Chicago Cubs fans looking to bask in the glory of the team's first World Series victory since 1908 will find a new public plaza and lawn next to the stadium. The plaza will be open to the public on non-baseball days too.

"For better or for worse, Wrigleyville is changing rapidly as Wrigley Field undergoes a continuing makeover, and a seven-story hotel and a huge mixed-used development are constructed next to the ballpark," according to an article by John Greenfield.
Overall, Greenfield sees a mixed-bag of planning decisions, as evaluated relative to the area's already existing walkability and transit-friendly bonafides. Greenfield takes a longer look at one positive change in particular: the addition of a plaza and lawn on the west side of the stadium—the site of a former surface parking lot.
"Although there were originally plans to replace the lot with a parking garage, four years ago the Ricketts family, which purchased the Cubs and ballpark in 2009, proposed the much wiser option of a community gathering place," writes Greenfield. "The space will host a farmers market and outdoor movies during the summer, and a skating rink during the winter."
FULL STORY: The New Park at Wrigley Takes Space Away from Cars and Gives It to People

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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