Open Space and Recreation Planning

Parks, trails, greenways, farms, and other open spaces are important ingredients in the appeal and livability of any community. Creating and preserving parkland and open space also attracts businesses, increases property values, and draws residents who want to enjoy an enhanced quality of life.

Converting underutilized land to parks and gardens can help to revitalize neighborhoods, and public ownership of parcels in key locations, and can help to increase public access to natural amenities for recreation. Providing small parks or other well-maintained and attractive public space within 1/4 - 1/2 mile of most residents is a good rule of thumb for creating walkable communities. Parks and open areas can also be a cost-effective alternative for flood control and stormwater treatment.

One way a community can assess and preserve its open space is by developing an open space plan, or including an assessment of open space and recreational resources as part of its comprehensive plan. In this process, a community: 1) categorizes and inventories all of its open space parcels by looking at their use and function within the community, 2) prioritizes the open space parcels for protection, and 3) considers the best way to use and protect them.

Open space is not just vacant land, but may also include recreational sites, parks, greenways, active agricultural lands, cemeteries, forests, woodlands, wetlands, and trail networks. With a complete inventory of open space parcels, and a plan for prioritizing and protecting key lands, a community can work towards obtaining the financial means to achieve its open space goals.