This Master`s thesis is focusing on studying, arranging and understanding open public space with emphasis on sports and recreational areas in Ribnica, a small Slovenian town. Small towns are predominant in Slovenia and they play an important role in the polycentric urban network and also offer an opportunity for a quality life outside large urban centers. We presented in detail the role and importance of sports and recreational areas in public spaces and related legislation regarding the process of spatial planning. Sports and recreational areas are the basis for successful participation in various sports activities and represent an important part of the sports infrastructure. The latter includes both open and covered sports facilities and areas. Studies and analyses of space reveal that a small Slovenian town Ribnica does not have sufficiently arranged sports and recreational areas. Based on the criteria and standards for planning of those areas, examples of good practice and analyses of the area, we presented a plan for sustainable arrangement of old and new sports and recreational areas in Ribnica. We have made a proposal, made in appropriate scale, for the detailed municipal spatial plan for sports and recreational areas in the town. The new planned areas will provide the town with an up-to-date, attractive, suitable, functional and sustainable use of sports facilities.