The Role of Nonprofit Organization in Open Space Planning

Abstract

This paper deals with NPOs in San Francisco and Berkeley in terms of citizen perticipation in open space planning. They get involved citizen to protect open spaces and to increase recreation opotunities in a natural setting, through various activities such as advocasy, land acquisition, tree planting and community garden building. They are active mainly because, in the USA, anyone can form, without much money nor troublesome procedures, a nonprofit corporation being eligible for tax-exempt status, many foundations offer a grant to NPOs, and some open space systems are developed by direct popular vote.