A park is any of a number of geographic features.

Hunting parks and the parks of country houses

---

Originally, the term referred to an area maintained as open space where residences, industry and farming were not allowed, often originally so that nobility might have a place to hunt. These were known for instance, as deer parks (deer being originally a term meaning any wild animal). Many country houses in Great Britain and Ireland still have parks of this sort, which since the 18th century have often been carefully landscaped for aesthetic effect. They are usually a mixture of open grassland with scattered trees and sections of woodland, and are often enclosed by a high wall. The area immediately around the house is the garden. In some cases this will also feature sweeping lawns and scattered trees; the basic difference between a country house's park and its garden is that the park is grazed by animals, but they are excluded from the garden.

Public parks

---

Today, the primary meaning, based on the original meaning, is an area of open space provided for recreational uses. Parks in this sense are usually owned and provided by the government. Park uses are often divided into two categories: active and passive recreation. Active recreation is that which require intensive development and often involves cooperative or team activity, including playgrounds and ball fields. Passive recreation is that which emphasizes the open-space aspect of a park and which involves a low level of development, including picnic areas and trails.

More on [ Park ]

NYT > U.S.

Baltimore Has Poe; Philadelphia Wants Him
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 10:05:09 -0000
An Edgar Allan Poe scholar is arguing that Poe’s remains belong in Philadelphia, where he wrote many of his most noteworthy works.
Paralympic Athletes Add Equality to Their Goals
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 07:38:02 -0000
Many Paralympians criticize the U.S. Olympic program for giving them fewer benefits than Olympians receive.
Highway Fund Shortfall May Halt Road Projects
Sat, 06 Sep 2008 08:29:41 -0000
An important account in the federal Highway Trust Fund will run out of money this month, which could hamper road and bridge projects, the transportation secretary said.

Christian Science Monitor | Top Stories

In dispirited Detroit, mayor pleads guilty
Plea deal ousts Kilpatrick after an eight-month scandal. Interim mayor inherits a city in a slump.
As Gustav evacuees return to New Orleans, a varied homecoming
Many find their houses are fairly intact. Power loss is still a problem.
France gives boost to Israeli-Syrian talks
French President Sarkozy, in Damascus this week, was also thought to be seeking Syria's help in dealing with Iran's nuclear program.

Subscribe to North_America RSS feed