Other Open Space Programs
Cary Planning staff recently surveyed open space programs from five other communities:

Chester County, PA. Chester County uses the term "Protected Open Space" to describe any undeveloped land that is protected from development. Their annual land acquisitions average 1,700 acres. The Chester County Planning Commission oversees open space and farmland preservation.

Lexington, KY. The Lexington Green Space Commission recently developed a comprehensive open space plan. The community will purchase development rights (conservation easements) using $3.7 million from the state of Kentucky, which has delegated a portion of their tobacco settlement to acquisition of open space.