parksandreccommission@phila.gov

January 31st Forum: Hiding in Plain Sight – Finding the City’s New Green Space

Hiding in Plain Sight – Finding the City’s New Green Space

When: January 31, 2011, 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Cities are continuously searching for new ways to make underused spaces greener to create the next generation of great urban parks. As we learned last month, Philadelphia has initiated Green2015, an action plan to turn schoolyards, recreation centers, public and private vacant land into accessible green spaces. In his newest book Urban Green: Innovative Parks for Resurgent Cities, author Peter Harnik shares his thinking about the complexities and complications of creating new parks. Borrowing the best from other cities, he discusses solutions, from reusing defunct factories, to eliminating parking lots and closing streets, to developing rooftop parks.

Read Plan Philly's interview with Peter Harnik.

A panel of local stakeholders, facilitated by PennPraxis director Harris Steinberg, will share innovative examples of how Philadelphia is already practicing what Harnik promotes and is well on its way to achieving the goals of Green2015.
Featuring:
  • Harris Steinberg: Director, Penn Praxis (moderator)
  • Alexander “Pete” Hoskins: Executive Director of the Laurel Hill Cemetery
  • Jamie Wyper: President of the Roxborough Conservancy
  • Mark Focht: Executive Director, Fairmount Park
6:00 Reception
6:30 Program
Register: newgreenspace.evenbrite.com/

This event is being brought to you by the Philadelphia Commission on Parks and Recreation, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and the Academy of Natural Sciences.

Park Land Protection Ordinance Introduced in City Council

The Open Lands Ordinance was introduced in City Council on Thursday, January 27, 2011 by Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown.  It was referred to the Committee on Parks. 

Bill No. 110002:  “An Ordinance amending Chapter 15-100 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled ‘Parks,’ by prohibiting the transfer or conversion of outdoor public park and recreation land in the City to other uses or to third parties unless certain procedures and requirements are met.”

Vote on Final Open Lands Protection Ordinance 1.19.2011

The Parks and Recreation Commission will meet on Wednesday, January 19th at 6pm at the Central Branch of the Free Library in Room 108.  The Commission will vote to recommend the open lands protection ordinance to the Mayor for introduction into City Council.