Open Space Plan

 People at the BeachOPEN SPACE AND RECREATION PLAN

In January 2026, the City Open Space and Recreation Plan Committee submitted the   Open Space and Recreation Plan 2026-2036 to the Mayor and City Council for final approval.    

The report comes in three sections each linked below for viewing

1.       Report:   Open Space and Recreation Plan 2026-2036 Report link: OSRP 2026-2036

2.     Maps:  Open Space and Recreation Plan 2026-2036 Maps link:   OSRP Maps 1 thru 14    It may take a moment to load as these are large files 

3.     Appendix:   Open Space and Recreation Plan 2026-2036 Appendix:   OSRP Appendix      this includes all public comments as well as other list and documents referenced in the main report. 

Hard copies of the Open Space and Recreation Plan   are available for review at Conservation Commission Office, basement floor of City Hall - 140 Main St.    Once approved by Mayor and City Council the document will be available at the Marlborough Public Library.     

Open Space and Recreation Plan introduction excerpt: 

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Section 1.             EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

***“The environment is where we all meet.  Where we all have a mutual interest.   It is the one thing all of us share “  Lady Bird Johnson**

 Marlborough is a City of seven hills and many valleys filled with streams and parks and forested areas with views from hilltops and across water bodies. The City is home to many including a very diverse population of humans and wildlife. It has a rich history from Native American hunting and summer grounds, Revolutionary War travelers, heart of shoe factories and apple orchards, and now a bustling vibrant economically and culturally diverse City. Its geographic location and solid infrastructure combined with its many parks, open space and natural resources creates a wonderful community in which to live, work and play. Every ten years we are asked to revisit this Open Space and Recreation Plan and update it, so it is reflective of the City’s current needs for protecting natural resources that sustain the City, and provide parks, open space, and community recreational amenities which keep our residents, businesses and visitors happy and healthy. Only by envisioning the future and planning for it, and protecting the places that make Marlborough special, can the City achieve these goals. This plan provides the City government and its citizens with the analysis and recommendations needed to achieve this vision. 

 The primary goals of this Open Space and Recreation Plan are to preserve the unique natural resources and character of the City, to provide adequate indoor and outdoor recreational opportunities for the community and to educate citizens about the important benefits of natural resources, for human health, healthy wildlife and working within a changing climate.  This 2026-2036 Open Space and Recreation plan provides the inventory, history, needs analysis and action plan for the community to implement these goals over the next ten years. 

The plan includes:

  • A summary of achievements of the 2011-2018 Open Space Plan
  • An overview of the City's cultural history, population characteristics, growth, and development patterns
  • An environmental inventory of the community's natural resources, scenic features, water resources, plants, and wildlife
  • An inventory of lands of conservation and recreation interest. Included are maps of all City, state and private land used for recreation and conservation, as well as undeveloped parcels to provide a visual reference to illustrate which land remains undeveloped in the City
  • An analysis of conservation and recreation needs within the City, including management, planning needs and acquisition recommendations, to protect natural resources, and provide adequate open space and recreational facilities for a diverse and growing population
  • List of goals and objectives with a 10-year action plan

Please click on the links above to review the entire plan.    Happy reading.