Parks & Environmental Design

The environment around us, including the built environment, influences our behavior, and would-be criminals are no different.

That is why the Billings Parks and Recreation Department is implementing the Smart Design, Safer Spaces initiative, introduced by the Billings Chamber of Commerce, which seeks to make Billings a safer city, one property at a time. 

All future facilities will be designed using the CPTED principles. CPTED stands for Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design. 

The photos above are just one example of changes taking place at our parks. 

What is CPTED?

CPTED is the proper design and effective use of the built environment that can lead to a reduction in the fear and incidence of crime and an improvement in quality of life. It is the interplay and the impact of the four CPTED principles, consisting of:

Natural Surveillance: does the space promote “eyes on the streets” and ensure users have a comfortable level of situational awareness in that space, deterring criminal activity? Or does the design of an area prohibit surveillance, like where there are no windows, or maintenance issues obstruct sight lines.

Natural Access Control: do the architecture, wayfinding/signage, real/symbolic barriers, and access security measures, passively and actively ensure people move through our spaces appropriately?

Territorial Reinforcement: You want by-passers to see instantly that someone is present in the space, looks after it, and cares what happens to it. Make it clear that an area is owned and cared for by someone. 

Maintenance: Proper maintenance produces a sense of pride for not just the owner, but the community as a whole. It creates an image of a vibrant space that people love and respect.