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

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. View of Bare Hill Pond to the South

6. View of Mountains to the Northwest

7. View of Bower’s Brook Wetlands

8. 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

9. Dean’s Hill Attributes
One of the premier Open Spaces in Harvard
Identified as “Distinctive” in the Mass DCR Landscape Inventory Report
Listed as a “Heritage Landscape” in the 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

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

16. 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
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

17. 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
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

18. 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
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
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