Peter Harnik of the Trust for Public Land spoke recently about the challenges facing urban parks, and how they can be catalysts for revitalization and change when done correctly.
At a recent presentation at the National Building Museum, Harnik presented his strategies for carving innovative parks out dense cities:
"1. Buy the land. Harnik pointed to Boston's Public Square and the Santa Fe Railway Park as examples of good investments made by local governments.
2. Use urban redevelopment. Portland's Pearl District was cited as an example.
3. Turn part-time schoolyards into full-time parks. 'Ideally, these facilities should be in use 16 hours per day.'"
You can read all 14 of Harnik's recommendations at ASLA's The Dirt blog.
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