Concerned residents raised alarm over the ease with which land designated as town forest, managed by the Bow Conservation Commission, could be reclassified and developed. For instance, the Bow High School site was once part of the town forest, but it was reclassified and developed after a simple majority vote.

The construction of the high school prompted the State of New Hampshire to mandate permanent protection of some town property to mitigate the impact on the surrounding area. This led to NH Fish & Game obtaining a lasting conservation easement on a portion of Bow’s land to meet the state requirement. This transfer of control from local residents to an external entity troubled the group monitoring these changes. Out of this concern, Bow Open Spaces was established, with key contributions from individuals such as Philip Wolfe (Chair of the Bow Conservation Commission), Harold Keyes, and Peter Schauer.

Subsequently, the organization was formalized, and officers were elected. Philip Wolfe assumed the role of the inaugural president, Harold Keyes became a board member, Bob Dawkins took on the role of treasurer, and Dan Mendelsohn became the secretary. The committee members and membership base began to expand, and awareness of the organization increased. It was emphasized to the Town and potential members that the articles of agreement of Bow Open Spaces stipulated, and still stipulate, that all board members must be residents of the Town of Bow.

Over the next few years, Bow Open Spaces facilitated the permanent protection of over a thousand acres of town land through conservation easements. In collaboration with the Bow Conservation Commission, Bow Open Spaces worked diligently in the late 1990s to secure the acquisition of Nottingcook Forest.

Currently, Bow Open Spaces remains dedicated to acquiring more conservation easements and preserving Bow as a community abundant in open space, encompassing roughly two thousand conserved acres. Additionally, the organization has constructed and upkeeps hiking and mountain biking trails, providing the public with opportunities for outdoor recreation and enjoyment.