LANESBOROUGH — What do people want from Lanesborough’s forests, parks and waterways?

More trails, better accessibility and safer recreation areas topped the list in a town survey that will shape a new open space and recreation plan that the town hopes will open up state grant opportunities.

Lanesborough is one of several towns in Berkshire County currently conducting outdoor space and recreation surveys.

On Tuesday, Andrew McKeever, community planner for Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, presented results of Lanesborough's survey to about 20 people, who then weighed in with their own ideas about what would make the town’s outdoor spaces come alive.

Residents wrote their ideas on large sheets of paper to contribute to the town’s open space plan, due in June.

Stacy Parsons, who heads the eight-member open space and recreation advisory committee, thanked attendees for braving the bad weather and noted that the group has been focused on gathering information.

She explained that Lanesborough is updating its plan and that there will be another session similar when a draft plan is finished in order to gather additional input.

Most of the respondents, 84.1 percent, were Lanesborough residents, and 127, the majority, were 60 and older.

Among all age groups, hiking is the most frequent outdoor activity with dog walking coming next. And many suggestions from residents focused on improving access to trails, specifically across busy roads or linking parks together through trails.

Safety and accessibility were the top two priorities for improving Lanesborough’s recreational offerings.

In terms of barriers, “accessibility came up pretty frequently in comments,” McKeever said.

Natural beauty topped the list for what the respondents value during their recreational activities. And the respondents wanted more nature programming.

Teens, seniors and pets topped the responses for groups not served adequately by the town's current use of outdoor spaces.

Among ideas about trails, suggestions included building a pedestrian bridge across Town Brook to connect Laston Park to Constitution Hill Mountain, creating walking trails and safe crossings across Route 8.

At parks, respondents want better bathrooms at Bridge Street Public Field and lighting added to Narragansett Park.

In terms of motorized recreation, respondents suggested allowing ATVs and side-by-sides access to dedicated trails.

Topping the list for land preservation were lakes, ponds and rivers as well as forests and wildlife habitat.

Results of the survey will appear on the town's website.