Parks
[Update] Plug Finally Pulled on the Pier 55 Project in Manhattan
A splashy proposed park to replace Pier 54 in New York City, designed by a starchitect and proposed by a famous billionaire, couldn't weather the storm of controversy in New York City.

Are Dog Parks Taking Space from People in Cities?
The number of dog parks in the United States has almost doubled since 2007. Some worry these spaces are not welcoming or could signal gentrification.

'Stoner Hill' Up in Smoke
Changing enforcement and greater activation have changed Commons Park in Denver, which is no longer the site of the drug use that gave the hill its moniker.

How Soccer Is Changing Land Use
Planners are incorporating the growing popularity of soccer into parks and communities, writes L.A. park planner Clement Lau, and not just with soccer fields.

A New Green Thumb Tool for Planners
The Greenprint Resource Hub aims to integrate open space, parks, and agriculture into city and regional planning efforts.

Funding Pledge Brings Certainty to Planned Cap Park in Philadelphia
In Philadelphia, the William Penn Foundation has committed to help raise the last $10 million of the $225 million budget for a park over the I-95.

Why the Controversy Over a Planned Disc Golf Course in New Jersey Is a Big Deal
America's freedoms allow Americans the right to complain, vociferously, about things like a planned disc golf course.

How L.A.'s Nighttime Park Programming Lowered Crime and Costs
Los Angeles County's Parks after Dark (PAD) program and the city of Los Angeles' Summer Night Lights (SNL) program are proving to save lives, lower crime, and reduce costs, writes L.A. County parks planner Clement Lau.

Partnerships Drove Napa Flood Control Project
The Napa River's Oxbow bypass doubles as public park space and an outlet when the river floods. The project brought together local environmentalists and the business community.

Do Good Fences Make Good Neighborhood Parks?
A Chicago city park, recently redesigned to be more welcoming, could become less so in its final form. Neighbors complaining about "really shady" park visitors are lobbying for a 6-foot fence to be included in the park's multi-million dollar revamp.

Parks Employees Surveyed on Sustainability
The people who work for city parks and recreation departments were surveyed about sustainability successes and challenges.

An Ambitious Revitalization Partnership in Detroit
Bringing together the city, developers, and philanthropic support, Fitz Forward aims to redevelop 300 parcels. Backers hope it will serve as a model for other neighborhoods.

Renovated Park Space Open to the Public Beneath the St. Louis Gateway Arch
Little by little, the grounds, facilities, and amenities of the St. Louis Gateway Arch are reopening to the public. Expect work on this $380 million project to conclude later this year.

Sent A Strong Message, Los Angeles Leaders Respond With Planning Reforms
In the aftermath of the Measure S vote, members of the Los Angeles City Council have responded by pushing for expediting community plan updates and finding a sustainable source of funding for updating the region's plans.
Never Built New York: The Pier 55 Park Project for the Hudson River
The Pier 55 proposal made a big splash in New York when it was proposed in 2014, but now it appears headed for the trash bin of history.

Islands of the World Get Their Own Smart Congress
After six years of successful Smart City Expo World Congresses in Barcelona, the island of Majorca will host one that focuses exclusively on islands. It will focus on technology and innovation, and address unique challenges islands face.

Proposal: Bury a Section of Chicago's Lake Shore Drive
In an ambitious plan dating back to the early 20th century, some Chicagoans want to build out park space over Lake Shore Drive's Oak Street S-bend. The project wouldn't be a straightforward one.

Los Angeles Takes On Equity and Resilience With New Parks Funding
City and county leaders shared their plans for millions in new annual revenue at the 2017 VerdeXchange Conference.

Dallas Skaters Hope for a New Park
Texas cities are home to many half pipes and grind rails, but Dallas lags behind other cities in the region.

We Don't Play in Public Like We Used To
As more and more children are kept in homes and yards, Joe Cortright worries about the effects of private play on American culture and public spaces.
Pagination
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.
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