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Open space. Untouched vistas. Natural beauty.

That’s what Guilford County’s open space program is designed to preserve in the rural areas that border its sprawling cities.

But does that work in urban areas as well? In a world of sidewalks and stores, does open land add to urban vitality — or diminish it?

The committee that oversees the program is eyeing land in the heart of the city, far from the rural corners of the county.

“We know we are supposed to represent all of Guilford County,” said John Young, chairman of the committee that recommends properties for purchase under the $10 million program.

Some observers, including County Commissioner Carolyn Coleman, have said that not all of the program’s purchases need to be on the outer fringes, according to Young.

Specifically, the program is considering land near Benbow Park in Greensboro, as well as a parcel in High Point.

Although any possible purchase has “a lot of hoops to jump through,” there is a general concept.

“The idea is more of a natural space,” Young said. “That’s a very different concept than most parks.”

But some say that what’s appropriate in one place isn’t necessarily the right fit everywhere. What works in a rural or suburban area might not work in a city.

Urban areas work when there is a concentration of activities, places to work, shop, eat. Too much open space can create dead zones, places that are shunned rather than embraced.

Even well-known urban green spaces such as New York City’s Central Park — or Greensboro’s Center City Park — depend on the presence of plenty of people and activities nearby to help them reach their potential as parks.

“Context is really important when you’re planning a park,” said David Wharton, who writes on urban issues and serves as vice chairman of the city’s Historic Preservation Commission.

In some cases, less is not more. More is more.

Some neighborhoods might prefer economic development, with its jobs and shopping, over open space.

“Open space really might not be the solution to the problem, and it might not be what people there want,” Wharton said.

To be sure, there are examples of such spaces that work, but the context — and community desires — have to be taken into account.

The open space group is committed to working with residents of particular areas, Young said, and is planning community meetings.

“Some of that has to do with us listening to the community and also trying to educate on the advantages of a natural area,” he said.

Even if the open space program does venture into urban areas, its focus will remain on preserving rural land.

This week, the program closed on its largest acquisition yet — a 450-acre swath that borders Reedy Fork Creek in the northeastern part of Guilford County.

That property could become part of the state’s Mountains-to-Sea trail, as well as a link between Bryan Park and Northeast Park.

The program’s goal is to accumulate connected pieces of property, creating “corridors and bubbles.” That means urban acquisitions would be the exception, not the rule.

“Most of our activities will be in the outlying corners of the county,” Young said.

Contact Jason Hardin at 373-7021 or jason.hardin@news-record.com