Town of Ashby
Massachusetts
Open
Space & Recreation Plan
Note
that not all maps and charts are available in the web version
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Plan Summary 2
Introduction 3
Planning Process and Public Participation 3
Community Setting 4
History of Ashby 5
Population Characteristics 6
Economic Overview 7
Growth and Development Patterns 9
Future 10
Zoning Map 12
Environmental Inventory and Analysis 13
Geology, Soils and Topography 13
Bedrock Geology 13
Surficial Geology 13
Soils 14
Landscape Character 14
The Hills 15
The Fields and Farms 15
The Brooks 15
The Ponds and Reservoirs 15
Water Resources 16
Surface Water 16
Flood Hazard Areas 16
Vegetation 17
Forest Land 17
General Inventory 17
Rare, Threatened and Endangered Vegetative Species 17
Fisheries and Wildlife 17
Strategic Habitat 17
Scenic Resources and Unique Environments 19
Environmental Problems 21
Ground Water Contamination: 21
Hazardous Materials 21
Septic/Road Salt 21
Surface Water 22
Solid Waste 22
Subdivision and Loss of Open Space 22
Poor Quality Logging 22
Off-Road Vehicle Impacts 22
Natural Features Map 23
Special Landscape Features Map 24
Inventory of Lands for Conservation 25
Private Parcels 25
Non-profit/Charitable Parcels 26
Public Parcels 26
Inventory Of Recreation Interests 27
General Organized Activities and Organizations 29
Protected Parcels Map 30
SECTION 6 - Community Goals
Description of Process 31
Statement of Open Space and Recreation Goals 31
Survey Results 31
SECTION 7 - Analysis of Needs
Resource Protection 33
Summary of Community's Needs 34
Management Needs 35
SECTION 8 - Goals and Objectives
Goal 1: Preserve Character 36
Zoning and Other Regulation 36
Education 36
Goal 2: Protect Natural Resources 36
Land Acquisition and Protection 36
Water Resource Protection 37
Protection of Strategic Habitats 37
Maintenance and Stewardship 37
Goal 3: Increase Recreation Programs and Facilities 37
Active Recreation 37
Passive Recreation 37
Goal 4: Educate about the Financial, Ecological, and Personal Value of Open Space 38
Goal 5: Collaborate to Achieve Regional Integration 38
Goal 6: Begin Active Protection of Key Open Spaces 38
Current Land Acquisition or Protection Priorities 38
Results Map 40
SECTION 9 - Five-Year Action Plan
Goals and Objectives 41
Open Space Committee 41
Board of Selectmen 42
Conservation Commission 43
Planning Board 46
Ashby Land Trust 47
Parks Department 48
Historic Commission 48
SECTION 10 Public Comments 49
References 50
Appendix
Mammals 51
Birds 52
Open Space and Recreation Survey & Survey Results 56