Open Space Survey

Rochester is one of the fastest growing areas in our state, and this growth rate can put much pressure on our current natural and recreational spaces. It is for this reason that the Olmsted county Board of Commissioners has directed the Rochester-Olmsted Planning Department to draft an “open space” plan. “Open space” is defined as an area that is managed in its natural state or used for outdoor recreation and is free from intensive development for residential, commercial, industrial, or institutional use.

In order to craft the plan, there needs to be documentation of all of our existing open spaces, sensitive natural areas, and our current policies regarding both. These findings are then to be related existing public and private landholdings, and provide a toolbox for their conservation or acquisition as funding becomes available.

As a part of this plan the county has designed a survey meant to take about 15 minuets, in order to collect information on our area’s open space strengths and weaknesses as well as to determine what  areas people consider to be important to our county’s environment. The survey will be conducted on public officials, commission members, recreational and environmental organizations, and the general public. The survey will be open until July 16th and is located at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VY3ZYVZ

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