How Cities Use Parks for Green Infrastructure

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By Dr. Mark A. Benedict and Edward T. McMahon, American Planning Association City Parks Forum Briefing Paper, November 2003.

Key Points:

Creating an interconnected system of parks and open space is manifestly more beneficial than creating parks in isolation.
Cities can use parks to help preserve essential ecological functions and to protect biodiversity.
When planned as part of a system of green infrastructure, parks can help shape urban form and buffer incompatible land uses.
Cities can use parks to reduce public costs for stormwater management, flood control, transportation, and other forms of built infrastructure.

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