• P6 A Typology of Urban Open Spaces

Type/Subtype

Characteristics

Public Parks

Public/Central Park	Publicly developed and managed open space as part of zoned open space system of city; open space of city-wide importance; often larger than neighborhood park
Downtown Parks	Green parks with grass and trees located in downtown areas; can be traditional, historic parks or newly developed open spaces.
Commons	A large green area developed in order New England cities and towns; once pasture area for common use; now used for leisure activities.
Neighborhood Park	Open space developed in residential environments; publicly developed and managed as part of the zoned open space of cities, or as private residential development; may include playgrounds, sport facilities, etc.
Mini/Vestpocket Park	Small urban park bounded by buildings; may include fountain or water feature.

Squares and Plazas

Central Square

Square or plaza; often part of historic development of city center; may be formally planed or exist as meeting places of streets; frequently publicly developed and managed.

Memorials

—	Public place that memorializes people or events of local and national importance.

Markets

Farmers Markets

Open space or streets used for farmers markets or flea markets; often temporary or occur only during certain times in existing space such as parks, downtown streets or parking lots.

Streets

Pedestrian Sidewalks
Pedestrian Mall
Transit Mall
Traffic Restricted Streets
Town Trails

Playgrounds

Playground
School yard

Community Open Spaces

Community Garden/Park

Greenways and Linear Parkways

—

Urban Wilderness

—

Atrium / Indoor Marketplaces

Atrium
Marketplace / Downtown Shopping Center

Found / Neighborhood Spaces

Everyday Spaces
Neighborhood Spaces

Waterfronts

Waterfronts, Harbors, Beaches, Riverfronts, Piers, Lakefronts