GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE RESOURCE GUIDE | 7 Parks can play a central role in providing opportunities for green stormwater infrastructure. A park assessment and pre-planning process driven by a strong community engagement program is necessary to ensure that the final plan is responsive to the community’s diverse needs.11 As discussed in the APA Briefing Paper: Green Infrastructure and Park System Planning,12 area-wide assessments conducted during the park system planning process can identify underserved areas in need of additional park and green space resources. Once sites are selected for improvements, a more in-depth analysis can reveal demographic trends and existing stakeholder groups that may be targeted for further outreach during design. Initial park assessments and pre-planning help to identify resources that may be needed throughout outreach, design, construction, and maintenance. They help determine what projects are feasible given existing resources and where expanding capacity can help achieve stormwater management and social equity goals. The choice of the green stormwater infrastructure methods employed will depend on the: • Park context or location where the practice will be installed; • Existing site conditions such as hydrology, hydraulics, soils, and vegetation; and • Available funding PARK CONTEXT There is a growing need for parks to accommodate a variety of activities, purposes, and user groups. Parks are increasingly being designed or redesigned to allow for flexible, multi-purpose program space. This resource guide identifies eight common park amenities where green stormwater infrastructure practices can be integrated to provide ecological, aesthetic, and programmatic enhancements. The list is not exhaustive but includes elements commonly found in parks that can inform decisions related to siting green stormwater infrastructure. ACTIVE RECREATION AREAS – Generally, active recreational activities are those that require specific, dedicated infrastructure and space, such as sports fields, golf courses, and playgrounds. Active recreation is encouraged by providing activity-specific equipment that can be tailored to different themes and/or age groups.13 Active recreation areas often require significant financial investment and ongoing management and maintenance. They can be designed or retrofitted to serve stormwater management purposes, often without impeding recreational use. For example, a playing field can be designed to provide sub-surface stormwater treatment, while hard courts and sidewalks can be constructed with permeable pavement.14 Bioretention facilities, plants, and trees can be installed around play areas to capture runoff. Playgrounds also provide opportunities to educate children about stormwater issues.15 PRE-PLANNING AND ASSESSMENT
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