To envision what parks of the future might look like, we first need to reflect on their past. The history of urban parks in America is deeply rooted in European influences. Boston Common, believed to be America’s first public park, sits at the heart of the city and was originally a public gathering space for events, recreation, and community assembly.

However, it wasn’t until the 1850s that park design found its unique American identity, thanks to Frederick Law Olmsted, the father of American landscape architecture. His design of New York’s Central Park was revolutionary. Olmsted believed that parks should be a space for all people—regardless of background or social class—a place where both the wealthy and the poor could escape the overcrowded, polluted urban environment to experience an idealistic natural landscape.

From Historical Roots to Modern Design

While the core function of parks remains fundamentally unchanged—to provide accessible, inclusive spaces for recreation and community engagement—they have evolved alongside our society and will continue to do so.. Today’s parks are largely shaped by national guidelines designed to promote and emphasize equal access to open space and diverse recreational programming. As society, technology, and the environment continue to change, parks must also evolve to meet the needs of future generations.

In our existing parks, the mature framework of trees, vegetation, water bodies, and pathways will likely remain, but program elements and ecological functions will transform. Playgrounds, sports courts, and park furnishings, which have a typical lifecycle of 15 to 20 years, offer opportunities for modernization when they are replaced. Just like we’re seeing today with the interest in pickleball and the repurposing of old tennis courts to meet this growing demand, these facilities can adapt to the changing recreational preferences of communities. Play equipment and surfacing can be updated to be more inclusive and accessible to people of all abilities. Ecological improvements, such as the naturalization of stormwater ponds, can enhance biodiversity, provide essential ecosystem services, and offer educational opportunities.

Adapting Parks to Changing Needs

As land and construction costs skyrocket, new parks are increasingly being asked to do more with less space. Modern parks must balance a variety of passive and active recreational uses while also promoting ecological habitats, enhancing community resilience, and providing environmental benefits. They will continue to serve as important venues for social interaction and foster connections between natural and man-made elements.

Now, and even more so in the future, connections to these vital green spaces will be essential in maximizing public investment. Multi-purpose trails and “complete streets” designed for all modes of pedestrian, bicycle, vehicular, and public transportation is the low hanging fruit to make our park resources safe and accessible. In order to keep up, parks will need to be able to adapt to the evolving challenges of climate change and technological advancements.

Planning for the Future: Climate Resilience & Technological Integration

As weather patterns shift due to climate change, we must proactively plan for future landscapes by carefully selecting tree and plant species that are resilient and adaptable to new environmental conditions. In practical terms, this means planting tree and plant species that are more tolerable of high temperatures, periods of drought, and heavier rainfall. Native species that are better adapted to local ecosystems will also be prioritized to enhance biodiversity and reduce the need for intensive maintenance and water usage. Rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and increased frequency of extreme weather events will profoundly affect the health and sustainability of our urban green spaces. Parks must adopt a forward-thinking approach today to ensure they can thrive and remain sustainable in the future.

Technology is likely to play a larger role, from the expansion of WiFi networks and electric vehicle charging stations to the use of user data and preferences to attract advertising and sponsorships, which can help fund park maintenance and capital improvements.  As technology becomes more deeply enmeshed in our daily lives—through new tools, virtual interactions, and the ever-present digital noise—parks will serve as a vital counterbalance. The future will likely see people seeking a reprieve from the constant connectivity, craving spaces that will encourage them to disconnect from their screens and immerse themselves in the sights, sounds, smells, and sensations of nature.