Open Space and Recreation Plan - public meeting Nov 14

The summary of the Open Space and Recreation Plan meeting on Saturday at the Franklin Library. Be sure to scroll down within the Storify summary to view all the details. There are links to the 2008 plan included.

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bocci court at the Senior Center

In the News: DelCarte reopens, wiffle ball tourney a hit

"After being closed for much of the season, the playground at the DelCarte Conservation Area reopened on Saturday. 

The Pleasant Street playground, which fits into the surrounding park with its resemblance to a tree, first opened in fall 2014, said Town Administrator Jeffrey Nutting. 

"We discovered this spring that a couple of cracks had developed in and around the playground equipment," he said. "We were concerned about what went wrong, so we called the company to fix it." 

Nutting said, after some time, the company came out do the needed repairs. 

"It's been closed all summer," Nutting said, noting that, while there was no warranty, the company did cover the cost of the work."

DelCarte playground has reopened after being repaired

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150822/NEWS/150828468/1994/NEWS

"Fletcher Field was packed with Wiffle ball players Saturday, with a several simultaneous games occurring side by side. 

The players were taking part in the Random Smile Project's Third Annual Wiffle Ball Tournament, an event designed to benefit the local charity. 

Colleen Swenson, one of the members of Random Smiles, said participation in this year's tournament was strong. 

"Right now, we have about 30 teams," she said. "Every year, we add on a few teams.""

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)
http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150822/NEWS/150828466/1994/NEWS

Good news on the DelCarte Playground - reopens Saturday, Aug 22

Steve

They are finishing the repairs to the Del Carte Playground and it will reopen on Saturday. Please spread the word

Jeff Nutting
Franklin Town Administrator


So the kids will be able to play again on Saturday, August 22

DelCarte playground

DelCarte playground currently closed pending repairs the week of Aug 17th

One of the updates tucked into the Town Administrator's section of the Town Council meeting last week was that the manufacturer was late coming to fix the playground equipment at DelCarte. 

Jeff Nutting acknowledged that the manufacturer was supposed to be here in July and their schedule changed to due to other commitments. They are now currently scheduled to be onsite during the week of Aug 17th.

DelCarte playground currently closed pending repairs the week of Aug 17th

Other updates from the Town Council meeting on Aug 5 can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2015/08/community-takes-exceptions-to-councilor.html

Note: the next Town Council meeting is scheduled for Sep 9.

dog walk at DelCarte Conservation Area - Jun 14

Sam Hogan will be hosting a dog walk at DelCarte Conservation Area on Pleasant St in Franklin on Sunday, June 14 from 12:00-1:30. 

Dog treats will be available for sale, and people going to the event are encouraged to donate a supply. All proceeds will benefit the North Attleboro Animal Shelter. 

Details are in the flyer shown here:

one of the large ponds at DelCarte

DelCarte Playground closed, trails wide open

The playground at DelCarte is closed for repairs. Apparently the winter weather created some separation on the support structures that is being checked out and repaired before the playground will be open.

We regret to inform you that the DelCarte Playground is not safe to use at this time and will be closed for repairs until further notice. 

Thank You for your patience!

there is a separation in the support columns that needs to be checked

another view of the closed playground

However, the trails are wide open and ready for you to explore! These photos were taken at the beginning of the month. By now, the leaves have fully broken out to create the green canopy.

along the waterside on one trail

at one of the dams

the new floating bridge allows for a complete trail loop

Photos from the official opening June 2014
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/06/delcarte-opening-day-photo-essay.html

photos from October 2013 (playground under construction)
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/10/delcarte-open-space-photo-essay.html

video from December 2012
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/12/delcarte-property-video.html

DelCarte Recreation

On my walk Saturday, I went out to DelCarte Recreation to walk some of the trails. There are three marked trails; red green and blue markers. With the leaves down, it can be a challenge to find the trail as the markers are posted on tree at about 8ft high. Most trails I have been walking usually have the trail markers more in normal eyesight 5-6ft off the ground. 

close up showing the key to the trail marking and length

full trail map (with unavoidable glare and shadows)

the new floating bridge was pretty solid in the ice on Saturday

the swans and some ducks found some open water in the distance

The trail map

DelCarte Recreation in the rain

Even in the rain, the DelCarte Recreation area is glorious on an autumn morning. The geese were busy about their business and no one else was around.

trees along the water line

DelCarte Recreation and Conservation Area sign

A 360 view of DelCarte on a rainy Saturday morning




For additional posts on DelCarte, you can follow this link
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#newwindow=1&q=franklinmatters.org%3A+Delcarte%2C+recreation

DelCarte Program - June 4, 2014

The program handed out at the ribbon cutting for the DelCarte Recreation and playground on Wednesday is available here for your reading (and download).

DelCarte Recreation and Conservation Area

The photos were here posted yesterday and also shared on Facebook

Post by Franklin Matters.

Please note: The recreation area is also conservation space so it will be a "what you carry in, you also carry out" place like other parks.

DelCarte Opening Day - Photo Essay

another sign by Cam, this at the entrance of the new playground and recreation area

Town administrator Jeff Nutting opened with his remarks to thanks all those involved

Town Council Chair Bob Vallee expressed his thanks to all involved

Senator Richard Ross had a few remarks and presented a letter of thanks to Franklin

Rep Jeff Roy's Legislative Aide Chris Yancich presented on behalf of Rep Roy

Conservation Commission Chair Jeff Livingstone also had a few remarks

then it was time for some eager youths to cut the ribbon to the playground

The site has a dedication to former Conservation Agent Nick Alfieri

close up of the dedication to Nick Alfieri

picnic tables have a view of the ponds

one of the native snapping turtles made an appearance

DelCarte Recreation and Conservation - Ribbon Cutting - Jun 4th, 5;00 PM

The DelCarte Playground Committee invites you to join us at the ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony celebrating the opening of the DelCarte Recreation and Conservation Area. The Town of Franklin recognizes Nick Alfieri for his endless commitment to the preservation of the environment which was instrumental to the creation of the trail system here for you all to utilize. 

Please join us at the DelCarte Recreation and Conservation Area

Wednesday, June 4, 2014   5:00 PM

Pleasant St

Franklin, MA

DelCarte Recreation and Conservation

Seasonal Video clips
Winter - http://www.franklinmatters.org/2014/03/delcarte-property-winter-wonderland.html
Fall - http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/10/delcarte-property-video.html
Dec 2012 - http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/12/delcarte-property-video.html

DelCarte Property - Winter wonderland (video)

Along the walk last Saturday, I stopped by the DelCarte Property. I captured some video from the dam and some photos as I followed a trail through the woods.

The video from the dam and a 360 degree view

DelCarte Open Space sign on Pleasant St

I think I should have brought my sled!

water and ice

culvert view of the dam

the swans found the open water

the playground does blend in with the winter trees

I can hardly wait for the snow to go sway so I can explore more of the trails.

In the News: ruled accidental, still in shock, invasive plants

The Norfolk District Attorney said that preliminary autopsy results show the deaths of two children trapped in a cedar chest were accidental. 

The statement also confirms that the chest manufactured by the Lane Furniture Co. of Altavista, Va, on July 13, 1939 had been recalled because of an unsafe locking mechanism.

Read more: http://www.wickedlocal.com/franklin/newsnow/x1266956844/Fund-created-by-family-member-of-children-who-died-in-accident#ixzz2qSneXq16

Still in shock over the loss of her daughter’s best friend, Dawn Powers kept repeating how Lexi and Sean Munroe were the "best kids a parent could ask for."

See more at: http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140115/NEWS/140119342#sthash.jrJ0IckQ.dpuf

Botanists with the New England Wild Flower Society have not found any trace of two of the more troublesome invasive plant species thought to have been present at the new DelCarte recreation park. 

See more at: http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20140115/NEWS/140119339/1994/NEWS#sthash.902pTZmG.dpuf

"Eradicating the entire infestation is all but impossible at this point"

The Milford Daily News reports on invasive plants found at the DelCarte Property.

Three invasive plant species have taken a foothold in the newly christened DelCarte recreation park, prompting the town’s tree warden and Conservation Commission to try to attenuate the infestation. 

The species are: kudzu, which, according to The Nature Conservancy, a charitable environmental organization, "is quite a killer, overtaking and growing over anything in its path"; oriental bittersweet, an invasive vine; and polygonum perfoliatum, known, among other names, as the mile-a-minute vine because of how fast it can spread. 

The state Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs has called invasive non-native plant species one of the two biggest threats to biodiversity in Massachusetts.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x915454113/Invasive-plants-threat-to-Franklins-DelCarte-park#ixzz2np2D7g9B

one bright day in October

These three plants are in addition to the one reported growing in the water.
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/the-phantom-ecologist-can-do-better.html

DelCarte Playground - December update

A walk around the new playground being set up at DelCarte Open Space along Pleasant St here in Franklin, MA.





Photos from the prior visit (includes links to prior DelCarte posts as well)
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/11/delcarte-playground-construction.html

DelCarte Playground - construction progress

I got out to the DelCarte Property last weekend to grab some photos of the new playground under construction. As reported here earlier, this work was approved by the Town Council as part of the repairs to the dam. Work remains to complete the playground and work remains to add some formal trails through the property to make it more accessible and enjoyable for Franklin residents and visitors.


The Town Council approval of the work occurred in March
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/03/delcarte-recreation-proposal.html

Playground - walk around

Playground - walk around - stairs and slides

playground walk around - that it looks like a tree fits nicely with the area

playground  walk around - side view

playground - yes, there'll be swings!

playground - facing Pleasant St, my back it to the water

playground - corner view

playground - completed the walk around - good place to start/end with

Other visits to the DelCarte space have produced video and photos including these samples

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/10/delcarte-open-space-photo-essay.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/08/delcarte-property-summer-time.html

http://www.franklinmatters.org/2012/12/delcarte-property-video.html

DelCarte Open Space (photo essay)

On my ride around Franklin on Saturday, I stopped by DelCarte to see the new foundation poured for the playground.

one view of the foundation

with back to Pleasant St, another view

From March, the display and information on the proposal for the playground.

playground model as displayed in March 2013

You can view additional info from the posting in March here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/03/delcarte-recreation-proposal.html

at the end of the dam

wonderful autumn color!

one swan a swimming

two swans a swimming

hmm, ok - wishing I had my telephoto lens

reflection #1

reflection #2

preening and eating