Table of Contents	Fall River Open Space Plan SECTION IX. FIVE YEAR ACTION PLAN GOAL 1: Increase Protection of North Watuppa & Copicut Water Supply and East Fall River Watershed Lands Objective 1: Acquire remaining undeveloped lands in North Watuppa and Copicut Watersheds.   Action Responsible Department Implementation Year 1.a Focus short term acquisition efforts on privately held parcels in the Copicut Reservoir watershed. Special priority should be given to the protection of Miller's Brook and important wildlife habitats. Watuppa Water Board, Conservation Commission 1997 1.b Coordinate City open space acquisition initiatives with Greater Fall River Land Conservancy and others to take advantage of private alternatives for land protection. Conservation Commission 1997 1.c Transfer environmentally-important parcels of City land held by the Assessors in Tax Title or other departments to Conservation Commission or Water Board, particularly those lands in N.Watuppa and Copicut region. Board of Assessors, City Council, Water Board, Conservation Commission 1998 1.d Acquire privately held inholdings in Watuppa reservation property. Watuppa Water Board, Conservation Commission 1998 1.e Work with Massaachusetts Department of Environmental Management to acquire privately-owned parcels between Watuppa Reservation, State Forest property and Proprietors Highway. Conservation Commission, Dept. of Environmental Management 1999 1.f Develop a strategy for the eventual public acquisition of Acushnet Sawmills property. Watuppa Water Board, Conservation Commission, DEM Ongoing Objective 2: Monitor and eliminate possible pollution sources to water supply.   Action Responsible Department Implementation Year 2.a Support efforts of Water Department and Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to develop a Watershed Protection Plan for Fall River's water supply. Planning Board, Watuppa Water Board 1997 2.b Develop plan to mitigate contamination potential from accidental spills and chronic stormwater runoff on Routes 195/24 and Riggenbach Road. Dept. of Public Works, MassHighways, Watuppa Water Board, Fire Dept. 1997 2.c Establish land use policies and review existing regulations for the protection of East Fall River watershed areas from development. Planning Board, Board of Health, Conservation Commission 1998 2.d Increase surveillance of City watershed lands, install barrier gates across all access points and hire additional Environmental Police for Water Board to prevent illegal dumping. Watuppa Water Board 1999 2.e Ensure enforcement of Wetlands regulations, Title 5 requirements and watershed protection regulations on all development projects in watershed areas. Planning Board, Board of Health, Conservation Commission Ongoing Objective 3: Support Water Board efforts to enhance the quality of land stewardship, property maintenance, and fire protection of existing Water Board properties in North Watuppa and Copicut Watersheds.   Action Responsible Department Implementation Year 3.a Increase manpower and upgrade equipment (tractor, dump truck, brush cutters, and backhoe availability) for Water Reservoir Caretaker position. Watuppa Water Board 1998 3.b Restore and maintain existing fire lanes and evaluate forest fire protection mechanisms and training needs in East Fall River. Watuppa Water Board Ongoing Objective 4: Pursue statewide recognition of Watuppa and Copicut Watershed Areas as important natural resources through an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) Nomination.   Action Responsible Department Implementation Year 4.a Fall River officials and staff should meet with representatives of ACEC Program to discuss benefits of nomination. Watuppa Water Board, Conservation Commission 1997 4.b Identify areas for inclusion in a Watuppa/Copicut ACEC nomination. Watuppa Water Board, Conservation Commission 1998 Objective 5: Support natural resource protection in Shingle Island River, Bread & Cheese Brook and Rattlesnake Brook watersheds.   Action Responsible Department Implementation Year 5.a Incorporate newly created wetlands mapping information for these areas into City development planning and resource protection efforts. Planning Board, Conservation Commission 1997 5.b Work with organizations such as the Westport River Watershed Alliance and Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust to protect watershed lands in Fall River that contribute to water quality and resource protection in those towns. Conservation Commission 2000 5.c Protect significant wildlife habitats, particularly those areas identified by the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program as containing threatened wildlife or rare plant comunities through acquisition or development limitations. Conservation Commission Ongoing 5.d Encourage Department of Environmental Management acquisition of private holdings in Freetown/Fall River State Fortest. Conservation Commission Ongoing   GOAL 2: Expand Outdoor Recreational Opportunities for Fall River residents Objective 1: Construct Citywide multi-use trail system.   Action Responsible Department Implementation Year 1.a Support design and construction of Quequechan River Regional Bike Path. Planning Dept., Parks Dept. 1997 1.b Request the entrance to Brightman Street Bridge Bike Path ramp be moved to the Waterfront instead of Wellington Street. Engineering Department 1997 1.c Investigate environmentally sensitive, passive recreational uses for City watershed lands. Create additional hiking/walking trails in East Fall River. Watuppa Water Board, Parks Department, Conservation Commission 1998 1.d Expand the Quequechan River Regional Bike Path: a.) Loop around North Watuppa b.) Extension to Dave's Beach c.) Extension to Fall River/Freetown State Forest d.) Extension to Fall River Industrial Park e.) Linkage to Tattapanum Trail Planning Department, Parks Department, Watuppa Water Board, Conservation Commission 1999 1.e Install educational signage along trails and at areas of historic and natural significance and publish City Trail map. Watuppa Water Board, Parks Department 1999 1.f Develop an ongoing recreational program with public schools using such resources as the Tattapanum Trail, watershed forestlands, riverways, and coastal areas. School Department, Lloyd Center, Water Board, Conservation Commission 1998 Objective 2: Increase number and availability and improve condition of Sporting Facilities for City residents.   Action Responsible Department Implementation Year 2.a Locate appropriate sites for soccer fields and other athletic fields. Parks Department 1997 2.b Improve & upgrade Tot Lots. Parks Department, CDA 1997 2.c Construct a Skate Board Park. Parks Department 1997 2.d Pursue funding sources for the construction of new City soccer fields. Parks Department 1998 2.e Repair existing City fields and courts. Parks Department 1998 2.f Maximize use of existing facilities including schools for sporting events. Parks, School Departments 1998 2.g Upgrade City swimming pools. Parks Department 2000 2.h Investigate development of a Public Golf Course. Planning, Parks Departments 2001 Objective 3: Improve public's access to waterfront and ponds.   Action Responsible Department Implementation Year 3.a Research historic public access rights to Mount Hope Bay and ponds and restore public's use of forgotten or under utilized access points. Law Department 1997 3.b Increase the number of weeks (expand into the Spring and Fall), daily hours of operation (to sunset), and public awareness of the Community Boating Program at the Heritage State Park. Dept. of Enviorn. Mgmt., Community Development Agency, Office of Recreation 1997 3.c Repair the Cook Pond fishing area and the Dave's Beach area as neighborhood recreational spots by repairing boat ramp and parking area. Parks Department, Dept. of Fisheries, Wildlife & Environ. Law Enforcement 1999   GOAL 3: Protect natural resources and create new Greenways through urban Fall River Objective 1: Develop a Greenways Implementation Strategy.   Action Responsible Department Implementation Year 1.a Support City efforts to acquire and develop Kerr Mill Site including construction of a shoreline park between Quequechan River Regional Bike Path and South Watuppa Pond. Office of Economic Development 1997 1.b Integrate and emphasize development of greenways into proposed Harbor planning and waterfront economic development studies to extend waterfront walkways from Heritage State Park north along the Taunton River. Harbor Planning Committee 1997 1.c Contact owners of waterfront property north of the Fall River Country Club to assess their interest in participating in a Greenway Plan. Harbor Planning Committee 1997 1.d Specifically look at the following areas for additional greenway linkages: Bleachery Ponds/Sucker Brook/Stafford Pond Sawdy Pond/Stony Brook/South Watuppa Pond Highland Brook, from Elsbree St. to North Watuppa Pond Steep Brook, including Catholic Diocese land on Highland Ave. Connect Mother's Brook with Peace Haven in Freetown. Planning Department 1998 1.e Contact the neighboring communities of Freetown and Tiverton to explore greenways concepts of mutual benefit to City and Town residents. Planning Department 1998 1.f Restore the natural and scenic qualities of the Quequechan River as centerpiece of a City greenway network. Parks Department, Office of Economic Development,Conservation Commission 2000 1.g Work with Mass Highways to preserve greenspace along Route 24 entrance to Fall River and support greenspace linkages in transportation planning and improvements (e.g. Brightman St. Bridge). Planning & Engineering Depts., Department of Public Works Ongoing Objective 2: Restore threatened and degraded natural resources in urban Fall River.   Action Responsible Department Implementation Year Water Quality 2.a Investigate contamination and initiate steps to restore water quality in South Watuppa, Stafford, Cook, Sawdy Ponds and Quequechan River. Board of Health, Sewer Dept., Conserv. Comm. 1997 2.b Support efforts to restore shellfish resources in Mount Hope Bay for recreational harvest and investigate potential pollution sources identified by Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries in shellfish sanitary survey. Board of Health, Sewer Department 1998 2.c Develop neighborhood environmental groups throughout the City as well as a citizens monitoring program for Fall River's urban streams - Sucker, Steep, Mother's and Highland Brooks. School Department,Conservation Commission 2000 2.d Support City efforts to obtain funding to remediate Combined Sewer Outflows (CSO) impairing water quality in Mount Hope Bay and the Taunton River. Law Department, Sewer Department, Administration Ongoing Wetlands 2.f Investigate opportunities for restoration of degraded wetland resources. Conservation Commission 1997 2.g Improve ability of the Conservation Commission to protect wetlands: a.)expand training for Conservation members, b.)increase Conservation staffing. City Council, Administration 1997 2.h Develop Citywide wetland resource maps. Planning Dept., Conserv.Commission 1998 2.i Investigate adoption of City Wetlands Protection Ordinance/Zoning Bylaws (minimum upland requirement) which incorporates construction setbacks. Planning & Law Depts., Conserv. Commission 1999 Objective 3: Support development of regional "Copicut Greenbelt" connecting Freetown/Fall River State Forest east to Acushnet Cedar Swamp in New Bedford and south to Horseneck Beach in Westport.   Action Responsible Department Implementation Year 3.a Appoint City staff to officially participate in working group developing long term plans and implementation of greenbelt. Administration 1998 3.b Establish greater regional cooperation with neighboring communities on conservation issues. Conservation Commission Ongoing Objective 4: Support preservation of private open space in Fall River.   Action Responsible Department Implementation Year 4.a Investigate protection of remaining farmland through Conservation Restrictions or Agricultural Preservation Restrictions (APR) Programs. Assessors, Conservation Commission 1997 4.b Work with owners of active open space, such as the Fall River Country Club and Bristol County Community College, to maintain available open space to city residents. Parks Department Ongoing 4.c Encourage the redevelopment of "brownfield" sites and continued use of existing historic mill buildings rather than new development of green spaces. Planning Board, Office of Economic Development Ongoing   GOAL 4: Enhance the quality and appeal of Fall River's Streetscapes Objective 1: Develop, implement, and fund Street Tree planting on City streets.   Action Responsible Department Implementation Year 1.a Include funding for 100 new street trees in FY98 City budget. Administration, City Council 1997 1.b Prepare a citywide tree planting master plan identifying locations and appropriate tree species for planting to restore City tree-lined boulevards. Tree Committee, Parks Dept., Department of Public Works 1997 1.c Prepare a street tree care and management plan for the City. Tree Committee, Parks Dept., Dept. of Public Works 1997 1.d Investigate feasibility of establishing a Tree Farm on City owned land to provide a supply of trees at reduced cost for City streets and parks. Tree Committee, Parks Dept., Water Dept. 1998 1.e Establish a Street Tree Endowment (based on Providence, R.I. model) to provide sustainable source of public/private funding for street trees. Parks Department, Administration 1999 Objective 2: Replace degraded sidewalks with permanent concrete.   Action Responsible Department Implementation Year 2.a Enhance plantings and care of traffic islands, particularly the Olmsted islands. Parks Dept., Engineering 1998 2.b Support City policy and funding to require reconsruction of concrete sidewalks whenever possible. Dept. of Public Works, Engineering Dept. Ongoing 2.c Prepare a sidewalk condition inventory and a plan to bring all sidewalks up to acceptable standards. Dept. of Public Works, Engineering Dept. 1998 Objective 3: Incorporate greenspace and environmental concerns in commercial and utility development.   Action Responsible Department Implementation Year 3.a Initiate site plan review process to require vegetative buffers between land uses and mandatory landscaping improvements. Planning Department 1998 3.b Establish Consultant Review procedure on significant development projects, paid for by the project proponent, to assess and mitigate any potential environmental and community impacts. Planning Department,Conservation Commission 1998 3.c Require underground utilities whenever possible on existing streets and new developments when roads are completely reconstructed. Planning Department, Engineering Ongoing   GOAL 5: Restore Fall River's Park System Objective 1: Ensure access for all citizens to City Parks and recreational opportunities (young, elderly, and persons with disabilities).   Action Responsible Department Implementation Year 1.a Improve park security. Parks Dept., Police Dept., Community Development Agency, City Council, Administration 1997 1.b Fund construction of user friendly walkways, handicap access to buildings, and new play areas that could be utilized by a wider range of physical abilities. City Council, Administration, Council on Aging 1998 1.c Involve representatives of disabled and elderly community in planning for park improvements. Parks Dept., Disabilities Commission, Council on Aging Ongoing 1.d Include compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements as part of all park and recreation improvements in Fall River. Parks Dept., Disabilities Commission Ongoing Objective 2: Improve facilities and increase maintenance by Park Department.   Action Responsible Department Implementation Year 2.a Restore and reopen comfort stations, particularly at Kennedy Park. Parks Department 1997 2.b Budget flower plantings for parks. Parks Dept., City Council, Administration 1997 2.c Improve lighting in parks. Parks Department 1997 2.d Develop individual Master Plans for all parks, including facilities improvements, maintenance, staffing, management and summer programs. Parks Dept., Community Development Agency 1999 2.e Restore Park Maintenance staff to sufficient levels and increase City commitment to funding park maintenance and improvements. Administration, City Council Ongoing Objective 3: Celebrate Fall River's Olmsted heritage.   Action Responsible Department Implementation Year 3.a Acquire copies of all Olmsted Fall River projects/documents on file with the Olmsted Society & National Park Archive and at Fall River Public Library. Parks Dept., Fall River Public Library 1997 3.b Review and implement where possible original Olmsted Landscape plans for Kennedy, North and Ruggles Parks. Parks Department 1997 Objective 4: Protect parks from inappropriate uses.   Action Responsible Department Implementation Year 4.a Develop policy that no more City park land will be encroached upon for non-recreational purposes. Park Board 1997 Objective 5: Acquire additional land for park use in all City neighborhoods.   Action Responsible Department Implementation Year 5.a Identify potential sites and acquire them for present and future use. Planning Department, Park Board 1997/2001 Objective 6: Expand park facilities and programs.   Action Responsible Department Implementation Year 6.a Construct skateboard facilities at North Park. Parks Department 1997 6.b Restore funding for summer programs to their former levels. Office of Recreation 1998   GOAL 6: Implementation and Funding Mechanisms to Support Open Space and Recreation Needs Objective 1: Create a permanent City Open Space Commitee to oversee implementation of the Fall River Open Space and Recreation Plan.   Action Responsible Department Implementation Year 1.a The Mayor should appoint a standing committee with representatives from City Departments, neighborhood organizations, environmental/watershed groups, land conservation organizations, sports leagues, and businesses. Administration 1997 Objective 2: Establish an Open Space Acquisition Fund with an annual City appropriation to respond to the sale of private lands surrounding the Watuppa & Copicut Reservoirs as well as greenspace within Fall River.   Action Responsible Department Implementation Year 2.a Open Space Committee should investigate and report to the Mayor and City Council within one year regarding possible funding mechanisms for the Fund as well as policies regarding priority areas for land acquisition. Open Space Committee 1998 Objective 3: Take greater advantage of State and Federal funding to match City spending.   Action Responsible Department Implementation Year 3.a Hire a City Grant Writer to ensure that Fall River maximizes its potential for acquiring outside funding for open space and recreation projects as well as a wide range of other municipal needs. Community Development Agency, City Council, Administration 1998 Back to Top continued...