Open Space & Recreation

The Open Space and Recreation Planning process involves an assessment of the community setting including demographics and population trends, regional and local resource mapping, an environmental inventory and analysis, inventory of lands of conservation and recreation interest, establishing community goals and objectives, analyzing community and resource protection needs, and developing a 10-year action plan. The plans are developed by staff and volunteers from each municipality, in collaboration with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, assistance from the Massachusetts Executive Office or Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Division of Conservation Services (DCS), often with funding provided through a DCS grant, Community Preservation Act funds, or District Local Technical Assistance. 

Pioneer Valley communities with an up-to-date approved Open Space and Recreation Plan are eligible to apply for the Massachusetts Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant Program, Local Acquisitions for Natural Diversity (LAND) Grant Program, Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities (PARC) Grant Program, and other grant programs administered by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Division of Conservation Services (DCS). OSRPs also help to coordinate with ongoing acquisition efforts of state environmental agencies and local and regional land trusts.

The term “open space” can refer to conservation land, forested land, recreation land, agricultural land, corridor parks and greenways, or any open area that is owned by an agency or organization dedicated to conservation. The term can also refer to undeveloped lands with a conservation or recreation interest. In addition to OSRPs, PVPC can also assist with other open space related plans and projects, such as those that focus on farmland preservation, urban agriculture, public recreation opportunities, and enhanced use of public spaces.