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Scenic Resources

CHAPTER 2

7 ROUTE 122 SCENIC BYWAY — Franklin County Section

Scenic Assessment Process

Step 1

To assess the scenic resources of the Byway,

the corridor was divided into “visual

segments,” which share common visual

characteristics as determined while driving

along its length. The following five

categories were used to divide the byway into

“visual segments” – Farmland/Open Land

(crop fields, orchards, hayfields, pasture

land, and non-forested open land including

recreation areas); Farmland Developed

(fields and forest lands that have some

residential and/or commercial development

interspersed with active farms); Forest

(forested land including both mature and

successional); Village/Town Center (central

commercial and industrial areas with multi-

storied buildings, community and

government facilities and apartments and

multi-family housing; and Developed Land

(including residential subdivisions,

commercial development and industrial

areas).

For visual segments that have two different

characteristics, for example residential

development along one side of the road and

agricultural land with a historic farm house

on the other side, the evaluator made a

judgment about which is the dominant visual

feature. Each “visual segment” was

evaluated every ½ mile according to the

procedure detailed in Step 2, with a separate

Scenic Assessment Evaluation Form

completed for each of the ½-mile sections.

Step 2

Using the Scenic Assessment Evaluation

Form found at the end of this chapter, each

½-mile section within the larger “visual

segment” was evaluated twice, traveling the

Byway in each direction. All features, both

scenic and detracting, along each side of the

½-mile roadway segment were included in

the ranking. The scenic features present

within each ½-mile section received a +1 and

the detracting features within each ½-mile

segment received a –1. In addition, all of the

topographical features that could be seen

from the Byway, not just those within the ½-

o assess the scenic resources of the western section of the Route 122 Scenic

Byway, the Franklin Regional Council of Governments (FRCOG) staff

traveled the road and systematically rated the historic downtowns, rural

landscapes, and long and panoramic views along the Byway corridor. The

scoring system is based on a similar landscape assessment procedure used by the

FRCOG to assess the scenic resources along the Mohawk Trail Scenic Byway, the Route

112 Scenic Byway, and the Connecticut River Scenic Farm Byway. Some modifications

to the evaluation form and ranking system were made to better suit the specific

characteristics of the Route 122 Scenic Byway. The assessment procedure is described

below, and a sample of the Scenic Assessment Evaluation Form is included at the end

of the chapter.

T CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 2: Scenic Resources 8

mile study area were noted. This allowed the

long-range and panoramic views that can be

seen from the Byway to be accounted for in

the evaluation.

After the assessment was completed in both

directions, the totals were added together

and divided by 2 for a “segment score.” The

evaluators conducting the landscape

assessment drove the entire roadway in one

direction filling out segment evaluation

forms and then repeated the process in the

opposite direction.

Step 3

If the continuous ½-mile visual segments

were categorized as the same land use

classification, the segments were collapsed

into one segment and the scores were

averaged together. The larger “visual

segment” score was calculated by adding the

total score from each of the Scenic

Evaluation Forms completed (one for each ½

-mile section) within that “visual segment,”

and dividing by the number of ½-mile

sections within the particular “visual

segment.” For example, if a particular

“visual segment” is six miles long, 12 Scenic

Evaluation Forms would be filled out, and

these 12 segment scores would be averaged

to calculate the visual assessment score. The

“visual segment” was then ranked based on

the following categories:

Outstanding (Score Range: 13 or greater)

Distinctive (Score Range: 8.1-12)

Noteworthy (Score Range: 5-8)

Average (Score Range: less than 5)

Scenic Assessment

The portion of the Route 122 Scenic Byway in

Franklin County, the western section, is very

different from the eastern part of the

roadway in Worcester County. The

northwestern terminus of the Byway is in

downtown Orange, a classic small and

vibrant industrial town. In New Salem, the

Quabbin Reservoir, the drinking water

supply for most of Eastern Massachusetts, is

a prominent landscape feature that is unique

to the Franklin County section of the Byway.

The landscape for the drive near the Quabbin

is forested and wild, with views across large

wetland areas and ponds to distant

mountains and hills and undeveloped lands.

In Franklin County, the Byway is 7.5 miles

long; in Worcester County it is 32.5 miles

long. The entire length of the study area that

is included in this Corridor Management

Plan (7.5 miles) was divided into 15 visual

segments. The descriptions of the segments

begin in Orange at the intersection of Route

2A (Main Street) and Route 122 and ends at

the Franklin County border (the New Salem/

Petersham Town Line).

The Worcester County Corridor Management

Plan was completed by the Central

Massachusetts Planning Commission. It

includes the section of the Byway from the

New Salem/Petersham town line to the

Paxton/Worcester border.

The Scenic Byway is described sequentially

from northwest to southeast. It is important

to note that the scenic assessment was

completed traveling both east and west in

order to account for features that are visible

from each direction.


Segment 1

Village Center

In Orange from the intersection of Routes

2A and 122 in the Village Center to Myrtle

Street (mile 0 to mile.5)

Characteristics: This .5-mile segment located in Orange is the

northern terminus of the study area. The

first half mile is in the Village Center with

historic store fronts, mill buildings and a

War Memorial Park flanking both sides of

Route 122. These structures are significant

as they are tied to the industrial history of

New England and are a benchmark of

Orange’s past economic prosperity.

Findings:

The Village Center of Orange is an intact

main street area with historic examples

of commercial and industrial mill

buildings that could be on the National

Register of Historic Places.

The intersection of Routes 2A (Mohawk

Trail Scenic Byway) and (Route 122

Scenic Byway) provide an opportunity for

the Village Center to become a hub for

tourism and economic renewal.

Segment 2

Developed Land

In Orange Center from Myrtle Street to the

Massachusetts DOT maintenance facility in

the Town of Orange (mile.5 to mile 1.5)

Characteristics: Here, the roadway travels through a

residential neighborhood where historic 19th

Century houses and large trees border the

street. Eventually, the houses become 20th

Century structures with larger lots, including

a housing development called Hillside

Terrace, a gas station and convenience store,

and some forested roadside. South Cemetery

is a distinctive historic, scenic and open

space resource on the east side of the road

before the Ralph C. Mahar Regional School.

The segment ends at the Massachusetts

Department of Transportation facility.

Findings: Further from the village center, newer

commercial and residential development

is evident. There are overhead wires and

poles that compromise the scenic quality

of the neighborhood and a few homes are

in need of improvement.

This section is comprised of developed

land of varying historic residential

ne igh b o r h o o d s , mo r e mo d er n

commercial and residential buildings,

forest and open space, and town and

Looking north on Route 122 to its intersection with Route 2A. Historic mill buildings line the street.

Historic 19th Century houses in downtown Orange.


state facilities.

Segment 3

Developed Land – Residential, Commercial, and Farmstead

In Orange from the Massachusetts DOT

maintenance facility to the New Salem

Town Line (mile 1.5 to 3)

Characteristics: This 1½-mile stretch is characterized by the

development of two access ramps to Route 2,

a large working dairy farm and the

intersection of Routes 122 and 202 where

there is some commercial development. The

terrain is gently rolling with a wetland on one

side and woods on the other, large open farm

fields opposite houses and retail stores

across from woodlands at the intersection of

Routes 202 and 122. There is a panoramic

view of the Hunt Farm as the traveler drives

south; conversely the traveler has a view of

the open space and wetlands surrounding the

access ramps to Route 2 from the Hunt Farm

as s/he drives north.

Findings: The Massachusetts DOT maintenance

facility could be improved by screening

with evergreens or other shrubs.

The area around the access ramps to

Route 2 is defined by a wetland and

forest on one side of Route 2 and wide

open pasture and forest on the other.

While the area is “developed,” it is rural

and open and adds to the scenic

experience.

The intersection of Routes 122 and 202

could be improved with landscaping,

screening and repairs to buildings;

otherwise the intersection is a pleasant

cluster of commercial and residential

development.

Segment 4

Residential and Farmstead

In New Salem from the Orange Town Line

to Orange Street (mile 3.0 to mile 4.0)

Characteristics: This mile-long segment is characterized by a

historic farmstead, a rural landscape and the

beginning of forested lands that protect the

Quabbin Reservoir. For the first ½ mile,

stone walls and large trees frame the fields

and pastures; historic farmhouses are set

back from the roadway; and large boulders

crop up in the meadows. The other section of

the roadway quickly turns to forest lands as it

slopes downhill toward the Quabbin

View of Hunt Farm.

Pastoral view of a horse farm.


Reservoir.

Findings: This segment of Route 122 transitions

from a rural landscape – views of rolling

farmland with cows and horses grazing,

stone walls that flank farm fields, historic

farmhouses and distinctive barns, and

forested lands – to a wild area that is

defined by the Quabbin Reservoir (the

drinking water supply for eastern

Massachusetts) and thousands of acres of

forested lands preserved by the State to

protect the purity of the water.

The panoramic view of the Quabbin

Reservoir lands, which are managed by

the Massachusetts Department of

Conservation and Recreation, is only a

hint of the scenic vistas to come and the

recreational wonderland that Quabbin

Reservoir could be for the Route 122

Scenic Byway and its communities.

The guardrail along this stretch could be

improved.

The classic architecture of the historic

buildings along this section should be

repaired and preserved.

Segment 5

North Quabbin Reservoir Region

In New Salem Orange Street to the

Petersham Town Line (mile 4.0 to mile 7.5)

Characteristics: This 3½-mile segment is the most scenic

stretch of Route 122. It is sparsely populated

and wild. It is characterized by vast stretches

of forest that are punctuated by spectacular

views of wetland areas, ponds and far away

mountains. An occasional house, hiking

trail, pull-off or rural road can be seen from

the Scenic Byway, but for the most part the

roadway passes through wild lands.

There are many pull-offs that allow travelers

to stop and see the scenery and wildlife, park

for hiking and biking on trails, and access

fishing and boating opportunities on the

reservoir. Some of the pull-offs are more

formal than others, and there is limited

information about the lands, trails, Quabbin

Reservoir, or recreational opportunities

along the byway except what is not allowed.

Opportunities to view wildlife are virtually

around every bend and over every hill –

eagles, otters, moose and other wildlife are

prevalent here. On the trails that lace the

region, visitors can also see stone arched

bridges and the remnants of foundations and

yard plantings of the homes and farms that

once dotted the landscape.

Quabbin Reservoir wetlands from Route 122.

View across the Quabbin Reservoir.


Toward the Petersham Town Line, Spectacle

and South Spectacle Ponds can be seen on

both sides of the Byway. These are part of

the Quabbin Reservoir system.

Findings:

This is one of the most scenic drives in

the State. It is also one of the most

sensitive areas in the Commonwealth,

because it provides pure drinking water

to millions of people in eastern

Massachusetts. People should be

encouraged to visit the region, and at the

same time, learn about its significance

and how to care for its precious resources

of water, forests and wildlife. Brochures,

maps, kiosks and a visitor center would

help accomplish this.

The panoramic views of the Quabbin

Reservoir are stunning and multiple, yet

there is little information about what you

are viewing and what you might see in

the way of wildlife and historic artifacts

of human settlement.

The pull-offs are not formal, and so

somewhat complement the wild nature of

the area. That said, amenities could be

added to help people take photographs,

watch and discover wildlife, and orient

themselves within the region and reserve.

The pull-offs and trails visible from the

roadway are numerous. Again

information is lacking, e.g. where do the

trails lead, where can I boat or fish, what

will I see in the way of wildlife, and what

is the Quabbin Reservoir.

There is little or no information about the

history or significance of the Quabbin

Reservoir. Informational kiosks would

add to the visitor experience and

knowledge about the villages that were

lost and the water system that was

gained.

There is an opportunity for the State and

the communities of Quabbin Reservoir to

develop a new program about the history

of the region and the use of reservoir

lands and water that encourages

responsible use of the trails and

recreational opportunities along the

Scenic Byway.

In ranking the visual segments, the FRCOG

emphasized the quality of historic

architecture of Orange Center, the rural

forested segments with farms and woodlands

and the wild lands of the Quabbin Reservoir

and ponds of the North Quabbin Region.

Historic stone arched bridge.

A view of Spectacle Pond.


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1. Many of the recommendations of the Scenic Resources Chapter overlap with those found in other chapters of the

Corridor Management Plan. This is intentional since scenic, historic and natural resources are community assets

that serve economic, recreational, educational and inspirational purposes.

Findings and Recommendations

Findings:

Roadway features such as guardrails and utility lines sometimes detract from the scenic

qualities of the roadway (galvanized verses Cor-Ten steel or extensive wiring above the

roadway).

Historically significant buildings are in need of repair and restoration and some of the

storefronts and mill buildings appear vacant.

Scenic views of the wetlands, ponds and reservoir are not complemented by information

about the region – recreational opportunities, the lost villages, and the Commonwealth’s

extraordinary water system.

Downtown Orange is historic and would greatly benefit from continued revitalization

efforts.

The industrial heritage of Orange Center is significant and should be highlighted.

Recommendations:

The scenic and natural resources of the Route 122 Scenic Byway are remarkable but under

utilized and little known by travelers, tourists and people who enjoy outdoor recreation. Few

know of the significant contribution that western Massachusetts residents made and continue

to make in providing pure drinking water from the Quabbin Reservoir to others in the eastern

portion of the Commonwealth.

With the advent of the automobile, the scenic vistas and natural resources of the area and the

historic structures of the industrial era spawned new economies of auto-tourism and outdoor

recreation. As such, the recommendations that follow not only suggest that the towns preserve

these resources, but “use” them to promote the area, renew their town centers, and build the

region’s tourist/recreational economy along the Route 122 Scenic Byway.1

Identify views along the Byway that are a priority for protection for the communities.

Acquire conservation restrictions, agricultural preservation restrictions (APRs) or fee

interest in scenic, agricultural or natural lands from willing land owners to permanently

protect and create important vistas along the Byway.

Implement selective pruning to open vistas that have become blocked by overgrown

vegetation.

Explore and seek options for funding to implement downtown/main street revitalization

efforts and to assist property owners with the restoration, rehabilitation and maintenance

of architecturally and historically significant buildings.

Seek ways to improve informational signage to highlight points of interest, both on and off

the Byway; alert travelers to important historic, cultural and natural features; and attract

travelers to the town centers of Orange and New Salem in Franklin County, and Petersham,

Barre, Oakham, Rutland and Paxton in Worcester County.


Encourage commercial establishments to use landscaping, signage and building designs

that complement the rural, natural, historic and scenic quality of the Byway.

Promote signage and façade improvements and restoration that enhance the distinctive

quality of each of the town centers, tie each streetscape together, improve the historic

character of the buildings in each town and help communities market their businesses and

village centers.

Encourage Byway towns to improve their site plan review bylaws to foster development

that is sensitive to the natural, scenic and historic features of the Byway.

Create model sign bylaws that can be adopted by towns that encourage signage of a design

and scale that enhances and distinguishes town centers and complements the scenic quality

of the Byway.

Consider the adoption of local zoning overlay districts for the Scenic Byway corridor that

includes additional design standards to help preserve the Scenic Byway, and create model

byway overlay zoning district bylaws for use by towns.

Create a Route 122 Scenic Byway Primer for towns that includes design guidelines for

buildings, façade improvements and restoration ideas, main street revitalization tools, and

model bylaws.

Establish a regional main street revitalization program for communities along the Byway.

Seek funding to develop town tours and activity guides, waypoint information centers and a

signage and kiosk program for the entire Byway that highlights its distinctive historical,

natural and scenic areas and promotes the region’s town centers and recreational

opportunities.

Create a web site, brochures/pamphlets, maps and kiosks with traveler information about

points of interest in Byway communities.

Implement a new educational and informational program with the Commonwealth about

the region that highlights it history, promotes the area’s recreational opportunities and tells

people about how to protect the natural beauty and water resources of the North Quabbin.

Improve existing pull-offs to enhance their safety, utility and signage.

Establish new safe turn-out sites at ecological, architectural, historic and scenic locations to

allow travelers to stop and enjoy views, read historic, informational signage and markers

and access the recreational opportunities found along the Byway.

Encourage the use of transportation infrastructure and roadside utilities (guardrails,

retaining walls and telecommunications facilities) that are developed in a manner that is

sensitive to the scenic nature of the Byway.

Work with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation to improve

signage and information about the Quabbin Reservoir Reserve, so that visitors learn about

this remarkable resource, understand its importance, and care for it when they use and

enjoy the recreational resources.


ROUTE 122 SCENIC BYWAY CORRIDOR MANAGEMENT PLAN

Segment Evaluation Form

(circle one)

Visual Segment Category: Farmland/Open Land Farmland/ Developed Forest Village/Town Center Developed Land

Location Town _______________________________________ Road Name/Route _______________________

Visual Segment GPS Numbers: Beginning Point ___________________ Ending Point ___________________________

Beginning Land Mark ______________________________________ Ending Land Mark _______________________

DEVELOPED LAND: □ Residential Subdivision □ Commercial Development, □ Industrial

Scenic Landscape Features South North Comments

Landform / Topography

Flat

Gently Sloping

Rolling

Steep

Mountainous

Vegetation

Distinctive or Mature Forest

Field or Forest Edge

Contiguous Forested Area

Significant Single Tree/Stand of Trees

Rows of Trees or Hedgerows

Forest Tunnel Effect

Masses of Wildflowers or Ferns

Distinctive Fall Foliage

Water

Lakes and Ponds

Marshes or Wetlands

Rivers or Brooks

Waterfalls

Unbroken Riverfront Historically significant water feature associated with

industrial heritage

Fields / Open Spaces

Crop

Hay

Pasture

Orchard

Other (Please Describe)

Rock/Geologic

Cliffs

Boulders or Outcrops

Special Views

Panoramic

Long View

Distinctive View of water/forest/farm/village

Outstanding Natural, Cultural or Historic Feature/Site

Proximity of Human Activities

Nearby and visible farm activity

Nearby and visible village activity

Nearby and visible recreation activity

Special evidence of human care taking

Road Fit

Road conforms to land form and landscape

Road scale, width, material fitting


Scenic Landscape Features (cont.) South North Comments

Human-Built Features Picturesque Farmsteads

farmhouse barn corral other

Covered and Other Scenic Bridges

Stone Walls and Wood Fences

Cemeteries Other Constructed Focal Points - Historical / Industrial /

River Related Structures

Historic commercial building(s)

Historic mill building(s) or complex Historic residential neighborhood

Historic District Distant Village or Steeple Single Preserved Historic Building Picturesque Village/Town Center

green space (common, setback areas) mature, well lined street well maintained homes/building/property outstanding architecture other (please describe)

Ephemeral (Transitory Features) Migrating Wildlife Grazing Livestock Other

Total Number of Scenic (Positive) Landscape Features

Misfit Landscape Features East West Comments

Landscape Scars Lumbering Scars or Slash Erosion Gravel and Sand Mining Operations Prominent Utility Lines, Corridors, Substations or Cell

towers

Buildings and Other Structures Inappropriate or Dilapidated Buildings/Property Inappropriate Gas Stations & Auto Repair Shops Large or Inappropriate Signs Unsightly Culverts

Buildings and Other Structures Junkyards and Landfills Storage Tanks Structures Out of Context Road not Conforming to Landscape Prominent/Inappropriate Guardrails Bridge that hides view or river, water or other

Land Use Inappropriate Strip Commercial Development Strip Residential Development Out of Context Industrial Uses Visible Pollution

Total Number of Misfit (Negative) Landscape Features Directional Total Sum of Scenic (+) and Misfit (-)

SEGMENT SCORE (East + West Totals/2)

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