Conservation Parkland system and Greenways in the Bridgewaters
Today there is a vision and a huge effort across the state to link hundreds of local open spaces to parks, natural resource areas, and important community features.
West Bridgewater’s Open Space and Recreation Plan embraces this vision with the goal of connecting town-owned conservation areas to the nationaly recognizes Bay Circut Trail and historically important Town River, to form a network of trails within the town. This goal satisfies a diverse set of environmental, economical, educational, and social needs.
Connecting Greenways
Greenways are corridors of land and water and the natural cultural and recreational resources they link together. A riverfront walkway, bicycle paths, an urban walking trail connecting historical sites and neighborhood parks, a wildlife migration corridor, and a series of open spaces joined by trails are all examples of greenways.
The Town River Protected at Both Ends
The historical Nunckatessett River, known today as Town River, originates in the largest freshwater wetland system in Massachusetts, the Hockomock Swamp, a protected area of Critical Environmental Concern. The 12 mile Town River corridor is one of the earliest areas of colonial settlement with the first church built in 1651, and the very first inland sawmill and grist mill founded in 1654. The Town and Matfield Rivers converge to form the Wild and Scenic Taunton River, federally protected under the National Park Service.
The Bay Circut Trail
The 200 mile Bay Circut Trail links parks, open spaces, and waterways from Plum Island around Boston to Kingston Bay through a greenway located in 50 neighboring communities. Recognized nationally the BCT travels through West Bridgewater, Bridgewater, and East Bridgewater.
Project Partnership
The map was produced in partnership with the West Bridgewater Department of Conservation, Preservation, and Recreation. Kitty Doherty at Riverland Consulting and Scott Lussier of Suffolk University, in harmony with the Town Master Plan and Open Space and Recreation Plan in August 2009. Base data from ESRI online. This map is for planning purposes only.