By Doyle Irvin, American Forests

With far more than 100 parks credited to his design, encompassing some of the American public’s most beloved spaces, the impact of Frederick Law Olmsted upon our ability to merge nature and the urbane cannot be overstated. Olmsted is credited with founding what is considered the first ever landscape architecture firm. Because he set such a fine example, cities across the world began to consider green spaces as important requirements for the common good.

Here are nine examples of the green spaces he designed that you can still visit today:

Back Bay Fens, Boston.
Back Bay Fens, Boston. Credit: Ed Lyons via Flickr.

 

The Biltmore
The Biltmore, Asheville, N.C. Credit: Jennifer Boyer via Flickr.

 

Central Park
Central Park, New York. Credit: Ralph Hockens via Flickr.

 

Delaware Park Japanese Garden
Delaware Park Japanese Garden, Buffalo, N.Y. Credit: Tom Bastin via Flickr.

 

Prospect Park
Prospect Park, Brooklyn, N.Y. Credit: Jorge via Flickr.

 

Stanford University
Stanford University, Stanford, Calif. Credit: Steve Jurveston via Flickr.

 

University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, Calif. Credit: Daniel Parks via Flickr.

 

United States Capitol
United States Capitol, Washington, D.C. Credit: Daniel Mennerich via Flickr.

 

Wellesley College
Wellesley College, Wellesley, Mass. Credit: Soe Lin via Flickr.