8 Goals and Objectives

Westborough must accelerate the preservation of open space and recreation resources due to the rapid population growth and development that has taken place over the last 20 years and will take place over the next few years. To date open space preservation has failed to keep pace with the rate of development. Similarly, population growth has placed a strain on existing recreation resources. These facts combined with the prediction of build-out in the near future dictates a sense of urgency for addressing the needs of the town. The overarching open space and recreation goals for Westborough are:

• to develop and maintain an active community culture of open space acquisition, habitat preservation, and open space stewardship;
• to improve access to active and passive recreation opportunities for the citizens of Westborough;
• to increase protection of drinking water resources through improved management and protection of aquifer recharge areas and of the Sandra Pond watershed;
• to increase protection for wetland resources.

The following objectives will help us achieve these goals:

A. Acquire development rights or ownership of additional land for open space preservation, active and passive recreation.

B. Establish ongoing funding for the proactive purchase of open space.

C. Increase the level of protection of open space.

D. Develop management plans for town-owned open space land.

E. Increase recreation opportunities in Westborough

F. Develop strong relationships between town boards, state entities, and non-profit organizations which own land in Westborough to improve access to and management of open space and recreation land.

G. Raise public awareness of open space, recreation, and natural resource needs.

H. Publicize the existing open space, recreation, and natural resources in the town of Westborough and maximize the sustainable use of these resources.