Realizing that the unique character of Saratoga County would vanish without passionate advocates to support it, the Open Space Project was born. In 1987 a small group of citizens in Saratoga Springs joined together to establish an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the "city in the country." With a clear mission to sustain a vibrant downtown within a spectacular rural landscape the Open Space Project became an effective voice for "smart growth," protecting and providing public access to natural resources, and a dynamic advocate for preserving the quality of life in Saratoga Springs.