New Guide for Planning, Designing and Implementing Green Infrastructure in Parks, Now Available
Additional resources include briefing papers and topical case studies
Ashburn, Va. (Dec. 12, 2017) – (RealEstateRama) — The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is proud to announce the release of A Resource Guide for Planning, Designing and Implementing Green Infrastructure in Parks. The new guide, which draws on lessons learned from the Great Urban Parks Campaign pilot projects, was created in partnership with the American Planning Association and Low Impact Development Center.
Communities everywhere face challenges as a result of a changing climate — especially those most vulnerable to flooding. To help address these challenges, this new guide provides basic principles, inspiration and ideas to help planners, designers and decision makers integrate green stormwater infrastructure into parks and park systems across the country. Additional resources, including technical guides and webinars, and a completion checklist, are also available, along with briefing papers and case studies that detail issues related to financing, park system planning, community engagement and equity.
“Parks are a smart and effective solution to many of the challenges associated with a changing climate,” said Lori Robertson, NRPA director of conservation. “Our hope is more communities will discover these benefits through the use of this guide, and the implementation of green stormwater infrastructure projects in parks across the country.”
Unlike traditional gray stormwater management, green stormwater infrastructure uses natural processes to filter and slow the flow of water to protect and restore clean and healthy waterways. Examples of green infrastructure include rain gardens, bioswales, constructed wetlands, daylighted streams and permeable pavement. Publicly owned parks are ideal venues for the installation of these solutions, as they offer a variety of benefits beyond stormwater mitigation, especially in underserved communities where flooding and water quality are a concern. To learn more about the benefits of green stormwater infrastructure, watch this video.
To access the new guide, visit www.nrpa.org/greeninfrastructure.
To learn more about NRPA, visit www.nrpa.org.
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About the National Recreation and Park Association
The National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all Americans have access to parks and recreation for health, conservation and social equity. Through its network of 60,000 recreation and park professionals and advocates, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy and active lifestyles, conservation initiatives and equitable access to parks and public space. For more information, visit www.nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrecreation.org.
