After a damp, cold winter that morphed into a damp, cold spring, Portland was recently forced to close all of its grass play fields for several weekends in order to prevent irreparable damage (see right photo). On a typical weekend, the fields are replete with soccer players, kickball tournaments, and pick-up Frisbee games. Should Portland follow [...]
Filed under: facilities, green infrastructure | Tagged: new york city, portland | 3 Comments »
We’ve previously looked at ways in which the medical community is using exercise prescriptions as a way to combat obesity and inactivity. Park prescriptions are only a portion of the spectrum of exercise prescription programs. Fortunately, the growing awareness of the benefits of outdoor exercise – in addition to the cooperation of parks departments, environmental [...]
Filed under: green infrastructure, health, international | Tagged: albuquerque, health, international, little rock, mental health, milwaukee | 2 Comments »
I am a people watcher. As a native New Yorker, I’m positive it’s in my blood. I’m sure most city dwellers get pleasure from the simple act of observing other people, although I never stopped to think about what makes this urban exercise so much better: street furniture. I also did not realize how complicated [...]
Filed under: planning | Tagged: books | Leave a Comment »
We’ve written before about city parks that close roadways for use by pedestrians, cyclists, rollerbladers, and more. Closing parks to cars actually has been shown to increase visitation, which may come as a surprise to some. Some of the more famous examples include JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park, Washington, D.C.’s Rock Creek Park, and [...]
Filed under: planning, transportation | Tagged: road closures, streets | 2 Comments »
Each month, City Parks Alliance recognizes two “Frontline Parks“ to promote inspiring examples of urban park excellence, innovation and stewardship across the country in the face of shrinking municipal budgets, land use pressures and urban neighborhood decay. April’s selections highlight the positive changes good parks bring to cities. Park improvements can be cost-efficient catalysts for [...]
Filed under: crime & safety, green infrastructure, maintenance/management, partnerships, renewal | Tagged: accessibility, redevelopment | Leave a Comment »
While Seattle’s tree canopy has grown city-wide over the last five years, tree cover in city parks is declining. Since 2007, 60 acres of tree cover has been lost, and Seattle is turning to volunteers and public-private partnerships to help plant new trees (Seattle Post-Intelligencer) Great Britain is conducting a national survey to create a [...]
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Cities that increase density by building skywards can inadvertently end up with impersonal streetscapes defined by monotonous walls of glass and concrete. Toronto has avoided the issue of dark, canyon-like streetscapes by mandating that buildings offer a human-scale street presence. Most large buildings are composed of a “podium” base, with towers receding from the street [...]
Filed under: green infrastructure, international, planning | Tagged: density, international, san francisco | 2 Comments »
At first glance, Cahuenga Peak, the backdrop to the Hollywood sign, might seem more like a supporting actor than a bona fide star. But it got its moment in the spotlight last year as The Trust for Public Land helped save it from becoming a luxury housing development. Now it has been named “Best New [...]
Filed under: green infrastructure, planning, renewal | Tagged: awards, los angeles, new york city, rankings, waterfronts | 1 Comment »
Unicorns, saber-toothed tigers and velociraptors, oh my! Last summer, the self-appointed “Non-Traditional Park Preservation Task Force” posted signs in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park warning users to stay on the paths or risk becoming prey to some unexpected four-legged creatures. The signs were posted to discourage vandals from breaking the fences, traipsing around the ravine and disturbing the newly replanted top soil. [...]
Filed under: crime & safety, green infrastructure, maintenance/management | Tagged: new york city | Leave a Comment »
