2001 Land Court B18, p107 Paasch Flag Lot, donation required by flag lot permit;
& temporary right-of-way to Coles Meadow Rd
3.074
6/19/2001 B6250, p72 Vaughn, “friendly” taking, BBC ($15,000)17
Land Court B17, p208 Mortgage release
Land Court B18, p107
11/27/2002 B6908, p173 Stoddard family donation, friendly taking 7.5
3/17/2003 B7097, p156 Confirmatory deed donation from Anita Stoddard
Packar, Laurence Stoddard, George Barrett, Ruth B.
Drury, Peter Hehey, Jason Charlton, & Monica Doyle
Lynch; BBC ($500)
SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY | 43
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
6/10/2003 B7253, p94 Sabra Pedestrian Easement ROW & CR 3
8/22/2003 B7407, p172 (and p201)Conservation Restriction (and related mortage
subordination) as special permit condition
10/5/2004 B8013, p326 Morin purchase, BBC ($3,560), City ($1,040)5.75
2/4/2005 B8155, p50 and p56
PB152, p36
Lathrop, boundary line agreement (and partial bank
release)
5/18/2005 Decision B8181, p292;B205,
p11;Eminent Domain Order
of Taking B8265, p80
Michalski/Stewart section ($17,000 of which $15,000
from Broad Brook Coalition-- all to pay off back taxes)
33.5
1/4/2006 B8579, p1
PB208, p91
CR #32, Robinson donation for waived right-of-first-
refusal
8.54
11/6/2006 B8953, p349 Bereska Taking, ID 2-12 8.1
12/4/2006 B8967, p324 Confirmatory deed
8/28/2006 B8854, p77 Unknown/Porter section, eminent domain of tax title 8.8
B8688, p315B8688, p320 Private William Adams Memorial
6/29/2007 B9035, p312B9182, p5 Dryzgula friendly taking, north of lake 3.6
1/17/2008 B9383, p58 Sullivan purchase ($103,000 in back taxes)3.9
9/9/2009 B9961, p111 (deed)
B9948, p228 (permits)
PB221, p77
N. King Street (was part of 360 N. King) ($75,000:
$20,000 CPA & $10,000 BBC)
Special Permit and Survey
First American Title insurance policy, 5600050443
12.08
B9182, p5 Laverdiere confirmatory deed
1/27/2010
9/26/2013
B10085, p232 (deed)
B10085, p239 (agreement)
B11476, p237 (agreement)
Beaver Brook: McLoughlin, Watson, Culver(s)
($550,000: $364,000 LAND, $10,000 BBC &
$364,000 CPA w/soft costs)--First American Title
MAEOe-560057116 AND #5011400-0123453e
Beaver Brook: LAND Agreement and conditions
Beaver Brook: USF&WS NAWCA notice of grant
102
6/30/2010 B10221, p100 Zimmerman CR ($18,000 CPA)36
7/12/2010
12/09/2011
B10230, p205
B10745, p134
Humprheys Morningside Dr. deed restriction only: used
as trade land for 2012 Sullivan purchase.
0.5
12/09/2011 B10745, p128 Sullivan purchase, Morningside Drive 1.0
2/15/2012 B10813, p1 Forest Legacy/Laizer-subject to USFS forest legacy
conservation easement ($13,000 CPA + $7,000 BBC)
36
3/3/2011 B10493, p304
PB224, p81
Girl Scouts (I) ($23,000, $20,000 CPA and $4,000
BBC with soft costs). Girl Scouts retain easement for
environmental education.
23
3/13/2012 B10839, p254
PB226, p66
Girl Scouts (II) ($13,000 CPA, $4,000 BBC). Girl
Scouts reserve easement for environmental education.
City reserves the right to grant right of way and timber
easement to Smith Vocational and Agriculture School.
17
44 | SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
7/23/2012 B10983, p43 Sullivan purchase: tax title redemption (1 acre)
2/25/2013
12/09/2013
PB229, p6 (excluded land)
B11228, p282 (deed)
B11228, p295 (agreement)
CATIC OP 03259656 MA
B11539 p298
Broad Brook Gap/Kubosiak (total: $496,628. LAND,
CPA, $14,000 BBC). Cross access easements
CATIC owners Title Insurance Policy/certificate of title
USFWS NAWCA Notice of Grant Requirements
81
10/7/2013 B11488, p202 (deed)Rothenberg-Wolpine ($10,800 purchase plus soft costs-
$3,000 BBC & $11,000 CPA)
9
3/24/2014 B11604, p230 (affidavit)
B11604, p240 (taking- 5 A)
B11604, p247 (release- 5 A)
B11604, p255 (taking-12 A)
B11604, p262 (release-12 A)
18 acres ($24,000, $4,000 BBC, remainder CPA)
Gleason 5 acres (was Map ID 7-21 N. Farms Rd)
Gleason 5 acres (was Map ID 7-21 N. Farms Rd)
Gleason 13 acres (was Map ID 8-47, N. Farms Rd)
Gleason 13 acres (was Map ID 8-47, N. Farms Rd)
18
12/29/2014 B11838, p255 McKown purchase 12.1
6/12/2015
8/03/2015
PB234, p71
B12024, p342
Survey-- Derouin
Derouin deed (was portion 17B-003)
25.0
8/14/2015
11/27/2013
B12036, p208
PB231, p17 & 18
Vollinger ($21,400=$4,300 BBC, $17,100 CPA)
Vollinger survey
17.76
8/20/2015 B235, p15 Broad Brook Greenway-- survey entire area
1/30/2017 B12540, p265
PB240, p5
Randall purchase
Randall purchase survey
20
9/25/2017 B12756, p100 Rakhmanov, North Farms Road 0.5
Partners: Memorandum of Agreement w/Broad Brook Coalition (BBC) for joint management
(last amended 2010). BBC conducts routine maintenance of conservation area,
including boardwalk maintenance, trail maintenance, & dam brush clearance.
Permits: Wetlands: 246-224 (trails & dam, expired with maintenance allowed); 246-149 (road, certificate
issued); 246-322 (accessible trail and parking lot); 246-325 (herbicide on dam); Cookes Pasture
(expired).
Trails: Lake Trail, Hillside Trail, Old Telephone Line Trail, Boggy Meadow Rd, Cooke’s Pasture
Trail, Marian St Trail, & Halfway Brook Trail
Improvements: Parking lot & paved trail from parking lot to Broad Brook completed in 1996 for
$19,977 ($3,500 from MA Lakes & Ponds Grant; $16,477 from CDBG Handicap
Access)
Dam: Dam & access road to dam reconstructed in 1999 for $305,967 ($199,288 state self-
help funds & $136,000 City funds). Last dam inspection report 11.2013.
SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY | 45
Public Info: Fitzgerald Lake Conservation sign and other information have been installed at North
Farms Rd and Cook Ave. Self-guided nature trail brochures are available at trail off of
North Farms Rd.
Wildlife: Otter & extensive number of turtles have been seen in lake. There is large amount of
beaver activity in northern and eastern sections of conservation area. Great blue herons
& winter wrens rely on site for critical habitat. Several rare species have been identified
in wetlands bordering Lake & in Cookes Pasture. Elderberry Longhorn, or Elder Borer
(Desmocerus palliates, large, showy, black & yellow beetle) and Wood Turtle (Clemmys
insculpta) are two of state-listed species that have been identified at FLCA. Several vernal
pools exist in conservation area.
ESA: Phase I ES at Beaver Brook by O’Reilly Talbot and Okun, with witnessing of removal of
oil tank. No problems. The seller demolished two homes on the property prior to the
City taking title.
The 40-acre Fitzgerald Lake, created by an earthen dam that dams Broad Broad. It is surrounded by pine,
hemlock, hardwood forest uplands, wooded wetlands, and meadows. Its wet and rocky setting offers
excellent hiking trails, nature study, fishing, canoeing, and skating. It is one of the most diverse and
richest ecological resources in Northampton, with rare plant and animal species.
The Beaver Brook/Broad Brook section includes Broad Brook along Route 9 on the west side of the
property and the headwaters of Broad Brook on the east side. The Forest Stewardship Plan (prepared
2010) included in the management plan section of this plan provides more detail on the property.
A wheelchair accessible path from the parking lot to Fitzgerald Lake (120 feet of asphalt path, 360 feet of
boardwalk, 60 feet of gravel, and a boardwalk dock/platform) was installed in 1993.
The Fitzgerald Lake Dam is classified as a low hazard dam, The City reconstructed the dam spillway in
1998.
The former telephone right-of-way on the property, (quitclaimed in 1994) is now a trail.
The Lathrop Conservation Restriction (no public access) protects sensitive stream and riparian
environments.
The Robinson CR preserves Hatfield’s water supply and Fitzgerald Lake area wildlife habitat. The parcel is
landlocked, but the CR grants the City a right for defined walking trails on the property if the City ever
acquires rights for a trail to the edge of the property.
The Anciporch property on the east side of Boggy Meadow is owned by the city with a conservation
easement held by the USFS. This parcel is outside of the Broad Brook watershed but contains the
headwaters of a stream that has caused serious flooding in the past and contains a large productive
wetland.
The Zimmerman CR is on the west side of Broad Brook and does not include public access.
The Broad Brook Gap/Kubosiak parcel, “supports seven different habitat types, including one of the most
unusual swamp forests in Northampton, a marsh that contains a small great blue heron rookery, and some
of the best black bear habitat in the Commonwealth. In addition, it includes a stretch of Broad Brook
that is immediately upstream from known habitat for three state-listed freshwater mussels, including the
Federally Endangered Dwarf Wedgemussel.” (Laurie Sanders)
The Conservation Commission approved Broad Brook Coalition’s Management Plan and a Memorandum
of Understanding by which BBC carries out day-to-day management. (see www.Northamptonma.gov/
plan).
46 | SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY
A Forest Stewardship Plan for the 102.4 acre Beaver Brook/Broad Brook Greenway was completed in
2012 by Michael Mauri, identifies a large wetlands complex adjacent to Route 9/Haydenville Road, the
headwaters of Broad Brook, and significant stands of mature red oak and affiliated hardwoods, hemlock
in the eastern section, and a mix of white pine, hemlock, and black locust in the western section. Because
of the stream and wetlands, there is no realistic access to most of the forest from Haydenville Road. The
area was farmed until approximately WWII, and barbed wire fences and stone walls occur throughout the
property. Two dilapidated farmhouses along Route 9 were torn down just prior to purchase. The area
adjacent to the road is dominated by non-native invasive species, black locust, Japanese Knotweed and
bittersweet. The full plan is available at www.Northamptonmag.gov/plan, under public file cabinet).
Burts Bog Greenway 28.3 acres
Ownership: City care and custody of Conservation Commission
Early Broad Brook Conservation
David Dill, Jr. (BBC Newsletter, Spring 1994)
By early 1684, 30 years after the founding of Northampton, the growing shortage of forest products was
becoming a crisis. There was squabbling over the use of forest land in common areas outside the town center
where almost everyone lived. Homes, many with two fireplaces, required a great cordage of wood for cooking
and heating, and there was increasing demand for turpentine and fence poles. Up to then, settlers had been free
to cut wood and tap pines on common land two or three miles away. Probably the most accessible supply came
from the dense hardwood and white pine of the Broad Brook drainage area.
First, the town hired surveyors to lay out major subdivisions of the common lands. In 1685 the Broad
Brook was surveyed and became the boundary between the Inner Commons and the outlying Long Division.
Conservation measures followed; by 1698 , cutting down trees under nine inches was a punishable by fines - half
of which went to informers.
Two years later the town banned the barking, boxing or bleeding of any pine within three miles of the meeting
Calamity at Broad Brook
extracted from article by David B. Dill, Jr. (BBC Newsletter, Spring 1997)
January 7, 1780, four Northampton hunters, Seth Lyman, Sr., Major Jonathan Allen, John King, and
Daniel Pomeroy, rode out from the Center, snowshoes tied to their saddles, with nothing more than the
expectation of bringing home a side of venison for the family table.
The men turned off the Hourse Mountain Road at Broad Brook, tied up their mounts, and on
snowshoes plunged into the swamp (now under Fitzgerald Lake), an environment well known for its
abundance of deer. Snow lay three feet deep, favorable for deer hunting, but visibility worsened as snow
fell steadily. A shot rang out. King and Pomeroy hustled over to find Seth Lyman standing over the
mortally wounded major, the accidental victim of Lyman’s musket ball.
One of the men rode posthaste to the Center, where the news, of course, created a great excitement.
Many townspeople arrived in sleighs to watch as the rescuers brought out the dying major in a litter and
loaded him in a sled for the ride to his home. Feelings continued to run high in town, for Major Allen
was highly regarded as decorated veteran of the Revolution and now as a first class finishing carpenter.
Some suspected Seth Lyman shot Allen deliberately, out of bad feeling, but he was acquitted in the April
term of the Supreme Court.
SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY | 47
The use and distribution of the lands purchased
from the Nonotuck natives in 1654 were among
the first concerns of the early Northampton
settlers. Home lots were chosen freely to
afford easy access to the principal attraction
of the settlement: the fertile meadows along
the Connecticut River. These were divided
according to the size and wealth of the family. The
uplands, including the Broad Brook watershed,
apparently were undistributed and were known
as “the commons,” whereby individuals had
proprietary rights to use the land as they needed.
Following conflicts over shortages of forest
products, the unclaimed land was surveyed and
divided into two major subdivisions in 1684
Broad Brook became part of the northern
boundary between the Inner Commons (for
crops and pasture) and the outlying upland
Long Division (mostly woodlots). Over
the years, as the fertility of the meadows
deteriorated and a wheat rust reduced the
grain yield, some upland holdings were
awarded to Proprietors in lieu of lands in
meadows, or to newcomers. The remaining
undivided commons and the “pine lands” were
either pasture ground or restricted woodlots.
Dissatisfaction with the original distribution
of lands flared up from time to time, with
the proprietors calling for legal help from
Connecticut in 1715. The source of discontent
was chiefly the inequality of land holdings and
the fact that individual plots were scattered
around town making for a more laborious and
inefficient farming system. Gradually claims
were consolidated and the town surrendered
its rights to the lands to individual Proprietors.
By 1728, Colonel Timothy Dwight had
acquired most of the 350 acres of land north of
Bridge Road. Dwellings were on Bridge Road
(#340 today) and there was a sawmill on Broad
Brook behind Fortification Hill. Various
owners followed and in 1935, it became the
Harold K. Fitzgerald farm. On land near our
North Farms parking area a recreation hall
was built where dances were held in the 1950s
for the workers at the Corticelli Silk Mill.
In 1965, preparatory to a planned single-family home
condominium housing project, he constructed a dam on
Broad Brook, creating the 40-acre lake. A neighborhood
group formed in opposition to development in the area,
led by Frank Olbris, who called the group the Broad
Brook Coalition. Mr. Fitzgerald abandoned the project
after wetlands restrictions proved too burdensome.
In1977 Mr. Fitzgerald sold the northerly 152 acres of
his land, including the lake, to the City for $145,651.
Cooke’s Pasture consists of parcels consolidated into a farm
by Dr. Edward E. Denniston in 1859. He had attached to
his medical practice a hydropathic institute on grounds
now occupied by the Cooley Dickinson Hospital. To
provide his patients with a good diet, he added to his
kitchen garden the eight parcels of land he called“Broad
Brook Pasture.” Dr. Denniston cleared the land, built
a causeway across Broad Brook, and erected a barn to
house chickens and turkeys. Part of the cellar wall of that
barn still can be seen 450 feet north of the old bridge.
After 1885, the farm was owned and operated by
Francis Cooke and his sons, who gave it the name
“Broad Brook Farm;” the farm was sold in 1927 to
John Pollard.The Pollard dairy cows and barns were
located on Jackson Street, and only beef cattle were
kept out on Cooke’s Pasture, with a cattle-holding
pen just inside the gate on Boggy Meadow Road.
In the 1950s Cooke’s Pasture was cleared, with wet
fringes around the open field. At the edges were stands
of white pine and red maple. In the late 1960’s the cattle
operations ceased. In 1987, the Pollard family sold
the land to the Northampton Land Partnership who
planned a housing development. In 1994 the City,
with the help of Broad Brook Coalition, purchased
147.5 acres of Cooke’s Pasture for conservation land.
The land along Boggy Meadow Road saw a variety
of activities: during World War II, there were field
maneuvers by National Guard units from Springfield
on Cooke’s Pasture and there are remains of old
trenches; there was once a Boy Scout camping
ground in a grassy area off Boggy Meadow Road. In
the 1950’s, the Mondegas Park recreation hall was
established by the Corticelli Silk business for its workers
on land near where a saw mill had once operated
Broad Brook Greenway Cultural History (adopted from Peter Rowe)
48 | SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY
Location: Ellington Rd, Crestview Dr, Sandy Hill Rd, Brookwood Dr., Indian Hill, & Florence Rd
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
3/21/1990 B3536, p85 & 95 Deed for Brookwood Marsh (for abatement of back
taxes)
15
9/12/1986
3/22/1990
PB141, p18
B3535, p234
Indian Hill survvey
Indian Hill deed (via donation cluster project)
7.065
7/25/1994 B4521, p248
B4521, p259
B4531, p302
B4539, p153
Deed for Brookwood Marsh, Gutowski donation 5
1992 B3994, p162 Waterline easement for Brookwood Marsh
11/14/2014 B11801, p238 Virginia Hayseen donation 1.288
10/26/2017
B p
PB239, p59
B12785, p256
Deed for 2017 Burts Bog purchase
Burts Bog Survey
Release from Stone Ridge Pond covenants
114.76
This parcel provides critical wetland habitat and filtration of pollutants. It also protects the City’s drinking
water aquifer (Zone III) and rich beaver activity.
Burt’s Pit: The Gutowski’s donated rich wetlands and the original “Burt’s Pit,” formerly owned by the
Northampton State Hospital and used for mining peat and other organic material for their gardens.
Brookwood Marsh: Norman Keedy d/b/a KV Homes was developing the land at the time the
Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act passed, when his development was shut down by the City. In
1990, the City acquired the 16 acre Brookwood Marsh, with a deed in lieu of foreclosure for back taxes,
to preserve and restore critical wetlands habitat. A portion of the land was filled in the 1970s when
Ellington and Crestview were built, prior to the adoption of the MA-WPA. In 2001, the City restored
an acre of wetlands by removal of fill material and relocating a beaver dam further away from the
surrounding residential homes. In 2005, the city released 16,000 Galerucella beetles in the northern
section of the marsh to control invasive non-native and low wildlife value Purple loosestrife. In 2014 the
protected area was expanded with Virginia Hayseen’s donation.
Indian Hill: contains an attractive stream and protects the City’s drinking water aquifer Zone 3.
Mary Brown’s Dingle 1.56 acres
Ownership: City/Conservation Commission
Location: Glendale Ave, between Franklin St & Crescent St
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
11/17/1983 B2407, p270 Donation from Mary Brown 1.56
Partners: None
Description:
SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY | 49
This area serves as a natural open space and bird habitat in a residential neighborhood. A City storm sewer
easement runs through the middle of this area. Some fill from abutting properties has altered this area.
Childs Park 40 acres
Ownership: Childs Park Foundation, Inc.
Location: Between Elm Street, North Elm Street, Woodlawn, and Prospect
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
10/5/1952 B1103, p147 Estate of Annie H. Childes 40
Donated through the will of Annie H. Childs,to remain forever “as a public park and a place of rest and
quiet recreation.”
Clark Street Well/Aquifer Area 8.18 acres
Ownership: City, Department of Public Works (water supply area)
Connecticut River Greenway (includes CR) 142 acres
Ownership: City/Conservation Commission (primarily)
City/Recreation Commission (6.08 acres at riverfront park)
CR owned by City, land is private (part of airport)
Location: Hatfield Rd, Damon Rd and River Road, Connecticut River
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
4/30/1981 B2220, p339
PB234, p14
James H. Elwell section: Deed ($65,350; LAND
$52,280; & LWCF $6,500)
Survey
100
7/5/2005 B8332, p130
B8322, p148
B8332, p162
Boundary line agreement
Seven Bravo Two CR on Ct. River
Subordination agreement
3.82
PB29 & 204, p83
4/01/2011 PB224, p97
B10516, p307
Survey Ct River Greenway at Hatfield town line
50% interest in land on Hatfield/Northampton town
line ($8,000 CPA, $4,000 from donations)
20
11/5/2012 B11105, p274 Hatfield Road expansion 6.5
5/31/2013 PB229, p40
B11332, p214
B11930, p1
Survey Connecticut River Greenway rivefront park
Deed to Conservation Commission (Lane donation)
Conservation Restriction (CR#53)
4.97
Signage: Land & Water Conservation Fund sign at Damon Road
Partners: Expired Memorandum of Agreement with DCR for joint management at Elwell
Description: Seven Bravo Two CR: abuts the Connecticut River and the CR allows a dock.
50 | SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY
Elwell: 60-acre Elwell Island and 40 acres of adjacent riverfront land. The island provides habitat for
endangered floodplain plans and animals. The eastern edge of the island has a beach and is heavily used
by motor boaters (with some unauthorized camping). A local farmer, in accordance with a Farm Use
License, utilizes approximately 15.5 acres of prime farmland on the mainland. The farmland has been
organic since 2006. This property is managed in cooperation with the Department of Conservation and
Recreation with a joint management agreement in conjunction with the adjacent Greenways State Park.
Elwell Island has been growing from river sedimentation (accretion) at a faster rate than it has been
eroding for over a century. According to the Daily Hampshire Gazette (7/24/1980), “In the early 1780s,
what now is Elwell Island was nothing more than a sandbar. Then, in 1830, Levi Elwell...plant[ed] rocks
and willow shoots on the sandbar... By 1904, the sandbar had grown to an island of 24 acres, and Levi’s
grandson, James Elwell, began farming the island, using a cable ferry to get his crops and equipment back
and forth to the mainland.”
In 1982, scientists estimated that the island grew 9.7’ to 18.2’ per year from 1884 to 1939 and 12.3’ per
year from 1939 to 1977. The island is now larger than its official 60 acres. New layers of silt are added
each year, creating an extremely lush interior, but one in which trees have a difficult time colonizing.
Hatfield: The Greenway also includes a 50% interest in land recently acquired on the Northampton/
Hatfield town line. The city is currently working on acquiring the remaining 50% interest.
The two existing Greenway holdings will eventually be the anchor for a Connecticut River Greenway rail
trail extending from Damon Road to Elm Court in Hatfield.
Greenway Park: Lane Construction donated the land along the river in two parts, part to conservation
and part to recreation which now includes the community boathouse.
Conte Fish & Wildlife National Refuge 230.38 acres
Ownership: USA, managed by USF&W
Location: Hockanum Rd, Mt. Tom Rd/Route 5
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
11/28/2006 B8961, p348 Parcel 4 (Hockanum Rd), donation from Joseph M.
McNerney
19.52
2008 B9429, p236 Taking to City, donation
11/16/2006 Site assessment by OTO
6/19/2008 B9518, p66 Deed to USA ($25,000)
10/19/2007 B9299, p242 Parcel 19B.1 (Hockanum Rd), includes 16.0 acres
transfer from City to Valley Land Fund ($25,000)
197
B5738, p221 Sheldon CR to Broad Brook Coalition
8/17/2007 B9238, p229 Parcel 4a, taking to City ($13,860)13.86
6/19/2008 B9518, p62 Deed to USA ($19,000)
10/8/2008 B9615, p174 Parcel 4b ($9,000)
10/9/2008 B9616, p97 Confirmatory deed from Wodicka ($9,000)
Eventual sale to USA Conte expected in 2009
SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY | 51
Description:
The Mill River fueled manufacturing during the industrial revolution. In 1936 and 1938, back-to-back
floods turned the city streets into canals and caused a large amount of water damage. The U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers took on a major flood control project from 1939 to 1940, cutting off the flow of the Mill River
through downtown.
Florence Conservation Area 4.9 acres
Ownership: City/Conservation Commission
Location: Garfield Ave.
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
12/15/2005 B8557, p106 Montgomery friendly taking
3/1/2006 B8632, p77 Montgomery confirmatory deed
1/4/2010 B10067, p301;
PB 222, p10-11
Deed from City to Northampton Conservation, part of
settlement for former landfill & limited development
project. Commission and supporting plans
4.097
3/15/2013
6/12/2013
PB229, p23
B11345, p226
revised survey with 2013 expansion of conservation area
Deed for 2013 expansion of conservation area
0.4
Partners: None
Description:
DPW has a permanent right and responsibility to maintain the cap on the former landfill at the northerly
end of Garfield Avenue, beyond the last home on the road. This limited development project includes the
old landfill, five Habitat for Humanity affordable houses, and one market rate house lot.
The City purchased the parcel as a settlement of litigation around a former landfill on the site. The dump
was privately owned in an old quarry, but in the early twentieth century the City allowed dumping on the
site. With all responsible parties gone, the city was the only remaining potentially responsible party.
Kestrel Conservation Restrictions on Cons. Area 639 acres
Ownership: City/Conservation Commission
Location: Broad Brook Greenway, Mill River Greenway, Mineral Hills, Saw Mill Hills
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
4/19/2013 B11287, p206 CR on land purchased with CPA fund (catchup)639
The Kestrel Conservation Restrictions are on existing Northampton Conservation Commission property and
provide an additional layer of protection. These do NOT create any new open space not already listed in
other entries. The CRs are also mentioned in each of the conservation areas that they are part of.
See also baselines of all conservation lands so protected
52 | SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY
Marble Brook Greenway CR 168 acres
Ownership: Private (Guyette and Anderson)
CRs: by City though Board of Public Works
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
04/14/2010 B10147, p238 CR to Nonotuck Land Fund ($134,720 CPA)168
04/14/2010 B10147, p255 CR to City Board of Public Works
Meadows Conservation Area and CRs and APRs 248 acres
Ownership: City/Conservation Commission
CRs: by Conservation Commission, land privately owned
APRs: by Commonwealth/City and by City alone
Mass Audubon Society Conservation Restriction on 103 acres
Location: Manhan Rail Trail Buffer: Easthampton Road/Route 10
Emerald Necklace: Crosspath Rd and Venturers’ Field Rd
Montview Avenue section: Montview Ave and Venturers Field Road
Bleiman Donation: Manhan Rd, & Potash Rd.
Massachusetts Audubon: Old Springfield Road
Atwood Drive: Atwood Drive
Jasinski APR: Cross Path, Hockanum, Hunts, Rainbow, and Young Rainbow Roads
Russell APR: Fair Street Extension
Baye APR: Kings Highway
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
6/24/1966 PB69, p1 Plan “Manhan Meadow Lots” w/“R.H. Clapp Meadow
Lot”
4/3/1997 B5115, p113
B5115, p127
Ticor Title Insurance
Deed--Sparko: Self Help ($84,480) and Mass Audubon
($43,520)
CR- Sparko gives Mass Audubon managemenet rights
22-2620-106-00000151 on file w/City Clerk
38
9/22/1999 B5796, p82 CR retained by City when city surplused land 8.019
11/18/1999 B5842, p281 $1,000 by eminent domain 0.79
2/5/2001 B6120, p19 Deed-Kossakowski, 3 acres w/right-of-way 3
PB188, p1
First American Title Insurance
Plans
100367887 on file w/City Clerk
SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY | 53
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
3/24/2000
5/5/2015
B5905, p298
PB186, p131
First American Title Insurance
B11930, p1
Montview donation
Survey
20329816 on file w/City Clerk
Consevation Restriction (CR#53)
3.246
4/6/2001 B6167, p282
B6192, p112
B6192, p112
Taking: Burt
Confirmatory Deed-- Burt
CR-- Burt, gives Mass Audubon management rights
65
8/15/2007 B9234, p324
B9234, p339
PB215, p317
CR at Montview/Venturers Field Road (Town Farm)
Access easement (trade for CR)
Survey of Montview/Venturers Field Rd CR
2
2/23/2009 B9712, p317 Venturers Field Road CR, north of dike, e of road 3.56
2/6/2012 B10804, p160 Agreement for Dike Road closure
2/10/2012 B10808, p294 50% interest in land (Naumowicz owns 50%)20
10/3/2012 PB228, p14 Survey old Hampshire County jail farm on Venturers
Field Road as hoped for future conservation land subject
10/11/2012
5/8/2012
8/5/2013
B11076, p1
B9801, p177
PB230, p21
Jasinski Agriculture Preservation Restriction
Rogers Farm- given as partial consideration for APR
Survey Rogers Farm, now part of APR
81.6
11/7/2012
5/21/2013
5/5/2015
PB 228, p48
B11318, p267
B11930, p1
survey of Pomery Terrace state land coming to city
Release deed from state (no consideration)
Conservation Restriction (CR#53)
6.6
6/27/2014 B11679, p177
B11679, p198
Russell Agriculture Preservation Restriction (w/state)
Co-Holders Agreement (City/State)
8.6
9/22/2015 B12075, p43 Baye Agriculture Preservation Restriction 7
Partners: MassAudubon: MassAudubon has full management rights under the Burt CR.
Commonwealth of Mass: Russell is co-held with MA DAR, who is the lead.
Description:
Most of Meadows Conservation Area (and related CRs) is within the 100-year flood plain of the Connecticut
River, much of it with sensitive wetlands and prime farmland.
Jasinski APR: 81.6 acre local (not co-held with state) in three corners of the Meadows. Includes affirmative
obligation for the landowner to ensure that the land is farmed.
Russell APR: 8.6 acres of farmland in state APR on Fair Street extension.
Manhan buffer: Protects the viewshed of the Manhan Rail Trail and a small portion of the New Haven and
Northampton Canal.
Northampton Dike at Pomeroy: 6.6 acres from the state off Northampton dike.
Purcell and Budah-- Agreement to discontinue Dike Road- This agreement reduces the risk of trash being
dumped and allows an eventual expansion of the conservation area.
54 | SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY
Historic Mill River Greenway (Naumowicz/Gonski): 20 acres owned 50% by city and 50% by
Naumowicz. Goal is to purchase Naumowicz interest in land and merge three parcels into the adjacent
Bleiman parcel. Property contains rich wetlands, vernal pools and floodplain forest. Except for
maintenance, no improvements planned.
The MassAudubon Partnership: 103 acres were purchased by the City to preserve grassland bird habitat.
Massachusetts Audubon Society at Arcadia holds a Conservation Restriction and is responsible for day-to-
day management of the property. Arcadia census data for the grassland nesting species shows an increase
in the numbers of Bobolinks and Savannah sparrows since the property was purchased. Peter Vickery,
the Massachusetts Audubon ornithologist who manages its grassland bird project, reports that the Sparko
piece provides good Meadowlark habitat. Mass. Audubon will be watching over the next several years to
see if this or the other grassland species are able to establish themselves.
Arcadia is also conducting butterfly surveys. Butterflies appear to be less plentiful on these hayfields
than expected. Arcadia is allowing their field on the north side and abutting the Sparko parcel to grow
milkweed to encourage butterflies.
While flood plain forests are rare, Arcadia will manage the hayfields (and eventually other Massachusetts
Audubon fields in Northampton now under cultivation) for grassland species. While other areas of the
sanctuary have been allowed to grow up into brush, these fields are very wet and are better not cultivated
and some “weedy” areas provide food and shelter for migrating species particularly in the fall. Arcadia’s
ecological management goal is to encourage native diversity.
The hayfield is primarily non-native agricultural plants that have been cultivated for hay production. The
“fields” may not appear the way a skilled farmer would be accustomed to seeing them or the way our
aesthetic sense might expect to see them. The land in the meadows, owned and/or managed by Audubon,
is increasingly being used by wildlife. Hay cutting is delayed until the birds complete their nesting cycle.
The hay is not a prime sweet crop. Some bird species require thinner grasses for nesting sites. Arcadia staff
will not feed the land to produce a more abundant crop of hay. Bare spots are just fine. Plants going to
seed may be great for migrating species.
The City of Northampton reserves the right to treat this area for mosquitoes.
Mill River Greenway and related CRs 612 acres
Includes Leeds, Bean/Allard APR, Florence Community Gardens,
Beaver Brook, Northampton State Hospital, and Bleiman
Ownership: Fee interests conservation areas: City/Conservation Commission
Fee interest Bean/Allard APR and Community Gardens: Grow Food Northampton
Fee interests NSH: Mass. Dept. of Ag Resources, MassDevelopment, Smith College
Other Fee interests Valley Community Development Corp. and Housing Authority
APR: City and Mass. Dept. Ag. Resources
CR and Easement on non-city land (NSH, Beaver Brook, Smith College): City
NSH Management, 25 year lease, renewable 3 times to Smith Vocational School
Private-- Leeds CR
Location: Mill River and historic Mill River from Haydenville town line to Arcadia Wildlife
Sanctuary (Leeds, Florence, Bay State, NSH, downtown)
SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY | 55
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
6/19/1975 B1837, p222 Florence: donation by Vistron corporation 5.1
10/20/1975 B1855, p121 Right of way on private greenway off Ward Ave 31C-11
1983 Mass Session Laws Chap. 568 Acts of 1983 ordered land protected and APR/CR
1800s
1984
NSH land to commonwealth in 1800’s
Care & Control NSH Ag. Land to Mass. DAR
7/14/1989 B3407, p304PB162, p67 Bay State: donation by James Graham, Yankee Hill
9/13/1989 PB163, p46 & 47 Survey of NSH agriculture land
4/3/1990 PB163, p48 Survey of Historic Mill River Greenway
4/3/1990 B3541, p87 Donation parcel along Historic Mill River greenway 0.3
5/15/1990 B3561, p285 APR and ROW on entire NSH agriculture land except
Parcel D
273.9
5/15/1990 B3568, p153 37 acre CR & public ROW on drumlin & along river
(overlaps with APR)
12/31/1997 PB183, p1 Survey of former Northampton State Hospital
B5900, p26 Smith College Conservation and ROW Easement 20.1
9/17/1999
2/4/2000
PB 185, p156 (plan)
B5879, p156 (deed)
Bay State: donation Cutlery Building Assocations
1.73
B2163, p236 Bay State: sewer easement
3/29/2000 B5898, p39 Survey of CR on Mill River north of Village Hill
3/29/2000 B5898, p39 CR on Mill River north of Village Hill 8.1
3/29/2001 PB186, p230 Leeds: donation by Myette 0.1
Mortgage Release B6158, p40 Leeds: mortgage release
12/3/2002 PB194, p63 Survey of Historic Mill River Greenway
12/3/2002 B6914, p135 & 137 Historic Mill River Greenway
12/10/2002 B6925, p302 Fee interest Mill River Parcel to Hospital Hill LLC
3/16/2004 B7720, p130 Historical Mill River: Steven Berlin-Chavez and Reginal
Chavez-Berlin donation
1.44
8/28/2006 B8854, p82 Historical Mill River: eminent domain of tax title parcel 0.4
10/17/2006 B8915, p106 Easement: Housing Authority West Street/Mill River
(condition of 7/20/06 permit, 10/16/06 NHA vote)
4/26/2007 B9109, p58 Beaver Brook CR acquired through permit condition 40.95
2/9/2009 PB220, p26 Survey of Beaver Brook section
8/24/2009 B9942, p188 Rita and Bruce Bleiman donation, with covenant to
maintain field
9.95
PB221, p67 Plans-Bleiman
12/11/2009 B10047, p233 and 237 Beaver Brook: Fee ownership + rail trail ROW.
(Condition of permit.) Overlaps with Beaver Brook CR
25.44
4/28/2010 B10160, p233 Mill River Greenway, Bean Farm (donation related to
permit condition)
1.184
56 | SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
4/30/2010 B10164, p119
B8314, p46
PB222, p124
Mill River Greenway, Leeds from Roman Catholic
Church ($35,000 CPA & Rail Trail funding) which
includes a rail trail (previous easement from Mass
Electric)
4.051
8/10/2010 B10258, p240 Mill River Greenway, Bean Farm (donation related to
permit condition)
3.532
10/26/2010 B10347, p195
B10297, p347
Mill River Leeds, Tacy deed in lieu of tax foreclosure,
with City reserving right to develop rail trail access
Tax title redemption
1.37
12/1/2010 PB 224, p49 Survey of Bean Allard farms, including Mill River
Greenway, related APR, and Florence Fields Recreation
12/1/2010 B10392, p337
B10393, p23
Bean Farm and Allard Farm to Trust for Public Land
12/13/2010 B10406, p222
#5011400-0082046e
Mill River Greenway Bean/Allard (CPA $236,000).
Grantees retain easement for three 15’ irghts-of-way to
Mill River. City granted easement for 20’ pedestrain
access from Florence Fields to Mill River Greenway
First American Title Insurance to City Clerk
35.04
12/13/2010 B10406, p259 Bean/Allard Grow Food Northampton APR (NOT fee)121.02
12/13/2010 B10406, p289
#5011400-0082185e
Bean/Allard Grow Food APR Co-Holders Agreement
First American Title Insurance on APR (to City Clerk)
3/1/2011 B10492, p215
5011400-01234504e
Lease (198 years) from Grow Food Northampton for
organic community gardens and Mill River Greenway
(land all part of the Bean Allard APR above) .
First American Title Insurance (to City Clerk)
17.405
6/28/2011 B10585, p100
B10585, p99
Deed Gaustad by Ward Ave parcel “O”
related affidavit
0.1
4/23/2012 B10880, p196
B10918, p119
B10977, p342
Order of Taking- Chatfield, Leeds section (0.6 acres)
related tax redemption
realted sale of land to Miller
7/17/2012 B10978, p1 Conservation Restriction #48- Miller, Leeds 0.6
2/21/2007
8/28/2013
8/28/2013
B9046, p28
B11442, p250
B11442, p254
State Hospital Parcel D: care and control to DAR
State Hospital Parcel D: Trail Easement
State Hospital- Parcel D: Agricultural preservation
restriction with option to purchase at agricultural value
36.338
8/01/2014 B11714, p264 Historic Mill River at Dike Road (Atwood)0.75
9/22/2015 B12075, p65 Historic Mill River at Manhan Road (Ksieniewicz)3.31
4/06/2018 B12919, p 239 Lyman - Ward Avenue Trail Access Easement 0.95
Partners: Historic Mill River at Dike Road and Manhan Road: Mass. Audubon Society
Bay State Section—informal w/Baystate Village Association
SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY | 57
Leeds—Informal w/Leeds Civic Association
Florence Community Gardens-- Grow Food Northampton
Other Data: “Inventory of Mill River Corridor Discharge Sources” Environmental Science Seminar,
Smith College, 1999 and “Mill River Revitalization Plan,” Landscape Planning Studio, U. Mass, 1999.
Description: (see also entry under Norwottuck rail trail)
The Mill River was once indispensable to the establishment of manufacturing in Northampton. The
river is one of the unifying themes historic settlements along the river, Leeds, Florence, Bay State,
Northampton State Hospital, and downtown. The Mill River Greenway is discontinuous but the name
reflects the goal of an eventual continuous greenway from the Haydenville town line to the Oxbow.
Historic Mill River: In 1936 and in 1938 back-to-back tropical storms flooded much of downtown,
causing a large amount of damage. The US Army Corps of Engineers (1939-1940) built a major flood
control project to cut off the flow of the Mill River through downtown. The Historic Mill River,
including the by-pass channel, is a degraded waterway in an urban setting, with impediments to fish
passage and degraded instream habitat. Diversion of flow through the by-pass channel, construction of
a dam and drop structure, and development along the banks of the former riverbed harmed fisheries.
The City has worked with the Corps of Engineers to evaluate alternatives to restore a riverine migratory
corridor to the historic Mill River and:
▪Restore a riverine migratory corridor and open up high value habitat to aquatic species.
▪Restore flow to the historic river channel, thereby recreating aquatic habitat.
▪Enhance or restore riparian buffers.
▪Increase recreational use of the river and increase public access to the river.
▪Provide aesthetic improvement to the historic river channel.
The city has been acquiring land along the Historic Corridor. A right-of-way and conservation restriction
was granted for the historic Mill River frontage adjoining Mill Bank condominiums. Title to the original
CR and easement were lost by foreclosure, but a new CR was granted in 2002.
Leeds and Beaver Brook: Beaver Brook land contains rare species habitat. See also rail trail easement
under rail trail entry and conservation restriction under conservation restrictions entry.
Florence: The former Allard and Bean Farms have all been permanently protected. Most of the
floodplain forest is now part of the Mill River Greenway. Fellow travelers from the same transaction
created the 24 acre Florence Recreation Fields and the Grow Food farm, owned by Grow Food
Northampton with the City and state coholding an Agricultural preservation restriction. The City also
holds a 198 lease on 17 acres for a Florence Community Gardens (with the land managed by GFN).
Bay State: From north to south, the Vistron is a small isolated parcel on the Mill River with an intensive
amount of invasives. Bay State is a small but very accessible parcel just south of Maines Field. It does not
contain any portion of the old raceway, where some debris was dumped by the former cutlery. Yankee
Hill is a steep hillside between the Mill River and the permanently protected agricultural lands at the
former State Hospital land.
Northampton State Hospital: The NSH agriculture land property has agricultural preservation
restriction (APR) with a conservation easement and public right-of-way within 100 feet of Mill River and
south of Burts Pit Road on the “drumlin” above 265 feet mean sea level. Northampton holds and enforces
these restrictions. A rich wetland complex exists near the Mill River. Ground-nesting birds, including
the Grasshopper Sparrow (listed as a special concern), nest in the spring and summer on the drumlin.
58 | SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY
The fields/woods edge provides excellent Bluebird habitat. Controlled August-September burns of the
drumlin to maintain habitat and control multi-flora rose were effectively done in the 1990s, avoiding
ground-nesting birds. Smith Vocation should be careful not to overgraze this area. Cattle or sheep should
be rotated through this area, or another area should be used during the nesting season. Bunch grasses
should be maintained at 4”-12”.
Woody vegetation along the hillsides, particularly the multi-flora rose, should be repeatedly cut and
removed from the site or introduce appropriate grazers (e.g., goats, Scottish Highland cattle).
ROW and conservation easements/restrictions have been placed on the land along the river north of
Village Hill (MassDevelopment) and on Hospital Hill (Smith College sledding hill). In addition, the
Northampton Housing Authority granted an easement along the Mill River at West Street and there are
deed restrictions providing right-of-way exist in some of the properties along the east side of the Mill
River between Federal Street and the Smith College campus.
Historic Mill River Greenway (Bleiman): 9.95 acres on the corners of Potash Rd. and Dike Rd. The
site is in the floodplain with a mixture of wet and dry soils, floodplain forest, a portion of the former
Historic Mill River which is now a certified vernal pool, and 5 acres of fields, of which only 1 is very
productive. The City has an obligation to maintain the 5 acre field in an open condition. Site limitations
include: (1) Vernal pool; (2) All floodplain; (3) No water supply; (4) No electricity; (5) Security
limitations; (6) Mosquito heaven; (7) some heavy wet soils.
Soils include: Hadley Silt Loam (1.8 acres, 36% of field) is a well-drained flood plain soil, with slopes
0-3%. Land Capability Class is a measure of the appropriateness of a soil type for particular activities,
including agriculture. Hadley land capability class is 1, highly suited for agricultural use.
Winooski Silt Loam (2.9 acres, 57% of field) is a moderately well drained floodplain soil, with slopes
0-3%. The land capability class is 2w, suitable for agriculture but with less than perfect drainage and may
retain spring moisture longer than other soils, such as the Hadley Silt Loam.
Limerick Silt Loam (0.3 acres, 7% of field) is a poorly drained flood plain soil, slopes 0-3%, and
groundwater within 18” of the surface. The land is capability class 3w,indicating that it is less than
suitable for agriculture. Much of the floodplain forest is also wet Limerick Soils.
Access is currently limited to two overgrown entry points in the hedgerow. There is no signage upon
approaching or entering the site, no designated parking, and no designated location for delivery of
materials (such as compost) or supplies (such as farm tools and implements being delivered or retrieved).
Existing access patterns consist of a grassy field road around the exterior of the field, running past each of
the access points and along the inside of the hedgerow. Abutting roads and the surrounding woods and
wetlands are frequent dumping sites.
Agricultural Use Analysis for bleiman:
The land could be used for grazing or hay, propagation garden, or perennial planting (e.g., nuts,
coppice, silvopasture, fruits, vegetables, herbs, medicinal & wild plants). Long-term plantings mitigate
the water constraints on site. In this case, it becomes essential that user maintain a longer term lease
appropriate to the harvest timing of the crop, since the yields are not immediate.
Not Recommended uses: community gardens (frequent flooding), CSA or farm stand (bad access), or
farm incubator (wet, flooding, access).
Regenerative Practices
Regenerative soil management practices balance nutrient cycles to conserve water and nutrients, increase
soil organic matter, sequester carbon, and meet crop needs with site resources or with recaptured resources
present locally. These practices also limit erosion and minimize impact on native ecosystems.
SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY | 59
It is recommended that site stewards/users map nutrient cycles (water, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus)
as they relate to the site, and develop regenerative, closed-loop, self-sustaining cycles. What sources of
water, organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, are available? Can you design closed loop systems that take
advantage of these resources? Can you include recaptured organic matter present locally (such as leaves
from landscapers), or captured water on site?
In particular, regenerative issues point to the possibilities of whole farm systems with interconnected
parts. For example, the Compost Utilization Trial (CUT) at Rodale Institute demonstrated that the use
of composted manure with crop rotations in organic systems can result in carbon sequestration of up
to 2,000 lbs/ac/year, a greater sequestration than side-by-side comparisons to non-manure compost or
chemical fertilizers. Carbon sequestration is associated with the increase in stable soil organic matter
(which is mostly carbon). This shows that incorporation of animals and crops into a whole farm system is
one example of a regenerative loop that outperforms other options.
Synergistic uses are strongly recommended. Mutually supportive uses are an important component of
regenerative agriculture. Single, monocultural uses do not demonstrate long term stability, or other self-
sustaining characteristics of regenerative systems.
Cover Cropping
For land not being actively farmed, establishing a nitrogen fixing cover crop is a recommended. Plowing
and sowing the cover crop may take place anytime between April and August.
Red clover, a short lived perennial, is recommended. Red clover prefers heavy, fertile soils of near-neutral
pH. It can handle less-than-perfect drainage, acid soils and clays. It can even tolerate wet soil conditions
but not prolonged flooding. Nitrogen yield averages are 100-110lb/acre per season.
Red clover seed rates are 11-14 lbs per acre. To establish red clover in the spring, because it is slow
growing at first, and liable to leave the field at risk to weed growth, it is recommended that a nurse crop
of oats at 1.5-2 bushes per acre be seeded with it. Clover inoculants should be mixed with the seed (unless
clover has been grown in the field in the previous 3 years).
In the Northeast it is generally planted in spring and allowed to grow for a full year before incorporation.
This allows one or more hay cuts or mowing before incorporation as a green manure. The clover should
be mowed two or so times over the course of the season, at flowering (before seeding), to prevent
developing clover seed as a field weed.1
Recommended Conditions of license.
▪Stable or increasing soil organic matter, up to a 10% soil organic matter maximum.
▪Stable or increasing soil nutrient levels.
▪Adherence to the current NOP Organic Standards.
▪Maintain covered (not bare) soil at all times via the use of crops, cover crops, or mulch. Excluding possible
6 week at-a-time maximum pre-crop soil prep and/or summer bare fallow.
▪Management of plants so they do not set seeds in the field. Including but not limited to: vegetable crops,
pasture species, annual and perennial weeds, hedgerows and weedy field edges. Excluding those plants
explicitly managed for seed saving purposes.
▪Maintenance of the tree line, including the edge running along Potash Rd, which borders the driest and
highest quality agricultural soil on site. However, possibly excluding wet edges and edges abutting the
vernal pool area.
60 | SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY
The Northampton State Hospital burial ground is protected from development by a permanent
agricultural-use restriction. The field should not be plowed to avoid disturbing the soil deflations and
patches of low vegetation that are the only marks of the locations of the graves. A detailed inventory of
the site was done in Preservation Guidelines for Municipally Owned Historic Burial Grounds and Cemetaries,
with specific information about this site.
A 1958 bench and surrounding bushes were the first memorial commemorating the field as a burial
ground and are an important part of the history of the cemetery. M.G..L. Chapter 272, Section 73 of the
Massachusetts Laws and Regulations Protecting Burial Grounds require preservation of the bench or the
bushes because they were built as a memorial. The Historical Commission installed a new plaque and
bench in 2017.
Plaques could be mounted the bench stone supports to honor both the cemetery (1858-1921) with its
181 confirmed burials, and 413 potential burials, and past memorial efforts. The plaque could also note at
least two burials in the woods across the road to the north and that the boundaries of the cemetery have
not been determined. It is important to preserve the present knowledge about the cemetery.
Any new memorial must avoid disturbing any graves in the cemetery. It is possible to erect a completely
above ground dry-laid stone monument such as a stone cairn that would not disturb the ground with a
foundation. However, a memorial plaque could not be mounted on this unmortared monument. Because
any mortared monument would require a foundation, its design would need to be reviewed by the
Massachusetts Historical Commission, which would require an archaeological survey and/ or excavation
to mitigate the impact of the foundation excavation on the burial ground. Erecting a sign would involve
the least amount of excavation and archaeological investigation to prevent disturbance to burials. Any
memorial be placed near the road to minimize disturbance to burials.
It is strongly recommended that haying be conducted only when the ground is completely dry. The
Department of Agricultural Resources agreed to draw up such a regulation for Smith Vocational School.
Further archaeological reconnaissance and subsurface testing (e.g., resistivity testing) could identify
the boundaries of the cemetery and map the soil deflations and vegetation indicating burials. Further
archaeological reconnaissance in the area might also locate small-unmarked gravestones of the types Mr.
Mielke found on the burial ground in his childhood.
Mineral Hills Conservation Area and CR ______ acres
Ownership: City/Conservation Commission
Conservation Restriction: Private land, CR Joint Northampton and Westhampton
Location: West side Sylvester Rd, north side Turkey Hill, north & south side
CR: Turkey Hill Road on Westhampton side of town line
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
10/12/1994
4/7/1994
9/30/1994
B4570, p97
Title Insurance Policy
PB177, p164 & 167
LaPalme, bargain sale, City & neighborhood donations
Filed w/City Clerk
Sylvester Rd
85
B4570, p87 and p93 Sylvester Road driveway for LaPalme limited
development: wetlands permit and special permit for
reduction of frontage development
SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY | 61
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
B4570, p102 Right-of-way to building lots
12/27/1994 B4607, p172 APR
Drainage & utility easements of record
12/11/2003 B7616, p103 Turkey Hill cluster 2.2
PB198, p23 Survey of Mineral Hills
Disclosures filed DSPO
PB211, p12 Survey for Turkey Hill Rd parcel south of Turkey Hill
B8486, p310 Boundary line agreement with right-of-way to Cowles
from Cowls property to Turkey Hill Road for logging.
1/12/2007 B9009, p36
subject to easement: B8486,
P310
Turkey Hill $685,000 (Self-help, City, Wharton Trust,
Highland Communities Initiative, & $200,000 in
community fundraising). Cowles retains easement for
logging access. Deed in limits trails and access adjacent
to Lots 2 & 3 on plans.
120
First American Title Insurance
Company
102758222
B9013, p31 Walking easement between Turkey Hill section &
LaPalme section
B9013, p35 Mortgage subordinations
Authorization in City Council resolution recorded w/
Turkey Hill section
12/26/2006 B8990, p33 CR in Westhampton- joint ownership Westhampton
(primary enforcer) and Northampton (backup role)
29.4
PB147, p58 Plans--CR and Turkey Hill
2/9/2009 B9700, p64 Turkey Hill Rd, Bosworth purchase 15
5/9/2008 Kohl survey purchase
6/4/2008 Warranty Deed, B9503, p293
PB218, p38
Subject to: B5842, p161
B9503, p296 (agreement)
First American Titlle
Kohl purchase, LAND ($470,000), CPA ($350,000),
City ($15,000), community donations ($134,000)
Chambers, “in-holding” house, reserves the right to
maintain and repair ponds and dam and cut trees to
preserve their easterly view.
LAND agreement
Title insurance for Kohl addition, 106544301
60.6 +
11.53 CR
7/18/2008 B9547, p40 Wilhelm/Mineral Hills Trust 15.1
3/10/2009 PB220, p46 Survey of all of Mineral Hills (since updated by survey
below)
5/31/2011 B10559, p138 Skibiski purchase, Turkey Hill Road 32.1
5/31/2011 First American Title Title insurance for Skibiski 5011400-0158781e
11/17/2011 B10722, p81 Conservation Restriction #47 on Skibiski purchase to
Kestrel Land Trust
62 | SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
2/14/2012 B10812, p162
B10812, p167 (agreement)
Jedoron Realty Inc purchase, $131,400, LAND and
CPA 364 Turkey Hill Road
LAND Project Agreement for Jedoron and Sarafin
5.8221
2/14/2012 First American Title:
5011400-0284580e, on file
with City Clerk
Title insurance for Jedoron
title certificate from Elaine Reall, City Solicitor
4/27/2012 B10885, p240 Sarfin purchase, Chesterfield Road LAND and CPA 90.394
4/27/2012 CATIC: OP 03154477 MA,
on file with City Clerk
Title Insurance for Sarafin-- title certificate from Alan
Seewald, City Solicitor
6/25/2012 B10951, p43 Discontinuance of Turkey Hill Road within cons. area 3.8
7/13/2012 PB227, p82 Survey of all of Mineral Hills
6/28/2017 B12666, p41
PB239, p57
Fierst purchase
Fierst purchase survey
31.58
2/14/2018 B12880, p44 William Walker/Galena purchase 7.968
Description:
A diverse piece of conservation property consisting of wooded uplands, wetlands, and a small field in
active agriculture. A small parking lot is on the Sylvester Road side of the parcel.
The Mineral Hills Conservation Area is one of Northampton’s natural resource gems. The undeveloped,
contiguous woodland contains numerous important habitat areas, supports a wide diversity of wildlife
species and provides a variety of recreation opportunities for the citizens of Northampton. Furthermore,
the natural amenities in this area have attracted and inspired many past and present and have become a
part of the City of Northampton’s cultural fabric. Famous writer and Northampton native Brian Kitely
aptly captures the spirit of the conservation land in his journal 1852: The Sage of Mineral Hill:
…Northampton below from Mineral Hill is as remote as the Northwest Passage. We live on what
we find, the dog and me-service berries in June, tart strawberries, carrots that taste of metal. What is
any man’s discourse to me, if I am not sensible of something in it as steady and cheery as the creak of
crickets? In it the woods must be relieved against the sky. Men tire me when I am not constantly greeted
and refreshed as by the flux of sparkling streams. Surely joy is the condition of life.
The 30 acre purchase from Skibiski in 2011 on Turkey Hill Road on the border with Westhampton makes
the conservation area continuous from Sylvester Road to Westhampton. This section of land includes the
High Street Walking Club trail from Turkey Hill Road to Skibiski Summit, marked by Michael Mauri
using a Forest Stewardship implementation grant and built by the Friends of Mineral Hills management
partner. This project also included installation of an aluminum boardwalk to provide access to the trail
network from the Sylvester Road parking lot.
All of the outer property boundaries of the Mineral Hills Conservation Area were blazed in 2011 by
Northeast Survey, with all property corners photographed and the photos on the City’s public file cabinet
website. This work was done with Forest Stewardship implementation grant funds as well.
In 2012 , the city acquired the Mineral Hills Bookends, using a LAND grant and CPA funds, to purchase
land from Sarafin on Chesterfield Road and from Jendoron on Turkey Hill Road. City Council then
discontinued the portion of Turkey Hill Road going through the middle of the conservation area.
SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY | 63
The Mineral Hills Conservation Area consists of a forested landscape ripe with natural resources. The
diverse forest matrix provides a complex environment of interacting plant and wildlife biodiversity.
Babbling brooks flow from the hilltops to the wetlands below and vernal pools can be found teeming with
life during the spring and fall.
In 2010, professional forester Michael Mauri completed a forest stewardship plan, (funding: forest
stewardship grant). The full plan is available at the city’s website (www.northamptonma.gov/plan, in the
public file cabinet) that contains an overview of forest types and recommendations.
Parson’s Brook Greenway, Park Hill APR/CR 275 acres
Ownership: Greenway Fee: City through the Conservation Commission (West Farms)
Title under APRs and CRs: Private—no public access
Protection: Lathrop, Gray/Peppard, Burke, & Jewett/Pinkham—Conservation restrictions, City
Kidder & Micka—Agricultural protection restrictions, jointly by City & Massachusetts
DAR
Location: Parsons Brook, the Plantation, Park Hill Rd, Westhampton Rd, & Florence Rd
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
2/16/1979
2/16/1979
Plan Book 110, p65-66
Book 2082, p84
Survey of Towne Conservation Easement-- Whittier
Street and Westhampton Road
Conservation Easement, Towne
15+
APR, Adams by Department of Agricultural Resources 72
3/3/1986 B2685, p193 & 196 APR, Kidder 47
3/23/1990 B3535, p323 Kidder
8/5/1998
6/24/2000
B5449, p275
B5964, p254
APR, Valley Land Fund (VLF) & City ($450,500)
Assignment VLF to Depart. of Agricultural Resources
($408,450 share of original consideration)
38
12/22/2000 B6093, p296
PB187, p253
B6093, p305
APR, Gray/Peppard (donation)
Survey, Gray/Peppard
Mortgage, Gray/Peppard
30
B6093, p317 Restrictions, APR & Deed to Gray/Peppard
1/5/2001 B6100, p298 Gray/Peppard, deed & mortgage release, $225,000
2/1/2001 B6119, p264 APR, Assignment of co-holding to Department of
Agricultural Resources
B6117, p265 Affidavit & appraisal
12/20/2001 B6472, p277
PB190, p114
CR, Gray/Peppard, et al (donation)
Survey, Gray/Peppard, et al
23.203
6/20/2002
07/02/2002
03/10/2008
B6703, p294
B9415, p180
City Council Order (accept donation)
Cluster permit right-of-way
64 | SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
2/4/2005 B8155, p57
PB204, p22
Lathrop, (by boundary line agreement elsewhere)
Survey, Lathrop
11.215
4/21/2010 PB10153, p116 CR #45, Jewett and Pinkham (permit condition)5.722
5/6/2013 B11304, p298 CR #50, Burke ($9,500 CPA)19.5
5/5/2015 B11930, p24 CR#55 Dostal 1.138
Small conservation area with opportunity for walking trails and includes frontage on Parsons Brook just
upstream from a series of conservation restrictions and agriculture preservation restrictions that stretch
from Parsons Brook and into Easthampton.
Rainbow Beach/Shepard’s Island 101 acres
Ownership: City Rainbow Beach: City/Conservation Commission
State Rainbow Beach and Shepard’s Island: Mass. Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
Location: Rainbow Rd, Connecticut River
Partners: Memorandum of Agreement with the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
4/11/1974 B1766, p44 State Shepard’s Island, parcel 33-30 15
7/28/1977 B1966, p321 City Rainbow Beach (Self-Help funds)55
7/19/1989 B3410, p194
PB159, p97
State Rainbow Beach, parcel 33-33
Survey
30.87
State Rainbow Beach (northerly section of the Rainbow Beach complex): It is managed primarily for
endangered species by the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program. Slowly eroding away.
City Rainbow Beach (middle section with most of the beach): Managed with a cooperative agreement
with the MA Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. The site is primarily river bottomland hardwoods and
a narrow beach area of river sediment deposits. This area is located along the Connecticut River and
receives heavy summer use (swimming and unauthorized camping) by boaters. This floodplain forest
and beach provide habitat for endangered plant and animal species. The City parcel had mean accretion
(deposition minus erosion) of 15 to 18 square feet per year (Anderson, A. 1973. Vegetation Patterns and
Fluvial Processes on a Connecticut River point bar. BA Thesis, Amherst College; Doherty, A. Jr., 1974.
Stratigraphy and Geomorphology of the Rainbow Beach Point Bar, BA Thesis, Amherst College).
State Shepard’s Island (Former island, now a peninsula, on south side of complex): Wildlife habitat.
The Division of Fisheries and Wildlife gated Young Rainbow Road (c. 1991, with private property owner
permission) to prevent illegal use of the area.
Reservoir Complex
Ownership: City, Department of Public Works
Location: Various hill towns
SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY | 65
Parcels include the reservoirs and much of the watershed lands. It is a site with future potential.
Roberts Hill Watershed Conservation Area and CR 22.3 acres
Ownership: City/Conservation Commission
CR owned by City, land privately owned
Location: Kennedy Rd and Audubon Road, Leeds
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
11/19/2004
11/12/2004
B8068, p162
B8062, p89
Deed-Lot 2, Kennedy Rd (donation)
Deed Lot 4, Kenneydy Rd (permit condition)
12.56
PB 202, p24 Survey of Lot 2 and 4, Kennedy Road
3/2/2009 PB220, p63 Survey of Hill Audubon Road CR
3/2/2009 B9773, p30 Hill CR on Audubon Road (donated as permit
condition)
9.75
Partners: Leeds Civic Association (informal arrangement)
Includes uplands, wetlands, and a tributary of the Leeds Reservoir.
Roberts Reservoir 57 acres
Ownership: City, Department of Public Works
Location: Upper Leeds and Roberts Meadow Reservoirs and watershed
Description:
Includes two off-line emergency reservoirs and watershed.
Rocky Hill Greenway _______ acres
Ownership: Rocky Hill Cohousing Conservation Restriction owned by Co-Housing
Ice Pond Conservation Restrictions owned by individual lot owners (see also trail easement)
Remainder Rocky Hill Greenway all owned by Conservation Commission
Protection: Rocky Hill and Ice Pond CRs city held. CR on land east of Route 66 MassAudubon held.
Location: Florence Rd, Ice Pond Drive, Rocky Hill Rd (Rte 66), Easthampton Rd (Rte 10)
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
10/20/2003 B7534, p333 Rocky Hill Greenway at Ice Pond 22.3
11/18/2003 B7583, p183 Ice Pond Conservation Restriction 3.2
11/29/2004 B8082, p261 Rocky Hill CoHousing Conservation Restriction 10.27
2/18/2005 B8166, p227 Conservation deed restriction on lot 8
66 | SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
10/24/2014
4/1/2015
5/12/2015
B11784, p194
B11902, p245
PB 234, p46
Rocky Hill Greenway (Hewes purchase)
CR #54 to Mass Audubon Society
Rocky Hill Greenway (survey)
DSM Title Insurance (OX-09453575)
47.6
1/12/2018 B12587, p13
PB240, p70
B12905, p265
Goldfarb/Wilson Realty
Goldfarb/Wilson Realty Survey
Goldfarb/Wilson Realty CR to MassAudubon
48.74
4/6/2018 B12919, p275
B12919, p279
O’Brien purchase
O’Brien Conservation Restriction to MassAudubon
2.73
Abuts: Pathways Cohousing trail easement
Rocky Hill and Ice Pond Conservation Restrictions at Rocky Hill Greenway at Ice Pond were a condition
of cluster approvals. Ice Pond Discontinuous holdings fill some of the gaps in the abutting Rocky Hill
Greenway, with public rights to cross property, and the city with rights to build trails without restriction.
Saw Mill Hills Conservation Area (includes Roberts Hill) _____
acres
Ownership: City/Conservation Commission
Location: Avis Circle, Ryan Rd, Spring St, Chesterfield Rd, Mill River, Old Shepherd Rd, South
Main St, Dimock Rd, Reservoir Rd, Sylvester Rd, Kennedy Rd, & Leeds
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
10/20/1995
11/28/1995
7/13/1995
B4759, p148
Laywers Title Insurance
B4781, p109
PB178, 223
Saw Mill Hills Avis Circle (cluster open space)
Avis Circle Owner’s policy, #13600110645
Saw Mill Hills: Towne purchase mortgage release
Saw Mill Hills Plan
23.96
2/9/1996 B4822, p182 Saw Mill Hills Agreement
1/5/2000
3/13/2000
5/26/2000
PB186, p97
B5899, p311
First American Title Insurance
Plan- Saw Mill Hills
Saw Mill Hills Donation with Avis Circle subdivision
Owner’s policy, #20325612
Saw Mill Hills Cluster permit (Sienkiewicz 88 acres plus
right-of-way)
16.103
6/9/2000 PB187, p25 Plan--Saw Mill Hills
SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY | 67
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
7/7/2000
7/14/2000
7/14/2000
B5979, p75
B5945, p231
B5984, p206
B5984, p203
Order of Taking: Saw Mill Hills/Ryan Rd Sienkiewicz
limited development purchase ($15,000 City & $5,000
Wharton Trust)
Cluster permit
Confirmatory deed: Saw Mill Hills: Sienkiewicz
Confirmatory deed: Saw Mill HIlls Ryan Rd ROW
88
12/2001 B6137, p308 Hawthorne taking Saw Mill Hills 44.742
3/21/2002 B6641, p1 & 11 Curran taking Saw Mill Hills
12/27/2006 B8991, p221 Off Ryan Rd, Blobel Section- Saw Mill Hills 22
B8991, p226 $17,600-- Saw Mill Hills
1/15/2000 B5864, p246 Chesterfield Road, New Harmony donation 28.079
8/1/2000 Land Court B18, p65 New Harmony donation- Saw Mill Hils 3.93
3/29/2006 B4851, p252 Easement, right-of-way, donation in lieu of c. 61B right-
of-first-refusal- Saw Mill Hills/Roberts Hill link
12/2001 B6492, p1 Golden Drive, Donavan taking Saw Mill Hills 13
1/4/2002 B6491, p334B6576, p83 Fungaroli taking Saw Mill Hills 18.74
11/23/2004 B8075, p165 Boyle donation Saw Mill Hills 17
2/9/2007 B9035, p317 Sylvester Road, Jeep-Eater/Phone Line Parcel 55
1/23/2009 B9686, p204 Sylvester Rd, Ryan Rd, Mielke purchase 11.144
5/8/2009 B9801, p183 Houle purchase ($11,804 taking) Saw Mill Hills 17
9/1/2009 B9953, p187 Justin West purchase ($18,000) Saw Mill Hills 18
PB221, p34 Plans-Justin West, Saw Mill Hills
2/26/1976 B1840, p162B1874, p21 Roberts Hill, self-help, City (1976), land swap (1981)96
3/15/1977 B1939, p323 Roberts Hill
3/31/1982 B2265, p190 (except for
B2217, p99)
Roberts Hill Chesterfield Road land swap
PB171, p51 Plans: Roberts Hill
11/4/1991 B3821, p50 Roberts Hill Overlook, eminent domain (1991)8.128
PB172, p32 Plans: Roberts Hill Overlook
6/1/1992 B3963, p250 Roberts Hill Trail to Reservoir Road (Escrow Ledger
Land Acquisition Account), bargain sale acquisition
(5/29/1992)
0.6
PB173, p119 Roberts Hill Plans
PB221, p93 Survey of Roberts Hill CR
5/27/2011 B10558, p237 and p243
also PB157, p93
Sawmill Hills Realty Trust deed-in-lieu of tax title
foreclosure and purchase for back taxes with CPA funds
(two deeds). Includes pedestrian easement from Gregory
Lane.
22
68 | SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
1/15/2014
1/21/2014
PB 231, p49
B11570, p146
Survey of Szymanski purchase
Szymanski purchase ($232,864: $170,000 CPA,
donations, small grants)
58.216
3/20/2015 B11891, p346
PB193, p72
OX-09591252 (2015-630)
Donald B. and Mary B. Reutener purchase
Survey (was Map ID 28-007)
Old Republic Title Insurance
49.960
7/7/2015 B11994, p99 (deed)Steidler purchase, stream Dimock to Spring St.3.0
3/2/2017 B12564, p322
PB238, p102
Williams purchase, Roberts Hill
Williams purchase survey
20.67
Partners: Saw Mill Hills Informal “Friends of the Saw Mill Hills”
Roberts Hill: Leeds Civic
Description: Includes wooded land within Zone II and III of the City’s drinking water aquifer, and
containing rich vernal pools and the summit swamps. Rights-of-way to Avis Circle and Ryan Road
provide access to trails through the Saw Mill Hills. The right-of-way from Chesterfield Road provides
access to a detached section of Saw Mill Hills Conservation Area. A right-of-way from Spring Street
provides additional access. A Forest Stewardship Plan has been prepared for a portion of this area (see
management section).
Blobel section: Key portion of wildlife corridor connecting Saw Mill Hills with Parsons Brook and with
Mineral Hills. DPW holds a reservation from Article 97 that allows them to develop a water tank on
the property on not more than five acres of the site within the next couple of years if they repay the
Conservation Fund all of the funds used to purchase the parcel.
Reutener purchase: Property owner retains lifetime estate for garden, lawn, and sugarshack. City
decommissioned and sealed the drilled well on the property on 5/18/2015 (Henshaw, Inc) to prevent
groundwater contamination.
Saw Mill Forest Stewardship Plan (www.northamptonma.gov/plan, public file cabinet):
Recreation-Stand 1 has an open understory, frequent rock outcrops, and rolling terrain. The parcel is well
suited to recreational activities such as hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Recreation-Stand 2 has a view from atop the steep embankment and the likelihood of seeing wildlife is
high, so a trail on the property should skirt along the edge.
Recreation-Stand 3 is the approximate route of the 20’ wide right-of-way at the end of Avis Circle. Stand
locations are shown on the map included in the Forest Stewardship Plan.
Wildlife-Stand 1 has an abundant acorn crop that supports wildlife. Some thinning of suppressed trees
would increase the acorn production and improve the long-term health of residual trees. However, the
low value of the trees to be removed as firewood would probably preclude this type of work, unless it was
incidental to projects on adjacent lands.
Wildlife-Stand 2 has a good example of natural and rapid regrowth replacing the early successional stage
of forest growth, consisting of seedlings, sprouts and shrubs, with pole-sized trees. This is good for timber
growing, but it is bad for species that depend on this type of ephemeral habitat. Revisiting this stand every
five years to cut back all trees (shrubs can be left) is the best way to maintain a young forest habitat.
Forestry-Stand 1 has white pines in the midstory tht could be developed by thinning, as described above,
SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY | 69
but also by removing a greater number of trees. The same economic restrictions would likely apply.
Ideally, the pine trees would be professionally pruned following the thinning to grow pine of the highest
value. If the opportunity arises, it might be worth growing pine in this fashion on about five acres, more
by way of demonstration than a serious timber growing operation.
Forestry-Stand 2 is a productive site is well suited to growing timber, but its the small size makes this
unfeasible. This area should be controlled for invasive exotic shrubs. Successful control usually involves
pulling (for smaller shrubs), or cutting and applying herbicide to the remains.
Roberts Hill should remain closed to vehicles (the driveway in was closed circa 1990).
The Roberts Hill section includes a large wooded hill includes cliffs with spectacular views overlooking
the Leeds Reservoir (Roberts Hill Overlook, purchased 1991), large amounts of upland forest, and
frontage on the Mill River, Water Street, Main Street, Chesterfield Road, and Reservoir Road. It has two
small ponds, a stream and a diverse forest. It provides a linkage between the Leeds Reservoir Watershed
and swimming area and the Mill River and Look Memorial Park. In 1986, the area was selectively cut
to promote and create preferred wildlife habitats. There are several foot trails on the property. The
use of the area is moderate. Snowmobiles are permitted only on marked trails approved for use by the
Conservation Commission.
Howard’s Ice Pond Dam (DCR No. 2-8-214-8) is classified by the DCR Office of Dam Safety as a “low
hazard” dam. The City repaired the dam and spillways in 1999 (Bob Menzone, Sons & Grandson), using
City funds and Department of Conservation and Recreation Lakes and Ponds funds. The Department
of Conservation and Recreation awarded $8,000 in grant funds and the City of Northampton paid the
remaining $8,700. A total of $13,500 was used for construction and the remaining $3,200 was used
for design, inspection and permits (Tighe & Bond). On January 14, 2004, the Office of Dam Safety
determined that the dam is no longer under DCR jurisdiction under MGL C. 253 s 44-48, as amended
in 2002, meaning that there are no on-going reporting requirements, as long as the dam continues to be
properly maintained.
The Saw Mill Hills are include a perpetual easement for pedestrian access from Gregory Lane across Parcel
A to land owned by City. (See Plan Bk 157 p93 and b3284 p230 for deed). City should work to record
two confirmatory deeds to correct deed reference (currently incorrectly states page 227 when it should
be page 230) in two grant deeds from Saw Mill Hills Realty Trust to the City. City will also include in
confirmatory deeds “together with perpetual easement for pedestrian access as described in deed 3284
page 230” to clarify that the pedestrian access is included in the portion conveyed to the City by Saw Mill
Hills Realty Trust.
Spring Street Well/Aquifer Area 31.56 acres
Ownership: City, Department of Public Works
Location: Spring Street
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
6/19/1952 PB40, p65
10/15/1952 PB41, p55
11/6/1990 PB168, p106
12/31/1990 B3667, p67 As well as previous takings and purchases
1991 Disclosure
Parcels include the Spring Street wellhead and much of the Department of Environmental Protection
70 | SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY
aquifer Zone I. It also contains a small part of Zone II. The parcel serves as water supply protection.
West Farms/The Ridge Conservation Areas 55.4 acres
Ownership: City/Conservation Commission
Location: Off Glendale Rd, Westhampton Rd (Rt 66), Ridge View Rd, & Drury Ln
Taking purchase as part of limited development/landfill buffer; paid by CDBG (affordable housing and
cluster related open spaces) and Landfill enterprise (landfill buffe
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
3/2/2001 B6137, p317 West Farms/Route 66 initial taking
3/2/2001 B6137, p327 West Farms initial confirmatory deed
West Farms market rate lot sold (City retains one lot)
4/8/2003 B7133, p23 Comprehensive permit
4/8/2003 PB195, p98
5/23/2003 B7241, p206 West Farms Surplus parcel to Nancy L. Kingsley
6/2/2003 B7231, p15 West Farms Surplus parcel to Leona V. Pakutinski
6/2/2003 B7231, p19 West Farms Surplus parcel to Maris and Peter Ludwig
6/2/2003 B7231, p1 West Farms Surplus parcel to Donald & Norma Sadusky
6/23/2003 B7271, p216 West Farms transfer to the Conservation Commission
6/27/2003 B7282, p237 West Farms Surplus parcel to Darleen/Edward LaFond
7/28/2003 B7347, p320 West Farms affordable housing to Habitat for Humanity
with septic system easement
5/25/2005 B8273, p166 West Farms recreation parcel to Recreation Commission
5/31/2005 B8281, p88 Deed-The Ridge, as condition of subdivision approval
PB205, p71-86, 205 Plans-The Ridge
PB205, p75-77 Plans- The Ridge Survey of conservation area
12/9/2005 B8550, p220 City Council resolution authorizing transfer
Partners: None
Description: West Farms is undeveloped land with a simple trail from Glendale Road to the
Recreation Area off Route 66.
The Ridge section of West Farms includes walking trails that will eventually be linked to abutting
property. Developer is responsible for building the trails with the City through the Office of Planning and
Development, retaining the right to extend the trail to the easterly property boundary. Subject to City of
Northampton, holding the right to build multi-use trail across the property (which is consistent with the
City Transportation Plan).
Bear Hill Recreation Area 12.76 acres
Ownership: Bridge Road LLC
Location: Bridge Rd on west side of JFK Middle School
SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY | 71
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
7/12/2006 B8791, p28 Related to permit condition for Bear Hill 12.76
PB211, p51
Common space CR held by the Conservation Commission (7.039 acres)
Active recreation managed and controlled by the Recreation Commission (5.721 acres).
Property provides recreation field, sledding hill, and undisturbed natural space. It surrounds the Bear Hill
Estates housing project.
Burts Bog Easements and Restrictions 2.26 acres
Ownership: Fee: Private
CR: Conservation Commission
Location: Off Woods Rd & Burts Pit Rd and Between Dunphy Dr and Westhampton Rd.
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
7/12/2000 CR off Woods Road and Burts Pit Rd retained by City
when parcel surplused by city.
2.16
6/9/2003 B7245, p275 Right of way easement for trail from Dunphy Drive to
Westhampton Rd (permit condition 4/30/2003)
0.1
PB196, p10 Survey of Right-of-Way
Mineral Hills/Marble Brook Cons. Restrictions 292.8 acres
Ownership: Private: John & Diana Clapp (55.79 acres); Miriam L. Clapp (57.922 acres); Joanne
Bessett (11.11 acres); Christine & George Guyette, Elizabeth & Garry Anderson (168
acres)
Protection: Clapp & Bessett CR City of Northampton through Conservation Commission
Guyette & Anderson CR: City of Northampton through Board of Public Works
Location: Chesterfield Rd & Turkey Hill Rd
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
12/11/2006 B8976, p111 John & Diana Clapp—consideration $18,000 ($10,185
Nonotuck Land Fund, $7,815 City for Chapter 61 tax
Rollback)
20
B8976, p128 Mortgage subordination of John & Diana Clapp
PB215, p82 Survey of John & Diana Clapp CR
8/17/2007 B9237, p297 CR #40, $27,500 Nonotuck Land Fund, $4,000 City of
Northampton
35.79
B9237, p312 Mortgage subordination of John & Diana Clapp
6/27/2007 B9177, p253 Miriam L. Clapp—$52,129 from contributions &
previous grants on hand
57.922
72 | SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
B5454, p218 Fee interest in parcel remains w/Miriam Clapp
6/4/2008 B9503, p298 (deed)
PB218, p38 (survey)
B9503, p296 (agreement)
Kohl CR--$40,000 (self-help & CPA)
Kohl Survey
Kohl self-help agreement
4/14/2010 B10147, p238 Christine & George Guyette, Elizabeth & Garry Anderson
to Nonotuck Land Fund—consideration $134,720
($118,600 from Community Preservation Act)
4/14/2010 B10147, p255 Assignment of Guyette/Anderson CR to City of
Northampton Board of Public Works
Public access is allowed freely on the Miriam Clapp CR. Very limited public access is allowed by the John
and Diane Clapp CR. Conservation Commission regulations should prohibit public access on the John
and Dianne Clapp CR because public access on the Miriam Clapp CR has less impact on farming and on
the Clapp family. The Marble Brook (Guyette/Anderson) conservation restriction is north of Chesterfield
Road No public access. Nonotuck Land Fund reserves right to lead public hikes.
The Oaks Conservation Restriction & Right of Way 30.28 acres
Ownership: Private
Protection: Easement, City of Northampton
Location: Burts Pit Road
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
8/3/2007 B9222, p337 CR
8/3/2007 B9222, p355 Mortgage subordination
Public access allowed. The City has right to develop walking trails anywhere in conservation restriction.
The City also has the rights to develop a bike path within the trail easement area. Please see the
Conservation Restriction for more information.
Round Hill Conservation Restriction 0.34 acres
Ownership: Private
Protection: Conservation restriction
Location: Round Hill Road
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
8/15/2007 B9234, p343
PB214, p7
Conservation Restriction (15,000 sq. ft.)
Plans for Conservation Restriction
0.34
SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY | 73
B: Parks and Recreation—Public
Properties acquired for park and recreation purposes are considered permanently protected properties.
They can be sold with City Council and, in accordance with Article 97 of the Constitution of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, state legislature approval. Some of the recreation areas listed below may
have been purchased for non-recreation uses and then converted to recreation areas. These areas would
not have the protection provided by Article 97 of the Constitution.
Agnes Fox Field Recreation Area 1.61 acres
Ownership: City
Management: Recreation Commission
Maintenance: DPW, Recreation Division
Location: State St, Church St
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
5/17/1995 B1195, p81 Deed from Bishop of Roman Catholic Church.
Reverts to Church if no longer used for recreation.
Equipment: Grassed play area, basketball court, restroom building, playground equipment
The grassed play area covers a large part of the site. This area is heavily used by local residents.
Aquatic & Family Center
Ownership: Northampton School Department
Management: Recreation Commission
Location: JFK Middle School, Bridge Road
Equipment: Public Indoor pool, tennis courts, basketball
Arcanum Field Recreation Area 8.49 acres
Ownership: City
Management: Recreation Commission
Maintenance: DPW, Recreation Division
Location: Bridge Rd, N. Farms Rd, & Mountain St
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
7/25/1957 B1252, p404 Deed
Urban self-help project agreement
8.49
Equipment: 2 ball diamonds, soccer field, field house, all-purpose paved area used for basketball,
street hockey, soccer, dances, playground equipment, Safety Village
Arcanum is a heavily used year-round recreational area.
74 | SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY
Childs Park 30 acres
Ownership: Childs Park Foundation, Inc.
Location: North Elm St, Woodlawn Ave, Prospect St
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
1951 B1103, p147 Privately owned. Protected by Will of Anne E. Childs
Description: This heavily used park is located adjacent to the Northampton High School and a
densely populated residential areas It is beautifully landscaped (forest, trees, shrubs, flowers, rose garden,
open areas, and has a scenic drive winding through it. There are no picnic or garbage facilities at this site.
Except for running, most active sports are prohibited..
Childs City Park
Ownership: City of Northampton
Location: Elm St & North Elm St (near Northampton High School)
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
Will of Annie Childs, Article Fifth
8/21/2008 City Council Resolution on management of park
1948 Probate Court Will of Anne E. Childs requiring triangle remain a park
Small, triangle shaped island between High School and Elm Street across Elm Street from Childs Park.
Community Gardens, Northampton State Hospital 8.086 acres
Ownership: City (acquired by Parks & Recreation, subject to Article 97)
Management: Northampton Recreation Commission
Maintenance: DPW, Recreation Division
Location: Burts Pit Rd
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
1994
12/9/1998
Ch. 86 & 307
B5558, p13
PB183, p1
The acts of 1994, Parcel G, Northampton State Hospital
Parcel G, Northampton State Hospital
Heavily used community garden without prime agricultural soils, but soils have been worked as gardens
for many years, first as part of State Hospital and then as a community garden. Commonwealth retained
right-of-way easement across the gardens in a location approved by the City.
Connecticut River Greenway--city riverfront park 6.08 acres
Ownership: City of Northampton, Recreation Commission
SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY | 75
Location: Damon Rd
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
11/7/2012 B11109, p177 Site plan approval for boathouse and riverfront park
4/2/2013
5/31/2013
5/31/2013
5/31/2013
5/5/2015
PB229, p40
B11332, p194
B11332, p206
B11332, p211
B11921, p212
Survey Connecticut River Greenway riverfront park
Lease Lane to Northampton Community Rowing
Deed to Recreation Commission
PARC Agreement ($400,000 improvement grant)
CR #52 to Friends of Northampton Recreation
6.08
Connecticut River Greenway--Elwell State Park 3.2 acres
Ownership: Massachusetts Department of Conservation Resources
Location: Damon Rd, Bates St, & Woodmont Rd
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
8/30/37 B926, p285 Parcel 25A-16 0.872
9/18/1978 B2055, p145 Parcel 25A-14 1.347
1/12/1968 PB92, p64 Survey of what became Elwell State Park
3/25/1985 B2546, p132 Parcel 25A-168, 0.055
12/22/1987 B3109, p88 Land lease Hampshire County to Commonwealth of
Massachusetts
9/15/1988 B3255, p311 Parcel 25A-17, order of taking of parcel land situated on
corner of Bridge St and Damon Rd
0
6/18/1992 City Council approval of state eminent domain: Cichy 0.5
Boathouse, wheelchair accessible dock on the Connecticut River, parking lot, access to the Norwottuck
Rail Trail, and access to the Trail’s most spectacular feature, the bridge across the Connecticut River.
Florence Fields Recreation Area 24.4 acres
Ownership: Fee: City of Northampton, through the Recreation Commission
Location: Meadow Street, Florence
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
12/1/2010 PB224, p49 Survey of Florence Fields Recreation Area and entire
Bean Allard Mill River Greenway
12/13/2010
12/13/2010
12/13/2010
5/5/2015
B10406, p229
B10406, p235
#5011400-0082159e
B11930, p45
Trust for Public Land $560,000--CPA 34%, PARC 66%
PARC Agreement for Florence Fields
First American Title insurance (to City Clerk)
CR#51 to Friends of Northampton Recreation
24.4
2/3/2012 B10802, P52 and 56 Planning Board and Wetlands Permits
76 | SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
2/16/2012 B10815, P131 PARC Agreement for Florence Fields Phase II
Gothic Street Pocket Park 0.15 acres
Ownership: Fee: Gothic Street Condominium Association
Easement: Northampton Recreation Commission
Location: Gothic St
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
1/27/1993 B4137, p116 CR
Doc #93-02065
Special permit to Gothic St Development Partnership
Recreation Easement allows public to pass through as well as passive recreation during daylight hours.
Recreation Commission has no responsibilities except enforcement.
Halligan-Daley Historical Park, Northampton State Hospital
0.5 acres
Ownership: Northampton Recreation Commission (subject to Article 97)
Maintenance: DPW, Recreation Division, & St. Patrick’s Association
Location: Prince St, Rt 66
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
1994 Acts of 1994
12/9/1998 B5558, p19
Edmond J. Lampron Memorial Park, 1.2 acres
Ownership: City through its Parks and Recreation Commission
Maintenance: DPW
Location: Bridge Street
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
12/23/2014 B11834, p65 Deed from city (original grant of land from founding of
Northampton
1.2
A small, triangle located in front of the Bridge Street School and heavily used by those students.
Playground developed on the site in 2014-2015 with an Our Common Backyard grant. The park also
contains several monuments and a gateway to Northampton sign.
SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY | 77
Look Park 157 acres
Ownership: City (acquired for Parks & Recreation, subject to Article 97)
Management/Maintenance: Trustees of Frank Newhall Look Memorial Park
Location: Rt 9, Mill River
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
6/4/1928 B846, p532 Original grant (donated by Fannie Burr Look)
11/20/1973 B1745, p309 Mahony expansion of Look Park (by City)
7/18/1983 B2368, p.83 Rail Road right-of-way (by Trustees of Look Park)
Funding: Core park donated with endowment
Federal Land & Water Conservation Fund: Look Park Comfort Station, Look Park
Improvements Phase I & II, therefore protected by FLWCF Act 6(f)
Mrs. Fannie Burr Look donation of Look Park included the land, development funds. and a maintenance
trust fund. The beautiful large park is maintained under the guidance of trustees. Facilities include
natural land and water areas; picnicking facilities; six tennis courts; play fields for baseball, volleyball,
football, softball, basketball and shuffleboard; train rides; food stands; marked trails; paddle boats; cross-
country skiing; ice-skating; band concerts; and theater productions. This area receives very heavy regional
recreational use.
The Garden House at Look Park, the former pool building built in 1930 in the Mission style,
accommodates public and private parties, meetings, and community events.
Main Street Streetscape Park .05 acres (2,328 sq. ft)
Ownership: City
Easement: First Church of Christ in Northampton (for area in front of church)
Maintenance: First Church for Easement I, City for art kiosk
Location: Main St at Main St & Center St intersection
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
12/27/2002
10/9/2003
PB195, p26
B7562, p117
Boundary Line Agreement Plan
First Church Boundary Line Agreement
9/10/2004 B7983, p205
PB202, p21
First Church Boundary Line Agreement (II)
First Church Boundary Agreement Plan
This small but heavily used park includes the City’s art kiosk installation and a lawn in front of the First
Churches, which is maintained by the Church but for which the public has the right to use.
Maine’s Field Recreation Area 14.47 acres
Ownership: City
Management: Recreation Commission
Maintenance: DPW
78 | SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY
Location: Riverside Dr, Bay State
Acqusition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
B778, p177
Equipment: Lighted ball diamond, two sand volleyball courts, restroom building, storage building,
pavilion with tables, paved parking, & playground equipment
The recreation area borders the Mill River and his subject to periodic heavy floods. It receives extremely
heavy spring, summer, and fall usage by residents citywide.
David B. Musante, Jr. Beach at Lower Roberts Reservoir 7.46 acres
Ownership: City
Maintenance: City-DPW, Water Division
Location: Reservoir Rd
Acquisition history:
Funding City ($62,000 capital improvements), CDBG for handicap accessibility ($10,000),
PARC (1989: $152,800), & Federal Land & Water Conservation Funds (1988: beach,
reservoir, & dam improvements--$200,000)---Property subject to FLWCF Act 6(f)
The former water supply reservoir was converted to a recreation area (1991) with a swimming area, beach,
picnic area, parking lot, and restrooms. A trail into Saw Mill Hills Conservation Area-Roberts Hill starts
from this recreation area.
Pulaski Park 1.5 acres
Ownership: City of Northampton
Maintenance: DPW
Location: Main St, New South St
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
1893 B457, p21-25 Deed Edward H.R. Lyman with reversion clause
1905 PB593, p51 Plan
1906 B603, p319 Deed J.B. O’Donnell
8/22/1906 PB593, p33 Plan
1908 B632, p333-335 & 429 Deed Edward H.R. Lyman
2016 City to park purposes
Pulaski Park is effectively Northampton’s downtown commons type park, with memorials, benches, and
paths.
History:
In 1904, Main Street City Park. In 1906, Aldermen authorized purchase of Holley and Prindle properties
and took the land in fee as a public park (with community contributions of over $27,000). The
property owners protested the taking in 1907, with those claims settled in 1908.
SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY | 79
In 1907, $4,963 was transferred to Park Commissioners for development of Main Street Park and
architect Joseph Gabringer of New York selected for park plans. He designed the park to provide
a perspective and an appearance of being much larger, with the walks are laid out with that
intention. At intervals, beside curved walks, concrete seats will be placed in shrubbery where
users are practically shut off dense shrubbery, hence undisturbed. Later in 1907, work started on
the park and the Prindle House was moved.
In 1908, the estate of Edward H.R.Lyman transferred of land in rear of Academy of Music, with the
condition that the land be devoted exclusively for public park or revert to heirs of Edward H. R.
Lyman.
In 1911, the Prindle property was purchased.
Various efforts to convert the park happened over the years. In 1934 there was a letter opposing taking
Main Street Public Park for high school site. In 1954 there was opposition to taking any part of
Park for off-street parking. In 1958, there were letters to Gazette opposing plan of taking part of
Main Street City Park for off-street parking. In 1958, plans for off-street parking withdrawn at
City Council Meeting.
The park was renovated in 1976 for $47,200, based on a design by Huntley Associates.
In 2015-2017, the park was totally renovated and expanded to the Roundhouse Parking Lot, based on
plans by Stephen Simpson Associates.
Sheldon Field Recreation Area 21.986 acres
Ownership: City of Northampton, Parks & Recreation Commission (subject to three CRs)
Protection: Conservation Restrictions (three): Meadow City Conservation Coalition (2013)
Maintenance: DPW, Recreation Division
Location: Bridge St, Old Ferry Rd
Facilities: Four ball diamonds, two basketball courts/overflow parking, restroom, playground and
joint recreation/park-and-ride parking w/bicycle lockers.
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
B601, p132 Historical F Field record
B1034, p521 Former lease, interests merged w/purchase
7/15/1999
7/12/2013
PB200, p40
B5738, p233
B5738, p221
B11382, p12
Survey plan
Sheldon deed
Sheldon CR to Broad Brook Coalition (BBC)
Assigned to Meadows City Conservation Coalition
10.16
10/28/2004
7/12/2013
B8042, p203-204
B8042, p190
B11382, p9
Kielec Deed
Kielec CR to BBC (Life Estate Release)
Assigned to Meadows City Conservation Coalition
2.688
80 | SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
5/9/2008
5/12/2008
PB217, p101; PB218, p37
B9482, p193
Jasinski donation survey
Jasinski deed, consideration being a farm lease
1.654
/2012 B10953, p257 Jasinski deed (II), consideration being a farm lease
Jasinski II CR to Meadows City Conservation Coaltion
4.8
B12529, p53
PB50, p67
Bobala deed 4.467
12/06/17 PB 241, p11 Survey of all of Sheldon Field
Ray Ellerbrook Fields 13.375 acres
Ownership: City of Northampton, Parks and Recreation Commission
Maintenance: DPW, Recreation Division
Location: Burts Pit Road
Facilities Multiuse fields, softball
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
12/09/1998 B5558, p19 Deed to City (general municipal uses)15.494
11/22/2013
12/18/2013
PB231, p15
B11547 p342
Survey of Ellerbrook Field
Deed to Recreation Commission
13.375
Trinity Row 0.5 acres
Ownership: City of Northampton
Maintenance: City of Northampton DPW
Location: Main Street, Florence
Acquisition history:
Small pocket park with benches
Sojurner Truth Monument 0.3 acres
Ownership: City of Northampton
Location: Park and Pine Street, Florence
Acquisition history:
Description: Monument
Veterans Memorial Field Recreation Area 7.84 acres
Ownership: City of Northampton, Parks & Recreation Commission
Location: Clark Ave. & West Street
SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY | 81
Facilities: Skateboard park (2007), basketball, baseball (2013), restroom, parking.
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
License w/Mass Electric for access from West Street
B982, p91
B1034, p320
B1036, p478-480
Land & Water Conservation Fund agreement
D: Rail trails and Related
Northampton Multiuse Trail Segments
Trail Trail segment Miles
MassCentral Rail Trail
(Norwottuck)
S. Main Street, Williamsburg, to town line 0.1
Haydenville town line to Grove Ave spur, Leeds 0.631
Grove Ave spur, Leeds 0.130
Grove Ave spur to Florence Street, Leeds 0.409
Florence St to Bridge Rd roundabout 1.398
Bridge Rd roundabout to N. Maple St., Florence 0.675
N. Maple St., to Hatfield Street 0.963
Hatfield St. to Jackson Street 0.478
Jackson Street to King Street/Railroad tracks 0.680
DCR Mass Central Rail
Trail/Norwottuck
Railroad tracks to Hadley town line 0.902
New Haven & Northampton
Canal Line (Manhan Trail)
Railroad tracks/King Street to Main Street 0.630
Main Street to New South Street 0.590
New South Street to Earle/Grove 0.838
Earle/Grove to Easthamtpton Road/Route 10 0.871
Easthampton Road to Easthampton town line 1.050
Hospital Hill spur Manhan trail to Hospital Hill (not including sidewalks)0.400
The Beaches park sidewalk and multiuse trail easements 0.1
Rocky Hill Greenway (Ice
Pond spur)
Ice Pond to Rocky Hill (not inluding sidewalks)0.290
Total Northampton multiuse trails 10.94
New Haven & Northampton Canal Line (Manhan) 3.4 miles
Ownership: National Grid (all except downtown)-- city owns easement
Northampton Parks & Recreation Commission (Nagle walkway 2.5 acres)
City of Northampton (NSH Parcel on Earle St)
82 | SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY
Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Registry of Deeds)- city owns easement acquired
when land was owned by Hampshire County
Location: King St (near State St) to Main St (downtown section)
Main St to Old South St (Nagle section)
Roundhouse parking lot (downtown)
New South to box culvert south of Earle St (NSH B4)
Registry of Deeds off ramp
Hebert Avenue (future ramp)
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Meters
6/28/1985 B2582, p243
B134, p96
B2634, p331
PB167, p121-1213
Nagle Walkway (2.5 acres)
Plan
Project Agreement
Survey
5/15/1990 B3561, p271
PB166, p89
Nagle Walkway: Parking lot right-of-way easement to
Housing Associates (Hampton Court) w/ requirement
they maintain the walkway from Pleasant Street west to
the parking lot.
5/15/1990 B3561, p27
B3561, p279
Nagle Walkway: Easement to Gleason Brothers/Heldon
Trust w/ requirement they maintain park in front of
Gleasons. Unclear effect of reconstructed rail trail on
maintenance obligations.
Easement to National Grid for transformer on northwest
corner of the property (Pleasant and Gleason building
corner)
7/5/1991 B3752, p31
PB171, p36
Nagle Walkway: Easement to Tom Masters with
requirement they maintain area adjacent to restaurant
and clear snow to Main Street.
7/5/1991 P3572, p35 Nagle Walkway transferred to Recreation Commission
11/27/1991 B3834, p265 Nagle Walkway: Easement from Union Square Realty
Trust--Depot
2/4/2004 B6682, p292
B7675, p182
Nagle Walkway: Special Permit and Master Deed for
Strong Block. Required to keep the paved path from
Main Street to Union Station and the steps to Main
Street and to Strong Avenue clear of snow.
6/27/1997 B5144, p152 Donation from Hampshire County (Registry of Deeds)
12/9/1998 B5558, p19 NSH Earle St parcel (22,839 SF for parking lot, reverts
to Commonwealth if not used for transportation)
3/9/2002 PB191, p83-110 State St. to Easthampton
5/31/2002 B6661, p92 Downtown
2/4/2004 B7675, p182 Master deed of Strong Block—Strong Block responsible
for some maintenance of trail
8/11/2005 B8388, p8 Earle/Grove taking from National Grid, O’Connell Oil,
Bay State Gas Company
SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY | 83
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Meters
10/26/2005 B8492, p105 Earle/Grove confirmatory deed from O’Connell Oil
10/26/2005 B8942, p108 Earle/Grove sewer easement under Manhan Trail to
O’Connell Oil
11/7/2006 B8940, p175 Searle’s Confirmatory Deed ($3,895.50)
5/15/2007 B9128, p260 King Street $1,085 taking 44.48
8/17/2007 B9238, p237 Housing Authority to City (portion of Round House
parking lot & related land for Manhan Rail Trail)
5/6/2008 B9476, p49 Long/Fisher Deed at Route 10 ($3,300)
5/13/2009 B9806, p150 Taking south of Earle St to Easthampton town line
5/13/2009 B9806, p157 Confirmatory deed $1.00 Mass Electric (CPA funded
check #282898)
5/13/2009 B9806, p162 Confirmatory deed from Frank N. Fournier
5/13/2009 B9806, p165 Surplus land to New England Power
5/13/2009 B9808, p170 Easement Reservation for rail trail
6/15/2009 B9591, p33 Confirmatory deed from Massachusetts Audubon
5/27/2010 B10186, p159 Bike path and access ramp completed
9/21/2011 B10662, p320 Deed northwest corner Hebert/South for future ramp 0.03
The former Hampshire and Hampden Canal (reorganized as the New Haven and Northampton Canal)
was abandoned in 1847 and much of the right-of-way was redeveloped as a railroad. The Manhan Rail Trail
follows this historic right of way from a point mid-way between Earle Street and Route 10 to a point midway
between Route 10.
The Manhan Rail Trail from Earle Street to the Easthampton City line includes $100,000 of Community
Preservation Act assistance ($1.00 for right-of-way from MA Electric and remainder for design and local
construction costs).
Strong Block Condominium is responsible for maintaining paved paths and snow removal from Main Street
to Union Station, including the stairs from Main Street and Strong Avenue, and not encroaching on the park
behind the building.
Includes corner northwest corner Hebert and South as part of future Hebert Ave. Access Ramp.
The portion of the Manhan Rail Trail from Hampton Avenue parking lot to Main Street on the former
railroad right-of-way is the Nagle Walkway, owned by the Northampton Recreation Commission. This
section was purchased with PARC funds and the PARC sign is required.
Site is adjacent to the Historic Mill River for the walkway’s western end. A small park east of Pleasant Street is
maintained by the Gleasons in return for a right-of-way across the park to their building. The Strong Block is
responsible for snow clearance from the Depot parking lot to Main Street.
Rocky Hill Greenway (Ice Pond Spur) 48,529 square feet
Ownership: Pathways CoHousing Condominiums & Rocky Hill CoHousing Condominiums (fee)
Right-of-way: Northampton Conservation Commission
Location: Rocky Hill CoHousing (Florence Road) & Pathways CoHousing (Ice Pond)
84 | SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Feet
8/5/2004 B7962, p177 Pathways CoHousing (Ice Pond), Order of Taking 24,529
10/14/2004 B8023, p144 Confirmatory deed
11/29/2004 B8082, p258 Rocky Hill (Florence Rd)24,000
11/29/2004 B8082, p274 Rocky Hill subordination
This parcel is 0.6 miles long and serves as a right-of-way for the portion of the bike path that connects
Florence Road, Rocky Hill CoHousing, Pathways CoHousing, Ice Pond Drive, and Route 66.
Hospital Hill Spur square feet
Ownership: Hospital Hill LLC (Village Hill) and Smith College (hospital hill): Fee
Right-of-Way: City through Cons. Commission: hospital hill and outside of Village Hill
City: Beaches Park and inside of Village Hill
Location: Manhan Rail Trail spur on east side of Earle Street to Olander Drive and within Village
Hill
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Feet
8/20/2012 B11014, p250 Right-of-way Olander to Smith College Hospital Hill to
Conservation Commission
8/28/2012 B 11023, p105 592 linear feet right-of-way on Smith College’s Hospital
Hill
18,700 sq.
ft,
8/28/2013 B11441, p258 Sidewalk and multiuse trail easments across Beaches Park
in Village Hill-- TO CITY
Mass Central Rail Trail (Norwottuck)(City) 8 acres/5 miles
Ownership: Mass Electric; City of Northampton (Jackson St ramp); WJG Realty Trust (Stop &
Shop); Coolidge Northampton, LLC (Walgreens); Beaver Brook Nominee Trust (spur to
Grove Ave, Leeds)
Right-of-way: City of Northampton
Location: State St to Bridge Rd (Francis P. Ryan section), Bridge Rd to Williamsburg Town Line
(Leeds section), Grove Ave to railroad bed (Grove Ave/Beaver Brook spur), State St to
King St (Stop & Shop easement), King St to railroad (Walgreens easement), Haydenville
Road (VAMC access easement to trail)
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
5/3/1982 B2274, p282 Francis P. Ryan section
5/22/2009 PB220, p91 Jackson St ramp
5/22/2009 PB220, p89-90 Related Safe Routes to School
5/27/2009 B9823, p35 Jackson St ramp, taking Mass Electric
5/27/2009 B9823, p35 Jackson St ramp, taking Polachek
6/9/2009 B9843, p331 Jackson St ramp, confirmatory deed Polachek
SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY | 85
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
2004 PB200, p27 Leeds section
6/23/2005 B8314, p46 Taking Leeds (Mass Electric)
5/13/2009 B9806, p180 & 183 Confirmatory, Mass Electric
5/22/2009 PB220, p92 Route 9/Bridge Roundabout & bicycle access
6/2/2009 B9833, p202 Confirmatory, Francis & Linda Sweeney
4/6/2007 B9109, p48 Beaver Brook to Grove Ave right-of-way
LC7, p70 Land Court certified of title 713, Stop & Shop spur
8/14/2008 PB219, p23 Walgreens spur
10/1/2008 B9610, p210 Walgreens spur (as traffic mitigation)
7/8/2009 PB221, p13 Rail trail by Megan O’Brien property
PB223, p50 Survey of Farkas Property, Williamsburg
7/2/2010 B10225, p180 Deed from Laurie Farkas, Williamsburg
10/8/2010 B 10329, p 57 & 62 Farkas propetty to Williiamsburg. City retains easement
1/23/2013 B11197, p159 VAMC easement for 75 year park-and-ride lot; connects
to trail with access ramp at VAMC
12/13/2013 PB231, p29
B11574, p20
Survey easement S. Main Street, Williamsburg spur
Easement to Northampton and Williamsburg
7/30/2014 B11708, p19
PB 232, p40
Easement from Pan Am Railways for rail trail underpass
The Norwottuck Rail Trail through the Jackson Street ramp includes Community Preservation Act
assistance ($4,000.00) for right-of-way from Massachusetts Electric and the remainder for design, soft
costs, and non-participating construction costs.
Norwottuck/Mass Central Rail Trail (State) 6 acres
Ownership: Massachusetts Department of Conservation Resources
Location: Damon Rd
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
2/6/1985 B2546, p132 Parcel 25A-166 6.01
2/6/1985 B2546, p132 Parcel 25A-167 0
The Norwottuck Rail Trail extends from Woodmont Road in Northampton to Amherst. It provides
a major recreation and transportation route from non-motorized vehicles, especially for those in
wheelchairs and for pedestrians. It links to the UMass bikeway in Amherst and will eventually link to the
Northampton rail trail network.
VA Medical Center Park-and-Ride Lot 3.165 acres
Ownership: USA through the Veterans Administration
Location: Haydenville Road/Route 9
86 | SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
1/23/2013 B11197, p159 75 year easement for park-and-ride lot, including access
from lot to Nowottuck/Mass Central Rail Trail
3.175
The Park-and-Ride Lot serves as one of the largest no-cost parking along the Norwottuck/MassCentral
Rail Trail and includes access to the rail trail with a pedestrain phase crossing Route 9.
5.2: Non-Permanently Protected
Bridge Street Elementary School
Ownership: City
Management: School Department
Location:
Equipment: Outdoor: basketball court, some swings
Facilities: Limited outdoor recreational and playground facilities.
Ellerbrook Recreation Area, 15.49 acres
Ownership: City of Northampton (acquired for general City use)
Location: Burts Pit Road and Route 66
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
1994 Chapters 86 & 307 Acts of 1994 (known as Parcel C)
12/9/1998 B5558, p19 Transfer documents to City 15.49
Two softball fields and one soccer field. The property is not dedicated to recreation use and could be
converted to other uses (e.g., future elementary school site and/or fire sub-station) if those are ever needed
to accommodate new growth in this area of the town.
Clear Falls Recreation Center 73 acres
Ownership: Private (use by membership only)
Location: Drury Ln
Located in the extreme southwest corner of Northampton, this recreation area offers swimming,
picnicking, and nature trails for hiking. It also has a field house, snack bar, and picnicking shelters. With
a moderate level of use, this area attracts residents from throughout the region. As of 2005, the property
was currently on the market for sale.
Driving Range
Ownership: Private
SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY | 87
Location: Haydenville Rd
A practice driving range for golf, this facility receives medium summer use by residents throughout the
region. It also has a snack bar. As a commercial facility, a fee is required for admission.
Robert K. Finn Ryan Road School 18.2 acres
Ownership: City
Management: School Department (building use), Recreation Department (field use)
Location: Ryan Rd
Equipment: Outdoor: playground, five ball diamonds, soccer field, skating area
Indoor: gymnasium with six basketball hoops, four volleyball nets; locker rooms w/
shower facilities
Bike racks, drinking water, first aid facilities
Both indoor and outdoor facilities are available on this 15-acre school site that receives medium-heavy,
year-round school, neighborhood, and citywide use. The rear wooded area could be utilized for some
form of outdoor recreation or nature education.
Florence Community Center (former Florence Grammar School)
2.5 acres
Ownership: City
Management: School Department, leased to Property Committee
Location:
Equipment: Outdoor: limited playground, blacktop play area
This former grammar school (closed in 1992) is now a City alternative high school with some of the
inside space serving as a community center.
Hampshire YMCA 4.3 acres
Ownership: YMCA (use by membership or fees)
Location: Massasoit St
This facility is utilized on a region-wide basis. It offers racquetball, basketball, volleyball, and swimming
(two pools). It has a sauna, steam room, and fitness center. It is used heavily year-round.
Keyes Field
Ownership: Florence Savings Bank
Location: Keyes St at Northampton Bike Path
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
3/8/2000 B5906, p326 Declaration of Open Space Restriction
This field is protected by the covenants, “as open space with reasonable access to the public for passive use
88 | SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY
and enjoyment under reasonable conditions.”
Jackson Street School 7.2 acres
Ownership: City
Management: School Department (building use), Recreation Department (field use)
Location:
Equipment: Outdoor: extensive playground equipment, two ball diamonds, one soccer/football field,
one touch football field, two basketball courts
Indoor: gymnasium with six basketball hoops, gymnastics equipment, bleachers for 175
people
Parking, bike racks, showers, drinking water, supervision, first aid facilities
This elementary school site offers both indoor and outdoor recreational facilities that are heavily used by
the school and the neighborhood. The site also offers the City’s first “adventure playground” (wooden play
apparatus), constructed by volunteers. The wooded area on site could possibly provide outdoor education
or nature study activities.
JFK Middle School 15 acres
Ownership: City
Management: School Department (building use), Recreation Department (field use)
Location: Florence St, Leeds
Equipment: Outdoor: two ball diamonds, three soccer fields, football field
Indoor: pool, gymnasium, six basketball hoops, two volleyball nets
Bike racks, showers, drinking water
Heavily used primarily by the school, this site contains both indoor and outdoor facilities. The facilities
are in generally good condition; however, recurring problems with neighbors have limited the use of this
site.
Leeds Memorial 1.6 acres
Ownership: City
Maintenance: DPW
Location: Florence St, opposite Leeds School
A small, grassed area, this site contains memorials. It is used by Leeds residents. This park has a memorial,
but it is not appropriate for additional memorials. However, benches would increase its potential for use.
Leeds School 9.3 acres
Ownership: City
Management: School Department (building use), Recreation Department (field use)
Location: Florence St, Leeds
Equipment: Outdoor: playground, ball diamond, skating area, soccer field
SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY | 89
Indoor: gymnasium with two basketball hoops, two volleyball nets, pull-up bars;
auditorium
Parking, bike racks, supervision, first aid facilities
This 9.3-acre site contains both indoor and outdoor recreational facilities. It is used year-round by
the school, local neighborhoods, and residents city-wide. This site is large enough to be redesigned to
accommodate other types of field layouts, although some site work would be necessary due to sloping
terrain.
Northampton Community Music Center (former South St. School)
Ownership: City
Management: Northampton Community Music Center
Location: Florence St, Leeds
This former elementary school is now used by the Music Center for music education. The parcel includes
a small tot lot and access from South Street to the adjoining Veterans Field Recreation Area.
Northampton Country Club
Ownership: Private
Location: Main St, Leeds
This private golf club offers its members a nine-hole golf course, swimming pool, and clubhouse. The
establishment receives medium use during the golfing season by residents throughout the region.
Northampton High School 23 acres
Ownership: City
Management: School Department (building use), Recreation Department (field use)
Location:
Equipment: Outdoor: playground, two storage buildings, three ball diamonds, soccer field, field
hockey field, two grassed gym fields, track, lacrosse field, bleachers, concession stand
Indoor: gymnasium, universal gym, bleachers, basketball hoops, auditorium
This large school site offers both indoor and outdoor recreational facilities. It is used heavily by the school
(physical education and interscholastic sports) and by residents citywide. Outdoor facilities are used very
heavily in the spring, summer, and fall, depending on the sport season. Ramps and special toilet facilities
are available for the handicapped. A small triangular, grassed area is located directly across from the High
School. It serves as an informal park, although there are no facilities.
Northampton Revolver Club 34.3 acres
Ownership: Northampton Revolver Club, Inc
Location: Ryan Rd
The Club offers indoor and outdoor target shooting facilities to members from throughout the region.
90 | SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY
Oxbow Marina 56.1 acres
Ownership: Private
Location: Island Rd, CT; Oxbow River
The Marina is a commercial facility, offering boat rentals, storage, and mooring facilities; tennis,
swimming, and horseshoes. Utilized on a region wide basis, this facility receives heavy summer use.
Fees are charged. The Marina allows one of Northampton’s soccer leagues to use their fields during the
summer.
Peoples Institute 1.5 acres
Ownership: Peoples Institute
Location: Gothic Street
This facility offers arts and crafts classes, educational programs, and summer day camps for elementary age
children. The facility includes a dance floor and an outdoor pool. Fees are charged.
Pine Grove Golf Course 132.3 acres
Ownership: Private
Location: Old Wilson Rd
With an 18-hole golf course and field house, this facility is open to members as well as non-members for
a fee. Level of use is medium to heavy throughout the golf season. It also offers cross-country skiing in the
winter. The facility has a regional-use population.
Smith College Mill River, Paradise Pond, Arboretum, and Athletic
Fields
Ownership: Smith College
Location: Smith College, Mill River, West St
This recreational area is part of the Smith College campus and receives heavy use by both students and
area residents (with permission). Facilities include playfields, track and field, tennis courts, rowboats, and
ice-skating. It includes a heavily used foot trail from Paradise Pond to the northern edge of Smith College,
along Mill River. The trail then continues to Ward Avenue and Federal Street.
Smith School V.A. Parcel/Forestry Studies 182.1 acres
Ownership: City/Smith Vocational School
Location: Haydenville Rd
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
3/4/1958 B1267, p217
4/30/1987 B2961, p193
The Smith Vocational School for Forestry Studies uses this large wooded site. The site contains an
informal trail that could be used to link to a proposed northern corridor trail. It also contains land
SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY | 91
that could allow an extension of that trail to Route 9. It has been suggested in the past that part of this
property be used for a future high school site and some of it for affordable housing. Others have indicated
a desire to keep this as permanent open space for use by the Smith School.
Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School 78.9 acres
Ownership: City/ Trustees of Smith Vocational School
Recreation Department manages tennis courts and fields
Location: Locust St
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
12/22/1845 Box 249, #2 Will of Oliver Smith
12/22/1905 B601, p287 Deed
Equipment: Outdoor: eight tennis courts, soccer field, two ball fields (in construction by students)
Indoor: gymnasium, universal gym, six basketball hoops
This site contains the Smith Vocational School, the original core farm, tennis courts, and recreation fields.
It also contains a public farm trail.
This site is used heavily by the school for physical education classes and interscholastic sports and by
residents citywide throughout the school year. With a two-acre field area and indoor facility, it offers
both outdoor and indoor recreational activities. There are handicap accessible facilities. There is also a
large wetland on the south side of the property. The land immediately west of the developed part of the
Smith Vocational School campus is currently used for agriculture (primarily grazing land with a farm trail
constructed in 1993).
South Main Street and Berkshire Terrace
Ownership: City
Maintenance: DPW
Location:
This is a small, grassed corner lot with no facilities.
Trinity Row 0.5 acres
Ownership: City
Maintenance: DPW
Location: Florence
This is an ornamental, open space street park, containing a foundation and various memorials. This site
receives light, year-round, local neighborhood use. Benches could increase its potential for use.
Tri-County Fairgrounds 42 acres
Ownership: Hampshire, Franklin, & Hampden Agricultural Society
Location: Old Ferry Rd, Fair Rd, Bridge St
92 | SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY
The Fairgrounds receive heavily regional use during the fair and racing season. This facility contains an
exhibition area, race track (horse), baseball field, playfields, picnic area, and a field house.
Former Vernon Street School
Ownership: City
Management:
Location:
Equipment:
This is a former school that includes playground equipment used by the surrounding neighborhoods.
VFW Memorial
Ownership: City
Location: Center of Florence
A small park with a fountain and memorial. It is lightly used by Florence residents.
5.3: Preservation Restrictions
Academy of Music, Main Street
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
10/10/1986 B2826, p49 City owned property, MHC holds PR
David Ruggles Center, 225 Nonotuck St.
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
8/28/2009 B9948, p215 Committee for Northampton owned property, City/
MHC held CR ($15,000 CPA funds)
Florence Grammer School, 140 Pine St.
Ownership: Forty Main Street, Inc
Protection: Preservation Restriction Agreement (local agreement not MGL 184) to City of
Northampton, through Historical Commission
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
8/22/2013 B11434, p84 Condition of institutional zoning incentive
SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY | 93
Hatfield Street School, 52 Hatfield St.
Ownership: Private
Protection: Preservation Restriction Agreement (City has right to enforce)
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
10/22/2002 B6843, p211
Hampshire County Courthouse, 99 Main St.
Ownership: Hamphsire Council of Governments
Protection: Preservation Restriction Agreement (MHC has right to enforce)
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
10/02/2011 B10674, p212 Five year PR to 10/3/2016
Historic Northampton, 46, 58 & 66 Bridge St.
Ownership: Northampton Historical Society d/b/a Historic Northampton
Protection: Preservation Restriction Agreement (City has right to enforce)
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
03/06/2015 B11882, p301 Preservation Restriction held by City of Northampton
The Manse, 54 Prospect St. The Manse, 54 Prospect St.
Ownership: Private
Protection: Preservation Restriction Agreement (Stewards of the Manse has right to enforce)
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
B3198, p91 Preservation Restriction held by Stewards of the Manse
Masonic Street Fire Station, 60 Masonic St.
Ownership: Private (Media Education Foundation)
Protection: Preservation Restriction Agreement (City has right to enforce)
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
6/28/2002 B6696, P48 Deed with City retained Preservation Restriction
4/10/2007 B9093, P205 Reference to Preservation Restriction
7/25/2002 B6724, P42 Reference to Preservation Restriction- back building
94 | SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY
West Farms Chapel, West Farms Road
Ownership: Private
Protection: Preservation Restriction Agreement (City has right to enforce)
Acquisition History
Date Book, page or other Description Acres
6/29/1987 B3007, p250-252 Historic preservation restriction
5.4: Other Agreements & Easements
Acquisition History and Development Agreement conditions
Date Book, page or other Description of Development Agreement
9/9/2004 B7982, p197
200-206 King Street
Be compatible with residential neighborhood: No pornographic
uses; New buildings will be a minimum of 2 stories; Upper floors
only be used for housing; all for as long as zoning is GB or HB.
3/4/2005 Agreement: B8180, p119 Developer PAID $150,000 for design N.King/Hatfield
intersection. Rezoned to HB for River Valley Market.
Acquisition History and Drainage Easements
Date Book, page or other Description
10/10/2007
12/14/2007
B9291, p7
B9349, p103
Microcal, 22 Industrial Dr. E
Site plan decision
Drainage Easement to City (Board of Public Works)
Conservation area signage standards
1. Use area names listed in the OSRP plan. Where areas are within greenways or larger conservation
groupings, the overall area should be listed in front of the specific title (example: Meadows
Conservation Area, Montview Section). Signs should be located at trailheads where applicable; facing
the nearest roadway in a central location if the area has no trails.
2. Signs are local Black Locust (prefer) or FSC-certified ipe, 48 inches in length, 6 inches high, and 1
inch deep, with tropical oil finish. Signs should be sanded prior to application of finish. Letters are
2.75 inches in height, routed to a depth of 1/16 inch, with a ¼ inch thickness. Fonts do not include
serifs. Letters are finished with pigmented encaustic epoxy fill in an off white color.
3. Signs must also include a 4.5 inch diameter circle, routed to a depth of 1/16 inch following the sign
name, for placement of appropriate metal logos of the city and its partners.
4. Install signs on 8 foot lengths of pressure treated “4x4,” painted brown, set four feet into the ground
and firmly backfilled. Sign posts are set 3 feet six inches measured on center. Signs are installed 4
inches from the top of the posts. Signs are rear-mounted, with no hardware installed through the face
of the sign.
SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY | 95
MUlTi-USe TRAilS
96 | SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY
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SECtION 5: CONSERVAtION AND RECREAtION INVENtORY | 97
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| 99
6 Community Vision
This plan builds on earlier Open Space, Recreation,
and Multiuse Trail Plans (1975, 1980, 1985, 1989,
1994, 2000, 2005, and 2011) and the Sustainable
Northampton Comprehensive Plan (2008).
Open Space, Recreation,
and Multiuse Trail goals
Northampton is endowed with a diverse natural
and cultural environment, which provides scenic
vistas, opportunity for passive and active recreation,
and a wide variety of plant and animal habitats,
including habitats for rare and endangered species.
Northampton residents want to preserve and
enhance these resources, but they also acknowledge
that resources are limited and that open space and
recreation goals are sometimes in conflict with
other community goals.
Major goals are to:
Manage conservation lands to preserve natural
systems and be user friendly
Preserve the city’s most ecologically valuable
areas
Open space to serve people
Preserve farmland
Support agricultural operations to ensure
farmers for farmland
Ensure adequate land for active recreation
Improve parks and recreation areas to serve
active recreation needs
Maintain existing parks and recreation areas
Develop multi-use trails for easy public access
Convert unloved pavement to beloved parks
Honor history in the landscape
Improve public awareness of all of these
resources
100 |
7 Analysis of Needs
Resource Protection,
Community, and
Management needs
For three decades, Northampton and its partners
have protected over 0.5% of the city annually as
open space. Over 25% of the City is now (2018)
permanently protected open space.
During numerous public forums, the City heard
citizen open space and recreation hopes and
aspirations. Adopting and endorsing boards and
their staff have addressed this public process and
past plans by identifying the following needs:
1. Provide recreation opportunities throughout
the city, and especially revitalizing and
expanding tired recreation areas.
2. Link and expand existing open space
to provide passive recreation, wildlife
movement between natural habitats, and
climate changed induced migrations.
3. Protect of vistas and viewsheds.
4. Protect of a range of critical and natural plant
and animal habitats, including wetlands, rare
and endangered species habitat, and riparian
lands along the Connecticut, Mill, and
Manhan Rivers and other rivers and streams.
5. Preserve of open space parcels that help
define Northampton’s character, including
parcels at city entrances and gateways.
6. Protect of farmland, forestland, and the rural
character of outlying areas.
7. Protect Northampton, Easthampton, and
Hatfield drinking water supply watershed
and aquifer lands.
8. Provide access to open space resources
especially for environmental justice
populations/low and moderate income areas.
9. Ensure development is sensitive to ecological
resources, vistas, and open space.
10. Serve the needs of those with disabilities in
public open space.
11. Ensure fish and informal swimming
opportunities throughout the City.
12. Protect Smith Vocational agricultural and
forestry lands, including some of the oldest
trees in the city at the former at the Veterans
Administration Medical Center.
13. Protect of key parcels in the last remaining
large undeveloped areas of town – Broad
Brook and Beaver Brook Watersheds,
Parsons Brook Greenway, Marble Brook
Greenway, Saw Mill Hills, Mineral Hills, and
the Meadows.
14. Provide a wider diversity of recreation
facilities, especially indoor facilities.
15. Better maintain recreational areas.
SECtION 7: ANAlYSIS Of NEEDS | 101
16. Develop more multi-use trails and bicycle
linkages of all kinds to provide access to
active and passive recreation, create healthy
lifestyles and provide alternatives to single-
occupancy vehicles.
2017 Statewide
Comprehensive Outdoor
Recreation Plan (SCORP)
The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and
Environmental Affairs Statewide Comprehensive
Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) identifies critical
recreation needs, based on available facilities,
current and future demand, and user surveys.
This profile of needs are used by communities for
planning and when applying for grants under the
Land and Water Conservation Fund and state
LAND and PARC programs.
Regional needs are useful as indicators, not
specific and absolute predictors. The intent was
not to create a set of imperatives but to supply
communities with statewide and regional data that
should be considered and perhaps modified by
particular local needs.
At both the state and the regional level, the
SCORP identifies unmet needs for trail-based
activities, especially non-motorized uses such
as walking, bicycling, and cross-country skiing,
various types of field sports, and water-based
activities, especially swimming.
As part of our focus on environmental justice
populations, we also note difference in needs
among ethnic groups, especially specific needs
around field sports and active recreation. Given
our increased focus on how recreation can
encourage a healthy lifestyle, this focus on active
recreation in especially important.
Finally, we noted the slightly different needs
for people with disabilities. Northampton has
made enormous progress in creating accessible
playground structures and multi-use trails, but
we continue to seek to address all passive and
recreation needs.
These needs, and the entire SCORP, was considered
in creating this plan. In addition, the SCORP is
consulted for every city LAND and PARC grant
application.
Recreation and
Conservation needs
With limited resources, maintenance of existing
municipal facilities has become a challenge. We are
exploring new partnerships with leagues and user
groups to address the challenges.
1. Maintain existing facilities.
2. Continue to cooperate with Look Park and
non-municipal recreation providers to meet
Northampton’s recreation needs.
3. Meet the special recreation needs of the
elderly, environmental justice populations,
and those with disabilities.
northampton Resource
Protection needs
To address significant threats to natural resources,
plant and animal habitats, and the environmental
health of the City, especially from climate change,
the city needs to:
1. Protect critical habitats and link open space.
2. Protect critical and productive habitats,
including wetlands, rare and endangered species habitats, wildlife corridors, and riparian corridors.
3. Protect a range of natural habitat types,
including riparian (riverfront) habitat,
farmland, forest, and vernal pools.
4. Protect Northampton, Easthampton and
Hatfield’s drinking water supply watershed
and aquifer land.
5. Work with partners to ensure protection of
resources that cross political boundaries by
working with partners.
102 |
8 Goals and Objectives
The following are policies, objectives, and actions that were adopted by the Northampton Planning
Board and endorsed by City Council and other boards as part of the City’s primary planing document,
Sustainable Northampton Comprehensive Plan. These goals and public sentiment generally were
determined from an extensive public participation process. A survey was sent to every residential
address in the city as part of the annual City Census and evaluated those results. The city held dozens of
public sessions and several public forums, including one specifically targeted for environmental justice
populations and used three separate outside consultants (AIA SDAT, Walt Cudnohufsky, and the Cecil
Group) to ensure that the city accurately judged community values and goals.
All of these goals shown (below) have major or minor impacts on open-space and recreation. Sustainable
Northampton has other goals and objectives that are not relevant and are not repeated here.
land use and Development
goal lU-1: Direct changes and improvements in
accordance with the future land Use Map
1. Before developing rural areas, and after allowing for green space within densely developed areas,
encourage infill development of vacant and under utilized land in and around downtown and in existing
denser developed areas. This includes places such as village centers or areas that are currently zoned and
targeted for development, such as the Business Park.
2. Locate housing within walking distances along safe paths, or with bicycle access, to and from
neighborhood commercial areas, parks and recreation, schools, and public transportation.
goal lU-2: Create and preserve high quality,
built environments in the downtown and village
centers
1. Add parks, greenspace and appropriate agriculture on city-owned land or on larger infill development
SECtION 8: GOAlS AND OBjECtIVES | 103
parcels where possible, to keep urban and village centers attractive.
2. Encourage and create incentives to enable well-designed and desired development to occur in
downtown and other more densely developed locations or in targeted growth zones. These incentives
should also work to maintain the distinctions and historic precedents that define those areas.
3. Define and support a critical mass of retail, cultural, and office space.
goal lU-3: Maintain a distinction between rural
areas, residential neighborhoods, and urban areas
1. Housing projects that are built in rural areas should be cluster development types, leaving more open
land, with designs that allow for a variety of housing options.
2. Preserve the character of rural areas through preservation of large undeveloped tracts, vistas, and
farmland.
4. Implement ideas for maximizing density on small lots.
6. Create Northampton neighborhoods that provide pedestrian scales, connections to goods and services,
and connections to multiple modes of travel.
7. Ensure that zoning and land use regulations encourage mixed-use, multi-family development projects
that are in keeping with high quality design and a character that transitions into the surrounding
neighborhood.
8. Ensure that expansion of commercial parcels into residential areas coincides with road infrastructure
improvements that enhance the value of the abutting residential uses and improve neighborhood
character.
goal lU-4: Preserve and encourage agricultural
uses in designated areas, such as the Meadows
1. Maintain the primarily open and agricultural nature of the Meadows as it exists, with no new
residential lots and no significant increase in residential density.
2. Continue to allow flooding of the Meadows for restoration of the soils for farming, and preserve the
floodplain storage capacity of the Meadows as a means to prevent other areas and neighborhoods from
flooding.
3. Support the economic viability of farming within the City, preserving scenic, ecological, and
environmental benefits for the City as whole. The City should support farming through allocation of
resources and infrastructure investments.
Energy, Environment and Climate Protection
goal eeC-1: Reduce community’s and City’s energy
demand and natural resource consumption
104 | SECtION 8: GOAlS AND OBjECtIVES
The City’s objectives emphasize education and promotion of “green” policies. Actions will be taken
to promote awareness on both public and private levels including increases in energy efficiency,
encouragement of green development, use of energy from renewable sources, a campaign for the purchase
of local goods, waste management reform, and the reconstitution of a Transportation Commission. Waste
management, transportation, and locally produced products relate directly to the open space plan as
reforms in these areas will reduce impact on and enhance surrounding landscape.
goal eeC-2: Reduce emissions of greenhouse
gases (gHg)
Positive effects on open space will be realized through reforms in transportation, future land use
concerning vehicular traffic, and public awareness of strategies for lessening emissions.
goal eeC-3: Protect valuable and sensitive
ecological resources (land, air, water, habitat,
plants, & animals)
1. Prioritize and preserve quality wetlands by encouraging development in densely populated areas and in
clusters.
2. Protect and conserve water supplies (drinking, surface, groundwater, recharge areas, aquifers) and
continue to enforce groundwater protection regulations.
3. Conserve wetlands with programs to ensure no net loss of total wetlands (existing area of approximately
3,000 acres).
4. Preserve floodplains for flood storage and, where appropriate, habitat values.
5. Preserve existing forests, floodplains, wetlands, and agricultural soils of high ecological value.
6. Protect rare and endangered plants and animals and important wildlife corridors.
7. Improve the quality and appearance of the public water supply.
8. Recognize that the protection of environmental resources will improve the quality of life and the value
of property in the City.
9. Minimize the loss of tree canopy throughout the City and increase tree canopy in urbanized areas to
maintain a higher quality environment in all areas.
goal eeC-4: Minimize the impacts of infrastructure
systems on environmental resources
1. Implement regulations that include measures for soil erosion and sediment control.
2. Encourage and enforce low impact development designs.
SECtION 8: GOAlS AND OBjECtIVES | 105
3. Develop an inventory of roadways and facilities in environmentally sensitive areas and reduce the use of
sand, salts or other de-icing chemicals for their maintenance.
4. Reuse brownfield sites.
goal eeC-5: Safeguard and improve the quality
of the City’s surface waters to ensure use for safe
public swimming, recreational fishing activities,
boating, and drinking
1. Ensure landside land alterations do not adversely impact surface waters.
2. Ensure waterfront property owners comply with regulations and upgrade environmental controls.
3. Ensure safe, high quality, recreational waters are available to all residents.
4. Protect quality of backup drinking water supply located in City reservoir.
Open Space and Recreation
goal OS-1: Maximize use of the City’s open space
and recreation areas
1. Determine carrying capacity of facilities and match it with population growth and demographics.
2. Maximize use of recreational space with affordable and quality programs for youth.
3. Make capital improvements and enhance maintenance of recreation facilities.
4. Provide open space and recreation opportunities for individuals of all ages, socioeconomic levels, and
physical abilities now and for future generations.
goal OS-2: expand open space and recreation
areas
1. Acquire land for recreation, conservation and open space needs, preservation of plant and animal
habitat, protection of scenic vistas, public enjoyment, and to enhance the character and sustainability of
the community.
2. Preserve and expand City holdings of open space and wild lands, as well as open land in developed
areas, including densely developed areas.
3. Use open space and recreation to ensure that the urban and village centers are attractive places to live,
work, and visit.
4. Make more natural areas available for public use as long as watershed land access does not threaten
water supplies.
5. Acquire land and build facilities to meet the needs for adult and youth athletic and recreation and
106 | SECtION 8: GOAlS AND OBjECtIVES
school teams.
goal OS-3: Preserve natural and cultural resources
and the environment
1. Preserve the character of rural areas, farms, forests, and rivers.
2. Manage conservation properties to restore plant and animal habitats.
3. Preserve the environment and cultural and natural resources through land and easements and
regulation changes.
4. Protect important ecological resources, including surface and groundwater resources, plant
communities, and wildlife habitat.
5. Preserve ecological linkages and wildlife corridors, especially water-based linkages.
6. Have the City lead in protecting architectural and cultural history.
7. Consistently apply the criteria for preservation of the environment and resources across all
neighborhoods and areas.
goal OS-4: Provide open space connections
between public spaces
1. Identify ‘greenway’ and ‘blueway’ connections that could provide pedestrian, bicycle, and boat access
between open space areas.
2. Use the connections to also link business areas where they can support the pedestrian/biking
connections.
3. Improve connections to open spaces for all individuals so they are universally accessible. Operate with
sound and explicit standards, guidelines, criteria, and administrative procedures.
Heritage and Historic Resources
goal HR-1: Protect and preserve the City’s
heritage resources
1. Educate and inform decision makers and the community about heritage resources.
2. Protect the heritage resources from degradation or destruction by public or private actions or inactions.
goal H-1: Create new housing
1. Provide developers with options that allow them to build at higher densities in return for creating more
affordable housing units.
SECtION 8: GOAlS AND OBjECtIVES | 107
2. Utilize green and sustainable design funding opportunities for affordable housing.
3. Expand the range of options for detached housing, such as cottage housing development to increase
density in designated locations.
108 |
9 Seven-Year Action Plan
The City, through the boards adopting and
endorsing this plan, has identified the following
actions to address the goals and needs outlined in
this plan. This action plan includes actions that
would be desirable over the next seven years.
All actions are consistent with the City’s
commitment to fully comply with Title IX,
Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of
the Rehabilitation Act, and the Massachusetts
Architectural Access Board.
Prioritizing Objectives
Primary Objectives
Plans and needs evolve over time. These objectives
help staff and the boards establish priorities.
The primary conservation objectives are protecting
natural resources, creating greenway networks and
linkages of open spaces and trails, and maintaining
the City’s landscape and character. Conservation
evaluative criteria:
▪Agricultural features such as open fields, prime
agricultural soils, scenic views of agricultural
property, active agricultural use, historical
agricultural uses, and agricultural structures.
▪Location of the parcel in relationship to other
protected land.
▪Ability to contribute to needed civic space
near village centers or recreational areas.
▪Ability to serve environmental justice
populations or under-served areas.
▪Proximity to sensitive environmental
resources, including drinking water sources,
wetlands, ponds, lakes, streams, steep slopes,
unique geological features, significant
vegetative and wildlife habitat or wildlife
corridors (especially for rare or endangered
species).
The primary recreation objectives are protecting
community health and character, providing high
quality recreation opportunities, especially for
underserved areas and populations, and improving
accessibility to recreation. Recreation evaluative
criteria:
▪Opportunities for new or expanded
connections to existing trail networks for
alternative transportation, walking, hiking,
biking, cross-country skiing, and other
recreational opportunities.
▪Public access to water, including recreational
access to the waterfront.
▪Opportunity for a safe, usable, and accessible
park and recreation space.
▪Opportunity for affordable and accessible
spectator and participatory events.
SECtION 9: SEVEN-YEAR ACtION PlAN | 109
Secondary Objectives
Landowners, land trusts, developers, and
other partners may approach the City with
conservation or recreation opportunities that
have not been identified as primary objectives.
These opportunities can be incorporated into
life estates, bargain sales, charitable donations,
and large-scale developments. These projects
may have regional significance: provide access to
special or unique natural and cultural resources;
have potential as multi-use corridors; provide
recreational opportunities and access to amenities
or destinations (e.g., parks, downtown and villages,
and schools); enhance an area that encompasses a
unique or representative biologic community; or
have local support (e.g., project is as a priority on a
strategic plan).
Seven-year Action Plan
The Action Plan builds on the 12 goals identified
in the Community Vision (outlined earlier).
1. Manage Conservation Land
to Preserve Natural Systems
and be User-Friendly
Resources: All of these items are to be coordinated
by Planning staff, funded with city ordinary
maintenance and staff time, volunteer labor,
Conservation fund endowment income, grants and
fund-raising, and community preservation funds.
Timing: On-going over entire plan period.
Actions
1. Planning staff to implement management
plans, including Fitzerald Lake Dam, and
maintain all conservation areas for habitat
improvement and for visitors, including those
with disabilities. Planning staff is authorized to
maintain these areas consistent with the plan.
Maintain trails, facilities, and improvements, walk
property boundaries annually, and develop and
work with volunteers and management partners.
When possible, restore natural systems.
2. More agriculture on conservation land.
Staff, with policy input from the Agriculture
Commission, is authorized to license and lease
agriculture fields in conservation areas and to
expand agriculture when possible. These include
(but are not limited to): five parcels within the
Connecticut River Greenway/Meadows (Damon
Road, Potash/Manhan, Cross Path, Montview
Avenue, and Former Jail Farm), Mineral Hills
(Sylvester Road), and Broad Brook Greenway
(Linseed Road)
3. Aggressive invasive removal with a volunteer
component when exotics and non-native invasive
plants compete with local plants and degrade
animal habitat. Planning staff will coordinate along
volunteer and other land management partners.
4. Develop a ONE Northampton trail that
encircles the city, building on existing trails, adding
trails where there are gaps, with a good treadway,
consistent signing. ONE Northampton should be
an easily identifiable trail and attract more people
for long walks.
5. Make accessibility improvements on
conservation land, both improving existing
accessible boardwalks and trails and adding new
accessible trails, benches, and picnic tables.
2. Preserve the City’s Most
Ecologically Valuable Areas
As of 2018, 25% of Northampton, of which
about 20% includes some of the most ecologically
valuable land, has been preserved. Preservation
efforts should continue, prioritized on ecological
values and on contribution to the City’s broader
land use goals. Land preservation may be done
by Conservation Commission ownership of land
(fee-simple), or of conservation restrictions and
agriculture preservation restrictions (less-than-
fee). Ownership is generally prioritized because it
provides management rights and appropriate public
access, but less-than-fee preservation is appropriate
in many cases, especially when useful to preserve
working lands.
Resources to fund: LAND, Land and Water
Conservation Fund, and other federal, state, and
foundation grants, Community Preservation Act
110 | SECtION 9: SEVEN-YEAR ACtION PlAN
funds, city funds, and community fund-raising.
Timing: On-going over entire plan period.
Actions
1. Analyze fiscal impacts of open space,
evaluating the marginal costs of providing services,
the financial benefits and costs of open space, and
the overall costs and benefits.
2. Ensure new building lots are developed to
prevent open space from
3. Strengthen partnerships for improved efficacy,
including Kestrel Land Trust (most areas), Mass
Audubon Society (Rocky Hill and portions of
the Meadows), and Meadows City Conservation
Coalition (Ward 3 Meadows and Connecticut
River Greenway) for coordinated fund-raising and
land preservation and with the partner holding
conservation restrictions, at no cost to the city, on
City conservation areas.
4. Preserve ecologically valuable land and fill
gaps between protected land, including but not
limited to:
• Beaver Brook Greenway expansion, especially
land near the brook. This includes valuable
ecologically land behind the Roman Catholic
cemetery.
• Broad Brook-Fitzgerald Lake Greenway
expansion, especially along the brook,
extending the conservation area and filling gaps
between conservation area units.
• Mill River and Historic Mill River
Greenway, along the entire length of the
Mill River, including the Historic Mill
River through downtown Northampton,
key tributaries, and the Northampton State
Hospital area adjacent to the river. This is the
historical industrial and population heart of
the city and one of the most valuable ecological
resources in the city.
• Saw Mill Hills and Mineral Hills, including
Marble Brook and the Glendale Road
area expand preservation along these two
ranges, which extend from Williamsburg to
Easthampton. Connecting all of the gaps and
missing teeth, acquiring all of the ridge and the
vernal pools and buffers to the vernal pools is
the top priority.
• Parsons Brook Greenway, including West
Farms and Park Hill Road. Preserve land
to provide ecological and human connection
between protected land at the Saw Mill and
Mineral Hills to Easthampton along Parsons
Brook and the nearby farm and woodland.
These seemingly disparate parcels of
conservation and restricted land are connected
ecologically and can be better connected along
waterways (for wildlife) and high points (for
human trails).
• Rocky Hill Greenway including the corridor
from the existing Rocky Hill Greenway at
Routes 10 and 66, to the Burts Bog Greenway.
• Connecticut River Greenway and Meadows
Conservation Area, including the corridor
along the Connecticut River and the adjacent
floodplain. This includes the greenway from
the Coolidge Bridge to Hatfield, the area
immediately adjacent to existing protected
holdings at the Conte National Fish and
Wildlife Preserve and the Aracadia Wildlife
Sanctuary. Preservation should include
agriculture preservation restrictions of privately
owned farmland.
3. Open Space to Serve People
Conservation is primarily about preserving natural
systems, but providing opportunities for users, in
parks, recreation areas, and even in conservation
areas to the extent those opportunities do not
significantly degrade natural systems, is critical.
Resources to fund: Grants, city staff time, in-kind
resources, volunteer efforts.
Timing: On-going over entire plan period.
Actions
1. Ensure open space within walking distance of
all urban neighborhoods. This provides access for
the public, promotes nature appreciation, active
SECtION 9: SEVEN-YEAR ACtION PlAN | 111
and passive recreation, and improved public health.
This is a critical part of the city’s equity goals.
2. Focus on serving environmental justice
populations. In addition to providing open space
within walking distance, concentrations of low
income populations without access to cars also
need culturally appropriate sports and community
gardens within walking distance of their need or,
when bike share is available, within biking distance.
3. Develop new partnerships, whether for trail
improvements or potential green burials on
conservation land. These opportunities serve a
wider variety of stakeholders, lower city costs,
provide new opportunities, and build social
connection to open space.
3. Allow snowmobile use on Burgy Bullets and
Turkey Hill Road IF management partners are
available. Both areas have long and uninterrupted
history of snowmobile use. The Burgy Bullets do
a superb stewardship job and trail should remain
open as long as this stewardship continues. Turkey
Hill Road suffers from more abuse. This trail on
the road should only remain open if a responsible
steward takes responsibility for maintaining the
trail and keeping users on it.
5. Maintain the “Jeep Eater” jeep trail and
extend it easterly, while managing to protect
conservation values. This trail predates city
ownership by decades and is generally well
stewarded. The trail should remain open as long as
the stewardship continues if the stewards can get
keep users on the rocky trail and not into nearby
wet areas. The city should acquire the portion
of the trail on private land east of the current
conservation land to expand and husband the trail
and protect the land.
6. The Conservation Commission should
discuss the hunting framework in future public
hearings. During the public conversation on this
plan, the issue of expanding hunting opportunities
on conservation land was the only subject where
no consensus or compromise emerged. As a result,
the plan makes no recommendation about hunting
and the issue remains with the Conservation
Commission, which is charged with regulation
O pen Space in W alking Di Stance
Beaver B rOO k Snowmobile Trail
112 | SECtION 9: SEVEN-YEAR ACtION PlAN
the use of conservation land. Hunting is currently
allowed at Rainbow Beach and bow hunting is
allowed at Beaver Brook Greenway. Hunters, their
families, friends, and supporters have advocated
for more hunting opportunities, advocating
that all residents should have the opportunity to
use conservation areas in non-destructive ways.
Hunting opponents have strongly opposed any
new hunting, raising issues of safety, noise, and use
conflicts.
When the Conservation Commission takes this up,
they might want to consider the following as they
work on a framework:
• Hunting is not appropriate in areas with high
visitation and near dense residential areas,
including for example Burts Bog, Broad
Brook-Fitzgerald Lake, Mill River Greenway,
Mineral Hills, Parsons Brook and Saw Mill
Hills.
• The community is perception is polarized
more than any other issue in this plan with
disagreement on even basic facts (how noisy
is hunting in terms of number of shots fired,
is hunting consistent with conservation, does
inclusiveness mean that hunters should have
opportunities within the city, and should a
majority of non-hunters be able to preclude
hunting opportunities).
• Issues of enforceability, safety, noise,
compatibility of uses, maintenance, and
alternative uses that are inconsistent with
hunting are all legitimate for discussion.
• In discussing the issues, the Conservation
Commission can ignore this plan, set
geographic limits on where hunting is or is not
allowed, set seasonal limits (e.g., deer season
only hunting), set species limits (e.g., hunt
only non-predators), and hunting methods
(e.g., limit some areas to bow hunting).
4. Preserve Farmland
Farmland should be generally be preserved in
Northampton, especially the rich fertile soil in and
adjacent to our floodplains. This effort is critical to
our local economy, our history and values, and to
provide a healthy living environment.
Resources to fund: Massachusetts APR program,
LAND and Land and Water Conservation Fund
and other federal, state, and foundation grants,
Community Preservation Act funds, and city
funds.
Timing: On-going over entire plan period.
Actions
1. Meadows and other areas, especially with
prime agricultural soils, needs state and
local agricultural preservation restrictions
(APRs). Most of the farmland at greatest risk of
development in Northampton has already been
lost to development or is already permanently
preserved. There are a few farms left that could
be developed. The greater risk is farmland going
fallow or being converted to other uses. The City
should work with the farmers, the Massachusetts
APR program, and local resources for local APRs to
preserve as much farmland as possible.
2. City farmland ownership is appropriate
as part of larger conservation areas and
community gardens, but otherwise the ideal if
private farmland with APRs. Farmland is best
left in private ownership (farmer or farming non-
governmental organization). When farmland is
included in larger portions of conservation land,
however, the city should still preserve this farmland
and then lease it to farmers for productive use.
The city has established two large community
gardens that mostly serve the city, but there is
still demand for small community gardens near
environmental justice and urban neighborhoods to
serve those neighborhoods without requiring access
to a car to drive to an existing community garden.
3. Restore Hampshire County Jail Farm. This
newly acquired (2018) should be restored to
farming outside of the wetlands and used for a
community gardens or leased to farmers.
5. Support Agricultural
Operations to Ensure Farmer
for Farmland
SECtION 9: SEVEN-YEAR ACtION PlAN | 113
Ensuring that farming is a viable occupation is as
important as preserving farmland to encourage
locally grown and healthy food. The state has
been helpful through their farm viability program
and the City has helped by adjusting rents at our
farmland to meet current market conditions. The
Keep Farming planning process identified some of
the issues and opportunities.
Resources to fund: Community Preservation
funds, community fund-raising, and state, federal
and foundation grant funds.
Timing: On-going, with the Agriculture
Commission.
1. Supporting farming operations, including
no-till that sometimes requires herbicides.
The city adopted a right-to-farm ordinance that
acknowledges farmers right to continue to farm
and not be limited in generally accepted farming
practices. In addition, no-till agriculture creates far
less soil erosion and loss of carbon sequestation in
soil than traditional plowing, that exposes more soil
to the elements.
2. Improve Meadows security. From dogs to off
road vehicles, farmers have suffered abuse. A grand
compromise, better security, no public nighttime
use, might lead to a grand compromise of opening
up some of the private roads to public walking and
use.
3. View tree farms as a kind of agriculture,
with working landscapes one of the best ways to
generate local income and protect open space.
4. Explore photo-voltaic as opportunity to
supplemental farm income, if it can be done
without creating any incentives for converting
prime farmland to non-farm uses or extending
power lines into the Meadows where none
currently exist.
6. Ensure Adequate Land for
Active Recreation
Land for active recreation is critical to helping
create healthy lifestyles. The recent purchase of
the 24 acre Florence Fields Recreation Area and
the Connecticut River Greenway Riverfront Park
brings the city closer to the land base necessary to
meet its future recreation needs.
Resources to fund: PARC, Land and Water
114 | SECtION 9: SEVEN-YEAR ACtION PlAN
Conservation Fund and other federal, state, and
foundation grants, Community Preservation
funds, city funds, community fund-raising, limited
development dividends.
Timing: As opportunities arise.
1. Fill in gaps at Sheldon Field and explore
some recreation uses at Oak Street parcel. There
is some land available adjacent to Sheldon Field
that should be added to Sheldon Field. Some is
currently owned by the City and leased to a farmer
and some is currently privately held. A small
amount of land would allow this area to reach the
critical mass to serve multiple recreation needs.
Oak Street is a surplus city school site that could
be used for BMX riding and recreation, as well as
none recreation uses.
2. Serve environmental justice populations,
including playgrounds. There may be some local
opportunities, such as the recent playground added
at Lampron Park, for additional facilities in the
city’s most urban and environmental justice areas.
3. Move rail trail easement to fee ownership
for PARC grants. Much of the city’s railtrails are
owned by the city by easement. This serves almost
every city need but does not allow the city to access
PARC grants for railtrail projects.
7. Improve Parks and
Recreation Areas to Serve
Active Recreation Needs
The City has slowly been rehabilitating and adding
fields (the new Florence Fields and Connecticut
River Greenway, parking at Sheldon Field, and
redeveloping Veterans’ Field and Arcanum Field.
Recreation needs are still not completely met,
however.
Resources to fund: PARC, Land and Water
Conservation Fund and other federal, state and
foundation grants, Community Preservation funds,
city funds, and community fund-raising.
Timing: On-going over term of the plan.
1. Implement next phases of Florence Recreation
Fields and Connecticut River Greenway
Riverfront Park. Both properties have been built
in the last few years and have become the heaviest
used recreation areas in the city. Neither project,
however, is completely done and more work is
required to fully implement the vision and promise
of these areas.
2. Accessibility improvements to provide more
opportunities, from accessible benches to walkways
to bathrooms.
3. Rehabilitate and expand recreation
opportunities at Sheldon Field, Maines Field,
Ellerbrook Field, Bear Hill Soccer Field, and
Mulberry/Leeds Park
SECtION 9: SEVEN-YEAR ACtION PlAN | 115
These recreation areas all are loved, but are ready
for rehabilitation, upgrading, and expansion.
Sheldon Field has relatively new basketball
courts, but the field is aging and needs a major
rehabilitation and expansion.
Maines Field is ready for a major overhaul.
Ray Ellerbrook Fields has opportunities for
creation of additional fields.
4. Explore future dog park and playground
needs. Both a dog park and playground represent
partially unmet needs for the city.
8. Maintain Existing Parks and
Recreation Areas.
1. Work with the new Friends of Northampton
Parks and Recreation to fund and draw attention
to recreation needs.
2. Consider winter sports needs, such as parking
for cross country ski use and other opportunities.
9. Develop Multi-Use Trails for
Easy Public Access.
Northampton is increasingly becoming the mecca
for multi-use trail users. With the doubling of the
length of rail trails in Northampton in 2009-2010
and the slow but steady growth since then, the
city has become the hub for a rail trail system that
will eventually extend from Northampton north
to Turners Falls, east to Boston, and south to New
Haven.
The trails having been serving recreation uses for
many years, but with the growth in the network
they are now increasingly being used for all uses,
including journey to work, play, and shopping.
This decreases, even if only marginally, vehicular
traffic, improves healthy lifestyles, and creates a
transportation route far less expensive to tax payers
than roads and highways.
The City’s objective is to make 75% of the city
easily accessible to trail systems. This would be
done through additional trails, improved access
to neighborhoods as multi-use spurs, standalone
“short-cuts,” and bicycle lanes for that last mile.
Resources to fund: LAND, Land and Water
Conservation Fund, and other federal, state, and
foundation grants, Community Preservation funds,
city funds, Northampton Bikes Endowment Fund,
n grants, community fund-raising, and limited
development dividends.
Timing: On-going over entire plan period
1. Develop bike infrastructure to connect to
multiuse trails, including ValleyBike Share,
connecting bike lanes and tracks, bike repair
and storage, and repaving State and Bridge
Streets. None of these are multi-use trails, but they
are the feeders and the infrastructure needed to
build bike culture and make the trails a success.
2. Major trail expansions, Rocky Hill Greenway
(the top priority), MassCentral connection to
Williamsburg, Damon Road Multiuse Trail, and
the Connecticut River Greenway.
The Rocky Hill Greenway is the City’s
top multiuse trail priority, connecting the
existing multiuse trail network with the largest
neighborhood in the City currently unserved
by multiuse trails. In order of priority: 1) Rocky
Hill Greenway through Burts Bog is critical to
connect the neighborhood and provide access to
the conservation area, 2) Rocky Hill Greenway
from the New Haven and Northampton Canal
Greenway, which is currently under design and an
approved MassDOT project, and 3) the remaining
gap between these projects and the already
completed section of the Rocky Hill Greenway.
The next priority is the Connecticut River
Greenway trail to Hatfield, from Damon Road
or 1.3 miles from River Run Access Road to Elm
Court in Hatfield would dramatically open up
multi-use trail opportunities. It would connect
a new town to the growing rail trail network and
provide easy access to Hatfield’s safe back roads
for Northampton bicyclists. It would also be a
spectacular trail with great Connecticut River vistas
and it would be anchored by the south by the new
greenway community boathouse park and on the
north by the Connecticut River Greenway parcel
with frontage on the river.
116 | SECtION 9: SEVEN-YEAR ACtION PlAN
3. Major new access points at Edwards Square,
Burts Pit Drumlin, Hotel Bridge access,
Florence Street, Hebert Access, and Riverbank
Access. Although these projects do not create a
lot of multiuse trail mileage, they are critical to
serve residents and new areas. In all of these areas,
existing trails go near unserved neighborhoods, but
lack of trail access prevents those neighborhoods
from benefiting from trails.
4. Other easier access points at Blackberry Lane
and at other locations along the trail. Blackberry
will provide relatively low cost new access to a
dense neighborhood, Jackson Street, and the largest
environmental justice neighborhood in the city.
Other access point are possible as neighborhoods
have a chance to weigh in and as desire lines (where
people walk even without a trail) develop.
10. Convert Unloved Pavement
to Beloved Parks
Building on the success of the City Hall curb
extension, the Roundhouse parklet, the Amber
Lane parklet, and the Pleasant Street parklet, and
the city’s portable parklet kit, the city is considering
more urban parklet opportunities.
1. Create additional downtown parklets and
pavement to parks.
2. Create marked trails connecting public and
private parks
3. Explore easement to protect walking
shortcuts.
11. Honor History in the
Landscapes
Northampton has a rich 355 year history that
is honored in written histories and building
preservation. There has been less emphasis,
however, on the living and outdoor landscapes,
especially cemeteries, historically significant
landscapes, and historical farms and other working
landscapes.
SECtION 9: SEVEN-YEAR ACtION PlAN | 117
Multi-Use Trail Expansion
1. Preserve historic cemeteries, both those
subject to Article 97 (Northampton State
Hospital) and those not. Bridge Street Cemetery
is the city’s oldest European-focused cemetery
and should be listed on the National Register,
either by itself or as part of an expanded
downtown register district.
2. Develop historic mine site, the Galena Mine
in the Mineral Hills. The Galena Mine includes
interesting mineral and mine shafts.
3. Add historic interpretation for Mill River
and other historic sites, probably in partnership
with Leeds Civic Association and the Mill River
Initiative.
4. Develop heritage landscape histories to bring
the history alive for users.
12. Improved Public
Awareness
It is important to improve public awareness
of open space, recreation, and multi-use trail
opportunities. We have a responsibility to
ensure that the public is aware of resources in the
community.
1. Expand bicycle rack and infrastructure
program to raise public awareness.
2. Improve web information resources
3. Mark all open space property boundaries.
118 |
The Open Space, Recreation, and Multi-Use
Trail Plan was written in an iterative process
and comments were incorporated into the plan.
All comments were either incorporated, or
compromises were found, or, in the case of hunting
on conservation land, concerns were noted so that
they are part of the public agenda moving forward.
The hunting public record is many dozens of
pages. We have entered it into our Public File
Cabinet website so that it can inform future public
conversations.
No other written comments outside of hunting
were received. Written comments from the Broad
Brook Coalition and numerous emails were
submitted. Written and oral hunting comments
were widely varied:
• Many hunters and supporters wanted more
areas to hunt and a better sense of being
included in their own communities. Feeling
included came up almost as often as wanting
specific hunting opportunities. Shotgun
hunters reported that bow hunting doesn’t
meet their needs. Hunters reported benefits of
reduced tick populations and deer starvation
from hunting.
• Those opposed to expanding where hunting
is allowed focused on incompatibility of
hunting and non-hunting, human and dog
safety, noise within conservations and nearby
10 Public Comments
neigbhorhoods, disrespectful hunters shooting
at signs, incompatibility with conservation and
ecological goals, and opposition to hunting in
specific areas.
In partnership with the City, the Friends of
Northamton Trails and Greenway conducted a
survey of community desires for multi-use trail
improvements. The major findings are:
• There is a desire for more trail access points,
with some wanting access at every street
(especially improved access at Blackberry Lane,
Florence Village, North Street, and Hebert
Ave)
• There is a desire for better trail maintenance,
especially repairing root problems/bumps
along the trail and more aggressive cutting of
vegetation along the trail.
The final state approval of this plan will be bound
into the final plan on the next page.
| 119
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120 |
Massachusetts Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor
Recreation Plan (SCORP)
Ryan, R., D. Bacon et al. The Connecticut River
Watershed Action Plan for the Massachusetts
Section of the Watershed. 2002.
MassGIS statewide GIS and related attribute data.
The following are attached by
reference:
“Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition
Plan, City of Northampton,”
“Rediscovering Northampton, The Natural History
of City-Owned Conservation Areas,” 1993
“Sustainable Northampton Comprehensive Plan”
“Broad Brook Coalition’s Management Plan for the
Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area”
City of Northampton Code of Ordinances
11 References
| 121
A ADA Self-Evaluation Report
The City of Northampton’s goal is to in-
crease handicap accessibility at park, recre-
ation, and conservation lands. In the short
term, the goal is to increase the variety of
accessible facilities and to provide disabled
populations with the same range of recre-
ational opportunities available to the general
population. It is Northampton’s goal to fully
comply with Section 504 of the Rehabilita-
tion Act of 1973, as amended, as well as
the Americans with Disabilities Act and the
Massachusetts Architectural Access Board
standards.
The ADA Access Self-Evaluation docu-
ment was drafted by the Office of Planning
and Development with the assistance of the
Mayor’s Committee on Disabilities, the Rec-
reation Commission, and the Conservation
Commission. The Committee on Disabilities,
an organization representing and includ-
ing people with disabilities, provided input.
The Committee on Disabilities is charged
with studying the needs of individuals with
disabilities in the community in relation
to housing, employment, public assembly,
transportation, education, health, recreation
and other relevant matters, and is an active
advocate for the integration of people with
disabilities in all phases of community life.
Part I: Administrative Requirements:
Designation of an ADA Coordinator: The
Director of the Northampton Council on Ag-
ing is designated by Ordinance as the Direc-
tor of the Northampton Council on Aging.
The ADA Coordinator also serves as the staff
support to the Northampton Committee on
Disabilities.
Grievance Procedures: Northampton has a
single grievance procedure that provides for
“prompt and equitable resolution of com-
plaints alleging any violation of state and
federal laws protecting individuals from
discrimination.” The complete Non-Dis-
crimination and Grievance Procedure can be
found below.
Public Notification Requirement: In ac-
cordance with ADA and 504 requirements,
Northampton notifies the public of its non-
discrimination policies, and all job advertise-
ments include an EOE clause. The City’s
full non-discrimination policy is part of its
Grievance Procedures, and can be provided
in alternative formats.
122 | SECtION A: ADA SElf-EVAluAtION REPORt
Part II: Program Accessibility
Facility Inventory: A facility inventory of
all areas under the control of the recreation department and Conservation Commission is
provided in Table A1 below.
Transition Plan: The City completed a full
ADA transition plan in 1992, updated in 1995. Although the City is working to im-
prove handicap accessibility, additional steps
are needed to make all park, recreation, and
conservation facilities accessible to people
with disabilities.
All of the goals for ADA improvements
identified in the 2011-2018 Open Space and
Recreation Plan have been implemented
The goals are established for the next seven
years have been incorporated into the plan,
namely add accessibility improvements in
parks, recreation areas and conservation
areas
SECtION A: ADA SElf-EVAluAtION REPORt | 123
ADA inventory - Conservation Areas
FACILITY INVENTORY
LOCATION
ACTIVITY EQUIPMENT NOTES
B a r r e t S t . M a r s h
B r o o k w o o d M a r s h
F i t z g e r a l d L a k e (N . F a r m s R d .)
F i t z g e r a l d L a k e (C o o k e A v e .)
B e a v e r B r o o k /B r o a d B r o o k
G r e e n w a y
C T R i v e r G r e e n w a y
S a w M i l l H i l l s (S y l v e s t e r R d .)
S a w M i l l H i l l s (W . F a r m s R d .)
S a w M i l l H i l l s (A v i s C i r c l e )
M i n e r a l H i l l s (S y l v e s t e r R d .)
M i n e r a l H i l l s (T u r k e y H i l l R d .)
M i n e r a l H i l l s (R i d g e V i e w R d .)
I c e P o n d (I c e P o n d D r .)
Picnic
Facilities
N/A None N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Trails Surface material Paved
,
mixed
earth
Paved,
mixed
earth
Mixed
earth
Mixed
earth
Pave
d
Mixed
earth
Mixed
earth
Mixed
earth
Dimensions 5’9’3’ min 3’ min 3’
min
Some
less
than 3’
Some
less
than 3’
3’ min
Rails None N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Signage (for visually
impaired)
None None None None Non
e
None N/A None
Swimming
Facilities
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Play Areas (tot
lots)
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Game Areas N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Fishing
Facilities &
Boat Docks
Access
Routes
Located adjacent to
accessible paths
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Handrails N/A No N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Equipment Arm rests, bait shelves, & fsh
cleaning tables
N/A N/A N/A N/A Non
e
N/A N/A N/A
Handrails N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Programming
& Services
Information available in alternative formats,
i.e. for visually impaired
N/A Self
guided
tour I
brochu
re
format
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Process to request interpretive services, i.e.
sign language interpreter for meetings
N/A None N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
PARKING
LOCATION
Specifcation for Accessible Spots
B a r r e t S t . M a r s h
B r o o k w o o d M a r s h
F i t z g e r a l d L a k e (N . F a r m s R d .)
F i t z g e r a l d L a k e (C o o k e . A v e )
B e a v e r B r o o k /B r o a d B r o o k
G r e e n w a y
C T R i v e r G r e e n w a y
S a w M i l l H i l l s (S y l v e s t e r R d .)
S a w M i l l H i l l s (W . F a r m s R d .)
S a w M i l l H i l l s (A v i s C i r c l e )
M i n e r a l H i l l s (S y l v e s t e r R d .)
M i n e r a l H i l l s (T u r k e y H i l l R d .)
M i n e r a l H i l l s (R i d g e V i e w R d .)
I c e P o n d (I c e P o n d D r .)
Number of spaces/accessible spaces No
ne
None None 1 None None
Accessible space located closest to accessible entrance No No No No No
Where spaces cannot be located within 200 f of accessible
entrance, drop-of area is provided within 100 f
No No
Minimum width of 13 f includes 8 f space plus 5 f access aisle N/
A
N/A N/A No N/A N/A
Van space – minimum of 1 van space for every accessible space,
8f wide plus 8 f aisle
No
ne
None None None None None None
Sign with intl. symbol of accessibility at each space or pair of
spaces, min. 5 f, max. 8 f to top
No No No No No
Sign minimum 5 f, maximum 8 f to top of sign N/
A
N/A N/A N/A N/A
Surface evenly paved or hard-packed (no cracks)N/
A
No,
uneven
gravel
N/A Most
areas
Surface slope less than 1:20, 5%N/
A
N/A
Curbcut on pathway from parking lot at each space or pair of
spaces, if sidewalk (curb) is present
N/
A
N/A No
Curbcut min. width of 3 f, excluding sloped sides, all slopes not
to exceed 1:12, & textured or painted yellow
N/
A
N/A No
124 | SECtION A: ADA SElf-EVAluAtION REPORt
RAMPS
LOCATION
Specifcation
B a r r e t S t . M a r s h
B r o o k w o o d M a r s h
F i t z g e r a l d L a k e (N . F a r m s R d .)
F i t z g e r a l d L a k e (C o o k e A v e .)
B e a v e r B r o o k /B r o a d B r o o k
G r e e n w a y
C T R i v e r G r e e n w a y
S a w M i l l H i l l s (S y l v e s t e r R d .)
S a w M i l l H i l l s (W . F a r m s R d .)
S a w M i l l H i l l s (A v i s C i r c l e )
M i n e r a l H i l l s (S y l v e s t e r R d .)
M i n e r a l H i l l s (T u r k e y H i l l s R d .)
M i n e r a l H i l l s (R i d g e V i e w R d .)
I c e P o n d (I c e P o n d D r .)
Slope maximum 1:12 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Minimum width 4 f between handrails N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Handrails on both sides if ramp is longer than 6 f No N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Handrails at 34” & 19” from ramp surface No N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Handrails extend 12” beyond top & botom No N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Handgrip oval or round & smooth surface No N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Handgrip diameter between 1 ¼” & 2”No N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Clearance of 1 ½” between wall and wall rail N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Non-slip surface N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Level platforms (4 f 4 f) at every 30 f, at top, botom,
direction change
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
SITE ACCESS, PATH OF TRAVEL, ENTRANCES
LOCATION
Specifcation
B a r r e t S t . M a r s h
B r o o k w o o d M a r s h
F i t z g e r a l d L a k e (N . F a r m s R d .)
F i t z g e r a l d L a k e (C o o k e A v e .)
B e a v e r B r o o k /B r o a d B r o o k
G r e e n w a y
C T R i v e r G r e e n w a y
S a w M i l l H i l l s (S y l v e s t e r R d .)
S a w M i l l H i l l s (W . F a r m s R d .)
S a w M i l l H i l l s (A v i s C i r c l e )
M i n e r a l H i l l s (S y l v e s t e r R d .)
M i n e r a l H i l l s (T u r k e y H i l l R d .)
M i n e r a l H i l l s (R i d g e V i e w R d .)
I c e P o n d (I c e P o n d D r .)
Site Access
Accessible path of travel from passenger disembarking area &
parking area to accessible entrance
Disembarking area at accessible entrance
Surface evenly paved or hard-packed No,
uneven
No
No ponding of water potentiall
y
Some
areas
Path of Travel
Path does not require use of stairs
Path is stable, frm, & slip-resistant
3 f wide minimum Some
areas
Some
areas
Slope maximum 1:20 (5%) & maximum cross pitch is 2% (1:50)
Continuous common surface, no changes in level greater than ½”Some
sudden
slope
changes
Some
slight
slope
changes
Any objects protruding onto pathway must be detected by person
with visual disability, using cane
N/A Rocks,
logs,
trees,
roots, etc
N/A N/A N/A N/A
Objects protruding more than 4” from wall must be within 27” of
ground, or higher than 80”
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Curb on pathway must have curbcuts at drives, parking, & drop-ofs N/A N/A N/A N/A
Entrances (not applicable)
SECtION A: ADA SElf-EVAluAtION REPORt | 125
ADA inventory - Recreation Areas
FACILITY INVENTORY
LOCATION
ACTIVITY EQUIPMENT NOTES
A g n e s F o x F i e l d
A r c a n u m F i e l d
C h i l d s C i t y P a r k
C o m m u n i t y G a r d e n s
J F K M i d d l e S c h o o l
L o o k P a r k
M a i n S t . P a r k
M a i n e ’s F i e l d
M u s a n t e , J r . B e a c h
N o r t h a m p t o n H i g h
S c h o o l
P u l a s k i P a r k
S h e l d o n F i e l d
V e t e r a n s M e m o r i a l F i e l d
Picnic Facilites Access All facilites (tables, benches,
grills, trash cans, picnic
shelters, etc.) are adjacent to
accessible paths & open
spaces
N/A
Tables &
Benches
N/A
Grills N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Picnic Shelters N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Trails Surface material N/A N/A N/A
Dimensions N/A N/A N/A
Rails N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Signage (for visually
impaired)
No No No No N/A No No No No No
Swimming
Facilites
Pools & Beaches Locaton from accessible path
to pool/into water
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Locaton from accessible
parking
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Safety features N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Handrails N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Shade provided N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Play Areas (tot
lots)
All Play
Equipment
Same experience provided to
all
No No N/A N/A N/A No N/A No No No
Access Routes Located adjacent to
accessible paths
N/A N/A N/A N/A
Enough space between
equipment for wheelchairs
N/A N/A N/A N/A Some
areas
Game Areas Access Routes Located adjacent to
accessible paths
No N/A N/A N/A N/A
Equipment Berm cuts onto courts No N/A N/A N/A No N/A
Height & dimensions N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Spectator seatng N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Fishing Facilites
& Boat Docks
Access Routes Located adjacent to
accessible paths
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Handrails N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Equipment Armrests, bait shelves, & fsh
cleaning tables
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Handrails N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Programming &
Services
Are special programs at your facilites available?N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Informaton available in alternatve formats?N/A N/A N/A N/A No N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Process to request interpretve services?N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/
PARKING
LOCATION
Specifcaton for Accessible Spots
A g n e s F o x F i e l d
A r c a n u m F i e l d
C h i l d s C i t y P a r k
C o m m u n i t y
G a r d e n s
J F K M i d d l e S c h o o l
L o o k P a r k
M a i n S t . P a r k
M a i n e ’s F i e l d
M u s a n t e , J r . B e a c h
N o r t h a m p t o n H i g h
S c h o o l
P u l a s k i P a r k
S h e l d o n F i e l d
V e t e r a n s M e m o r i a l
F i e l d
Number of spaces/accessible spaces None None None None None
Accessible spaces located closest to accessible
entrance
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Where spaces cannot be located within 200 f. of
accessible entrance, drop-of area is provided within
100 f.
Minimum width of 13f includes 8 f space plus 5 f
access aisle
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Van space – minimum of 1 van space for accessible
space, 8 f wide plus 8 f aisle
None None None None None None
Sign with internatonal symbol of accessibility at each
space or pair of spaces, must be min. 5 f, max 8 f. to
top
No No No No No
Surface evenly paved or hard-packed (no cracks)No No N/A No
Surface slope less than 1:20, 5% N/A N/A
Curbcut to pathway from parking lot at each space or
pair of spaces, if sidewalk (curb) is present
No N/A N/A N/A
Curbcut has min. width of 3 f, excluding sloped
sides, has sloped sides, all slopes not to exceed 1:12,
& textured or painted yellow
No N/A Not
textur
ed/ye
llow
N/A N/A
126 | SECtION A: ADA SElf-EVAluAtION REPORt
RAMPS
LOCATION
Specifcaton
A g n e s F o x F i e l d
A r c a n u m F i e l d
C h i l d s C i t y P a r k
C o m m u n i t y G a r d e n s
J F K M i d d l e S c h o o l
L o o k P a r k
M a i n S t r e e t P a r k
M a i n e ’s F i e l d
M u s a n t e , J r . B e a c h
N o r t h a m p t o n H i g h
S c h o o l
P u l a s k i P a r k
S h e l d o n F i e l d
V e t e r a n s M e m o r i a l F i e l d
Slope maximum 1:12 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Minimum width 4 f between handrails N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Handrails on both sides if ramp is longer than 6 f N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Handrails at 34” & 19” from ramp surface N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Handrails extend 12” beyond top & botom N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Handgrip oval or round & smooth surface N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Handgrip diameter between 1 ¼” & 2”N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Clearance of 1 ½” between wall and wall rail N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Non-slip surface N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Level platforms (4 f 4 f) at every 30 f, at top, at botom, at
directon change
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
SITE ACCESS, PATH OF TRAVEL, ENTRANCES
LOCATION
Specifcaton
A g n e s F o x F i e l d
A r c a n u m F i e l d
C h i l d s C i t y P a r k
C o m m u n i t y G a r d e n s
J F K M i d d l e S c h o o l
L o o k P a r k
M a i n S t . P a r k
M a i n e ’s F i e l d
M u s a n t e , J r . B e a c h
N o r t h a m p t o n H i g h S c h o o l
P u l a s k i P a r k
S h e l d o n F i e l d
V e t e r a n s M e m o r i a l F i e l d
Site Access
Accessible path of travel from passenger disembarking area & parking area to
accessible entrance
Disembarking area at accessible entrance No
Surface evenly paved or hard-packed No No
No ponding of water Some
areas
Path of Travel
Path does not require use of stairs
Path is stable, frm, and slip resistant
3 f wide minimum
Slope max. 1:20 (5%) & max. cross pitch is 2% (1:50)
Contnuous common surface, no changes in level greater than ½”
Any objects protruding onto pathway must be detected by person w/ visual
disability, using cane
Objects protruding more than 4” from wall must be within 27” of ground, or
higher than 80”
Curb on pathway must have curb cuts at drives, parking, & drop of area
Entrances
Primary public entrances accessible to person using wheelchair, must be
signed, goten to independently, & NOT be service entrance
Not
sign
ed
No N/A Not
sign
ed
Not
signed
Level space extending 5 f from door, interior & exterior of entrance doors N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Minimum 32” clear width opening (i.e. 36” door with standard hinge)N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
At least 18” clear foor area on latch, pull side of door N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Door handle no higher than 48” and operable with closed fst N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Vestbule is 4 f plus width of door swinging into space N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Entrance(s) on level that makes elevators accessible N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Door mats less than ½” thick are securely fastened N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Door mats more than ½” thick are recessed N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Grates in path of travel have openings of ½” maximum N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Signs at non-accessible entrance(s) indicate directon to accessible entrance N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Emergency egress – alarms with fashing lights & audible signs, sufciently lit N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
SECtION A: ADA SElf-EVAluAtION REPORt | 127
STAIRS AND DOORS
LOCATION
Specifcaton
A g n e s F o x F i e l d
A r c a n u m F i e l d
C h i l d s C i t y P a r k
C o m m u n i t y
G a r d e n s
J F K M i d d l e S c h o o l
L o o k P a r k
M a i n S t . P a r k
M a i n e ’s F i e l d
M u s a n t e , J r . B e a c h
N o r t h a m p t o n H i g h
S c h o o l
P u l a s k i P a r k
S h e l d o n F i e l d
V e t e r a n s M e m o r i a l
F i e l d
Stairs
No open risers N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Nosings not projectng N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Treads no less than 11” wide N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Handrails on both sides N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Handrails 34”-38” above tread N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Handrail extends min. of 1 f beyond top & botom riser (if no safety
hazard & space permits)
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Handgrip oval or round, has a smooth surface, & has diameter
between 1 ¼” & 1 ½”
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
1 ½” clearance between wall & handrail N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Doors
Minimum 32” clear opening N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
At least 18” clear foor space on pull side of door N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Closing speed minimum 3 seconds to within 3” of latch N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Maximum pressure 5 lbs. interior doors N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Threshold maximum ½” high, beveled on both sides N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Hardware operable with closed fst (no conventonal door knobs or
thumb latch devices)
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Hardware minimum 36”, maximum 48” above foor N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Clear, level foor space extends out 5 f from both sides of door N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Door adjacent to revolving door is accessible & unlocked N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Doors opening into hazardous area have hardware that is knurled or
roughened
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
5 f turning space measured 12” from foor N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
RESTROOMS – also see DOORS AND VESTIBULES
LOCATION
Specifcaton
A g n e s F o x F i e l d
A r c a n u m F i e l d
C h i l d s C i t y P a r k
C o m m u n i t y G a r d e n s
J F K M i d d l e S c h o o l
L o o k P a r k
M a i n S t . P a r k
M a i n e ’s F i e l d
M u s a n t e , J r . B e a c h
N o r t h a m p t o n H i g h
S c h o o l
P u l a s k i P a r k
S h e l d o n F i e l d
V e t e r a n s M e m o r i a l
F i e l d
At least one sink:
Clear foor space of 30” by 48” to allow forward approach N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Mounted without pedestal or legs, height 34” to top of rim N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Extends at least 22” from wall N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Open knee space minimum 19” deep, 30” width, & 27” high N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Cover exposed pipes with insulaton N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Faucets operable with closed fst (lever or spring actvated handle)N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
At least one stall:
Accessible to person using wheelchair at 60” wide by 72” deep N/A N/A,
single
N/A N/A No N/A N/A N/A
Stall door is 36” wide, swings out, is self-closing, & has a pull latch N/A N/A N/A N/A No No N/A N/A N/A
Lock on stall door is operable with closed fst & is 32” above foor N/A N/A N/A No N/A N/A N/A
Coat hook is 54” high N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Toilet
18” from center to nearest side wall N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
42” minimum clear space from center to farthest wall or fxture N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Top of seat is 17”-19” above foor N/A N/A N/A 15”N/A N/A N/A
Grab Bars
On back & side wall closest to toilet N/A N/A N/A No N/A N/A N/A
1 ¼” diameter N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
1 ½” clearance to wall N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Located 30” above & parallel to foor N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Acid-etched or roughened surface N/A N/A N/A N/A No N/A N/A N/A
42” long N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Fixtures
Toilet paper dispenser is 24” above foor N/A N/A N/A 37”N/A N/A N/A
One mirror set maximum 38” to botom (if tlted, 42”)N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dispensers (towels, soap, etc.) at least one of each, maximum 42”
above foor
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
128 | SECtION A: ADA SElf-EVAluAtION REPORt
NOTE: ADA Complaince Plan/Transition Plan is under revision.
It will be updated by the end of FY2018.
FLOORS, DRINKING FOUNTAINS, TELEPHONES
LOCATION
Specifcaton
A g n e s F o x F i e l d
A r c a n u m F i e l d
C h i l d s C i t y P a r k
C o m m u n i t y G a r d e n s
J F K M i d d l e S c h o o l
L o o k P a r k
M a i n S t . P a r k
M a i n e ’s F i e l d
M u s a n t e , J r . B e a c h
N o r t h a m p t o n H i g h
S c h o o l
P u l a s k i P a r k
S h e l d o n F i e l d
V e t e r a n s M e m o r i a l
F i e l d
Floors
Non-slip surface N/A N/A N/A N/A No N/A N/A N/A N/A
Carpetng is high-density, low pile, non-absorbent, stretched taught,
securely anchored
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Corridor width minimum 3 f N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Objects (signs, ceiling lights, fxtures) can protrude 4” into path of
travel from height of 27” to 80” above foor
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Drinking Fountains
Spouts no higher than 36” from foor to outlet N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Hand operated push buton or lever controls N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Spouts located near front with stream of water as parallel to front as
possible
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
If recessed, recess minimum 30” width & no deeper than depth of
fountain
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
If no clear knee space underneath, clear foor space 30” 48” to allow
parallel approach
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Telephones
Highest operatng part maximum 54” above foor N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Access within 12” of phone, 30” high 30” wide N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Adjustable volume control on headset is identfed N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Signs, Signals, and Switches
Switches, Controls, and Signs
Switches & controls for light, heat, ventlaton, windows, fre alarms,
thermostats, etc. must be min. of 36” & max. of 48” above foor for
forward reach , max. 54” for side reach
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Electrical outlets centered no lower than 18” above foor N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Warning signals must be visual as well as audible N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Signs
Mountng height must be 60” to centerline of sign
Within 18” of door jamb or recessed N/A
Leters & numbers at least 1 ¼” high No No
Leters & numbers raised .03”No No
Leters & numbers contrast with the background color
LOCATION
Specifcaton
A g n e s F o x F i e l d
A r c a n u m F i e l d
C h i l d s C i t y P a r k
C o m m u n i t y G a r d e n s
J F K M i d d l e S c h o o l
L o o k P a r k
M a i n S t . P a r k
M a i n e ’s F i e l d
M u s a n t e , J r . B e a c h
N o r t h a m p t o n H i g h
S c h o o l
P u l a s k i P a r k
S h e l d o n F i e l d
V e t e r a n s M e m o r i a l F i e l d
Swimming Pools – accessibility can be via ramp, lifing device, or transfer area
Ramp at least 34” wide with non-slip surface extending into shallow end, slope not
exceeding 1:6 with handrails on both sides
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Lifing device N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Transfer area 18” above path of travel and minimum 18” wide N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Unobstructed path of travel not less than 48’ wide around pool N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Non-slip surface N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Shower Rooms – Showers must accommodate both wheel-in and transfer use
Stalls 36” 60” minimum, with 36” door opening N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Floors are pitched to drain stall at corner farthest from entrance N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Floors are non-slip surface N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Shower heads atached to fexible metal hose N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Controls located on center wall adjacent to hinged seat N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Shower heads atached to fexible metal hose N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Shower heads atached to wall mountng adjustable from 42” to 72”above foor N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Seat is hinged & padded & at least 16” deep, folds upward, securely atached to side
wall, height is 18” to top of seat, & at least 24” long
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Soap trays without handhold features unless they can support 250 lbs.N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
2 grab bars are provided, one 30” & one 48” long, or one contnuous L’ shaped bar N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Grab bars are placed horizontally at 36” above foor N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Picnicking
Minimum of 5% of total tables must be accessible with clear space under table top
not less than 30” wide and 19” deep per seatng space & not less than 27” clear from
ground to underside of table
An additonal 29” clear space (totaling 48”) must extend beyond 19” clear space
under table to provide access
No No N/A No N/A N/A
For tables without toe clearance, knee space under table must be at least 28” high,
30” wide, &24” deep
No N/A N/A N/A N/A
Top of table no higher than 32” above ground N/A N/A N/A
Surface of clear ground space under & around table must be stable, frm, & slip-
resistant, & evenly graded with maximum slope of 2% in all directons
No N/A N/A N/A
Accessible tables, grills, & fre rings must have clear ground space of at least 36”
around perimeter
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
SECtION A: ADA SElf-EVAluAtION REPORt | 129
ADA inventory - Open Space Plan
NOTE: ADA Complaince Plan/Transition Plan is under revision.
It will be updated by the end of FY2018.
ADA inventory - Open Space Plan
130 | SECtION A: ADA SElf-EVAluAtION REPORt
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