railroad park

Railroad Park (file)

USA Today has named Railroad Park one of the "10 Best" U.S. parks that have helped "revive" their cities.

Railroad Park was named alongside The High Line, a converted elevated rail line in Manhattan, and Washington D.C.'s The Yards Park.

USA Today writes that urban spaces today place emphasis on "interaction, fitness and good food, with restaurant pavilions and dining areas," rather than just beauty and open spaces.

"Alabama's largest city had been an industrial powerhouse that largely ignored its physical environment," USA Today said. "But this 19-acre park turned a former rail yard into a city showcase with outdoor event spaces, adult exercise areas, a central dining pavilion and high-quality design."

Patrick Phillips, global CEO of the Urban Land Institute, helped compile USA Today's choices, based on past finalists for ULI's annual open space award. Railroad Park won the award in 2012.

"It's an outstanding transformation," Phillips said of Railroad Park.

Take a look at the entire list of parks here.