Town of Harvard Conservation Commission Dean’s Hill Town of Harvard Conservation Commission Public Meeting for Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Grant Application

Dean’s Hill Conservation Land Trails Fruitlands Museum CHP Orchard Camp Green Eyrie Conservation Land Trails Bare Hill Pond

Dean’s Hill Conservation Commission project to protect Dean’s Hill Enabled by the National Park Service Land and Water Conservation Fund Program 50% of Town expenditure reimbursed by LWCF grant; potentially $300K if awarded Town acquires 14 +/- acres of premier open space for $300,000

Dean’s Hill Land privately owned working orchard Currently on market as “million $ view” house lot Provides panoramic views of Bare Hill Pond, the Nashua River valley, mountains and the Common Connects extensive trail systems on Prospect Hill to those around Bare Hill Pond Protects the Bower’s Brook wetlands Provides environmental education opportunities – landscape, wildlife, orchard, wetlands

View of Bare Hill Pond to the South

View of Mountains to the Northwest

View of Bower’s Brook Wetlands

Dean’s Hill Proposed Project Mountains CHP Orchard View Town Center Tree removal for view shed Bower’s Brook Wetlands Steep (18%) grade need trail water diverters Orchard Information Kiosk Parking Conservation Land P P Existing Trail New Trail Traverse Camp Green Eyrie Bare Hill Pond

Dean’s Hill Attributes One of the premier Open Spaces in Harvard Identified as “Distinctive” in the Mass DCR 1982 Landscape Inventory Report Listed as a “Heritage Landscape” in the 2006 Harvard Reconnaissance Report conducted with Mass DCR and Freedom’s Way Heritage Association Listed as Level 2 (medium) priority by the Mass Audubon/The Nature Conservatory Mapping & Prioritizing Parcels for Resilience (MAPPR) mapping tool Most of the property is labeled “Farmland of Statewide Importance” on the USDA NCRS soils map

Dean’s Hill Addresses a majority of the goals of the 2016 Harvard Open Space & Recreation Plan (OSRP): Protect, enhance and preserve the rural character and historic landscapes Protect Harvard’s agricultural land Provide an interconnected trail network and walkways Provide recreational opportunities for all Harvard residents Protect groundwater and wetlands Protect native plant and animal species

Dean’s Hill Addresses two of the four goals of the 2012 Massachusetts Statewide Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP): Increase the availability of all types of trails for recreation Invest in recreation and conservation areas that are close to home for short visits

Project Structure The Town will purchase 14.3 +/- acres comprised of The top of Dean’s Hill with vistas The 6 acres orchard 1.5 acres of wetlands 1500 feet of frontage on the Bower’s Brook wetlands An abutter will purchase 9.3 +/- acres which will be kept in forestry and with a Conservation Restriction held by the Town

Project Structure The Town will fund its purchase through Community Preservation Act funds, appropriations and borrowing. The Town will apply for a LWCF grant; grants will be awarded in fall of 2017 If the LWCF grant is awarded, it will reimburse the Town for 50% of its expenses for a potential award of up to $300K

Project Financing appraisal, legal, surveying, CR, baseline report Expense Purchase price $550,000 Purchase expenses $45,000 Property expenses $5,000 Total $600,000 Income CPA $200,000 CPIC $100,000 Borrowing $300,000 LWCF Reimbursement -$300,000 Net Cost to Town $300,000 appraisal, legal, surveying, CR, baseline report signage, kiosk, parking

Harvard 2016 Open Space & Recreation Plan Town of Harvard Conservation Commission Public Meeting for Updates to Action Plan

2016 OSRP Action Plan Changes Goal 2: Protect, enhance and preserve Harvard’s rural character and historic landscapes Actions Responsible Party Funding Source Year(s) Objective 2b: Preserve and maintain view sheds Preserve, for the general public, the panoramic views of Bare Hill Pond, western hills/New Hampshire mountains and Town Center by permanently protecting the top of Dean’s Hill ConCom, HCT CPA, Capital fund, State grants 2017-2018 Goal 3: Protect Harvard’s agricultural land Actions Responsible Party Funding Source Year(s) Objective 3c: Allocate funding for the protection of agricultural land (APR and purchase) Protect the Davis orchard on Dean’s Hill and maintain as operating orchard ConCom, HCT CPA, Capital Fund, State grants 2017-2018

2016 OSRP Action Plan Changes Goal 5: Provide an interconnected trail network and walkways Actions Responsible Party Funding Source Year(s) Objective 5b: Provide trails between Town Center, recreational and open space lands Create a trail through the Davis orchard on Dean’s Hill linking conservation land on Dean’s Hill to the Scorgie-Tufts land ConCom, HCT CPA, Town Meeting, State grants 2017-2018 Goal 6: Provide recreational opportunities for all Harvard residents Actions Responsible Party Funding Source Year(s) Objective 6a: Expand recreational opportunities for residents of all ages Provide a short hike to a scenic hilltop destination, such as Dean’s Hill, that will attract people to rewarding views of their town’s iconic natural and historic features ConCom, HCT CPA, Town Meeting, State grants 2017-2018

2016 OSRP Action Plan Changes Goal 8: Protect groundwater and wetlands Actions Responsible Party Funding Source Year(s) Objective 8a: Identify and protect open space critical to protecting Harvard’s water resources Purchase part of, and provide a buffer to, the Bower’s Brook wetlands by purchasing the Davis land on Still River Road ConCom, HCT CPA, Capital Fund, State grants 2017-2018 Purchase Horse Meadow Knoll to protect the headwaters of Elizabeth Brook and the Assebet River Goal 9: Protect native plant and animal species Actions Responsible Party Funding Source Year(s) Objective 9a: Create wildlife corridors Enhance the protection of east/west drainage wildlife corridor through Prospect Hill conservation land and along Bower’s Brook wetland by purchasing the abutting Davis land off Still River Road ConCom, HCT CPA, Capital Fund, State grants 2017-2018 Objective 9b: Preserve habitat for native plants, animals and threatened species Purchase Horse Meadows Knoll on Sherry Road which is designated as NHESP Priority Habitat for rare and endangered species HCT Private funding