- Washington DC Reveals Ambitious Plan to Renew Anacostia Waterfront
Washington Post The plan, which includes 32 acres of parks and 20 miles of riverwalk, is a 20-year blueprint for transforming one of the city’s most blighted areas into one of its most attractive. (December 3)
- Philadelphia’s No-Frills Riverfront Path to Open in Spring 2004
Philadelphia Inquirer Many joggers and bicyclists are already enjoying the path along the Schuylkill River, but due to inflation and legal costs, the park's $14 million budget will not be able to provide landscaping, benches, or public art. (December 7)
- Tempe AZ Officials Announce Plans for Skate Park
The Arizona Republic Though the conceptual plan for the skate park was developed in 1998, the project was twice turned down due to tight budgets. The long-awaited park will open in the fall of 2004. (December 9)
- Role of Parks in Fort Wayne IN to be Determined in Public Meetings
The Journal Gazette The City of Fort Wayne, IN is holding a series of public meetings to determine the role of parks in the future health of the city. (December 11)
- Manhattan’s Hudson River Park Trust is Running Out of Money
New York Times The Hudson River Trust is expected to run out of money by the end of 2004, though just half of the 550-acre park is completed. (December 18)
- Study Cites Understaffing and Underfunding for Poor State of Houston Parks
Houston Chronicle A year-long analysis of the parks and parks department found that the maintenance division is short-staffed and under-funded. (December 9)
- Complete Study of Baltimore’s Trees Shows a Shrinking Urban Forest
Baltimore Sun The first city to do a comprehensive study of all of its trees, Baltimore has learned that its urban forest is decreasing by 110,000 trees per year. (December 15)
- East Providence Heralds New Day for Waterfront
The Providence Journal On 27 acres along the Seekonk River, blighted industrial buildings are to be replaced by homes, shops and restaurants in a $200-million transformation. (December 20)
