Revitalizing Cities with Innovative Parks

[Metro Jacksonville]

Revitalizing Cities with Innovative Parks



14 ways to build out innovative parks in crowded cities by Peter Harnik, director, Center for City Park Excellence at the Trust for Public Land and author of "Urban Green: Innovative Parks for Resurgent Cities.


Full Article
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2010-jun-revitalizing-cities-with-innovative-parks

[finehoe]

I visited NY's High Line for the first time on Monday.  What a great example of adaptive re-use!  I have pictures on flickr, but for some reason they won't show up when I try to post them on MJ.

[finehoe]

Stephen, when I do that, this is what I get:

[Fallen Buckeye]

I think part of our problem with having school yards double as parks has to do with securing the buildings and liability. Who pays the extra insurance premium? Though personally I wish they were opened up as parks. Might help keep some kids out of trouble and encourage them to exercise a little. Anyone else see that TU article Wednesday about fighting childhood obsesity? That was one of the recommendations made.

[kellypope]

There was an attempt in 2004ish to turn the "wasted space" of LaVilla SOTA into an outdoor classroom. I distinctly remember compost bins and planting flowers.  I'm not sure on the details but I'm guessing there was an issue between administration and the faculty members advocating it. That doesn't mean it was intended to be a public park, but it did have potential for interactive real-world science education, which our schools do need more of.

[north miami]

With the ShipYards back in the hands of the public I am thinking at an innovative angle..........OPEN SPACE

[Fallen Buckeye]

With the ShipYards back in the hands of the public I am thinking at an innovative angle..........OPEN SPACE

In some cities, they take empty space that they want to develop in the future and use it as temporary park space that will later be developed. That makes it at least have the appearance that the city is purposely empty instead of a shell of a city full of empty lots. The lots can get some use from thes empty spaces. That might be a good use for the Shipyards until the market comes back.

[finehoe]

Pictures of the High Line:

[stjr]

I visited NY's High Line for the first time on Monday.  What a great example of adaptive re-use!  

Finehoe, I saw this a few months ago, as well, and brought it up as a possible use for the Skyway should it someday be abandoned!   You can imagine the love I received for that idea.  

See: Post #29, http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,8672.15.html

[Noone]

With the ShipYards back in the hands of the public I am thinking at an innovative angle..........OPEN SPACE

An innovative angle. That is why it should be a city wide city council and mayoral campaign issue. Sipyards was 16 acres of Public Space. It was reduced to 8 acres with Landmar. Now because of bankruptcy the people of Jacksonville will be getting back 44 acres.

In my opinion focus on the 680' Public Pier. We are a Port city. 14 Ports in the state of Florida. By using a container to operate a business out of you will immediately create a buzz throughout the state and everywhere else if its not being done already.

The Pier is in Dist.7. Councilman Gaffney is aware of the issue as well as the administration. Councilman Gaffney is still deciding if he will introduce a resolution that can be taken to the Jacksonville Waterways Commission and then back before the city council for a vote up or down on this opportunity. After the council break he should be making a decision.

The district councilman has the ball and everyone is waiting to see what he will do with it.

The Pier will allow everyone via the Waterway to access the .....OPEN SPACE 

[stjr]

With the ShipYards back in the hands of the public I am thinking at an innovative angle..........OPEN SPACE

North Miami, you have my vote!  See this thread from early 2009:  http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,4434.0.html

[kellypope]

Edible parks--fruit and nut trees and shrubs!

[finehoe]

"After High Line’s Success, Other Cities Look Up"

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/15/arts/design/15highline.html?_r=1&hpw

[stjr]

"After High Line’s Success, Other Cities Look Up"

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/15/arts/design/15highline.html?_r=1&hpw

Do you think anyone in Jax leadership is reading or listening?  Some evidence of inspiration like this would be great to see here.

[CS Foltz]

stjr.............judging from our leadership, I am not sure any of them can read or have reading comprehension skills! But they sure can plan or tell the public what we need since we can't think for ourselves! Idiots!