Table 3.

The modified NRPA park typology used to classify “favorite places.”

Classifications used in this study	Description	NRPA classifications	NRPA size and location guidelines	Modification rationale
Community park	Variable size and location. Recreational green spaces, not dedicated solely to conservation or sports	Community park	Usually between 30 and 50 acres, $\frac{1}{2}$ mile to 3 mile distance	Incorporated neighborhood, mini-parks and large urban parks based on their similarities in intended use, as places of passive and active recreation.
School park	School-owned green spaces, not always publically accessible. Variable size, location determined by school	School park	Variable size, location determined by school	No change.
Sports park	Sports complexes and ovals, location and size variable	Special use, Sports complex	Special use—size variable, location variable	The study sites were specifically sports fields.
			Sports complex—usually a minimum of 25 acres with 40–80 acres optimal, strategically located
Nature park	Natural resource areas, for example National Parks—size variable, location depends on availability and opportunity	Natural resource areas	Size variable, location depends on availability and opportunity	The new terminology is to clarify that these areas are parks.
Linear park	Greenways and trails—location variable	Park trails, Connector trails	0.5 miles per 1,000 (1983 NRPA standard), location variable	More precise terminology has been used because the connector trails in this study were linear parks.
Botanical gardens and arboreta	Formal botanical gardens, zoos, and arboreta dedicated to the display and study of different species	N/A	N/A	This classification was added to differentiate these green spaces based on their intended use as places of recreation, learning, and the public display of species.
Beach or coastal park	Beaches—Size variable, location depends on availability and opportunity	N/A	N/A	Beaches were differentiated from other natural parks, based on their distinct natural features.
Private green space	Privately owned gardens and back yards	N/A	N/A	Although not a type of park, private green space represented a substantial number of favorite places and warranted differentiation from public parks.
		Neighborhood park	5–10 acres optimal, $\frac{1}{4}$ to $\frac{1}{2}$ mile distance	Neighborhood parks were classified as community parks because they are both managed by local councils, and tend to have more similarities than differences in terms of services, facilities, and use patterns.
		Mini-park	Between 2,500 sq. ft. and one acre, <¼ mile in residential setting	Mini-parks were classified as community parks because they are both managed by local councils, and tend to have more similarities than differences in terms of services, facilities, and use patterns.
		Large urban park	Usually a minimum of 50 acres with 75 or more acres optimal, usually serves entire community	Large urban parks were classified as community parks because they are both managed by local councils, and tend to have more similarities than differences in terms of services, facilities, and use patterns.