If the open space were transformed to housing, the town will still be paying to educate and service the residents living on the site well beyond the 20 years. A mixture of land uses is essential to maintenance of social welfare and quality of life. Open space establishes a quality of life that attracts businesses and others to relocate. Quality of life for employees was the third most important factor in locating a business, according to an annual survey of chief executive officers in 1989. The two most important factors were access to domestic markets and availability of skilled labor.
Open space provides healthful living conditions.
A town's investment in open space achieves community goals and saves in the long-run. Open space provides tranquil noise-free islands amid the rush and bustle of urban life that help people unwind and reduce stress, a leading cause of bad health. Open space offers places for community gatherings, allowing social exchange and interaction in a positive setting that contribute toward diverse populations getting to know each other. Holmes Rolston A neighborhood woods invites exploration and familiarity to learn about nature and develop respect for it. Natural lands are an investment in education as they furnish laboratories for classrooms of natural history and science.