Changing enforcement and greater activation have changed Commons Park in Denver, which is no longer the site of the drug use that gave the hill its moniker.
The homeless population that used to spend its time on the hill in Commons Park in Denver has been moved. "Denver Parks and Recreation officials and Cohen’s Riverfront Park Association tried out different strategies to nudge along homeless adults and the young people, including a heavy mix of pot smokers and other drug users, who sat on the hill and surrounding areas for much of the day," John Murray reports for the Denver Post.
After city park officials installed nine security cameras and hired private security, the site became less attractive to the homeless who spent days there. Many in the neighborhood say they can see a big difference. Park officials also claim their efforts to activate the park with events helped change the population that’s using the public space.
FULL STORY: Commons Park’s “Stoner Hill” no longer fits the name, and Denver riverfront residents hail the change
Denver Canal Trail to Receive $100 Million Upgrade
The funding will support maintenance and repair projects along the 71-mile High Line Canal.
Opening of Denver’s New Freeway Cap Park Triggers Gentrification Fears
Local residents fear rising housing costs and displacement with the opening of a new four-acre park built on a deck bridge over the newly reconstructed and widened I-70 interstate.
Denver Residents Lack Transit Access to Local Parks
Despite an early plan to run rail lines to the city’s mountain parks, they are not easily accessible to Denverites without cars.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?
Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.
Paris Bike Boom Leads to Steep Drop in Air Pollution
The French city’s air quality has improved dramatically in the past 20 years, coinciding with a growth in cycling.
Why Housing Costs More to Build in California Than in Texas
Hard costs like labor and materials combined with ‘soft’ costs such as permitting make building in the San Francisco Bay Area almost three times as costly as in Texas cities.
San Diego County Sees a Rise in Urban Coyotes
San Diego County experiences a rise in urban coyotes, as sightings become prevalent throughout its urban neighbourhoods and surrounding areas.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
City of Santa Clarita
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service