Reading Residents Asked To Take Survey About Symonds Way Parcel Use

READING, MA — Residents of Reading are being asked to provide feedback about how the town should develop a parcel of land on Symonds Way, off Haverhill Street.

Earlier this week, a Symonds Way Exploratory Committee Survey went live on the Town of Reading website. Officials said the survey only takes a few minutes to complete.

According to officials, in 2019, the town purchased approximately 15 acres of land on Symonds Way. The parcel currently is a wooded area just south of Burbank Ice Arena and on the road to the Reading Rifle and Revolver Club.

Recently, an engineering firm hired to survey the land determined that approximately 2.5 acres of the 15-acre lot is buildable, official said.

Eventually, the Symonds Way Exploratory Committee (SWEC) will make recommendations to the Reading Select Board about the best options for use of the land.

But the committee said it will consider community input from the survey before making its recommendations.

The survey features just seven questions. One of the questions lists several types of projects that might be considered for the parcel of land, including: affordable housing, community center, green space, dog park, athletic fields, aquatic complex, indoor recreation center, and skate park.

Residents are asked to rank these projects according to their priorities.

Another question ask respondents to identify their priorities for improving life in Reading. Residents also are asked how important it is to them that the town redevelop the Symonds Way parcel of land.