The City of Haverhill contains a wide variety of natural resources, open spaces, and recreational facilities. Open spaces are generally located outside the City center in areas where lakes, streams, ponds, forests, and farm pastures are located. Active recreational facilities are located in the more densely populated areas of the City. The protection of these lands is significant to providing sustainable sources of clean air and water, protecting wildlife habitat, and providing residents with beautiful landscapes, safe lifestyle environments, and improved quality of life. As the Massachusetts Division of Conservation Services aptly notes, “it is through thoughtful planning and active stewardship that Massachusetts’ open spaces, critical plant and animal habitats, neighborhood parks, and quality outdoor recreation facilities remain a part of our communities’ landscapes. Without planning, the appearance of a community, the lifestyle of its residents, and the condition of its natural resources can be dramatically altered in a short period of time due to ill-conceived changes in land use patterns.”