Log In/Register

The Place Poll

Tell us what you think of the latest batch of nominations from Great Public Spaces, and see how you can be a part of our new feature, "My Favorite Place."

F

rom small community gardens to world-famous boulevards, Great Public Spaces recognizes places that best embody the PPS principles of placemaking. "The Place Poll" is a forum for Making Places subscribers to voice their opinion on newly nominated places. Just click on the link for each nominee to view the full write-up and post your comments.

(Note: the descriptions below were submitted by website users and do not necessarily represent the position of Project for Public Spaces.)

Parks

Wave Hill, The Bronx, NY

"Wave Hill is a spectacular 28-acre public garden and cultural center overlooking the Hudson River and Palisades in the northwest Bronx. One of New York City's best kept secrets, this must-see botanical gem offers programs in Horticulture, Environmental Education, Woodland Management, and the visual, literary, and performing arts, for visitors of all ages. At the weekend Family Art Project, children explore the gardens with artist Noah Baen and naturalist Martha Barrero, and then create paintings, collages or constructions inspired by what they see."

Abenteuerspielplatz "Kolle 37", Berlin, Germany

"Kolle 37 is an interactive park and clubhouse complex, where children of all ages, their families, and community members can engage in a variety of activities, from building a tree house to cooking a healthy meal. The word 'Abenteuerspielplatz' means 'adventure playground,' and the guiding philosophy behind the park is that children should be exposed to the many 'dangerous' elements of life--hammers, live animals, fire--in a safe and supervised atmosphere. Kolle 37 is a perfect example of how parks can bring adults and children together to play and learn."

Markets

Third Thursday Streetfest, Willimantic, CT

"From May to October, on the 3rd Thursday of each month, four blocks of Main St. are closed to vehicular traffic for the evening & filled with festival-goers. Thousands of pedestrians browse merchandise within a background of musical, theatrical, visual & olfactory delights. There are clowns and bands and a giant frog to entertain you as you meander through the fest. Local and regional vendors set tables in the street showcasing the wealth of goods produced in Connecticut."

Streets

Corydon Strip, Winnipeg, MB

"This street is also known as Little Italy and is lined with cafes. You can find restaurants, bars and gelato shops. It is a place where people go to see and be seen and has the trendiest outdoor night scene in the 'Peg."

Buildings

Compania Church, Quito, Ecuador

"This place is one of the most important destinations in Quito ... The Catholic religion predominates in Ecuador; churches like this are visited all the time by locals and by tourists. In the church there is a museum which is the perfect place to learn about Quitenian colonial art."

Special Parks Features:

The World's Best and Worst Parks

PPS names the parks--both superb and shameful--that stand out from the rest. Which places do you think should make the list?

PPS Programs for Great Parks and Squares

Our placemaking services revitalize important community gathering spaces.

Six Parks We Can All Learn From

People everywhere are searching for ways local parks can better serve their communities. In the pursuit of great parks, here are six places to learn from.

Five Parks That Would Benefit Most From a Turnaround

Observing the world's best parks is inspiring, but learning from the missed opportunities of underperforming parks can be even more helpful in creating great public spaces.

Parks for the Future

PPS President Fred Kent frames the debate on contemporary park design and landscape architecture.

Which Direction for Our Parks?

Recent trends show a strong new focus on parks as public places that enhance almost everything about their communities. At the same time, interest grows in parks that have been designed as aesthetic objects. Which represents the future?

Placemakers in Parks

Many of the world's best parks wouldn't be the places they are today without the efforts of these dedicated individuals.

Chicago's New Millennium Park

Jay Walljasper tours Chicago's new blockbuster park, and walks away believing it will become a great public place in spite of its design.

When Bad Things Happen to Good Parks

New York's Bryant Park, a tremendous comeback story, is endangered again – this time by encroaching privatization.

Regular Columns:

Park Talk

A look back at this summer's Great Parks/Great Cities conference in London. Plus, parks in the news.

News from PPS

Announcing the October round of PPS training courses; the 2005 Rudy Bruner Awards; and more.

The Place Poll

Be a part of our new feature, "My Favorite Place." And don't forget to tell us what you think of the latest batch of nominations from Great Public Spaces.

Monthly Snapshots

You know a park is a great place when people feel comfortable displaying affection for each other.

Public Voices

Readers share their thoughts on the Seattle Public Library and the state of contemporary architecture.



What's Your Favorite Place?

Tell us about it in a coming issue of Making Places

It might be a cozy park, favored for quiet reflection. It might be a pulsing urban avenue, lined with cool shops and hopping music clubs. Or it might simply be your local main street, community garden, coffee shop, bus stop, farmers market, bike trail, or other spot where you can see people and enjoy yourself.

We want to hear your story about a special place in the world that make you happy. Describe this place and why you love being there in a 700-word (or so) essay, and we may publish it as part of our new "My Favorite Place" department in Making Places.

Every submission will also be considered for our PPS's list of Great Public Spaces, which honors people-friendly places from Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris to the Staples Street Bus Station in Corpus Christi, Texas. No place is too small or out-of-the-way for our interest.

Please submit your story about a great public place to MakingPlaces@pps.org. If you can, please send digital photos of the place. Please include your name, address, and phone number with your submission.

Don't see any places you know?

There are plenty more nominations to judge; click here to see them all.

Learn more about the criteria PPS uses to assess places: What Makes a Successful Place?

Don't miss our popular handbook for creating successful public spaces: How to Turn a Place Around.

To nominate your favorite public spaces, or to send your most reviled place to the Hall of Shame, register at Great Public Spaces.


  Problems? Comments? Email us: pps@pps.org Making Places: Newsletter     Listserve      Membership/Donate Search