Sudbury Kicks Off Open Space And Recreation Planning Process

SUDBURY, MA — The town is beginning a major update to a long-range planning document that will help shape the future of the town’s conservation land, recreational facilities and open space priorities.

Sudbury is updating its Open Space and Recreation Plan, a 10-year roadmap used to guide decisions on land preservation, trail development, recreational programming and natural resource protection. Officials say the plan will help determine future priorities related to water supply protection, wildlife habitat conservation, recreational opportunities and maintaining Sudbury’s character, with public feedback expected to play a key role in the process.

“An Open Space and Recreation Plan is a tool in helping the Town identify our key goals with respect to open space parcels and outlining a path to achieve them,” according to a Town Forum presentation from February.

The OSRP serves as both “a document that describes a community’s open space and recreation resources” and “a road map for action on open space and recreation actions to aid decision makers," according to the presentation.

The updated plan will examine environmental and recreation topics, including water resources, wildlife, climate change impacts, conservation land inventories and recreational needs across the community.

Potential goals outlined by the town include protecting Sudbury’s water supply, protecting wildlife and critical habitats, preserving the town’s character, providing active and passive recreation opportunities, developing trail linkages for non-motorized recreation and maintaining town-owned lands for residents’ enjoyment.

The town’s previous Open Space and Recreation Plan, covering 2009-2013, focused on preserving undeveloped land, protecting water quality and expanding recreational access.

Since then, the town says it has protected more than 283 acres of priority parcels, including Pantry Brook Farm, Broadacre Farm, Fairbank Farm, Landham Brook and Sewataro.

Officials also noted that more than 118 acres of private land have been protected through conservation restrictions since 2009.

The current update process began in January 2026 when the town signed a contract with BSC Group. The timeline includes public outreach, GIS mapping, draft recommendations and additional public forums before a final draft submission expected in December 2026.

Open House, Public Input Session

As part of the process, Sudbury officials are inviting residents to attend an Open House and Public Input Session on Thursday, May 28 at 7 p.m. at the Fairbank Community Center, 40 Fairbank Road, in the multipurpose room.

Town officials said resident participation is important because community feedback will help shape conservation and recreation priorities for the next decade.

Residents can also review materials from the town’s earlier Open Space and Recreation Plan forum held Feb. 26 via Zoom, including presentation slides and a SudburyTV recording.

Questions about the process can be directed to Adam Burney, Sudbury’s director of planning and community development, at burneya@sudbury.ma.us.

See Also:

• Sudbury Historical Commission Expands Search For New Member
• Central MA Nursing Facility Earns Top Marks In State Inspection
• Sudbury Navy Veteran Named As 2026 Memorial Day Parade Marshal