Unique City Parks
Discover Wild Spaces in America's Cities
Urban parks can transform cityscapes into green havens, providing residents and visitors with a taste of nature amidst the hustle and bustle. Let's take a minute to explore some of the most unique city parks in America!
High Line, New York City
One of the most iconic urban parks, the High Line in New York City, offers a unique blend of nature, art, and architecture. Built on a historic freight rail line elevated above the streets of Manhattan's West Side, the High Line stretches over 1.45 miles and features a variety of plants, trees, and flowers. This linear park provides stunning views of the Hudson River and the city skyline, and it's a perfect spot for a leisurely walk or a peaceful retreat from the city's chaos.
The 606, Chicago, Illinois
Chicago's answer to the High Line is The 606, a 2.7-mile-long elevated park and trail system built on a former railway line. The 606 connects several neighborhoods and offers a multi-use recreational trail, art installations, and beautifully landscaped green spaces. It's a popular spot for biking, jogging, and enjoying public art, making it a vibrant and dynamic addition to the city's outdoor offerings.
Squares of Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia, is famous for its historic charm and beautifully preserved squares. These public squares, 22 in total, are dotted throughout the city and provide lush green spaces filled with towering live oaks, Spanish moss, and flowering shrubs. Each square has its own unique character and history, offering a serene escape where visitors can relax on benches, enjoy a picnic, or take in the historic architecture surrounding the parks.
Loring Park, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Charming, mainly residential Loring Park is known for its large namesake green space, which has a lake and extensive walking and cycling paths. Upscale New American restaurants, cozy cafes and independent shops that range from bicycle stores to bridal boutiques, dot the surrounding streets.
Falls Park on the Reedy, Greenville, South Carolina
Far more than a nature lover's paradise, Falls Park on the Reedy, located in downtown Greenville's Historic West End, is one of Greenville's greatest treasures. The park serves as an oasis within the city - a place where people gather to work, play and celebrate life. The multi-use facility lends itself to a wide variety of activities for people of all ages and interests.
Bruce Park, Greenwich, Connecticut
Robert Moffat Bruce donated his home (now Bruce Museum) and 100 acres to the Town of Greenwich in1908, making it the Town's oldest public park. Bruce Park includes sports & athletic fields, tennis courts, walking paths, ponds and waterways, and scenic views of Long Island Sound. The Bruce Park Playground is one of the most popular destinations in Greenwich for families with children.
Forest Park, St. Louis, Missouri
Forest Park, which is owned and operated by the City of St. Louis, is considered one of the nation's greatest urban public parks. The Park's 1,300 acres feature beautiful landscapes sprinkled with forests, ecosystems, nature reserves, lakes and streams, as well as five of the region's major cultural institutions and endless opportunities for recreation, attracting 15.5 million visitors each year.
Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California
Millions of visitors each year experience the iconic Golden Gate Park's miles of green lawns, bridle paths, lakes, and 7,000 kinds of plants right in the heart of San Francisco. Attractions include top museums, exquisite specialty gardens and extraordinary events all year long.
Arizona Falls, Phoenix, Arizona
If you think of lush greenery and beautiful trees when someone says "park", then you might be surprised by Arizona Falls. This park/hydroelectric plant situated on the Arizona Canal is mostly metal, concrete, and water.
The Topiary Park, Columbus, Ohio
The Topiary Park in Columbus, Ohio is the only public park of its kind. Other topiary gardens exist, but this one is designed to be a living copy of the pointillist painting "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of LaGrande Jatte" by the French post-impressionist painter Georges Seurat.
Swing Park, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Parks have always been a great place to hang out, but one park takes this literally. Swing Park is a park under the Holton Street Bridge in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that features several swings over a sand-covered ground.
Socrates Sculpture Park, Queens, New York
What was once a landfill and illegal dumpsite has been transformed into an internationally renowned outdoor museum and New York City public park.
Mill Ends Park, Portland, Oregon
Last but certainly NOT least, Mill Ends Park is a small circle 2 feet across, with a total area of 452 square inches (0.00007205784 acres). It is the smallest park in the world, according to the Guinness Book of Records!
Urban parks like these demonstrate that wild spaces can thrive even in the heart of bustling cities. These parks offer residents and visitors a chance to connect with nature, enjoy recreational activities, and find moments of peace amidst urban environments. So next time you're in any city, take a moment to explore unique urban oases and appreciate the green spaces that make them more livable and more beautiful.