The Southampton Open Space Plan is specifically designed with the theme that providing open space and recreation opportunities together with establishing land conservation programs is an essential ingredient in the lives of town residents and thus, must have high priority in the planning for services and facilities. Further, the plan was developed in concert with the Southampton Rural Lands Management Project, which has been in preparation over the past four years, and which has many similar goals and objectives and will be described in the plan. Much of the text for the plan is taken verbatim from the report of the Southampton Rural Lands Management Project which was prepared by the Pioneer Valley Regional Planning Commission. The way of life in rural communities and the character of the rural landscape is in serious jeopardy, threatened to become suburban extensions of the steadily expanding metropolitan areas.
Rural communities are often ill-equipped to meet the challenges of growth.
Most small communities rely on volunteer boards, unsupported by trained staff. Many board members serve on more than one committee or board, stretching the time and energies of board members. In addition, the antiquated zoning bylaws and other planning tools existing in small towns are often largely ineffective in helping communities deal with new development and plan for the future. Southampton was chosen to be the pilot community where these new techniques and methods could be applied. Southampton was selected primarily because it still has abundant undeveloped forestland and farmland resources, was a community at the urban fringe facing strong development pressures in the future, and had residents strongly interested in better managing future growth.