What type of phrase is used in the sentence: "Running through the park, she felt free and alive."?

The phrase "Running through the park" in the sentence serves as a participial phrase. This type of phrase begins with a present or past participle and usually acts as an adjective, providing more information about the subject— in this case, "she." The participial phrase describes what she was doing while feeling free and alive, effectively giving context and enhancing the imagery of the sentence.

By expressing an action that is occurring simultaneously with the main verb, the participial phrase creates a vivid scene that contributes to the overall meaning of the sentence. This is why the identification of it as a participial phrase is accurate in this context.