Parks, Public Greenspace, and Smarter Growth

Opportunities for Linking Land and People

Kathleen Blaha

2007, 11 pages. The Funder's Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities, 1500 San Remo Avenue, Suite 249, Coral Gables, FL 33146, (305) 667-6350, www.fundersnetwork.org

How does using park assets as part of a comprehensive approach to growth and development bring life back into places? This paper, published by the Funders' Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities, looks at green spaces as a means of increasing growth. Parks can leverage new economic development and lead to important measures of improved health, youth development, water quality, habitat protection, and neighborhood revitalization. The paper includes descriptions of opportunities for funders to support the role that parks and greenspace can play in building communities.