Planners Set To Study, Save Region's Open Areas

Opportunities to be outdoors contribute to the livability and quality of life in Northwest Arkansas and regional planners want to make sure open spaces are preserved for public use as the region grows.

A $350,000 grant from the Walton Family Foundation will pay the entire cost for a study of the landscape of the region.

AT A GLANCE

Opening Up To Open Space

Recognized benefits to preserving open space in communities include:

• Creates a high quality of life that attracts tax-paying businesses and residents.

• Stimulates commercial growth and promotes city revitalization.

• Boosts local economies by attracting tourists and supporting outdoor recreation.

• Floodplain protection offers a cost-effective alternative to expensive flood-control measures.

• Protects agricultural lands to safeguard the future of farming economies and communities.

• Prevents the higher costs of unplanned development.

• Can be the cheapest way to safeguard drinking water and clean the air.

Source: Staff Report

"It is the intent of the plan to focus on identifying natural open space assets, analyzing and assessing those assets and developing potential strategies for conserving those resources for the use of current and future generations," according to a Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission resolution.

Planners estimate Benton and Washington counties will have about three-quarters of a million people by 2040.

"We're going to continue to grow," John McLarty of the planning commission said. "We don't want people saying 20 years from now that they have to get out of here. So what can we do to keep it an attractive area to live, work and raise a family?"

Examples of open space include the regional trail system, national forests, state and national parks, wildlife management areas, areas around Beaver Lake, University of Arkansas agricultural property, city parks, properties held in trust and land owned by private nonprofit groups.

"This is very people-centered," McLarty said. "This is for the use of people."

John Pennington, executive director of the Beaver Watershed Alliance, said having more open space and less concrete is also important to preserving water quality in the region.

"I think it's a great idea and it's needed for this area. I've been able to see the benefits that this kind of development brings to an area," Pennington said. "It helps to retain the quality of life, the sense of place and it attracts people, yet doesn't destroy the resources that make the area special, water quality is one of those."

The resulting plan will be incorporated in the region's long-term master plan. McLarty said a steering committee will be formed to develop criteria and strategies. McLarty said he expects to kick things off in October.

The resolution accepting the grant says livability and quality of life initiatives are important to future economic development in Northwest Arkansas. A stated goal of the Walton Family Foundation is to preserve a sense of place.

McLarty said there was an open space plan for the area in 1970 but it has not been updated because there was not enough discretionary money available, McLarty said. The Planning Commission had been looking for money to do the study for awhile and the foundation's grant will make it possible.

NW News on 09/02/2014

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