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. 

Community Meeting about Amphibious Vehicle Tours on Lower Schuylkill

The Amphibious Vehicle Tours on the Lower Schuylkill meeting is Wednesday, December 15th at 7 PM, in the Auditorium of the Central Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia on Logan Square, 1901 Vine Street. Please RSVP

With the interest and concern about the possibility of Amphibious Vehicle Tours, commonly called “The Ducks” on the Lower Schuylkill, the Schuylkill River Park Alliance in association with the Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Commission, Philadelphia Parks Alliance, Logan Square Neighborhood Association and Center City Residents Association is hosting an open informational community forum. 

 

Deputy Mayor and Managing Director Negrin will speak about the City's Request for Proposals (RFP) for an Amphibious Vehicle Tours on the Lower Schuylkill at this public meeting.

Potential operators, the respondents to the RFP, are invited to attend the meeting to listen to the community input and concerns, but are they are not obligated to making formal presentations.

Please RSVP  to learn more about the possibility of Amphibious Vehicle Tours on the Schuylkill River.

November 17th Meeting Summary

Read about and watch video from last night's November Commission meeting.  Harris Steinberg of Penn Praxis presented a summary of the Green2015 project, Commission Chair Nancy Goldenberg announced that the vote on the land protection ordinance vote was delayed until January, and updates on revenue enhancement and park communications were provided from Commissioners Pete Hoskins and Carol Rice, respectively.

Revised Land Protection Ordinance Available for Review

The revised ordinance governing the protection of outdoor park and recreation land is here.  It will be discussed and voted on at the Parks and Recreation Commission monthly meeting on Wednesday, November 17th at 6pm at the Free Library (Central Branch).

November 17, 2010 Meeting Agenda

Philadelphia Commission on Parks & Recreation

Meeting - November 17, 2010

A G E N D A

1. Welcome/Announcements
1. 2011 meeting schedule

2. Report from Commissioner

3. Green2015: An Action Plan for the First 500 Acres (Harris Steinberg, PennPraxis)

4. Committee Reports

1. Land Use Committee

                                                              i.      Open Land Protection Ordinance *

2. Revenue Enhancement Committee

                                                              i.      Update on concession study

3. Communications Committee

                                                              i.      PaRC Stars initiative

5. Public Comments

6. Adjournment

*  Vote required