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Uxbridge selects nod for ‘pocket forest’ pilot to restore Peaceful Pond area
Summary
Town officials heard a presentation on a Mamford River Watershed MVP seed project that would create a community‑managed pocket forest and resilience park at Charles R. Smith Memorial Park. Organizers say grants will fund design and initial work; the board asked for an MOU and benchmarks before committing town resources.
Dr. David Tapscott and CMRPC staff presented the Mumford River Watershed Pilot Program proposal on Sept. 22, outlining plans to develop a pocket forest and resilience park at the Charles R. Smith Memorial Park, adjacent to the Crown and Eagle apartments.
The project, funded through the Massachusetts Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) program as a “seed” project, is intended as a community‑driven nature‑based resilience effort. Tapscott said the park would serve as a cooling hub, outdoor classroom and a place to manage invasive species, reduce stormwater runoff and increase biodiversity. He described a phased approach: site engagement and approvals, formation of a stewardship “posse” of volunteers and experts, community outreach and conceptual design, then operational planning and construction.
Student presenters and local residents outlined concrete ideas for public outreach and amenities. McKenna, a Uxbridge High School senior who helped develop the concept, recommended interpretive signage, bird habitat features, and educational materials to connect visitors to local history and ecology. Anna Chinappi, a longtime resident and nonprofit leader, described cataloging medicinal plants around the pond and urged preserving the site’s historic and cultural character while improving access.
Tapscott said the seed grant requires no town matching funds for initial phases and that further design and operations work will rely on additional grants and community partnerships. DPW participation is expected for maintenance tasks such as mowing and selective invasive removal; the presenters said the town’s involvement would be clarified in a memorandum of understanding and in the operational plan scheduled before the end of the fiscal year.
Board members praised the community engagement element but pressed organizers to document funding, succession plans and long‑term maintenance before the Select Board commits town resources. The board requested a draft MOU, a six‑ to nine‑month detailed budget for early stages and clear benchmarks for reporting progress back to the board.
Next steps: the project team will draft the MOU and provide more detailed cost/budget information and phased deliverables for Select Board review.
