Multifunctional Green Spaces
that Connect People to Nature

Below are examples of multifunctional green spaces that serve several purposes in communities and help connect people to nature.

	Druid Hill Park, Baltimore, MD-  Druid Hill Park in Baltimore, Maryland features many events and recreational activities for visitors. Visitors can walk or bike on the many trails, enjoy music at the Market Concert Series, or shop for food at the farmer’s market.​
	​Meadowbrook Park, Ellicott City, MD- Meadowbrook Park in Ellicott City, MD features 77 acres full of different activities for visitors. Visitors can get exercise while walking their 2.5 miles of sidewalks, children can jump around and play on the playground, or sports enthusiasts can practice on one of their many sports areas.
	​Pocket Parks- Pocket Parks, also known as mini parks, are small, urban green spaces located in vacant lots and other unused spaces. They offer residents more access to nature and can provide a home for birds and other small animals. Pocket parks can also be turned into community gardens and serve as a food source for residents in the community.
	​Green Infrastructure: Connected and Multifunctional Landscapes- This report was published by the Landscape Institute and details the many ways that green infrastructure can help meet the multitude of environmental challenges our society is dealing with every day.
	​Minnehaha Off-Leash Dog Park, Minneapolis, MN- In the middle of Minnehaha Regional Park in Minneapolis, Minnesota you’ll find seven off-leash recreation areas for dogs. Not only do the dogs have a place to run around and play but the owners get to enjoy the beautiful nature inside the six acre park.
​	​Dog Parks/ Leash-Free Areas, Columbia, MO- Columbia, Missouri offers a wide selection of dog parks that are located in parks and other green spaces. Owners get to enjoy being outside in nature while their dogs enjoy running around in the grass or swimming in the ponds.
	​Bristol’s Parks and Green Space Strategy- This report details how one city in the UK plans to invest money into a program that would provide residents with more access to parks and green spaces.
	​Living Public Space: Urban Stormwater Management and Human Networks- This article features the success and benefits of utilizing green infrastructure to combat stormwater management in Ann Arbor, MI and to help with neighborhood flooding in Minneapolis, MN.