Last week, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa launched the city's "50 Parks Initiative," a public-private partnership that plans to add over 170 acres of new park space throughout the city's "park-poor population-dense" neighborhoods.
Joe Linton details Mayor Villaraigosa's ambitious initiative to build 50 new parks throughout the city, which was launched last Thursday with the grand opening of two new parks in South Los Angeles built on sites formerly occupied by dilapidated housing.
"Despite city budget shortfalls, the down economy presented an important
window for acquiring land," reports Linton. "Under the city charter, park land acquired
is permanently dedicated to park uses. [Recreation and Parks Commission President] Sanders touted these new
acquisitions as an important opportunity to ending the injustice of
unequal park distribution, with fewer facilities in L.A.'s densest
communities of color."
According to a city press release, "Locations for the 50 Parks Initiative were determined by analyzing key
demographic statistics including population density, median household
income, number and percentage of residents in poverty, and the number of
existing parks in a half-mile radius."
"The city plans to have all fifty new park sites acquired by next summer
when Villagraigosa's completes his term," notes Linton. "The projects are in various
states – a few completed, some acquired, some funded, and some where
funding is anticipated."
FULL STORY: Villaraigosa Announces Ambitious Initiative for 50 New Parks

National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.

Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.

Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.

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Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
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