Take Part in the Wales Open Space and Recreation Plan Survey

The Town of Wales received a grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs for the purpose of creating an Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP). The OSRP evaluates Wales’ natural, cultural and historic resources; and recommends actions to be implemented over the next seven-years. The Wales Master Plan Implementation Committee (MPIC) is working with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC) and have developed a questionnaire to enable the public to provide valuable input about their park and open space use and preferences. The MPIC will use input from the following survey, along with information gathered from a Community Visioning Workshop to draft a 7-year "Action Plan" to manage, enhance, and protect Wales’ open space and its natural and man-made recreational resources. Public input is a critical aspect of the Plan.

Residents of Wales are also invited to attend the Community Visioning Workshop for the Open Space and Recreation Plan on Saturday March 9, 2024 at the Wales Elementary School Cafeteria. The event begins at 10:00am, with a discussion about Open Space and Recreation planning by PVPC Planner Angela Panaccione. Residents will then have the chance to participate in small group discussions to develop the plan’s vision, goals, and objectives to address how the community should pursue open space and recreation priorities over the next 7 years.

The Town needs this input to build its open space and recreation plan, a document required to qualify for state and federal funding and expansion projects. Please take a few minutes to answer all applicable questions. Thanks for your help!

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* 1. What types of lands do you feel are most important to protect?

Scenic properties or natural features

Surface water and wetland resources

Drinking water sources

Open space and conservation land for important wildlife habitat and climate resilience

Land for Active Recreation (baseball, softball, and soccer fields)

Land for Passive Recreation (hiking, walking, bicycling trails)

Buildings of historical or architectural interest

Places of historical or archaeological value

Working farms/farmland

Other (please specify)

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* 2. Please list the landscapes, views, locations and other outdoor experiences you think most symbolize Wales’ unique character and the parts of Wales that you “show off” to visitors and guests?

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* 3. Please list any historic sites (include artifacts, landscapes, and buildings) in Wales that the Town should make a priority to preserve.

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* 4. Are you interested in:

A site that allows water access for fishing or canoeing

ADA Accessible hiking, biking, trails on public lands in Wales

Expanded access to Norcross Lands

Activities involving the history of Wales

A fitness trail, accessible to all in the town center

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* 5. Which local farms/farmers markets or farm stands do you visit?

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* 6. Have you, or your family, participated in one of the following activities in the past 12 months; and if there was a town program or facility that offered the activity would you, or your family, use it?

	Are you or your family active in?	If there was a town program or facility that offered the activity, would you or your family use it?
ATV use	ATV use Are you or your family active in?	ATV use If there was a town program or facility that offered the activity, would you or your family use it?
Bicycling	Bicycling Are you or your family active in?	Bicycling If there was a town program or facility that offered the activity, would you or your family use it?
Boating	Boating Are you or your family active in?	Boating If there was a town program or facility that offered the activity, would you or your family use it?
Camping	Camping Are you or your family active in?	Camping If there was a town program or facility that offered the activity, would you or your family use it?
Canoeing/Kayaking	Canoeing/Kayaking Are you or your family active in?	Canoeing/Kayaking If there was a town program or facility that offered the activity, would you or your family use it?
Dancing	Dancing Are you or your family active in?	Dancing If there was a town program or facility that offered the activity, would you or your family use it?
Live Music	Live Music Are you or your family active in?	Live Music If there was a town program or facility that offered the activity, would you or your family use it?
Equestrian	Equestrian Are you or your family active in?	Equestrian If there was a town program or facility that offered the activity, would you or your family use it?
Fishing	Fishing Are you or your family active in?	Fishing If there was a town program or facility that offered the activity, would you or your family use it?
Geocaching	Geocaching Are you or your family active in?	Geocaching If there was a town program or facility that offered the activity, would you or your family use it?
Hiking	Hiking Are you or your family active in?	Hiking If there was a town program or facility that offered the activity, would you or your family use it?
Hunting	Hunting Are you or your family active in?	Hunting If there was a town program or facility that offered the activity, would you or your family use it?
Ice Skating	Ice Skating Are you or your family active in?	Ice Skating If there was a town program or facility that offered the activity, would you or your family use it?
Picnicking	Picnicking Are you or your family active in?	Picnicking If there was a town program or facility that offered the activity, would you or your family use it?
Running	Running Are you or your family active in?	Running If there was a town program or facility that offered the activity, would you or your family use it?
Skateboarding	Skateboarding Are you or your family active in?	Skateboarding If there was a town program or facility that offered the activity, would you or your family use it?
Snowmobiling	Snowmobiling Are you or your family active in?	Snowmobiling If there was a town program or facility that offered the activity, would you or your family use it?
Swimming	Swimming Are you or your family active in?	Swimming If there was a town program or facility that offered the activity, would you or your family use it?
X-country skiing	X-country skiing Are you or your family active in?	X-country skiing If there was a town program or facility that offered the activity, would you or your family use it?
Walking	Walking Are you or your family active in?	Walking If there was a town program or facility that offered the activity, would you or your family use it?

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* 7. Have you or your family participated in one of the following sports in the past 12 months; and if there was a town program or facility that offered the sport would you use it?

	Are you or your family active in?	If there was a town program or facility that offered the activity, would you or your family use it?
Baseball	Baseball Are you or your family active in?	Baseball If there was a town program or facility that offered the activity, would you or your family use it?
Basketball	Basketball Are you or your family active in?	Basketball If there was a town program or facility that offered the activity, would you or your family use it?
Field Hockey	Field Hockey Are you or your family active in?	Field Hockey If there was a town program or facility that offered the activity, would you or your family use it?
Football	Football Are you or your family active in?	Football If there was a town program or facility that offered the activity, would you or your family use it?
Golf	Golf Are you or your family active in?	Golf If there was a town program or facility that offered the activity, would you or your family use it?
Gymnastics	Gymnastics Are you or your family active in?	Gymnastics If there was a town program or facility that offered the activity, would you or your family use it?
Ice Hockey	Ice Hockey Are you or your family active in?	Ice Hockey If there was a town program or facility that offered the activity, would you or your family use it?
Lacrosse	Lacrosse Are you or your family active in?	Lacrosse If there was a town program or facility that offered the activity, would you or your family use it?
Softball	Softball Are you or your family active in?	Softball If there was a town program or facility that offered the activity, would you or your family use it?
Soccer	Soccer Are you or your family active in?	Soccer If there was a town program or facility that offered the activity, would you or your family use it?
Swimming	Swimming Are you or your family active in?	Swimming If there was a town program or facility that offered the activity, would you or your family use it?
Tennis	Tennis Are you or your family active in?	Tennis If there was a town program or facility that offered the activity, would you or your family use it?
Track & Field	Track & Field Are you or your family active in?	Track & Field If there was a town program or facility that offered the activity, would you or your family use it?
Volleyball	Volleyball Are you or your family active in?	Volleyball If there was a town program or facility that offered the activity, would you or your family use it?
Yoga/Tai Chi	Yoga/Tai Chi Are you or your family active in?	Yoga/Tai Chi If there was a town program or facility that offered the activity, would you or your family use it?
Cornhole	Cornhole Are you or your family active in?	Cornhole If there was a town program or facility that offered the activity, would you or your family use it?
Pickleball	Pickleball Are you or your family active in?	Pickleball If there was a town program or facility that offered the activity, would you or your family use it?

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* 8. Please rate the availability of recreational opportunities in Wales for the following groups.

	Very Good	Good	Adequate	Needs Improvement	Do Not Know
Pre-school children	Pre-school children Very Good	Pre-school children Good	Pre-school children Adequate	Pre-school children Needs Improvement	Pre-school children Do Not Know
Elementary children	Elementary children Very Good	Elementary children Good	Elementary children Adequate	Elementary children Needs Improvement	Elementary children Do Not Know
Teens/young adults	Teens/young adults Very Good	Teens/young adults Good	Teens/young adults Adequate	Teens/young adults Needs Improvement	Teens/young adults Do Not Know
Adults	Adults Very Good	Adults Good	Adults Adequate	Adults Needs Improvement	Adults Do Not Know
Seniors	Seniors Very Good	Seniors Good	Seniors Adequate	Seniors Needs Improvement	Seniors Do Not Know
People with disabilities	People with disabilities Very Good	People with disabilities Good	People with disabilities Adequate	People with disabilities Needs Improvement	People with disabilities Do Not Know

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* 9. How often do you or your family use the following recreational facilities/areas

	Often	Sometimes	Rarely	Never	I did not know this existed
Wales Elementary School fields or playground	Wales Elementary School fields or playground Often	Wales Elementary School fields or playground Sometimes	Wales Elementary School fields or playground Rarely	Wales Elementary School fields or playground Never	Wales Elementary School fields or playground I did not know this existed
Wales Elementary School Tennis Courts	Wales Elementary School Tennis Courts Often	Wales Elementary School Tennis Courts Sometimes	Wales Elementary School Tennis Courts Rarely	Wales Elementary School Tennis Courts Never	Wales Elementary School Tennis Courts I did not know this existed
Union Road Town Beach	Union Road Town Beach Often	Union Road Town Beach Sometimes	Union Road Town Beach Rarely	Union Road Town Beach Never	Union Road Town Beach I did not know this existed
Sichol’s Colony Boat Launch	Sichol’s Colony Boat Launch Often	Sichol’s Colony Boat Launch Sometimes	Sichol’s Colony Boat Launch Rarely	Sichol’s Colony Boat Launch Never	Sichol’s Colony Boat Launch I did not know this existed
Sichol’s Beach (beach or pavilion)	Sichol’s Beach (beach or pavilion) Often	Sichol’s Beach (beach or pavilion) Sometimes	Sichol’s Beach (beach or pavilion) Rarely	Sichol’s Beach (beach or pavilion) Never	Sichol’s Beach (beach or pavilion) I did not know this existed
Lake George Dam (off Rt. 19)	Lake George Dam (off Rt. 19) Often	Lake George Dam (off Rt. 19) Sometimes	Lake George Dam (off Rt. 19) Rarely	Lake George Dam (off Rt. 19) Never	Lake George Dam (off Rt. 19) I did not know this existed
Needham Park	Needham Park Often	Needham Park Sometimes	Needham Park Rarely	Needham Park Never	Needham Park I did not know this existed
Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary (walking paths and museum)	Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary (walking paths and museum) Often	Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary (walking paths and museum) Sometimes	Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary (walking paths and museum) Rarely	Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary (walking paths and museum) Never	Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary (walking paths and museum) I did not know this existed
Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary (talks, guided walks, and programs)	Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary (talks, guided walks, and programs) Often	Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary (talks, guided walks, and programs) Sometimes	Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary (talks, guided walks, and programs) Rarely	Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary (talks, guided walks, and programs) Never	Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary (talks, guided walks, and programs) I did not know this existed
Oak Haven Campground	Oak Haven Campground Often	Oak Haven Campground Sometimes	Oak Haven Campground Rarely	Oak Haven Campground Never	Oak Haven Campground I did not know this existed
Wales 100 acre woods (behind school)	Wales 100 acre woods (behind school) Often	Wales 100 acre woods (behind school) Sometimes	Wales 100 acre woods (behind school) Rarely	Wales 100 acre woods (behind school) Never	Wales 100 acre woods (behind school) I did not know this existed
Wales Public Library	Wales Public Library Often	Wales Public Library Sometimes	Wales Public Library Rarely	Wales Public Library Never	Wales Public Library I did not know this existed
Wales Fish and Game Club	Wales Fish and Game Club Often	Wales Fish and Game Club Sometimes	Wales Fish and Game Club Rarely	Wales Fish and Game Club Never	Wales Fish and Game Club I did not know this existed
Wales Shawville Pond (across from library)	Wales Shawville Pond (across from library) Often	Wales Shawville Pond (across from library) Sometimes	Wales Shawville Pond (across from library) Rarely	Wales Shawville Pond (across from library) Never	Wales Shawville Pond (across from library) I did not know this existed
Wales’ Old Town Hall and veteran’s memorial	Wales’ Old Town Hall and veteran’s memorial Often	Wales’ Old Town Hall and veteran’s memorial Sometimes	Wales’ Old Town Hall and veteran’s memorial Rarely	Wales’ Old Town Hall and veteran’s memorial Never	Wales’ Old Town Hall and veteran’s memorial I did not know this existed
Wales Senior Center	Wales Senior Center Often	Wales Senior Center Sometimes	Wales Senior Center Rarely	Wales Senior Center Never	Wales Senior Center I did not know this existed
Brimfield State Forest	Brimfield State Forest Often	Brimfield State Forest Sometimes	Brimfield State Forest Rarely	Brimfield State Forest Never	Brimfield State Forest I did not know this existed
Cemetery No. 1 – Union Rd	Cemetery No. 1 – Union Rd Often	Cemetery No. 1 – Union Rd Sometimes	Cemetery No. 1 – Union Rd Rarely	Cemetery No. 1 – Union Rd Never	Cemetery No. 1 – Union Rd I did not know this existed
Cemetery No. 2 – Main Street	Cemetery No. 2 – Main Street Often	Cemetery No. 2 – Main Street Sometimes	Cemetery No. 2 – Main Street Rarely	Cemetery No. 2 – Main Street Never	Cemetery No. 2 – Main Street I did not know this existed
Cemetery No. 3 – Laurel Hill Road	Cemetery No. 3 – Laurel Hill Road Often	Cemetery No. 3 – Laurel Hill Road Sometimes	Cemetery No. 3 – Laurel Hill Road Rarely	Cemetery No. 3 – Laurel Hill Road Never	Cemetery No. 3 – Laurel Hill Road I did not know this existed
Cemetery No. 4 – End of Laurel Hill Road (Green Cemetery)	Cemetery No. 4 – End of Laurel Hill Road (Green Cemetery) Often	Cemetery No. 4 – End of Laurel Hill Road (Green Cemetery) Sometimes	Cemetery No. 4 – End of Laurel Hill Road (Green Cemetery) Rarely	Cemetery No. 4 – End of Laurel Hill Road (Green Cemetery) Never	Cemetery No. 4 – End of Laurel Hill Road (Green Cemetery) I did not know this existed

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* 10. To what extent did the following factors affect your decision to live in Wales?

	Very important	Important	Somewhat important	Not important
Family	Family Very important	Family Important	Family Somewhat important	Family Not important
Job	Job Very important	Job Important	Job Somewhat important	Job Not important
Easy Commute	Easy Commute Very important	Easy Commute Important	Easy Commute Somewhat important	Easy Commute Not important
Cost of Living	Cost of Living Very important	Cost of Living Important	Cost of Living Somewhat important	Cost of Living Not important
Rural Character	Rural Character Very important	Rural Character Important	Rural Character Somewhat important	Rural Character Not important
Outdoor Recreation	Outdoor Recreation Very important	Outdoor Recreation Important	Outdoor Recreation Somewhat important	Outdoor Recreation Not important
Schools	Schools Very important	Schools Important	Schools Somewhat important	Schools Not important

Other (please specify)

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* 11. Which of the following would you support to preserve open space and recreation land in Wales?

Vote for town-supported land acquisition

Vote for town-supported purchase of trail easements or greenways connecting neighborhoods, schools, and downtown

Donate land to the Town

Donate money to a tax deductible “land acquisition fund”

Restrict the future development of your land

Sell land to the Town at a “bargain sale” price

Agree to a Conservation Restriction to protect your land from future development

The Community Preservation Act

A town Wetlands Protection Bylaw

A new Open Space Zoning District

Wales becoming a certified Green Community

Other (please specify)

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* 12. The term “residential growth” refers to new housing development. What residential growth policies do you favor for the Town?

Limit the number of new houses built per year

Limit the location of new houses on slopes greater than 15%

Limit the location of new houses to more than 100’ from any wetland

Limit the location of new houses on vista slopes

Residential Site Plan review requirement through Planning Board

No changes to the current policies governing residential growth in Town

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* 13. How long have you lived in Wales?

Less than one year

1-4 years

5-9 years

10-19 years

20-29 years

30+ years

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* 14. What is your Age?

Under 18

18-29

30-49

50-65

Over 65

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* 15. Approximately how many acres do you own in Wales?

None (We rent our home/Apartment)

Up to 3 acres

3-5 acres

6-9 acres

10-19 acres

More than 20 acres

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* 16. Optional: May we contact you with further information about upcoming meetings & events?

Name

Address

Address 2

Email Address

Phone Number