Committee Overview

The nine (9) member Open Space & Recreation Plan Committee (OSRP) committee was formed under the auspices of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EOEEA), Division of Conservation Services (DCS), to create an Open Space & Recreation Plan, using the Workbook in June 1991, revised in February 2001 and March 2008.

The state encourages municipalities to plan for Open Space & Recreation, offering planning tools and subsequent funding. 

«Planning provides the opportunity to assess where you are, where you would like to go, and how you might get there. Planning now to protect important open space and recreational facilities can greatly enhance the attractiveness of your community and encourage compatible growth in the future. Studies show a net fiscal benefit of open space on local tax bases, when compared to residential development. » (Workbook page 1)

«Finally, a Massachusetts community with an approved Open Space and Recreation Plan becomes eligible to apply for Self-Help, Urban Self-Help, Land and Water Conservation Funds, and other grant programs administered by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Division of Conservation Services.  Open Space and Recreation Plans also help to coordinate with ongoing acquisition efforts of state environmental agencies and local and regional land trusts. » (Workbook page 3)

Besides giving guidelines to create a plan, the Workbook also provides the OSRPC with teeth to effectuate the implementation of the plan: 

«Each year, the community (perhaps your newly-formed Open Space Committee […] should evaluate implementation activities of the previous year and revise the Action Plan accordingly. » (Workbook page 46)

EOEEA DCS OSRP Workbook