Community Synthesis

After reviewing the community engagement information, the Project Team concluded that a comprehensive approach to land use is warranted. Stakeholders want to see a broader understanding of accessibility needs, a broader inclusion of conservation land such as agriculture, more support amenities that facilitate both active and passive recreation use, and more public awareness and education about conservation in general (among other areas of interest). The Project Team returned to the goals established by the previous OSRP and reviewed them for areas of overlap or potential conflict with the community priorities identified. For example, it was clear from the community survey that educational and recreational programming was highly valued and largely unmet in Lexington. Though many of the action items proposed in the 2015 OSRP focused on establishing or continuing specific programs that complimented the objectives laid out in each goal, these items emerged as a priority for the 2022 Update. As such, action items related to programs and events were consolidated and a new area of focus centered entirely around ensuring the availability and diversity of open space programming was created. By establishing Programming as a priority goal rather than a series of disparate action items, the 2022 OSRP aims to better address the goals established by the community. In total, eight priority areas are identified and will be the basis for strategic actions: • Communication • Accessibility, equity, and inclusion • Programming • Capital projects • Land management • Environmental protection • Connectivity and transportation • Land acquisition For a comprehensive review of how the previous goals were combined and restructured and new goals were identified, please refer to Chapter 8: Goals & Objectives.