An urban park or metropolitan park, also known as a city park, municipal park (North America), public park, public open space, or municipal gardens (UK), is a park or botanical garden in cities, densely populated suburbia and other incorporated places that offers green space and places for recreation to residents and visitors. Urban parks are generally landscaped by design, instead of lands left in their natural state. The design, operation and maintenance is usually done by government agencies, typically on the local level, but may occasionally be contracted out to a park conservancy,[2] "friends of" group, or private sector company.
Depending on size, which varies considerably, common features of municipal parks include playgrounds, gardens, hiking, running, and fitness trails or paths, bridle paths, sports fields and courts, public restrooms, boat ramps, and/or picnic facilities, depending on the budget and natural and human-made features available. Park advocates claim that having parks near urban residents, including within a 10-minute walk, provides multiple benefits.