News

Published on: 8/30/2019

Open space takes on many forms. It could be a farm, a trail, a stream, nature preserve or a park.

The York County Land Protection Committee is surveying county residents to find out whether or not open space is important to them. Is enough being done to protect open space? The committee wants to hear from you!

Open space is defined as space publicly or privately owned land and water that is:

• Predominately in a natural state.
• Dedicated to providing areas for passive or active public recreation.
• Agricultural lands privately owned and managed for food and fiber production.
• Lands protecting natural -- water, air, soil, minerals, forests, wildlife -- or historic resources.
• Land preserving scenic quality and maintaining community character.

Open space provides many benefits, including clean water and air, recreational opportunities. It oofers access to fresh, local food, but open space protection faces challenges in York County, including development pressures and insufficient funding.

The York County Comprehensive Plan set a benchmark to preserve at least 2,500 acres annually but has been falling short of that goal. A stable and predictable funding source could be used to create a coordinated and connected landscape by preserving York County's agricultural economy, providing land for recreation, and protecting our natural habitats and waterways.

For more information on open space protection, visit yorkopenspace.org. If you are a York County resident, please take the survey to share your opinion on open space protection efforts in your community. The survey is open through Sept. 20.