Open Space

The Metropolitan Greensward is RPA's vision of a system of protected landscape and water bodies that distinguish the cities and suburbs of the New York/New Jersey/Connecticut metropolitan region. These region shaping open spaces harbor the Region's most critical natural resource systems, its recreational opportunities and its working landscapes of farms, forests, and water ways. Together, these protected open lands will help shape future patterns of growth in the Tri-State Region by limiting development at its periphery and enhancing the quality of life in its cities and suburbs.

To realize this vision, RPA undertakes landscape assessments and plans that identify critical natural resources and support the establishment of individual parks and regional institutions. Our policy research provides insight on critical issues, especially on how conservation practice and ecosystem services can help sustain other economic uses in these landscapes. We advocate for the long term stewardship of these places, including creating new on-going coalitions and organizations.

Working together with hundreds of public agencies and civic leaders, RPA has seen considerable success since its campaign was launched. These include establishment of New York State's Third Forest Preserve and the Pine Barrens Commission to protect and manage the 100,000 acre central Pine Barrens of Long Island; Acquisition of the jewel of the Appalachian Highlands, the 18,000 acre Sterling Forest and establishing a 400,000 core preservation area through the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act in New Jersey; The reinvention of the New York Harbor as a major recreational amenity, with political commitments and more than $ 1 billion of public and private funds invested in Hudson River Park, Riverside South, Brooklyn Bridge Park, and Governors Island; and the creation of the 500 acre Keyspan State Park and a commitment to create a Long Island Sound Stewardship System that will help protect thousands of additional acres.

View the Greensward Map

See the links below for more information on current initiatives in three critical region-shaping landscapes

Featured Projects

Envisioning Gateway: Floyd Bennett Field and Beyond

April 21, 2010

Today, Senator Charles Schumer (D - NY) and Rep. Anthony Weiner (D - Brooklyn and Queens) announced the formation of the Floyd Bennett Field Blue Ribbon Panel, a task force that will establish a shared vision for the future of the park and make recommendations about how to improve the country's third most-visited national recreation area. The Task Force is the result of a multi-year partnership between RPA and the National Parks Conservation Association to help inform the National Park Service (NPS), elected officials, and the public as NPS embarks on its revision to Gateway National Recreation Area's General Management Plan, the guiding document for park activities in the area.

Gateway is a complex place. Spread across over 26,000 acres, four counties, three New York City boroughs, and two states, it is comprised of five administrative units. The park encompasses an astonishing mix of properties, uses, visitors, neighborhoods, and urban contexts. Its premise - to bring a national park experience to the heart of the country's largest city - has always been fraught with programmatic, management and political challenges.

Read "The Path Forward," RPA and NPCA's report about public input on the future of Gateway.

Continue below to read the press release.

New Era for Governors Island

April 13, 2010

An artist's rendering of the Shell at Liberty Terrace On Sunday, April 11th, New York City and State announced a deal granting the City of New York jurisdictional control of Governors Island, paving the way for an infusion of City cash and easing development and planning of the park and historic buildings. Under the new governance agreement, the city will bear the estimated $400-plus million in capital costs and take over Island operations. The move positions the Island to be one the Mayor's legacy projects.

The announcement preceded a series of other good news for Governors Island, including the park master plan release and news that ferry service to the Island was being considered as part of a package with Ellis and Liberty Islands.

RPA's Governors Island Alliance applauded the move for City takeover. Read the full statement.

Read about the City-State agreement in more detail in the NY Times or in the City's press release.

Study: Using the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway to Manage Stormwater

March 24, 2010

Regional Plan Association and Brooklyn Greenway Initiative today released their West Street Sustainable Stormwater Study. The study was developed in collaboration with WE Design and funded by the New York Community Trust. The report evaluated a variety of techniques to use the planned Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway as a means of stormwater detention, cleansing and diversion from New York City's sewer infrastructure. While the Study recommends a specific green infrastructure for managing stormwater along West Street in Greenpoint; the design is adaptable for the entire length of the planned 14-mile Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway.

NJ Highlands Funding At Risk

March 24, 2010

New Jersey Highlands RPA New Jersey Vice President Carlos Rodrigues testified at the New Jersey Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee on March 8th in Trenton emphasizing the importance of funding the implementation stage of the New Jersey's Highlands initiative, which is currently at risk.

Calling all Designers: RPA and BGI RFQ for Greenway Memorial Landscape

February 16, 2010

Regional Plan Association and Brooklyn Greenway initiative are pleased to issue this request for qualifications for design development services for the Naval Hospital Cemetery Memorial Landscape at Brooklyn Navy Yard. Responses to this Request for Qualifications must be received by Brooklyn Greenway Initiative by 4:00 PM Friday March 12th, 2010. Notice of Intent to Respond, by email (to mpuryear@brooklyngreenway.org) must be received by March 1st, 2010 in order to receive any addenda to this RFQ.