The Cohasset Open Space and Recreation Committee invites residents to share feedback and ideas to help shape the Town of Cohasset’s vision for its parks, fields, and natural resources over the next decade. Residents can comment on the draft Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP) for 2026-2036. The draft plan will be available in March on the Town of Cohasset’s Open Space and Recreation webpage.
Towns must update their Open Space and Recreation Plans every five to 10 years to maintain eligibility for state grants. Cohasset’s past plans have recommended expanding recreation fields, adding sidewalks, improving flood control, mapping walking trails and storm drains, conducting a health study of Lily Pond, and supporting Earth Day.
For 2026, the plan update is a comprehensive report that establishes community goals and accompanying action items for open space, passive recreation, and active recreation. It highlights the town’s history and defines how residents can sustain the quality of life they currently enjoy by continuing to focus on the natural resources and recreational amenities that exist or may be needed in the future.
The OSRP provides an inventory of existing open space and recreation resources, a summary of needs identified by committee members and citizens, and an overview of progress made since the last OSRP issued in 2019.
Based on public input received to date, some of the plan’s overarching goals include:
Exploring the acquisition and protection of natural land resources for conservation and passive recreation.
Protecting clean and quality drinking water and other resources.
Strengthening Cohasset’s resilience to climate variability, such as preparing for coastal flooding and erosion, and improving stormwater systems.
Improving access and connectivity between open spaces and recreation areas.
Improving public access to our water resources for recreation.
Providing greater access and opportunities for people of all ages and abilities, particularly as global life expectancies have increased.
Most importantly, the OSRP will include an Action Plan that outlines the details of the initiatives, the timeline, the responsible parties, and the funding sources for the key objectives that will help the town accomplish these goals.
Once approved by the Massachusetts Division of Conservation Services (DCS), the final 2026 OSRP will enable Cohasset to apply for specific grant funding for open space and recreation projects. To provide suggestions, please email them to: cthayer@CohassetMA.gov by March 31, 2026.