I want to make my yard look like a park and do not know how to begin?

Use spray paint to mark off areas that you want to plant trees, bushes, flowers and walkways. Then pick a quarter of the yard and start there. Perennials are the best because they come back every year.

I like it! Here is what rolls out of my head . . . How about take photos of parks you like and post here telling us what feature(s) you want in your yard. Then we can offer suggestions on how to achieve that look.

Or, hire a landscape architect.

Visit some parks either in real life or via TV programming,there was a great special about the guy that created Central Park and most of the other major park in cities in the US on OPB.org http://www.pbs.org/program/ten-that-changed-america/10-parks-changed-america/

Personally I like Japanese gardens because they incorporate all the seasons into their gardens. I like to attract wildlife, birds, and butterflies to my yard since I used to be a wildlife biologist/botanist, and I use mostly indigenous plants to the area. I like high shrubs for privacy and my critters like it too, deer bring their fawns to my yard each year. I have bird baths, and shrubs/trees with berries so I attract lots of birds and have resident populations. My next project is a fern garden with a buddha.

When designing parks you usually plan open sunny areas, trees for shade, water features/fountains, paths for walks.

Hello Sherry_m_smith :) Well, to make your yard look like a park, I would begin with the grass, a few beautiful bushes and trees (maybe one bush and one tree of a flowery variety), with a bench under the tree to sit on and read a book or watch kids/grandkids playing in the yard. You would want a pathway from the house to the tree (stepping stones or just dirt but NOT gravelly because you don't want little stones getting into your grass). IF you have the room, a small gazebo (maybe THAT instead of a tree if you don't have the room but DON'T get rid of a bench to sit on under a tree). A picnic table near the tree would be nice so you could catch some shade if you want to eat out there, but it's not UNDER the tree where it might get tagged by birds more than you'd like. OH! How about this? A table and seat in the gazebo so you could eat in there and read in there? You'll be shaded AND protected in case rain breaks out. Speaking of rain, what about a water feature, like a small fountain or if you have children or grandchildren how about a swing set with climbing wall or /slide? Does your yard slope?

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/644507396644483556/

https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=terraced%20garden%20landscape&rs=guide

http://www.hgtv.com/design/outdoor-design/landscaping-and-hardscaping/15-before-and-after-backyard-transformations-pictures

https://www.google.com/search?q=turn+your+yard+into+a+park&rlz=1C1CHWA_enUS612US612&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwil-8fpvrLWAhVjsFQKHZyqDOEQsAQILQ&biw=1366&bih=589

https://pro.com/blog/turn-yard-into-english-garden/

https://www.themarysue.com/disney-backyards/

So your head should be swiming with ideas now, so I will stop here HAHA! ;)

Whatever you decide on, ENJOY IT!!! Take a bit of this and a little of that and make your yard YOUR park, slowly, surely, follow what YOU envision and make sure you take time to sit back and enjoy what you've done at every single step of the way :) Thanks for asking HOMETALK for help with ideas ;)

Get lots of mulch!

Umm...perennials are nice, but trees and shrubs come back each year too. They form the backbones of the garden by providing vertical interest, as well as year round interest while most perennials die back to the ground each fall and winter. Don't rush into this project since it is a long term investment in time and money. In addition to design tips, you need to know how to choose appropriate plants for your zone, light and soil conditions. Also, be sure you can commit to maintaining your garden because there is no such thing as a no-maintenance garden. Most states offer a Master Gardener program through the state university extension service and have an entire department devoted to helping home gardeners through classes, one day seminars and even a phone hotline. Try an online search. Beware of bloggers and YouTube folks with no real experience. I also wouldn't necessarily trust advice from employees in garden departments at big box stores. Those employees work in other departments most of the year. Instead, patronize knowledgeable local garden centers where they do nothing else but sell and take care of plants! Best of luck with your adventure! I hope you grow to love gardening as much as I do!