Across U.S. cities, developers and civic leaders are increasingly recognizing that parks and public space are not just amenities, they are economic infrastructure that drives neighborhood vitality, attracts talent, and strengthens returns for both private and public actors. Recent Trust for Public Land research underscores this: park investment correlates with improved economic performance, and in 2024, nearly two-thirds of new park creation was advanced in collaboration with real estate development. At the same time, rising land values and long-term maintenance obligations raise complex questions around capital stacks, operations, and potential residential and business displacement.

Join Atlanta Parks Commissioner Justin Cutler, Trust for Public Land Associate Vice President Bianca Clarke, Jill Schmidt Bengochea, Director at HR&A, and Leroy Moore, Senior Vice President and COO of the Housing Authority of the City of Tampa to explore how integrating parks into mixed-use development can create shared value, where tradeoffs and challenges emerge, and what strategies developers, public agencies, and partners can apply across different markets. Drawing on lessons from projects nationwide, speakers will discuss when park investments deliver measurable returns, how to structure partnerships and funding, and how to balance economic performance with long-term community outcomes.