Ways to Preserve

  • Donation to Town
  • Conservation Easement
  • Bargain Sale to the Town
  • State Municipal Grant Program Matched by Town Funds
  • Purchase of Development Rights
  • Right of First Refusal
  • Outright Purchase

How Can I Help?

  • Trail Markings
  • Trail Maintenance
  • Invasives Removal
  • Suggestions (click here)

Open Space





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Mission Statement:

The Southington Open Space and land Acquisition Committee fosters the balance of natural resources, wildlife, and development through the active preservation of open space lands to protect and maintain the scenic, recreational and cultural landscape for the overall enrichment of the community.

Purpose of the Open Space Plan

The primary purpose of updating the Open Space Plan is to identify natural, cultural and open space resources in the Town of Southington that exemplify the spirit and aesthetic of this great community. Development pressures endure as the economy continues to fluctuate; key to successfully balancing economic growth and preservation is to make responsible, strategic land use decisions. These decisions will ensure the success of the community and preserve the many intangibles that have and continue to make this town such a desirable place to settle. To this end, the Open Space Plan will work to promote and supplement the 2015 Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD).

The Open Space Plan will serve as an important part of the land use decision making process. As a companion to the 2015 POCD, this document will guide our various land use boards and committees such as PZC, IW-Conservation Commission and Open Space Committee in determining which lands should be preserved and which should be considered for reasonable development. It is the goal of this compilation of information to aid the process in four ways:

  • Inventory areas facing high development pressure and those that may soon experience it
  • Analyze the information gleaned from the inventory into a manageable structure
  • Prioritize key resource areas and identify goals for preservation
  • Present a series of recommendations and strategies to attain goals

Land Use Inventory

A useful strategy for developing a baseline of natural and cultural resources found within the town is to conduct a resource inventory. The most user-friendly depiction of this information is typically represented by map generation. The maps provide an easy tool for reference and planning purposes; within this report they will aid in the following:

  • Cross reference with the 2015 POCD
  • Aid in conveying the holistic impact upon an area if a particular decision is made
  • Present identification of important linkages of open spaces
  • Identify areas currently void of preserved open space
  • Represent "hubs" of past, present, and likely future activity
  • Aid in grant procurement through accessible, accurate information