Vote Medford 2007

Full Text: (Q15) Improving and Protecting Open Space in Medford

The Middlesex Fells Reservation, the Mystic River and the Mystic Lakes provide thousands of acres of public open space for healthy outdoor recreation. What are the primary challenges facing these three vital resources and what joint projects or other endeavors would you undertake with residents and the state to improve them and protect them for generations to come?

Arena: (Q15) Improving and Protecting Open Space in Medford

Medford is a proud host to the many diverse recreational areas along the Mystic River, the Mystic Lakes, and the extensive woodlands which occupy so much of our city. First, if we are truly a tree city, we must resist unnecessary cutting down of trees. Secondly, if we are a city that promotes environmental protection, we must encourage uses and practices that preserve the beauty and naturalness of the public spaces within our city's borders. I look forward to working with local, state, and federal authorities responsible for the preservation of our natural treasures.

Burke: (Q15) Improving and Protecting Open Space in Medford

The mentioned parcels are under the jurisdiction of the State Dept. of Conservation and Recreation. Again, many community groups have stood tall in organizing clean up events and interest in our public open space. We also have mandates for public service from our high school and middle school kids. Many kids would like to get involved if they are provided information regarding the issues plaguing these open spaces

Camuso: (Q15) Improving and Protecting Open Space in Medford

I am a supporter of all our groups that seek to preserve and support our environment and public open space. I have worked with local and state agencies to ensure that these areas get needed attention. As usual, there needs to be greater state investment in open space. These areas provide Medford with unique qualities that cannot be ignored because they cannot be replaced. Medford is fortunate to have significant open space in a city environment. It is vital to preserve this reality for both the present and the future.

Chamberlain: (Q15) Improving and Protecting Open Space in Medford

A primary challenge would be environmental. Many pressures are being put on the Mystic River Reservation. Station landing and the growth in the Wellington area of Medford have put tremendous pressures on sewer and utilities infrastructure in the area. I believe that the Medford square plan could be connected to the Mystic River Reservation by connecting the mystic river area of Medford square with the bike path of the Mystic River Reservation near the Mystic Valley Parkway, and running a bike lane up Governors Ave. north to the Middlesex Fells Reservation. This would give Medford a large natural bike way through the most beautiful areas of the nature of Medford. however Great care must be taken to preserve the conservation lands in our city and constant care to guard against over building and environmental pressures on these lands.

Dello Russo: (Q15) Improving and Protecting Open Space in Medford

I sometimes wonder if lack of awareness is the obstacle to people’s appreciation of these fine resources. Clearly we don’t have much funding and staffing for the care and upkeep. These park areas need to be kept clean and I would support a joint effort with local and state money and local volunteers to do clean-ups of these resources. The plan for the revitalization of the Square will bring the Mystic River back into focus. Perhaps my suggestions in question #11 will have some bearing here.  

Lungo: (Q15) Improving and Protecting Open Space in Medford

The primary challenges facing the Middlesex Fells Reservation, the Mystic River, and the Mystic Lakes, are the protection and preservation of them, the natural and historic aspects of each. Luckily we have the Friends of the Mystic River and the Friends of the Middlesex fells, both organizations which work hard to improve and protect the quality of these three vital resources.

Along with all of the work these two groups do, we as a community have to push the Department of Environmental Protection to better assist them in helping to improve the water quality, preserve the wildlife, and improve the recreational opportunities in these areas so that our children's children get to enjoy and look after these important resources when it comes time for them to do so.

Maiocco: (Q15) Improving and Protecting Open Space in Medford

Pushed and supported efforts to clean up the Mystic Lakes and the Mystic River. We are fortunate to have the citizens’ environmental groups who are doing a superb job enhancing these public assets. I would like to see more jogging, walking and bike paths.

Marks: (Q15) Improving and Protecting Open Space in Medford

The skein of funding and management of three properties is vast. Soliciting local, state, and federal grants to sustain all three is worthy. Bringing in money is what makes everything else possible. When management for each of these areas is working in sync, you can then start thinking about preservation, water security, and maintenance of trails.

I know there are conflicts occurring between public and private interests relating to these areas. I am thinking of one that wished to make use of a large empty building. These conflicts must be resolved before the rest of us can move forward in either developing or otherwise making best use of the space. The City Council could create a council liaison to ensure that out protected areas remain protected.

Penta: (Q15) Improving and Protecting Open Space in Medford

Respecting the property for its usage is paramount. Likewise, the Brooks Estates holds a most important, complimentary, future role as it will be a healthy open space environment for play, history and formal usage upon its completed restoration.