West Boylston 2024 Open Space and Recreation Plan Update

West Boylston 2024 Open Space and Recreation Plan Update: Public Survey

The Town is updating its Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP) for the next seven-year period. The Committee wants to incorporate your feedback so we can recommend actions supported by you, the Townspeople. Please complete this anonymous survey and let us know your thoughts. All surveys must be submitted by Sunday, June 16th, 2024.

Please note:

"Open Space" refers to undeveloped land such as woodlands, meadows, or wetlands. "Recreation Facilities" refer to constructed ball fields, courts, track, playgrounds, etc.

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* 1. Is the Town adequately served by current Open Space?

Very much

Sufficiently served

Neutral

Not enough

Not at all

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* 2. Is there adequate Town-owned Open Space in West Boylston?

Yes

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* 3. Is the Town adequately served by its current recreational facilities?

Yes

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* 4. How strongly do you support West Boylston protecting, acquiring, and/or improving Town-owned land for the following reasons:
Please mark one answer per row. You may mark as many with the same level of support as you would like.

	Supportive	Neutral	Unsupportive
To preserve the Town character	To preserve the Town character Supportive	To preserve the Town character Neutral	To preserve the Town character Unsupportive
To protect habitat for diverse plants and animals	To protect habitat for diverse plants and animals Supportive	To protect habitat for diverse plants and animals Neutral	To protect habitat for diverse plants and animals Unsupportive
To protect Town wells/aquifers	To protect Town wells/aquifers Supportive	To protect Town wells/aquifers Neutral	To protect Town wells/aquifers Unsupportive
To reduce the effects of climate change	To reduce the effects of climate change Supportive	To reduce the effects of climate change Neutral	To reduce the effects of climate change Unsupportive
To provide facilities for active recreation (sports fields, playgrounds, etc.)	To provide facilities for active recreation (sports fields, playgrounds, etc.) Supportive	To provide facilities for active recreation (sports fields, playgrounds, etc.) Neutral	To provide facilities for active recreation (sports fields, playgrounds, etc.) Unsupportive
To provide areas for passive recreation (walking, hiking, mountain biking, etc.)	To provide areas for passive recreation (walking, hiking, mountain biking, etc.) Supportive	To provide areas for passive recreation (walking, hiking, mountain biking, etc.) Neutral	To provide areas for passive recreation (walking, hiking, mountain biking, etc.) Unsupportive
To preserve unique scenic areas/vistas/historic sites	To preserve unique scenic areas/vistas/historic sites Supportive	To preserve unique scenic areas/vistas/historic sites Neutral	To preserve unique scenic areas/vistas/historic sites Unsupportive
To control residential growth	To control residential growth Supportive	To control residential growth Neutral	To control residential growth Unsupportive
To link existing public/protected lands or trails	To link existing public/protected lands or trails Supportive	To link existing public/protected lands or trails Neutral	To link existing public/protected lands or trails Unsupportive

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* 5. How strongly do you support efforts to protect, acquire, and/or improve water resources for the following reasons?
Please mark only one answer per row. You may mark as many with the same level of support as you would like.

	Supportive	Neutral	Unsupportive
To protect habitat for diverse flora and fauna	To protect habitat for diverse flora and fauna Supportive	To protect habitat for diverse flora and fauna Neutral	To protect habitat for diverse flora and fauna Unsupportive
To remove invasive species	To remove invasive species Supportive	To remove invasive species Neutral	To remove invasive species Unsupportive
To reduce impacts of extreme weather events	To reduce impacts of extreme weather events Supportive	To reduce impacts of extreme weather events Neutral	To reduce impacts of extreme weather events Unsupportive
To provide areas for swimming	To provide areas for swimming Supportive	To provide areas for swimming Neutral	To provide areas for swimming Unsupportive
To provide fishing or wildlife viewing options	To provide fishing or wildlife viewing options Supportive	To provide fishing or wildlife viewing options Neutral	To provide fishing or wildlife viewing options Unsupportive

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* 6. Please indicate your support for allocating Town funding for the following objectives.
Please mark only one answer per row. You may mark as many with the same level of support as you would like.

	Supportive	Neutral	Unsupportive
Increase athletic field facilities	Increase athletic field facilities Supportive	Increase athletic field facilities Neutral	Increase athletic field facilities Unsupportive
Increase Town-owned open space	Increase Town-owned open space Supportive	Increase Town-owned open space Neutral	Increase Town-owned open space Unsupportive
Acquire open space to protect Town water supplies	Acquire open space to protect Town water supplies Supportive	Acquire open space to protect Town water supplies Neutral	Acquire open space to protect Town water supplies Unsupportive
Improve/expand town sidewalks	Improve/expand town sidewalks Supportive	Improve/expand town sidewalks Neutral	Improve/expand town sidewalks Unsupportive
Improve/create safe bike lanes on roads	Improve/create safe bike lanes on roads Supportive	Improve/create safe bike lanes on roads Neutral	Improve/create safe bike lanes on roads Unsupportive
Provide access for summer swimming facilities	Provide access for summer swimming facilities Supportive	Provide access for summer swimming facilities Neutral	Provide access for summer swimming facilities Unsupportive
Improve maintenance of existing facilities	Improve maintenance of existing facilities Supportive	Improve maintenance of existing facilities Neutral	Improve maintenance of existing facilities Unsupportive
Increase playground facilities	Increase playground facilities Supportive	Increase playground facilities Neutral	Increase playground facilities Unsupportive

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* 7. In order to preserve open spaces in West Boylston, would you be willing to...
Please mark only one answer per row.

	Yes	No	Need more information
Vote to allocate town funds to acquire or protect open space?	Vote to allocate town funds to acquire or protect open space? Yes	Vote to allocate town funds to acquire or protect open space? No	Vote to allocate town funds to acquire or protect open space? Need more information
Support a requirement for all new residential developments to include conservation/open space areas?	Support a requirement for all new residential developments to include conservation/open space areas? Yes	Support a requirement for all new residential developments to include conservation/open space areas? No	Support a requirement for all new residential developments to include conservation/open space areas? Need more information
Vote to allow developer to increase density on one portion of a site while protecting areas of open space or environmentally sensitive areas?	Vote to allow developer to increase density on one portion of a site while protecting areas of open space or environmentally sensitive areas? Yes	Vote to allow developer to increase density on one portion of a site while protecting areas of open space or environmentally sensitive areas? No	Vote to allow developer to increase density on one portion of a site while protecting areas of open space or environmentally sensitive areas? Need more information
Support easements for public access or development restrictions to protect existing open spaces or create connection to open spaces	Support easements for public access or development restrictions to protect existing open spaces or create connection to open spaces Yes	Support easements for public access or development restrictions to protect existing open spaces or create connection to open spaces No	Support easements for public access or development restrictions to protect existing open spaces or create connection to open spaces Need more information

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* 8. Are you interested in volunteering with a Town Board or assisting with a Town project that promotes the preservation of open space and/or recreation?
Please mark only one answer.

Yes

Need more information

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* 9. If you answered "yes" or "need more information" to the previous question (question #8), please provide your name and email address below:

Name

Email Address

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* 10. What should West Boylston's priorities be for open space expenditures?
Please rank how important each of the following are from most important (1) to least important (5). You may only use each ranking once. If filling out this survey online, please use the arrows to rank the different options. If filling out this survey on paper, please write the numbers 1 through 5 next to the options.

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* 11. What should West Boylston's priorities be for recreation expenditures?
Please rank how important each of the following are from most important (1) to least important (9). You may only use each ranking once. If filling out this survey online, please use the arrows to rank the different options. If filling out this survey on paper, please write the numbers 1 through 9 next to the options.

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* 12. What do you consider to be the biggest unmet open space needs in West Boylston?
Please rank the following from most needed (1) to least needed (7). You may only use each ranking once. If filling out this survey online, please use the arrows to rank the different options. If filling out this survey on paper, please write the numbers 1 through 7 next to the options.

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* 13. Are there any other unmet open space needs in West Boylston that were not mentioned?

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* 14. What do you consider the biggest unmet recreation needs in West Boylston?
Please mark only one answer per row. You may mark as many with the same level of support as you would like.

	Very supportive	Supportive	Neutral	Unsupportive	Very unsupportive
Baseball fields	Baseball fields Very supportive	Baseball fields Supportive	Baseball fields Neutral	Baseball fields Unsupportive	Baseball fields Very unsupportive
Soccer fields	Soccer fields Very supportive	Soccer fields Supportive	Soccer fields Neutral	Soccer fields Unsupportive	Soccer fields Very unsupportive
Basketball courts	Basketball courts Very supportive	Basketball courts Supportive	Basketball courts Neutral	Basketball courts Unsupportive	Basketball courts Very unsupportive
Lacrosse or field hockey fields	Lacrosse or field hockey fields Very supportive	Lacrosse or field hockey fields Supportive	Lacrosse or field hockey fields Neutral	Lacrosse or field hockey fields Unsupportive	Lacrosse or field hockey fields Very unsupportive
Softball fields	Softball fields Very supportive	Softball fields Supportive	Softball fields Neutral	Softball fields Unsupportive	Softball fields Very unsupportive
Tennis courts	Tennis courts Very supportive	Tennis courts Supportive	Tennis courts Neutral	Tennis courts Unsupportive	Tennis courts Very unsupportive
Volleyball courts	Volleyball courts Very supportive	Volleyball courts Supportive	Volleyball courts Neutral	Volleyball courts Unsupportive	Volleyball courts Very unsupportive
Football fields	Football fields Very supportive	Football fields Supportive	Football fields Neutral	Football fields Unsupportive	Football fields Very unsupportive
Track	Track Very supportive	Track Supportive	Track Neutral	Track Unsupportive	Track Very unsupportive
Ice skating rink	Ice skating rink Very supportive	Ice skating rink Supportive	Ice skating rink Neutral	Ice skating rink Unsupportive	Ice skating rink Very unsupportive
Disc golf	Disc golf Very supportive	Disc golf Supportive	Disc golf Neutral	Disc golf Unsupportive	Disc golf Very unsupportive
Deck hockey	Deck hockey Very supportive	Deck hockey Supportive	Deck hockey Neutral	Deck hockey Unsupportive	Deck hockey Very unsupportive
Skateboard park	Skateboard park Very supportive	Skateboard park Supportive	Skateboard park Neutral	Skateboard park Unsupportive	Skateboard park Very unsupportive
Large park with many facilities	Large park with many facilities Very supportive	Large park with many facilities Supportive	Large park with many facilities Neutral	Large park with many facilities Unsupportive	Large park with many facilities Very unsupportive
Local neighborhood parks	Local neighborhood parks Very supportive	Local neighborhood parks Supportive	Local neighborhood parks Neutral	Local neighborhood parks Unsupportive	Local neighborhood parks Very unsupportive
Outdoor performance area	Outdoor performance area Very supportive	Outdoor performance area Supportive	Outdoor performance area Neutral	Outdoor performance area Unsupportive	Outdoor performance area Very unsupportive
Public pool	Public pool Very supportive	Public pool Supportive	Public pool Neutral	Public pool Unsupportive	Public pool Very unsupportive
Accessible spray or splash park	Accessible spray or splash park Very supportive	Accessible spray or splash park Supportive	Accessible spray or splash park Neutral	Accessible spray or splash park Unsupportive	Accessible spray or splash park Very unsupportive
Community recreation center/building	Community recreation center/building Very supportive	Community recreation center/building Supportive	Community recreation center/building Neutral	Community recreation center/building Unsupportive	Community recreation center/building Very unsupportive
Bike trails/paths	Bike trails/paths Very supportive	Bike trails/paths Supportive	Bike trails/paths Neutral	Bike trails/paths Unsupportive	Bike trails/paths Very unsupportive
Family picnic areas	Family picnic areas Very supportive	Family picnic areas Supportive	Family picnic areas Neutral	Family picnic areas Unsupportive	Family picnic areas Very unsupportive
Dog park	Dog park Very supportive	Dog park Supportive	Dog park Neutral	Dog park Unsupportive	Dog park Very unsupportive
Swing sets	Swing sets Very supportive	Swing sets Supportive	Swing sets Neutral	Swing sets Unsupportive	Swing sets Very unsupportive
Bikeways within roadways	Bikeways within roadways Very supportive	Bikeways within roadways Supportive	Bikeways within roadways Neutral	Bikeways within roadways Unsupportive	Bikeways within roadways Very unsupportive
Recreational opportunities for people with disabilities	Recreational opportunities for people with disabilities Very supportive	Recreational opportunities for people with disabilities Supportive	Recreational opportunities for people with disabilities Neutral	Recreational opportunities for people with disabilities Unsupportive	Recreational opportunities for people with disabilities Very unsupportive
Access to DCR land	Access to DCR land Very supportive	Access to DCR land Supportive	Access to DCR land Neutral	Access to DCR land Unsupportive	Access to DCR land Very unsupportive

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* 15. Are there any unmet recreation needs in West Boylston that were not mentioned?

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* 16. What is your favorite open space or recreational facility in West Boylston? Do you have any suggestions for how these open spaces or recreational facilities can be improved?

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* 17. How often do you visit West Boylston's existing parks, other open spaces, or amenities to...
Please mark only one answer per row.

	Frequently	Rarely	Never	Seasonally
Participate in or watch formal youth sports leagues?	Participate in or watch formal youth sports leagues? Frequently	Participate in or watch formal youth sports leagues? Rarely	Participate in or watch formal youth sports leagues? Never	Participate in or watch formal youth sports leagues? Seasonally
Participate in or watch formal adult sports leagues?	Participate in or watch formal adult sports leagues? Frequently	Participate in or watch formal adult sports leagues? Rarely	Participate in or watch formal adult sports leagues? Never	Participate in or watch formal adult sports leagues? Seasonally
Participate in informal pick up games?	Participate in informal pick up games? Frequently	Participate in informal pick up games? Rarely	Participate in informal pick up games? Never	Participate in informal pick up games? Seasonally
Attend a special event at a park?	Attend a special event at a park? Frequently	Attend a special event at a park? Rarely	Attend a special event at a park? Never	Attend a special event at a park? Seasonally
Utilize hiking, biking, or cross-country ski trails?	Utilize hiking, biking, or cross-country ski trails? Frequently	Utilize hiking, biking, or cross-country ski trails? Rarely	Utilize hiking, biking, or cross-country ski trails? Never	Utilize hiking, biking, or cross-country ski trails? Seasonally
Walk or jog on a sidewalk or public way?	Walk or jog on a sidewalk or public way? Frequently	Walk or jog on a sidewalk or public way? Rarely	Walk or jog on a sidewalk or public way? Never	Walk or jog on a sidewalk or public way? Seasonally
Bike on public streets?	Bike on public streets? Frequently	Bike on public streets? Rarely	Bike on public streets? Never	Bike on public streets? Seasonally
Skateboard on public streets?	Skateboard on public streets? Frequently	Skateboard on public streets? Rarely	Skateboard on public streets? Never	Skateboard on public streets? Seasonally
Pride park playground?	Pride park playground? Frequently	Pride park playground? Rarely	Pride park playground? Never	Pride park playground? Seasonally
Beaman Memorial Library?	Beaman Memorial Library? Frequently	Beaman Memorial Library? Rarely	Beaman Memorial Library? Never	Beaman Memorial Library? Seasonally
Mass Central Rail Trail in Oakdale?	Mass Central Rail Trail in Oakdale? Frequently	Mass Central Rail Trail in Oakdale? Rarely	Mass Central Rail Trail in Oakdale? Never	Mass Central Rail Trail in Oakdale? Seasonally
Woodland Street recreation area?	Woodland Street recreation area? Frequently	Woodland Street recreation area? Rarely	Woodland Street recreation area? Never	Woodland Street recreation area? Seasonally
Goodale Park recreation area?	Goodale Park recreation area? Frequently	Goodale Park recreation area? Rarely	Goodale Park recreation area? Never	Goodale Park recreation area? Seasonally
Goodale tennis and basketball courts?	Goodale tennis and basketball courts? Frequently	Goodale tennis and basketball courts? Rarely	Goodale tennis and basketball courts? Never	Goodale tennis and basketball courts? Seasonally
Goodale track?	Goodale track? Frequently	Goodale track? Rarely	Goodale track? Never	Goodale track? Seasonally
Hiking/cross-country skiing at Wachusett Reservoir?	Hiking/cross-country skiing at Wachusett Reservoir? Frequently	Hiking/cross-country skiing at Wachusett Reservoir? Rarely	Hiking/cross-country skiing at Wachusett Reservoir? Never	Hiking/cross-country skiing at Wachusett Reservoir? Seasonally
Ice skating rink	Ice skating rink Frequently	Ice skating rink Rarely	Ice skating rink Never	Ice skating rink Seasonally
Walk in cemetery?	Walk in cemetery? Frequently	Walk in cemetery? Rarely	Walk in cemetery? Never	Walk in cemetery? Seasonally
Fishing?	Fishing? Frequently	Fishing? Rarely	Fishing? Never	Fishing? Seasonally
Reservoir shoreline or Old Stone Church?	Reservoir shoreline or Old Stone Church? Frequently	Reservoir shoreline or Old Stone Church? Rarely	Reservoir shoreline or Old Stone Church? Never	Reservoir shoreline or Old Stone Church? Seasonally
Pocket Park: Pine Glen?	Pocket Park: Pine Glen? Frequently	Pocket Park: Pine Glen? Rarely	Pocket Park: Pine Glen? Never	Pocket Park: Pine Glen? Seasonally
River Road walking/biking?	River Road walking/biking? Frequently	River Road walking/biking? Rarely	River Road walking/biking? Never	River Road walking/biking? Seasonally
Hike Blueberry Hill Trail?	Hike Blueberry Hill Trail? Frequently	Hike Blueberry Hill Trail? Rarely	Hike Blueberry Hill Trail? Never	Hike Blueberry Hill Trail? Seasonally

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* 18. How important is it to you to have open space and recreational destinations in West Boylston accessible by:

	Important	Neutral	Unimportant
Walking	Walking Important	Walking Neutral	Walking Unimportant
Biking	Biking Important	Biking Neutral	Biking Unimportant
Automobile	Automobile Important	Automobile Neutral	Automobile Unimportant
Public transportation	Public transportation Important	Public transportation Neutral	Public transportation Unimportant

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* 19. Do you, or anyone in your household, have difficulty with:
Please mark only one answer per row.

	No	Some	A lot	Unable	Prefer not to answer
Seeing, even if wearing glasses	Seeing, even if wearing glasses No	Seeing, even if wearing glasses Some	Seeing, even if wearing glasses A lot	Seeing, even if wearing glasses Unable	Seeing, even if wearing glasses Prefer not to answer
Hearing, even if using hearing aid	Hearing, even if using hearing aid No	Hearing, even if using hearing aid Some	Hearing, even if using hearing aid A lot	Hearing, even if using hearing aid Unable	Hearing, even if using hearing aid Prefer not to answer
Walking or climbing stairs	Walking or climbing stairs No	Walking or climbing stairs Some	Walking or climbing stairs A lot	Walking or climbing stairs Unable	Walking or climbing stairs Prefer not to answer
Remembering or concentrating	Remembering or concentrating No	Remembering or concentrating Some	Remembering or concentrating A lot	Remembering or concentrating Unable	Remembering or concentrating Prefer not to answer
Communicating (understanding or being understood by others)	Communicating (understanding or being understood by others) No	Communicating (understanding or being understood by others) Some	Communicating (understanding or being understood by others) A lot	Communicating (understanding or being understood by others) Unable	Communicating (understanding or being understood by others) Prefer not to answer

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* 20. How satisfied are you with:
Please mark only one answer per row.

	Satisfied	Neutral	Unsatisfied
Existing recreational programs/opportunities for adults	Existing recreational programs/opportunities for adults Satisfied	Existing recreational programs/opportunities for adults Neutral	Existing recreational programs/opportunities for adults Unsatisfied
Existing recreational programs/opportunities for children	Existing recreational programs/opportunities for children Satisfied	Existing recreational programs/opportunities for children Neutral	Existing recreational programs/opportunities for children Unsatisfied
Existing recreational programs/opportunities for teens	Existing recreational programs/opportunities for teens Satisfied	Existing recreational programs/opportunities for teens Neutral	Existing recreational programs/opportunities for teens Unsatisfied
Existing recreational programs/opportunities for older/aging adults	Existing recreational programs/opportunities for older/aging adults Satisfied	Existing recreational programs/opportunities for older/aging adults Neutral	Existing recreational programs/opportunities for older/aging adults Unsatisfied
Existing indoor recreational programs	Existing indoor recreational programs Satisfied	Existing indoor recreational programs Neutral	Existing indoor recreational programs Unsatisfied
Existing outdoor recreational facilities	Existing outdoor recreational facilities Satisfied	Existing outdoor recreational facilities Neutral	Existing outdoor recreational facilities Unsatisfied
Existing trails/other passive recreation opportunities	Existing trails/other passive recreation opportunities Satisfied	Existing trails/other passive recreation opportunities Neutral	Existing trails/other passive recreation opportunities Unsatisfied
Existing sidewalks	Existing sidewalks Satisfied	Existing sidewalks Neutral	Existing sidewalks Unsatisfied
Existing parking facilities at West Boylston's open spaces	Existing parking facilities at West Boylston's open spaces Satisfied	Existing parking facilities at West Boylston's open spaces Neutral	Existing parking facilities at West Boylston's open spaces Unsatisfied

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* 21. Do you regularly travel to any nearby communities for open space and/or recreational opportunities?
Please list each community and the activity you travel there for.

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* 22. Are there any additional comments, suggestions, or questions that you would like to provide?

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* 23. How would you prefer to get information about open spaces and/or recreational opportunities and events in West Boylston?

School Community Bulletin or Listserve

Public bulletin boards

West Boylston website

Facebook

Other social media platforms (Instagram, X - formally Twitter, etc.)

Information from community groups or athletic leagues

Flyers or signs around Town

Word-of-mouth

Other (please specify)

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* 24. If you would like to receive information about the West Boylston Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP) update via email, please leave your name and email address below:

Name

Email Address

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* 25. What is your age?
Please mark only one age group.

Under 18

18-24

25-44

45-64

65 & older

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* 26. Do you have children under the age of 18 living with you?
Please mark only one answer.

Yes

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* 27. What is your household size?
Please mark only one answer.

5 or more

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* 28. Please check all that apply:

I live in West Boylston

I work in West Boylston

I own property in West Boylston

I visit West Boylston (but do not reside in West Boylston)

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* 29. If you live in West Boylston, please check all the reasons you chose to live here:

Accessibility to highways

Wachusett Reservoir and its surrounding open spaces

Recreational opportunities

Church life

Community life

Friends/family live here

Job opportunities

Library resources

Low crime/vandalism

Schools

Small town character

Other (please specify)

West Boylston 2024 Open Space and Recreation Plan Update