Medford to Undertake Action Plan for Recreational Spaces

Medford is in the early stages of creating a seven-year plan that will include upgrading and preserving city parks and recreational facilities, the city's community development department announced Monday.

The plan will aim to create a unified vision and goals for preserving and upgrading the city’s natural and physical recreational facilities, according to a press release from Lauren DiLorenzo, Director of the Office of Community Development.

The first of several public meetings on the plan will be held April 6 at 6 p.m. in City Hall chambers.

The City intends to complete a draft open space and recreation plan by June 15, 2011, DiLorenzo said in the release.

Mayor Michael McGlynn has engaged the city with development firm Weston and Sampson, which will work with the Office of Community Development, the Energy and Environment Office, the Open Space Committee and the public to create the 7-year plan, the press release said.

The city's Historic Commission, Historical Society, Park Board, Conservation Commission, Hormel Commission, local elected officials and representatives of key municipal departments will all be involved in developing the plan, the press release said.

As part of the plan, an inventory will be made of all parks and other recreation resources, reviewing their  condition and handicap accessibility, the press release said. Meetings will be held in order to receive public input and to present the draft plan.