Savvy city planners once upon a time must have recognized the need to sock away some space to preserve for parks. Everyone needs a place to go to get a breath of fresh air, take a jog or walk a dog, so even the most devoted city slickers head to local urban parks. Here are a few of the best urban parks out there, many of them complete with extra bells and whistles that most people wouldn’t expect.
10. Piedmont Park (Atlanta)
This 180-acre greenspace in the heart of Midtown Atlanta was once a forest, much like the rest of North Georgia. Today, it’s a bustling area for those who want to stretch their legs with a view of the Atlanta skyline.
Like many urban parks, Piedmont Park has all of the requisite walking trails, picnic areas and playgrounds in spades. It’s also host to a number of events, including concerts and festivals like the Atlanta Ice Cream Festival, Atlanta Jazz Festival, Festival Peachtree Latino and many others. There are also tennis and bocce courts, as well as baseball fields and other spots for athletic endeavors.
It went through a bit of a downturn in the late 1980s, but the Piedmont Park Conservancy was formed at that time to bring it back to its former glory, and even improve upon the space. People who want ultra-close proximity should look into units at 1045 on the Park Apartment Homes, 1200 14th Pl NE or 11 The Prado, among others.
9. City Park (New Orleans)
One could easily spend days puttering about City Park in New Orleans, as it’s filled with not only greenspace but tons of attractions. The kiddos (and fun-loving adults) enjoy Carousel Gardens Amusement Park and City Putt (mini-golf), both on-site. Then there’s the famous Storyland playground, fully outfitted with an enchanted theme featuring beloved storybook characters.
The Pelican Greenhouse and botanical gardens are beloved among those who appreciate horticulture. There’s also a dizzying array of outdoor sporting opportunities on site, including fishing, boating, disc golf, birding, golf, tennis and much more. The Esplanade at City Park is one budget-friendly rental opportunity, or you can check out Lumina Apartments or American Can Apartments, both of which are just around the corner.
8. Boston Common (Boston)
The oldest public park in the United States, the 44 acres that Boston Common sits on was bought in 1634 for a scant 30 pounds. Although its history isn’t exactly the brightest (people were regularly whipped, beaten or hanged there for their misdeeds or differences of opinion), today’s Boston Common is a happy gathering spot for Bostonians and visitors alike.
Patrons can take in a bit of the area’s historical significance by strolling its portion of the Freedom Trail through the park. There are also baseball and other fields, a “tot lot” and the famous Frog Pond, which is used for ice-skating in the winter. It’s also linked via parkways to eight other parks known as the Emerald Necklace. Units at 21 Beacon St, AVA Theater District and 660 Washington are all close enough for residents to enjoy the urban park’s pleasures on the daily.
7. Dolores Park (San Francisco)
16-acre Mission Dolores Park is a popular meeting spot for San Francisco’s diverse community members. On-site are playgrounds, two dog parks, six tennis courts, a soccer field and multiple lawns that are perfect for picnicking or lounging.
It’s also a historic gem, as Mission Dolores, for which the park is named, is the oldest building in the city and is only a short walk away. Check out this nearby studio apartment or this one-bedroom unit to get an idea of what’s available within walking distance from this picturesque urban park.
6. Griffith Park (Los Angeles)
Moving farther down the state of California, the LA-area urban oasis of Griffith Park is an absolutely enormous site, with 4,210 acres of parkland, picnic areas and other terrain. In fact, it’s considered one of the largest of its kind in the U.S.!
Not surprisingly, there’s a ton to do on this immense site, including the world-famous Griffith Observatory, a merry-go-round, the Autry Museum of the American West, the Hollywood sign, golf, an equestrian center, the Los Angeles Zoo and plenty more. Rancho Los Feliz and Glendale Apartments are two communities with excellent proximity to Griffith Park.
5. Falls Park (Sioux Falls, SD)
The city of Sioux Falls is so named for its majestic falls, where water tumbles 100 feet to a crashing finish. Falls Park includes a five-story viewing tower where visitors can take in views of both the falls and the city skyline. There’s also a recreation trail and greenway that runs along the Big Sioux River, and visitors also love the Stockyards Ag Experience, which has interactive exhibits about livestock and food production specific to the region.
During the snowier months, the park transforms into a winter wonderland, complete with hundreds of thousands of twinkly lights and other seasonal decor. There’s not a ton of real estate located right on the park’s periphery, but Dakota Lofts Downtown is a solid option.
4. Fairmount Park (Philadelphia)
This 2,000-acre urban oasis is a delight in the middle of an otherwise bustling metropolis. Split into east and west sections by the Schuylkill River, Fairmount Park obviously has lots of access to the waterfront and all of the fun that entails. On the eastern side, there is everything from spray-grounds and playgrounds to the Philadelphia Art Museum. On the western end are the Philadelphia Zoo, the Horticulture Center, Concourse Lake and the Please Touch Museum, among plenty of other attractions. There are a number of different types of rentals nearby the park, including 1814 N 52nd St, The Duffield House and Falls Bridge Lofts.
3. Gas Works Park (Seattle)
The Pacific northwestern gem of Gas Works Park provides a touch of beauty and relaxation in the midst of the Seattle city center. It’s especially popular as a spot for kite-flying, and also features a huge play barn that the kiddos love. However, wading/swimming/fishing or otherwise entering Lake Union is prohibited, as there are some hazardous substances in the sediment.
Cold water aside, there’s plenty of other stuff to enjoy on-site, including the Burke-Gilman Trail, which connects to Log Boom Park 12.5 miles north. AMLI Wallingford is probably the best and most diverse rental opportunity available right by the park; however, there are other single-unit rentals a short drive or jog away.
2. Zilker Park (Austin, TX)
The 351-acre Zilker Park is already home to a lot of pretty cool stuff, but it’ll soon sport even more if the robust planning committee has anything to say about it. Currently, the urban park has a disc golf course, five volleyball courts, a reservation-only clubhouse and multiple picnic sites.
The Austin Nature and Science Center, complete with engaging programming, is also on-site, as are the Zilker Botanical Gardens and McBeth Recreation Center. There’s even a natural spring-fed pool that maintains a year-round temp of 68 degrees Fahrenheit. The onsite Zilker Hillside Theater also puts on a full schedule of performances from musical concerts to Shakespeare in the Park. Nearby rentals include this one-bedroom at 1717 Toomey Rd or Parkside Apartments.
1. Central Park (New York)
Probably the most well-known and impressive urban park in the world is Central Park, found right in the heart of Manhattan. Among its 843 acres are multiple playgrounds, trails, a zoo, a carousel, gardens, monuments, skating rinks, soccer fields and much more. It also hosts dozens of events, including concerts, festivals, fairs and so on.
The recently restored Belvedere Castle is a must-see for newbies to the area, or do a little catch-and-release fishing to relieve the everyday stresses of city life. Look into Parc 77 or 15 Central Park West if prime urban park proximity is what you’re after.
Calm amid chaos
Most city-dwellers wouldn’t have it any other way, but it’s refreshing nonetheless to spy some green among all of those buildings and cars. These urban parks are shining examples of how greenspace in a metropolitan environment can be done right.
