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Planning For Your Future
Lawrence Planning Director Michael R. Sweeney
(04/04/07)

Over the course of the next several weeks the Planning Board and the Lawrence City Council will consider a proposal to desig-nate Den Rock Park as an Open Space Conservation District.

The designation of an area as an Open Space Conservation District will be new for Lawrence and the addition of this definition to our zoning ordinances must be accepted by the Planning Board and the City Council.

This initiative is the result of hard work by the Chairman of the Conservation Commission Tennis Lilly. The measure has the full support of the Conservation Com-mission and the Planning Department. Our Land Use Planner Dan McCarthy has reviewed information related to the proposal and believes this to be an important step to preserving the very best of what Den Rock has to offer. Den Rock Park is a 120-acre wooded preserve with walking trails and a true hidden gem in Lawrence located right off of Route 114.

The purpose of the Open Space Conser-vation District will be to preserve natural resources and environmentally significant areas while promoting public access for passive recreation. Only infrastructure necessary to such purpose is allowed (i.e. trails, educational signage, walkways, public parking areas) subject to review and approval by the Conservation Commission.

A recently completed Botanical Resource Inventory by Mr. Bruce Patterson gives clear guidance as to the rich and diverse natural resource we have in Den Rock Park. Mr. Patterson documented a particular area of Den Rock Park referred to as ‘The Marsh’ in his inventory, essentially a wetland area on the south side of the park. His report no-ted concerns including the possible impact from residential developments, the influx of invasive plants, and disturbances to the area from inappropriate use of the area.

From September 2005 to November 2006 Mr. Patterson conducted bi-weekly field work to complete his botanical survey. The focus of his study is a five-acre wetland located within Den Rock Park. Mr. Patterson notes that the Central Marsh area, “…has a rich diversity of plant species…a continual bloom of wildlife flowers starting with lance-leaved violet, amelanchier, and rhodora in May and ending with milkwort, goldenrod, and boneset in October.”

The botanical resource inventory also notes that the pondshore within this area is a habitat for dragonflies (a personal favorite of mine) and damselflies. Additionally tadpoles and frogs are well represented in the area. Mr. Patterson notes that waterfowl visit the area as do white tail deer and reports of coyotes being seen at the pond’s edge. The proposal by Tennis Lilly and the Conservation Commission is an important reminder of the rare resource we have in Den Rock Park and that proper management and respect for this area with benefit the community and wildlife for decades. Designation of the area as a Open Space Conservation District is a necessary first step.

Michael Sweeney is the planning director for the city of Lawrence, a former member of the Lawrence City Council and School Committee.  You can e-mail Mr. Sweeney at Esqsweeney@aol.com.

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The March 2007 Edition of the Valley Patriot
The Valley Patriot is a Monthly Publication.
All Contents (C) 2007, Valley Patriot, Inc.
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