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Linear park

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Promenade Plantée,a 4.7 km (2.9 mi) elevated linear park built on top ofobsolete railway infrastructurein the12th arrondissement of Paris,France.
Plan of theEmerald Necklace,Boston, US, in 1894

Alinear parkis a type ofparkthat is significantly longer than it is wide.[a][full citation needed]These linear parks are strips ofpublic landrunning alongcanals,rivers,streams,defensive walls,electrical lines,orhighways[1]andshorelines.[2]Examples of linear parks include everything fromwildlife corridorsto riverways totrails,capturing the broadest sense of the word.[3]Other examples includerail trails( "rails to trails" ), which are disusedrailroad bedsconverted for recreational use by removing existing structures. Commonly, these linear parks result from the public and private sectors acting on the dense urban need for open green space.[4]Linear parks stretch through urban areas, coming through as a solution for the lack of space and need forurban greenery.They also effectively connect different neighborhoods in dense urban areas as a result, and create places that are ideal for activities such as jogging or walking.[5]Linear parks may also be categorized asgreenways.[6][7]In Australia, a linear park along the coast is known as aforeshoreway.When being designed, linear parks appear unique as they are planned around the public's opinion of how the space will affect them.[8]

North America

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Possibly the earliest example is theEmerald Necklace,which consists of a 1,100-acre (4.5 km2), or 445 hectare chain of parks linked byparkways(a broad, landscapedhighway)[9]and waterways inBostonandBrookline, Massachusetts,U.S. The name comes from the way the planned chain appears to hang from the "neck" of the Boston peninsula.[10]This system of linear parks was designed byFrederick Law Olmstedto connect theBoston CommonandPublic Garden(1837) toFranklin Park (Boston),also known as the "crown jewel" of Olmstead's work in Boston.[11]The project began around 1878 with efforts to clean up and control the marshy area which later became theBack Bayand theFens.In 1880, Olmsted proposed that theMuddy Riverbe included in the park plan as the current dredged into a winding stream and was directed into theCharles River.Olmsted's vision of a linear park of walking paths along a gentle stream connecting numerous smallpondswas complete by the turn of the century, but never completed the section toBoston Harbor.The subsequent development of the automobile industry and roads severely disrupted the original concept.[12]

TheHigh Line ParkinManhattanis an aerialgreenway,modeled on thePromenade plantéein Paris.[13]

In recent years, prevalent examples of linear parks that have seen high levels of visitors are theHigh LineinNew York Cityand theBloomingdale TrailinChicago.The High Line in New York City is a 1.4 mile (2.2 km) long rail trail and greenway, having been built on a portion of a defunct rail line as well as constructed to have greenery all throughout.[14]Like itsPariscounterpartPromenade Plantee,the High Line has been transformed into a linear park that allows for activities such as sight-seeing and exercise, while being elevated. The High Line's annual budget is funded almost entirely by park visitors, though it is operated by theNew York City Department of Parks and Recreationlicense agreement.[15]Bloomingdale Trail in Chicago is the longest linear park in theWestern Hemisphere,and the second-longest linear park in the world, with a length of 2.7 miles (4.3 km), just under Paris' Promenade Plantee at 2.9 miles (4.6 km). Bloomingdale Trial was created by converting an elevated portion of the former Bloomingdale railway to this linear park, which features trees, flowers, plants, shrubbery, grass, light posts, and benches throughout. The greenway transverses through the neighborhoods of Logan Square, Humboldt Park, and West Town.

William Sarjeant Park, a linear park in theWillowgroveneighborhood ofSaskatoon,Saskatchewan, Canada

In some cities, many linear parks run through residential areas. In this case, the front of the house will face the streets, while the back faces a small linear park containing a pathway,treesandgrassconnecting different areas together. There are examples of this in some US cities and some Canadian cities, such as Saskatoon, Canada.[16]Houses connected with linear parks are more common in suburban and rural areas where space is much less in-demand.

Unique art found inBeltLine,Atlanta.

Atlanta BeltLine

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A linear park system under development inAtlanta, Georgiais theBeltLine.Part of the foundation for this project consisted of reclaiming 22 miles (35 km) of unused rail trails. Totaling approximately 33 miles (53 km), the BeltLine will include a trail andlight railline on the existing tracks instead of a road.[17]The vision of the BeltLine is to attempt to balance out resident demographics within the city, allowing for all associated to the BeltLine to benefit.[18]


Europe

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Part of one of Milton Keynes's linear parks, showing cyclists crossing acattle gridonNational Cycle Route 51

InEngland,linear parks have also been created around waterways, especially in cities where the terrain is such that rivers and brooks have significantflood plains.Such land cannot sensibly be used for urban development and so it is set aside as a civic amenity. The settlementMilton Keynesmakesextensive useof linear parks, with nine different examples that include the flood plains of theGreat Ouseand of its tributaries (theOuzeland some brooks).[19][20][21]In the UK, Milton Keynes ranked highest in a national comparison of open urban areas available to residents.[22]

InGreater London,EssexandHertfordshire,theLee Valley Parkis a 10,000-acre (40 km2) linear park, stretching for 26 miles (42 km) long, much of it green spaces running along the flood plains of theRiver Leafrom theRiver ThamestoWare,through areas such asStratford,Clapton,Tottenham,Enfield,Walthamstow,Cheshunt,BroxbourneandHoddesdonin an area renowned as theLea Valley.Greater London's largest park, Lee Valley Park is more than four times the size ofRichmond Park,extending beyond Greater London's borders into the neighboring counties of Hertfordshire and Essex.

MauerparkinBerlin,Germany

A more recent example of a linear park is theBerlinMauerpark,which was built on a part of the formerBerlin Wallarea and its adjacent former death strip.

Planty Park,Kraków,Poland). It encircles theStare Miasto (Old Town),wherethe Medievalcity wallsused to stand until the early 19th century. The park has an area of 21 ha (52 acres) and a length of 4 km (2.5 mi).[23]It consists of a chain of thirty smaller gardens designed in varied styles and adorned with numerous monuments and fountains. The park forms a scenic walkway popular with Cracovians. In summer, sprinkled with ponds and refreshment stalls, it is a cool and shady retreat from the nearby bustling streets.[24]

Asia

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View of the walkway(Avenue of Stars, Hong Kong)

InHong Kong,a prominent example of a linear park is theAvenue of Stars.Located at the waterfront surroundingEast Tsim Sha Tsui,the Avenue of Stars is a 440-meter(0.27 mi.)promenadeoffering scenic views to the public. As a public amenity, the park provides much needed urban space to the dense city of Hong Kong. The walking road itself is dedicated to famous Hong Kong celebrities, and as such is an attractive tourist area lined with souvenir stalls at some sections.[25]

In addition to the dynamic waterfront location, the Avenue of Stars provides visitors a "front-row seat" (stand) to theSymphony of Lights,the world's largest light and sound show. It is also around this area that the famedStar Ferrycan be observed and even ridden.

Picture ofRail Corridor,Singapore

InSingapore,wild growth andshrubberythat's taken over a formerKTMrail line has been encouraged and maintained through public opinion. Convincing theSingaporeangovernment of the land's value, the citizens of Singapore were able to turn a neglected KTM railway in to a linear park that now runs 10 km(6.21 mi) long and offers unique perspectives into Singaporean wildlife. Rail Corridor differs from the typical linear park in a way that promotes and integrates thebiodiversityandecosystemthroughout—covering 93[26]different species—while serving as an excellent outdoor trail to get active in.[27]


List of linear parks

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Europe

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Belgium

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France

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Germany

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Ireland

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Portugal

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Romania

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Spain

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United Kingdom

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North America

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Canada

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United States

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Mexico

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South America

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Brazil

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Asia

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Hong Kong

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Singapore

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  • Rail Corridor, Singapore

Iran

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Israel

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Japan

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Philippines

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Taiwan

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South Korea

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United Arab Emirates

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Australia

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See also

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Notes

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  1. ^There is no dictionary definition for the term in the fullOxford Dictionary of English."Linear: Resembling a line; very narrow in proportion to its length, and of uniform breadth." (Oxford Dictionary of English) The termlinear parkseems to have begun to be used on a regular basis in the 1960s (Google Ngram Viewer). The earliest usage in Britain was in reference to the idea of aRiver Thames"linear national park", inTime on the Thamesby Eric Samuel De Maré (Architectural Press, 1952) (Ngram). Google Ngram Viewer, however, indicates a few earlier examples, including from the US in 1939 (Supplementary report of the Urbanism Committee to the National Resources Committee,Volume 2. United States. National Resources Committee. Research Committee on Urbanism. Clarence Addison Dykstra. U.S. Govt. 1939). It may also have been used in 1873, but Ngram didn't provide the source(s).

References

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  1. ^"Parks and Recreation Programming Master Plan"(PDF).Hurst, Tx City Council.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 2007-10-07.Retrieved2009-04-06.
  2. ^"Study Trail profiles".U.S. Department of Transport Federal Highway Administration.Archived fromthe originalon 2009-05-10.Retrieved2009-04-06.
  3. ^Conference, International Linear Parks (1987)."Parkways".jstor.org.doi:10.2307/j.ctt1xp3kv8.JSTORj.ctt1xp3kv8.Retrieved2021-12-06.
  4. ^Faggi, Ana (2017-01-18)."Linear Parks: The Importance of a Balanced, Cross-Disciplinary Design".The Nature of Cities.Retrieved2021-12-07.
  5. ^"6 Types of Linear Park".Simplicable.Retrieved2021-12-07.
  6. ^Truman Greenway, Savannah, Georgia, US
  7. ^City of Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
  8. ^Faggi, Ana (2017-01-18)."Linear Parks: The Importance of a Balanced, Cross-Disciplinary Design".The Nature of Cities.Retrieved2021-12-08.
  9. ^"parkway."Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged. Merriam-Webster, 2002.http://unabridged.merriam-webster(14 Apr. 2007).
  10. ^Emerald Necklace Greenway
  11. ^"The Emerald Necklace Conservancy".2007-08-30. Archived fromthe originalon 2007-08-30.Retrieved2021-12-07.
  12. ^Emerald Necklace Greenway
  13. ^"Paris Elevated Rail Park Featured in Movie 'Before Sunset'". Friends of the High Line. August 12, 2004. Archived from the original on October 23, 2014. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
  14. ^"Overview".The High Line.Retrieved2021-12-07.
  15. ^"History".The High Line.Retrieved2021-12-07.
  16. ^"City of Saskatoon".Archived fromthe originalon 2014-11-13.Retrieved2014-11-16.
  17. ^"Home".Atlanta Beltline.Retrieved2021-12-07.
  18. ^"Equity and Inclusion".Atlanta Beltline.Retrieved2021-12-07.
  19. ^Ouse Valley Park[permanent dead link]-Milton Keynes Parks Trust
  20. ^Ouzel Valley ParkArchived2021-02-01 at theWayback Machine-Milton Keynes Parks Trust
  21. ^"Parks Trust Milton Keynes".Archived fromthe originalon 2021-01-16.Retrieved2014-11-16.
  22. ^"Milton Keynes ranks top for green space".miltonkeynes.co.uk.Retrieved2021-12-07.
  23. ^"Planty Garden Ring".Kraków Travel.Retrieved28 February2022.
  24. ^Andrew Beattie,From the Piast Church to the Holy Cross ChurchLandmark Publishing, page 40.
  25. ^"About AOS | the Avenue of Stars | Harbour, Now Sparkling".the Avenue of Stars.Retrieved2021-12-07.
  26. ^"Rail Corridor".nparks.gov.sg.Retrieved2021-12-08.
  27. ^"The Rail Corridor: State of Buildings".stateofbuildings.sg.Retrieved2021-12-08.
  28. ^"James River Park System, Richmond, Virginia".Archived fromthe originalon 2021-03-27.Retrieved2014-03-15.
  29. ^District 4 News - January 22, 2015 (Commissioner Bill Ganz)
  30. ^New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation: Walkway over the Hudson State Historic Park
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