Parks with Purpose: Designing Heat-Resilient Green Spaces for a Changing Climate
On a scorching afternoon in Atlanta, Georgia, kids splash through a shaded water play area in a local park, while grandparents relax under a canopy of native trees. Despite the record-breaking heat outside the park’s perimeter, this urban green space remains cool, vibrant, and full of life. Thanks to thoughtful design, the park serves not only as a community gathering place but as a buffer against the growing threat of urban heat.
The Role of Parks in Heat Resilience
As global temperatures rise, cities are facing increasingly intense heat waves. Parks and green spaces—long valued for recreation and aesthetics—are now emerging as critical tools in the fight against urban heat. When designed with climate in mind, they become cooling engines that protect public health and enhance urban resilience.
Heat-resilient parks include:
Shade trees and native plantings to reduce ground temperatures and provide comfort
Permeable surfaces and bioswales to manage stormwater and reduce surface heat
Cooling elements like misting stations, water features, and light-colored paving
Open-air pavilions and shaded seating for vulnerable populations
These features can reduce local air temperatures by several degrees, making outdoor spaces more usable even during extreme heat events.
Case Study: Chicano Park, San Diego
Chicano Park, located under the Coronado Bridge in San Diego, is a celebrated example of how parks can meet both environmental and cultural needs. In response to community advocacy, the park was transformed into a cultural landmark and climate refuge.
Though surrounded by highways and industrial zones, the park now features mural-covered underpasses that double as shade structures, drought-tolerant landscaping, and permeable pathways. The space cools the surrounding area and provides a safe haven for recreation, protests, and celebrations.
It demonstrates how inclusive design and environmental resilience can go hand in hand.
A Blueprint for Tomorrow
Designing for urban heat isn’t optional—it’s essential. Parks that respond to extreme heat can reduce hospital visits, improve air quality, and offer mental and physical health benefits. They also promote equity by providing safe, cooling spaces in communities that often lack access to green infrastructure.
Imagine every neighborhood having access to a climate-smart park—where tree canopy coverage exceeds 40%, walking paths remain cool in summer, and children can play without risk of heat stress. These parks become part of a city-wide network of resilience, biodiversity, and community wellness.
Call to Action: Champion Climate-Smart Green Space
Here’s how you can support heat-resilient parks:
Advocate for funding and policies that prioritize urban greening in heat-vulnerable areas
Volunteer with local organizations planting shade trees and installing water-smart landscaping
Attend community meetings to share input on park design and maintenance
Explore resources from the Trust for Public Land and American Society of Landscape Architects to learn more.
The future of our cities depends on cool, green, inclusive places. Let’s design them together.