Classifying Rural Parks: A Case Study in Iowa

Many park professionals use classification systems to simplify complex park spaces into efficient and manageable descriptions. In the United States, the most common classification systems use park size and service area as determinants of a park’s class. While those variables are important in urban spaces, they often fail to capture the unique realities of rural parks. This can lead to misunderstandings, as rural parks are frequently evaluated, programmed, and planned using urbanormative assumptions. To address that gap, this paper proposes a new Iowa Rural Park Classification System (IRPCS) that focuses on park function, a crucial determinant of rural park use due to the distances between rural destinations. The development of the IRPCS involved collecting data from 749 recreation spaces across an eight-county study area in central Iowa. This data was then analyzed using iterative decision trees to identify, test, and refine the variables that differentiate each park class. While ultimately abandoned due to limitations in flexibility, these decision trees played a valuable role in shaping the final park classes. The IRPCS differentiates rural parks from their urban counterparts by highlighting the unique variables and characteristics that make them essential utilities. This focus will spark further research and discussions dedicated to rural parks. Additionally, the IRPCS establishes a rural-specific park lexicon, enabling park managers and planners to discuss and analyze rural parks with greater precision.