The Durham County Open Space Program was formally created in 2003 to guide the County's acquisition of open space parcels, with a focus on watershed and farmland protection.  The program focuses on protecting and acquiring properties located in County adopted Open Space Plan Areas:

1. The New Hope Creek Corridor Open Space Plan (1991)

2. The Little River Corridor Open Space Plan (2001)

3. The Eastern Durham Open Space Plan (2007)

4. Downtown Open Space Plan (2014)

5. Urban Open Space Plan (2017)

Since the program began, the County has preserved 4,101 acres of land, with 1,422 acres owned in fee simple and 2,679 acres in conservation and working land easements.