The World's Largest Urban Parks Are Your Inner-City Natural Playground
Urban parks are a nature-lover's oasis—an escape from the hustle and bustle of city living, the concrete jungle of high-rises, and the searing heat of the pavement. As the trees provide shade, the bush thickens, and the twittering of birds replaces the sound of car horns, you have entered another world: the urban park. Let's explore some of the world's best urban parks and what you'll need when you explore them.
George Bush Park: Houston, Texas
Affectionately named after George HW Bush, the George Bush Park in Houston, TX, is the 25th largest urban park in the world. Most of George Bush Park is covered by undeveloped forest that helps store flood water from the Barker Reservoir. There's a soccer and baseball field, a shooting range, and a dog park within the boundaries. There are myriad trails around the park for biking and walking, but they do not form an entire loop.
George Bush Park. Explore Hidden Areas., Trip Channel
What To Bring?
Bring plenty of water, Houston is incredibly hot in the summer. Also, bring bug spray and sunscreen. You can forget the camera—unfortunately, despite its enormous size, there's not much to see in George Bush Park, but you might be able to catch a nice sunset on the Boardwalk, a bridge that crosses the Buffalo Bayou. If you're a cyclist, you'll want to explore the park by bike—it's really well set up for that. Walkers? Not so much.
JuWiki at en.wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons
Timucuan Preserve: Jacksonville, Florida
If you're going on vacation to Jacksonville, try to avoid flying American Airlines—but if you and your luggage make it to your destination, you simply must check out the Timucuan Preserve. From the Kingsley Plantation to Fort Caroline, American Beach and Cedar Point, this Jacksonville urban park is filled with Floridian and American history.
Timucuan Preserve (Cont'd)
Entry to the preserve is free, but you should definitely bring your hiking boots, as you'll be hiking the Seven Creeks Trail, a seven-mile trek through the preserve. Bring your binoculars or long-lens camera, as you'll need those to observe the beautiful natural landscapes and wildlife. Shore fishing is also available for the anglers out there.
NPS Photo/F. Southwell, Wikimedia Commons
Cullen Park: Houston, Texas
Another Houston park on our list of the world's largest urban parks is Cullen Park. An urban park of the highest order, Cullen is home to several soccer and baseball fields, along with two playgrounds and many miles of multi-use trails. A park for everyone and easily accessible in the Barker Ridge area, near West Houston Airport, Cullen Park's 9,720 acres make up the third largest urban park in Houston.
"Hiking" Houston -- Cullen Park Hike/Bike Trail, Meandering Memories
Phoenix Sonoran Preserve: Phoenix, Arizona
Arizona is no stranger to natural beauty. Whether you're looking for a weekend getaway or taking a whole summer to explore the US, the Phoenix Sonoran Preserve should be high on your list of urban parks to explore. At 9,612 acres, it's the second largest urban park in Arizona and chock full of cacti.
Nicholas Hartmann, Wikimedia Commons
What To Bring To The Phoenix Sonoran Preserve?
As always, when going out and about in a place that's as scorching as Arizona (with an average high of 41℃), you'll want to bring plenty of sunscreen. Many of the trails in the Sonoran Preserve are geared toward mountain bikers and hiking, so bring your bike or hiking boots and enjoy some of the best urban nature in the Southern US.
Lee Valley Regional Park: London, United Kingdom
London is full of large parks, from Hyde Park—home to concert venues and venerable statues—to Regent's Park near Buckingham Palace, but Lee Valley Regional Park is the largest urban park in the United Kingdom. At 10,000 acres, the park is a sprawling oasis of nature, with miles of trails and greenspace extending into Greater London and beyond.
Peter O'Connor aka anemoneprojectors, Wikimedia Commons
Appian Way Regional Park: Rome, Italy
You might not think of Rome as having much by way of urban parks, because of all the history. But, the Appian Way Regional Park is the second largest urban park in Europe, spanning an extraordinary 11,317 acres. Built around the archaeological ruins there, the park was first opened in the 1930s, but has its roots in an Ancient Roman transport route: the Appian Way.
Flavia Verona, Wikimedia Commons
More On The Appian Way
One of the earliest examples of Roman road-building, the Appian Way connected Rome to the city of Brindisi in southeast Italy, but fell into disuse after the fall of the Empire. Pope Pius VI ordered the restoration of the road, which now traverses a route littered with aqueducts, Roman villas, castles, and even ancient tombs. Bring your history books and an open mind to Appian Way.
Government Canyon State Natural Area: San Antonio, Texas
It might not have the most appealing name in the world, but the Government Canyon State Natural Area is the second largest urban park in Texas, covering a sprawling 12,244 acres. If hitting the trail is something you love to do, then the Government Canyon State Natural Area in San Antonio, TX, is the place to go.
What To Bring To The Government Canyon State Natural Area?
With more than 40 miles of trails for hiking and biking, and a huge pavilion and gallery that are available for rent if you're hosting a meeting or gathering, you'll also want to bring your archaeologist's hat as you explore 110-million-year-old dinosaur fossils and tracks. Being in San Antonio, you're not far from major attractions like SeaWorld and the Alamo.
Chamberlain2007, Wikimedia Commons
Rouge National Urban Park: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Rouge National Park in Toronto, Ontario, is one of the largest urban parks in the country, covering 12,356 acres. The sprawling expanse is the second-largest park in Canada and home to a variety of natural environments, from forests and woodland trails to marshland boardwalks and serene beaches on the shores of Lake Ontario. There are free guided walking tours, or you can blaze your own trail. One of Canada's most enjoyable afternoons in the country's most populated city.
Mhsheikholeslami, Wikimedia Commons
Changa Manga: Lahore, Pakistan
The Changa Manga urban park in Lahore, Pakistan explores the natural beauty of one of the world's most populous cities. It's a human-created forest and was once the largest man-made forest in the world after plantation began in 1866. It's home to 14 species of mammals, 50 bird species, six reptile species and two amphibian species. The wildlife preserve is located 60 miles outside of Lahore and spans an enormous 12,515 acres.
Torbenbrinker, Wikimedia Commons
South Mountain Park: Phoenix, Arizona
Another Arizona park in Phoenix that's worth your while is South Mountain Park. The largest municipal park in the United States, spanning 16,233 acres, it offers a wide variety of hiking and biking trails, including one trail up to a lookout that's over 1,000 feet above the desert floor. South Mountain is also home to a variety of flora and fauna, and the largest collection of chuckwalla reptiles ever reported anywhere in the world.
Domenico Convertini from Zurich, Schweiz, Wikimedia Commons
Bukhansan National Park: Seoul, South Korea
From America to South Korea: the Bukhansan National Park in Seoul, spanning an extraordinary 19,748 acres, is the most visited national park in the world per unit area. Home to 3,100 plant and animal species, the park is visited by over 5 million people annually and contains a huge mix of forest, granite rock formations, and ancient Buddhist temples.
Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge: New Orleans, Louisiana
Any visit to New Orleans can be an overwhelming one: there's so much to see in the heart of Cajun country. But high on your list of must-visits should be the Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge in New Orleans. Spanning an enormous 23,000 acres, it's the largest urban wildlife refuge in the United States. More than 340 bird species congregate in the Bayou year-round, including brown and white pelicans, alligators, bald eagles, and much more.
Mr. Bill Lang, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Franklin Mountains State Park: El Paso, Texas
At a staggering 24,246 acres, the Franklin Mountains State Park is the largest urban park in Texas and is home to more than 100 miles of cycling trails through a variety of rugged terrain. Overnight camping is allowed at the park and there's even rock climbing to be done at McKelligon Canyon or Sneed's Cory—bring your own equipment!
El Paso,Tx. Franklin Mountains State Park, Bunuelos Dona Maria
Losiny Ostrov National Park: Moscow, Russia
The Losiny Ostrov National Park in Moscow, Russia is the largest urban park in Europe, covering an incredible 28,664 acres. Dense forestry accounts for 83% of the total area of the park, which is mostly inhabited by moose and elk. There's a biological station where you can touch and feed the elk. 27% of the park falls within the boundaries of Moscow, while 47% of the park's total area is closed to the public for conservation and protection.
Nikiforovvb, Wikimedia Commons
McDowell Sonoran Preserve: Scottsdale, Arizona
The McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale, AZ is the largest urban park in the state of Arizona and the largest city park in the United States, with an enormous area of 30,394 acres. The preserve encompasses 180 miles of hiking and biking trails for use only by non-motorized bicycles and horseback riders. The preserve features dozens of trails and gives preference to the animals that inhabit the preserve—even rattlesnakes are a protected species!
McDowell Sonoran Preserve | The Largest City Park in America, Wilderness Will
Pedra Branca State Park: Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
Pedra Branca State Park breaks into our top five by a mere 300 acres, covering a total area of 30,626 acres. This makes it the largest state park in Brazil and protects a region of the Atlantic Forest in the western part of Brazil's capital city. The park also contains the highest point in the city: Pico de Pedra Branca, standing at a gargantuan 3,360 feet high. There are many trails to walk, most will bring you high above the canopy, complete with rivers, waterfalls, and gorgeous views of the city below.
Tania Rego/Agencia Brasil, Wikimedia Commons
Margalla Hills National Park: Islamabad, Pakistan
Sitting on the northern edge of Islamabad, there's a staggering green space oasis known as the Margalla Hills National Park in Islamabad, Pakistan. There are six hiking trail, so bring your hiking poles! But the real allure of the Margalla Hills is the birds. If you're a bird watcher or a wildlife photographer, then the Margalla is simply heavenly.
AhmedKamal92, Wikimedia Commons
The Religious Melting Pot Of The Margalla Hills
The nearby Saidpur village in the hills contains a Hindu temple, a mosque, and a church, all of which stand side by side. The Margalla Hills also have a Gurdwara, constructed in the 20th century by Sikhs. Perhaps unexpectedly, the Margalla Hills are a popular spot among people of all faiths who visit Pakistan.
Table Mountain National Park: Cape Town, South Africa
The infamous Table Mountain National Park in Cape Town, South Africa is home to South Africa's tallest mountain. The unique flat-topped mountain in Cape Town is home to around 8,200 plant species and sees about 4.2 million visitors per year, as the National Park covers an area of 54,610 acres. The peak of Table Mountain is accessible by either cable car or a long slog to the top. Hiking, rock climbing, caving, and mountain biking are popular ways to enjoy Table Mountain National Park.
Dietmar Rabich, Wikimedia Commons
Gatineau Park: Gatineau, Quebec, Canada
Covering an area of 89,205 acres, Gatineau Park is the second largest urban park in the world, located in the community of Gatineau, Quebec, Canada. Despite being officially in Quebec, the park is just 2.5 miles from the capital city of Ottawa, in Ontario. Created in 1938, the park features a broad variety of attractions, including the Mackenzie King Estate, the Canadian Museum of History, the Canadian Children's Museum, and myriad smaller parks within the boundaries.
Jon Kolbert (talk · contribs), CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Chugach State Park: Anchorage, Alaska
But the largest urban park in the world is the Chugach State Park in Anchorage, Alaska. Spanning an extraordinary 495,199 acres, the park was created in 1970 to provide recreational opportunities for residents of Anchorage, AK. Not only does it provide skiing, snowboarding, hiking, and other activities, but the park is also a buffer zone, protecting the immediate area outside of Anchorage from development.
Frank Kovalchek from USA, Wikimedia Commons
Which Urban Park Are You Checking Out This Summer?
Tell us which urban park you're most excited about this summer! Do you have plans to visit Chugach in Alaska, or is Canada more your jam? Perhaps you're taking a trip overseas and will be checking out London, or the searing heat of Lahore in the summer? Let us know in the comments below.
Diego Delso, Wikimedia Commons
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Sources: 1, 2, 3a weekend getaway
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