Parkland

Parkland is a landscape term used to describe areas where open grassland is punctuated by widely spaced trees or small groves. It can refer to a natural transition zone between forest and grassland or to a cultivated cultural landscape in which trees are planted for shelter, aesthetics, or timber.

In North America, the term is commonly associated with the aspen parkland, a broad ecotone between prairie and boreal forest that runs through parts of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. These landscapes feature grasslands with scattered deciduous trees, such as aspen, and are important for biodiversity, water regulation, and agriculture.

In Europe and parts of the British Isles, parkland also denotes the designed grounds surrounding country houses and estates, where mature trees, hedges, and lawns are arranged to frame views and provide park-like scenery. Such landscapes often include tree alleys, clumps, and belts, and may be protected as cultural heritage.

In urban planning and land management, parkland can refer to public parks and green spaces within towns, as well as shelterbelts and windbreaks that protect fields and roads. Parkland, in all its uses, emphasizes the deliberate integration of tree cover within open land to create habitat, aesthetic value, and practical benefits.