In a sea of skyscrapers, miles of concrete, traffic jams and smog, there are oases for residents and visitors to enjoy Mother Nature. We're talking about city parks with plenty of grassy areas to enjoy a picnic, trails for a long walk or afternoon jog, and often lakes for a romantic boat ride.
1. Fairmount Park, Philadelphia
Size: 2,052 acres
Philadelphia's first park lies adjacent to the banks of the Schuylkill River and was once used as the site of the Centennial Exposition in 1876. It's divided into two — East and West Fairmount parks — and the former Expo buildings have become iconic attractions for the city. The Philadelphia Zoo and Centennial Exposition are just a few that attract visitors every year.
2. Metropolitan Park, Santiago, Chile
Size: 1,780 acres
Not only is Metropolitan Park the largest in Chile, it's also the largest park in South America — and more than double the size of New York's Central Park. The most iconic statue found in the park is that of the Virgin Mary, standing at the top of Cerro San Cristobal. Pope John Paul II visited the statue and left an icon that is still on display. The park features a funicular and cable cars to climb to the top and take in the panoramic views of the Chilean capital.
3. Chapultepec, Mexico City
Size: 1,695 acres
Meaning "grasshopper hill," Chapultepec is the largest city park in Mexico. Also the oldest and largest of parks in Central America, its true name is Bosque de Chapultepec, which means "Forest on Grasshopper Hill." The park is home to an amusement park, nine museums, a zoo and plenty of space for getting fresh air in the heart of Mexico City.
4. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
Size: 1,017 acres
Larger than Central Park, the "Outside Lands" of San Francisco was originally sand dunes until a park was created in the late 1800s. Home to the 1894 World's Fair, the park included a number of buildings that have become music centers, botanical gardens and museums. The park features 33 acres of lakes, 680 acres of forest and has been home to bison since 1891.
5. Emerald Necklace, Boston
Size: 1,100 acres
A collection of nine interconnected parks dreamed up by — yes, him again — Frederick Law Olmsted, the Emerald Necklace includes Boston's famed Commons and Public Gardens. When Boston was a colonial town, the Commons served as a common land area for keeping farm animals and growing produce, while the land that makes up the Public Garden was originally swampy and used for disposal. The "necklace" stretching to Franklin Park is 7 miles.
6. Stanley Park, Vancouver
Size: 1,000 acres
Vancouver's northwestern peninsula is occupied by the city's largest — and first — park. For more than 130 years, the park has provided a combination of coastal beaches and forest trails with 500,000 trees. The park is home to the city's aquarium, a water park, playgrounds, totem pole sculptures, restaurants and loads of picture-perfect spots.
7. Kings Park, Perth
Size: 990 acres
Western Australia's biggest attraction is Kings Park, home to the Botanic Garden that has 3,000 species of flora unique to the state. The park provides wonderful views of the city skyline, the Swan and Canning Rivers, and the Darling Ranges. Guided tours are available for those who want to learn more about the park's rich Aboriginal and European history.
