City Parks Blog

New Haven Green

The American Planning Association is again out with its top ten list of great public spaces for 2009.

According to the APA, characteristics of a Great Public Space include:

1. Promotes human contact and social activities.
2. Is safe, welcoming, and accommodating for all users.
3. Has design and architectural features that are visually interesting.
4. Promotes community involvement.
5. Reflects the local culture or history.
6. Relates well to bordering uses.
7. Is well maintained.
8. Has a unique or special character.

And here is the APA’s list for this year:

1. New Haven Green, New Haven, Conn.
2. The Green, Dover, Delaware.
3. The Squares of  Savannah, Georgia.
4. Lincoln Park, Chicago, Illinois.
5. East Park, Charlevoix, Michigan.
6. Grand Rounds, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
7. Central Square, Keene, New Hampshire.
8. Queens Botanical Garden, Flushing, New York.
9. Central Market, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
10. The Beach Boardwalk, Virginia Beach, Virginia

Filed under: planning | Tagged: rankings