There are some parks that rule over all the others

Have you ever noticed that some parks feel a lot more comfortable than others?

In yet another use case for artificial intelligence, University of Florida researchers morphed the casual comments people leave on Google Maps and TripAdvisor into scientific data that has figured out why some parks rule while others feel like vapid green space.

And in the process, they may have stumbled on an algorithm that could reshape the way cities design and manage public parks.

A University of Florida study published in the journal Ecosystem Services found that parks with mature trees, water features, walking paths, and diverse wildlife consistently ranked highest.

The analysis also showed how different experiences overlap. A jogging trail, for example, might also serve as a place for birdwatching, qu