The second most populous city in California, San Diego, wants to revolutionize its approach to planning parks and open space.

"The city of San Diego is on the precipice of replacing a decades-old way of thinking about its parks, emphasizing quality over quantity in a new planning approach that could have profound effects on disadvantaged neighborhoods and older ones already built to capacity," reports Jennifer Van Grove.
The evolution of parks planning in San Diego is encapsulated in a draft version of the city's new Parks Master Plan, released in April. The previous park plan for the city dates back to 1956.
Among the foundational changes proposed by the draft Parks Master Plan is a points system for quantifying the access of residents to quality parks. Today, the city’s parks standard is 2.8 acres for every 1,000 people. "Going forward, the standard will be 12 points for every 1,000 residents, with points representing the recreational value of the park’s size, features, connection to transit or programming," according to Van Grove.
The city will seek input on the draft from the public until the end of May.
FULL STORY: San Diego shakes up citywide approach to parks with focus on access, amenities

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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.

Greening Oakland’s School Grounds
With help from community partners like the Trust for Public Land, Oakland Unified School District is turning barren, asphalt-covered schoolyards into vibrant, green spaces that support outdoor learning, play, and student well-being.

California Governor Suspends CEQA Reviews for Utilities in Fire Areas
Utility restoration efforts in areas affected by the January wildfires in Los Angeles will be exempt from environmental regulations to speed up the rebuilding of essential infrastructure.

Native American Communities Prepare to Lead on Environmental Stewardship
In the face of federal threats to public lands and conservation efforts, indigenous groups continue to model nature-centered conservation efforts.
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