Natick officials searching for aqueduct planning committee member applicants

View Larger Map

The aqueduct runs for just over one mile along Oak Street, from Route 9 to Pine Street.

By Jaclyn Reiss, Town Correspondent

Natick conservation officials are looking to fill three seats of a five-member committee charged with planning a recreation site on a one-plus-mile stretch of abandoned aqueduct in the town.

Since its 2010 creation, the Cochituate Aqueduct Study Committee has completed feasibility studies on the 1.25-mile abandoned aqueduct, which runs parallel to Oak Street from Route 9 to Pine Street.

In the months ahead, the committee will be charged with managing and overseeing design plans to implement construction of a passive recreation area and trail atop the aqueduct. The town hopes to break ground on the project by spring 2014, according to Natick Conservation Commission officials.

Once cleared of overgrowth, the trail could link miles of trails in Wellesley, Newton, Natick, and Framingham.

The town is seeking applicants who are enthusiastic about recreation, and any background in design would be favorable. The deadline to apply is mid-March.

To apply, download an application form at natickma.gov, and send by mail to: Natick Conservation Commission, 13 East Central St., Natick, Mass. 01760; or send by fax at 508-647-6444.

For more details, call the commission at 508-647-6452 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Wednesdays, 8 a.m. through 8 p.m. on Thursdays, or 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Fridays.

--
Follow us on Twitter: @yourtownnatick, @jaclynreiss

Jaclyn Reiss can be reached at jaclyn.reiss@globe.com