The Community Preservation Act is a funding mechanism for cities and towns. A minimum of 10% of the funds collected through the real estate transfer tax or property tax surcharge must be used for "open space acquisition purposes." The money can be used for a wide variety of capital projects or as a match when applying for funds for such projects.

• Purchasing land or interests in land to preserve natural resources, maintain scenic views, build greenbelts and trail systems, and enhance active and passive recreational opportunities available to residents of all ages, interests, and abilities.
• Purchasing community-enhancing green space outright or purchasing development rights through mechanisms such as permanent conservation or agricultural preservation restrictions.
• Matching or augmenting funds available under various government, land trust, and other conservation programs such as the state Self Help program.
• Purchasing, through public/private funding, forest land easements through Massachusetts Forest Legacy Program.
• Exercising rights of first refusal afforded to towns when temporary agricultural and forest land restrictions are removed
• Purchase of open space being sold by nonprofit institutions which are consolidating operations or seeking sources of capital.

• East Boston Greenway. Augment acquisitions abutting the 1.2 mile Conrail right of way which will be the core of a greenway through the heart of the East Boston neighborhood. .
• Neponset River Greenway. Mattapan, Roslindale, and Lower Mills neighborhoods in Boston and Milton. Support acquisitions of land along the Neponset River Greenway to increase access and visibility of this much abused and virtually invisible urban river which runs through 14 towns.
• Chelsea. Acquisition of 1/2 acre for intergenerational park.
• Sudbury Meacham’s Farm. Exercise town’s rights of first refusal to purchase development rights in 19 acres of Sudbury’s original "poor farm" next to 30 acres of undevelopable wetlands.
• Hull. Purchase parcel of land that would allow public access to the Weir River, creating a Weir River Estuary Park protecting wetlands and marshes. Canoe access.
• Dartmouth and Westport farmland preservation. Purchase interests, including development rights, in some of the 1800 acres of prime farmland currently on the market.
• Lynn. Acquisition of 2.5 acres for a modernized ball field adjacent to High Rock Reservation.
• Concord. Satisfy town’s contribution for the purchase of a 100 acre parcel known as Mattison Field, close to protected land along the Sudbury River.
• Williamstown. Acquisition of 35 acres of frontage to provide access to 200+ landlocked acres of woodland owned by town which connects to a trail over Berlin Mountain and the Taconic range.
• Leominster. Acquisition of 35 acres , including on Barrett Pond, one mile from downtown.
• Hudson. Purchase 33 acres adjacent to conservation area near downtown with scenic Danforth Falls and native brook trout fishery, accessible to local schools.
• Kingston and Brockton. Acquisition of 80 acres wetlands, including two ponds and an abandoned cranberry bog, to protect Brockton’s water supply.
• Sturbridge. Purchase 140 acres along river front for bike trails.