Town officials roll out new open space plan
By Mike BergerA newly drafted Canton Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP), prepared by consultants from the Horsley Whitten Group with substantial input from municipal leaders and the greater Canton community is now being readied for submission to the state Department of Conservation Services for review and approval — a key step that could help unlock additional state and federal grant opportunities.
On Tuesday, members of the Canton Select Board got their first formal look at the plan, which represents the first major update of the document since 2018. The report is also under review by the Planning Board, Conservation Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission and Metropolitan Area Planning Commission (MAPC).
On hand to present the key components of the new OSRP were Town Planner Connor Murphy and Krista Moravec of the Horsley Whitten Group, who prepared the new plan on behalf of the town. Spanning over 70 pages, the final report includes an inventory of open space and environmental resources within the town of Canton, including water resources, scenic landscapes, unique geological features, and rare plant and wildlife species.
Designed as a 10-year plan with implementation set to begin in 2027, the new OSRP will serve as a tool that local decision makers can use to guide investments in open space and recreational resources. It outlines resource protection, facility maintenance, and overall community needs associated with these resources while establishing goals and priorities to be accomplished over the next decade.
The newly updated plan spells out five main goals, the first of which is to protect 30 percent of Canton’s natural land by 2030 and 40 percent by 2050 in an effort to “build climate resilience; maintain and enhance water quality, biodiversity, and wildlife corridors; and connect the public with nature.”
Other primary goals include:
* Maintain and manage Canton’s conservation areas …
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Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=134419
Posted by Mike Berger
on Aug 28 2026. Filed under News, Town Government.
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