Stewart Gulch Park in Boise recently finished a series of improvements, including accessible pathways, seating, turf and more. ( Boise Parks and Recreation)

As our cities continue to grow, so too does our need for green spaces.

Areas like public parks play an important role in our communities, providing both urban and environmental benefits. These benefits, however, can be easy to overlook.

Which is why environmental and urban historian Quinn Anderson will be exploring the impact of these spaces, as well as how they've changed, in an upcoming lecture with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.