Learn about eleven landfills that have been transformed into beautiful outdoor recreation spaces.
Degraded lands are often found in areas that have the most environmental burdens with respect to groundwater threat, hazardous waste, poor air quality, pollution burden, etc. These lands include properties occupied by abandoned, redundant, or unwanted infrastructure, such as decommissioned landfills, oil wells, rail yards, utility corridors, airports, and power plants.
In locations where environmental burdens are concentrated and impactful land uses are defunct, multiple benefits can be derived from restoration projects like new parks that address residual pollution and unhealthy conditions, restore natural systems, and provide enhanced recreational opportunities for residents. In this article, Diana Kurzeja highlights the following landfills which have been dramatically transformed into parks and open spaces for public enjoyment:
- Mt. Trashmore Park (Virginia Beach, VA)
- Cesar Chavez Park (Berkeley, CA)
- Freshkills Park (Staten Island, NY)
- Pulau Semakau (Singapore)
- Port Sunlight River Park (United Kingdom)
- Millennium Park (Boston, MA)
- Flushing Meadows (Long Island, NY)
- Sai Tso Wan Recreation Ground (Hong Kong)
- Ariel Sharon Park (Israel)
- Chambers Gully Reserve (Australia)
- Glass Beach (Fort Bragg, CA)
To learn more about the above places, please read the source article.
Also noteworthy is Los Angeles County's current efforts to transform the Puente Hills Landfill into a regional park.
FULL STORY: 11 Landfills That Have Undergone Stunning Makeovers
Public Parks as Climate Resilience Tools
Designed with green infrastructure, parks can mitigate flooding, reduce urban heat, and enhance climate resilience, offering cost-effective solutions to environmental challenges while benefiting communities.
A Plan to Expand Tree Canopy Across Dayton
Dayton is developing an urban forest master plan, using a $2 million grant to expand its tree canopy, address decades of tree loss, and enhance environmental equity across the city.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
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.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
City of Moreno Valley
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland