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There's nothing like seeing something from outer space to get some perspective.

Seen from a satellite photo, the Triad looks like three big patches of gray in the middle of a sea of speckled green.

The speckles represent the march of suburban development along the fringes of the urbanized areas and are slowly, but surely, wiping out patch after patch of green.

But despite, or perhaps because of the continuing sprawl of suburbs across the countryside, the region's park system is growing, as well.

Even as the area's growing population strains some parks to their limit, new park projects promise to add to the capacity and perhaps change the way we use parks in the future.

Guilford County's recent $20 million bond referendum went down in flames, but plenty of money is still being pumped into the development and improvement of area parks.

Although that $20 million would have provided a shot in the arm to Guilford's parks system, that amount is dwarfed by the billions of dollars represented by the value of the region's existing parks.

In the end, the park system provides a wealth of opportunities for Triad residents.

"On any given day, you can play golf, go hiking, canoeing," said Dan Lynch, executive director of the Greensboro Economic Development Alliance. "It's just a wonderful place to enjoy the outdoors."

Those facilities - and the relatively temperate weather that allows us to enjoy them virtually year-round - have a value that goes beyond just providing fun and exercise.

They also play an important role in the Triad's economy, helping market the Triad to companies and people looking to set up or relocate.

According to Lynch, the presence of plentiful parkland can play a critical role in those decisions.

Of course, factors such as transportation facilities and workforce skills are important, but, particularly for certain kinds of employers, quality-of-life intangibles can tip the scales.

"It's important from a lifestyle perspective," Lynch said. "It's an attraction for the creative class. It's all about providing opportunities to recreate."

So, how does the Triad stack up on that score?

"Excellent. I grew up in western New York," Lynch said. "Here, you can enjoy the outdoors 12 months a year."

That doesn't mean everything is perfect.

Some people have noted that athletics field space is at a premium and the number of new fields is not keeping pace with growth in activity.

Still, though by some measures parks are overloaded, by others, the capacity is enviable.

According to National Recreation and Parks Association standards for parkland per capita, Greensboro is well-stocked with parks.

The association recommends 6.25 to 10.5 acres for each 1,000 residents. Greensboro has 14 acres for each 1,000 residents.

And more parks and fields are set to open in the coming years.

Though some are traditional, others tell a story about the future of the Triad that goes beyond the topic of parks and recreation.

Much of the land in the new Haw River State Park initially was slated to become a golf course subdivision on several hundred acres along the river.

That land was part of what state officials had envisioned as becoming part of the park, and the development drew opposition from nearby residents and others.

In the end, the housing development plans faltered and the state purchased the land, which sits along the edge of Guilford and Rockingham counties.

Ultimately, park planners envision a giant park consisting of several thousand acres, although the full development of the park is years away.

Looking toward a much more urbanized area, a less traditional plan could have an even larger effect on the everyday lives of Triad residents.

A plan to make a loop of greenways around downtown Greensboro involves more than simply adding parkland to the city.

Backers envision them not only as a nice place to be but also as a way to make downtown and surrounding neighborhoods friendlier to pedestrians and bicyclists.

That goes hand in hand with a broader theory at work in the city's park efforts, which involves taking steps to better connect parks with surrounding areas. To that end, the city is working on building a network of trails that connect parks with schools and residential areas.

That makes sense, backers say. One purpose of parks is to facilitate physical activity, so the notion of having to drive to a place to walk or play can seem counterintuitive.

The trails effort involves some long-term goals, though.

The downtown greenway loop has been estimated at $26 million and suffered a setback in May when a countywide parks bond failed.

Still, backers plan to continue to work on the project, and in any case, the city's efforts at creating trails and greenways are ongoing.

At the same time, plans for more traditional parks are under way.

Last year, work began on the multimillion-dollar Gateway Gardens project, an effort to beautify a major entrance to the city and provide new parkland.

The project, along the intersection of East Lee and Florida streets, will include Japanese gardens, children's and wedding gardens and walking trails.

Other examples of new and improved parks can be found throughout the region.

As the Triad continues to grow, it's clear that development doesn't mean parks will suffer - in fact, it's arguably the reverse.

Contact Jason Hardin at 373-7021 or jason.hardin@news-record.com