Land Protection Planning and Special Projects
The Conservation Commission is responsible for developing and maintaining the town’s Open Space and Recreation Plan and works closely with the Stow Open Space Committee and nonprofit Stow Conservation Trust as well as other area conservation organizations and agencies to identify and prioritize additional land for protection. To be eligible for state grants to buy land, a municipality must have an approved Open Space and Recreation Plan on file with the state. The Commission also has a seat on Stow’s Community Preservation Committee to advise and make recommendations for expenditures from Stow’s Community Preservation Fund.
Land Conservation Projects
Stow Acres (2021-2023) - Stow Acres is the town’s largest golf course and its largest undeveloped property in a single ownership. The property contains significant conservation values – including riparian corridors along Elizabeth Brook and the Assabet River, scenic views from Randall Road and Gleasondale Road, and opportunities for significant landscape scale conservation and restoration. The 2016 Open Space and Recreation Plan identifies planning for the protection of Stow’s “at-risk” golf course properties as one of the Town’s highest priorities.
An innovative partnership that includes the Stow Planning Department, Stow Conservation Department, Stow Conservation Trust, a private developer, and the owner of Stow Acres worked for two years to develop a master plan vision for the property. This effort was supported by the professional planning and landscape design firm of Dodson and Flinker, Inc. A key goal of the planning effort was to link implementation of the vision on both the North and South courses, allowing the town to pursue a unified approach for the entire property. These concept plans received widespread community support. Together, the parties identified priority locations to focus development and areas that have the highest conservation and recreation values – including potential recreational trails, ballfields, and conserved corridors along Elizabeth Brook and the Assabet River. Future development would help the town meet its affordable housing requirements under Chapter 40B and enhance overall housing diversity in Stow.
At Annual Town Meeting in 2021, the Town voted overwhelmingly to purchase a Conservation Restriction on 151 acres comprising the South Course of Stow Acres for $1.5 million in Community Preservation Funds, as the first step toward a larger property-wide master plan vision. The Stow Conservation Commission and Stow Conservation Trust acquired the Conservation Restriction in December 2021, permanently protecting the South Course and providing for the creation of a public access trail around the perimeter of the golf course.
The second phase purchase was approved overwhelmingly by Special Town Meeting in October 2021 using $2.5 million in Community Preservation Funds plus an additional $1 million which will need to be raised from gifts and grants in 2022. The town acquired 109 acres of the North Course for conservation and recreation purposes subject to Stow Acres retaining the right to continue golf use on a portion of the land for up to 10 years. The remainder of the North Course is being sold by Stow Acres to MCO & Associates which plans to develop a mixed income housing development on the land. The town will also begin working to develop a master plan for the conservation and recreation uses in 2023.
For more information on the Stow Acres project please see the green "Stow Acres" tab on the left side of this page.
Hallock Point (2020-2021) - The Town purchased the majority of Hallock Point on Lake Boon through the Chapter 61 right of first refusal process. This effort involved the Lake Boon Commission, Lake Boon Association, and Stow Conservation Trust working in partnership with the Stow Conservation Commission. A local fundraising campaign exceeded its goal and two lots have been sold for development to help make up the purchase price. The property is now open for public use.
Kunelius Property (2018) - The Town worked collaboratively with Stow Conservation Trust (SCT) and the Stow Municipal Affordable Housing Trust (SMAHT) to acquire a 50 acre parcel on Red Acre Road for conservation and affordable housing purposes. This long sought conservation priority knits together the Captain Sargent Conservation Area with Red Acre Woodlands, creating a contigous block of conserved land. The purchase was funded by the Town's Community Preservation Fund and by SMAHT. A new trail was created in 2021 which allows exploration of the upland portion of this property. Access is via Red Acre Road and Tuttle Lane. A conceptual 4-6 unit housing development on a portion of the land has received neighborhood support and will proceed to more formal design and permitting under the leadership of SMAHT. The purchase was approved at Annual Town Meeting in May 2018 and closed later that month.
Map of Kunelius Property and Surrounding Area
Carver Hill Orchards (2018) - Town Meeting voted overwhelmingly in May 2017 to expend $1.4 million in Community Preservation Funds to purchase a permanent conservation restriction on approximately 78 acres of land at Carver Hill Orchards owned by the Jean F. Lord Trust. The Town and Stow Conservation Trust raised the remaining funds to meet the $2 million purchase price. The Town received a LAND Grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs for $275,000 toward the purchase. The Conservation Commission and Stow Conservation Trust co-hold the conservation restriction which includes a public trail easement connecting to Stow Town Forest from a parking area near the intersection of Box Mill Road and Brookside Avenue.
Small Farm (2018) - Town Meeting also voted overwhelmingly in May 2017 to expend $275,000 in Community Preservation Funds to purchase a permanent conservation restriction on Small Farm, owned by Dwight Sipler on Gleasondale Road. Stow Conservation Trust raised public and private funds to cover the balance of the $300,000 purchase price, including a Conservation Partnership Grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs. The Conservation Commission and Stow Conservation Trust co-hold the conservation restriction which includes a public trail easement.
More information on Carver Hill and Small Farm
323 Great Road/Town Center Park - The Recreation Department, Conservation Department, Open Space Committee and Stow Conservation Trust worked together create a park in Stow's Town Center on town-owned land at 323 Great Road (behind High Rock Church). A grand opening was held in October 2019 with future improvements on the drawing board.
Stow's 2016 Open Space and Recreation Plan
Stow's Open Space and Recreation Plan contains an inventory of the Town's Conservation and Recreation Lands, and identifies needs and recommendations for the future. You can read and download the plan here. The Plan will be updated in 2022.