Home
     
Get
Involved		 Mission
Statement		 Calendar
of Events		 Just For
Fun
    
 Associates  Projects  Spotlight  
 
Table of Contents

Fall River Open Space Plan

APPENDIX

Glossary of Open Space Terms
Public Meeting/Survey Results
Article 97 - Public Land Protection
The Watuppa Reservation Purchases
Plant Species Indigenous to Fall River
Mammalian Species, Indigenous & Observed in Fall River
Amphibians & Reptiles, Indigenous and Observed in Fall River
Bird Species, Nesting, Resident, in Migration in Fall River
Ecological Assessment of Acushnet Sawmill Property by NHESP
1983 Recreation Recovery Plan & Addendum Action Plans
Press on Open Space Planning Process
Natural Heritage Program Letter and Species Sheet
Inventory of Olmsted designs for Fall River
Fish and plant species lists from 1978 Wetlands Resource Assessment

PUBLIC MEETING/SURVEY RESULTS

Community Input Meeting

December 11, 1996

(70 Participants;Results compiled by Sarah Wilkes, Buzzards Bay Project)

SCHEDULE

7:00 Welcome - John Picard, Mayor's Office
Overview of Planning Project - Priscilla Chapman, Jim Hartnett
Slide Show: Scenic Open Space in Fall River - Al Lima
7:30 Discussion Groups : Trails, City Parks, Athletic Facilities,
Environmental Concerns, Scenic and Historic Sites
8:30 Group Presentations and Wrap-up

 

FOCUS GROUP RESULTS

Trails:

Priorities:

  • Survey existing trails/paths
  • Determine types of trails that are needed
  • Connectability/sensitivity (e.g.handicap access)
  • Coordinated plan
  • Identify funding sources
  • Management responsibilities

Notes from discussion:

  • Extending bike trails to North End/watershed
  • Ensure handicap accessibility
  • Ensure overall accessibility
  • Continuity/connecting of trails
  • Signage/refer to points of interest
  • Include all corners of Fall River
  • Extend to other communities (e.g.New Bedford)
  • Identify parking areas
  • Identify picnic areas
  • Paths should be suitable for multiple uses
  • Involve private sector
  • Determine condition/upgrade
  • Determine if multiple use works
  • Identify multiple trails
  • Incorporate historic landmarks
  • Coordinate with hunting season
  • Explore private and public sites
  • Include community (abutters)
  • Uses: hiking, skiing, walking, biking, rollerblading, horseback riding, jogging, nature trails (birdwatching, etc.), motorized vehicles, fitness
  • Information/education center
  • Improve existing facilities
  • Sidewalks can be trails
  • City parks - walkways

 

City Parks:

Priorities:

  • Visually restore all parks to make them more aesthetic
  • Handicap Accessibility/activities
  • Develop passive recreation areas/pocket parks
  • Develop fairground facility at airport to protect parks from overuse/damage from multi-day events
  • Seek funding for Olmsted Park restoration (also, funding for improvements to all parks)

Notes from discussion:

  • Multiple day events don't allow the park time to recover
  • Pool areas can be used for rollerskating/blading
  • Old and young should be able to use parks
  • No character to parks - poor aesthetics
  • Non-compatible park uses (e.g. proposed fire station in park)
  • Parks need to be cleaned
  • "Non-sports" related areas are necessary (non-organized sports, passive recreation)
  • Access for young families in neighborhoods
  • Poor conditions of facilities
  • Trucks parked on sidewalks around parks (e.g. Kennedy Park), especially when organized events are going on - causes access problems for people with disabilities
  • Need for specialized activities that disabled citizens can participate in
  • Need more lighting in parks
  • Olmsted Parks - need to revisit original plans, seek funding for restoration
  • Skating rinks are needed
  • Wading pool at Kennedy Park could be resurfaced and can be used for skating
  • Find grant money to assess the needs of the physically challenged - what recreational activities might be useful and implementation (for all ages) - programs
  • Signs as to where ramp access (for wheelchairs) is in parks - put "no parking" signs up so people don't park in front of ramps
  • Cleaning/restoration/general maintenance of comfort stations

 

Athletic Facilities:

Priorities:

  • Accessible parks within neighborhoods
  • Maintenance of City facilities at parks - preventative maintenance, safe environment, reopen comfort stations
  • Maximize area's use - start by maintaining & upgrading existing facilities before expanding

Notes from discussion:

  • Tennis courts
  • Neighborhood concept for parks - transportation issue
  • Tennis clinics if courts upgraded
  • Bicentennial Park - only courts playable, life sport
  • Kennedy Park - youth league needed
  • Municipal golf course - driving range, family design, school facilities for public use
  • North End projects - where are they playing? - rollerblading on sidewalk, need for open space park in area
  • Airport Park?
  • Softball - Pac 6-16 Girls (?); Ruggles with lights; Pulaski - expansion, needs more facilities in one location; Complex - 3 fields together batting cage sheds, tournaments
  • Little League fields not compatible
  • Indoor facilities? - tennis, driving range, hitting cages, street hockey, soccer
  • Planning must protect water supply
  • Walkways

 

Environmental Concerns:

Priorities:

  • Acquire and protect all private property in Copicut watershed
  • Acquire Acushnet Sawmills property
  • 100% protection of all watershed lands

Notes from discussion:

  • Wetland protection
  • Public access to the Bay
  • Old St. Vincent's land
  • South Watuppa - more access
  • BCC open space
  • Buffer wetland zone
  • Beautify industrial site
  • City tree farm
  • Get school children involved in plantings
  • Community garden
  • Environmental learning center
  • Hazardous waste dumping
  • More Environmental Police Officers (EPOs)
  • Clean up crew
  • Stream corridors
  • Urban forestry program
  • Clean up the Quequechan River
  • Regional plan
  • Inter-town cooperation around Copicut
  • Outdoor safety
  • Public education (media)
  • Landfill/water supply
  • Enforcement of Copicut subdivision regulations/restrictions
  • R.E. Transfer fee
  • Special watershed acquisition fund
  • DPW trash pick-up on roads where watershed lands exist
  • Protect St. Vincent's site for public use
  • Municipal composting
  • Recycling
  • Public education on conservation issues
  • Restoration of Quequechan River to Green Stream
  • Railroad environmental impact
  • Waterfront access
  • Future of the Kerr Mill waterfront
  • Media coverage
  • Increase conservation staff
  • Expand budget
  • Orientation for Conservation Commission members
  • Expand sewer system
  • Hydro power study of Quequechan River
  • Study fish farm
  • View sheds
  • Protect wetlands in Sucker Brook/So. Watuppa area
  • Cooperation with Tiverton on Stafford Pond/Sawdy Pond

 

Scenic and Historic Sites:

Notes from discussion:

  • North and South Watuppa - causeway
  • Fire tower - Yellow Hill Rd.
  • 52-54 N. Main - over Taunton River - Peace Haven
  • Steep Brook
  • View up the hill from Braga Bridge
  • Quequechan River
  • Waterfront - garden, trees
  • The Ledge (Freetown)
  • Heritage State Park - litter
  • Carousel - better management
  • Street trees - dying
  • Beaches - where are they?
  • Blight
  • Area around landing
  • Junkyard - Slade Street - noisy, unsightly, polluting (?)
  • Landfill - stinks
  • Kerr Mills site
  • Old St. Vincent's site

General Views:

  • Architecture - great, but think preservation
  • Central Congregational Church - great example of privte initiative
  • Rocks - East, Hog, Bell Rock, Rolling Rock
  • Historic - Morey Path (King Phillip's War), Lafayette-Durfee House, Old Durfee, Public Library, Churches
  • Trees - need tree planting program, downtown (?), Armory; positive things - gardens at City entrances
  • Landfill 2020 - skiing, hiking

FALL RIVER OPEN SPACE AND RECREATION SURVEY RESULTS

Total number of responses = 115

February 25, 1997

tabulated by Sarah Wilkes, Buzzards Bay Project

Question #1: Keeping in mind what you think Fall River could be like in 10 years, please rank each of the following characteristics as to how important they are to preserve. Circle V for very important, I for important, and N for not at all important.

Note: The catagories above were assigned the following numerical values: Very important = 5, important = 3, not at all important = 0. Scores are given below. Results are listed in order of importance.

a. Land to protect our drinking water supply   5.0
d. Coastal water quality   3.4
e. Wildlife habitat   2.6
i. Areas for outdoor education (study areas, nature trails)   1.4
f. "Green belts" along streams and ponds   1.4
c. Areas of historical worth   1.2
l. Areas for walking and picnicking   1.2
g. Character of waterfront   0.9
b. Land to preserve scenic views   0.7
j. Small parks in neighborhoods   0.7
h. Access to waterbodies   0.2
k. Areas for ballfields and team sports   0.0

Question #2: Which actions by the City of Fall River do you think are important? Circle V for very important, I for important, and N for not at all important.

See note above.

b. Acquisition of land for conservation   5.0 
c. Acquisition of waterfront land   4.9
e. Development of bicycle/walking paths   4.4
a. Acquisition of land for recreation   4.4
f. Increase in business development   4.2
g. Increase in industrial development   3.6
d. Acquisition of land for development of a beach   3.3
h. Increase in housing development   1.8
i. Other   0.0

Responses written in for i.) Other:

  • Improve/develop what we have (2)
  • Freeze public housing at present level (1)
  • Recycling (1)
  • Low income housing (1)
  • Jobs (1)
  • Waterfront land around Cook Pond, the Watuppa's and the River should be preserved for recreation or conservation. This isn't 1900, Watuppa property shouldn't be wasted on business (1)
  • Non-motorized (canoe) fishing (1)
  • Clean up air pollution (1)
  • Update schools (1)

Question #3: Do you feel that the city's water supply is adequately protected?

Yes   7.8%
No   69.6%
Unsure   22.6%

Question #4: Should the city seek to protect undeveloped land around the Copicut Reservoir?

Yes  
      
83.5%


No 
      
3.5%


Unsure 
      
13.0%

Question #5: Which activities do you and your family members enjoy? Check as many as are appropriate.

Note: The standard deviation was added and subtracted from the mean to produce the results below. Raw scores (number of responses) are given after each activity.

Activities Done with the Most Frequency:

In Fall River   
In Other Towns
x. walking - 80   f. camping - 47
c. biking - 55   v. swimming - 46
j. gyms (working out at) - 49   k. hiking - 41
a. baseball - 48   c. biking, h. fishing, o. picnicking - 38 (tie)
b. basketball - 46   e. boating, x. walking - 34 (tie) 

Activities Done with Moderate Frequency:

In Fall River                                 In Other Towns
v. swimming - 45                        g. canoeing - 28
m. ice skating - 41                      d. birding - 23
k. hiking - 40                               l. hunting, r. shellfishing - 22 (tie)
o. picnicking - 38                         j. gyms (working out at) - 21
e. boating - 37                            y. x-country skiing - 20
h. fishing - 35                              i. golf, p. rollerblading - 18 (tie)
n. jogging - 33                            a. baseball - 17
p. rollerblading - 32                     b. basketball - 16
d. birding, u. softball - 28 (tie)     m. ice skating - 15
w. tennis - 25                              q. sailing - 13
s. skateboarding - 24
f. camping, t. soccer - 22 (tie)
g. canoeing - 16
i. golf - 15

Activities Done with the Least Frequency:

In Fall River                                         In Other Towns
z. other - 10                                       n. jogging, t. soccer, w. tennis - 10 (tie)
l. hunting - 9                                       z. other - 9
q. sailing, y. x-country skiing - 8 (tie)  s. skateboarding - 6
r. shellfishing - 6                                 u. softball - 3

Question #5 Continued:

Responses written in for z. other:

In Fall River                                     In Other Towns
No answer written (4)                    No answer written (2)
Football (1)                                     Football (2)
Hockey (1)                                      Skiing (1)
Volleyball (1)                                   Snorkeling (1)
Judo (1)                                           Mountain biking (1)
Mountain biking (1)                          Horseback riding (1)
Sledding at Kennedy Park (1)          Sight seeing (1)

Question #6: Of the activities listed in Question #5, which five do you and your family do the most? Please list in order of preference (use letter).

Note: Responses were weighted according to preference. The standard deviation was added and subtracted from the mean to produce the following results. Raw scores are given after each activity. Activities are listed in order of preference.

Activities Done with the Most Frequency:

x. walking - 203
b. basketball - 143
c. biking - 138
k. hiking - 111

Activities Done with Moderate Frequency:
a. baseball - 109
f. camping - 100
e. boating - 90
o. picnicking - 86
h. fishing, v. swimming - 76 (tie)
m. ice skating - 60
j. gyms (working out at) - 53
d. birding, t. soccer - 47 (tie)
i. golf - 41
z. other - 37
p. rollerblading - 35
w. tennis - 30
g. canoeing - 27
n. jogging - 24
l. hunting - 20
r. shellfishing - 17
u. softball - 13

Activities Done with the Least Frequency:

y. x-country skiing - 11
q. sailing - 10
s. skateboarding - 0

Question #7: Which of the following recreational facilities do we need more of? Do any need upgrading and/or repair? Circle M for more, S for satisfactory and U for upgrade/repair.

Note: The standard deviation was taken for each category and added to the mean of that category to determine the results below.

Facilities that Respondents Feel the City Needs More of:

m. picnic areas - 85
d. bike paths/trails - 83
l. permanently protected open space w/ public access - 80
j. nature trails - 74
u. wildlife habitat - 69
s. teen/recreation center - 66

Facilities that Respondents Feel are Satisfactory:

b. baseball fields - 65
r. softball fields - 64
o. sailing facilities - 61
f. golf courses, g. gyms - 57 (tie)

Facilities that Respondents Feel need Upgrading or Repair:

a. basketball courts (40)
n. playgrounds, t. tennis courts - 26 (tie)

Question #8: Of the facilities listed in Question #7, which five need attention most? Please list in order of importance (use letter).

Note: Responses were weighted. The standard deviation was added and subtracted from the mean to produce the following results. Raw scores are given after each activity.

Facilities that Need the Most Attention:

d. bike paths/trails - 193
u. wildlife habitat - 136
a. basketball courts - 130
l. permanently protected open space w/ public access - 123
s. teen/recreation center - 120

Facilities that Need Moderate Attention:

j. nature trails - 117
m. picnic areas - 116
n. playgrounds - 72
e. fishing area access - 70
i. ice skating - 64
b. baseball fields - 62
c. boat ramps/moorings - 54
g. gyms & p. skateboarding areas - 53 (tie)
k. outdoor fitness course - 50
h. hunting area access, v. other - 27 (tie)
q. soccer fields & f. golf courses - 22 (tie)

Facilities that Need the Least Amount of Attention:

t. tennis courts - 13
o. sailing facilities - 11
r. softball fields - 9

Question #9: Would you favor the development of a regional athletic facility for soccer and other recreational activities?

Yes        68.6%                   Comments:
No         11.9%                   Where?? (2)
Unsure  19.5%                   Yes, if located in Fall River (1)
                                           Yes, in the urban center (1)
                                           The city has spent alot of money on the adult 
                                           soccer field, let's spend some money on our kids.
                                             Football , which brings people from neighboring

communities, is using Travasso Park as its home-

                                             field. Even for practice this field is a mess (1)

Question #10: Other communities in our area are working on the development of a bike path with the intentions of having it connect with neighboring towns. Would you be interested in having a bike path in Fall River that would connect to other towns?

Yes        80.8%                     Comments:
No           8.4%                     Yes, but I can't wait "10 years" for a bike path
Unsure  10.8%

Question #11: How satisfied are you with the places in Fall River which are available for recreational use ? (Circle one number for each group. 1 = not at all satisfied, 2 = somewhat satisfied, 3 = very satisfied, 4 = extremely satisfied).

Seniors               2.1
Adults                 1.9
Young Adults      1.9
Children              2.1

Question # 12: How accessible and useful do you feel open spaces and recreational facilities in Fall River are to those in the community with disabilities? (Examples: difficulty walking, seeing, hearing, etc.)

a. Very accessible and useful                                  8.6%
b. Somewhat accessible and somewhat useful      50.5%
c. Not accessible and not useful                             21.9%
d. Don't know what people with disabilities need  19.0%

If you do not feel that open spaces and recreational facilities are accessible
 to those with disabilities, what would you like to see changed?
  • More wheelchair access/more ramps (4)
  • Better transportation (1)
  • Better access and protection (1)
  • There should be spaces in the parks for people with disabilities (1)
  • Accessible trails (1)
  • Parking, signs, security (1)
  • What good is all this if people don't feel safe? (1)
  • More people to help them (1)
  • More accessible fun places for people with disabilities (1)
  • When palns are discussed, before any action is taken, people with disabilities should be involved, be at the center of any recommendations (1)
  • Lectures and tours of wetlands, open space and wildlife (1)

Question #13: Where do you live in Fall River?

a. Highland/North end      36.1%          Responses Written in for h.) Other:
b. Bay Street area            16.8%          South end (5)
c. Stafford Road area         6.7%           Westport (4)
d. Bedford Street area       9.2%           Somerset (4)
e. Flint area                        4.2%           Swansea (4)
f. East of Watuppa Ponds   2.6%          West of N. Watuppa Pond (2)
g. Rodman Street area       2.6%           Kennedy Park area (2)
h.Other__________          21.8%          No answer written (2)
                                                              Plymouth Ave. area (1)
                                                              New Boston Road area (1)
                                                              New Bedford (1)
                                                              Not in Fall River (1)

Question #14: How many children do you have under the age of 18?

0              75.9%
1                7.1%
2              10.7%
3                6.3%
More than 3  0%

Question #15: What is your age?

a. 18-34    28.6%         Written in:
b. 35-49    28.6%         age 15      8.8%
c. 50-64    14.3%          age 16     3.6%
d. 65-74    12.5%
e. 75+         3.6%

Question #16: Comments:

What I wouild love to see first is a recycling center - for paper, plastic, glass, etc. Secondly, a bike path, but one that is an integral part of Fall River.

I hope that these questionnaires answer any of the problems in the city.

No more low income housing.

Forest land preserved for hiking, wildlife and education.

Better police protection, not just these areas, but also on streets.

Happy to see that change is being made.

We need to protect wetlands and water. Keep in mind 100 ft. buffer zone, not 10 ft.

1. We have enough soccer & baseball, lets look at alternative activities;
2. In order to save open space we have to stop developing new
    untouched land and find a way to develop land which was developed
    and left to decay.

I believe this to be a good start. It is important to develop a long range plan with realistic goals.

Preserve our watershed lands. No buildings East of Watuppa.

I don't think the City of Fall River has any good facilities.

Insist on public education in the newspapers with regular articles on environmental issues.

Good start to improve area.

Youth in the city need good and dedicated leaders.

We need specialized programs for the disabled.

Would be interested in future meetings. (No name left).

Fall River offers alot for people to enjoy.

Most fire lanes in and about "reservation" could be opened to foot travel - daytime use only.

Relegating money for urban forestry.

1. Clean up Taunton River for swimming - needed badly;
2. Outdoor handball and volleyball courts would be nice;
3. Adhere to wetland protection;
4. Avoid use of water resource district land for recreational development.

The watershed needs to be expanded and better protected. Open space needs to be acquired and remain open. Parks shouldn't be taken for development.

We need more open space and we need to protect what we have.

A public golf course run by the city would earn money for Fall River and ease taxes we pay.

Need more public off-road motorcycling land! I'm going to start riding on the road!

I do not favor the use of Davis Park for the development of a soccer field.

We spend alot of money upgrading baseball fields - which consist of inter-city leagues.

The facilities we have in Fall River are adequate, but we need to maintain and upgrade periodically.

Fall River needs to:
   1. Reclaim all of South Watuppa Beach (Kerr site) by public domain.
   2. Duplicate the Charles River - boat house, sailing, sculling, swimming, picnicking.
   3. Overpass (rte. 95 & 6) build to the reservation for camping, nature trails,
     horseback riding, etc.
Let's do it right the first time, nothing is impossible.

Back to Top

CONTENTS

  1. Plan Summary
  2. Introduction
    1. Statement of Purpose
    2. Planning Process and Public Participation
  3. Community Setting
    1. Regional Context
    2. History of the Community
    3. Population Characteristics
      1. Population Growth, Projections & Density
      2. Age, Family Structure & Education
      3. Income & Poverty Levels
      4. Employment & Unemployment
      5. Housing & Building Permits
    4. Growth and Development Patterns
      1. Patterns and Trends
      2. Infrastructure
        1. Transportation Systems
        2. Water Systems
        3. Sewage Systems
      3. Long-Term Development Patterns
  4. Environmental Inventory and Analysis
    1. Geology, Soils and Topography
      1. Topography and Geology
      2. Soils
    2. Landscape Characteristics
    3. Water Resources
      1. Surface Water
      2. Flood Hazard Areas
      3. Wetlands
      4. Aquifer Recharge Areas
    4. Vegetation
      1. Forestland
      2. Rare, Threatened and Endangered Species
    5. Fisheries and Wildlife
      1. General Inventory
      2. Corridors
      3. Rare, Threatened and Endangered Species
    6. Scenic Resources and Unique Environments
    7. Environmental Problems
  5. Inventory of Lands of Conservation & Recreation Interest
    1. Protected Lands
    2. Unprotected Lands
  6. Community Goals
    1. Description of Process
    2. Statement of Open Space and Recreation Goals
  7. Analysis of Needs
    1. Summary of Resource Protection Needs
    2. Summary of Community Needs
    3. Management Needs and Potential Changes of Use
  8. Goals and Objectives
  9. Action Plan
  10. Public Comments
  11. References
  12. Appendix
  13. Fall River Map

 

 

[an error occurred while processing this directive]