Parks

Downtown Edmonton Hopes to Flip Parking to Parks
The Canadian city is working to take 18 downtown lots and convert them from surface parking to green space.

The Country's Largest Urban Park—Coming Soon to Dallas
A Dallas News op-ed argues for a repackaging of the Dallas' ongoing open space and park investments to properly acknowledge the scale of the city's accomplishments.

Adventure Playgrounds Set the Children Free
An exploration of how adventure playgrounds enable freedom for children living in a world full of helicopter parents.
The $40 Million, Voter-Approved Park Bond That Never Happened
Voters in Cobb County, Georgia, overwhelmingly prioritized parks and green space back in 2008. Cobb County commissioners', however, are still acting to quell those intentions.

Walkable Cities Change Behavior, All Over the World
Study finds people walk more in denser cities with more parks no matter what their country of origin.

The $600 Million 'Rebuild' Program Takes Shape in Philadelphia
Neighborhood revitalization will focus on parks and libraries under a new program in Philadelphia.

Plan to Link 50 Miles of Dallas Trails Seeks City Partnership to Complete Funding
Dallas' Circuit Trail Conservancy has raised $23 million dollars to fund the construction of connectors that would link 50 miles of trails, now they're looking for an additional $20 million in bond money to get the project fully funded.

Boise Completes Its Greenbelt
Decades in the making, Boise's 26-mile Greenbelt now spans the length of the city following completion of the last remaining one-mile segment.

Denver Will Ban Suspected Drug Users From City Parks
The American Civil Liberties Union is not pleased with the potential civil rights infringement enacted by a new directive by Denver Parks and Recreation.

Los Angeles Adds New Developer Fee to Pay for Parks
The city of Los Angeles has been improving its parks resources for several years, and a new funding mechanism should help continue that trend.

Portland Residents Participate in Design of 'Green Loop'
Community input is crucial to a plan that would wrap Portland in a ring of greenery and pathways.
An Update on the Ambitious Lowline Project in New York
The Lowline is "one of the most intriguing" project proposals anywhere in the United States—so much so that it still seems a long shot to many observers.

Key Facts from L.A. County's Park Needs Assessment Study
L.A. County's Parks and Rec Dept. has just completed a major study of the county's park needs. Departmental Facilities Planner Clement Lau explains the study and below are a few things that came to light.

Changing Tastes Push Minneapolis' Parks From Baseball to Soccer
In a move to address changing preferences, some Minneapolis' parks are slowly eliminating baseball diamonds and tennis courts in favor of adaptable fields and multi-purpose courts.

Open Spaces Are Contested Spaces in the Middle East
Parks and other public open spaces continue to be squeezed out by private development and attempts to limit political dissent throughout cities in Arab countries.

660 Acres Donated to Pittsburgh to Become City's Largest Park
The city of Pittsburgh is celebrating the conveyance of 660 acres of property known as Hays Woods. The property will one day become the largest park in the city.
Why Chicago Park Advocates Want to Preserve a Parking Lot
A Chicago nonprofit drew criticism for opposing the planned Lucas Museum in favor of a large parking lot. But the organization says it fits into their mission of promoting open space.

L.A.'s New Pershing Square Will Be 'Radically Flat'
After stakeholder engagement and an international design competition, Agence Ter's plan for "radical flatness" has been selected to replace downtown L.A.'s current Pershing Square. The preferred alternative is, above all, simple.

'First National Study of Neighborhood Parks' Finds Few Taking Advantage
Most neighborhood parks go relatively unused by adult populations and women, giving young children, mostly boys, the run of the place.

Louisville Builds a Green Ring Around the City
For the second time in its history, Louisville completed an ambitious and massive park planning and design process on its suburban fringe. The fringe today is just a bit farther out than it was in Olmsted's day.
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