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HomeMy Public PortalAboutOSRP Section 7 Draft Brewster Open Space and Recreation Plan DRAFT – SECTION 7 1 June 5, 2020 SECTION 7. ANALYSIS OF NEEDS This section provides an overview of open space and recreational needs for the Town of Brewster. They are a compilation of public input from the recent planning initiatives listed in Section 2, public input strategies described in Section 6 as part of the OSRP update process, and consultation with Town staff, boards, and commissions. A. Summary of Resource Protection Needs 1. Water Systems Brewster’s commitment to the protection of marine and fresh surface waterbodies through a holistic watershed approach has been, and will continue to be, integral to its success in protecting these resources. The Brewster Integrated Water Resources Management Plan (IWRMP) serves as the Town’s comprehensive guide to local water resource protection and contains a number of recommendations for protecting marine and fresh surface waters. Strategies focus on nitrogen management for marine surface waters, town-wide stormwater management, and short-term management strategies to reduce phosphorus loadings to Brewster’s freshwater ponds. Phase III of the IWRMP included the assessments of Pleasant Bay, Mill Ponds, Schoolhouse Pond, and Herring River. It will be important for the Town to continue these efforts to ensure protection of its valuable surface water resources. The following offers more detail on specific water resources in Brewster. Town Wellfields Protection Brewster’s drinking water supply is sourced from wells; therefore, protecting wellfields is important to ensure clean and safe drinking water. Respondents to the OSRP community survey overwhelmingly supported preservation of land to protect groundwater and drinking water (95%). The Brewster Vision Plan recommends the Town should identify and acquire more open space in critical areas around wellfields, educate the public about threats to drinking water supplies in order to prevent contamination, and improve zoning regulations in the Zone II area. One of the recommendations that came out of the March 2019 public workshop conducted for the MVP program was the development of back-up power at the drinking water wells to provide critical infrastructure resilience to power outages during natural disasters. Most respondents of the OSRP survey (84%) support the management of land dedicated for public water supply protection. Water Quality of Ponds Ponds provide important habitat for aquatic life and are a great natural resource for residents in Brewster. Nutrients in ponds are important for sustaining all living plants and animals in an aquatic ecosystem. However, human activity and development cause nutrient levels to become excessive, What is a Zone II area? The DEP-approved area of an aquifer which contributes water to a well under the most severe pumping and recharge conditions that can be realistically anticipated as defined in 310 CMR 22.00. - Brewster Water Quality Protection Overlay District, Brewster Zoning Brewster Open Space and Recreation Plan DRAFT – SECTION 7 2 June 5, 2020 potentially fueling nuisance and invasive marine plant growth and degrading water quality. Primary sources of pollutants include septic systems, and stormwater runoff from roadways and treated lawns. In addition to the work and recommendations of the IWRMP, the Brewster Vision Plan recommends public education about fertilizer use, landscaping best practices, upkeep of septic systems, and stormwater management. The Town should also review and strengthen its current policies and regulations that can reduce pollutants in surface water, including septic system regulations and those designed to meet state and federally mandated requirements to manage stormwater. Water Quality of Marine Watersheds Brewster's identity is tied to its small coastal community feel. Both the Town's marine and fresh waterbodies are important to the region’s ecology, recreational opportunities, and economic health. These resources provide not only critical habitat for wildlife and vegetative communities but also contribute to the aesthetic beauty of Brewster. Coastal and freshwater resources, particularly the beaches, also draw large numbers of visitors to Brewster each year, making them important for tourism and local economic development. However, heavy use of the waterbodies and their shorelines, coupled with development in watersheds, can result in unintended degradation of water quality and habitat. Protecting the water quality of marine watersheds is not only beneficial to Brewster's residents but the environment as well. The Town should continue protecting the marine watershed by upgrading town- owned wastewater treatment systems and expanding the standards for development in sensitive marine watersheds. Public education on what property owners can do to contribute to a healthy environment can also enhance ecosystem health and promote environmental stewardship. 2. Habitat Protection Healthy and productive coastal and inland ecosystems and habitats have social, economic, and environmental benefits. Open areas offer recreational opportunities to walk and experience nature, wetlands improve water quality and absorb floodwaters, and forests improve air quality and reduce air temperatures. Natural systems such as dunes and their vegetation can also help minimize the inland impacts of storm surge during severe weather events. Healthy shellfish beds support the local economy and businesses. Beaches and conservation areas attract visitors who also spend money at local restaurants and shops. These systems are not in isolation. Building and maintaining linkages between habitats and systems support species that have both ecological and socio-economic importance. For example, species such as herring move between watersheds and coasts while completing their life cycle activities and allow researchers to measure ecosystem health. These links also provide opportunities for users to move through open space areas as well, as long as there is a balance with habitat protection. Inland and coastal systems are often threatened by pollution, overuse, and physical habitat alteration and destruction, intentional or unintentional. A majority of respondents to the OSRP survey (83%) agreed that it is extremely important to protect land for wildlife habitat and half (51%) agreed that it was extremely important to protect land that links open space parcels. The Brewster Vision Plan, Brewster Coastal Adaptation Strategy, and Brewster Coastal Resources Management Plan outline several policies and strategies to protect the Town’s open spaces and coastal Brewster Open Space and Recreation Plan DRAFT – SECTION 7 3 June 5, 2020 resources. The Town should continue to work with its partners in protecting key properties with critical habitat and built linkages. A review of municipal regulations can identify areas that can strengthen requirements for stormwater management. Improving access to natural areas should minimize invasive infrastructure such as boardwalks and parking that encroaches on environmentally sensitive areas. 3. Agriculture Supporting local agriculture is an issue of regional importance, and a number of regional organizations have been working to increase local agricultural activity and expand the amount of land available for farming. There is an opportunity and community support to expand local agriculture to protect and promote agricultural activities in the Town. When asked about agriculture in the OSRP survey, more than 50% of respondents noted that preserving agricultural land is extremely important. Taken together, more than half of respondents felt that community gardens were “extremely important” or “moderately important” (26% and 37% respectively). Just over half (53%) also identified farmers markets as “extremely important” in planning efforts, with 34% felt it was moderately important. About 12% included community gardens in their top two improvements the Town should pursue. The Brewster Conservation Trust has a limited number of plots available for families at its 18-acre Lower Road field. The Town should look for other opportunities to determine the feasibility and interest in developing community gardens for residents on Town properties. 4. Climate Change and Natural Hazards Natural resources, such as freshwater wetlands and coastal marshland, are the Town's first line of defense against natural hazards, particularly severe weather and coastal storm events that bring wind, rain, and storm surge. Natural features absorb rain and runoff, providing a buffer that can significantly reduce damage to public infrastructure and private property. Natural coastal processes can also be disrupted by the impacts of climate change, which exacerbate threats such as coastal erosion, accretion, sea-level rise, and storm surge. Recent planning efforts by the Town assessed these issues with stakeholders and public input. Goals for coastal management outlined in Brewster Vision Plan include adapting to climate change projections and developing resiliency techniques that are financially and environmentally sustainable. The Vision Plan also outlines the need for public outreach and educating citizens and decision-makers about coastal change and achieving the plan’s goals. Techniques such as living shorelines are also highlighted as one way of supporting and strengthening natural resources and their role in adapting to and minimizing the impacts of climate change. During the MVP workshop, community stakeholders reinforced the focus of Brewster as being most vulnerable to coastal flooding/storm surge, sea level rise, hurricanes or Nor'easters, and intense rain/flooding. The outcomes of the Vision Plan, Brewster Coastal Strategy, and Coastal Resource Management Plan support the protection of natural resources and mitigating impacts from these events. Action items from the workshop also call for more public education on preparedness and projects that increase the Town’s resilience. Brewster Open Space and Recreation Plan DRAFT – SECTION 7 4 June 5, 2020 B. Summary of Community Needs 1. Coastal Public Access Brewster's public beaches are popular with locals and visitors. However, access to beaches has been a challenge for many people. In the Brewster Vision Plan, residents noted a strong desire to improve beach access. In general, residents want to expand beach access to new areas, improve beach parking, and Handicapped accessibility. Access to public beaches, especially for residents in the summertime, needs to be prioritized. In addition, amenities and considerations that improve accessibility to public beaches by disabled populations should be implemented. It is important to make these areas accessible to all user groups in Brewster. The 2016 Coastal Beach Access Survey revealed that most respondents access the beach by driving. When arriving, they often face challenges of lack of parking spaces and handicap accessibility. When presented with the option of the shuttle, more than 60% of respondents noted the desire to take the shuttle from a satellite location to the beach. 2. Recreational Opportunities Recreation facilities are incredibly important for a healthy and vibrant community. These facilities provide opportunities for residents to be active and to socialize with other residents. They are common ground focused on inclusivity while fostering a culture of health and well-being in the communities they serve. Residents are looking for more recreational opportunities for all ages. The Brewster Vision Plan highlights the need for more walking trails, bike paths, sidewalks, and a dog park. The Vision Plan also supports the expanded utilization of Drummer Boy Park for recreational purposes, including the possible development of a walkway to Wing Island. In the OSRP survey, over 40% of respondents noted that providing new active recreation opportunities (seasonal and year-round), including those for youth (see more discussion below under Targeted Populations), is very important. Respondents to the OSRP survey highlighted the need for future open space and recreational planning should focus on walking and hiking trails, specifically those that are accessible. Residents also express a need for a community center in the OSRP survey as well as in the Vision Plan. A center would add more space for indoor recreational activities as well as additional space for the Council on Aging (COA) to expand its offerings. There may be opportunities to work collaboratively with neighboring towns on a shared space or with a private entity like the YMCA. The Town responds to these needs through different departments. The Recreation Department continues to improve current programming, as well as expanding into other new programs for kids, adults, and seniors. It has also expanded programming to alternative outdoor locations like various bay beaches, ponds, and trails. The Department is looking to locate a new full basketball court with two hoops with pickleball striping. It would like to update the current Drummer Boy Park Master Plan and is actively applying for funding to support the update. The COA also continues to update its offerings and recently installed a new bocce court. Brewster Open Space and Recreation Plan DRAFT – SECTION 7 5 June 5, 2020 More “passive” recreation is also supported. The Town recently updated its trail map and guide to include all networks in one brochure. There are also ample opportunities for freshwater fishing in ponds throughout Brewster. 3. Health and Wellness Recreation and leisure activities are integral to our health and social well-being, and the Town is dedicated to creating opportunities for Brewster residents to live healthier lifestyles. One of the "three pillars" of the National Recreation and Parks Association is health and wellness, and the Brewster Recreation Department echo those sentiments. People look to the Town’s parks and open spaces as an outlet during stressful situations. Resource advocates voice the importance of these spaces for physiological and mental health benefits, offering opportunities to be active with our body, "unplug" our minds, and reconnect with nature. This was amplified during COVID-19 pandemic, when the Governor issued stay-at-home orders from March to at least May 2020, the time of the draft publication. Many found refuge by simply walking, biking, or running,1 or being in their local park or open space. Open spaces and parks are also important as community-wide resources because they provide places for informal gatherings as well as organized community events and recreational programming. The Recreation Department continues to improve current programming by offering more diverse activities like yoga and fitness events that allow all age groups to be engaged and active. 4. Bike and Pedestrian Networks Walkable neighborhoods have health, environmental, and financial benefits. When a community is walkable and bikeable, it makes it easier to get around and fosters a greater sense of community. Connecting resources with walking and biking networks allows residents to access areas without using their vehicles, which helps reduce air pollution and promotes healthier choices. Half of respondents to the OSRP survey noted they live within a quarter mile (approximately a five to 10- minute walk) of a recreation or open space resource, but 41% still drove their vehicle to get to an open space or recreational facility. There could be several reasons for this. For example, the type of resource near their home may not be their destination, indicating that desired recreational opportunities may not be equitably distributed in Town. It could also imply that the resource near their home is not easy to walk or bike to. Brewster residents support an increase in walking and biking amenities. This was articulated in the Brewster Vision Plan and Biking Strategy Plan. Equally, responses to the OSRP survey also support the need to expand biking and walking trails and paths for recreation and a way to get around Town. More information about bike safety and finding opportunities to make it safer to bike in Brewster were also important to survey respondents. More than three quarters felt it was either extremely important (55%) or moderately important (26%) to address sidewalks in future open space and recreation planning. More than half of respondents (60%) felt it is extremely important for Brewster to develop a town-wide 1 https://kinder.rice.edu/urbanedge/2020/04/10/covid-19-era-renewed-appreciation-our-parks-and-open-spaces Brewster Open Space and Recreation Plan DRAFT – SECTION 7 6 June 5, 2020 walking and biking plan that includes all existing trails and sidewalks, potential areas for expansion, trail connections, and links to key recreation areas and bay beaches. The Town has made a significant effort to improve walking and biking safety overall town-wide, and specifically in accessing open space and recreational resources. New sidewalks along Mill Stone Road connect Nickerson State Park to the Cape Code Bike Trail and to a new affordable housing development. The Town also advocates to Massachusetts Department of Transportation the inclusion of sidewalks when it proposes improvements or maintenance to Route 6A and other state roads. It is important to note that building a larger walking and biking network will take incremental projects. The Town continues to identify gaps and will prioritize areas that connect residential areas to parks and open spaces and other destinations. And as sidewalks, paths, and other connections are made, it is also important to incorporate other amenities such as benches, trash receptacles, and bike racks. 5. Ecotourism Ecotourism refers to immersing oneself into the culture of the place you are visiting. In Brewster, visitors experience the community by walking its conservation areas, biking its trails, fishing on its freshwater ponds, and visiting its beaches. These visitors in turn support local businesses like restaurants, lodging, museums, and shops. The Brewster Chamber of Commerce advocates for ecotourism and promotes sustainable travel that brings visitors but leaves a small footprint on the natural environment. The Vision Plan also recognizes the importance of the Town’s natural beauty and resources to the community’s economic base. The Town partners in this effort by protecting and maintaining its open space and recreational resources through the diverse policies and programs discussed throughout this OSRP. 6. Target Populations Different user groups have different needs and preference for recreational facilities and programming. Age, culture, ability, and other population characteristics should be considered when planning for recreation and open space. To ensure the Town is inclusive with its planning and development of programs, residents want to focus on the needs of specific populations in the community. Youth and Families Creating recreational programs and activities for the Town's youth is an opportunity to promote youth development and show them they are valued in the community.2 Activities allow young people to foster positive social relationships with adults and other youth, learn conflict resolution, and value civic engagement. More than half of respondents to the OSRP survey felt it was either very important (32%) or moderately important (31%) that future planning of open space and recreation include teen programming. Several comments addressed the need for activities and space for teens and young adults, including those with disabilities. During the Vision Plan, students expressed the need for more active recreation such as sports fields, courts, and a skate park. There are various ways to get the youth involved in recreational programs. The Council on Aging Action Plan discusses intergenerational programming as a way to connect older adults with younger 2 https://www.nrpa.org/globalassets/research/witt-caldwell-full-research-paper.pdf Brewster Open Space and Recreation Plan DRAFT – SECTION 7 7 June 5, 2020 generations. The Recreation Department is continuously developing new programs to try to capture younger residents. Summer programs include tennis, archery, and track and field. Teens are also eligible for season employment through the Department as lifeguards and instructors. As the Town sees an increase of its affordable housing base, it will also see an increase in young families. Whenever possible, the design of these new developments should incorporate elements of open space, recreational amenities, walking and biking infrastructure, and community gardens. Walking and biking links to neighboring open space and recreational resources should also developed to build the overall network, as discussed earlier. Aging Population Community programs for seniors provide personal and health benefits, allowing them to stay physically and socially active. Nearly half of Brewster’s residents are over the age of 60. The Brewster Council on Aging developed an Age-Friendly Action Plan that outlines several initiatives to improve services to the Town’s older residents. Recreational goals include offering a full range of exercise and fitness activities that meet the needs and preferences of a diverse group, from low to high intensity. As noted above, there is a desire to explore intergenerational programming between older adults and youth through the Recreation Department. Persons with Disabilities Summary of the ADA Self Evaluation and its Transition Plan is pending. Committed to promoting outdoor recreational facilities that are free of barriers and open to all throughout Brewster is important. Spending time outdoors has proven to be beneficial to people, especially the elderly population. In the OSRP, over 40% of residents noted that providing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) access to existing fields and facilities is extremely important. The Brewster All Citizens Access Committee reviews all sites and projects in Town to ensure they are accessible and in accordance with the ADA. C. Management Needs, Potential Change of Use 1. Recreational Facilities and Programming Maintenance of recreational facilities, such as ballfields, courts, playgrounds, and parks, is done through the Department of Public Works. The Recreation Department, with guidance and support of the Recreation Commission, is responsible for developing recreational programming, staffing, and management and coordination of facility usage. The Town works to ensure that its recreational facilities are well maintained and appropriately staffed on a regular, continuous basis. Overall, respondents to the OSRP survey felt that maintenance of Brewster’s open space and recreation areas was average (39%) or above average (43%). Failure to ensure upkeep of facilities, even for short-term reasons, can have long-term implications that decrease public safety and support, and adversely impacts the public recreational experiences. Brewster Open Space and Recreation Plan DRAFT – SECTION 7 8 June 5, 2020 When financial and technical resources are limited, the Town can use creative ways to ensure proper maintenance levels. One example is through partnerships with local community groups, leagues, clubs, and businesses through an “adopt a spot” or “adopt a park” program. Expanding recreational programming that include new activities or building upon growing demand for existing will also require additional resources. Respondents to the OSRP survey highlight many new programming and activities they would like to see, including areas dedicated for dogs, a community center, and walking and biking amenities, including benches. These and other suggestions will need to be assessed for feasibility based on available space (or land if a new facility), construction costs (if new or redevelopment of an existing facility), equipment costs, and needed staff, among other factors. 2. Conservation Area and Natural Resource Management There are several municipal departments, boards, and commissions that support the health and protection of the Town’s natural resources, but two are highlighted here as leads for conservation area and natural resource management efforts. Brewster’s Natural Resources Department is currently staffed by a Director and two Shellfish and Natural Resource Officers. The Department oversees shellfish propagation and regulations for commercial and non-commercial shellfishing. It also leads Town efforts related to coastal resource management and protection. The Conservation Department is staffed by a Conservation Administrator and Department Assistant. It is responsible for the administration of the Town’s wetlands protection bylaws and regulations and open space planning and management. The Department also provides staff support for the Conservation Commission. Recognizing that staffing is limited in these departments, the Town relies on partnerships for the upkeep and management of the conservation areas and natural resources: • The Brewster Conservation Trust is a non-profit land trust that owns land and conservation restrictions in Town with a goal of preserving open space, natural resources, and the rural character of Brewster. • Brewster Flats works with the Natural Resources Department and helps maintain Brewster’s open space and recreation areas. These groups along with local scouts and other civic and community groups help to maintain trails, trail markings, and clean up of public open spaces. More than half of respondents to the OSRP survey indicated that conservation volunteering was either extremely important (30%) or moderately important (39%) in future planning of open space and recreation. The Town continues to express the need to establish a separate land manager/park ranger position in order to more effectively manage and patrol open space areas. A land manager/park ranger and staff would be able to manage a number of areas, including having the responsibility for maintaining trails and providing “on-the-spot” education and outreach to the public. A visible Town presence on public lands would be an asset and would help promote environmental stewardship as well as enforce regulations related to public open space areas. This could start as a volunteer position to demonstrate its value and garner public support as a permanent municipal staff position. Property management plans can also be an important tool that outline specific needs of a conservation area and outline strategies to ensure the long-term health of the environment and maintenance of user amenities. The Town has undertaken several initiatives that create resource management plans and Brewster Open Space and Recreation Plan DRAFT – SECTION 7 9 June 5, 2020 there may be opportunities to focus on specific conservation or recreational areas to address unmet maintenance or management needs. 3. Climate Change and Natural Hazards Preparing for the impacts of natural hazards and climate change involves all municipal departments in a coordinated effort, many more than those that participate in open space and recreational planning. As shown in the studies and reports outline in Section 2, the Town has made it a priority to be more resilient to these challenges. The Town is also in the process of writing its Hazard Mitigation Plan, which will be an important document in planning for natural hazards like intense and severe storms, heat waves, tornados, earthquakes, and other events. Actions from all these efforts range from public education to infrastructure investments. The Town should continue with these planning efforts and remain vigilant in keeping current on best practices and new data as they become available. As noted earlier, natural resources and processes, while impacted by climate change, can also build resilience. The Town continues to ensure their health and productivity to maintain their values and functions through local regulations, conservation efforts, and mitigation and enhancement projects. Broadly, strategies include: • A review of local bylaws and regulations to ensure they meet anticipated impacts of sea level rise, more intense and frequent storm events, and more extreme precipitation and temperature cycles, among other projections. • A review of stormwater management infrastructure to identify opportunities to incorporate more natural features (“green infrastructure”) to slow and collect rain runoff during storms. • Find natural areas, such as wetland or dune systems, that would benefit from preservation and enhancement to maintain and support their ecological functions that build resiliency (“living shorelines”). • Monitor changing environmental conditions, including coastal areas, aquifer resources, floodplain, and wetlands, among others. Approaches that focus on natural resources go hand in hand with other adaptive strategies to improve roadways and utility infrastructure and policies that promote development with less impervious surfaces, for example. 4. Open Space and Recreation Planning related to Pandemics The COVID-19 pandemic, which is still ongoing as this OSRP is updated, has impacted all residents, but certain groups in our communities are more at risk, including people 65 years and older, those with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, obesity, and heart disease, and those struggling with mental health issues. Lower income residents, communities of color, and persons with disabilities are also more likely to experience hardships as a result of the pandemic. The inequities of these impacts arise from many existing socioeconomic conditions, particularly barriers to access health care, quality housing, healthy foods, and even quality open space and recreational opportunities, among others. During the pandemic, Executive Orders from the Governor closed essential businesses and places to the public, including state and local parks and recreational areas. Understanding the importance of these resources for physical and mental wellbeing, residents still sought out opportunities to be active and be in natural settings. Brewster Open Space and Recreation Plan DRAFT – SECTION 7 10 June 5, 2020 The pandemic provides an opportunity to look at open space and recreational planning with a new lens. What are ways to keep programming and services available to residents while ensuring public health and safety during situations that warrant social distancing? During these times, can the Town continue to engage residents, particularly those that are most vulnerable and struggle in social isolation? What are ways to make our parks and public spaces safe if social distancing is required? How do we design future parks and spaces with these situations in mind? The National Recreation and Park Association discusses these issues and challenges recreation professions to be creative and innovative while ensuring equitable access for all residents.3 Not experiencing these issues alone, Brewster can work with its regional partners to share ideas, lessons learned, and resources. Advocating that parks and recreational areas are essential for overall community public health should be discussed. In the immediate future, the Town is working to access to maintain parks, conservation areas, and other municipal facilities and their ability to serve the public. Ensuring public health and safety requires limiting visitors to places like beaches and enforcing safe social distancing. The Cape Cod Reopening Task Force is assisting regional communities in these efforts. While the number of visitors is expected to be lower, projections from a survey of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce visitor database (May 2020) indicates that about 67% say they will return the summer of 2020. This reduced volume impacts not only the business community but the revenues to the Town associated with user fees at its beaches and parks. D. Regional and State-Identified Needs 1. Cape Cod Commission The Cape Cod Commission’s 2018 Regional Policy Plan (RPP) outlines policies and objectives to guide development and protect the region’s natural resources. The RPP is organized around natural, built, and community systems. Open space and recreational planning cross over all three of these areas to promote a high quality of life for residents and visitors to the region. The following strategies are identified in the RPP for natural and rural areas Natural Area Strategies: 1. Accommodate sea-level rise by allowing low-lying areas to absorb rising seas and wave action/tides from severe storms 2. Provide natural areas for plant and wildlife habitat 3. Retain natural cover and restore wooded areas 4. Integrate green infrastructure practices to accommodate sea-level rise and storm events 5. Provide areas for passive recreation such as walking and hiking 6. Limit development to protect natural resource functions and encourage removal of development where appropriate Rural Development Areas Strategies: 3 https://www.nrpa.org/our-work/Three-Pillars/health-wellness/coronavirus-disease-2019/ Brewster Open Space and Recreation Plan DRAFT – SECTION 7 11 June 5, 2020 1. Preserve lands in agricultural production to encourage locally-grown food 2. Protect agricultural lands and natural cover to preserve existing natural functions 3. Ensure development respects the surrounding landscape by using existing topography to guide the development layout, cluster the development on the site, and preserve wooded buffers 4. Protect scenic and cultural landscapes and historic structures within these landscapes that contribute to the Cape’s unique character and history 5. Provide connections to adjacent open space lands to create an open space network with opportunities for passive recreation such as walking and hiking In the 2018 RPP, the CCC recognizes that the open space of the Cape is critical to the health of the region’s natural systems, economy, and population. Open space provides habitat for the region’s diverse species and protection of the region’s drinking water supply. Wooded open space provides a carbon sink for mitigating the impacts of climate change, both through the storage of carbon that would otherwise be lost to the atmosphere through development, and through the carbon-absorbing capacity of trees. Open space contributes significantly to the natural and rural character of the region and supports key industries. The beaches, farms, woodlands, and marshes of the Cape provide recreational outdoor activities that attract visitors and residents to the region and provide the necessary land and resources for the Cape’s agricultural activities. Open Space Goal: To conserve, preserve, or enhance a network of open space that contributes to the region’s natural and community resources and systems. Objectives: Protect and preserve natural, cultural, and recreational resources; Maintain or increase the connectivity of open space; Protect or provide open space appropriate to context 2. Massachusetts Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (2017) The 2017 Massachusetts Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) was developed by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. The SCORP is a planning document that assessed the availability of recreational resources and the needs of residents throughout the state as a way to identify gaps. It is also one method of how states meet multiple goals of the National Park Service and remain eligible for funding from the National Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). In Massachusetts, EEA administers LWCF grants to Commonwealth communities with approved Open Space and Recreation Plans. Grants can be used for activities that address recreation and open space needs, including land acquisition for conservation or recreation purposes or park renovation. The development of the latest SCORP involved an extensive public outreach process, including regional public meetings and surveys. Surveys targeted specific groups: recreation users, municipal employees, land trusts, and middle and high school students. Through the public participation process, four outdoor recreation goals were developed for the 2017 SCORP. The goals are: 1. Access for Underserved Populations Brewster Open Space and Recreation Plan DRAFT – SECTION 7 12 June 5, 2020 2. Support the Statewide Trails Initiative 3. Increase the Availability of Water-based Recreation 4. Support the Creation and Renovation of Neighborhood Parks The following provides an overview of the SCORP findings. Recreation Users and Youth Through the surveys, most recreation users said outdoor recreation was very important to them for physical fitness, mental well-being, and being close to nature. When asked why they visited a specific outdoor recreation facility, most responded that it was closest to their home. About three-quarters of survey respondents had a park or conservation area within walking or biking distance to their homes, but more than half drove. Lack of time was the number one reason why respondents did not visit outdoor recreation sites more frequently. Most respondents to the survey felt that programming at a facility was somewhat or very important, particularly for seniors, young children (4 to 12 years old), and teens. The most popular recreational activities respondents engaged in over the past 12 months were water-based recreation (boating, swimming, etc.) and trail-based recreation (hiking, biking, cross- country skiing, etc.). Desired amenities or activities were more trails, inclusive playgrounds for all young children with all abilities, and more water-based recreation. The most popular activities for middle and high school-aged youth were team activities like soccer, lacrosse, and football. Teens favored swimming, hiking, running/jogging, walking, and road biking. Youth and teens frequented outdoor recreation facilities closest to where they lived, and popular reasons why they visited these sites were for fun and enjoyment, spend time with friends and family, and to be outside. Lack of time, weather, and use of the Internet were primary reasons why younger respondents did not visit facilities or participate in recreational programming. Desired amenities were more recreational sites close to home, more equipment at sites, and providing spaces that are “just for kids my age.” Municipal Employees Municipal land and conservation staff were asked about the types and quality of resources available to their residents. Out of 351 communities, 58 municipalities (17%) responded to a survey. Most responses (about one third) came from local conservation commissions followed by parks and recreation departments. More than half (69%) of respondents had part- or full-time recreation staff and 82% had part- or full-time conservation staff. The SCORP noted that this demonstrates that communities are able to provide many types of outdoor recreation facilities for their residents. Important factors to consider when determining a community’s staffing and financial capacity to provide quality resources and programming are the number of sites a community has, the types of amenities offered at each site, regular maintenance required, and the size of the sites, among other attributes. About half of the respondents offered more than nine programs annually. Those providing less focused on activities that connected children to the outdoors. Only 16% responded that they offered more than four activities per year for people with disabilities. Brewster Open Space and Recreation Plan DRAFT – SECTION 7 13 June 5, 2020 Highest priorities for funding in the next year were for playgrounds, ball fields, community or regional trail systems, and improving pedestrian access to parks such as sidewalks and safe road crossings. This is consistent with responses from recreational users and youth groups. Land Trusts About one-third of land trusts in the Commonwealth responded to the SCORP survey. Most cited connecting the public with nature as the most important issue for their organization, followed by connecting with local neighborhoods and schools. Popular activities on land trust properties were walking/jogging/hiking, dog walking, and nature study. The top three issues facing land trusts are trail work, conservation restriction stewardship, and acquiring new land. The need for trails echoes that in municipalities. Invasive species are the greatest physical issue land trusts are dealing with. As to social issues, littering and dumping are encountered most frequently.