planning: Green Fields/Green Towns Program Summary

Montgomery County, PA

P.O. Box 311, Norristown, PA 19404-0311
Courthouse Hours: 8:30a.m. to 4:15p.m.
Phone: 610-278-3000
Website: www.montcopa.org

Open Space Photos

 

Green Fields/Green Towns Open Space Program

Phase two of the Montgomery County open space program began when the Montgomery County Commissioners officially adopted the new Green Fields/Green Towns Program on December 18, 2003. This ten-year $150 million program was approved by voter referendum in November 2003. The Green Fields/Green Towns Program is made up of three basic components: municipal grants ($67 million), private organization grants ($8 million), and county open space expenditures ($75 million).
 
All Montgomery County municipalities are eligible to apply for open space grants. The first round (the first four years of the program) will provide a guaranteed allocation of grant funds for each municipality. The second round of the program will provide the remaining grant funds to municipalities on a competitive basis. Municipalities will need to update their existing open space plans.  Once this is done, they can turn their attention to the open space projects listed in their new plans.  In addition to land acquisition, municipalities may direct funds toward heritage resource conservation, green infrastructure, farmland preservation, floodplain restoration, community trails that connect to the county’s trail network, and implementation of the Schuylkill River Greenway.
Private Organization Grants
Private organizations experienced in land preservation and heritage resource conservation will be eligible for open space grant funds. Applicants may use open space funds toward the acquisition and easement of properties and buildings, given natural resource or heritage value.  Projects involving buildings must be accompanied by a strategic plan for fundraising and restoration or adaptive reuse.  Open space grant funds may not be used to restore structures.
County Open Space Projects
Over the next ten years, the county will pursue five major open space goals aimed at creating a connected open space network. These include the development and preservation of trails and greenways; land acquisition and easement of lands that expand, protect, and enhance county parks, historic sites, and natural areas; capital improvements and planning for parks and historic sites; continuation and expansion of the farmland preservation program; and implementation of the Schuylkill River Greenway.
 
These three entities—municipalities, private organizations, and the county—are urged to form partnerships and collaborate on projects to achieve the broadest public benefit. All of these entities are encouraged to leverage county grants with funding from outside sources. The new open space program was designed to be flexible and meet the diverse needs of the county’s communities.  After many months of hard work, a practical yet visionary plan has emerged. Building on the positive experience of the last ten years, this new program is destined for success! For more information about the open space program, contact Devan Stewart at 610.278.3743 or click here.
 
Montgomery County Open Space Board
Elkins Wetherill, Chairman
Phoebe Driscoll, Vice Chair
Paul Meyer
John Moyer
Robert A. Thomas