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Codornices Creek daylighting activists celebrate $1M restoration project

Snug along the Albany border on Kains Avenue is a verdant new Berkeley open space where monarchs fly among the yellow oxalis flowers common throughout the neighborhood.

Norwalk Looking at New Development at Youth Authority Property

Norwalk Council continues to take input on the plan to build a transit-oriented eco-community on the former 32-acre California Youth Authority property at 13200 Bloomfield Avenue.

San Diego Mayor signs order allowing gyms and religious institutions to use city parks

San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer announced Tuesday that gyms and places of worship would be able to use San Diego’s parks to conduct operations outside beginning Monday morning.

One Answer To The Lack Of Equitable Access To Park Space Across California

The safer at home orders have made the outdoors essential spaces for Californians to get fresh air, exercise and take a mental respite from the new normal under COVID-19.

Opinion: Pandemic Underscores Importance of Access to Parks for All Californians

As the COVID-19 pandemic has unfolded across the country, Californians have found solace in close-to-home parks and open spaces.

San Diego shakes up citywide approach to parks with focus on access, amenities

In new planning document, the city is throwing out a tried-and-tested acreage formula for a system that should mean better parks for all neighborhoods

How urban parks promote public health

The COVID-19 pandemic has altered humans’ relationship with natural landscapes in ways that may be long-lasting.

The Power of Parks in a Pandemic

For city residents, equitable access to local green space is more than a coronavirus-era amenity. It’s critical for physical, emotional, and mental health.

Seattle Parks Will Be Open This Weekend

Last weekend, mayor Jenny Durkan closed 15 of Seattle’s most frequented parks in advance of a splendid weather weekend.

Urban land could grow fruit and veg for 15 per cent of the population, research shows

Growing fruit and vegetables in just 10 per cent of a city's gardens and other urban green spaces could provide 15 per cent of the local population with their 'five a day', according to new research.

California State Parks Temporarily Closes All Campgrounds in the State Park System: Non-campground outdoor areas of parks, including trails and beaches remain open

California State Parks announced today the temporary closure of all campgrounds in the state park system to support state and local efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus).

L.A. Scores $19M From State To Create, Fix Up Parks

Two existing city parks will be renovated, while two new parks will be built with the Prop 68 funds, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said.

Urban dwellers who live near green spaces are less likely to die early, a new study says

Nature does the body good. And a sprawling new analysis of more than 8 million people suggests that to boost residents' longevity, cities should get a lot less gray and a lot more green.

Parks are a public health solution waiting on our doorstep

It’s time to shift the conversation around parks in California. New data is illuminating the need to look at state parks in communities a bit differently

Living wall garden bringing tranquility to historic downtown San Bernardino

A garden is being planted in San Bernardino, but not where you might expect.

Award Honoring Best Parks Worldwide Recognizes Presidio of San Francisco

The Presidio in San Francisco is the first park in the United States to get the award that recognizes the best parks and green spaces in the world, the park's officials said Tuesday.

The Surprising Link Between Parks and Violence Prevention

Studies that connect green space to mental health and wellbeing abound. And this connection is intuitive—people have long retreated to parks and natural places to recharge from the pressures of daily life.

NYC is celebrating Black History Month with an exhibit honoring African Americans in NYC Parks

NYC Parks is marking Black History Month with a new exhibit – “Namesakes: Honoring African Americans in NYC Parks” at the Arsenal Gallery

Ballona Wetlands: Final EIR Released for Great Park Project

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) released the Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the Ballona Wetlands Restoration Project near Marina Del Rey.

New Urban Recipe is Density with a Side of Amenity

Google is not the only one bringing energy and more “there there” in downtown. Three new urban parks flanked by housing are adding momentum for one of California’s oldest, largest cities that’s becoming more of a destination every day.

Parks are a public health solution waiting on our doorstep

It’s time to shift the conversation around parks in California. New data is illuminating the need to look at state parks in communities a bit differently.

2 million Americans don’t have access to running water and basic plumbing

This lack of access ‘makes it difficult to stay healthy, earn a living, go to school, and care for a family’

Principles for Parks and Equitable Development

There is a frustrating truth in the world of community development: new large-scale development, no matter how much it is designed to support the existing neighborhood, often displaces or alienates some longtime residents.

Oildale parks could soon be under scrutiny under new program aimed at increasing usage

Not all parks in Kern County are created equal. Whereas The Park at River Walk and Hart Park have recently been filled with cheerful residents out to enjoy the relatively mild weather, parks in Oildale aren’t so lucky.

Serenity, now: Where to find a quiet spot amid the bustle of L.A.

A couple of times a week, I find myself in the early morning hours alone on a quiet bluff over the Pacific Ocean at the Korean Friendship Bell not far from my home in San Pedro. I love these stolen moments of quiet, but it never occurred to me that my brain did too.

As the climate crisis worsens, cities turn to parks

City parks have long been a place for urban residents surrounded by the gray of asphalt and concrete to get a small dose of green. As cities increasingly feel the impacts of rising seas and temperatures, city planners are rethinking the roles of urban parks.

CSUN Project Hopes to Transform Health & Nutrition in Canoga Park

Members of the Canoga Park community building a community garden, one of several projects launched as part of Champions for Change. Photo courtesy of Viridiana Ortiz.

Trump condemned over plans to allow drilling near national parks

President’s ‘energy first’ agenda means vast tracts of public land up for sale – without proper consultation, critics say

Yosemite Closed Indefinitely As California Fires Grow To Largest In History: Map And Update

The scope of California's fires is unprecedented and has resulted in the closure of Yosemite National Park as firefighters battle 17 large fires, one of which is the largest fire in California's history.

Local youth invited to get free eye exams at Pogo Park’s Elm Playlot

Pogo Park is partnering with Vision to Learn to provide low-income children from ages 4-18, with free eye exams and prescription glasses.

The benefits and risks of multigenerational fitness parks

One new exercise trend can make you feel like a kid again. Multigenerational fitness parks are cropping up across the United States. These parks typically include a large child-focused structure with places to climb, slide, swing, hang, and jump.

Camden parks and green spaces build community | Opinion

Regardless of your socioeconomic standing, whether you live in Haddonfield, Winslow, or Camden City, your community’s resources are going to have an outsize impact on how you grow up.

OVER THE COLES: Spend some time in nature this summer

While some of us spend time outdoors, many people, including children could benefit from spending more time in “nature”. There is growing support from research conducted around the world that seeing and being in a natural environment or even in a green urban area has profound positive health benefits for us. The United States Forest Service published a report summarizing research which shows the positive mental and physical health benefits of green space and nature.

North Charleston's newest park a symbol of hope in Waylyn

As public parks go, the new Waylyn Park at 2678 Olympia Street is standard-issue: a small green space, a basketball court and a playground in a bed of wood chips.

Environmental Justice Coalition Calls on California State Lands Commission to Adopt Fair, Inclusive, and Equitable Policies

The Environmental Justice Working Group released a series of recommendations to support more fair and inclusive management of California’s public lands and waters. The recommendations call on the California State Lands Commission to honor the relationship of Indigenous Peoples to state lands, help accelerate a just transition to clean energy, and help reduce the impact transportation and commercial activities have on low-income communities and people of color.

City adding disposal boxes in Bronx parks to reduce massive litter of used needles

Bronx park officials, combating massive amounts of used syringe litter, say that everyone deserves safe and clean parks. To that end, the city is installing disposable boxes for used needles in hopes of cleaning up the problem.

National parks could face flooding from sea level rise, storm surge

The National Park Service has released its first-ever report on how the impact of sea level rise and flooding from storms could impact national parks around the country.sMore than a quarter of the property managed by the park system is on a coast, according to the report, and many face increasing threats from rising sea levels connected to global warming and increased threats of flooding from storms in the coming decades.

New tool illustrates where Atlanta’s ‘park deserts’ are most severe

Despite its famed canopy, abundance of natural greenery, and celebrated public spaces such as Piedmont and Grant parks, Atlanta has consistently ranked middle-of-the-pack among major cities when it comes to overall park hierarchy.

How Parks Support More Active and Equitable Communities

As the health benefits of nature are becoming more widely recognized, it’s important to identify gaps in access to parks and green spaces. The American Society of Landscape Architects has highlighted disparities in Los Angeles, noting that 3.8 million residents of the city are too far from “a park to use one easily, conveniently, or frequently.”

Park Rx urges people: Take it outside

Health care providers in Rutland County are prescribing fresh air and sunshine to their patients as part of Park Rx, a health and fitness initiative.

90 COMMUNITIES ACROSS CHICAGOLAND SIGN GREENEST REGION COMPACT TO CREATE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus announced today that 90 Chicago-area communities of Chicagoland's 275 cities, towns and villages that comprise the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus have signed the Greenest Region Compact (GRC).

Discover U.S. National Heritage Areas

U.S. National Heritage Areas allow visitors to celebrate our nation’s diverse heritage. There are 49 NHAs in the U.S. that serve as sites where history, culture and nature combine.

Volunteers install 70 plants in ongoing project to restore Brand Park trail

More than 40 volunteers planted about 70 drought resistant plants as part of an ongoing project by the Glendale Parks and Open Space Foundation and the Glendale community services and parks department to improve a neglected park trail near the Brand Library. (Courtesy of Marc Stirdivant)

In a fight for much-needed green spaces, these Latino advocates bring a winning formula

Green spaces and parks have been linked to a multitude of positive outcomes including better health, less stress and stronger communities. But in neighborhoods where these places aren't available or easily accessible, residents aren't able to enjoy these benefits.

Climate Friendly Parks Program

Our national parks are especially susceptible to the effects of #ClimateChange. That’s why the National Park Service which has established the Climate Friendly Parks (CFP) Program. Learn how more than 120 National Parks plan to respond to Climate Change issues such as sea level rise in the Everglades and the shrinking range of the Joshua Tree.

Economic benefits of green spaces

According to a research report by the Forestry Commission, a non-ministerial government department responsible for forestry in England and Scotland, evidence exists that investments in green space have a positive impact on constituent components such as job creation, new business start-ups and private investment.sRead more at https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2017/06/17/economic-benefits-of-green-spaces/#42mkspoIKFJg54yU.99

We just discovered these places (national parks;) now you want to take them from us?

National Park Service plans to double fees at some of the most spectacular parks around the country.

Entry fees could double at some national parks

The park service said that the increase in funds would be used to address maintenance issues that affect the visitor experience, such as roads, campgrounds and bathrooms.

Here's how cities can get the most out of their parks

A neighborhood park can be a powerful tool to help nearby residents lead healthier lives. According to one study, every dollar spent on creating and maintaining park trails saves nearly $3 in healthcare expenses.

L.A. parks get their report cards — and the bathrooms get a C

Sixteen parks got D or F grades for their bathrooms, which got an overall C grade across the city. And dirtiness and safety were also a worry beyond the restroom doors, in the face of surging homelessness and a strained budget for the parks department.

Trump plan could open this giant sequoia monument to logging

Undertaking a review of more than two dozen national monuments declared since the 1990s is part of the Trump Administration's determination to roll back regulation and open public land to private industry.

How neighborhoods affect the social and economic mobility of their residents

Understanding the mechanisms through which neighborhood conditions can affect long-term social and economic outcomes is a crucial step in promoting mobility from poverty.

Los Angeles’ Sustainable City “pLAn,” a four-part series (part IV)

Mayor Eric Garcetti's Sustainable City pLAn claims that building equity in our city ensures all Angelenos have access to healthy, livable neighborhoods.

Trump administration reverses bottled water ban in national parks

The Trump administration has rolled back an Obama-era policy put in place to encourage national parks to end the sale of bottled water.

California state parks' blueprint for a more diverse future

Park visitorship should reflect the state’s “ethnic, age and income diversity” and a state park unit providing a “relevant educational, interpretive, spiritual, cultural, familial, community, and recreational experience”.

Promised parks still unbuilt as lawmakers seek to build more

Lawmakers want to spend $700 million to build new parks as part of a $4 billion bond proposal, but many parks promised under the last bond in 2006 still aren't finished.

L.A. is park poor. So why is one of the most beautiful green spaces in the city locked behind a fence?

Los Angeles is woefully park poor. Less than half of L.A. County residents have easy access to a park, and three-quarters of the public spaces we do have are falling apart.

Beyond the High Line: 8 linear parks that have transformed cities

And because it is nearly impossible to carve out more Central Parks in dense cities across the country, linear parks are an excellent way to add green space to urban areas. Their long and winding shape can provide greater access to parks for more residents.

Environmental Bonds Should Equitably Benefit All Communities

In 2006, California voters approved Proposition 84, a bond measure authorizing $5.4 billion in spending on projects to improve parks, natural resource protection, and water quality, safety, and supply. Most of that money has now been spent.

What kind of wildlife flourishes in cities?

Biodiversity also exists in many other places. More than half of the people on Earth live in cities, and that number is growing, so it is especially important to understand how biodiversity patterns occur in our man-made environments.

Why Trump’s parks and public lands attack is harmful to all Americans — especially people of color?

Our parks and national monuments deserve even greater protection, not threats and budget cuts. These lands are something we all own.

Doctors are prescribing park visits to boost patient health

Printed on a notepad with an “Rx” symbol in the top-left corner, a park prescription instructs a patient to take one free day at “any South Dakota state park or recreation area.”

How urban parks keep seniors healthy and living stronger

As for the ways seniors interact with parks, parks are not simply a place with trees and grass, they are powerful spaces that can support gathering and mobility.

Economic benefits of green spaces

According to a research report by the Forestry Commission, investments in green space have a positive impact on constituent components such as job creation, new business start-ups and private investment.

How access to green space can boost wellness in the workplace

Exposure to natural environments lowers stress, including its physiological correlates the “stress hormone” cortisol, heart rate, and blood pressure, and even just the sounds of nature trigger a relaxation response in the brain.

Sunken pleasure: California will need mountains of sand to save Its beaches

Without human intervention, many of the region’s beautiful beaches may disappear by 2100 as sea levels rise. If the Golden State wants to save its golden shores, it will have to add sand to them—and lots of it.

One man’s plan to transform a major city into a national park

Raven-Ellison’s home isn’t the mountains—it’s London, a city founded in 43 AD, a metropolis today of almost nine million people, with 14,000 of them, on average, living in each square mile. Raven-Ellison is lobbying for the entire city to be declared a National Park.

The urban common spaces that show us we belong to something larger

Even in large, gritty cities such as New York and Berlin, these urban commons connect us to each other and to the land, water, plants, and animal life of our home. We experience what it means to belong to something larger, to be welcome simply because we are alive.

These cities are replacing the worst kind of infrastructure with the best

In Santa Monica, a flat, sprawling 7.4-acre parking lot became a green park with meadows and rolling hills. In Chicago, an unused parking lot next to a former movie theater will become a park. In the nearby suburb of Aurora, overflow parking for a shopping mall may also become a park. In Washington D.C., parking lots next to the unused RFK Stadium may become sports fields and a food market.

Storm damage to top $14 million for Bay Area parks — and we’re not done yet

Bay Area parks and open spaces suffered more than $14 million damage from winter storms, and the toll is expected to rise much higher as record-setting rain lingers into spring.

The trees that make Southern California shady and green are dying fast

One type of beetle could kill as many as 27 million trees in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, including parts of the desert. Trees that shade, cool and feed people from Ventura County to the Mexican border are dying so fast that within a few years it’s possible the region will look, feel, sound and smell much less pleasant than it does now.

Why green spaces are good for grey matter

Walking between busy urban environments and green spaces triggers changes in levels of excitement, engagement and frustration in the brain, a study of older people has found.

Cornfield park in Chinatown reopening in April after $20M renovation

With much anticipation, Los Angeles State Historic Park will reopen after a major expansion and three years of renovation.

Just how park poor is Los Angeles County?

A recent study of Los Angeles County Parks found that "51 percent of county residents don't live within a 10-minute walk (half a mile) of a park.”

In Chicago and Philadelphia, the difference a park makes

The creation of new public spaces and parks have fostered a new sense of community among those living in the urban areas of Chicago and Philadelphia.

UCLA study unearths high lead levels in soil of Los Angeles parks

Media Park, Lennox Park, MacArthur Park South and Woodbine Park top the list of Los Angeles parks with the highest lead levels.

Why L.A. needs more green space, now

A lack of green spaces has been found to correlate to poor health, crime and domestic violence. That's why L.A. needs parks more than ever.