‘The people shall have the right to clean air and water, freedom from excessive and unnecessary noise, and the natural, scenic, historic, and esthetic qualities of their environment; and the protection of the people in their right to the conservation, development and utilization of the agricultural, mineral, forest, water, air and other natural resources is hereby declared to be a public purpose’.
- Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution
The City of Haverhill has a wide variety of natural resources, open spaces, and recreational facilities. Open spaces are generally located outside the city center in areas where lakes, streams, ponds, forests, and farm pastures are located. Active recreational facilities are located in the more densely populated areas of the city. The protection of these lands is significant to providing sustainable sources of clean air and water, protecting wildlife habitat, and providing residents with beautiful landscapes, safe lifestyle environments, and improved quality of life. As the Massachusetts Division of Conservation Services aptly notes, “it is through thoughtful planning and active stewardship that Massachusetts’ open spaces, critical plant and animal habitats, neighborhood parks, and quality outdoor recreation facilities remain a part of our communities’ landscapes. Without planning, the appearance of a community, the lifestyle of its residents, and the condition of its natural resources can be dramatically altered in a short period of time due to ill-conceived changes in land use patterns.”
City of Haverhill Open Space and Recreation Plan - Plan Period: 2016 - 2023Americans With Disabilities Act Self Evaluation for the Open Space and Recreation Plan, 2012 - 2017 - Evaluation Prepared by Northeast Independent Living Program2016 Open Space & Recreation Community Vision Survey Results - Survey Period: 3.14.16 - 4.13.16
