Parks

Greece

New Park Space for an Old City

After 3,400 years, Athens will soon get its first large urban park. When completed in 2030, Ellinikon Metropolitan Park will be 600 acres (243 ha), about three-fourths the size of New York City’s Central Park, an enormous addition of green space.

August 31, 2023 - ULI Urban Land Magazine

A hardscaped park with creative architectural featues is shown with the high-rises of Downtown Los Angeles in the background.

Pershing Square, Downtown L.A.’s ‘Forgotten Park,’ Begins Long Awaited Revamp

A makeover that began in 2015 is finally underway in 2023, but the process of reconstructing Pershing Square is expected to proceed incrementally.

August 30, 2023 - Urbanize Los Angeles

View of empty paved schoolyard with green picnic benches and basketball hoops in Malibu, California

Expanding Schoolyard Greening in California

To protect kids from extreme heat, California just distributed another $73 million to local school districts to transform schoolyards by converting blacktops to green spaces, planting trees, and other related efforts.

August 25, 2023 - Office of Governor Gavin Newsom

View of Echo Park Lake at night with artesian fountain and illuminated swan paddle boats and Los Angeles skyline in background

Recreational Programming Helps Communities to Thrive

Los Angeles County's popular and award-winning Parks After Dark program offers multiple important benefits, as documented in a recent UCLA study.

August 23, 2023 - UCLA Newsroom

Close-up of person holding up phone and looking at their smart watch displaying fitness data

Using Cellphone and Fitness App Data for Park Planning

Data from smartphone apps and fitness trackers are helping planners to better understand park usage patterns and plan for new and improved parks.

July 31, 2023 - Planning Magazine

View of San Francisco skyline from Tunnel Tops park in the Presidio.

San Francisco’s Tunnel Tops Gets Family-Oriented Expansion

Unlike its flashier, selfie-friendly neighbor, the new Outpost Meadow is designed to provide comfortable space for locals.

July 13, 2023 - San Francisco Chronicle

Cars wait in line to get into Yosemite National Park

Overcrowding at Yosemite National Park

Long lines of cars have been trying to enter the park, with many stuck in traffic for hours and vehicles parked illegally in traffic lanes, on grass, and between rocks.

July 6, 2023 - Los Angeles Times

Diverse group of young people walking through forest

Who Is Enjoying the Great Outdoors?

Findings from the 2023 Annual Outdoor Participation Trends Report reveals the “who, how, and where” in participation in outdoor recreation.

July 5, 2023 - Breaking Travel News

Woman in leggings and long-sleeved jacket walks in public park among fall foliage

Parks and Recreation as a Health Solution

New research by the Trust for Public Land explores connections between urban parks and health, building on prior research and offering insights such as the growing importance of partnerships with health organizations.

July 4, 2023 - Governing

Fenced off vacant lot in Los Angeles

Improving Communities With Pocket Parks

Construction begins for a new pocket park in Westmont, an underserved unincorporated community in Los Angeles County.

June 28, 2023 - Urbanize LA

Sillhouettes of tall alm trees in Los Angeles against dark sunset colors

Summer Fun at Los Angeles County Parks

L.A. County's popular and award-winning Parks After Dark program returns for the summer, providing opportunities for residents to come together in safe and welcoming spaces where they can access quality programming and a variety of services.

June 26, 2023 - KTLA5

Safe Places to Play mini-pitch at Luis Muñoz Marin School in Newark, New Jersey

Improving Communities Through Soccer

LEGO has partnered with the U.S. Soccer Foundation to create a new safe place for kids to play soccer and gain life skills in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

June 26, 2023 - KOB4

Small white one-story building with Maggie Hathaway Golf Course sign with American flag on flagpole and green lawn

Expanding Access to Golf in South Los Angeles

L.A. County’s Maggie Hathaway Golf Course getting up to $15 Million from U.S. Open Community Legacy Project to expand access to the sport in South L.A.

June 8, 2023 - Los Angeles Times

Statue in Franklin Square Park in Washington, D.C. with dry fall tree in background

Top American Cities for Parks

The Trust for Public Land (TPL) recently released its annual report which ranks park systems in the 100 most populous U.S. cities.

June 8, 2023 - The Trust for Public Land

Beachside basketball couty with ocean view and blue painted court at Angel Gate Park in Los Angeles, California on a sunny day

Los Angeles County's 30x30 Strategy Earns National Recognition

L.A. County's Parks Needs Assessment Plus (PNA+) received a 2023 achievement award from the National Association of Counties (NACo).

June 6, 2023 - National Association of Counties

View from lakeside with green grass and pink blooming flowers

Who Benefits Most from Land Conservation Efforts?

A new study estimates that recent land conservation generated $9.8 billion in wealth nationally through the housing market and that wealthier and White households benefited disproportionately.

June 6, 2023 - PNAS

Lone hiker on gravel trail at Eaton Canyon Natural Area, Los Angeles County

Ensuring Equitable Park Access in Los Angeles County

Learn more about the Park Equity Alliance and how it is working to ensure equitable access to parks and recreation in L.A. County.

May 10, 2023 - Park Equity Alliance

View of field of blooming orange poppies in Antelope Valley, California

L.A.’s 30x30 Goals: Conservation and Restoration

Learn more about Los Angeles County's Parks Needs Assessment Plus (PNA+) which focuses on land conservation and restoration, regional recreation, and rural recreation to address climate change, protect biodiversity, and meet the needs of residents. 

May 8, 2023 - Parks & Rec Business

Cover of Los Angeles County 2022 Parks Needs Assessment Plus

The Growing Importance of Data Storytelling

Data storytelling refers to the ability to effectively communicate insights from data using narratives and visualizations. When done right, it can be used to put data insights into context and inspire action from decisionmakers.

May 7, 2023 - National Recreation and Park Association Open Space Blog

View from below of orange tethered hot-air balloon floating in blue sky

New Vision for Southern California’s Great Park

The newly unveiled comprehensive plan includes a botanical garden, museums, and a 22-acre lake system.

April 24, 2023 - The Architect's Newspaper

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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.