MetroWest YMCA Receives 12.5 Acre Land Donation in Ashland

Thanks to a generous 12.5-acre donation of land by Robert Gayner, the MetroWest YMCA now has the land needed to build a new regional full-service facility YMCA in Ashland, according to a YMCA press release. The future home of the new facility will be located in a wooded area directly off Rt. 135, known as the Rail Transit District.
A time frame for building has not been determined.
Town Manager Michael Herbert posted online, “Very proud to be part of the effort to bring the YMCA into Ashland to help serve the entire Metrowest community. YMCAs are tailored to the communities they serve and play a much-needed role in their health. They also serve as economic drivers, a fact that has been recognized by economic development agencies like MassDevelopment.
“As many of you recall, this is part of a new vision for the Rail Transit District that was voted on at [November] Town Meeting, and replaces hundreds of townhomes across 100 acres of the property with open space, community centers like the YMCA, the Upper Charles Trail, and affordable housing units to help keep our seniors here in town and protect us from 40b developments. This particular parcel alone was scheduled for scores of townhomes in the next few years. Now, we will have a brand new center for the community.”
“We are very grateful to Bob Gayner for his tremendous generosity and to the Town of Ashland for pulling the YMCA into the fabric of their community with open arms,” MetroWest YMCA President and CEO Rick MacPherson said. “This generous land donation, paired with the enthusiasm and dedication shown by our volunteers and community partners, brings us one step closer to making a full-facility YMCA in the region a reality.”