By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — The Open Space and Recreation Working Group (OSRWG) is looking to increase public awareness about the open spaces in town, two members said during a recent Select Board meeting.

OSRWG member Amy MacNulty, who is the Planning Board’s representative, said the subcommittee has been working on implementing the town’s Open Space and Recreation Plan over the past year. In addition to MacNulty, the working group includes Conservation Commission Chair Don Gentile and fellow members Rich Kosian, Steve Fantone, Mary Lohan and Recreation Commission member Gerry Noumi. Land Use Assistant Jennifer Welter serves as the Planning and Conservation Department’s staff liaison for the working group.

“The framework for our goals has been based on a combination of things,” said MacNulty. “In essence, it’s a long history of planning efforts in this town related to conservation and open space. It’s about maintaining and improving open space for the public and protecting wildlife habitats that we are very concerned about.”

Kosian said the working group has been raising awareness about the town’s conservation areas so that “the public can enjoy them.” He recalled that the town’s conservation areas include the Pine Hill Conservation Area, Partridge Island, the Bow Ridge Reservation/Kallenberg Quarry and Lynnfield Woodlot, formerly known as Richardson Green.

“All of those have had trail maps prepared by the town,” said Kosian. “They are on the website and are also available at Town Hall.”

Kosian said Fantone created a Facebook page for the working group.

“Steve posts a lot of information about the various properties,” said Kosian. “Steve has also conducted some trail walks. We have had anywhere from a few to a dozen people go on trail walks, which he publicizes on social media. We have done Partridge Island, the Beaver Dam Brook Reservation and, just recently, Lynnfield Woodlot, which had the most people.”

Kosian said the OSRWG wants to create brochures and trail maps for the Bennett Keenan Conservation Area, which he said, “Isn’t really accessible yet.” He said the property will become accessible once the town and the Lynnfield Center Water District finalize an agreement that will allow public access on LCWD property located in Willis Woods on upper Main Street.

“We would also like to put together an overall town map that shows all of the various areas that are available,” said Kosian.

Kosian said Eagle Scout Jack Mackey and other Troop 48 members volunteered to make improvements to the Beaver Dam Brook Reservation that is located behind The Centre at Lynnfield shopping plaza.

“Jack built the boardwalks to get over some of the muddy areas,” said Kosian. “He did a lot of brush clearing in the farm field behind The Centre shops and did some tree removal. We have also been coordinating with the Department of Public Works on more regular mowing of these areas. Jack and Troop 48 have also agreed to take on more routine assistance with maintenance, clean up and cutting back the brush, which will avoid costs for the DPW.”

Kosian said Planning and Conservation Director Emilie Cademartori and the OSRWG have “reviewed a priority list of potential properties that could be protected and perhaps opened up to access for residents.”

“The LCWD property is one of them,” said Kosian.

MacNulty said Lynnfield Woodlot, which the town acquired and assigned to the Essex County Greenbelt Association a couple of years ago, has been a big hit with residents.

“I can’t tell you how many people have mentioned to me they are pleased they can go there with their families, children and dogs,” said MacNulty. “It’s a wonderful spot that has been created.”

MacNulty said the OSRWG will continue working on creating maps and brochures.

“We want to continue getting the information out there,” said MacNulty. “We think a townwide map would be very helpful. It would be great to find a student to work on that for a project. It could be an interactive map and an app. We would go from there. There are more opportunities to get that information out to folks.”

MacNulty said the working group will continue educating and promoting the town’s open spaces and conservation areas.

“In terms of seeking funds for maintenance and enhancement, we have a great relationship with the DPW,” said MacNulty. “Director John Tomasz has been fantastic. He has been very responsive working with Emilie Cademartori and Jennifer Welter.”

MacNulty also noted that the working group has applied for a grant from the Essex County Community Foundation that would be used to clear a trail in Willis Woods.

While MacNulty said the working group is committed to helping maintain the town’s conservation areas, she said the DPW will need to supplement that work due to the “scope and size” of some of the properties.

“We need to effectively maintain these properties,” said MacNulty.

MacNulty also said the working group is looking to “identify opportunities to expand recreational access to Pillings Pond for all residents.”

“We also want to provide more environmental education, specifically around climate resiliency for the town,” MacNulty added.

MacNulty also said the working group is looking to start a new hiking club.

Select Board Chair Joe Connell said Noumi, who was appointed to the Recreation Commission last December, has been trying to develop new recreation programs for this summer. He said Noumi recently proposed starting the hiking club during a recent Recreation Commission meeting.

“Gerry is a great advocate for you,” said Connell, who serves as the Select Board’s liaison to the Recreation Commission.

Select Board member Dick Dalton asked if there is “potential” to acquire more open space properties in town.

While Kosian did not want to reveal any potential locations that could be acquired, he said the working group has had preliminary discussions about the town potentially purchasing “important properties.”

“Purchasing them outright is not something we have an opportunity to do right now, but if they are important enough to the town, that is something we would recommend to the board,” said Kosian. “Centre Farm is an example of something in recent time that was purchased by the town, protected and sold again.”