Fairmount Park Conservancy’s Post

The Center for an Urban Future has just issued a superb commentary about specific steps NYC could take to support neighborhood parks partners. The problems and solutions it identifies mirror those for small BIDs in NYC, which I wrote about with @RPA last year in Go Local! Help Us Help You. The through line, not just in NYC but in many cities, is the need for proactive and positive policies to make place-centered partnerships more empowered and equitable, through Trusted Partner programs and other innovations. NYC has made very good progress under its new Chief Public Realm Officer Ya-Ting Liu, but there's still much more to be done. Finding solutions to these issues across sectors and across cities is my focus at the Sustaining Places Initiative at NYU Marron Institute of Urban Management. https://lnkd.in/eW78_-8R Go Local Report: https://lnkd.in/eHUKcM6T Sustaining Places: https://lnkd.in/ePFEpsJr.

Parks are some of the most vibrant open spaces in New York City, and at a time when New Yorkers are using them more than ever, the city can’t keep up with their growing needs, especially as its Parks Department absorbs a $20.1 million budget cut. Our new commentary highlights why and how the city should make it easier for nonprofit organizations and community groups to help care for smaller parks and open spaces. By way of a smart strategy prioritizing enhanced maintenance, site-specific programming, and dedicated new sources of revenue, the city can reinvest in its public spaces. This would be a win-win for the city and its residents, but the city’s legal reviews make securing the agreements necessary between community-organizations and city agencies an arduous slog, costing time and money. By overhauling these bureaucratic processes, the city would not lose a penny, and would unlock significant opportunities to improve conditions in smaller, under-resourced parks. A livable city is home to a vibrant, well-maintained public realm, and while the city has made recent strides in creating public-private partnerships around public space, there is much more to be done in order to unlock the full potential of New York’s parks. Check out our full commentary here: https://lnkd.in/e2faEn9h

🎉 Data-driven engagement in action! 🎉 BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee’s Pendergrass Park project is a masterclass in building community impact. Here’s how we made it happen: 1️⃣ Listen: A local survey revealed 67% of Rhea County residents wanted an inclusive recreation space. The result? A park designed to bring everyone together. 🏞️ 2️⃣ Empower: BlueCross employees celebrated the park’s opening with their families, seeing their work’s real impact firsthand. 💙 3️⃣ Collaborate: Partnering with Rhea County and Dayton, the park reflects local pride with features like bass-themed playground equipment. 🎣 4️⃣ Communicate: Sharing data on the park’s usage builds trust and shows the power of collective effort. 📊 When businesses listen, empower, collaborate, and communicate, they create spaces that truly transform communities. #CommunityImpact #CSR #InclusiveDesign #DataDriven #IMPACTParks

🗣🖍 There are about 60 parks within half a mile of the highway. This is the third park that we program and steward. It’s so noisy, and it recently got some funding for some renovations because we were like, “Hey, it’s just an asphalt-top triangle, we can do something better here.” When I was growing up, it was predominantly Italian and Irish. Peter, who owned the blue house, would share these wonderful stories of how it was growing up in this neighborhood. Right now, there’s a big Mexican population around here. It’s intergenerational: you see the grandmothers tending to the toddlers and the infants, the parents play with the teenage kids and the younger kids, and sometimes they all play volleyball. We’re excited to see what’s going to happen here. It’s great that these changes are coming and that they’re making these investments, but we’ve also got to worry about the highway. When we host events in Virginia Park, it gives us the opportunity to talk to folks about changes that could potentially come to this area. It really is grassroots, building relationships. We show up everywhere. We go to schools, we go to meetings, big events. When our partners have meetings, we show up to their meetings. We’re very mindful that other organizations are working on other projects, so we definitely support and advocate for the work that they’re doing, but then it also provides us an opportunity to talk to people and be like, “Hey, do you know about like this other project to cap the Cross Bronx?” One of the hardest things about organizing is that you meet people who are like, “I can’t pay my rent, I can’t find a job, my lights are gonna be cut off, I’m having challenges with my kid in school.” It’s having to meet all these needs even before you can ask someone, “Hey, we have this really ambitious project, are you interested in learning about it?” I spend a lot of time just helping people navigate their own challenges to really gain that trust so that later on, I can say, “We’re having this meeting, can you come out and support?” That’s what organizing is about; it’s not a transactional relationship. https://lnkd.in/dRVpqV2m

The Closing of Hester Street: What We Lose and What’s Next for Community Planning As urban planning evolves, one question remains crucial: Whose priorities are represented in urban plans, and who has a say in shaping our cities? The closure of Hester Street in 2024 marks the end of an era for equitable, community-driven urban planning, but as with all endings, something remarkable is bound to emerge. For 20 years, Hester Street’s innovative approach to community planning, participatory design, and engagement has been a beacon for underrepresented voices, offering planning and development assistance across New York City and beyond. It wasn’t just a planning organization; it empowered communities to directly influence the spaces they inhabit. With its closure, we must ask: What have we lost, and what will fill this gap? The field of community planning is evolving, and its future is more critical than ever — especially for communities of color and low-income neighborhoods. Let’s continue pushing for inclusive, participatory processes in shaping the cities of tomorrow. Hester Street’s legacy proves that when people are empowered to shape their own communities, we all thrive. Now is the time to roll up our sleeves and #GettoWork. ✨ #CommunityPlanning #UrbanPlanning #CommunityDevelopment #PublicEngagement #InclusiveDesign #HesterStreet

Communities That Play Together Grow Together: My View of Greenville, South Carolina 🌟 My wife’s family lives in South Carolina, and as I have been to many cities around the world, I am always captivated by Greenville and how it relates to where I live. With a population of only about 70,000 people, I feel that the heart of Greenville’s success story is its unwavering commitment to providing residents and visitors alike with an abundance of opportunities for leisure, recreation, and cultural enrichment. Greenville offers something for everyone, regardless of age or background, from its extensive network of parks and green spaces to its bustling downtown district filled with shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues.  It seems that no matter what day of the week it is or what time of the year, Greenville is always busy with thousands of people walking, eating and simply enjoying everything the city has to offer. Public spaces like Falls Park and the Swamp Rabbit Trail foster social connection, echoing Waterloo Region's landscape synergy. The city's arts scene thrives, with galleries, theatres, and events like Artisphere drawing thousands yearly, boosting both culture and commerce. But it's Greenville's collaborative spirit that truly shines. Residents, businesses, and government unite to shape the city's future, driving initiatives like the Greenville Forward Vision Plan. In my opinion, Greenville, South Carolina, stands as a shining example of the transformative power of community engagement, recreation, and cultural enrichment. By prioritizing public spaces, fostering a vibrant arts scene, and promoting collaboration among stakeholders, Greenville has created a dynamic and inclusive community where residents thrive, businesses flourish, and visitors are welcomed with open arms. As other cities seek to emulate Greenville’s success, they would do well to heed the timeless wisdom that communities that play together truly do grow together. 🌟 #CommunityEngagement #Growth #GreenvilleSC #CommunityDevelopment #Recreation #CulturalEnrichment #PublicSpaces #ArtsScene #Collaboration #InclusiveCommunity #CommunityBuilding #CityPlanning #UrbanDevelopment #DestinationCity

Minneapolis and Saint Paul rank second and third only to Washington, D.C., on the Trust for Public Land’s annual assessment of parks in the nation’s 100 top cities. Did you know 99% of Minneapolis and Saint Paul residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park? That’s compared to the national average of 76%. Parks are amenities our region takes seriously, providing shade from the heat and offering space to play, relax and connect with community. Though the cities switched ranks this year, the park systems of Minneapolis and Saint Paul remain strong as ever.  https://lnkd.in/gvhuR8mW

🌟 Transforming Franklin: A Vision for the Future - Celebrating Economic & Community Development 🌟 The City of Franklin is embarking on a transformative journey to revitalize its historic downtown and riverfront, turning it into a vibrant, regional destination and recreational hub. This $30 million initiative aims to breathe new life into Franklin’s civic heart while enhancing connectivity, quality of life, and economic vitality. Key features include: ✅ Pedestrian-Friendly Spaces: Creating inviting areas for walking, biking, and kayaking. ✅ Riverfront Access: Expanding opportunities for recreation and community gatherings. ✅ Enhanced Connectivity: Improving bike paths and traffic flow for better transportation. ✅ Vibrant Downtown Economy: Supporting local jobs, entertainment, restaurants, and retailers. Aligned with the broader Great Miami Riverway initiative, this project represents Franklin’s commitment to community-driven growth, health, and equity. With $12 million requested through the Dayton Regional Priority Development and Advocacy Committee (PDAC) (coordinated by the Dayton Development Coalition), Franklin is ready to bring this bold vision to life, benefiting both residents and visitors for generations to come. 👏 Congratulations to the city of Franklin for dreaming big and working hard to revitalize, grow, and transform. We applaud such economic and community development effort! Read more: https://lnkd.in/eaRhshvW #EconomicDevelopment #FranklinRevitalization #OhioForward #CommunityGrowth #UrbanRevitalization

NEWS❗A transformative project is set to revitalize the intersection of Memphis Avenue and Pearl Road in Cleveland's Old Brooklyn neighborhood. Approved by the City Planning Commission, this redevelopment will replace four deteriorating historic buildings with a six-story mixed-use structure, offering 74 mid-level apartments, community spaces, and retail opportunities. Read more here: https://bit.ly/4grqghm Desmone Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation Kris Harsh

According to the Center for Active Design,  “living within a 10-minute walk of a park is positively and significantly associated with higher levels of civic trust and appreciation.” With that in mind, the findings from the Trust for Public Land’s 13th annual release of the ParkScore index, on May 22, were of great interest. The Index is an annual ranking of park systems across the 100 largest U.S. cities, based on metrics like #access, #equity, public investment, acreage, and amenities. Is your city one of the top twelve as listed by Barrett and Greene Inc. in a new Management Update? It matters, as the Trust for Public Land explains in a new report "The Power of Parks to Strengthen Community," that finds, among many other things, that: Residents of cities with the highest ParkScore® rankings are * More socially connected and engaged with their neighbors  * Are more likely to see social connections between low-and-high income individuals * People are more far more likely to volunteer. Click here for more: https://lnkd.in/eRs4HsXZ Minneapolis Parks Foundation Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, Friends of the Parks and Trails of St. Paul and Ramsey County City of Irvine City of Arlington Seattle Parks and Recreation San Francisco Recreation & Parks Department San Francisco Parks Alliance  Cincinnati Parks Foundation Cincinnati Parks, Portland Parks & Recreation Portland Parks Foundation Chicago Parks Foundation St. Petersburg College Diane Regas Jeff Danter Annie Smith (Gawkowski) Pat Watson