03/21/2013

Conservation Commission working to update 2001 Greenbelt Plan

The Conservation Commission is working to update to the Greenbelt Plan.

The first Greenbelt Plan was prepared in 1977, and a second was adopted in 1988. The current Greenbelt Plan, adopted in 2001, was awarded "Plan of the Year" by the Maine Association of Planners.

What is the greenbelt?

The greenbelt is a series of connected open spaces that provide public access to trails, and also function as wildlife corridors connecting large public open spaces. The greenbelt is most popular in Cape Elizabeth because of the network of public trails it connects.

When town residents were asked about what type of open space should be protected, 60 percent said "passive recreation" such as hiking and walking (Future Open Space Preservation Committee Public Opinion Survey May 2012, Final Report - page 69).

Why prepare a greenbelt plan?

Planning for any purpose involves establishing priorities and efficiently targeting (usually limited) resources toward those priorities.

Greenbelt planning encourages a townwide perspective for establishing trails that connect neighborhoods to destinations. The Greenbelt Plan has also been used to enhance grant applications for open-space funding. It has also been a useful tool when the Planning Board is reviewing a development proposal and determining now open-space zoning standards will be met.

Public participation, on and off the trail

As the Conservation Commission continues to develop the next greenbelt plan, trail users may want to consider attending a meeting and/or attending the public forum that will be scheduled some time in the future. All meetings are public, with time, locations and agendas posted on this website.

Trail users should also be careful about staying on public trails and not walking on private property without the permission of the property owner. The current public greenbelt trails map can be found on this website.

For more information, please contact Town Planner Maureen O'Meara, 207-799-0115.