In September 2004, the Ledyard Town Council established an Open Space Committee to research and report the best possible ways to recognize and preserve open space and manage town-owned open space, balancing the needs of the community and the environment.
Working within the regulations in place, the Open Space Committee presented its proposed open space plan to the town in 2006. Recently, the plan was referred to the Ledyard Planning Commission for review before the process continues any further. The proposed plan has been posted on the Ledyard town Web site, www.town.ledyard.ct.us, for public viewing, and the Planning Commission is now seeking feedback from Ledyard and Gales Ferry residents to help assess the plan.
“As the Planning Commission works on how best to incorporate the recommendations of the Open Space Committee, we are seeking public comment and input,” Planning Commission Chairman Mike Cherry wrote on the forum page of the new Ledyard community Web site, www.ledyardonline.com.
The five-page plan details the various ways in which to accomplish the plan’s main goals and objectives, which include:
• Protect existing waterways including the Thames River and Long Island Sound watershed.
• Protect all sources of public drinking water.
• Conserve wildlife habitat improving the biodiversity of the region.
• Expand the size of existing open space areas, work in unison with neighboring towns to establish “greenway trails,” connecting isolated open space areas.
• Conserve socially and culturally significant properties.
• Establish additional sites for recreation.
• Protect the unique naturally occurring features of Ledyard, including the boulder moraines, wetlands, and tidal basins.
• Preserve rich agricultural land.
• Reduce the town’s expenses for infrastructure maintenance.
In requesting public input, Cherry raised a number of questions. How much land should be designated as open space? What incentives should land owners receive for setting aside open space?
Residents interested in commenting on the proposed plan can join the online discussions on the forum page of www.ledyardonline.com as well as on www.ledyardplanning.wordpress.com.