Expected increase in protected green space areas

Chickasabogue Park, a 1,100-acre outdoor recreation facility and wildlife refuge in Eight Mile, Alabama, is the largest park in Mobile County (Ref 3). Since 2022, the park has undergone extensive renovations aimed at increasing public access to green spaces and shoreline recreational areas, particularly along Chickasabogue Creek, while offering a variety of outdoor activities in a natural setting and preserving local biodiversity (Ref. 3).
The improvements focus on enhancing the day-use area, including upgrades to the playground, a splash pad, basketball courts (adapted to heavy rains with water-permeable materials), and a ball field (Ref 1, Ref 2). Additionally, a new pavilion site and an events and interpretive centre are being developed (Ref 1, Ref 2). Sidewalks and family-friendly walking trails are being built, and improvements are also being made to the park's mountain bike trail and disc golf course (Ref 2), providing more opportunities for outdoor physical activities in nature. Other significant upgrades include the creation of a restroom and a new parking lot with permeable pavers to prevent flooding (Ref 2). Critical infrastructure work is underway, including the installation of underground utilities, water, sewer systems, and roadwork (Ref 2). Furthermore, a new Recreational Vehicles (RV) campground with 38 spaces is in the works (Ref 2).
These upgrades are part of a broader initiative aimed at ensuring the public can quickly access and enjoy natural resources (Ref 2). The renovation also emphasises the cultural heritage and historical significance of the park, with plans to use architecture, design, and artefacts to honour the different cultures that once lived in the area (Ref 2). The next phase includes seeking funding to renovate the beach area and construct a new boat ramp (Ref 1).

The Ballymun City Farm project began as a grassroots initiative when local residents envisioned turning an underutilized green space into a vibrant community resource. Though initially rejected by the City Council, the project’s supporters recognized its potential to contribute to Ballymun’s environmental, social, and economic regeneration. With a vision to create something unique for the area, the farm was designed to foster community engagement, environmental education, and local sustainability. Over time, it has grown into more than just a recreational space—it has become a symbol of community resilience, offering people of all backgrounds and abilities a place to connect, learn, and grow together (4).
Situated on 6.6 acres provided by Dublin City Council, the farm aims to strengthen community bonds, enhance civic involvement, and combat social exclusion and isolation. It serves as both an educational and recreational space, providing opportunities for people of all abilities and backgrounds to engage with environmental topics, organic food production, native breed conservation, and traditional crafts. It is envisioned that the farm will include a designated ornamental garden, consisting of shrubs, flowers, grasses and bulbs, which will become a focal point for community activities/gatherings. In addition, we plan to install raised vegetable beds, fruit bushes.
Through urban food production and community gardens—effective tools for educating schoolchildren and engaging youth—the farm addresses the gap between food production and consumption, helping to increase appreciation for local food. Investments in green infrastructure like Ballymun City Farm also support urban and regional development, including the creation of jobs. (1, 2)

Perch Creek is one of the many meanders that drain into Dog River (Ref 2), located just west of Mobile Bay (Ref 3). These areas include sensitive, tidally influenced marshes and flats where the brackish water of the Bay meets fresh waters (Ref 1). The Perch Creek Nature Trail & Preserve project aims to protect 96 acres on Perch Creek (Ref 3). It is part of efforts to revitalise Mobile’s coastal community and improve the water quality of the city's urban river (Ref 2), following the devastation of the BP oil disaster in 2010.
The project focuses on two main aspects: creating a low-impact recreational destination to spark economic redevelopment, and preserving Mobile’s coastal wetlands (Ref 1).
The conservation aspect involves wetland acquisition, marsh restoration, and invasive species management, improving water quality in both waterbodies (Ref 1). The area, rich in wildlife, requires habitat protection, including for migrating birds, foxes, alligators, manatees, and bald eagles (Ref 1). Brackish marshes on the property serve as nurseries for fish, while forested areas provide natural corridors for wildlife (Ref 3). The wetlands also play a role in flood control, acting as natural sponges to absorb rising tides and cleanse stormwater runoff before it reaches Mobile Bay (Ref 1). Additionally, they store stormwater, helping mitigate flooding as storms intensify (Ref 3).
The recreational aspect includes developing nature-based recreation, such as nature trails and kayak launches, as well as expanding public access to natural resources (Ref 3). In 2018, the Perch Creek section was added to the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail, with educational signage for kayakers (Ref 1).
This comprehensive project preserves vital habitats and flood-absorbing wetlands, while providing outdoor recreation opportunities and supporting the coastal community's recovery (Ref 2). It combines high-quality water resources, wildlife connectivity, scenic beauty, and outdoor recreation (Ref 3).

The Horpaz-Ezareni Park is an initiative driven by civil society, requesting the municipality of Miroslava to construct a natural park adjacent to Lake Ezareni. The aim is to protect its green spaces and aquatic bird species while addressing waste management in the area. The petition also called for more green spaces in line with European standards and sought to tackle the challenges of rapid urbanization in peri-urban areas. It collected hundreds of signatures and targeted an area of 20 hectares.
In response, the municipality agreed to the petition and initially proposed creating a park covering 4 hectares in 2022. This first plan was released to the public for consultation. However, the project has since evolved to encompass the original 20 hectares, plus an additional 2 hectares, with an estimated project cost of 11,000,000 euros and a timeline of 3 years for implementation.
The park's design includes various facilities and amenities aimed at enhancing opportunities for recreation, exercise, and relaxation. Accessible paths for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as a parking lot, are also part of the plan. Additionally, two buildings are proposed for sanitary and administrative purposes, which would manage the projected installations of a lighting system, Wi-Fi, and surveillance cameras.
Environmentally, the project includes plans for managing the lake's banks to remove hydrophilic vegetation that could create an unhealthy environment, along with the construction of two bridges. The wilderness areas will be managed, and dendrological plants will be introduced to improve the ecosystem's quality. Overall, the project aims to increase and regenerate green spaces in the commune, enhancing the quality of life for residents and improving the area's aesthetic appeal. (1-8)

The Tbilisi Urban Forest is an ecological restoration project of 5,5 ha spanning two pilot areas initiated in 2020. Located on Mtatsminda ridge around Tbilisi, it is part of a larger reforestation effort within the 700-ha forest territory (Ref. 1,2). The project is funded by the Cartu Foundation and led by the Development and Environment Foundation along with Tbilisi City Hall. Restoration is undertaken to addresses significant challenges such as forest dieback caused by pest infestations, climate change adaptation as well as the creation of recreational infrastructure (Ref. 3,5). Through collaboration among interdisciplinary scientists and urban planners, a novel reforestation strategy has been developed that integrates patches of locally sourced plant communities tailored to diverse soil and slope conditions. This approach incorporates existing trees with new saplings, carefully grafted into existing soil pockets, and focuses on a biodiverse palette of endemic and climate-adapted species (Ref. 1,5). While the project implementation could not be carried out as planned, lacking public participartory due to Covid 19, still 100 jobs were created locally (Ref. 2). Ultimately, the Urban Forest project will enhance ecological connectivity, biodiversity and tourism and also serve the public as an improtant recreational site (Ref. 1,2).