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Comprehensive Plan Recreation and Open Space Element • Utilitarian Open Space The last major category of open space is utilitarian open space. Defined generally as open lands used for productive purposes from which monetary benefits accrue, utilitarian open space is characterized by several types of land uses. Foremost among those are agricultural lands, pasture lands, forestry lands, and mining areas. More so than corridor and pastoral open space, utilitarian open space areas are often privately owned. In some cases, however, the differentiation between utilitarian open space and other types is dependent more on the configuration of the land than its function. For example, a drainage canal right-of-way would be considered corridor open space, even though its drainage function is utilitarian in nature. On the other hand, a large retention area, which also serves drainage functions, would be classified as utilitarian rather than corridor open space because of its non-linear configuration. In Indian River County, a substantial amount of land can be categorized as utilitarian open space. Most of that land is in active agricultural use. As identified in the existing land use section of the Future Land Use Element, there are approximately 137,000 acres of agricultural land in Indian River County. Besides agricultural uses, mining or excavation areas are also considered utilitarian open space. Presently, there are approximately ten sand/rock mines, comprising nearly 300 acres, in the unincorporated county. Other utilitarian open space areas include retention ponds, buffer areas, wastewater reuse sites, old landfill sites, and required yards within individual development projects or sites. Funding and Capital Proiects While all county capital park projects are funded by county general fund revenue, park and recreation impact fee revenue, optional sales tax revenue, federal and state grants, or developer contributions, recreational programs are funded by Municipal Service Taxing Unit (MSTU) revenue or recreation program user fees and reservation fees. Recreation program user fees, however, are subsidized for children of very low and low income families. Also, the recreation department charges user fees for reserving county park facilities, such as the 2 large pavilions in Hobart Park. Arts and Cultural Programs In Indian River County, arts and culture are vital to citizens and their quality of life. This is illustrated by a 2006 survey conducted by the Cultural Council of Indian River County in which 60% of survey respondents say that they attend at least one cultural event a year, compared with a national average of 35%. Also, cultural venues and events bring visitors to the county. Community Development Department Indian River County 33