Open Space Committee
Town of Royalston, Massachusetts

 Information

This page provides updates on activities of the Royalston Open Space Committee, announces upcoming events of interest to property owners in town, and gives links to conservation and recreation resources. 

Current highlights:

1. NEW (March 2010)! One of the Action items in the new Open Space & Recreation Plan is to research the historic roads in town. This research will reveal which old roads are still public ways, which have been abandoned, and which have been discontinued. Click here to learn more about the old roads in Royalston.

2. NEW (February 2010)! The new Open Space & Recreation Plan was approved by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs on January 13, 2010. This plan covers the next seven years (January 2010-December 2016), and allows Royalston to apply for open space and recreation grants from the Department of Conservation Services. Click here to download the entire plan as a .PDF file (Note: LARGE FILE, 20 MB!). Or click here to download the 7-year action plan.

3. November 2008! Community Preservation Act passed in Royalston! Click here for more information.

4. Summer 2008! Royalston Heritage Landscape Inventory. Heritage landscapes are those special places and spaces that help define the character of our community and reflect its past. The Heritage Landscape Inventory Program builds upon prior landscape survey efforts to identify, document and plan for the protection of the heritage landscapes that are vital to the history, character and quality of life of our communities. Click here for the Royalston report.

5. January 2008! Governor's Smarth Growth/Smart Energy Toolkit. A website with modules, case studies, and slides to help communities plan for future growth. Click here for more information.

6. April 2007! Amendments to Chapter 61 make it easier for landowners to conserve land and realize tax benefits. Click here for more information.

7. Tax incentives for landowners who conserve their land! Click here for more information.

8. Seeking vernal pools!
Vernal pools are ponds that appear for only a few weeks to months in the early Spring. Because they are not fed by streams, they have no fish. Frogs, salamanders, clam shrimps and fairy shrimps (among other critters) therefore find vernal pools safe and excellent habitat in which to lay their eggs, free from fishy predators. A whole variety of animals are found only in the vernal pools of our area. April and May are ideal months in which to find vernal pools. Have you been hearing some mysterious "quacking" noises (without seeing any ducks; these may be woodfrogs calling) or found weird-looking jello-like egg masses popping up around a shallow pool along the road or in your woods? If so, send us an email! Vernal pools are important habitats and it would be nice to have a sense of where they are located in town.

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