Washington Park is described as the jewel in the crown of Portland's park system. The city recently updated its master plan for the first time since 1981.

The city of Portland recently approved the Washington Park Master Plan, which addresses the long-term sustainability of the 481-acre park located just west of Downtown and the Pearl District in Portland's central city. According to the city website set up to detail the planning process, "the Washington Park Master Plan Update focuses on three major areas of improvement for the long-term sustainability of the 481-acre park: create identity, improve access, and enhance the visitor experience."
Jonathan Maus writes in support of the plan a few days after the Portland City Council adopted the master plan update, voicing support for the plan's transportation. Maus summarizes the transportation elements of the master plan as follows: "[to] keep cars on the periphery, reduce access for drivers, aggressively encourage transit use, create plaza and green spaces, and build protected paths for cycling and walking." The article includes more details about how the plan intends to attain that vision.
An article by Sam McCaffrey provides additional insight into the plan.
FULL STORY: Carfree Kingston, a rail-trail path and more: New plan puts Washington Park’s future in focus

Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?

Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Updating LA’s Tree Rules Could Bring More Shade to Underserved Neighborhoods
A new USC study finds that relaxing Los Angeles’ outdated tree planting guidelines could significantly expand urban tree canopy and reduce shade disparities in lower-income neighborhoods, though infrastructure investments are also needed.

California's Canal Solar Projects Aim to Conserve Resources and Expand Clean Energy
California’s Project Nexus has begun generating electricity from solar panels installed over irrigation canals, with researchers and state agencies exploring statewide expansion to conserve water and boost clean energy production.

HHS Staff Cuts Gut Energy Assistance Program
The full staff of a federal program that distributes heating and cooling assistance for low-income families was laid off, jeopardizing the program’s operations.
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