ParkPal: Enhancing Urban Park Exploration Using Generative AI

Urban parks are beneficial infrastructures in our communities and advancements in AI offer significant potential to increase park utilization. Currently, accessing timely and reliable park information is challenging, as search results are often outdated and city websites can be difficult to navigate. This study demonstrates how generative AI can centralize and streamline park-related information to enhance park exploration and usage. We introduce ParkPal, a web application featuring an AI-powered chatbot to answer user inquiries about park amenities. Additionally, ParkPal leverages AI-driven image analysis to allow residents to instantly access park amenity information by taking photos of park signage. The project aims to contribute to Green Information Systems theory and practices by integrating generative AI technologies to enhance urban park information accessibility, accuracy, and user engagement.