What is the Open Space Element?

The Open Space Element implements a vision to protect, enhance, and manage the City’s open space resources. In California, open space is defined as any parcel or area of land or water that is unimproved and devoted to open-space use. (Cal. Gov. Code § 65560(b)). The General Plan Vision Statement recognizes that parks and recreational amenities are critical to creating a high quality of life for all citizens. Residents and City officials recognize that scenic foothill views and water features are character-defining attributes of the City and provide the visual backdrop for the community. Furthermore, this General Plan identifies recreational amenities, trail and open space connectivity, and park facilities as key opportunities for the City. Based on guidelines in Cal. Gov’t Code § 65561, this Element contains detailed information about open space for:

• natural resources,
• outdoor recreation,
• public health and safety,
• tribal resources, and
• managed production of resources.

Why is Open Space Important?

The City’s parks, open space, trails, and recreation facilities annually welcome thousands of residents and visitors and play an important role in the physical, mental, social, and environmental health of the City and its residents. Parks can improve the quality of life by strengthening the body and assisting in maintaining physical well-being. Mental and social benefits include visual relief from urban development, passive recreational opportunities that refresh the frame of mind and provide opportunities for social interaction, and healthy activities for youth.

Park and open space lands benefit the environment by providing habitat for plants and animals, and space for urban runoff to percolate into the soil and filter out related pollutants, while also serving to decrease the effects of urban heat islands. In addition, the City park system supports the City’s tourism industry, and enhances the City’s ability to attract and retain businesses.

Economic benefits: Green spaces in communities can be attractive to future buyers and developers, and generate many economic benefits for local governments, homeowners, and businesses. Open space may increase nearby residential property values and thus increase tax assessments. Compact, walkable developments featuring open space can provide economic benefits to developers through higher home sale prices, better marketability, and faster sales or leases than conventional development. Open space and recreation areas also may provide fiscal benefits to municipal governments because of the myriad of other benefits open space provides.

Public health and wellness: The availability and access to open space and recreation areas strongly influences how active people are. The Institute of Medicine has stated that improving the walkability of neighborhoods and increasing access to recreation facilities are essential strategies for preventing childhood obesity. Parks also provide people contact with nature, which itself is known to confer mental and physical well-being. 

Public safety: Parks and other open space can mitigate air and water pollution impacts on public health. Depending on the nature of the open space, these areas can reduce flood risk, assist in climate change mitigation and adaptation, and protect residents from hazardous conditions. The responsible management of open space in important to prevent and reduce impacts from catastrophic wildfire.

Open space provides benefits to wildlife habitat, biodiversity, conservation, managed natural resource production, and agricultural production.