June 2003

Anchorage Daily News An airport expansion is just one project resulting in loss of Anchorage’s wilderness. (June 1)

Courier-Journal Michael Heitz has been named the new director of Louisville Metro Parks. Heitz served as the Director of Austin's Park and Recreation Department from 1992-96. (June 4)

Reno Gazette-Journal Reno will spend up to $10 million on the redesign of this civic square that will front the new City Hall. (June 4)

The Globe and Mail Construction on the new urban beach, which will have umbrellas and lounge furniture available to the public, is slated to begin in the spring of 2004. (June 4)

icBerkshire.co.uk Community groups chosen to participate will receive will receive grants to improve and create a range of spaces, including play areas, community gardens, squares, and village greens. (June 5)

Cincinnati Post The City's effort to create a vibrant downtown will focus on maintaining retail, the arts, and revitalizing Fountain Square, which has been called the “linchpin” to the City’s future. (June 5)

Boston Globe After 8 years, the Trust for City Hall Plaza was unable to develop a plan to remake the space. A parking structure will be built underneath the plaza. (June 6)

Statesman Journal While the Parks Department is spared major budget cuts, other city departments will suffer. (June 8)

News 14 Carolina While Charlotte’s population and park use are both rapidly expanding, park budgets are shrinking, which some people say is taking its toll on the condition of the parks system. (June 10)

Courier & Press Citing potential damage to wildlife, the City Council left it up to the Parks Department to find an alternative venue for joggers to use. (June 10)

Narragansett Times The 2,600-mile trail will stretch from Maine to Florida, providing the first long-distance trail for cyclist, walkers, and other non-motorized users. The greenway will be 80% completed by 2010. (June 11)

Washington Post Steve Coleman, head of Washington Parks and People, leads a group on the Washington Ridge Hike, a 2-day hike through the city. (June 11)

New York Times Foley Square is a Mecca for skateboarders, but the parks department would like to create other facilities for them to use, to prevent damage to the square's fountain and memorial. (June 13)

Portland Tribune Dog owners or not, park users agree that it is the city’s responsibility to enforce the leash laws, and provide adequate off-leash areas. (June 17)

Denver Post Nonprofits and friends groups provide parks with amenities that they otherwise would not have, though some do not want to see their parks become too dependant on the gifts. (June 23)

Press-Telegram The grant, given to the city by the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy, will fund four separate projects to acquire, restore, or study open space in Long Beach. (June 25)

Washington Post The long-awaited waterfront redevelopment plan includes a pedestrian promenade, bike paths, shade trees, and a boathouse zone, which is being met by some opposition. Opponents of the boat house site loss of open space, congestion in both the water and on land, and damage to the ecosystem. (June 28)

The Oregonian A Portland developer initiated and funded renovation of the two plazas, in an effort to create a public/private partnership for maintaining all of downtown Portland’s public spaces. (June 29)

Business First of Columbus The $13.75 million waterfront park will be one section of a continuous greenway through the downtown district, connecting Bicentennial Park and Confluence Park. (June 30)