urban institute nonprofit social and economic policy research

Public Use of Urban Parks

A Methods Manual for Park Managers and Community Leaders

Document date: July 07, 2001
Released online: July 07, 2001
Parks, a vital part of healthy urban communities, must serve many users' needs. Information about park usage helps park managers and community leaders to plan park development, allocate scarce resources, and manage day-to-day park operations. This manual was developed from an evaluation of the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund's Urban Parks Initiative, an ongoing effort to improve the quality and quantity of urban parks for public use and to disseminate strategies for effective park development. Through case studies, the authors introduce park managers to various data collection methods and data uses. The more familiar park managers are with these techniques, the more pertinent their information will be, and the more prepared they will be to serve park users.


Topics/Tags: | Cities and Neighborhoods


Usage and reprints: Most publications may be downloaded free of charge from the web site and may be used and copies made for research, academic, policy or other non-commercial purposes. Proper attribution is required. Posting UI research papers on other websites is permitted subject to prior approval from the Urban Institute—contact [email protected].

If you are unable to access or print the PDF document please contact us or call the Publications Office at (202) 261-5687.

Disclaimer: The nonpartisan Urban Institute publishes studies, reports, and books on timely topics worthy of public consideration. The views expressed are those of the authors and should not be attributed to the Urban Institute, its trustees, or its funders. Copyright of the written materials contained within the Urban Institute website is owned or controlled by the Urban Institute.

Email this Page