TPL Honors Massachusetts for Community Preservation Act

Massachusetts was one of seven states and communities highlighted in TPL’s Greenprint Gallery 2000, which honors the use of conservation for smarter growth. Enacted in September, the Massachusetts Community Preservation Act enables local communities to raise new funds—and access state matching funds—for land protection, historic preservation, and community housing projects.

Massachusetts, 12/12/2000 – The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is one of seven honorees recognized this week by the Trust for Public Land (TPL), a national land conservation organization, for leadership in smart growth. “The Community Preservation Act is an outstanding example of bringing public awareness and resources to guiding growth and preserving community character,” says Whitney Hatch, director of TPL’s New England offices. The Community Preservation Act, which was signed into law in September of 2000, is an innovative bill enabling communities to raise new funds — and access state matching funds — for land protection, historic preservation, and community housing projects.

Details of all seven honorees are featured in Greenprint Gallery 2000 on the Trust for Public Land’s newly redesigned web site at www.tpl.org.

TPL’s Greenprint Gallery 2000 honors:

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, where the Community Preservation Act has married housing, historic preservation, and open space protection.

Broward County, Florida, where voters approved $400 million to buy some of its last remaining open space and convert previously developed areas to parks.

Gallatin County, Montana, where a ranching community voted to approve funding for a Purchase of Development Rights program (PDRs).

The states of Illinois and Missouri, where voters approved funding for the first ever bi-state local parks district and its centerpiece – a 40-mile riverside park on both sides of the Mississippi.

Gwinnett County, Georgia, where the state and county partnered to protect green space through local financing and state matching funds.

The state of Ohio, which voted to fund conservation and urban revitalization by linking brownfield restoration and protecting suburban greenfields.

Westchester County, New York, where rapid growth galvanized seven towns to support open space preservation.

Last November voters approved 172 of 205 conservation ballot questions, providing more than $7.4 billion in new funding for land conservation. In most of these referenda, voters approved tax increases. “The states and counties we are recognizing are inspiring examples of ways to protect important natural resources, provide parks and open space for the public, and avoid sprawl,” says TPL President Will Rogers.

The Trust for Public Land was founded in 1972 to protect land for people to enjoy as parks and open space. Nationwide, TPL has protected more than 1.2 million acres, including nearly 60,000 acres in New England. TPL launched its “Greenprint for Growth” campaign last year to conserve land as a way to guide growth, protect air and water, and ensure a high quality of life in communities nationwide. For more information, contact TPL’s Boston office at (617) 367-6200 or visit www.tpl.org.