A new way to look at parks

In contrast to the traditional way of thinking about parks as pieces of land within a community, I would encourage you to think in terms of a community existing within a park[1].

People do not congregate, recreate, or simply enjoy the outdoors only on park land designated for recreation purposes. They use streets (preferably with sidewalks), green spaces, town squares, plazas, marketplaces, open lands, and numerous other areas, both public and private, to meet their desires for recreation and social contact.

Taking this perspective requires thinking and planning beyond the borders of traditional parks to a vision of spaces (public and private) linked by sidewalks, trails, and greenways connecting people to all areas of the community where they can connect for recreation and social engagement.

[1] Mertes, J.D. and J.R. Hall. Park, Recreation, Open Space and Greenway Guidelines. Alexandria, VA: National Recreation and Park Association, 1995

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