Microsoft PowerPoint - MontviewSlides_forConsCom_06.14.12“Venture’s Field,” Claire Lau, 2011
MONTVIEW CONSERVATION LAND MONTVIEW CONSERVATION LAND
Presentation by Presentation by Montview Montview Neighbors Neighbors
to the Northampton Conservation Commission to the Northampton Conservation Commission
June 14, 2012 June 14, 2012
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HE HE STORY STORY OF OF THIS THIS PIECE PIECE OF OF CONSERVATION CONSERVATION LAND LAND
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AND AND THE THE SPECIAL SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP RELATIONSHIP THAT THAT ITS ITS NEIGHBORS NEIGHBORS HAVE HAVE WITH WITH IT IT
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BEGAN BEGAN OVER OVER YEARS YEARS AGO AGO
“The owner of 4 acres of open space on Montview Avenue has two apparent choices for
development: multi - family housing or six building lots for single - family homes.”
“Kim Holden said the open space that attracts birds and other wildlife was one of the
neighborhood features that led her family to move to Henry Street five years ago.
Her 5 - year - old daughter watches the field, from the planting of corn to its harvest.”
T T M M C C L L
HE HE ONTVIEW ONTVIEW ONSERVATION ONSERVATION AND AND WAS WAS ESTABLISHED ESTABLISHED ON ON
T T , F , F 17, 2000 17, 2000
HURSDAY HURSDAY EBRUARY EBRUARY
“Residents of a small tightknit neighborhood around Montview Avenue erupted in cheers
Thursday night after the City Council voted to accept a parcel of land that will preserve both
the character of their neighborhood and some precious open space in the city.”
“Last night’s vote means the land will be preserved forever – which appeared to be more than
neighbors dreamed possible.”
ORIGINAL VISION & INTENT ORIGINAL VISION & INTENT ORIGINAL VISION & INTENT ORIGINAL VISION & INTENT
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ROTECT ROTECT PRESERVE PRESERVE AND AND MAINTAIN MAINTAIN THE THE ONTVIEW ONTVIEW ONSERVATION ONSERVATION
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AND AND AS AS AN AN OPEN OPEN GRASSLAND GRASSLAND MEADOW MEADOW PROVIDING PROVIDING PASSIVE PASSIVE
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RECREATION RECREATION WILDLIFE WILDLIFE HABITAT HABITAT AND AND AESTHETIC AESTHETIC ENJOYMENT ENJOYMENT
Evidence
Discussions & negotiations surrounding the transition of the land to OPD.
Management & maintenance activities that the neighborhood stewarded
during 2000 - 2005 (annual mowing, WHIP grant, purchasing & planting of
conservation grasses), conducted with full disclosure and proper prior
approvals from the sitting Conservation Commission at the time.
The neighborhood effectively & successfully enacted the vision for the
land throughout the first five years.
ORIGINAL CONDITION ORIGINAL CONDITION - - 1999 1999
O C
NE YEAR PRIOR TO ITY OWNERSHIP
We stern side with wintering cornfield
Private owner maintenance
(ground - level, Montview St elevation)
ORIGINAL CONDITION ORIGINAL CONDITION - - 2000 2000
A & C
T THE TIME OF DONATION TRANSFER TO ITY OWNERSHIP
Eastern side
At the beginning of Neighborhood maintenance
(ground - level, Venturers Highway elevation)
O C - 2000
RIGINAL ONDITION
Aerial view, facing west
( Image Date: December 2000)
ORIGINAL CONDITION - 2005
A C
T THE TIME OF LICENSING BY THE ITY TO
M , J , D P , W & B
ERRETT ARRETT E IANO INTER RIDGENS
Ea stern side with C onservation grass planted & established,
After 5 years of Neighborhood maintenance
(2 nd floor, Williams St elevation)
O C - 2004
RIGINAL ONDITION
Aerial view, facing west
( Image Date: August 2004)
CHANGE IN CONDITION - 2011
Aerial view, facing west
( Image Date: September 2011)
ORIGINAL CONDITION – 2004
CIRCA
Western side with regular brush hogging
After 4 years of Neighborhood maintenance
(2 nd floor, Williams St elevation)
O C - 2004
RIGINAL ONDITION
Aerial view, facing east
( Image Date: August 2004)
CHANGE IN CONDITION - 2012
Aerial view, facing east
( Image Date: April 2012)
C CONDITION – 2010
HANGE IN
Sumac stands on western side
(ground - level, Williams St elevation)
C CONDITION – 2010
HANGE IN
Sumac stands on western side
(2 nd floor, Williams St elevation)
C CONDITION – 2010
HANGE IN
Western side + neighbor backyard
(ground - level, Williams St elevation)
C CONDITION – 2012
HANGE IN
Sumac stand on western side
(ground - level, Montview St elevation)
CURRENT VISION & INTENT CURRENT VISION & INTENT
Part 1: Restore the Montview Conservation Land to its
previous condition as an open grassland meadow,
as it was at the time of its transfer of stewardship to the
previous licenseholders in 2005,
and as stipulated in their initial executed license,
and consistent with the original vision and intent of the
participants in its original donation to the City,
and consistent with the neighborhood vision and intent
evidenced and manifested in its stewardship activities from
2000 to 2005.
Part 2: Protect, preserve and maintain the Montview
Conservation Land as an open grassland meadow, providing
passive recreation, wildlife habitat and aesthetic enjoyment.
CURRENT VISION & INTENT: CURRENT VISION & INTENT:
R R O O G G M M , ,
ESTORE ESTORE TO TO PEN PEN RASSLAND RASSLAND EADOW EADOW
& &
WITH WITH EXISTING EXISTING WETLAND WETLAND RECREATIONAL RECREATIONAL PLAYING PLAYING FIELD FIELD
“Venture’s Field,” Claire Lau, 2011
We look forward to working with the MCCC, the We look forward to working with the MCCC, the
Conservation Commission, and the City, Conservation Commission, and the City,
and to responsible stewardship of the and to responsible stewardship of the Montview Montview
Conservation Land going forward. Conservation Land going forward.
- - THANK YOU THANK YOU - -
MONTVIEW NEIGHBORS MONTVIEW NEIGHBORS