The Mechanics of Sustaining Spaces for the Public

While municipalities in the USA generally recognize the environmental, economic and sociocultural benefits of spaces for the public, the degree to which property deeds, planning documents and local laws specify allowable uses or future sale differs widely. This article documents how three municipalities manage parcels used by the public. Unlike other governmental assets that are carefully itemized and tracked, land is generally not subject to rigorous accounting; and yet, it may be the most valuable resource owned. Geographic information systems, allowing for the mapping of parcels, has led to more widespread documentation of spatial information and tax records, but this is often the extent of data capture. This article argues that land resources should be documented, subject to community-based deliberative dialogues and managed in accordance with legal documents that specify uses and management practices resulting from such dialogues.