parki

Parki, the Polish word for parks, refers to public green spaces designated for recreation, leisure, and nature in Poland and in Polish-speaking contexts. The term most often denotes urban parks within towns and cities, but it can also designate larger protected areas such as landscape parks (parki krajobrazowe) and national parks (parki narodowe).

Urban parks typically include lawns, trees, paths, water features, playgrounds, and monuments, and they serve as venues for walking, jogging, picnicking, cultural events, and outdoor activities. They are usually managed by municipal authorities or park services and are designed to balance recreation with environmental preservation. Design styles range from formal, geometric gardens to naturalistic, woodland landscapes.

Categories include parki miejskie (city parks), parki krajobrazowe (landscape parks) and parki narodowe (national parks). National parks protect ecosystems and biodiversity and may have stricter conservation rules. Poland operates 23 national parks.

Notable examples within Poland include Łazienki Park in Warsaw, Park Oliwski in Gdańsk, and the Planty around Kraków's Old Town.

Globally, the concept of parks exists in many countries, and urban parks are considered important for recreation, urban cooling, and biodiversity.