Many parks across the country are named to honor prominent people. Here are a few examples in Los Angeles with interesting histories and stories.
Across the U.S., many parks are named after places or in honor of historical figures or accomplished individuals. This is certainly the case in Los Angeles. This article by Patt Morrison of the L.A. Times offers some interesting background and insights about parks like Griffith Park, Runyon Canyon Park, Vasquez Rocks, Ernest E. Debs Regional Park, Pershing Square, and a few others.
For example, few people would know that Pershing Square is named after General John J. “Black Jack” Pershing, who pursued Pancho Villa’s forces along the U.S.-Mexico border a few years before going on to World War I. He led the American Expeditionary Forces on Europe’s Western Front in 1917 and 1918. The City of Los Angeles renamed the park for him in November 1918, a week after the armistice ended the war.
Read the full story: Griffith Park is named for a guy who shot his wife — and other true stories of L.A. parks
In Los Angeles and beyond, landfills and gas stations are the new public spaces
With scarce urban land, transforming overlooked and underutilized urban pockets into parks and green space it critical to meeting growing community, climate, and equity needs.
Disney Imagineers Join Effort to Rebuild Altadena’s Charles White Park After Wildfire
Disney is contributing $5 million and the talents of its Imagineers to help Los Angeles County rebuild Charles White Park and other fire-damaged Altadena parks.
How South Gate, California Expanded its Park System Against the Odds
With limited space and funding, South Gate opened three new parks this year through community-driven design, creative partnerships, and persistent public leadership.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Colorado’s Largest Data Center Could Rise Next to Homes — Without a Public Hearing
The proposed campus would consume 11 times the power of Denver International Airport; as it has across the country, opposition mounts.
US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico
A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.
'This is going to be painful:’ Virginia stares down $1.7 billion funding gap for highway maintenance
The state may address the deficit by shifting $290 million from its construction budget to maintenance projects.
Judges permit Denver to divert 77,000 acre feet from the Colorado River for reservoir expansion
Overuse and climate change have caused the Colorado River’s water levels to plummet.
Amtrak, CN end decades-long dispute with eight-year agreement
The new operating agreement establishes an updated framework for the companies to work together, including processes to resolve disputes.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
KFH Group Inc.
Greater Baltimore Committee
Eagle County Government
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello