Marlborough presents draft 2025–2032 open space and recreation plan, seeks public feedback

Marlborough conservation and sustainability staff on April 7 presented a draft Open Space and Recreation Plan for 2025–2032 to the City Council's Open Space Committee and solicited public and council feedback before the document is finalized and returned to the council for approval.

Priscilla Ryder, the city's conservation and sustainability officer, told the committee the plan is the city’s "ticket to funding," noting many state and other grants require an up-to-date open space plan. Ryder said the plan inventories the city's conserved land and remaining unprotected parcels, reviews trails and recreational facilities, and sets measurable goals and a seven-year action plan.

The presentation summarized accomplishments since the prior plan, including renovated recreation facilities with roughly $400,000 in grant funding, a new boardwalk at Lake Williams, creation of a community garden,…