Fall River Open Space Plan
VIII. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Watersheds, Greenways, Streetscapes. Add to these improved park facilities, new ballfields, and construction of a multi-use Bikeway. Building on the City's wealth of natural resources and scenic beauty, these are the themes of the Fall River Open Space and Recreation Plan. What follows is a blueprint for the preservation of these resources and the improvement of the quality of life of City residents. Implementation models, potential opportunities, and summaries of projects have been added to the text to provide guidance for the translation of these Goals and Objectives into reality.
GOAL 1:
Increase Protection of North Watuppa & Copicut Water Supply and East Fall River Watershed Lands
Fall River's Water Supply is the City's most precious natural, economic and scenic resource. Protection of watershed lands through conservation costs a fraction of advanced water treatment.
Objective 1: Acquire undeveloped lands in North Watuppa & Copicut watersheds.
Objective 2: Monitor and eliminate possible pollution sources to water supply.
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.
Objective 4: Pursue statewide recognition of North Watuppa and Copicut Watershed Areas as important natural resources through an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) nomination.
Objective 5: Support natural resource protection in Shingle Island River, Bread & Cheese Brook, and Rattlesnake Brook watersheds.
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The Greater Fall River Land Conservancy The Greater Fall River Land Conservancy is a private , nonprofit organization founded in 1996 to preserve and protect the natural heritage of Fall River and surrounding areas for the benefit and enjoyment of the public. Land Trusts like the GFRLC protect land directly by accepting donations of land or conservation restrictions, or by buying land. To date, the Conservancy has acquired 50 acres of land in the North Watuppa watershed for permanent protection. Cumulatively, land trusts in southeastern Massachusetts have protected over 5,000 acres of wildlife habitats, scenic open spaces, farmland, and forestlands. Specifically, the Land Conservancy... Acquires and protects open land...watersheds, wetlands & wildlands Assists individuals and groups with land conservation opportunities Demonstrates land stewardship techniques and benefits Promotes greater awareness of our surrounding natural resources For more information contact: |
GOAL 2:
Expand Outdoor Recreational Opportunities for Fall River residents
Objective 1: Construct Citywide multi-use trail system
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The Quequechan River Regional Bike Path The City of Fall River has been working to develop a pedestrian/bike path to be used for recreational and non-motorized transportation purposes. The path route will link many of Fall River's most scenic areas including Bicentennial Park, Heritage State Park. and Britland Park as well As traversing the South Watuppa Pond, Quequechan River, and Taunton River. In the long term, the path will be expanded to connect Fall River to Somerset to the northwest and Westport to the southeast. Running along the abandoned Penn Central railroad bed, the path will run a total length of 6.93 miles. Phase I of the project was approved for funding under the Intermodal Surface Transportation Enhancement Act (ISTEA) in March 1997. Work is expected to begin on this leg of the path in the Fall of 1997. The path will begin in Britland Park and continue in an easterly direction along the abandoned rail line to property owned by Interstate Trucking. From there, the trail will traverse along the Quequechan River to Brayton Avenue. A pedestrian/bicycle bridge will be constructed to allow the trail to cross over the Brayton Avenue Extension. The trail will then continue along the tracks at the South Watuppa Pond to Route 6 in Westport. Phase II will connect Heritage State Park to Bicentennial Park along the City's waterfront. Finally, Phase III will link these two separate legs in a continuous path through the center of the City. By providing access to the Quequechan River and South Watuppa Pond while beautifying the abandoned rail corridor as a greenbelt through the center of the City, the Quequechan River Regional Bike Path is a central component of this Fall River Open Space and Recreation Plan. |
Objective 2: Increase number and availability and improve condition of sporting facilities for city residents.
Objective 3: Improve public's access to waterfront and ponds.
GOAL 3:
Protect natural resources and create new Greenways in urban Fall River
A connected greenway and trail network throughout Fall River will highlight the City's historical, recreational and natural assets and improve the public's access and enjoyment of these assets.
Objectice 1: Develop a Greenways Implementation Plan, including the identification of public and private properties that would be included within a City greenway network.
Objective 2: Restore threatened and degraded natural resources in urban Fall River.
Objective 3: Support development of a regional "Copicut Greenbelt" connecting Freetown/Fall River State Forest east to Acushnet Cedar Swamp in New Bedford and south to Horseneck Beach in Westport.
Objective 4: Support preservation of private open space in Fall River that has a potential public benefit.
GOAL 4:
Enhance the quality and appeal of Fall River's Streetscapes
Fall River's streets and sidewalks provide an existing urban trail network reaching all corners of the City. Landscaping and shade tree planting on City streets beautify the city, decrease road noise and summer temperatures, and slow traffic speeds. The City needs to recommit itself to maintaining sidewalks and tree planting programs.
Objective 1: Develop, implement & fund a City Street Tree planting program.
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Providence Neighborhood Planting Program A Public/Private Partnership Model for Fall River The Providence Neighborhood Planting Program, established in the fall of 1988, offers grants to neighborhood planting groups, twice a year, for the planting of street trees in their immediate neighborhoods. Purchase of trees for qualifying groups is funded jointly by the City of Providence and the Mary Elizabeth Sharpe Tree Endowment, an Advised Fund of the Rhode Island Community Foundation. The Neighborhood Planting Program is overseen by a coalition of groups, known as the Providence Street Tree Task Force. which holds quarterly meetings. Keep Providence Beautiful, Inc., whose Executive Director is a member of this coalition, serves as the fiscal agent for the Program. The Program receives quarterly income support from the Mary Elizabeth Sharpe Street Tree Endowment, paying for half the tree costs, program supplies, and the employment of a half-time Coordinator. The City pays the other half of tree costs and provides office space for the Coordinator. The City Forester makes all the arrangements for purchase and delivery of trees, while the Street Tree Coordinator is responsible for informing the public about the Neighborhood Planting Program, and making all arrangements with neighborhood participants in spring and fall planting weeks. To initiate a Neighborhood Street Tree Planting grant, a local resident must contact 5 - 20 neighbors and get them to agree to help plant, water and provide aftercare for each street tree planted. A grant application must then be submitted by the consenting group to the Street Tree Coordinator (June 1st and December 1st deadlines). The Coordinator, City Forester, and a Task force representative review all applications and perform site inspections. Once decisions are made and grants awarded, the local residents who initiate the projects must meet with the Coordinator and the City Forester for a briefing on their responsibilities and arrangements for planting day. On each of the 5 or 6 planting Saturdays in April/May and October/November, balled-and-burlapped, 2 - 2 and one-half inch caliper (generally 10 - 20 feet in height) street trees are delivered via the City's flatbed truck to the participating neighborhood groups. Before their scheduled arrival, tree planters must dig out the tree holes that have been previously prepared by the City. (Prior to planting day, a local contractor hired by the City prepares holes by cutting sidewalks, removing poor soil, and backfilling with a mixture of existing and fresh soil.) When trees arrive, they are rolled off the truck into the predug holes and adjusted for proper height. Burlap and twine are then loosened and removed, wire is bent open, soil is replaced and tamped, and slow watering is carefully applied. This occurs with the constant coaching and encouragement of the Street Tree Coordinator, City Forester, and crew. At season's end, 1996, 2,945 street trees will have been planted in Providence through the efforts of 277 participating Program groups (all this since the Program began plantings in the spring of 1989). Approximately 3,275 more trees have been installed by City agencies/projects , projects stimulated in part by interest shown in the Program. In an effort to keep tree purchase dolars cost-effective and of maximum value in Providence, the City Tree Farm was established in the late 1980's in Roger Williams Park. To date, 3,125 trees have been planted at the Farm, with 1,650 harvested for street tree use in 1992 - 1996 seasons. Interest in the Program is high. In recent years (since 1993), between 450-650 trees have been requested each spring and fall by 30-45 neighborhood groups. Ultimately, we've been able to plant 200-250 trees each spring and fall, working with 17- 20 groups each round. This represents a response (planting) ratio of 44 - 38% for number of trees requested for this period of time, with a 57- 44% group success (request for grant being accepted and fulfilled) rate overall. As a measure of success, trees planted through this program have a 90% survival rate - evidence of the sense of ownership and care generated by strong partnerships with neighborhood groups. For further information contact: |
Objective 2: Replace degraded sidewalks with permanent concrete.
Objective 3: Incorporate greenspace and environmental concerns in commercial and utility development.
GOAL 5:
Restore Fall River's Park System
Present day Fall River has inherited a rich system of urban parks and recreational lands including three parks designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead. Today, Fall River needs to improve the condition of its parks and provide new facilities to meet the needs of the City residents.
Objective 1: Ensure access for all citizens to City Parks and recreational opportunities (young, old and persons with disabilities).
Objective 2: Improve facilities and increase maintenance by Park Department.
Objective 3: Celebrate Fall River's Olmstead Heritage.
Objective 4: Protect parks from inappropriate uses.
Objective 5: Acquire additional land for park use in all City neighborhoods.
Objective 6: Expand park facilities and programs.
GOAL 6:
Develop Implementation & Funding Mechanisms to Support Open Space and Recreation Needs
Many of the open space and recreational needs in the City of Fall River will require short term expenditures and long-term funding solutions to sustain a planned approach to managing city parks, watershed lands and streetscapes.
Objective 1: Create a permanent City Open Space Committee to oversee implementation of the Fall River Open Space and Recreation Plan.
Objective 2: Establish an Open Space Acquisition Fund with an annual City appropriation to respond to the sale of private lands surrounding the Watuppa and Copicut Reservoirs as well as greenspace within urban Fall River.
Objective 3: Take greater advantage of State and Federal funding to match City spending.
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