Parks

Aerial view of Puente Hills landfill on green hill in Los Angeles County, California.

Puente Hills Landfill Redevelopment Plan Wins Award for Transformative, Climate-Responsive Design

This project to transform a former landfill into a climate-resilient public space has won the 2024 Global Impact Award from ASLA and IFLA for its innovative, community-driven design that addresses environmental and social challenges.

September 15, 2024 - American Society Of Landscape Architects

Vacant lot on hillside in East Los Angeles.

Envisioning a New Park in East Los Angeles

Los Angeles County is working towards transforming underutilized land into a vibrant pocket park in the City Terrace neighborhood of East LA.

September 9, 2024 - Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation

Rendering of redeveloped public square in Denton, Texas with new pedestrian and public infrastructure and historic courthouse in background.

North Texas Town Launches Downtown Revitalization Plan

The Design Downtown Denton plan takes aim at improving walkability and highlighting the city’s historic assets.

August 22, 2024 - Denton Record-Chronicle

City park with paved walkway, green trees, and people sitting on lawn.

Advancing Sustainability and Resilience Through Parks

The Urban Land Institute offers fact sheets describing five innovative ways that parks can reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate threats while advancing health, equity, and quality of life in urban areas.

July 31, 2024 - Urban Land Institute

Aerial view of park playground in West Los Angeles, California.

LA County Releases Funding for Parkland Acquisition in Underserved Communities

Los Angeles County has released $14.5 million in Measure A grant funds to support parkland acquisition in high-need areas, aiming to create additional green spaces and advance environmental justice and equity.

July 10, 2024 - Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District

View of Puente Hills landfill site in Los Angeles County.

California Allocates $12.5 Million for Landfill-to-Park Transformation

The grant will help to convert a 142-acre site, a portion of the former Puente Hills Landfill, into Los Angeles County's first new regional park in over 30 years.

June 27, 2024 - Waste Today

White pelican with black wings flying low over water at Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve in Van Nuys, California.

Revitalizing Sepulveda Basin: A Green Vision for An Urban Oasis

Developed through the input of thousands of community members, this is the first comprehensive plan by the City of Los Angeles for the 2,000-acre basin.

June 25, 2024 - ABC7 Eyewitness News

Jackie Robinson Park sign in Los Angeles County.

Juneteenth Celebrated At Nation's First Jackie Robinson Park

The historic park in Sun Village hosted a vibrant Juneteenth festival, honoring the African American community's resilience and recognizing local leaders and residents.

June 20, 2024 - The Los Angeles Post

Rendering of Glory Park in Lewisville, Texas.

New Park Promotes Community and Connectivity in Lewisville, Texas

The city of Lewisville just celebrated the opening of Glory Park/Parque la Gloria, helping to improve park access and the quality of life for residents.

June 18, 2024 - Lewisville Leader

Rendering of proposed linear park in New Rochelle, New York.

NYC Suburb Plans for New Linear Park

An update to the city’s zoning code makes way for a project that would reclaim a former highway and create new green space and recreation opportunities.

June 18, 2024 - City of New Rochelle

Child wearing heart-shaped sunglasses playing at splash pad in park.

City Parks as Cooling Centers

Strategies for making parks cool, inviting community cooling centers during extreme heat.

June 17, 2024 - Bloomberg CityLab

Concrete walkway with landscaping, decorative tiles, and picnic tables in a Los Angeles County park.

Wish Granted: Former Brownfield Transformed to New Park

Wishing Tree Park in West Carson, California officially opened last month, replacing a brownfield site with a much-needed green space for recreation and respite.

June 14, 2024 - Urbanize LA

Large wood structure with bridge and people standing on it in green park in Toledo, Ohio.

Innovative Park Agencies Receive National Recognition

The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) recently announced the recipients of this year’s awards for innovation in health and wellness, equity, conservation, and park design.

June 12, 2024 - National Recreation and Park Association

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

Celebrating World Environment Day

Commemorate the 51st World Environment Day with this curated list of Planetizen articles highlighting research and projects that promote a healthier, more sustainable world.

June 5, 2024 - Mary Hammon

Rolling green hills in San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles

Regenerating and Healing Land Through Parks

Through thoughtful planning and restoration efforts, parks can help heal degraded land, meeting multiple community needs, improving soil quality, restoring native vegetation, and creating habitats for wildlife.

May 20, 2024 - National Recreation and Park Association Open Space Blog

Green hills with orange California poppies in bloom in foreground in Chino Hills State Park, California.

Making California State Parks More Climate-Resilient

A recently released report offers recommendations for keeping state parks healthy and robust, including acquiring additional land for conservation and recreation.

April 22, 2024 - Spectrum News 1

Purple jacaranda trees in bloom in Los Angeles with tall white Art Deco buildings in background.

LA County Releases Draft Community Forest Management Plan

LA County's Chief Sustainability Office just released the discussion draft of Room to Grow, the first Community Forest Management Plan for the county.

April 21, 2024 - Los Angeles County Chief Sustainability Office

Officials cutting a ceremonial red ribbon at Skyline Ranch Park in Santa Clarita, California.

New Park Opens in the Santa Clarita Valley

The City of Santa Clarita just celebrated the grand opening of its 38th park, the 10.5-acre Skyline Ranch Park.

April 18, 2024 - The Signal

Two large California live oaks in a field of dry grass.

California’s Live Oaks in Focus

The new exhibit explores the hidden network that allows heritage coast live oak trees to communicate with one another.

April 4, 2024 - Outlook Valley Sun

Palm trees sillhouetted against dark evening sky at Santa Monica Beach with pier with illuminated Ferris wheel in background.

Spring Fun at Los Angeles County Parks

L.A. County is offering a spring edition of its popular and award-winning Parks After Dark program, providing opportunities for residents to come together and have fun in safe and welcoming spaces.

April 3, 2024 - Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.