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City seeks Community Preservation and state land-grant funds to protect Brooks Dairy Farm near Nelson Place School
Summary
The City of Worcester and Greater Worcester Land Trust are pursuing Community Preservation Act funding and a state land grant to acquire and conserve about 28 acres (a 7.9-acre parcel plus a proposed conservation restriction on adjacent land) known as Brooks Dairy Farm, citing watershed and neighborhood access benefits.
City staff and the Greater Worcester Land Trust on May 19 told the Worcester Conservation Commission they are pursuing Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds and a state land grant to acquire a 7.9-acre parcel known as Brooks Dairy Farm and secure a conservation restriction on roughly 20 adjacent acres.
Why it matters: The acquisition would protect land in the Mill Brook / Indian Lake watershed, preserve forested and wetland areas, and create potential passive recreation and educational access for nearby Nelson Place Elementary School.
What was presented: Planning staff described a partnership in which Greater Worcester Land Trust pre-acquired the parcel to hold it while the city applies for a state land grant (which typically covers 70% of acquisition cost). The Trust will cover roughly 15% of the price and the city is seeking CPA funding to cover the remaining 15%.
Commission support and votes: The commission gave a motion of support for the CPA application and authorized the city to proceed with the land grant application and its role in the acquisition process; commissioners recorded affirmative votes on the motion.
Context and next steps: The Community Preservation Committee will review CPA eligibility; if CPA support is approved, the planning division intends to submit the state land-grant application in July and, if successful, close on the property in late winter. The conserved parcel would become municipal land; the Trust has also agreed with the property owner to accept or hold a conservation restriction on adjacent land, extending protection to about 28 acres in total.
What to watch: The proposal requires CPA committee recommendation and a successful state land-grant award; if both occur, the city will accept ownership and coordinate stewardship (potentially with the Greater Worcester Land Trust) and explore public-access arrangements, including connections to existing paved pathways to facilitate neighborhood access.
