As a self-identifying “green” industry, there is a common assumption that all park management and maintenance is good for the environment and enhances community health. But this is an overly simplistic assumption—upon examining park operations metrics, the means and methods of many typical practices often result in landscapes that can net emit greenhouse gases, contribute to particulate air pollution, consume unsustainable water resources, and/or degrade local water quality through nutrient runoff.
This Peer Conversation will discuss research funded by the NRPA in 2025 on Environmentally Friendly Park Operations and share results from the survey, including key examples and statistics around negative environmental and health impacts of standard practices. Discussion leaders will also provide an overview of the guidelines, along with recommendations on priorities based on potential impacts, the scale of investments, and the return on investment.
Support is provided by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Foundation.
