Woburn Looks To Update Open Space, Recreation Plan

WOBURN, MA — Woburn city officials are seeking public input as they look to chart a guide for the next seven years of local open space and recreation decision making, Woburn Recreation announced last week.

The city will hold a workshop event on Sept. 15 specifically to help gather feedback on its next Open Space and Recreation Plan. That event is scheduled at 6:30 p.m. at the Woburn Public Library. All are invited to attend and participate.

A city document, the Open Space and Recreation Plan looks to guide Woburn municipal decisions around open space and recreational resources, including parks and playgrounds.

The plans date back decades in Woburn, with the city's last plan beginning in 2015. That plan, which will now expire this year, noted multiple goals.

Those included:

• Providing active and passive recreational opportunities for all residents
• Protecting Woburn’s natural resources
• Acquiring new open space lands
• Considering regional connections in open space planning efforts
• Protecting cultural and historic resources
• Managing existing recreation and conservation lands for maximum benefits

In making its goals, the 2015 plan called on Woburn to work toward "a more balanced use of conservation areas to avoid overcrowding and impacts on sensitive environmental areas." Another recommendation said the city should continue efforts to upgrade its parks to meet residents' recreational needs.

Next week's planned meeting will see officials walk through city work since 2015 before launching a discussion on new goals for a 2022 plan.

Woburn Recreation said that the city will hold additional input sessions in the future. The city will also be circulating a community survey to help gather additional feedback, according to Woburn Recreation.

Anyone with questions regarding this process can contact Rory Lindstrom at rlindstrom@cityofwoburn.com.