Southampton Open Space and Recreation Plan Update

The Town of Southampton is seeking public input and comment to develop town goals, objectives, and action items for open space and recreation for the next seven years. All residents are encouraged to attend a public visioning session on Wednesday, December 182019 6:30 p.m. at the Town Hall, 1st floor meeting room.

The purpose of this planning effort is to develop an updated Southampton Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP), which was last completed in 2012. Adopting an updated OSRP will maintain the town's eligibility for numerous state, federal, and private foundation grant opportunities for park and conservation projects. Therefore, public comment is critically important to developing a plan that meets the needs of Southampton’s residents for the next seven years, when the plan will be in effect. The visioning session will include a review of the purpose and content of open space and recreation plans, review of initial survey findings, and a mapping and prioritization exercise to identify the community’s top goals and objectives for implementation.

All meeting participants and residents are also asked to complete a survey to identify open spaces and recreational activities important to them. The questionnaire is available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SouthamptonOSRP or in paper form from Ed Gibson at the Town offices and can be returned to the same location.

The plan update is being developed by the Southampton Open Space and Recreation Plan Update Committee. The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission is assisting the committee with plan organization, data collection, map generation, and public engagement through a FY19 District Local Technical Assistance Grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.