The Open Space & Parks Advisory Committee (“OSPAC”) was established in 2001 to provide the opportunity for Nassau County’s open space and parks to be subjected to a thorough review process by a committee who can provide sound advice regarding the acquisition, preservation, protection, and restoration of these valuable resources. OSPAC will review applications where the County wishes to sell county-owned land, grant easements through county-owned land, issue Use & Occupancy permits, purchase open space from non-governmental entities, and various other actions regarding open space. OSPAC will make recommendations to the Nassau County Planning Commission regarding the acquisition, preservation, protection, and restoration of these open space properties, as well as provide any relevant conditions for approval to both the Planning Commission and Nassau County Legislature.

OSPAC consists of nine members who are appointed by various entities. The Presiding Officer of the County Legislature shall have four appointees, the Minority Leader of the County Legislature shall have two appointees, the County Executive shall have two appointees, and the Nassau County Planning Commission shall have one appointee, all of whom shall have experience in or be a representative from an organization dedicated to at least one of the following areas of interest: environment, open space; land use planning; land conservation; habitat preservation; archeology; historic, cultural or park preservation, protection, restoration and enhancement; or municipal financing. The current members of OSPAC are Ralph Fumante, Jr. (Chair), Paolo Pironi (Vice-Chair), Lauren E. Moriarty (Secretary), Ruka Anzai, Vanessa Tamari, Matthew T. Meng, Monolita Mitra, Samantha E. Seter, and Jason B. Steinberg.