The Needham Select Board will hold a public hearing on the present and future uses and management of the Ridge Hill Reservation and Nike Site on Tuesday, February 11, at James Hugh Powers Hall beginning at 7:30 PM.

Ridge Hill and Nike are Town-owned properties, in the western part of Needham, accessible from Charles River Street and from Pine Street.  They total approximately 225 acres of land.  Of that, two areas: 3 acres around the former estate buildings at Ridge Hill, and the 18-acre Nike Site, are under the jurisdiction of the Select Board. The remainder is under jurisdiction of the Town’s Conservation Commission. The Nike Site is the current home of the Needham Community Farm and the Needham Dog Park.

The hearing will include information and discussion of current uses, conditions, and management of the properties, and potential for future uses or development of the Select Board’s jurisdictional areas. Subjects will include proposed demolition of structures at Ridge Hill, and the 2018 report by the consulting firm Weston and Sampson to the Select Board and Conservation Commission.

Members of the public will have an opportunity to ask questions and provide input at the hearing. A copy of the Weston and Sampson report is available at:

http://www.needhamma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/17372/Ridge-Hill-Weston_-Sampson-Final-Report-11_2018?bidId= .   As the report is a large PDF document, many users may find it easiest to read if they download and save the PDF onto their own device.

The Board invites all residents and interested parties to attend and participate. Written comments may also be submitted to the Select Board, c/o Needham Town Hall, 1471 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA 02492 or by email to selectboard@needhamma.gov.