How This
Management Plan Was Prepared
The
Natural Resources Trust of Bridgewater (NRTB), working with graduate students
of the Conway School of Landscape Design (CSLD), prepared the Wyman Meadow
park design and initial management plan in the spring of 2002.Graham
Claydon of Nature's Refuge Landscape Design in Shirley, MA prepared this
management plan and handbook after graduation from CSLD.
The park design and
management plan was the result of a public process that involved Bridgewater
residents and representatives of Massachusetts's state agencies.There
were a variety of publicly advertised opportunities for input into both
of these plans.A public meeting
was held at Bridgewater State College in May, when goals and objectives
along with analyses and design concepts were presented.Comments
were received from neighbors, land stewards, and interested town residents.On
June 2, 2002 a land steward accompanied Graham Claydon on a site visit
to review the conservation area and perform a Biodiversity Day inventory.On
June 19, 2002, final presentations of the park design recommendations and
the initial management plan were made at Bridgewater State College.
Context
Wyman
Meadow is one component of Bridgewater's developing Family of Parks - currently
one of seven.These sites offer different
conservation values and passive recreational experiences for the residents
of Bridgewater.These parks connect
to the Bay Circuit Trail System around Boston, and are part of the bigger
regional Taunton Heritage River Park System.The
Taunton River is included in the Federal Wild & Scenic River Feasibility
Study now being conducted by the National Park Service.
The
NRTB is coordinating the initial development of this local project, providing
the Town of Bridgewater with a turnkey park facility.The
park is to be governed by the Municipal Park Commission who will work with
the town maintenance staff, volunteers, and stewards to ensure the smooth
operation of the park.
Introduction
This
management plan is a guide for the future development of the Wyman Meadow
Conservation Area on Plymouth Street in Bridgewater.This
is a working document; ongoing modification will reflect the changing needs
and conditions of the community.However,
changes need deliberate and careful consideration.It
is suggested that a review of the document occur in conjunction with rhythmic
updating of the Community Open Space & Recreation Plan.
Description
and History
Bordering Wyman
Meadow to the northeast, Plymouth Street used to be on the stagecoach route
from Boston to Plymouth. There
once was a hay barn and dairy barn adjacent to the road on the west of
the park entrance.One of these served
as a stagecoach stop and provided fresh horses for the stagecoach.The
barns were removed in the 1970s.This
55-acre site has a long agricultural history as a dairy farm.It
became part of the Wyman Farm Complex in 1954, being approximately one
mile from the main farm.In 1985,
the Wyman Farm was voted Dairy Farm of the Year.In
1987, Wyman Meadow ceased operation as part of a dairy farm but was used
for beef cattle and hay until the Town of Bridgewater purchased the property
with a self-help grant in 1999.Most
of this conservation area has been maintained as hayfield through grazing
and annual mowing.
Located on the northeast
side of Bridgewater, Wyman Meadow is bordered to the north by five homes
along Plymouth Street.A new housing
development with a cul-de-sac and up to ten homes is planned for the abutting
northwest woodland.Bridgewater-Raynham
Sand and Stone, a large sand and gravel quarry, borders the property to
the southwest.
The southern property
boundary includes over 1,750 feet of frontage along the Taunton River.The
property across the river to the south is currently protected forestland
under Massachusetts Chapter 61 program, although this fragile protection
could be short-lived.The land to
the east of Wyman Meadow is privately owned woodland.
Wyman Meadow maintains
40 feet of frontage on Plymouth Street, which provides the park's only
legal access.A gravel road continues
south from Plymouth Street to an informal parking area.Beyond
the parking area, a water department easement continues as an un-maintained
tractor path.A barbed-wire fence
extends along the woodland edge on the northwestern and northeastern property
boundaries and along an unnamed stream that bisects the property as it
flows to the Taunton River.
A bridge consisting
of a 30' diameter corrugated metal pipe topped with a steel plate crosses
the stream.Another unnamed stream
enters the property from Plymouth Street along the northeastern property
line, and the two streams join before entering the river.The
western fence line continues to a large un-vegetated sandpit, which is
indistinguishable from the privately owned sand and gravel quarry to the
west.
This area is heavily
used by all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).The
southern portion of the sandpit has recently been filled and graded, and
a fence runs along the property boundary toward the river.
To the east of the
sandpit is a knoll containing on open oak forest with little understory.The
field on the knoll supports a variety of native and agricultural grasses,
sedges, and forbs that prefer drier conditions.A
multiflora rose hedge along the southern edge of the field is spreading
to the oak forest.Wyman Meadow supports
several types of vegetation, including cattail marsh, wet meadow, grassland,
forested wetland, shrub swamp, floodplain, and a potential sandplain community.Invasive
exotic plants are aggressively colonizing the southern meadow and may threaten
the health and biodiversity of native plants and animals if left uncontrolled.
Vegetation
There
are seven different habitats on the site:
-
cattail marsh dominated by the broad-leafed
cattail ( Typha latifolia),
-
wet meadow with native and agricultural
grasses, wildflowers and forbs,
-
forested wetland with mature white pine
( Pinus strobus) and red maple ( Acer rubrum),
-
shrub swamp hosting speckled alder (Alnus
serrulata), red osier dogwood (Cornus stolonifera), and highbush blueberry
(Vaccinium corymbosa),
-
oak forest with oaks such as black oak
(Quercus velutina) and white oak (Quercus alba),
-
grassland with native and agricultural
grasses, wildflowers and forbs,
-
floodplain with speckled alder (Alnus serrulata),
red osier dogwood (Cornus stolonifera), and goldenrod (Solidago sp.).
Soils
The vegetation
at Wyman Meadow reflects the wet soils present on site.Most
of the soils are sandy and silty loams, which are saturated up to nine
months of the year.Since much of
the well-draining soils have been disturbed, mostly sand remains.There
is little or no organic matter in these soils, which may be droughty in
summer.Soils along the river consist
of Saco very fine sandy loam land subject to flooding and constantly wet,
Belgrade silt loam, which is poorly drained and erosion prone and is the
predominant soil throughout the site.A
narrow band of Birdsall silt loam extends to the river; this soil is poorly
drained with frequent standing water.Merrimac
sandy loam, a well-drained soil that is underlain with gravel, borders
the river for a short distance and extends towards the sandpit.The
sandpit and knoll are also well drained consisting of Hinckley gravely,
loamy sand that has a low organic content and is droughty.The
three other soils on the site -Raynham silt loam, Scarboro sandy loam,
and Belgrade silt loam are all poorly drained soils.The
wet soils will influence where trails will go and may require boardwalks
if trails must cross them.These
wet soils also create specific habitats for wildlife.
Slopes
A
gentle slope from an elevation of 50 feet at Plymouth Street descends to
29 feet close to the knoll before sloping up to the top of the knoll at
just above 60 feet.The land slopes
down to the river at an end elevation of approximately 25 feet with steep
banks along most of the river.Much
of Wyman Meadow is nearly flat, with a slope of less than five percent.
Many of these areas have potential to be universally accessible, but are
often wet.Some areas are somewhat
steep, which improves drainage.The
rolling hills provide opportunities for sledding and cross-country skiing.The
steepest areas should be avoided to protect the land and vegetation from
eroding.Most slopes are gentle and
do not limit accessibility.Most
of the steeper slopes are around the knoll.
Drainage
Water drains well
where slopes are noticeable.Except
where water saturates the soil, water drains toward the river through streams
and sheet flow.There are two major
unnamed streams flowing through the property, one laterally bisecting it,
and the other running along the eastern border from the road.In
addition to these two brooks, there are several intermittent streams and
swales running through the fields, along the tractor path, and through
the oak forest.While water is draining
to the sand pit, it does not accumulate, as the soil drains well.Wyman
Meadow contains many wet areas.Water
generally drains toward the Taunton River.Most
of the standing water is found on the northeastern half of the property.
Wildlife
The
abundance of water at Wyman Meadow attracts a great variety of wildlife.Wetlands
provide habitat for amphibians, mammals, insects, and a variety of birds,
such as the red-winged blackbird, the little blue heron, and the woodcock.If
managed correctly, grasslands could provide habitat for a variety of groundnesting
birds several of which are threatened due too the decline of open grassland.Eastern
meadowlarks and bobolinks are likely inhabitants, with the possibility
of Savannah Sparrows.Carefully chosen
trail locations could provide ground-nesting birds with both the nesting
cover and privacy of tall grassland, and the short grass foraging areas
they require.The abundance of edge
habitat invites birds of prey, reptiles, fox deer, and small rodents to
inhabit Wyman Meadow.
Views &
Points of Interest
Wildlife
viewing opportunities are excellent due to the wide, open views in the
fields and forests.Long views across
the meadows are framed by the woodland edges.The
oak and pine forests are open providing views into the woodland.These
views allow easy access to points of interest, including streams and the
riverfront.Wyman Meadow offers the
freedom of open space with the comfort of enclosure.
Legal Restrictions
Federal,
state, or municipal wetland protection laws protect most of Wyman Meadow.The
conservation commission will need to approve any changes to the site.Bridgewater
water department retained twenty of the fifty-five acres at Wyman Meadow
for the development of a public well.
Administration
and Management
Currently the Bridgewater
Conservation Commission administers the Wyman Meadow Conservation Area
as required by Massachusetts's law for self-help purchases.The
Commission has established the following:
"General Guidelines
for Public Use of Town - Owned Conservation Areas"
1.The
area is to be used for non-intrusive recreation only: hiking, canoeing,
fishing, tenting, bird watching, photography, etc.
2.No
dirt bikes or all-terrain vehicles permitted on Conservation land.No
automobiles are permitted off designated roads.
3.Only
hand-carried tents and watercraft are permitted: No boat trailers or camping
trailers allowed.
4.Area
is to be left undisturbed in its natural state.
5.No
person shall remove vegetation, soil or stones from the area or dig or
disturb any artifacts or archaeological remains.There
shall be no unauthorized use of chain saws.
6.All
fires must be in designated areas only and be completely extinguished before
you leave the site.All trash must
be removed by the user at the time of departure.
7.No
discharge of firearms, drunkenness, or chemical abuse is permitted on Conservation
Land.
8.Use
of premises is free of charge; the user however, is liable for any damage
to Town property.
These general guidelines
will need to be updated, allowing for appropriate, site-specific policy
at each park.
Although the Bridgewater
Conservation Commission is ultimately responsible for this site, the newly
formed Park Commission will be administrating the daily running of the
park.Utilizing the Volunteer Stewards
as the 'hands -on' part of this equation, they will be responsible for
seeing that this site management plan is followed.
The NRTB sponsors
a program to organize the Volunteer Park Stewards.The
volunteers can provide valuable services that help protect the natural
resources of the site and the safety of visitors.These
services could include maintenance, security, visitor education, safety
inspections etc.The Park Commission
will need to determine the tasks that are to be completed by volunteers
and those by town employees.
Management
of Physical Structures and Facilities
Boundary Fences
Barbed wire fences along the eastern
and western property lines need to be removed; instead, trees should be
marked to indicate the border. The
removal of these fences will allow easier access to the conservation area
by wildlife. The forest edge
should be encouraged to extend up to 100 feet into the meadow, to provide
forested buffers in case of abutting property development. Establishing
a mow line one hundred feet from the boundary can do this; any exotic invasive
plants that grow in should be removed.
Bridges
The current bridge/culvert,
consisting of a 30-inch diameter corrugated metal pipe and overlying steel
plate, needs reinforcement if heavy vehicles will be using the water department
easement to access potential wells.Burying
the pipe under gravel will increase its load-bearing capacity. The current
bridge is adequate for pedestrians, equestrian, tractors, and emergency
vehicles.The metal swing gate should
be removed from the bridge.The bridge/culvert
needs to be examined annually for signs of damage or collapse.Debris
should be removed to allow water to flow freely through the pipe.
Bridge/Culvert
A
small footbridge crosses a spring-fed stream in the oak forest.This
footbridge must be inspected every other year, for signs of damage and
rot, repairs must be made as soon as possible.Debris
washed against the bridge should be removed to help prevent washout of
the bridge.
Canoe Stop
There
are two areas suitable for canoe stops, providing a rare opportunity for
canoeists since most of the riverbanks are steep.While
these are excellent stopping points, they are not suitable for canoe launches
because of the long distance across a wetland and sensitive habitat to
the parking area.
The
western/upstream canoe stop would be a suitable access from the river to
a tenting area.The eastern/downstream
canoe stop makes use of a mudflat bordering one of the unnamed streams
that enters the Taunton River.A
trail up to the meadow traverses a longer distance along the contours and
avoids running perpendicular to the slope to minimize slope erosion.Steps
may need to be constructed if erosion becomes a problem.
Depending
upon use, these areas can quickly become muddy and unattractive, resulting
in silt washing into the river.Monitor
banks for erosion and reduce use by closing periodically if erosion is
a problem.The posting of a notice
explaining the need for closure should be sufficient, the area should befenced
to allow natural vegetation to re-establish.In
the event that there is too much use to allow native vegetation to grow
back, a dock type structure and or steps will be needed.(See
Conway Design for suggested plans.)
Interior Fence Removal
Barbed-wire
fences that run along the stream and bisect the meadow should be removed
to allow wildlife to move freely throughout the site.
Kiosk
An
informational kiosk should be installed where the trail leaves the parking
lot.Interpretative maps and brochures
should be available to orientate visitors to the park as well as point
out natural features.Bulletins inform
visitors of special events, safety concerns, and park rules.The
kiosk should contain an informative display about the wildlife present
on Wyman Meadow, and an ongoing list of wildlife sightings.Visitors
should be warned of the presence of large numbers of dog ticks on the property
and the possibility of deer ticks, both of these ticks can spread disease
and infections to humans. There might also be a public notice regarding
approved hunting seasons. The kiosk should be inspected yearly for damage
and maps replaced as needed.
Nesting Boxes
Placing
Bluebird boxes along the shrub swamp edge will attract insect-eating birds,
such as bluebirds and tree swallows.The
bluebird boxes should be installed in pairs mounted back-to-back facing
east west with both boxes facing open field.Dual
boxes will result in less competition between tree swallows and bluebirds
for a single box.The pairs of boxes
can be placed as close as 20 feet apart.The
boxes need to be at least 5 feet from the ground.Predator
guards should be installed.Details
of predator guards and box construction are in the appendix.
Overlook with
Bench
A
rustic sitting bench placed off the trail at the forest edge will provide
a place to rest and enjoy the long views across the meadow.
Parking
Area
An
informal, gravel-parking area accommodates 12 cars.A
center-aisle allows vehicles to pass through for emergency access and property
maintenance.To improve the parking
area and reduce maintenance geotextile fabric should be placed underneath
the gravel, preventing the gravel from sinking into wet soils.Gravel
should be added, raked, and compacted as needed to fill ruts.The
culvert just northeast of the parking area needs to be kept clear of debris
to prevent flood damage to the parking area.
Entry Driveway and Parking Area
River Overlook
The
trail leads to a rustic sitting bench under a large red maple tree on the
bank of the Taunton River.
Signage
Installing
signage in accordance with the design standards for the Bridgewater Family
of Parks at the entrance on Plymouth Street will welcome visitors to Wyman
Meadow.Signage along the Taunton
River canoe rest sites should be consistent with the National Park Service
model now being installed all along the Taunton Heritage River System.
Trails
Trails
should be designed to visit natural features of the site.A
knowledgeable consultant (see Appendix) should perform sighting and detailed
design of trail routes.Trails provide
not only a means of access but also a trail experience; therefore, existing
vegetation along the sides of trails should be maintained to give an experience
of the area that the trail is passing through.
Trails
often offer means for the spread of exotic invasive plants.They
should be monitored three times a year, once in spring, summer and winter
for the presence of exotic, invasive plants, obstructions across the trail,
and trail damage/erosion.Problems
found must be taken care of as soon as possible.Exotic,
invasive plants are removed as soon as possible to prevent a larger problem
in the future.Trials have been designed
to shed water and evidence of erosion along the trail indicates a fault
in the design or construction; corrective action needs to be taken as soon
as possible.
Although
trails normally tend to have relatively uneven surfaces, dangerous obstacles
such as protruding rocks should be removed.This
is especially important for trails that have universal accessibility.All
of the parks could have universal accessibility with the construction of
universal access compliant trails.This
would include the provision of rest areas on steeper slopes.Current
guidelines are being revised regarding grade and the provision of rest
areas therefore the latest guidelines should be consulted before design
and construction are started.On
steeper sections of universal access trail, rest stops need to be kept
clear of debris, as should culverts under trails to prevent water flowing
over the trail.
The
trails are designed for mountain bike use; they can also be used by emergency
vehicle ATVs.The public use of ATVs
is not allowed in the Bridgewater Family of Parks.ATVs
damage trails and disturb wildlife.Police
enforcement of this policy is essential.In
the area of the sandpit, the trail should stay close to the eastern woodland
edge to protect the revegetating sandpit.Once
the area has recovered, the trail should be moved to the western woodland
edge to provide a larger habitat for ground-nesting birds; then the eastern
trail should be abandoned.
The
trial should consist of a four-foot-wide grass path, mown as needed to
maintain grass heights below 18 inches.From
the parking area the trail continues along the existing tractor path to
minimize wetland and wildlife disturbance.Large,
frequently wet depressions in the trail need to be culverted, covered with
gravel and soil, and revegetated.Geotextile
fabric placed underneath the gravel prevents it from sinking into wet soils.Improving
drainage allows emergency and maintenance vehicles easier access.
Access Road
to Well Site
The
town should acquire additional land to the west to complete the 400-foot
radius well protection zone required.An
easement across private property to the west is desirable for access to
the well, as the terrain is flatter and drier.The
current water department easement contains several wet depressions and
crosses protected wetlands.The new
road should be gated to prohibit access from unauthorized vehicles.
Natural Resources
Animal Species
The
following animals were observed to make use of this park during the Biodiversity
day walk in June 2002:
|
Animal
|
Species
Name
|
|
red-tailed
hawk
|
Buteo
jamaicensis
|
|
great
blue heron
|
Ardea
herodias
|
|
northern
cardinal
|
Cardinalis
cardinalis
|
|
wild
turkey
|
Meleagris
gallopavo
|
|
redwing
blackbird
|
Agelaius
phoeniceus
|
|
brown-headed
cowbird
|
Molothrus
ater
|
|
canada
goose
|
Branta
canadensis
|
|
common
grackle
|
Quiscalus
quiscula
|
|
mourning
dove
|
Zenaida
macroura
|
|
killdeer
|
Charadrius
vociferus
|
|
white-tailed
deer
|
Odocoileus
virginianus
|
|
pond
skater
|
Gerridae
sp.
|
|
northern
metalmark
|
Calephelis
borealis
|
|
dogtick
|
Dermacentor
variabilis
|
Exotic Invasive
Plants
These
plants stop native plants from growing and reduce the wildlife habitat
value of the site. Controlling them is essential. The appendix has specific
instructions on the best methods of control for these plants.These
plants should be removed in this order if possible: purple loosestrife
(Lythrum salicaria ), multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora ),
autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata ), rugosa rose (Rosa rugosa),
yellow iris (Iris pseudacorus).Purple
loosestrife and multiflora rose are the most serious pests, having the
greatest impact and being the hardest to control.
Floodplain Meadow
This
area should be brush-hogged to remove shrubs and small trees that are becoming
established.Selected young oak trees
should be protected during this brush-hogging operation.Exotic
invasive plants should be removed (see appendix).After
the first year, the area should be mowed biannually.Views
of the river are improved by the removal of exotic invasive shrubs and
are maintained.
Floodplain Meadow
Grassland
Traditionally
Wyman Meadow has been used for pasture or as a hay field.Because
the amount of grassland in Massachusetts has decreased dramatically in
the last thirty years, this meadow is of extremely high value to ground-nesting
birds.Traditional haying usually
results in one cut in June and another later in the summer.This
produces two crops of hay and results in higher quality hay.By
waiting to cut hay until August 15 the nutritional value and quantity of
the hay is decreased.The Conservation
Commission will need to decide if traditional haying is done with the consequential
damage to ground-nesting birds or, if haying that takes into account the
needs of ground nesting birds is done.
The
trails should stay close to the woodland edges to protect ground-nesting
birds.The trail should consist of
a four-foot wide grass path, mown as needed to maintain grass heights below
18 inches tall.
A
plant biologist should identify the species of grass present and inventory
the grasslands.Many invasive exotic
grasses, such as tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea), may be controlled through
early spring controlled burns.A
management plan for controlling invasive exotic grasses should be developed
once an inventory is completed.It
is very important that the current grassland be maintained as grassland
and not allowed to grow into forest over time; the best method of maintaining
grassland is by mowing and/or burning.
Currently
grasslands are disappearing because of development, fire suppression, and
the decline of dairy farming in Massachusetts.This
site is predominated by wet meadows, by definition grassland that grows
in poorly draining soils especially in depressions where water collects.The
wet meadows are found in the floodplain and in the northeastern third of
the property.The area on the northeast
side of the knoll is a meadow consisting of moderately well drained fertile
soils.
There are two types
of grass found in grasslands; the cool season and warm season grasses.
The cool season grasses grow best in early spring and fall and are generally
shorter than warm season grasses.These
cool season grasses provide early food and cover for animals, including
insects, which provide food for birds.Some
ground-nesting birds prefer shorter grass heights.These
grasses produce abundant late summer seeds.They
provide poor habitat for ground-nesting birds because they become too dense
to allow easy movement.Warm season
grasses grow best in summer when there are hot sunny days.They
grow in clumps and are generally taller than cool season grasses.Warm
season grasses are typically grown in mixed fields with forbs (wildflowers).These
grasses provide excellent winter cover because they hold up; their clumping
growth habitat allows free movement under the cover of tall grasses.They
are an excellent source of late summer seeds.Wildflowers
provide nectar to insects and birds.
Management Options for Specific Ground-nesting
Birds that may use Wyman Meadow
|
|
|
|
|
|
Breeding Dates
|
May 25-July 15
|
April 21-Aug. 15
|
May 20-July 30
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Egg dates
|
June 1-8
|
April 21-July 28
|
May 25-July 15
|
|
Broods/year
|
1
|
2
|
1-2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minimum grassland Size (acres)
|
5-10
|
15-20
|
30
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Territory size (acres)
|
1-6
|
6-8
|
2-4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nest type
|
Cup nest in ground depression, in mat of dead grass
<4ft. tall, at base of dense forbs
|
Domed cup nest, often with runway, in ground depression
in dense vegetation 10-20" tall
|
Cup nest in ground depression, in grass clumps or
at base of low shrub
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diet
|
Caterpillars, grasshoppers, beetles, ants, grain/weed
seeds
|
Crickets, grasshoppers, seeds
|
Grasshoppers, caterpillars, ants, grass/weed seeds
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grassland Type
|
Upland meadow, wet meadow, pasture, old fields,
hayfields, capped landfills
|
Upland meadow, pasture, old fields, hayfields, capped
landfills, airports, shrubby fields
|
Upland meadow, pasture, old field, sandplain grasslands,
landfills
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vegetation Structure
|
8-12" mixed grass, sedge, forbs, old hayfields,>8yrs.
Old, sparse groundcover, moist lowlands, 25 % shrubs
|
10-20" sparse to dense grass-dominated cover in
low, damp areas, thick layer dead grass, low scattered shrubs, taller forbs
|
4-12" bunch grasses, sparse litter and grass cover,
bare patches, scattered tall forbs and shrubs, well-drained uplands preferred
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mowing
|
Every 1-3 yrs. In late July or Aug. to prevent nest
destruction, remove hay to prevent thatch build up
|
Every 1-3 yrs. in Aug. to prevent nest destruction
|
Annually outside of breeding season (May1-Aug. 5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prescribed burning
|
Avoids recently burned areas for 1 yr. Burn patches
every 2-5yrs. but not whole area in year
|
Avoids recently burned areas for 2-4 yrs. until
shrubs regrow, avoids areas with thick litter layer
|
Nesting increases 4-5 years following burn, prefers
sparse litter layer, burn in sections, 5-7 yr. Rotations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restoration
|
Plant native warm season grasses, restore erodable,
marginal farmland, no-till reseeding methods
|
Plant native warm season grasses in moist areas,
no tilling during breeding season
|
Plant native warm season grasses, forbs, and shrubs
in well-drained, sandy soil, avoid sod forming grasses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes
|
Greatest nest success far from forest edge
|
Sensitive to human disturbance while breeding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Breeding Dates
|
May 21-July 31
|
April 15-Aug. 30
|
|
|
|
|
|
Egg dates
|
May 21-June 29
|
April 15-Aug. 11
|
|
Broods/year
|
1-2
|
1-2
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minimum grassland Size (acres)
|
20-40
|
30
|
|
|
|
|
|
Territory size (acres)
|
1-2
|
1-4
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nest type
|
Cup nest in ground depression, in grass clumps or
at base of low, woody shrub
|
Cup nest in ground depression at base of forb or
thin clump of grass.sparse vegetation
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diet
|
Caterpillars, grasshoppers, beetles, ants, grass/weed
seeds, fruit
|
Beetles, grasshoppers, caterpillars, ants, grass/weed
seeds
|
|
|
|
|
|
Grassland Type
|
Upland meadow, pasture, old fields, hayfields, blueberry
barrens, airports, coastal areas
|
Upland meadow, pasture, old hayfields, sandplain
grasslands, blueberry barrens, weedy edge
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vegetation Structure
|
1-25" mixed short/tall grass, moist, thick layer
dead grass, scattered saplings, shrubs, forbs, field age unimportant
|
1-8" sparse, short grass on dry uplands with low
forb density, scattered shrubs and small trees
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mowing
|
Annually after mid Aug. to maintain short grasses.
|
Mow forage areas frequently: leave nesting area
unmown during breeding season (April 15-Aug. 30)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prescribed burning
|
Avoids recently burned areas for 1 yr. Burn patches
every 2-5yrs. but not whole area in year
|
Avoids recently burned areas for 2-4 yrs. until
shrubs regrow, avoids areas with thick litter layer
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restoration
|
Plant a mixture of tall and short grasses and forbs
|
Plant native warm season grasses in well-drained
fields with sand or gravel: provide undisturbed sparse vegetation with
perches at edge
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes
|
|
Forages in nearby brush and woods
|
Mowing Practices
Grasslands
are to be mown every other year after August 15, to ensure the protection
of ground-nesting birds.These fields
are often wet, and should be mown during dry periods to prevent soil erosion.Remove
hay to prevent thatch build-up.Biannual
mowing is sufficient to prevent trees and shrubs from becoming established
in the meadow.
Grasslands
are mown on rotation, with alternating halves mown each year.The
remainder of uncut grass provides winter cover for wildlife.Mower
blades should be set to a height of six inches or more, flushing bars on
haying equipment are required to move birds hiding in the grass.Mowing
should not be carried out at night because of the presence of roosting
birds.
Revegetated
Sandpit
A
fence should be installed along the property line from the existing line
of white pines through the sandpit to the well access road.The
fence would protect the area from ATV users and allow the area to revegetate
naturally.Once groundcover is established,
a treeline needs to be maintained by establishing a no-mow line.A
mixed hardwood forest, up to 200 feet deep to the property line could provide
wildlife habitat and improves views to the west.Exotic
invasive plants must be removed before they get established.Once
a meadow is established it should be mown biannually on rotation.
Streamside Vegetation
Small
trees and shrubs along the stream should be encouraged to fill the slope
overlooking the stream.Low vegetation
protects banks from erosion and improves wildlife habitat without obstructing
views across the meadow.
Forest
As
the forest continues to mature more economically valuable trees are growing,
however, owing to the fragile wetland nature of the site and the small
quantity of timber, the sale of timber from Wyman Meadow is not recommended.The
careful cutting of timber for use within the park is recommended; this
needs to be done with minimal damage to the surrounding vegetation.By
cutting logs to desired length at the felling site, they will be considerably
easier to handle and cause less damage when they are moved to the utilization
area within the park site.
Oak Forest
Plant Species
The following plants
were observed in the park during the Biodiversity day walk in June 2002:
|
Plant
|
Species name
|
|
gray birch
|
Betula populifolia
|
|
elm
|
Ulmus Americana
|
|
white oak
|
Quercus alba
|
|
red maple
|
Acer rubrum
|
|
black cherry
|
Prunus serotina
|
|
apple
|
Malus sylvestris
|
|
shag bark hickory
|
Cary ovata
|
|
red cedar
|
Juniperus virginiana
|
|
eastern white pine
|
Pinus strobus
|
|
poison ivy
|
Toxicodendron
radicans
|
|
goldenrod
|
Solidago sp.
|
|
blackberries
|
Rubus pensilvanicus
|
|
buttercup
|
Ranunculus acris
|
|
milkweed
|
Asclepias sp.
|
|
queen anne's lace
|
Daucus carota
|
|
catbrier
|
Smilaceae rotundifolia
|
|
jewelweed
|
Impatiens capensis
|
|
arrow arum
|
Peltandra virginica
|
|
sensitive fern
|
Onoclea sensibilis
|
|
white campion
|
Silene latifolia
|
|
red osier dogwood
|
Cornus stolonifera
|
|
common cattail
|
Typha latifolia
|
|
english plantain
|
Plantago lanceolata
|
|
hairy vetch
|
Vicia villosa
|
|
cow vetch
|
Vicia cracca
|
|
nodding onion
|
Allium cernuum
|
|
canada mayflower
|
Maianthemum canadense
|
|
barren strawberry
|
Waldsteinia fragarioides
|
|
dewberry
|
Rubus hispidus
|
|
purple loosestrife
|
Lythrum salicaria
|
|
yellow iris
|
Iris pseudacorus
|
|
morrow's honeysuckle
|
Lonicera morrowii
|
|
multiflora rose
|
Rosa multiflora
|
|
rugosa rose
|
Rosa rugosa
|
|
autumn olive
|
Elaeagnus umbellata
|
Ponds
There
are two small ponds in the flood plain meadow, they probably dry up in
the summer.They are breeding pools
for frogs as evidenced by the large number of tadpoles observed during
the biodiversity walk.There is a
small amount of purple loosestrife(Lythrum
salicaria) and yellow iris (Iris pseudacorus) present this should
be removed as soon as possible before it is firmly established.Ponds
need to be monitored for the presence of other exotic invasive plants and
these must be removed as soon as possible.
River
The
river is used by people fishing although access is not that easy with the
relatively steep banks.If excessive
bank erosion occurs due to human traffic, reduce use by closing periodically.The
area should be fenced and posted to allow natural vegetation to regrow.There
does not seem to be a problem of fishing litter at present.An
annual river cleanup needs to be carried out in the late summer or early
fall; the use of canoes would allow retrieval of trash in the water.(The
Conservation Commission has guidelines for river cleanups.)
This
river supports much wildlife including rare mussels.There
is also evidence of otter activity.The
water quality needs to be monitored as the river has an unpleasant odor
that is not present upstream in the Town River. It seems to originate on
the Matfield River.
Perhaps
the Stewards of the Wyman Meadow Conservation Area could become involved
with the Shoreline Surveys Project via the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife
& Environmental Law Enforcement's Riverways Program as part of their
training.
Species of Special
Concern
The
following species listed on the Massachusetts Natural Heritage Rare Species
website at http://www.state.ma.us/dfwele/dfw/nhesp/townB.htm
, are listed as species of special concern, threatened or endangered and
are present in Bridgewater.They
could find suitable habitat at the Wyman Meadow Conservation Park:
Spotted
Turtle (Clemmys guttata )
Grasshopper
Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum )
Triangle
Floater Mussel (Alasmidonta undulata)
Tidewater
Mucket Mussel (Leptodea ochracea)
Pale
Green Orchis (Platanthera flava var herbiola)
Long's
Bulrush (Scirpus longii)
Suggested
Park Uses
Canoeing
There
are two areas suitable for a canoe stop with the upriver stop also being
close to an area suitable for limited tenting.The
river is too inaccessible at Wyman Meadow for the launching of canoes.
Cross Country
Skiing
Most
of the site is ideal for cross-country skiing with flat terrain or gentle
slopes.The small amounts of steeper
slopes have little or no obstacles.The
very gentle slopes are an attraction to beginning skiers, whilst the steeper
slopes offer challenge and excitement.To
prevent accidents trails must be kept clear of obstructions.
Education/ Wildlife
Observation
This
is an ideal location for education with its river, ponds, grasslands, and
woods.It provides many opportunities
for learning about geology and nature studies.The
NRTB should partner with the local school system to hold educational walks.
Evening Events
Although
the park closes at dusk in accordance with Bridgewater Park Policy, the
Wyman Meadow Conservation Area should be made available for evening/night-based
activities such as an owl prowl or astronomy.Special
permits are to be issued to individuals or groups for these activities
by the Park Commission.
Field Activities/Community
Events
This
area seems ideally suited for field activities, however the fields should
not be disturbed until after the grassland birds have fledged (August 15).The
northeastern end of the site is predominantly wet meadow; this will not
stand up to a lot of foot traffic and will not be popular with visitors
if they get wet feet etc.This park
would be ideal for nature observation by such organizations as Boy Scouts,
Girl Scouts, nature clubs, and photography clubs, etc.
Fishing
Because
of the river, the park is already known to some of the local anglers.With
easier access, more fishing should be expected.People
fishing must be encouraged to take out their trash, especially fishing
line.The use of lead fishing weights
must not be allowed because waterfowl often consume these weights and lead
poisoning results.The use of non-native
live fish as bait should not be allowed.
Hiking
Although
hiking does not have to be restricted to the trails, hikers should be encouraged
to stay on the trails especially in the grassland areas during nesting
season.(May 15- August 15)People
walking their dogs must keep them on a leash as per the local town law
(article XXI, dog leash law, section 1) this is essential to protect the
ground nesting birds.A notice at
the kiosk should remind visitors of these requirements.
Horseback Riding
This
is an ideal area for horseback riding, although, connections with other
riding areas would be desirable; there are horse barns in the area and
riders could access the site along Plymouth Street.Horseback
riders should be encouraged to stay on the trails especially in grassland
areas during nesting season.(May
15- August 15)The wet meadows and
flood plain meadow will also be susceptible to damage from horse riders
especially if the ground is wet and soft, therefore, riders should be requested
not to ride in these areas unless they are frozen solid or have completely
dried out in the summer.
When
horses are arriving in horse-trailers the trailers should be parked, to
allow easy access to the rest of the parking area by other park users.To
enable the park commission to monitor the amount of horse riding and facilitate
communications with riders, perhaps a (park system wide) permit could be
issued to horse owners for their horses.Horse
owners would be required to renew the permits every three years.A
description and/or a photograph of the horse should be included in the
application so that horse riders who do not obey the recommendations can
be identified.
Hunting
This
area has had a long history of hunting.As
Bridgewater becomes more built out there will be less opportunity for hunting.The
build out often creates ideal habitat for white tailed deer.With
the decreased hunting, deer populations will and are increasing to the
extent that there is an overpopulation of deer.This
is not only increasing the number of car accidents involving deer but the
increased deer browsing is severely altering the fields and forests resulting
in less habitat for wildlife.This
is severely affecting many bird populations.
It
is difficult to manage an area for passive recreation as well as hunting
but if deer populations are not kept under control the whole habitat of
the conservation park will be severely degraded.Therefore,
it is suggested that the park be closed to all activity except for deer
hunting on the first four days of the shotgun deer-hunting season each
year.Notices should be posted around
the park perimeter and at the entrance that the park is closed except for
hunting.In the event that this is
not enough to keep the deer population under control, the hunting season
could be extended to include the first four days of the bow and black powder
seasons.Note that hunting is illegal
on Sundays in Massachusetts and that Sundays should not count as part of
the four days.
The
Park Commission may consider extending the hunting periods at Wyman Meadow
and opening the park to the public during hunting with adequate warning
that there is hunting taking place. The hunting of other species should
only be considered if there is overpopulation of that species.Visitors
should be aware that hunting may be taking place on adjoining properties.For
example, during duck hunting season hunters are often on the river.A
notice posted at the kiosk should notify visitors about hunting.Information
on hunting regulations and seasons can be found at the Mass Wildlife website:
http://www.state.ma.us/dfwele/dfw/dfw_toc.htm.It
should be noted that through the sale of Hunting Licenses, the Commonwealth
of Massachusetts provides money for the purchase of open space and species
preservation.
Ice-Skating
Although
ice-skating on the river may be possible, access is difficult and flowing
rivers often have areas of thin ice.The
other major disadvantage with ice-skating on the river is that there is
no easy access for emergency vehicles in the event of an accident.There
are other far more suitable ice-skating areas within the park system such
as Carver's Pond.
Mountain Biking
This
is an ideal area for mountain biking although connections with other riding
areas would be desirable.Riders
should be encouraged to stay on the trails especially in grassland areas
during nesting season.(May 15- August
15)The wet meadows and flood plain
meadow will also be susceptible to damage from mountain bike riders especially
if the ground is wet and soft, therefore, riders should be requested not
to ride in these areas unless they are frozen solid or have completely
dried out in the summer.
Picnicking
The
park offers many opportunities for picnicking.Visitors
should stay close to trails during the nesting season.(May
15- August 15)Users must make sure
they take out their trash.
Public Events
Public
events should be permitted on a case-by-case basis.They
should be compatible with the site and not cause undue erosion or damage.They
should not be permitted on grassland areas during nesting season.(May
15- August 15)
Sledding
The
park has an ideal hill for sledding, although it is over 1000 feet from
the parking area.Situated on the
east side of the knoll the top of the slope is moderately steep (10-20%)
with a long open field that is only somewhat steep (5-10%) the whole "run"
is approximately 300 feet long.
Looking Northeast
from the Sledding Hill
Swimming
The
river has a slow current for most of its length.Swimmers
swim at their own risk.There is
no easy access to the river for emergency vehicles.
Tenting
At
first glance, a campsite down by the river appears to be idyllic.The
major restriction is the safe disposal of solid human waste.This
can be done by the use of randomly located catholes, however they need
to be 200 feet from any trail, campsite, pond, stream, or river and out
of the 400-foot well protection zone.The
cathole needs to be 6 to 8 inches deep and covered after use.This
only leaves an area approximately 200 x 400 feet along the interior of
the western border of the oak forest as a suitable cathole repository.The
area that is suitable for catholes should be designated and campers should
be informed. Camping needs to be restricted to one campsite and the number
of nights of camping per week restricted.
A
fire pit could be placed in the area that is currently being used for fires.Although
this is close to the river if a different place is used for the fire pit
it will probably be ignored and fires still made at the original location.All
vegetation should be removed for a distance of three feet around the fire
pit.Depending upon use, the amount
of dead wood available for firewood may be limited.Campers
must not be allowed to damage standing trees.
Tents
could be placed in the field within a short distance of the fire pit; there
is enough space to move tents around to decrease the impact they have upon
the site.If this site is found to
be wet tents placed further away from the river will be drier as the soil
is well drained in this location.
A
maximum of four tent permits should be issued by the Park Commission per
week.If damage is occurring to the
site, this number may have to be decreased.If
warranted, site monitors may be needed in a similar fashion as in the Titicut
Conservation Area. No vehicles are allowed in this area; all camping provisions
must be carried in with a canoe, mountain bike, or backpack.
Universal Access
All
of the trails could be universally accessible if desired.
Maintenance
Timetable
|
Date
|
Activity
|
Town responsible
|
Volunteer
responsible
|
|
January
|
|
|
|
|
February
|
|
|
|
|
March
|
|
|
|
|
April
|
|
|
|
|
15t h
|
Grassland trail
is mowed
|
x
|
|
|
|
Restock kiosk with
maps etc.
|
|
x
|
|
22nd
Earth Day
|
|
|
|
|
|
Clean up trash throughout
the site, inspect bridges and trails, inspect river and pond banks for
erosion problems, trim vegetation that is obstructing views and impinging
on trails, note exotic invasive plants.
|
|
x
|
|
May
|
|
|
|
|
15th
|
Grassland trail
is mowed.
|
x
|
|
|
|
Restock kiosk with
maps etc.
|
|
x
|
|
June
|
|
|
|
|
1st
Biodiversity Days
|
Inventory biological
diversity
|
|
x
|
|
15th
|
Grassland trail
is mowed if needed.
Restock kiosk with
maps etc
|
x
x
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date
|
Activity
|
Town responsible
|
Volunteer
responsible
|
|
July
|
|
|
|
|
15th
|
Sewer Easement is
mowed if needed.
|
x
|
|
|
|
Restock kiosk with
maps etc.Inspect trails for problems.
|
|
x
|
|
August
|
|
|
|
|
15th
|
Sewer Easement is
mowed. Grasslands are mown as per management plan after mowing, grassland
are available for other uses i.e. events etc.
|
x
|
|
|
|
Restock kiosk with
maps etc.
|
|
x
|
|
September
|
|
|
|
|
15th
|
Restock kiosk with
maps etc
|
x
|
|
|
October
|
|
|
|
|
November
|
|
|
|
|
December
|
|
|
|
|
15th
|
Clear trails of
obstructions for cross country skiing.Inspect
trails for problems.Restock kiosk
with maps etc.
|
|
x
|
Notes
Appendix I Exotic Invasive Plant Control
Notes
Appendix
II Resources
Notes