Importance of Open Space

Clifton Park is a great place to live!

Why?  Few communities can boast of suburban amenities and rural life and landscape within a few minutes of each other.   Our malls, office buildings, restaurants and shops can be found throughout the Capital Region.  BUT, few communities have these amenities within a 5-minute drive of breathtaking rural scenery, majestic waterfronts, historic landmarks and top grade recreational facilities.

Veterans Memorial Park

Veterans Memorial Park

Social:   Open space resources and preservation of important hisSaratoga PLAN Wetlands torical areas can provide a sense of:

  • community identity,
  • culture and
  • place.

Communities that have interesting and diverse recreation areas and scenic open spaces usually have a special ambiance.  They are refuges from the stress and strain of the 21st century.  They lead citizens to take action to keep our town attractive.

 

Environmental:  

Saratoga PLAN Wetlands

Saratoga PLAN Wetlands

Many municipalities are struggling with the contamination of ground water supplies, loss of birds, and pollution of surface water from human activities.

Open spaces and natural resources:

  • protect water quality,
  • minimize erosion damage,
  • reduce pollution,
  • support wildlife habitat, and
  • provide visual relief and aesthetic benefits.

 

 

Apple orchards by the river

Apple orchards by the river

Economic:

First, open space does not require town services for water, sewers, police and fire protection, highway maintenance, etc.  It doesn’t generate the need for landfills, schools, traffic,parking, etc.  It keeps taxes low.

Second, high quality open space promotes high property values.  People prefer to live, work, shop and play in communities that have an abundance of trees, open spaces, and pedestrian walkways.  Homes closer to parks are valued considerably more than comparable homes further away.