HOLDEN — A Conservation Restriction from the White Oak Land Conservation Society for over 100 acres of open space off Salisbury Street was approved by selectmen at their March 6 meeting.
“The town will hold a conservation restriction on that so it will never be developed,” Scott Morrison of White Oaks said. The effort has been in the works for more than two years, with the town contributing $250,000 for acquiring the land, he said.
Volunteers continue to work on the area, Morrison said, planning an eight-spot parking area and trails, although it is not yet open to the public.
“We hope in the next couple months we will have trails, parking and get signs out there and have a grand opening,” Morrison said.
Selectmen also got an update on work by the Inclusive Access Playground Committee.
Stephanie Klink said the group had originally focused on a playground, “but we want to create a park-like atmosphere.”
Having gotten funding for design work, “we still have some challenges in determining a funding strategy,” she said. “There are a lot of uncertainties, so we don’t feel that it is the right timeline.”
She said that because grant funding is anticipated, the supporters feel it is too early to request funding.
Selectmen Chairman Anthony Renzoni said, “This will be a 30-year project; we should take the time to do it right. It will take a couple years to see something like this through and do it right.” He said it would be an “all inclusive, multigenerational park, for every ability.”
