Parksalso

Parksalso is a term in urban planning and landscape architecture used to signal that parks serve multiple co-benefits beyond recreation. It frames parks as infrastructure for environmental and social well-being as much as places for leisure.

The term blends “parks” with “also,” underscoring that parks contribute to climate resilience, flood management, air quality, biodiversity, and social outcomes. It reflects a growing emphasis on multifunctional green spaces in city design.

In policy discussions, parksalso is invoked to justify green infrastructure investments and designs that combine recreation with drainage, shade, habitat creation, and community engagement. It supports approaches that integrate parks with streets, waterways, and housing to maximize public value.

Evidence from research indicates that well-designed parks can lower urban temperatures, reduce flood risk, provide wildlife habitat, and support physical and mental health. These co-benefits are often cited in planning documents, grant proposals, and urban renewal projects.

Critics argue that the term can be vague and susceptible to greenwashing if not paired with clear metrics. Measuring co-benefits is complex, and success depends on funding, maintenance, and equitable access across communities.

Related ideas include green infrastructure, ecosystem services, and urban nature, which together frame parksalso as part of a broader approach to sustainable, livable cities.