Green and Sustainable Community Parks

In addition to supporting conservation practices on its own land, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is committed to helping communities across Pennsylvania with conservation approaches that can help them achieve green and sustainable:

• Parks
• Trails
• Recreation facilities
• Conservation areas

Sustainability and climate resiliency within the department-funded projects can help to mitigate climate change in your community.

Project sites will be strengthened to withstand and recover from climate change related impacts and enhanced green practices in communities provide many benefits to the public.

The department’s Bureau of Recreation and Conservation offers many opportunities to implement green and sustainable practices into local projects that also creates climate resiliency.

The Bureau of Recreation and Conservation has developed guidance for park development and sustainability. Priorities for sustainability and climate adaptations include:

• Natural Landscaping and Trees (PDF)
  
• Connect People to Nature (PDF)
• Creating Climate Resilient Parks (PDF)
  

Tools and Resources for Sustainable and Climate Resilient Parks

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Bureau of Recreation and Conservation provides tools and resources to help communities and organizations achieve green and sustainable practices on their public sites:

• Creating Sustainable Community Parks and Landscapes: A Guide to Improving Quality of Life by Protecting Natural Resources, Second Edition (PDF) is a DCNR guidebook that outlines the benefits of enhancing the natural resources in local parks; explains how to maintain parks in a sustainable manner; and provides a step-by-step guide to help park staff achieve those results.
  

• Montgomery County Planning Commission Sustainable Green Parking Lots Guidebook (PDF)

• Georgetown Climate Center Adapting to Urban Heat: A Tool Kit for Local Governments (PDF)

• Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Blog Post: Selecting Trees for Pennsylvania’s Changing Climate

• Examples of Climate Resilient, Green, and Sustainable Best Management Practices (PDF) -- a climate guidance resource for help integrating green sustainability and climate adaptations into your DCNR grant application or your local park project.

Cost Benefit Analysis

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Bureau of Recreation and Conservation offers calculators, tools, models, and fact sheets to assist with determining whether to install green infrastructure practices on your site.

• Calculators and Resources (PDF) -- a selection of cost benefit calculators on various green infrastructure practices created by different organizations.

• Pennsylvania Mowing Calculator (XLS) -- calculator for public and private land owners who regularly care for lawns. This tool calculates fuel, dollar, greenhouse gas, and other savings associated with changing current mowing practices.

• Green Infrastructure (PDF) -- a variety of fact sheets on various green infrastructure practices created by CH2M Hill, Inc. for the City of Lancaster’s Green Infrastructure Plan (PDF).
  

• Center for Climate and Energy Solutions: The Cost of Carbon Sequestration

• U.S. Forest Service: Municipal Forest Benefits and Costs in Five U.S. Cities (PDF)
  

Green Community Parks Map

The Pennsylvania Green Community Parks GIS Map from the department’s Bureau of Recreation and Conservation features community parks across Pennsylvania that have incorporated sustainable, climate resilient and nature-based practices into their design, operations, and maintenance. 

Interactive Sustainable Park Design Model

This interactive map from the department’s Bureau of Recreation and Conservation allows one to explore and learn about green and sustainable practices, resources, and amenities within a community park setting.

The interactive map is currently being redesigned. The Pennsylvania Sustainable Park Design Model Static Map (PDF) is available during the redesign process.