The Chadds Ford Open Space Committee is looking for a little help from its friends.The group is two-thirds to three-quarters finished developing the official Open Space Plan, but members want more input from the residents to finish the task.

To that end, the committee is planning another informational meeting to share what's been done so for. That meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m., Thursday, June 14, in the lecture room at the Brandywine River Museum. Weather permitting, there will be a walk along the creek from the museum to the Chadds Ford Historical Society at 6 p.m.

"There is that gap that needs to be filled with as much information from the community as possible," said committee Chairman Deborah Reardon. "We're looking for a response to what we will give them."

What the committee will be giving the residents during the meeting is the plan as developed to date, including a review of material presented during a similar meeting in December. Part of the December meeting included the results of a township-wide survey of what the residents wanted to see in an open space plan, what they wanted to see protected.

Reardon sees the plan as a responsibility for her committee members in that it will serve as a matter of accountability since the residents supported the open space referendum in 2005.

"Everybody on the Open Space Committee will wear this plan on their backs while they serve on the committee," Reardon said.

But she also said the committee wants some accountability from the community as well - not just financial support, but in responsibly reviewing information and in lending ideas, she said.

"I want as much feedback from the community as they're willing to do," she said.

The plan, which should be made available for a board of supervisors' vote by the end of the year, identifies 10 resources to be protected, restored or provided for based on previous input.

Among the resources earmarked for protection are historic, archaeological and scenic areas, as well as waterways, greenways and woodlands. Resources to be provided for are recreational open spaces such as trails.

Though trails, in the form of the previously proposed Rails-to-Trails program was met with opposition several years back, residents responding to the survey sent out last year said they want trails in the township, specifically trails for hiking, walking and jogging.

Reardon believes those trials can be important for safety, to keep people from jogging along Route 1 and other high traffic roadways.

"It's possible to have trails that are safe, clean and without encroaching on peoples' rights," she said.

To that end, the committee is looking into the feasibility of trails connecting specific points in the township such as the museum, township building and Brandywine Battlefield Park.

Reardon, along with Tara Tracy, a senior planner with the Brandywine Conservancy who is assisting the committee in developing the plan, said the plan also looks for residents to become stewards of their own environment.

Included in the plan would be ways to keep people informed on what they can do to keep significant resources on their own properties in good condition.

An example given was that people shouldn't allow sticks or children's toys into streams.

Tracy said there would be no legal liability unless there was something "egregious."

Once the Open Space Committee finalizes its phase of the plan, it will then go to the planning commission, then to the supervisors for a final vote.

There must be an official open space plan adopted before the township can spend the money accrued from the open space tax that went into effect in January 2006.

An approved plan will also become part of the township's formal comprehensive plan.