Open Space
Overview of open space areas (map and legend)
The open space referendum protected about 1,020 acres of land for current and future generations in Webster. The town's open space committee and its consultant worked diligently to put together this focused program—working with landowners of valuable open space resources who had expressed definite interest in proceeding with the land preservation program. The following is the resulting mix of properties.
Woodland Preserves north of Shoemaker Road and between Baker Road and Whiting Road (map)
Whiting Road Nature Preserve Trails
This element of the project has protected primarily forested lands between Whiting Road and Baker Road including the Whiting Road Nature Preserve and the "Big Woods". Several streams and ponds will be protected and trails will be provided to create improved non-motorized access to Webster Park.
Farmland Preserve
Located in the southeast part of town, this block of prime farmland has been managed successfully by several generations of local farm families. Generally covering the area between Ridge, State, and Salt Roads. The town has been pursuing grants to supplement local funds. We have been very successful, having received $1.77 million in county, state and federal farmland protection grants to support the purchase of an agricultural conservation easement on the D&M Farm owned by Dean and Mark Schreiber.
Vosburg Hollow Nature Area Expansion
Located generally between Vosburg Road and Drumm Road, this element of the program will expand the exist ing Vosburg Hollow Nature Preserve eight-fold and will include acquisition of two key sections of the Hojack Trail that are owned privately. This part of the project is being supported by a generous donation of a permanent conservation easement on 21 beautiful acres along Ship-builders Creek (a noted fishing stream) to the Town of Webster by one of the resident land owners.
Maple Drive Natural Area
Located on the east side of Maple Drive, this wooded parcel currently is home to several species of native trees and is used informally as a natural area and walking trail. It will provide residents with an attractive nature preserve and will serve as a trail link from neighbors near and along Bay Road to connect to Finn Park which is across the street from this property.
Lake Road East Area Preserves
This area includes open fields and a large area of woodlands with access to a significant frontage along Four-mile Creek, an important trout and salmon fishery.
*The Town has secured more than $1.75 milion in Federal, State & County grant funding to help with preserving this farm property.