Gov. Patrick Announces Massachusetts Now Has 1.25 Million Acres of Open Space

Governor Deval Patrick announced late last month that Massachusetts now has 1.25 million acres of protected open space and 100,000 new acres protected over the past five years, echoing a trend found in Westford as well.

The announcement was made at Halfway Pond in Plymouth, where the Department of Fish and Game and its Division of Fisheries and Wildlife had just acquired 94 acres of wildlife habitat for $2.5 million and recieved a gift conservation restriction of another 28.4 acres, permanently protecting the entire eastern section of the pond.

“(This) announcement marks an outstanding achievement in conservation which benefits our residents and is vital to the success and health of our communities,” said Massachusetts State Senate president Therese Murray.

Since the latest update to the town's Open Space and Recreation Plan was approved in 2002, over 600 acres of Westford land have been preserved through conservation restrictions and land purchases such as the purchase of the East Boston Camps and the nearby Stepinski Parcel.