One of the country's most passionate supporters of parks writes a review of a book that explores the characteristics and qualities of great parks.

Adrian Benepe, former New York park commissioner and Olmsted Medal winner, reviews the second edition of Great City Parks by Alan Tate with Marcella Eaton.
"Park geeks and urban nemophilists, not to mention the 'designers, administrators, planners and politicians with current and future responsibilities for city parks' that the author cites as the primary target audience, have reason to celebrate and pore over this lovingly detailed volume, richly illustrated with photographs (most of them by the authors) and simple plans of the parks, and heavily annotated with quotes, citations, and footnotes."
Benepe's glowing review is aided by his expertise—for instance, he has visited 18 of the 30 parks included in the book, and gives the author an A+ for accuracy. Read through the end of the review for Benepe's response to the book's theories about what constitutes a great park.
FULL STORY: What Makes a “Great” City Park? The Beholder Sees

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower
A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”
The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.
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