VI. Open Space and Recreation

A. Overview

With 52.74 square miles, or 33,753.6 acres of land, Belchertown is one of the largest towns in Massachusetts.  It contains the largest number of forested acres in Hampshire.  20,000 acres of forestland and over 7,000 acres of agricultural land represent an economic, environmental, and aesthetic resource for a region becoming increasingly urbanized.

 

Belchertown has experienced the highest population growth in the Pioneer Valley Region.  22.6% from 1990 to 2000 with an additional 27% increase from 1980 to 1990, according to census data.  Not surprisingly, 50% of the current residents have lived in town less than ten years: 25% of the current residents have lived in town less than five years.  This rapid rate of development has placed stress on natural resources.  Protected open space is needed to protect these resources as well as provide active and passive recreation, and maintain a rural character. 

 

This section represents a summary of the 2002 Open Space and Recreation Plan Update by the Belchertown Conservation Commission.  It is meant to show how the Conservation CommissionÕs plan fits into the Community Plan.  For this section, ÒOpen SpaceÓ means land that is state and municipally-owned land, wetland, owned by private sport club, or is a private parcel held under Chapter 61, 61A, or 61B.  This does not mean that this land may not be developed, as some government-owned land may be intended for development, and sport club, and Chapter 61 lands may all be developed at any time.

 

B. Goals and Policies

The following policies were developed to work toward the three overall goals for the town determined during the community vision phase of the community plan project.

Goal 1: To maintain BelchertownÕs rural New England look and feel.

Policies related to open space and recreation for Goal 1:

 

Goal 2: Manage residential construction to increase benefits to the community while lessening potential negative effects.

Policies related to open space and recreation for Goal 2:

 

Goal 3: Evaluate and achieve business development that contributes to town life and mitigate potential negative effects.

Policies related to open space and recreation for Goal 3:

 

C. Inventory

Present Land Use in Belchertown

Unbuilt land in Belchertown occupies approximately three quarters of the total land area of the town.  Of this, 12.5% (4,217.6 acres) is forest land in Chapter 61, 13% (4,384 acres) is agricultural land under Chapter 61A, and 3% (1,011.2 acres) is open recreation land under Chapter 61B.  9% (3,040 acres) of the town is comprised of Quabbin watershed lands owned by MDC; the Commonwealth owns another 6% (2,022.4 acres), including Cadwell Memorial Forest, the Swift River Wildlife Management Area, the University of Massachusetts orchards, the McLaughlin Fish Hatchery and a portion of Holyoke Range State Park.  The Town of Belchertown owns approximately 2.5% (844.8 acres), while other municipalities hold 1.5% (505.6 acres).  Private sports clubs own approximately 2% (672 acres).  18% (6,073.6 acres) of the town is currently populated, and wetlands represent 10% (3,372.8 acres) of the total land mass.  This leaves approximately 23% (7,763.2 acres) of the total land mass in private control and available for immediate development.  Chapter 61 land and the private sport clubs, totaling 30.5% of the townÕs area, (10,284.8 acres), could also be easily developed, for a total of 53.5%, (18,048 acres) of BelchertownÕs land area that could be developed at any time.

 

 

Present Land Use in Belchertown

                                                                                                    Town    

                                                                                      Other Municipalities

                                                                                      Private Clubs                          

 

Source: 2002 Open Space and Recreation Plan Update; L. Connolly, Belchertown Conservation Administrator

 

 

 

INVENTORY OF TOWN-OWNED CONSERVATION LANDS AND RECREATION LANDS:

 

CONSERVATION AREAS

1. Cold Spring School

Cold Spring Conservation Area, situated behind the Cold Spring School on South Main Street, is home to a two-acre nature loop trail.  The trail's small size and wide array of plant species affords educators a unique classroom and provides a variety of passive to active recreational opportunities.

 

Handicapped accessibility to, and parking for, the area is limited because there is a low area adjacent to the only potential car drop-off area.  Although it would be possible to fill and level off the area, it would require extensive construction and installation of a railing and ramp.  However, because of its central location and relatively flat trails, it is a priority for the town, particularly for senior citizen use.

 

2. Arcadia Bog

The Arcadia Spruce Bog Conservation Area, accessible via Town Beach Road, is one of the finest examples of a glacial kettle bog in Western Massachusetts.  Noted for its uncommon and unusual botanical and zoological resources, human activity is restricted.  Because this area's main value is as a unique vegetative community and habitat, no plans are proposed to provide public access to this area.

 

 

 

 

STATE-OWNED LAND

DESCRIPTION

Quabbin Reservoir

á      3000 forested acres-largest tract

á      Eastern border of town protecting drinking water for greater Boston area

á      Hiking allowed

á      Controlled by MDC (Metropolitan District Commission)

Swift River Wildlife Management Area

á      916 acres, mostly forested

á      Contiguous to Quabbin Reservoir land

á      Hiking & fishing allowed

McLaughlin Fish Hatchery

á      50 acres

á      Operated by the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Wildlife

University of Massachusetts Horticultural Research Center

á      127 acres, nearly all orchard

á      Contiguous to Swift River Wildlife Management Area

á      Owned by UMass

Cadwell Memorial Forest

á      18 acres-smallest parcel

á      Is part of a much larger property that is otherwise in Pelham

á      Owned by UMass

Holyoke Range State Park

á      35 acres

á      Is a small part of this state park, which is otherwise in Granby, Amherst, Hadley, and South Hadley

á      Hiking allowed; M&M trail

á      Department of Environmental Management

New England Small Farm Institute - lessee

á      400 acres

á      Demonstration farm

á      Central area of town

á      Long term lease w/approx 20 yrs remaining with a process for renewal. 

á      Owned by Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture

 

 

 

3. Jabish Brook Conservation Area

Jabish Brook Conservation Area is entirely forested.  It is centered on upper Jabish Brook, a pristine stream that proceeds through the length of Belchertown to meet the Swift River.  The land slopes up eastward toward Quabbin Reservoir.  There is a well-developed set of trails and a footbridge crossing the brook.  The area exhibits a unique variety of wildflower habitats.

 

Jabish Brook has potential for handicapped accessibility to an overlook area near the entrance for picnicking and visual amenity.  Also, an area is possible for handicapped-accessible parking.  The steep slope leading to the stream limits access to the rest of the property.

 

4. Lashway Property

The Lashway property, located in the northwest quadrant of the town, is wooded and relatively flat.  It has wetlands and provides protection to some of the town's groundwater resources.  Open fields bound it to the east, Hop Brook to the south, and woods and wetlands bound it to the west.

 

This property is located within the Lawrence Swamp aquifer.  It was purchased as part of the aquifer protection measures the town has implemented to ensure control over some activities within the watershed.

 

5. Wentworth Property

The Wentworth property was also purchased by the town with Aquifer Land Acquisition funding and is located off Amherst Road, Route 9, across from Holland Glen.  A portion of the Metacomet and Monadnock Trail traverses this property.  An alternative access is located on Federal Street.

 

Access from Amherst Road may be at a flat area near the road - where a pullover could be located.  However, this entrance is very noisy and access to the Metacomet and Monadnock trail is very steep.  At another location, there is a 100 foot long wooded road, which includes a possible turn-around, descending gradually to the brook.  This area is very quiet and deserves priority status for handicapped accessibility improvements.  Access to this area from Federal Street is swampy around the entrance, but there may be possible access from the other side of the brook.

 

6. Warner Brook Conservation Area

This is a large, unimproved parcel with no improved public access.  Near the Quabbin Reservation, this area is largely forested wetland with a stream running through it.  This area is a low priority for town expenditures to provide accessibility to disabled persons.

 

7. Topping Farm Conservation Area

This 116-acre property is located in the northwest section of the town.  It was purchased primarily because of its significance as aquifer protection land, benefiting the towns of Amherst, Pelham, and Belchertown.  Hop Brook and its adjacent wetland bisect a major portion of the property.  They recharge a major aquifer that underlies Lawrence Swamp and serves as a public water source for Belchertown and Amherst.  A small parking lot is located on Goodell Street for public access and old logging roads traverse the property.

 

8. Reed Conservation Area

This is the most recent acquisition for conservation, purchased in 2002.  This is a 93-acre property in the far north of town contiguous to City of Springfield watershed, including KnightÕs Pond, the source of Jabish Brook.  It is near Cadwell Memorial Forest and Quabbin.  Handicapped access is a priority for this area.  There are some wood roads on the property.

 

RECREATION AREAS:

1. Old Town Hall

This building along the common is available for basketball and volleyball.  The basketball area is not standard, but is an adequate