Plans to install free Wi-Fi internet in New York City parks has fallen through. Unable to find corporate sponsors, the private contractor leading the project has been forced to remove all equipment. But the idea may not be completely dead.
"The networks were quietly shut down in October and Wi-Fi Salon is removing the equipment from the park locations, which include seven hot spots in Central Park, two in Prospect Park, and others at Washington Square, Battery, Riverside, Van Cortlandt, Pelham Bay and Flushing Meadows-Corona Parks, as well as Orchard Beach. This does not affect the privately provided free Wi-Fi at Bryant Park and other locations."
"The collapse of the deal was reported Monday by Wi-Fi Net News and picked up today by the NYC Wireless blog and Crain's New York Business. The parks department confirmed that the city terminated the contract in anticipation of a new plan to offer high-speed wireless at locations across the city, including the parks."
"The setback does not mean the Bloomberg administration has given up on offering Internet access."
"'The city will soon unveil a series of digital inclusion initiatives focused on expanding access to, and adoption of, broadband technology, including service in parks across the city,' said Jama Adams, a spokeswoman for the parks department."
FULL STORY: Deal Collapses for Free Wi-Fi in Parks
Report: How to Fund NYC Parks
A set of 20 creative suggestions for increasing parks revenue.
Former Landfill Doubles as Public Park, Energy Producer
Once the world’s largest dump, Freshkills Park now offers new city park space and powers local households with biofuel.
Expressway Expansion Could Threaten Brooklyn Bridge Park
Supporters of the waterfront park worry NYCDOT’s plan to potentially widen the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway could reduce green space in “one of the most expensive urban parks ever built.”
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.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions
An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.
What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?
The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.
Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts
Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie