PRIORITY PROJECT RECOMMENDATIONS Create a pedestrian bridge between the Dale Street Conservation Area and Foster's Island Nature Trail to improve access and connectivity to important trail networks along the Shawsheen
BENEFIT BEING LEVERAGED OR CHALLENGE BEING ADDRESSED? Challenge - lack of connectivity to existing trail networks
LOCATION Dale Street Conservation Area
Establish a chain of linear parks along the Shawsheen that are linked by parkways and waterways, and anchored by key community assets. Example projects could include: Challenge - (1) Establish new connections to the (1) Acquire parcels at the end of Gradall Lane and establish a future park along the Shawsheen between Gradall Lane and Stevens Street that would include new walking paths, boat Shawsheen through the Town & (2) Build stronger put-ins, picnic tables, and a community center connections to existing preserved lands and (2) Improve the use of the stone building at the bowling green (2 Balmoral St) to provide concessions, restrooms, etc. to create a key destination along the Shawsheen with connections to recreational opportunities along the Shawsheen other nearby open spaces, trails, etc. (e.g., Shawsheen Fields, Sacred Heart Reservation) (3) Enhance access to Shawsheen Pines and Serio's Grove/Pole Hill as destinations along the Shawsheen
Gradall Lane; Balmoral St; Shawsheen Pines; Serio's Grove/Pole Hill
Improve pedestrian safety and access on the upstream side of the Central Street bridge by either (1) exploring opportunities to move the existing sidewalk to the upstream side of the bridge or (2) building a new pedestrian bridge to connect Shawsheen River Reservation (AVIS) with Town Conservation Commission land along Abbot Bridge Drive (including the existing boat launch)
Challenge - address issues of pedestrian safety and improve access to existing preserved open space
Central Street
Raise the profile of the river throughout the community by advancing proposed signage* and other placemaking projects that strengthen community ties to the river and share relevant information (e.g., key river crossings, historical context, recreational opportunities, etc.)
Benefit - build upon existing signage work completed Town-wide by Andover Trails (in partnership with local community members) Challenge - establish a stronger connection to the river throughout the town
*Proposed signage has been developed in earlier regional efforts coordinated by Andover Trails (in partnership with local community members) that can be leveraged/built upon to finalize designs and establish community buy-in.
ADDITIONAL PROJECT RECOMMENDATIONS & IDEAS Education and recreation programming for K-12, families, and the Senior Center; Outdoor classrooms; Family-oriented paddling days Shawsheen River Walk from Tewksbury to Lawrence; accessibility for all; connectivity between neighborhoods and bordering communities Host River cleanups; Ballardvale Pond cleanup
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Flood mitigation; Naturalize impervious areas; Acquire land for preservation; Expand stream channel Remove Ballardvale Dam for reasons related to ecology, resilience, and fisheries Balance conservation and accessibility; Consider using hard, natural materials as opposed to pavement where possible Foster collaboration between Town Departments and with private organizations; Establish a Town authorized and managed program to support the boat racks, a boat rental program, and public events; Establish an ongoing operating fund to maintain Town-owned properties along the River for recreational purposes Build ADA accessible platforms, docks, and kayak launches Establish a shuttle system to bring river-goers between destinations Host an annual River Celebration Day; "Herring Fest"; Cultural Celebration of the River Promote the passing of the Community Preservation Act; Funding opportunity Use composting toilets when adding restrooms along the River corridor Identify unique habitats along River for protection Establish a Conservation Commission restriction on the Girl Scouts parcel (Camp Maude Eaton) Build a Welcome Center at Abbott Bridge Dr and Central St Build pedestrian bridges over the River at strategic places Create access to the River from North Main St Design a framework to assure the navigational channel of the River is kept open for canoes and kayaks
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LOCATION Serio's Grove River Corridor River corridor; Ballardvale Pond Parking lot by Pump Station and Shawsheen Plaza; Sacred Heart Reservation Ballardvale Dam River Corridor Town Departments River Street River Corridor River Corridor Townwide River Corridor River Corridor Abbot St/Pomps Pond Abbott Bridge Dr/Central St River Corridor 277 N Main Street River Corridor