open space

Enriching lives through quality open space, parks, and recreation.

Growing Smart: An Investment in Quality of Life

For decades, people in suburban and rural places have discussed, studied, argued and fought for ways to keep important lands in their communities open and undeveloped. While zoning techniques have had some success, there are areas where residential and commercial development is best avoided rather than moved around. To truly grow smart, a community must decide what lands to protect for recreation, community character, the conservation of natural resources, and open space. These decisions help shape growth and define where development should occur.

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 have gotten behind the open space conservation and smart growth movements.

The following Regional Studies and Plans are presented here as links to .pdf files.

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 began with documentation and analysis of existing conditions within the creek corridors. Potential greenway user groups were identified to determine the feasibility of accommodating a variety of uses. Building upon an understanding of current greenway features and desired use of the greenway system, options for its enhancement and development were identified. A 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.

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.

Preface and Executive Summary

Chapter 1 Background and Introduction

Chapter 2 Needs Assessment

Chapter 3 Heritage Resources

Chapter 4 Growing Greener

Chapter 5 Open Space, Parks, and Recreation

Chapter 6 Parks and Recreation Partnership

Chapter 7 Greenways

Chapter 8 Open Space Acquisition

Chapter 9 Action Plan