ARLINGTON VISION 2020

ENVIRONMENT TASK GROUP - RESERVOIR COMMITTEE

GOALS FOR THE ARLINGTON RESERVOIR

DRAFT DOCUMENT - 19 November 2001
  1. The dam and its spillway should be repaired to meet public safety considerations. 

  2. The path around the Reservoir should be retained and its vegetated state maintained so that it may continue to be used for birding and walking. The area from which vegetation is removed to meet state requirements should be as small as possible. Plantings (in planters if required) on the portion of the dam from which vegetation will be removed to meet state requirements should be provided. For each tree removed from the dam, at least one tree should be planted elsewhere in the Reservoir area, consistent with a landscape plan for the Reservoir area.

  3. The swimming area of the Reservoir should be retained for public swimming, unless to do so would be a serious threat to public safety.

  4. An ecological study should be undertaken to determine the impact on the existing flora and fauna of the current method of the Reservoir’s operation and of the impact of proposed changes to the Reservoir’s operation.

  5. There should be a landscape plan for the entire Reservoir area that includes:
  • Protection and improvement to wildlife habitat, including recognition of the Reservoir’s value as a regional birding location;
  • A design for the former "stump dump" area to include plantings, seating, and use for passive recreation;
  • A redesign of the beach and parking area that would allow the use of the playground and parking area year round;
  • Creation of a walking path around the entire Reservoir area that would be open year round without the need to walk on Lowell Street;
  • Use of native plants;
  • New signage;
  • Bicycle Racks.
  1. There should be a management structure and plan for the Reservoir and its watershed that includes:
  • Defined organizational roles and clear lines of authority and responsibility (e.g., roles of DPW, Park&Rec, ConComs, Health Department);
  • Identification and demarcation of Arlington’s town boundary through the Reservoir and of the property line showing Arlington’s ownership of the lands around the Reservoir (both in Arlington and Lexington);
  • Flood control operation;
  • Compliance with federal and state storm water requirements;
  • Maintenance and improvement of the vegetation;
  • Maintenance of the dam and spillways;
  • Maintenance and improvement of the swimming area;
  • Maintenance of the walking path, the bridge to Hurd Field, and the bridge over Munroe Brook;
  • Maintenance of Mill, Munroe, and Sickle Brooks to reduce the impacts of flooding and for ecological purposes;
  • Traffic and pedestrian safety;
  • Policing (e.g., to deter vandalism, underage drinking, and littering);
  • Maintenance and improvement to water quality (e.g., water chestnut removal, swimming area chlorination);
  • Funding to implement the management plan.