Some news from around…

Two different ways to design and program public space: 1) “Street Pianos” are coming to New York, and will be prominently placed in a number of parks. The pianos have been successful in London, São Paulo and other cities. (Village Voice); and 2) from Toronto, color and art comes in the form of painted “nature-inspired [...]

Some news from around…

Kids rally to save Rice Field Park in Des Moines. ABC 5 has the story about the kids and their organizer, an 11-year old who says the field is the heart of their community. Archpaper covers the plans to redevelop 65 acres in the Port of San Francisco for recreational & commercial use. Birds, people, [...]

Sculpture Park Energizes Des Moines

A new sculpture park on the outskirts of downtown Des Moines is changing the face of this Iowa city. The New York Times ran a story in their Real Estate section on Des Moines, making substantial mention of the park: At the center of the Western Gateway neighborhood is a 4.4-acre public park and sculpture [...]

The 100 Acres Art & Nature Park in Indianapolis

The sculpture garden-style park is being taken to a whole new level with the Virginia Fairbanks Art and Nature Park in Indianapolis. The new 100-acre area was formerly a gravel pit, quarry and construction site. The park will be run by the Indianapolis Museum of Art and will play host to natural amenities and art [...]

Artistically Inflected Cities

Benjamin Barber, writing in the Nation, has some thoughts on how cities can use public art as attraction but also integrated into the more mundane spaces, be it neighborhood parks or commons: Consider Millennium Park in Chicago. The city got it right by engaging artists, designers and architects to collaborate in creating the space, with [...]

Unusual Park Visitor in Minneapolis

Lake creature being reported in Minneapolis parks.