Green and Sustainable Community Parks

In addition to supporting conservation practices on its own land, DCNR 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 DCNR 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 Bureau of Recreation and Conservation offers many opportunities to implement green and sustainable practices into local projects that also creates climate resiliency.

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

Tools and Resources for Sustainable and Climate Resilient Parks

DCNR’s 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
• Provides a step-by-step guide to help park staff achieve those results.

Cost Benefit Analysis

DCNR’s 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.
• PA Mowing Calculator (XLS) -- This calculator has been created 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 factsheets on various green infrastructure practices created by CH2M Hill, Inc. for the City of Lancaster's Green Infrastructure Plan (PDF).
• Cost of Carbon Sequestration 
• Cost Benefits of Municipal Forests (PDF)

Green Community Parks Map

The Pennsylvania Green Community Parks GIS Map from DCNR’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 DCNR’s Bureau of Recreation and Conservation that 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 PA Sustainable Park Design Model Static Map (PDF) is available during the redesign process.