Fall River Open Space Plan
B. Unprotected Lands
Land which is not permanently protected by one of the conservation means discussed in the earlier section were also inventoried if they possessed important open space or recreation value and fell into one of the following catagories:
City lands owned by or under the jurisdiction of the Park and School Departments - City-owned lands both within and outside of the Parks Department provide significant areas of recreational space for City residents. The most obvious of these lands are those owned by the School Department. While some school lots are barely larger than the school building itself, many others have ballfields, courts and play equipment that are available to Fall River residents in off-school hours.
Undeveloped City lands leased to a private organization- The Copicut Rifle Range Association leases a large, 226 acre parcel of land on Quanipaug Road from the City of Fall River. This undeveloped land is located within the watershed to the Copicut Reservoir and therefore plays an important part in water supply protection.
Forest. Agricultural or Recreational Open Space Lands receiving preferential property tax assessment under MGL Chapters 61, 61A or 61B - A matrix showing all currently designated land under the Chapter 61 preferential tax reduction statute for forestlands has been included. The most significant of these are lands owned by Acushnet Sawmills Company which have been discussed earlier in this Plan. With the exception of the Fall River Country Club, all Ch. 61. 61A and 61B lands are located in the eastern portion of the City.
UNDEVELOPED CITY LAND LEASED TO A PRIVATE ORGANIZATION
SITE NAME: RIFLE RANGE
Owner: City of Fall River
Assessor Map #: W-42 Lot#: 9
Book: 1491/432/401 Page: 82/387/433
Location/Access: Quanipaug Road
Funds Used: Eminent Domain Taking
Description: 40% cleared fields, remainder wooded
Managing Agency: leased to Copicut Rifle Assoc.
Acreage: 225.82 Acres
Transfer Date: 1939
Public Access: Yes, members
Zoning: R-80
Degree of Protection: None
SITE NAME: OLD RIFLE RANGE
Owner: City of Fall River
Assessor Map #: W-01 Lot#: 100
Location/Access: N. Main Street
Managing Agency: ?
Acreage: 55.57 Acres
Zoning: R-80
Fall River Park System
Parks, both passive and active, are now and have been a source of pride in Fall River. The main parks of the city are neighborhood landmarks that people identify as the part of the city in which they live. The offices of Frederick Law Olmstead, the Father of Landscape Architecture in America, designed three of the city's parks: Ruggles, North and Kennedy.
Fall River residents enjoy the twelve main parks and fourteen playgrounds which comprise the basis of the park and recreation system. The Parks and Cemetery Department has approximately two hundred thirteen (213) acres of park land and approximately fifteen (15) miles of median strips - Eastern Avenue, Plymouth Avenue and Brayton Avenue. The Park Department also maintains eleven (11) greens.
John F. Kennedy Park
Located in the south end of the city and situated on the north by Bradford Avenue - the south by Middle Street - the west by Bay Street and the east by South Main Street and consisting of 54+ acres, this is the largest park in the City of Fall River. It is surrounded by two, three, four and six family homes. There is an elderly complex two blocks away and a nursing home directly across the street from the center section of the park. There are two Roman Catholic Churches and one Episcopalian Church and a large hospital complex surrounding the park.
The park has a Little League field. a baseball field, a softball field and a women's softball field. There are basketball and tennis courts as well as a public swimming pool. There is a fully equipped playground complete with swings, slides, etc. There is a concession stand with a men's and women's comfort station on either side of it and there is a wading pool which is used as a skating rink in the winter time.
The park is heavily used, not only by the people who use the various sport fields, but by walkers who use the upper, which measures not quite a mile around the perimeter.
North Park
Located in the north end of the city and situated on the north by Hood Street - the south by President Avenue - the west by North Main Street and the east by Highland Avenue and consisting of 25+ acres , this is the second largest park in the City of Fall River.
It is surrounded by two and three family homes as well as many single family homes. There are a number of nursing homes nearby and a public grammar school is located in the northwest section of the park. There is a Junior High School located in the southwest section recreational facility and utilized by residents of adjoining neighborhoods and is accessible to other groups via public transportation system. It is highly used by all of the citizens of the city because of its accessibility to the waterfront.
It has the best tennis courts in the city. It has a children's play area with many diverse swings, slides, etc. Ther are many picnic tables and seats located throughout the park and it has a pavilion type overlook facility next to the water. There is also a men's and women's comfort station. Parking at this park is more than sufficient.
FALL RIVER PARKS DEPARTMENT PARCEL INVENTORY SITE NAME: ABBOTT COURT
Owner: City of Fall River
Assessor Map #: A-01 Lot #: 2
Location/Access: King Philip Street
Zoning: R-4
Recreational Potential: Good
Description: Playground
Managing Agency: Parks Dept.
Acreage: 4.88 Acres Transfer Date: 4/8/16
Public Access: Yes
Condition: Good
Degree of Protection: Limited
SITE NAME: AETNA STREET PLAYGROUND
Owner: City of Fall River
Assessor Map #: E-05 Lot #: 63,40
Location/Access: Aetna Street
Zoning: R-4
Recreational Potential: Poor
Description: Basketball court & playground;small fenced parcel, no grass or trees
Managing Agency: Parks Dept.
Acreage: 0.5 Acres Transfer Date:
Public Access: Yes
Condition: Very Poor
Degree of Protection: Limited
SITE NAME: MAPLEWOOD PARK
Owner: City of Fall River
Assessor Map #: E-22 Lot #: 90 (none)
Location/Access: Stafford Road
Zoning: R-4
Recreational Potential: Good
Description: Baseball, basketball, tennis & playground; basically flat with sloping hills, large trees
Managing Agency: Parks Dept.
Acreage: 13.89 Acres Transfer Date: No card in Assessor's Office
Public Access: Yes
Condition: Ballfields, playground excellent
Degree of Protection: Limited
SITE NAME: PULASKI PLAYGROUND
Owner: City of Fall River
Assessor Map #: F-12 Lot #: 9
Location/Access: Warren Street
Zoning: A-3
Recreational Potential: Good
Description: Completely fenced in, softball field & playground, some small trees
Managing Agency: Parks Dept.
Acreage: 3.86 Acres Transfer Date: 2/24/16
Public Access: Yes
Condition: Very Poor
Degree of Protection: Limited
SITE NAME: BRADBURY GREEN
Owner: City of Fall River
Assessor Map #: F-25 Lot #: 11
Location/Access: Cambridge Street
Zoning: R-4
Recreational Potential: Good
Description: Playground
Managing Agency: Parks Dept.
Acreage: 3,790 SF Transfer Date: 11/25/1890
Public Access: Yes
Condition: Fair
Degree of Protection: Limited
SITE NAME: PARKWAY MEMORIAL
Owner: City of Fall River
Assessor Map #: F-27 Lot #: 90
Location/Access: Plymouth Avenue
Zoning: R-4
Recreational Potential: None
Description: Memorial
Managing Agency: Parks Dept.
Acreage: 14,701 SF Transfer Date: No card in Assessor's Office
Public Access: Yes
Condition: Excellent
Degree of Protection: Limited
SITE NAME: KENNEDY PARK
Owner: City of Fall River
Assessor Map #: G-01 Lot #: 1
Location/Access: South Main Street
Zoning: A-2
Recreational Potential: Excellent
Description: Swimming, baseball, basketball, ce skating, tennis
Managing Agency: Parks Dept.
Acreage: 54.18 Acres Transfer Date: No card in Assessor's Office
Public Access: Yes
Condition: Fair
Degree of Protection: Limited
SITE NAME: THOMAS CHEW PARK
Owner: City of Fall River
Assessor Map #: G-15 Lot #: 63
Location/Access: Globe Street
Zoning: A-3
Funds Used: Tax Taking - 7/10/34
Recreational Potential: Fair
Description: Baseball, basketball, playground
Managing Agency: Parks Dept.
Acreage: 3.5 Acres Transfer Date: 7/10/34
Public Access: Yes
Condition: Baseball, playground excellent
Degree of Protection: Limited
SITE NAME: FATHER KELLY PARK
Owner: City of Fall River
Assessor Map #: G-16 Lot #: 1
Location/Access: South Main Street
Zoning: A-3
Recreational Potential: Fair
Description: Basically flat with walkway running diagonally through it, most of park dedicated to softball field
Managing Agency: Parks Dept.
Acreage: 5.2 Acres Transfer Date: 7/9/26
Public Access: Yes
Condition: Good
Degree of Protection: Limited
SITE NAME: KOSZIUSZKO GREEN
Owner: City of Fall River
Assessor Map #: G-18 Lot #: 90
Location/Access: East Main Street
Zoning: B/L
Recreational Potential: None
Description: Monument
Managing Agency: Parks Dept.
Acreage: 2,123 SF Transfer Date: No card in Assessor's Office
Public Access: Yes
Condition: Good
Degree of Protection: Limited
SITE NAME: JOSE SYLVIA PLAYGROUND
Owner: City of Fall River
Assessor Map #: L-1 Lot #: 46,55,73,98-100,121,124,131,134,138,143,146-147,155,161-163,171
Location/Access: Locust & North Quarry Street
Zoning: M
Recreational Potential: Limited
Description: Small parcel on hill, grass picnic area, some trees
Managing Agency: Parks Dept.
Acreage: 2.4 Acres Transfer Date: No card in Assessor's Office
Public Access: Yes
Condition: Poor
Degree of Protection: Limited
SITE NAME: MACHADO GREEN
Owner: City of Fall River
Assessor Map #: None Lot #:None
Location/Access: South Main Street
Zoning: CBD
Recreational Potential: None
Description: Monument
Managing Agency: Parks Dept.
Acreage: 790 SF Transfer Date: No card in Assessor's Office
Public Access: Yes
Condition: Good
Degree of Protection: Limited
SITE NAME: GRIFFIN PLAYGROUND
Owner: City of Fall River
Assessor Map #: I-15 Lot #: 54
Location/Access: Branch Street
Zoning: A-2
Recreational Potential: Poor
Description: Playground, small fenced parcel, no trees, some grass, high degree of vandalism
Managing Agency: Parks Dept.
Acreage: 1.18 Acres Transfer Date: 4/6/72
Public Access: Yes
Condition: Very poor, needs renovation
Degree of Protection: Limited
SITE NAME: DUMONT FIELD
Owner: City of Fall River
Assessor Map #: J-2 Lot #: 35
Location/Access: County & Pleasant Street
Zoning: S
Recreational Potential: Limited
Description: Mostly flat with 2 little league fields
Managing Agency: Parks Dept.
Acreage: 40,845 SF Transfer Date:
Public Access: Yes
Condition: Good
Degree of Protection: Limited
SITE NAME: FATHER TRAVASSOS PARK
Owner: City of Fall River
Assessor Map #: J-26 Lot #: 26
Location/Access: Alden Street
Zoning: Industrial
Recreational Potential: Good
Description: Ballfield & playground; completely flat with some trees for shade
Managing Agency: Parks Dept.
Acreage: 7.01 Acres Transfer Date: 6/19/72
Public Access: Yes
Condition: Football OK, other facilities poor
Degree of Protection: Limited
SITE NAME: BRITLAND PARK
Owner: City of Fall River
Assessor Map #: K-03 Lot #: 5
Book: 1085 Page: 222
Location/Access: Pleasant Street
Funds Used: Eminent Domain Taking - 9/28/73 - $93,700 (includes K-04-5,K-04-8)
Zoning: Industrial
Recreational Potential: Good
Description: In deed - "Taken by the City of Fall River for the proposed Britland Park Project"
Managing Agency: Parks Dept.
Acreage: 1.22 Acres Transfer Date: 9/28/73
Public Access: Yes
Condition: Good
Degree of Protection: Limited
SITE NAME: BRITLAND PARK 2
Owner: City of Fall River
Assessor Map #: K-03 Lot #: 7
Book: 1085 Page: 222
Location/Access: 129 Wordell Street
Funds Used: Eminent Domain Taking - 9/28/73, $62,300
Recreational Potential: Good
Managing Agency: Parks Dept.
Acreage: 7.15 Acres Transfer Date: 9/28/73
Public Access: Yes
SITE NAME: BRITLAND PARK 3
Owner: City of Fall River
Assessor Map #: K-04 Lot #: 5
Book: 1085 Page: 222
Location/Access: Steadman Street
Funds Used: Eminent Domain Taking - 9/28/73 - $93,700 (included K-03-5, K-04-8)
Recreational Potential: Good
Managing Agency: Parks Dept.
Acreage: .53 Acres Transfer Date: 9/28/73
Public Access: Yes
SITE NAME: BRITLAND PARK 4
Owner: City of Fall River
Assessor Map #: K-04 Lot #: 8
Book: 1085 Page: 222
Location/Access: 207 Steadman Street
Funds Used: Eminent Domain Taking - 9/28/73 = $93,700 (includes K-03-5, K-04-5
Recreational Potential: Good
Managing Agency: Parks Dept.
Acreage: 6.94 Acres Transfer Date: 9/28/73
Public Access: Yes
SITE NAME: QUEQUECHAN TOT LOT
Owner: City of Fall River
Assessor Map #: K-07 Lot #: 37 & 49
Location/Access: Quequechan,Wamsutta, & Massasoit Streets
Zoning: A-3
Recreational Potential: Good
Description: Small fenced in parcel of land, no trees or grass
Managing Agency: Parks Dept.
Acreage: 20,865 Acres Transfer Date:
Public Access: Yes
Condition: Volleyball good, basketball poor
Degree of Protection: Limited
SITE NAME: LAFAYETTE PARK
Owner: City of Fall River
Assessor Map #: k-15 Lot #: 21 (none)
Location/Access: Eastern Avenue
Zoning: A-3 & G
Recreational Potential:
Description: Ballfields, playground, swimming pool, mostly flat with some shade trees
Managing Agency: Parks Dept.
Acreage: 11 Acres Transfer Date: No card in Assessor's Office
Public Access: Yes
Condition: Equipment in excellent condition
Degree of Protection: Limited
SITE NAME: DESMARAIS PLAYGROUND
Owner: City of Fall River
Assessor Map #: K-17 Lot #: 6
Location/Access: County Street
Zoning: G
Recreational Potential: None
Description: Playground
Managing Agency: Parks Dept.
Acreage: 3,588 SF Transfer Date: 1979
Public Access: Yes
Condition: Fair
Degree of Protection: Limited
SITE NAME: NORTH QUARRY PLAYGROUND
Owner: City of Fall River
Assessor Map #: L-01 Lot #: 46
Location/Access: Locust Street
Funds Used: Tax Taking - 3/31/37
Zoning: M
Description: Small fenced in parcel, no trees, mostly flat
Managing Agency: Parks Dept.
Acreage: 19,664 SF Transfer Date: 3/31/37
Public Access: Yes
Condition: Poor
Degree of Protection: Limited
SITE NAME: COLUMBUS PARK
Owner: City of Fall River
Assessor Map #: L-02 Lot #: 3
Location/Access: Wall, Stinziano, Bedford & Beattie Streets
Zoning: M & B
Recreational Potential: Limited
Description: Ballfield & playground, small mostly flat area
Managing Agency: Parks Dept.
Acreage: 1.7 Acres Transfer Date:
Public Access: Yes
Condition: Baseball good, other equipment poor
Degree of Protection: Limited
SITE NAME: RUGGLES PARK
Owner: City of Fall River
Assessor Map #: M-14 Lot #: 5
Location/Access: Pine & Locust Streets
Zoning: Industrial
Recreational Potential: Good
Description: Generally open space, has a ballfield, playground & basketball court
Managing Agency: Parks Dept.
Acreage: 9 Acres Transfer Date:
Public Access: Yes
Condition: Open space & softball field good, other facilities poor
Degree of Protection: Limited
SITE NAME: J.H.FRANCIS GREEN
Owner: City of Fall River
Assessor Map #: M-25 Lot #: None
Location/Access: Prospect Street
Zoning: R-4
Recreational Potential: Good
Description: Memorial, flower beds
Managing Agency: Parks Dept.
Acreage: 12,806 SF Transfer Date: No card in Assessor's Office
Public Access: Yes
Condition: Good
Degree of Protection: Limited
SITE NAME: DURFEE GREEN
Owner: City of Fall River
Assessor Map #:M-28 Lot #: None
Location/Access: Maple Street
Zoning: R-4
Recreational Potential: Good
Description: Grass area
Managing Agency: Parks Dept.
Acreage: 6,275 SF Transfer Date: No card in Assessor's Office
Public Access: Yes
Condition: Good
Degree of Protection: Limited
SITE NAME: SMALL SCHOOL
Owner: City of Fall River
Assessor Map #: L-02 Lot #: 3
Location/Access: Wall Street
Zoning: M
Recreational Potential: Good
Description: Playground, ballfield
Managing Agency: Parks Dept.
Acreage: 1.74 Acres Transfer Date: 9/4/17
Public Access: Yes
Condition: Good
Degree of Protection: Limited
SITE NAME: BANK STREET TOT LOT
Owner: City of Fall River
Assessor Map #: N-02 Lot #: 68
Book: 1115 Page: 431
Location/Access: Bank Street
Funds Used: $4,400.
Zoning: A-3
Recreational Potential: Good
Description: Small parcel with grass, fenced on 2 sides. Purchased from F.R. Redevelop. Auth.
Managing Agency: Parks Dept.
Acreage: 4,630 SF Transfer Date: 7/1/75
Public Access: Yes
Condition: Very Poor
Degree of Protection: Limited
SITE NAME: TURNER PLAYGROUND
Owner: City of Fall River
Assessor Map #: O-18 Lot #: 3
Location/Access: Cherry Street
Zoning: M
Recreational Potential:
Description: Small parcel, mostly flat, some grass, no trees
Managing Agency: Parks Dept.
Acreage: 43,677 SF Transfer Date: 12/21/23
Public Access: Yes
Condition: Poor
Degree of Protection: Limited
SITE NAME: BICENTENNIAL PARK
Owner: City of Fall River
Assessor Map #: O-19 Lot #: 2
Location/Access: Davol Street
Zoning: B/L & Industrial
Recreational Potential:
Description: Flat parcel abutting Taunton River, boat ramp, small path with picnic tables, 2 parking lots
Managing Agency: Parks Dept.
Acreage: 5.2 Acres Transfer Date:
Public Access: Yes
Condition: Tennis courts best in city, boat ramp good, playground fair
Degree of Protection: Limited
SITE NAME: STANLEY PARK
Owner: City of Fall River
Assessor Map #: P-04 Lot #: 1
Location/Access: President Avenue, Robeson & Stanley Streets
Zoning: G
Recreational Potential: Limited
Description: Small parcel, flat with some grass; no trees
Managing Agency: Parks Dept.
Acreage: 152,434 SF Transfer Date:
Public Access: Yes
Condition: Field is in good condition
Degree of Protection: Limited
SITE NAME: NORTH PARK
Owner: City of Fall River
Assessor Map #: S-08 Lot #: 90
Location/Access: North Main Street
Zoning: G
Recreational Potential: Excellent
Description: Ballfields, playground, basketball & tennis courts, ice skating rink
Managing Agency: Parks Dept.
Acreage: 25 Acres Transfer Date: No transfer date on card
Public Access: Yes
Condition: Equipment in excellent condition
Degree of Protection: Limited
SITE NAME: DAVIS PLAYGROUND
Owner: City of Fall River
Assessor Map #: V-04 Lot #: 9
Location/Access: Meridian Street
Zoning: R-30
Recreational Potential:
Description: Softball field & playground, mostly flat parcel/small hill, a few shade trees
Managing Agency: Parks Dept.
Acreage: 4.82 Acres Transfer Date: 10/28/50
Public Access: Yes
Condition: Facilities in very poor condition
Degree of Protection: Limited
continued...