Philadelphia Plans to Green 500 Acres by 2015

Today Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter announced the ambitious 'Green 2015' plan to turn approximately 500 acres of city land into public green space over the next five years, with a focus on bringing parks to currently underserved communities.

1 minute read

December 7, 2010, 10:00 AM PST

By Emily Laetz


The official press statement released this morning by the mayor's office stated the following:

" 'Our goal is to focus on parks and green space as a long-term investment in Philadelphia's future,' said Parks and Recreation Commissioner Michael DiBerardinis. 'Green 2015 charts a course for action that will make our city more equitable, livable, and competitive. 'We can improve the air we breathe, protect the water we drink, provide children and families with places for recreation, and increase the attractiveness of our neighborhoods – all by taking affordable steps to transform existing land into publicly accessible green space,' DiBerardinis said. 'By any standard, Green 2015 makes sense for Philadelphia, and we look forward to engaging with many partners to advance this work.' "

Tuesday, December 7, 2010 in PlanPhilly

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

1 hour ago - Zachary Whalen

Passengers board an Amtrak train under a cloudy sky.

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.

September 18, 2026 - Mass Transit

An Airo train driving towards the camera on a track. There is a forest behind it.

Northwest rail fans eager for Sept. 30 debut of Amtrak’s Airo fleet

Get ready for that new train smell and more seats. But they won’t go faster or run more frequently on the Cascades route in Washington and Oregon.

September 22, 2026 - Washington State Standard

A river surrounded by yellow grass and tall evergreen trees.

As El Niño approaches, Newsom vetos bill aimed at protecting California levees from flooding

Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state’s allocated $170 million was enough funding; State experts estimate it will cost $3.3 billion to repair the California Delta's levees.

45 minutes ago - Cal Matters

People crossing a bridge in Boston with fall leaves in the background.

Boston sues Trump administration over revoked infrastructure grant

The Trump administration withdrew the infrastructure grant because less than 1% of the money would go to electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

1 hour ago - The Guardian

A rendering of the proposed building, which is tall and highlighted in yellow to stand out from the surrounding buildings.

NYC to turn city-owned property into thousands of homes

The city has scheduled a public hearing regarding the development for October.

September 29 - Gothamist

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.

Senior Planner

City of Thousand Oaks

Community Development Director

City of Wisconsin Rapids

Professor of Urban Planning

Harvard University Graduate School of Design