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Conservation Restrictions in Stow

Diamond-shaped sign saying "Conservation Restriction Boundary"Conservation restrictions (CRs) are voluntary legal agreements between a landowner and a conservation organization or agency, such as the Stow Conservation Commission or Stow Conservation Trust. They allow land to remain in private ownership while limiting future development in perpetuity.

Most CR land is NOT open for general public use. Each CR is tailored to the special features of the land. In most cases, the CR prohibits development and subdivision, road building, and other uses that would damage the land. CRs can allow for certain uses to continue, such as woodland management, farming, golf, and other recreational activities. 

There are 37 properties in Stow that are protected by Conservation Restrictions or Agricultural Preservation Restrictions, 22 of these are held or co-held by the Stow Conservation Commssion, totalling nearly 700 acres. A summary of the town's Conservation Restrictions is below:

North of Route 117/Great Road

Open for Public Use
  • Off Taylor Road - Fieldstone Property - 53 acres owned by Stow Conservation Trust
  • Off Red Acre Road and South Acton Road - Red Acre Woodlands - 199 acres owned by Stow Conservation Trust
  • Off Deerfield Lane - Crescent Farms Open Space - 13 acres owned by the Town of Stow
  • Off South Acton/West Acton - Shepherd Memorial Woodlands - 24.5 acres owned by Stow Conservation Trust
Not Open for Public Use
  • Off Harvard Road - Wedgewood Pines Country Club - 16 acres
  • Off West Acton Road - Highgrove Estates Open Space - 11 acres
  • Off Taylor Road - Taylor Road PCD Open Space - 9 acres

South of Route 117/Great Road

Open for Public Use
  • Off Hudson Road near Hudson Town Line - Kalousdian land - 21 acres owned by Stow Conservation Trust
  • Off Edgehill Road - Hale/Corzine Woodlands - 54 acres owned by Stow Conservation Trust
  • Off Treaty Elm Lane - Rising/Cohen Land - 30 acres owned by Stow Conservation Trust
  • Off Box Mill Road - Carver Hill Land - 79 acres with public trail easement
  • Off Gleasondale Road - Small Farm - 21 acres with public trail easement
Not Open for Public Use
  • Off Gleasondale Road and Wheeler Road - Butternut Golf Course - 24 acres
  • Off Apple Blossom Lane - Bolton Land - 26 acres
  • Off Hudson Road - Arbor Glen Open Space - 21 acres
For more information about Conservation Restrictions contact Stow Conservation Commission at 978-897-8615 or send email.