Home buying isn’t just about square footage or finishes – it’s about how people imagine living day to day. From morning walks along a river path to weekend time in a town square, public spaces increasingly shape where buyers want to put down roots. To explore how strongly this influences purchasing decisions, Calgary Homes, a real estate platform, commissioned a survey of 3,013 homebuyers, examining the role public spaces play in home-buying preferences, and identifying the most underrated public spaces that make people want to live nearby.
Below are examples of public spaces that homebuyers in each state said have the strongest impact on neighborhood desirability:
Spring Lake Park, Texarkana, Texas
In Texarkana, Spring Lake Park offers a sense of balance that carries into the surrounding neighborhoods. Residents use the loop trails, water views, and open space as part of everyday routines rather than weekend plans. For buyers, living nearby suggests a pace of life that includes easy access to outdoor space without leaving town. That consistency often makes nearby homes feel more comfortable and better suited to everyday living.
Silver Lake Reservoir Path, Los Angeles, California
The Silver Lake Reservoir Path is more than a trail; it is a social circuit that defines the pace of the neighborhood. Residents use the loop for everything from high-energy exercise to slow sunset walks, making it the primary site for local visibility. For buyers, proximity to the reservoir path is a marker of a highly desirable, “walk-first” lifestyle in a car-centric city. It turns the act of walking the dog or meeting a friend into a central, celebrated part of living in the area.
River Parks, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Along the Arkansas River, River Parks functions as everyday infrastructure for Tulsa residents. People rely on the paths for walking, cycling, and short outdoor breaks that fit easily into the week. Buyers drawn to nearby neighborhoods often see that access as practical rather than aspirational. Living close to a continuous, well-used river corridor suggests a lifestyle where outdoor time is already built in, helping surrounding homes feel easier to commit to for the long term.
Drake Park, Bend, Oregon
Drake Park plays a steady role in how Bend residents experience their town. Locals pass through on foot, sit briefly along the river, or use the open lawns as a casual extension of daily routines. Buyers considering nearby homes often respond to that familiarity. Having a central green space that’s consistently used, but rarely overwhelming, helps the surrounding neighborhoods feel grounded and livable rather than seasonal or transient.
Cadman Plaza Park, Brooklyn, New York
Daily life in downtown Brooklyn spills naturally into Cadman Plaza Park. Office workers cut through it, parents linger after school runs, and residents use it for short breaks rather than planned outings. Because it’s woven into routine movement, the park softens the surrounding density. For buyers considering nearby apartments or townhomes, that everyday access to open space changes how city living feels, making the neighborhood easier to imagine as a long-term home rather than a temporary stop.
“When people talk about ‘location, location, location,’ they are rarely referring to the granite countertops – they are talking about the feeling a neighborhood gives them”, says a spokesperson from Calgary Homes. “Our research shows that the most influential public spaces aren’t flashy destinations but the everyday places that quietly support a good life. Buyers want to live near spaces they will actually use, not just admire.”
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Photo: iStock
