ULI report: The Case for Open Space Why the Real Estate Industry Should Invest in Parks and Open Spaces

-- The Case for Open Space Why the Real Estate Industry Should Invest in Parks and Open Spaces 

Levy Park, Houston.

The report isn't that scintillating, but it features brief descriptions and awesome photos from what we might call signature activity-gathering parks.

While there is a standard typology for types of parks, and such parks would be termed "regional" in that typology, I wonder if like my concept for "Signature Streets and Plazas" we should redefine such parks as "Signature" as opposed to regional, combining space, urban design, activation, programming, etc.

-- "Extending the "Signature Streets" concept to "Signature Streets and Spaces"," 2020
-- "From more space to socially distance to a systematic program for pedestrian districts (Park City (Utah) Main Street Car Free on Sundays)," 2020
-- "Why doesn't every big city in North America have its own Las Ramblas?," 2020
-- "Diversity Plaza, Queens, a pedestrian exclusive block," 2020
-- "Planning urban design improvements at the neighborhood scale: Dupont Circle, DC," 2019
-- "More about making 17th Street between P and R a pedestrian space on weekends," 2019
-- "Planning for place/urban design/neighborhoods versus planning for transportation modes: new 17th Street NW bike lanes | Walkable community planning versus "pedestrian" planning," 2021
-- "Pedestrianization of Newark Avenue in Jersey City," 2022

"Green and open space planning for urban consolidation – A review of the literature and best practice" states that the plaza form--gathering places--is under-studied.

Splash pad at night.  Guthrie Green, Tulsa.

This is the park space typology from Atlanta's Buckhead Collection plan, which is more focused on the provision of neighborhood/district park spaces:

• Plazas
• Central Gathering Space
• Neighborhood Parks
• Community Greens
• Conservation Parks
• Greenways & Trails
• Historical & Cultural Resources
• Public Art
• Dog Parks

The Central Gathering Space (squares, plazas) depending on size, activities and programming would be what I'm calling a Signature Park.

Public Realm as an Interconnected system, Slide from presentation, Leadership and the Role of Parks and Recreation in the New Economy, David Barth