Coes Zone
Vision and Mission
Vision
The Coes Zone Task Force envisions improved stewardship of the ponds, streams and parklands in the “Coes Zone” (the region around Coes Pond and Patch Pond/Reservoir in Worcester). The Coes Zone Task Force also envisions significant economic and societal benefits that will result from this improved stewardship.
Mission
The mission of the Coes Zone Task Force is to articulate what stewardship of these natural resources means and to work with civic organizations, government, business, schools and universities to make this vision a reallity.
Goals
To accomplish its mission, the Coes Zone Task Force has established these goals:
Formally organize the Coes Zone Task Force and establish relationships with the City of Worcester and other partners.
Work with the City and others to implement the City’s Coes Pond Master Plan, a plan developed by the City in 2005 with active participation from residents.
Our first project: As described in the Master Plan and with minor changes recommended by the Task Force, renovate and improve Coes Beach (formerly “Mill Street Beach”) and the beach bathhouse, making it a safe and attractive universally accessible park destination.
Identify and develop economic development opportunities in the Coes Zone.
Demonstrate and promote the richness and creativity in environmental STEM (science, technology, engineering & mathematics) careers to learners of all ages, genders, socio-economic background and races.
Foster academic partnerships and learning opportunities for students of all ages. An important element of this is to create an easily discoverable and searchable archive of data and papers about the Coes Pond watershed’s water, geology, life forms, natural history, industrial history, etc., including accounts of previous stewardship efforts, economic development etc. This archive is to be a permanent resource for future collaboration and studies by local faculty and students and a resource for pond and stream management in the City.
Work to improve water quality by partnering in efforts to mitigate storm water runoff sedimentation, fertilizer and pesticide use, excessive goose populations, invasive species, etc.
Encourage watershed education and resident participation in decision making.
Improve property values of abutters.
Assess and seek to optimize economic benefits to the City.
Evaluate and share lessons learned with users of other water bodies.
Link with Worcester’s community health improvement plan
Provide the context for year-round active and passive recreation for all, including swimming, fishing, canoeing and kayaking, wildlife observation and related pursuits.
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