- American Elms Take Root Again in KC
Kansas City Star - History and modern plant genetics are bringing this shady American icon back to Kansas City area streets. (July 7)
- Baltimore Mayor Wants To Shake Up Park Operations
SunSpot.net - The appearance of Baltimore's parks takes precedence, says Mayor O'Malley, after firing parks director last week. (July 7)
- Portrait of a Native Plant Advocate
SF Gate - In San Francisco, Jake Sigg finds himself facing a pile of papers instead of compost, in the progression from gardener to activist. (July 6)
- Yes, You May Sit On That Masterpiece
SF Gate - A Sonoma County Artstart program employs young artists to paint public benches and murals. (July 5)
- Seoul Plaza To Become True Public Space
The Korea Times - Formerly off-limits to the public, this site of of "massive but orderly street cheering" during the World Cup will become an accessible "car-free" public space this autumn. (July 2)
- $800M Plan Would Beautify Nation's Monuments
Yahoo! News - Congress considers a plan to replace the ugly Jersey barriers protecting Washington, D.C.'s monuments and landmarks with landscaping and low benches. (July 10)
- Beijing Beautifies For 2008 Olympics
Reuters Some are calling into questions Beijing's "beautification" and "internationalization" efforts, including neighborhood preservation and the development of new parks. (July 12)
- Atlanta Foundation Funds New Green Projects
Yahoo! News - The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation has directed $6.5 million for the preservation, development, and improvement of urban parks and green space in the core of metro Atlanta. (July 22)
- Landscapes To Depict Malaysian Identity
The Star - New government guidelines call for landscapes around public buildings that reflect elements of Malaysia's demographic and geographical features, rather than copy Japanese or Western styles. (July 9)
- Inside the U.S.'s Largest, Most Complicated City Park System
Gotham Gazette - A "State of the Parks" story from New York City Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe. (July 17)
- A Dark Side of Park Lighting in Seattle
Seattle Post-Intelligencer - The City Council faces increased demand for night lighting from athletic teams - and residents who want more quiet and less light. (July 11)
- It Is Easy Being Green
San Francisco Chronicle - San Francisco's aggressive integrated pest-management (IPM) program, used on all municipal properties, has reduced herbicide use by 86% since 1996. (July 10)
- The War Over Public Gardens
Village Voice - An update in the ongoing battles to save hundreds of community gardens throughout New York City's five boroughs. (July 17)
- Orange County to Build Largest U.S. Municipal Park
Associated Press - The 4,000-acre park on the former site of an air force base is slated to include a wildlife corridor, nature preserve, sports park and space for museums and a university campus. (July 24)
- New City Parks Paved for Fun
USA Today - Louisville skateboarders never had to petition city hall. The park was Mayor Dave Armstrong's idea. (July 30)
