Norwood Recreation Needs More Space-July 15, 1971

The need for increased recreational space in Norwood was a pressing concern in the summer of 1971. According to Recreation Director Kevin Dixon, the town required at least twice as much recreation space as it currently had. This assessment was based on figures that took into account the growing population and the importance of providing adequate facilities for residents.

Dixon emphasized the need for hockey rinks, citing their popularity among local youth. He also highlighted the importance of acquiring spaces that were not affected by the expansion of Boston’s buffer zone between Logan Airport and Norwood. The director predicted that the expansion of Logan Airport with more runways would lead to increased noise pollution and air traffic, making it essential to find alternative locations for recreational activities.

The report recommended purchasing Ellis Pond, which was seen as a satellite of Logan Airport, and acquiring lands along the banks of Purgatory Brook for conservation and recreation purposes. The Wilson Street site was also identified as a potential location for a Little League field and tax title land, with the possibility of developing it into an industrial area or ski resort.

Dixon suggested that one way to acquire more recreational land was through the transfer of tax title lands. He advised that with 30,000 residents, Norwood needed at least 300 acres of recreation space, which was significantly higher than the current 148 acres available. The director emphasized the importance of providing adequate facilities for residents, stating that Federal ratios advise one acre of recreation land per 100 residents.

The master plan committee had been working on a long-range plan for conservation and recreation in Norwood. However, the report would not be released to the public until it was reviewed and finalized by the commission. The committee’s chairman, John J. Duffy, stated that he thought the five-man board appointed by selectmen to develop a master plan for conservation and recreation had done an excellent job.

The plan included preservation of the marsh along the Neponset River for flood control and wildlife habitat. It also recommended developing the University conservation area with nature trails and acquiring tax title land as a ski area or industrial site. The wetlands in the Hartshorn Swale area were seen as suitable for development, but it was noted that adjacent property owned by Dr. William Lovell could contaminate nearby wells.

The construction of a tot lot playground on the far side of Route 1 was also recommended. Although the road construction project had stalled due to prohibitive costs, Dixon predicted that it would eventually be completed. The director called for a minimum of 10 acres in the Sumner Street area, which was separated by Route 1 and lacked playground facilities.

The master plan committee’s report highlighted the need for increased recreational space in Norwood, emphasizing the importance of providing adequate facilities for residents. The report recommended acquiring more land through transfer of tax title lands and developing existing spaces to meet the growing needs of the community.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger