Open Space and Recreation Plan Survey Results (Final)
 – 419 Responses – 11/6/06
[269 returns by mail & fax; 150 electronic returns]

1. Which general type of recreational facilities do you think the Town needs more within the next 5 years:

226      Active Recreational Facilities – Active recreation is generally defined as activities, usually of a formal nature and often performed with others, requiring equipment and taking place at prescribed places, sites, or fields.  Examples are swimming, tennis, baseball and other field sports, track, biking, playground

162      Passive Recreational Facilities – Passive recreation is generally defined as activities not requiring special facilities or organized recreation, such as walking, picnicking, nature study, card games, and similar table games.

46        None – Town has sufficient recreational facilities.

Comments:

Put a question mark in Active - Not sure

Checked "Active Rec." - But within reason - no fields!

Checked "Passive Rec." - Canoeing, kayaking, fishing

Checked "None" - Don't spend any more $!

Checked "None" - I understand that the Baypath Humane Society of Hopkinton needs/wants its own land and place. Is there land for that purpose? There isn't enough land for those animals. The staff does the best it can.

Checked "Passive Rec." - or additional taxes

Trails for hiking, biking and outdoor activities

Checked "Active Rec." - If needed!

Checked "None" - Just biking

We need more industry not fields

Dog park

2. Please select and rank ten of the following open space preservation considerations according to their importance, from 1 to 10, with 1 being the most important and 10 being the least important to you.

 

Total

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Drinking water aquifer protection

2828

152

42

37

29

31

21

19

11

9

13

Wildlife habitat preservation

2155

34

44

51

42

50

39

25

20

21

20

Rural/town character

2040

39

43

45

41

38

29

29

26

18

13

Wetlands preservation

1948

23

48

43

43

42

33

22

22

26

18

Bike path

1934

44

56

35

37

29

16

18

23

15

26

Passive recreation

1896

28

34

38

37

51

36

28

24

24

29

Active recreation

1813

97

28

24

15

17

14

9

14

8

28

Scenic vistas/views

1544

18

29

24

38

36

27

27

38

26

20

Greenway/greenbelt through the Town

1246

17

21

20

28

17

35

23

27

22

37

Farm/community farm/agricultural uses

1201

10

20

21

14

33

28

26

30

43

37

Unique or rare plants/old trees

1123

12

8

27

24

29

20

36

23

18

24

Environmental education

940

9

19

15

17

13

18

24

20

39

38

Nature study

819

6

6

11

14

17

24

27

28

30

45

Horse trails

634

10

7

5

8

14

18

21

16

16

37

Geologic formations

529

6

2

7

12

10

11

16

17

23

35

The "Total" number is a calculation of the no. of responses in each number category multiplied by 10 for 1, 9 for 2, 8 for 3, etc.

Comments:
Wow, this task was challenging - they are all good reasons!
Gave "nature study" a "3" and added next to it - /enjoyment
Gave "scenic vistas/views" a "1" and added next to it - Lake Whitehall
ATV use
Low income housing #1!
Gave "passive recreation" a "1" and added next to it - hiking trails
Added a new category of "rustic trails" and gave it a "2"
Added a new category of "hiking trails" and gave it a "9"
Re "Drinking water aquifer protection" - including groundwater recharge of treated effluent
Re "passive recreation" - 24% of our land is already open space
Gave "geologic formations" a "4" - would have protected against high density housing complexes

 3. Please check off up to 5 of the most important recreational facilities you feel are needed in Hopkinton.

 

Total

Bicycle trails

223

Walking/hiking trails

201

Conservation areas

173

Swimming pool

164

Athletic fields

164

Indoor recreation center

117

Cross country ski trails

113

Community farm

111

Indoor ice arena

104

Children's play areas

83

Horseback riding trails

57

Picnic areas

55

Outdoor performance center

48

Hunting/fishing

45

Tennis courts

41

Boat ramp

36

Dirt bike trails

26

ATV trails

23

Snowmobile trails

23

Basketball courts

20

Skateboard park

13

other:
Bike trails connecting West Main St. to Town and sidewalks - 2 responses
Buffer around Hopkinton Reservoir & Whitehall Reservoir - protect views/quiet
Community center (pool, rec. center, class/meeting rooms)
Dog park - 3 responses
Driving range for golf
Expanded community weight room hours at the High School
Give teens a safe place to go and fellowship together
Hockey rink
Indoor swimming pool
Neighborhood parks
None - 3 responses
Off-leash dog areas
Outdoor skating pond for family use
Outside skating - clear and maintained
Public golf course
Racquetball courts
Rollerblading
Snowmobile trail system
Soccer artificial turf
soccer fields
Teen center
Walkways on West Main St. to the center of Town
Comments:
Checked "walking/hiking" and noted - enough [illegible word] now if utilized
Did not check ATV trails and noted next to it - NO
Checked "bicycle trails" and noted - get these speed bikes out of these winding roads!! - hazardous to all!
Checked "walking/hiking trails" and added - Maintenance of trail bridges around Lake Whitehall
Money for education should come first
Re: indoor ice arena - if it would support itself or perhaps even make a profit.
I'd like to see a Smithsonian-like museum on the Weston property, albeit of a smaller scale
Has anyone ever proposed a children's water park like Northboro's?
Recreational facilities are needed for the physically/mentally challenged and seniors
Re hunting - Definitely not!
I would like to see a YMCA in Hopkinton
Maintain picnic tables at Sandy Beach
Open fields for use by anyone for any activity, pick up games, etc., no lines or goals.
Re athletic fields - artificial turf field
Re dirt bike trails - mountain bike
Re indoor recreation center - teen center
Dog park - a safe place for dogs to be off leash, exercise, socialize and not bother people who do not like dogs running loose.
Dog park - would be great for the community
The least motorized traffic on paths and lakes the better
Golf driving range

4. Some of the local trail systems are well known and others are not.  Which of the following marked Town trail systems do you know about?

 

Total

College Rock Park

194

Town Forest

173

Berry Acres

95

Hopkinton Highlands/Sands/HALT trails

90

Cameron Highlands

73

Karl Mighton Memorial/HALT trail

73

Wiley Woods/HALT

65

Sudbury Valley Trustees/Wedgewood Dr .

62

Susan M. DeGozzaldi HALT trail

57

Comments:
Did not check any - Purchasing the Hopkinton Trail Book is on my to-do list
Familiar with "HALT" but don't know where any of these trails are
None. Could a pamphlet listing them with directions be sent with the census forms?
Good indicator of the value of these trail systems - my family is not aware of any.
I've been out of town for several years - would like more maps of trails and parking for each!
I don't know any of these trails - I hike the State Park and Upton State Forest , but would do more.
Would love to know where all these are!
Is there any way to find out more about them?
I occasionally walk on some trails, but don't know their names.
Send everyone in town a map - I never heard of a single one of these!
I have lived here for 35 yrs. And have not heard of these trails

5. How satisfied are you with the amount of space available in town for recreational use by children and youth?

64

Very satisfied

150

Satisfied

113

Dissatisfied

55

Very dissatisfied

37

Don't know
Comments:
Need swimming pool, bike/walking trails
Checked "very satisfied" - I believe the space for children is more than enough
Checked "satisfied" - But wish that the soccer field by the Whitehall/Reed Park tennis courts wasn't regularly flooded/swampy
Would like a pool and more baseball and soccer fields
Checked "satisfied" - with exception of needing more fields
Checked "dissatisfied" - I feel school & town could work together to better use school fields
Checked "dissatisfied" - Because need a town pool & playground area

6. How satisfied are you with the amount of space available in town for recreational use by adults?

48

Very satisfied

187

Satisfied

109

Dissatisfied

38

Very dissatisfied

35

Don't know
Comments:
Checked "very dissatisfied" - Children are allowed everywhere

7. How satisfied are you with the current condition of town recreational facilities?

46

Very satisfied

205

Satisfied

91

Dissatisfied

37

Very dissatisfied

36

Don't know
Comments:
Checked "very dissatisfied" - We have given too much money for the poor planning and upkeep of fields that are swampy
Checked both "satisfied" and "dissatisfied" - Some are good. Some are terrible.
Left blank - Depends entirely on which facility is being considered
Checked "dissatisfied" - But have seen improvement, especially the paved road to EMC Park
Some, like Pyne Field, are not in good condition
Although some baseball/soccer fields are very nice, others are inadequate at best
Need to resurface Reed Park t