Open space plans to meet the need (psychological and physical) for contrast and change from the indoor environment. Whether it be private open space (retention of vegetation through site-development requirements) or public (parks or wilderness), open space relieves the stressfulness of the urban environment. The open space plan is not the same as the parks and recreation plan. Open space plans define areas for active and passive uses and policies for acquisition and management. The plans can also set aside natural areas such as wetlands, habitat or subsistence use areas as open space. As with parks, once land is developed (i.e. with structures or roads), it almost never reverts to open space.

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