Billerica Opens Second Forum to Shape Seven-Year Open Space and Recreation Plan

BILLERICA -- January 17, 2024, Billerica's Open Space and Recreation Plan Committee held its second public forum Wednesday to gather resident input for the town's seven-year open space plan, which determines eligibility for multiple state conservation and park grants. Chairman Michael Rosner led the session alongside Vice Chairman John Bartlett, Secretary Marlise Henderson, and member Justin Damon, with planning consultants from Dodson and Flinker presenting preliminary community survey results and a town-wide environmental overview. The survey identified off-street bike paths and paved trail connections as residents' top desires, with Vietnam Veterans Park, Peggy Henry Rizzo complex, and Billerica Town Common named as the most-visited open spaces. Consultants noted that 10 percent of Billerica's land area, roughly 1,700 acres, is permanently protected, and that eight census blocks now qualify as environmental justice neighborhoods. The Yankee Doodle Bikeway, connecting the southern end of Billerica to the high school and to the Minuteman Bikeway, was described as set to begin construction shortly. A third public forum is tentatively planned for March 20.