Conservation Tools

A park and recreation plan may be a free-standing document or it may be included as a chapter (or chapters) of the larger municipal comprehensive plan. A good example of a scope of work for a comprehensive recreation plan is provded in this document.

This guidebook was created to outline the benefits of enhancing the natural resources in local parks and other landscapes, to maintain these areas in a sustainable manner, and to provide a step-by-step guide to help staff and volunteers achieve those results. It is directed primarily towards those charged with the design and maintenance of parklands, retail centers, housing developments, industrial parks, schools and other land uses, although the principles outlined in the book could also be used by individual homeowners.

Greenscapes: The Green Infrastructure Element of the Lancaster County Comprehensive Plan defines a vision, goals and objectives, strategies, and tools to preserve, conserve, restore, and enhance natural resources through the establishment of a countywide, integrated green infrastructure system. It highlights the importance of protecting large blocks of contiguous land and improving connectivity as it aims to establish a network of natural areas, conservation lands, and working landscapes. Greenscapes provides a blueprint for accommodating appropriate growth and development while preserving the region’s most valuable natural resources, native species, cultural assets and agricultural economy.

The Park and Open Space Plan excerpt from the regional comprehensive plan adopted by 11 municipalities in central Lancaster County as of spring 2007.

Smaller or more rural municipalities interested in creating a local park system may want to follow the simpler scope of work described in this DCNR publication.

Between November 2008 and February 2009, 2,648 Pennsylvanians were surveyed about their outdoor recreation patterns and the opinions about future recreation land conservation, facility development and management. The survey was designed to collect information related to the major themes of the 2009‐2013 Pennsylvania Outdoor Recreation Plan and included questions on overall recreation participation, favorite outdoor recreation activities, recreation area and facility needs, the role of outdoor recreation in physical activity, the perceived impacts of outdoor recreation and conservation, and demographics.

A good example of a multi-municipal comprehensive recreation plan for the Saucon Region of Lehigh and Northampton Counties.

This is an example of a “mini” recreation plan adopted by several small municipalities in southern Berks County that operate their recreational facilities on a joint basis.