Parks

Aerial view of Overlook Walk cap park over former Alaskan Way Viaduct in Seattle, Washington.

Seattle’s New Overlook Walk Offers Ample Park Space Near Pike Place Market

The elevated park and event space replaces part of the demolished Alaskan Way Viaduct, connecting the city’s famous Pike Place Market to the waterfront.

October 15, 2024 - The Urbanist

Aerial view of Sunnyvale Bay Trail on top of former landfill. Scenic view of San Francisco Bay with levees, salt marshes and sloughs.

Insights and Innovations from the California Land Recycling Conference

The 2024 CLRC showcased innovative strategies for transforming brownfields into sustainable, equitable community assets, emphasizing environmental, social, and economic empowerment through land reuse.

October 14, 2024 - Center for Creative Land Recycling

Rendering of aerial view of expanded Exposition Park in central Los Angeles with multiple sports stadiums and park facilities.

Exposition Park’s $351.5 Million Transformation

This revitalization will create vital green spaces, improve accessibility, and enhance connections with community, making Exposition Park a central hub for recreation and culture in Los Angeles.

October 7, 2024 - Los Angeles Times

Flock of white snow geese flying and resting in water in Sacramento River delta at sunset.

California Secures $360 Million in Federal Funding for Parks, Habitat Restoration, and Clean Transportation

This funding will drive transformative projects across the state, improving access to green spaces, protecting natural ecosystems, and advancing sustainable transportation initiatives.

October 7, 2024 - Office of Governor Gavin Newsom

Woman in forest looking at plants and documenting on tablet.

Discovering LA’s Biodiversity: The 2024 BioBlitz Challenge

The BioBlitz Challenge invites participants to document local wildlife throughout October using the iNaturalist app, contributing to conservation efforts and scientific research on Los Angeles' biodiversity.

September 30, 2024 - Los Angeles Public Library

Man and woman watch waterfall in Paley Pocket Park in Manhattan, New York City. Park is filled with white tables and chairs.

Creative Ways to Activate Roofless Buildings and Vacant Lots

Pocket parks aren’t the only way to repurpose underused urban spaces.

September 17, 2024 - Strong Towns

View of dirt trail between shrubs with downtown Los Angeles skyline in background.

The Essential Role of Parks in Advancing Sustainability

Parks are vital to sustainability, providing environmental, economic, and social benefits that improve public health, support biodiversity, and promote equity, as recognized in Los Angeles County’s OurCounty Plan.

September 16, 2024 - National Recreation and Park Association Open Space Blog

Aerial view of Puente Hills landfill on green hill in Los Angeles County, California.

Puente Hills Landfill Redevelopment Plan Wins Award for Transformative, Climate-Responsive Design

This project to transform a former landfill into a climate-resilient public space has won the 2024 Global Impact Award from ASLA and IFLA for its innovative, community-driven design that addresses environmental and social challenges.

September 15, 2024 - American Society Of Landscape Architects

Vacant lot on hillside in East Los Angeles.

Envisioning a New Park in East Los Angeles

Los Angeles County is working towards transforming underutilized land into a vibrant pocket park in the City Terrace neighborhood of East LA.

September 9, 2024 - Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation

Rendering of redeveloped public square in Denton, Texas with new pedestrian and public infrastructure and historic courthouse in background.

North Texas Town Launches Downtown Revitalization Plan

The Design Downtown Denton plan takes aim at improving walkability and highlighting the city’s historic assets.

August 22, 2024 - Denton Record-Chronicle

City park with paved walkway, green trees, and people sitting on lawn.

Advancing Sustainability and Resilience Through Parks

The Urban Land Institute offers fact sheets describing five innovative ways that parks can reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate threats while advancing health, equity, and quality of life in urban areas.

July 31, 2024 - Urban Land Institute

Aerial view of park playground in West Los Angeles, California.

LA County Releases Funding for Parkland Acquisition in Underserved Communities

Los Angeles County has released $14.5 million in Measure A grant funds to support parkland acquisition in high-need areas, aiming to create additional green spaces and advance environmental justice and equity.

July 10, 2024 - Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District

View of Puente Hills landfill site in Los Angeles County.

California Allocates $12.5 Million for Landfill-to-Park Transformation

The grant will help to convert a 142-acre site, a portion of the former Puente Hills Landfill, into Los Angeles County's first new regional park in over 30 years.

June 27, 2024 - Waste Today

White pelican with black wings flying low over water at Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve in Van Nuys, California.

Revitalizing Sepulveda Basin: A Green Vision for An Urban Oasis

Developed through the input of thousands of community members, this is the first comprehensive plan by the City of Los Angeles for the 2,000-acre basin.

June 25, 2024 - ABC7 Eyewitness News

Jackie Robinson Park sign in Los Angeles County.

Juneteenth Celebrated At Nation's First Jackie Robinson Park

The historic park in Sun Village hosted a vibrant Juneteenth festival, honoring the African American community's resilience and recognizing local leaders and residents.

June 20, 2024 - The Los Angeles Post

Rendering of Glory Park in Lewisville, Texas.

New Park Promotes Community and Connectivity in Lewisville, Texas

The city of Lewisville just celebrated the opening of Glory Park/Parque la Gloria, helping to improve park access and the quality of life for residents.

June 18, 2024 - Lewisville Leader

Rendering of proposed linear park in New Rochelle, New York.

NYC Suburb Plans for New Linear Park

An update to the city’s zoning code makes way for a project that would reclaim a former highway and create new green space and recreation opportunities.

June 18, 2024 - City of New Rochelle

Child wearing heart-shaped sunglasses playing at splash pad in park.

City Parks as Cooling Centers

Strategies for making parks cool, inviting community cooling centers during extreme heat.

June 17, 2024 - Bloomberg CityLab

Concrete walkway with landscaping, decorative tiles, and picnic tables in a Los Angeles County park.

Wish Granted: Former Brownfield Transformed to New Park

Wishing Tree Park in West Carson, California officially opened last month, replacing a brownfield site with a much-needed green space for recreation and respite.

June 14, 2024 - Urbanize LA

Large wood structure with bridge and people standing on it in green park in Toledo, Ohio.

Innovative Park Agencies Receive National Recognition

The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) recently announced the recipients of this year’s awards for innovation in health and wellness, equity, conservation, and park design.

June 12, 2024 - National Recreation and Park Association

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.