Parks
Off the Beaten Path
Designing comfort stations to accommodate more than 60 million annual New York State Parks visitors — representing many different genders, backgrounds, and accessibility needs — is no simple task.
Master Plan Aims to Reduce Car Trips in Portland's Washington Park
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 Need for an Equitable L.A. River Revitalization
Jon Christensen urges Los Angeles to ensure that new park amenities serve, rather than displace, the river's low-income communities.
Urban Planning Insights From Your Inner Child (or Your Actual Child)
Los Angeles County park planner and parent Clement Lau writes about how 'playing' and parenting has given him insight into the urban environment that he applies in his profession.
Memphis Finds a Loophole to Rid Two Parks of Confederate Monuments
A victory for local control: Memphis city leaders found a way to rid their city of two racist monuments, over the objection of the State Legislature.
The 'Deliberately Unkind' Public Art of the High Line
"You could be forgiven for reading the art as a message to less-than-opulent New Yorkers: You’ve lost your place," writes Michael Friedman.
National Partners Launch the 10-Minute Walk to a Park Campaign
The 10-Minute Walk to a Park Campaign launched earlier this month.
Chicago to Use Vacant Lots to Capture Stormwater
Chicago's Planning Department is putting eight city lots to work as "Stormwater Parks."
At Least One Paterson Councilmember Is Skeptical About Plans to Revitalize Great Falls Area
What should a local elected leader do when he or she disagrees with a high-profile expenditure with support from on high?
[Update] Plug Finally Pulled on the Pier 55 Project in Manhattan
A splashy proposed park to replace Pier 54 in New York City, designed by a starchitect and proposed by a famous billionaire, couldn't weather the storm of controversy in New York City.
Are Dog Parks Taking Space from People in Cities?
The number of dog parks in the United States has almost doubled since 2007. Some worry these spaces are not welcoming or could signal gentrification.
'Stoner Hill' Up in Smoke
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.
How Soccer Is Changing Land Use
Planners are incorporating the growing popularity of soccer into parks and communities, writes L.A. park planner Clement Lau, and not just with soccer fields.
A New Green Thumb Tool for Planners
The Greenprint Resource Hub aims to integrate open space, parks, and agriculture into city and regional planning efforts.
Funding Pledge Brings Certainty to Planned Cap Park in Philadelphia
In Philadelphia, the William Penn Foundation has committed to help raise the last $10 million of the $225 million budget for a park over the I-95.
Why the Controversy Over a Planned Disc Golf Course in New Jersey Is a Big Deal
America's freedoms allow Americans the right to complain, vociferously, about things like a planned disc golf course.
How L.A.'s Nighttime Park Programming Lowered Crime and Costs
Los Angeles County's Parks after Dark (PAD) program and the city of Los Angeles' Summer Night Lights (SNL) program are proving to save lives, lower crime, and reduce costs, writes L.A. County parks planner Clement Lau.
Partnerships Drove Napa Flood Control Project
The Napa River's Oxbow bypass doubles as public park space and an outlet when the river floods. The project brought together local environmentalists and the business community.
Do Good Fences Make Good Neighborhood Parks?
A Chicago city park, recently redesigned to be more welcoming, could become less so in its final form. Neighbors complaining about "really shady" park visitors are lobbying for a 6-foot fence to be included in the park's multi-million dollar revamp.
Parks Employees Surveyed on Sustainability
The people who work for city parks and recreation departments were surveyed about sustainability successes and challenges.
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.
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
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
