Trust for Public Land’s Post

If you’re considering moving to Huntington Beach, California, with kids, there are several factors to take into account to ensure a smooth transition and an enjoyable experience for your family 🌊 🏫 School Quality: Research the quality of schools in the area, including public, private, and charter options. Look for schools with high academic standards, extracurricular activities, and supportive staff. Huntington Beach is known for its reputable school districts, but it’s essential to explore specific schools within the district to find the best fit for your children. 👪 Family-Friendly Neighborhoods: Consider neighborhoods that are family-friendly and offer amenities such as parks, playgrounds, and safe streets. Look for communities with other families and opportunities for children to socialize and make friends. 🚓 Safety: Prioritize safety when choosing a neighborhood. Research crime rates and speak with locals to get a sense of the area’s safety and security. Huntington Beach is generally considered a safe city, but it’s essential to assess individual neighborhoods for your family’s peace of mind. 🏡 Housing Options: Explore housing options that accommodate your family’s needs, such as proximity to schools, parks, and other amenities. Consider factors like space, affordability, and proximity to work or commuting routes. Huntington Beach offers a variety of housing options, including single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments, so you can find the right fit for your family. 🌎 Community Engagement: Get involved in the community to help your family feel connected and integrated into your new surroundings. Attend local events, join community organizations, and participate in school and neighborhood activities to meet other families and build relationships. By considering these factors and thoroughly researching your options, you can make an informed decision about moving to Huntington Beach with your kids and create a positive experience for your family in your new community. ☎ 714.612.5373 📬 sylvia@sylviaharsin.com 🖥 sylviaharsinhomes.com Sylvia Harsin | DRE# 01117662 | Coldwell Banker Realty #huntingtonbeach #cbhb #luxurylifestyle #buy #sell

YOU PAY THREE TIMES Beyond thought-provoking. Whether the developer is public (a municipality), not-for-profit (the YMCA), or private (Lifetime), you don’t just pay for these buildings once. -You pay upfront when you have to find the initial capital. -You pay year in and year out as you have to operate these structures. -And you have to figure out how to pay for everything as it wears out over the lifecycle. Too often, the upfront part is (relatively) easy and the year to year turns into a struggle and not many think about funding the depreciation for how stuff wears out over time… And that’s where and when trouble arrives.

Finding the perfect place to raise a family in Austin, Texas can seem overwhelming. With so many wonderful neighborhoods to choose from, it’s essential to know which ones truly stand out for families. Having helped countless clients list, market, and purchase homes here, I’ve got some insights to share. Here are the 5 most family-friendly neighborhoods in Austin: 1️⃣ Circle C Ranch: Known for its excellent schools, beautiful parks, and a strong community vibe. Your kids will love the outdoor activities and playgrounds! 2️⃣ Cedar Park: Ideal for families looking for a suburban feel with top-rated schools and plenty of family-oriented activities like splash pads and sports complexes. 3️⃣ Steiner Ranch: Nestled between Lake Austin and Lake Travis, this neighborhood offers great schools, plenty of outdoor activities, and a variety of family events throughout the year. 4️⃣ Westlake: Renowned for its high-performing schools and close proximity to downtown Austin. It's a safe, quiet area with stunning hill country views. 5️⃣ Mueller: A trendy and modern community with a wide range of family amenities including parks, pools, and highly-rated schools, all within walking distance. Choosing the right neighborhood is crucial for your family’s happiness. These five neighborhoods consistently offer great schools, safe environments, and vibrant community life. What’s your favorite family-friendly area in Austin? Let’s chat about it! 😊 #RealEstate #AustinTX #FamilyFriendly #HomeBuying #NeighborhoodInsights

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

Parks are where we walk and jog, children enjoy playgrounds, and people meet for social gatherings. They are also a starting point for building community power and strengthening democracy.   The Trust for Public Land developed a framework for enabling local communities to decide how to renovate their green spaces and found that organizing communities to redesign their parks galvanized residents to connect on other issues of shared concern. What started as a parks project became an exercise in community power building and democratic enrichment: “Communities build relationships with their environment and with each other, coalesce around a place-based identity grounded in their shared passion, and ultimately consolidate and exercise community power to transform residents’ lives for the better.” 🌳In SSIR’s new summer issue, Geneva Vest, Cary Simmons, and Howard Frumkin share more about the framework and ways to nurture civic engagement and a thriving democracy through our parks and green spaces ➡ https://lnkd.in/e8bgMN3X #socialinfrastructure #parks #democracy

Democracy is a lot bigger than any 🗳 single election, and it's bigger than our ⚖ political system. As we experience extreme levels of toxic polarization, division, and loneliness in this country, each of us needs to orient our work (and life) in a way that 🤝 strengthens democratic norms, processes, and cultures in our local communities. I'm thrilled to see Trust for Public Land's 🔬 latest research and thinking on the pivotal role that 🏞 parks play in fostering democracy, justice, and social cohesion published in 📑 the Stanford Social Innovation Review last week. In the article, my co-authors and I highlight powerful case studies that demonstrate how parks serve as vital spaces for community engagement, activism, and the cultivation of democratic values through activities like community organizing, land stewardship, and creative placemaking. Each of us has a part to play in making our democracy work. And I promise you don't have to look much farther than your local park to get involved and take action. 💚 🌳 👊

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

Detroit’s population is growing for the first time since the 1950s, symbolizing a shift in perception and a positive future. From the Michigan Central Station reopening to the Detroit City Football Club’s new stadium plans, the city is on the rise. As cities like Detroit experience population growth, it becomes crucial to establish platforms for neighbors and community members to engage in constructive dialogues. By fostering these opportunities, individuals can address and overcome cultural differences, thus promoting inclusivity and a sense of belonging for all residents. Encouraging open discussions and collaboration among diverse community members is essential in creating a harmonious environment where everyone feels valued and respected. By providing avenues for dialogue, cities can facilitate understanding, empathy, and unity among individuals from various cultural backgrounds. Promoting communication and understanding among neighbors and community members is key to building a cohesive and welcoming environment in growing cities like Detroit. Embracing diversity and fostering inclusive practices will not only strengthen community bonds but also create a sense of belonging for all residents, ensuring a thriving and harmonious urban landscape. Ensuring inclusive growth and maintaining Detroit’s identity remains essential. Read more in this NPR article.   https://lnkd.in/gxxQDN8H

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.

The heart of a community is found in the playgrounds, schoolyards, and backyard BBQs, where lasting friendships are formed and families grow together. This is the essence of Durham Region. 🌳☀️ The families that come to us seeking a larger space in Durham Region aren't just looking for extra bedrooms or a bigger backyard; they're seeking a community that shares their values, a place where their children can make lifelong friends, and where neighbors become family. Here's why Durham Region could be the dream destination for your growing family: 👨👩👧👦 Community Connection: Durham's neighborhoods are designed for interaction. From block parties to local sports leagues, there's always an opportunity to connect. 🏞 Green Spaces: Parks and recreational areas are abundant, perfect for family picnics, walks with the dog, or a child's adventurous afternoon. 🎒 Excellent Schools: Quality education is at your doorstep, fostering not just academics but the social development of your children through community initiatives. 🚌 Accessibility: Enjoy the ease of public transport that keeps you connected to the vibrant city of Toronto, while embracing the peaceful tranquility of suburban life after the day's hustle. 🏘 Home Variety: Whether you're looking for a cozy townhouse or a spacious detached home, we have a diverse range of options to fit your family's needs and budget. We've helped countless Toronto families find their perfect home in Durham Region. And not just a home, but a community - a place where their family can thrive. If you're contemplating the big move for your growing family, let's talk about how Durham Region can become your community, too. Who's ready to find their forever neighborhood? #DurhamRegion #FamilyFriendly #RealEstate #CommunityLiving #GrowingFamilies #HomeSweetHome