Parks Planning

Chicago, Illinois

What Makes a High Quality Park?

A new report can help park developers and managers assess quality, park by park and systemwide, to make investments and address disparities in access to high quality parks.

July 8, 2021 - Urban Land Institute

Antelope Valley, California

Rural Parks Planning Underway in Los Angeles County

The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation is conducting a survey to better understand the park and recreation needs of rural areas.

June 24, 2021 - SCV News

Dolores Park

Advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Parks and Recreation

A newly released report by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) reveals the state of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) activities at park agencies across the U.S.

June 9, 2021 - Parks and Recreation Magazine

Rail Deck Park

Rail Deck Park a No-Go in Toronto

The Toronto Local Planning Appeal Tribunal chose a development project over the mayor's plan to build parkland over a downtown rail corridor.

May 16, 2021 - The Star

Griffith Park

Seeking Public Input on Regional and Rural Park Needs

As part of a study, the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation is conducting a survey to better understand the use of facilities like beaches, natural areas, open spaces, regional parks, trails, and local parks in rural areas.

May 14, 2021 - Urbanize LA

Grand Connection

Poised for a New Era of Parks Planning in Bellevue, Washington

The last round of capital investment made possible by a 2008 parks levy offers a chance to look further into the future in Bellevue, Washington.

May 3, 2021 - The Urbanist

Los Angeles County

Understanding Regional and Rural Park and Recreation Needs

The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation is doing a study to inventory and analyze the need for facilities like beaches, natural areas, open space, regional parks, trails, and local parks in rural areas.

March 28, 2021 - National Recreation and Park Association Open Space Blog

Empty Swings

Students Contribute to Park Design Process

As a class assignment, nearly 150 high school students shared their ideas for improvements to Sorensen Park in Lake Los Angeles, California.

February 16, 2021 - Antelope Valley Press

New York Park

Budget Cuts Will Severely Impact Park Agencies

A recent survey by the National Recreation and Park Association reveals that many park agencies are deferring or canceling maintenance and capital projects.

January 26, 2021 - Parks and Recreation Magazine

Orange County Great Park Rendering

How GIS Helps Plan Parks

With constrained budgets, a geographic information system (GIS) may seem like a luxury for parks agencies. But to perform data-driven planning and advance park equity, GIS is an indispensable tool.

July 21, 2020 - Apolitical

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Top Books

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Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

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.