Matters related to open space, farmland, community character, quality of life, taxes, and development are all intertwined. In the Stroud Region, as well as other areas throughout the Commonwealth and the nation, municipal, and school district officials have realized that many of the costs of development, particularly in areas of rapid change, are borne by the community rather than the developer.

Residential development requires more services than is covered by tax revenues. In short, it is in the best interest of the community to control the demand on the cost side of development by creating, implementing, and maintaining an open space conservation plan. Open space conservation is essential to any smart growth plan.

Smart growth communities are more livable than are sprawling suburban neighborhoods, and accumulating evidence suggests that smarter, denser growth is simply the most economical way for communities to grow. The most successful higher-density neighborhoods - those most attractive to homebuyers - offer easy access to parks, playgrounds, trails, greenways and natural open space. This is one reason that the American Planning Association, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the National Association of Counties, and many business leaders support the open space conservation and smart growth movements.

It Starts in Parks
A three-part Op-Ed series, published in the Pocono Record, outlines some of the many community benefits of open space, parks and recreation.
Open Space boosts the local economy (economic development)
'Sustainability' starts with parks (environmental sustainability)
Parks, recreation promote health too (alleviating social problems)

Regional Open Space, Greenway and Recreation Plans
Click on the title to view a .pdf file

Stroud Region Open Space and Recreation Plan
(2002) In a cooperative agreement, the municipalities of Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg, and Stroud Township defined their collective needs, goals, and ideas for open space and recreation. The resultant study is a now planning tool for guiding future land preservation, focusing government, and community resources, meeting park and recreation needs, and initiating practical strategies important to each community and the Stroud Region as a whole.

Brodhead, McMichael, and Pocono Creeks Greenways Plan
(2002) The Brodhead, McMichael, and Pocono Creeks Greenways Plan documents and analyzes existing conditions within the creek corridors. Building upon an understanding of current greenway features and desired use of the greenway system, options for its enhancement and development were identified. The detailed implementation plan outlines a step-by-step process for successful completion of the study's recommendations.

Stroud Region Levee Loop Trail Master Plan
(2005)  The Levee Loop Trail project encircles a segment of the Brodhead and McMichael Creeks and extends through the densely developed sections of Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg, and Stroud Township.  The proposed Trail follows the top of the levee on both sides of the Brodhead Creek from Glen Park  to the Stroudsburg Municipal Authority, connecting several regional parks with approximately ten miles of trails.on

Monroe County Open Space Plan
(2001) The adoption of the comprehensive Monroe 2020 Plan in 1999 and its subsequent passage of the open space bond referendum were two major milestones that helped establish the framework for protecting, conserving, and enhancing Monroe County's open space. 

Terra Greens and Glen Brook Regional Parks Master Site Plan
(2008) The study explored the potential to improve and expand recreational facilities at two existing golf courses and the potential linkages to municipal lands surrounding them, with the goal of developing recreation opportunities to enhance and preserve the Stroud Region open space.