Jardin Juarez and Market Hall
Juchitan, Mexico

People's Choice

These are the places we remember most vividly, the places where serendipitous things happen, the places we tell stories about.

Browse through over 600 public spaces to see what makes places great--and why each one is unique. While you're here, you can nominate your own favorites or add to the Hall of Shame.

New Great Places

Buffalo Waterfront
Buffalo, NY, USA
by: Project for Public Spaces

from the HALL of SHAME:

Canary Wharf
London, United Kingdom
by: Jen Sloan

Rittenhouse Square Park:

(09/06/08 by teresa marvel)

The park is beautiful with all kinds of beautiful people. I am only sad that I was not allowed to feed those that were hungry. "

Piazza Navona:

(08/30/08 by fabrizio tonello)

As an Italian, I respectfully disagree with this nomination. While it is obvious that Piazza Navona has a wonderful, enclosed, form, and Bernini's masterpiece as a main attraction, the crowds of tourists suppress any plesant experience there. Tourism, with its depressing souvenir shops, forbids the casual visitor from relaxing, reading a newspaper, or meeting friends there. Unfortunately, this is more and more true for other Italian squares like piazza del Campo in Siena, piazza S. Marco in Venice, or piazza della Signoria in Florence. Therefore, you should look for "Great Places" where some authentic experience of pleasant city living is possible."

Findlay Market:

(08/27/08 by Lynette Williams)

I'm a frequent shopper @ Findlay Market. I'd like to add that some of the drivers on the market are a heck of alot more scary (in my opinion) than the "so called" drug dealer(s) in the area. I think people try to use "the neighborhood" as an excuse. Why do you feel unsafe with the Police presence on the market? Perhaps you were down there trying to buy drugs, saw the number of police, and got a little apprehensive. Otherwise you'd be too busy shopping,eating, and having a nice time to pay attention to the "scary drug dealers". Truth is if you're not in "their business" they wont get into yours! If you're scared, then STAY at home. The market is a great place to run into an old friend, and share some laughter. Theres just as much crime in the "safe neighborhoods", sad thing is unless it BIG News, you wont see it on 5,9,12, or 19. KEEP YOUR NEGATIVITY OFF THE MARKET! "

Frankfurter Strasse/High Street:

(08/19/08 by James Brown)

Clever use of relatively inexpensive materials and signifcant planting. I know a place that could look just like this..."

Pershing Square:

(08/18/08 by Brian Leng)

Born and raised in the city of the angels I have come to love the historic architecture of the downtown area and it’s people. Truly a “melting pot”. To me, a college photography instructor, who leads photo workshops that uses the Metro Rail System to get around to view different historic downtown areas of Los Angeles. One of my photo workshop is called, “Photographing Historic L.A.” and we go to such places like the Watts Towers where all my workshop participants have always wanted to go. But because of the area, they would never venture down there for the fear of getting into a dangerous situation. And who can blame them? The word “Watts” leaves a harsh and explosive memory of the riots that took place in the 60’s & 80’s. As a group, everyone that I asked, “have you ever been to see the Watts Towers”? I hear back from them, that they have always wanted to come and see the Towers, but because of the bad connotations Watts has, they would never venture to such a place alone but in a group, yes! Which is sad to me because they would have missed out on one Italian immigrant’s dream of doing “something great” in his life which is what makes America what it is today. On my workshops we visit Union Station, Heritage Square, Grand Central Market (the very first farmer’s market), Chinatown, Alvera Street, and Pershing Square. Which is everything and more about the condition of the square. The comments about Pershing Square, no one can de-nigh. And yes, it’s all true and then some. But instead of pointing fingers and putting the blame on anyone group or people, we should figure out what the problem is that is making Pershing Square the way it is and fix it. Most of the complaints were that it is the homeless people that have made Pershing Square the “Sewer” that it is, and the city has no budget for keeping the Square clean and tidy, like the parks on the West-side of Los Angeles. My suggestion is to find a place for the homeless to reside so they can have a home and stop making the Square what it is today. They’re people too. And if it’s a location away from the downtown, say like 6th and Wall, then the problem is solved. (I know, easier said then done) But that’s the problem. Every major American city has a central park somewhere within the middle of the city. San Francisco, Lincoln Square, New York, Central park, Chicago, Millennium Park, and so on and so on. Los Angeles doesn’t even have a major football team like all of the other major cities! The downtown area is getting repopulated with young professional adults moving into downtown lofts and the area around the Convention Center. The Staple/Sony Center are the crown jewels and soon L.A. will have a Light Rail System that will allow people to move and to reach different locations around the city as well as transporting our downtown work force. L.A. can be fixed, it just takes more people to get involved along with city government making a commitment and making it their priority to clean Pershing Square up and bring pride back into the downtown area. Go on-line and look at the photos of Pershing Square in the late 1800’s and see what Pershing Square looked like back then. It was a “garden”, an Oases right in the heart of the city. There is even a time capsule which is slated to be opened in the year 2025. I hope I’ll still be around to witness that moment in the history of Los Angeles and I hope that the Pershing Square situation will be “put to bed” once and for all. "

Rittenhouse Square Park:

(08/16/08 by Amy Maza)

I spent the first four years of my life living in 1800 Rittenhouse Square. I remember riding the goat, and feeding the pigeons. My mother would sit for what seemed like hours watching me play and talking with other mothers. My father would take me down with the stale bread and all the pigeons would come flocking to what used to be a circle of dirt across from the goat. Now, although I live on Long Island, I bring my children to Rittenhouse Square, and they ride the goat and feed the birds. My children now have fond memories of playing in "Mom's park in Philadelphia." Rittenhouse Square is one of my best and earliest memories of childhood. I'm glad that it's one thing that hasn't changed!"

Teardrop Park:

(08/13/08 by Michael R)

From my blog http://whatyourdonotknowbecauseyouarenotme.blogspot.com/ Today we visited some more playgrounds. First we stooped at Washington Market Park. It was a very nice place, lots of shad some climbing toys and squirting water stuff. None of these fun things were listed in their website, but their website did win some awards. After we got some snacks at the nearby farmers market, we set off to our goal Teardrop Park. There was a lot of info on the park on the Internet. The Downtown Express like it. GoCityKids said it was close to some nice bathrooms. The Harvard School of Design like it a lot. Yelp said it is hard to find, I like to find hard to find places, they are rarely crowded. But, the Internet review that got my attention was from The Project for Public Spaces, they pointed out that the park is built to look like nature as opposed to being a fun place. The kids had a great time, but I could easily tell that it was not designed by anybody who ever spent time with an 8 year old. Normally, you can put a bolder 10 or 15 feet from the bottom of a slide. But, if you put water anywhere near a slide it will be used as a lubricator (accelerator). All the caregivers at once had to get the kids off the slide. There was an overwhelming sense that some little kid was about to bash their skull in. That did not happen. Today.... So we walked south a little to Nelson A Rockerfella Park The GoCityKids review really hits it, this place was sweet. They missed the fact that they lend out toys, games and stuff like Hulla-hoops. Sweet"

Lodhi Gardens:

(07/20/08 by Arijit De)

It is a wonderful space. I remember a close connection to it as a child and have many tranquil memories. As an adult, I visit it every time I am in Delhi and its many layers continue to bring me peace. There are many 'places' in the garden, each with their own complex simplicity and micro climate. There are many public spaces that work as community gathering spaces, but only a few that are truly public 'private'spaces, where every one can feel special. One can share the garden and be a part of community well being.. or on those special days, find different places to be alone, one with nature and find oneself. Lodhi Gardens has always embraced me, unconditionaly. Though many millions have wandered through, it reminds you that you make it what it is as much as it has made you who you are. It will always have your footprints on its paths. "

Quadracci Pavilion and Cudahy Gardens, Milwaukee Art Museum:

(07/13/08 by Jeffrey Austin)

I swear I saw tumbleweeds blowing by, last time I was there. A total failure as a public space."

Alameda Central:

(07/12/08 by frank (pancho) shiell)

It is important to stroll through Parque Alameda, which is adacent to the Palacio de Bellas Artes and near the Historic Center and Zocalo (main sqare). Patrolling inside the park, friendly mounted police are authentic "charros" (Jalisco cowboys)in full costom on Mexican-breed horses. They maintain order in the park and are delighted to chat with tourists. Take a photo with them. Enjoy, as I do. -Pancho www.panchosays.com "