News Archive:

January 2001

VISITING LONDON: A WALK IN THE PARK
January 31, 2001: The Christian Science Monitor takes a tour of London by visiting some of the city's parks.

RETHINKING SEATTLE'S ARBORETUM
January 30, 2001: Managers at Seattle's Arboretum have developed a $44 million renovation plan that critics fear might turn the woodsy park into a glitzy outdoor museum. Reported in the Seattle Times.

CONTROVERSIAL PARK DEVELOPMENT IN PORTLAND
January 28, 2001: A redevelopment proposal for downtown Portland calls for increased open space with a promenade of shops and restaurants, which critics claim would create a dead zone for retail while requiring the demolition of historic buildings and low-cost housing. Reported in the Oregonian.

WATER PARK PROPOSAL DOESN'T FLOAT
January 28, 2001: Opponents of a proposed water park at Liberty State Park in New Jersey are concerned that such commercial activity would harm the surrounding natural environment. Read more in the Bergen Record.

BENCHES ARE BACK IN SEATTLE
January 27, 2001: Years after the notorious removal of benches from Seattle parks and public places, a group called the Seattle Displacement Coalition is working for "the return of civility" by giving people places to sit. Read more in the Seattle Times.

CAN CENTRAL PARK'S SUCCESS SPREAD THROUGHOUT NEW YORK CITY?
January 27, 2001: If Central Park is the crown jewel of New York City's parks, then other neglected gems are looking to its success formula for their own revitalization. Read more in the New York Times (registration required).

DELAYED DECISION OFFERS DOG OWNERS HOPE
January 25, 2001: The Golden Gate Park Advisory Commission delayed a decision to prohibit off leash dogs to explore compromises patron and pooch use of the park. Reported in the San Jose Mercury News.

PITTSBURGH PARKS AND HISTORY
January 24, 2001: Several "showcase projects" initiated by the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy are upgrading area parks, and are bringing their history to light. Reported in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR ST. LOUIS PARK EXCEEDS $86 MILLION GOAL
January 22, 2001:The nonprofit Forest Park Forever raised $43.1 million in private capital funds and $4 million for an endowment, while the City of St. Louis raised $44.9 million in public, capital funds; the total of $92 million is the largest amount of money ever raised by a public/private partnership for a U.S. urban park. Read updates on Forest Park Forever's capital campaign.

LAND GIFTS PRESERVING LAKEFRONTS
January 20, 2001: Over the past year, landowners outside the Milwaukee area have donated more than 1,000 acres of land, preserving natural areas and Lake Michigan's lakeshore. Reported in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

FUNDING FOR URBAN FORESTS
January 19, 2001: The Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry programs of the USDA Forest Service anticipates funding more than $1 million in urban and community forestry projects, plus $400,000 for projects focusing on inner city areas. Applications are due February 16, 2001view more information.

$2.15 MILLION PROPOSED TO REJUVENATE CINCINNATI PARKS
January 18, 2001: Cincinnati's Parks and Recreation department recently revealed a $2.15 million, 2 year plan to renovate city parks and add new playgrounds. Reported in the Cincinnati Post.

CELL TOWERS IN PARK? BAD CALL!
January 18, 2001: A St. Petersburg Times editorial warns against a recent proposal to raise revenue by permitting telecommunications equipment in county parks.

PHOENIX SEES OLD CASTLE AS NEW PARK
January 17, 2001:City leaders are working to restore Tovrea Castle and an adjoining cactus garden as a municipal park, generating income while preserving a piece of Phoenix history. Reported in the Arizona Republic.

A NASCENT URBAN TRAIL FOR PHILLY
January 16, 2001: Advocates envision a 20 mile trail behind Philadelphia International Airport, an already used by locals for jogging and biking, as a first step toward reinvestment in a heavily industrial area along the Delaware River. Reported in the Philadelphia Inquirer.

PROTEST OVER PARKLAND IN L.A.
January 16, 2001: Soccer parents and environmentalists joined to oppose plans for a retail/industrial center at an obsolete railyard; along with Gov. Gray Davis, they view the site as prime parkland for their greenery starved district. Reported in the LA Times.

WHAT DOES $900,000 BUY FOR PARKS?
January 15, 2001: The Savannah Morning News shows how a $900,000 grant from the State Department of Transportation breaks down into several park related projects and improvements across the county.

PENNSYLVANIA TOWN GAUGES INTEREST IN GREENWAY
January 15, 2001: A coalition of environmentalists, outdoor enthusiasts and historic preservationists in Montrose, PA sees a need for trails to connect the area's natural and historic landmarks but first they must determine if there's public support for such a project. Reported in the Binghamton Press and Sun Bulletin.

URBAN PARK AS THEME PARK? January 12, 2001: San Francisco plans to train its parks and rec employees to focus on customer service, using Disneyland workers as a model. Reported in San Francisco Chronicle.

PARK CONCESSIONS ON ICE IN ATLANTA
January 12, 2001: Youth leagues in Atlanta fear a new ban on food preparation in parks will severely damage their revenue. Reported in the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

OPEN SPACES GET BIG BOOST
January 10, 2001: Maryland's Governor recently proposed spending $145 million to purchase land, protect animal habitats, and creating additional buffers from storm runoff and other pollutants in the state. Reported in the Washington Post.

PARK SURVEY HELPS DEFINE CITY GOALS
January 10, 2001: A recent parks survey in Lincoln, NE is to be used as a "greenprint" in the city's planning efforts; among the issues it illuminated was a great need for programs for kids in parks. Reported in the Lincoln Journal-Star.

DENVER BRINGS BIKE SYSTEM UP TO SPEED
Citing the area's growth and gaps in its current system, officials in Denver are soliciting citizens for input on updating its bicycling master plan. Reported in the Rocky Mountain News.

ARBORETUM PLAN DRAWS CONCERNS
January 5, 2001: Planned improvements to Seattle's Washington Park Arboretum have raised the ire of those who say that proposed developments and parking lots compromise the open space character of the park. Reported in the Seattle Post Intelligencer.

ALCOHOL PERMITS IN DOWNTOWN WAUKESHA
January 5, 2001: In an attempt to curb public drunkenness in a downtown park, an ad hoc committee considers alcohol permits as a potential model for all of the city's parks. Reported in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

HORTICULTURE PROGRAMS FLOURISH
January 4, 2001: The Seattle Post Intelligencer reports that gardening's increased popularity is drawing youth and adults into horticulture classes.

GREEN SPACE KEY TO SMART GROWTH
January 1, 2001: The push to create or expand parks and open spaces is among the strongest of the myriad initiatives bundled together under the "smart growth" banner. Reported in the Seattle Times.