Parks

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18, 2024 - TimeOut

Close-up of rounded weathered multicolored glass pieces on Glass Beach in Fort Bragg, California.

Transforming Landfills into Parks

Learn about eleven landfills that have been transformed into beautiful outdoor recreation spaces.

March 18, 2024 - Brightly

Person-height red 'Wilmington Waterfront Promenade' sign on concrete walkway with palm trees in background on waterfront walkway at the Port of Los Angeles, California.

New Waterfront Park Opens at the Port of Los Angeles

The $77.3 million new park offers unprecedented public access to the water’s edge for the Wilmington community where 18% of the total land area is taken up by oil refineries — almost 3.5 times more space than is dedicated to green space.

March 5, 2024 - The Architect's Newspaper

Los Angeles County Moves to Open Schoolyards to Public Uses

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors just approved a motion to extend and expand an agreement with the L.A. Unified School District for the use of recreational facilities at Walnut Park Elementary School.

March 4, 2024 - Supervisor Janice Hahn

Overhead view of young children looking at plants growing in raised planter box.

Creating More Green Schoolyards in Los Angeles

Led by the Trust for Public Land, the “28×28” Initiative seeks to green 28 schools in Los Angeles by the 2028 Olympics.

February 27, 2024 - Spectrum News 1

Pink flowers in bloom in front of wood gazebo/pavilion in Descanso Gardens, Los Angeles.

The Importance of Botanical Gardens

Southern California is home to some of the best botanical gardens around. TimeOut just released its list of the top Japanese and botanical gardens, mansion and institution gardens, and urban and hidden gardens.

February 20, 2024 - TimeOut

Stone hoodoos at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah at golden hour.

How the Great American Outdoors Act Improved Public Lands

The 2020 federal law has helped fund park maintenance projects and improve access to public lands.

February 15, 2024 - High Country News

Close-up of pink cherry blossoms with red Lunar New Year banner.

Parks and Gardens as Spaces to Celebrate Lunar New Year

Parks and gardens serve as communal spaces that bring people together. As such, there are good reasons for them to host events and activities that celebrate Lunar New Year, an important festival deeply rooted in Asian cultures.

February 4, 2024 - National Recreation and Park Association Open Space Blog

Blurred Red Line train in Boston passing on elevated rail.

Boston Cap Park Closer to Reality

The proposed Dorchester Greenway would create a new linear park above part of the Red Line subway.

January 31, 2024 - The Architect's Newspaper

Green lawn with historic buildings and Golden Gate Bridge in background in Presidio national park site in San Francisco, California.

San Francisco's Presidio Earns Fifth 'Green Flag' Award

The Presidio has been honored with the Green Flag Award for the fifth year in a row. The award is the most universally recognized international standard of quality for parks and green spaces.

January 29, 2024 - Green Flag Award

Expositoin park enrtance sign in Los Angeles, California with tall palm tree in background.

The Importance of LA's Exposition Park

Centrally located in Los Angeles, Exposition Park is a 160-acre urban park that is home to key recreational, cultural, educational, and athletic institutions and facilities. Learn more about the park from its general manager Andrea Ambriz.

January 29, 2024 - California Natural Resources Agency

Aerial view of snowy town of Stateline, Nevada on shore of Lake tahoe with mountains in background.

Nevada to Host National Outdoor Recreation Conference

In May 2024, the Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals will hold its national conference in Stateline, Nevada, offering opportunities to learn and network in the beautiful setting of Lake Tahoe.

January 22, 2024 - Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals

Bird's eye view of park with green trees, concrete walkways, and benches on lake or riverfront.

Latest Trends in Parks and Recreation

Learn about the top trends impacting parks and recreation, including the use of mobile phone data to track park usage, impacts of climate change, rise of pickleball, a four-day work week, and more.

January 22, 2024 - Parks and Recreation Magazine

View of lake in Central Park, New York City with people in rowboats and bright red and orange fall trees, buildings in background.

Report: How to Fund NYC Parks

A set of 20 creative suggestions for increasing parks revenue.

January 21, 2024 - Center For An Urban Future

Empty navy blue camping chair with small American flag in front of unhoused encampment in People's Park, Berkeley, California.

UC Berkeley Says Supportive Housing ‘Inseparable’ Part of People’s Park Project

The park remains closed to the public as a court weighs a decision on the university’s proposed housing development.

January 12, 2024 - KQED

Sunset view of tall palm trees and shorter trees lining empty street with Los Angeles skyline and crescent moon in background.

Los Angeles Seeks Public Input for Urban Forest Plans

The County and City of Los Angeles are working together on community engagement efforts for their Urban Forest Management Plans (UFMPs).

January 9, 2024 - County of Los Angeles

View of green meadow with people and fall-colored trees in Central Park with Manhattan buildings in background.

Applying Trauma-Informed Design to Cities

How trauma-informed urbanism can make cities and their residents healthier and more resilient.

January 3, 2024 - Fast Company

View of Seattle skyline on clear sunny day with Space Needle on left and Mount Rainier in the background.

Seattle to Host 2024 Urban Parks Conference

In June 2024, City Parks Alliance, in partnership with Seattle Parks and Recreation, will hold the Greater & Greener conference, which will include a mix of indoor sessions and outdoor experiences focusing on urban parks.

December 27, 2023 - City Parks Alliance

Concrete basketball court with clear glass backboard and palm trees in background in Los Angeles, California.

LA Clippers Support Basketball Court Program

The Los Angeles Clippers Foundation (LACF) is working with the L.A. County Department of Parks and Recreation to upgrade indoor and outdoor basketball courts across the county.

December 27, 2023 - Los Angeles Sentinel

Google street view of vacant lot in South Los Angeles in 2022.

Creating a New Park Where It is Most Needed

Los Angeles County just celebrated the grand opening of its newest park. Located in the community of Walnut Park, Nogales Park offers a gathering space and recreational amenities long desired by residents.

December 18, 2023 - UNE News Express

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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

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