In communities large and small, parks are more than scenic recreational spaces—they play a central role in environmental sustainability and conservation. Through thoughtful design, they help manage stormwater, support native plants, preserve land, and protect water quality. They also allow more people to access nature which promotes mental and physical health.
Local parks also are essential for preserving and promoting biodiversity, and researchers found that some park improvements accomplish this better than others. To boost bird diversity, they recommend featuring a multi-layer canopy of native plants, including understory vegetation, medium-sized trees, and older trees with cavities. They also recommend installing nest boxes to enhance bird occupancy and survival, but not bird feeders which are favored by generalist and non-native species. Other researchers found that some park areas, like playgrounds and dog parks, boost biodiversity more than others. Other researchers quantified the biodiversity impact of expanding and strengthening parks on biodiversity.