The Helmsley Charitable Trust’s Post

One of the many benefits of living in Central Ohio is the extensive and expansive parks system. Between Ohio Department of Natural Resources' State Parks, Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks and Preservation Parks of Delaware County, to name just a few, residents have access to dozens of parks, hundreds of miles of trails, and water ways. Organizations like MORPC and RAPID 5 ensure we're constantly analyzing options and investing in green spaces. According to this report from Axios Columbus, the investments are paying off. "Columbus' parks system just keeps getting better, per the latest public parks index from the nonprofit Trust for Public Land. ... The city's ranking among large cities jumped 10 slots this year, moving from the 56th to 46th best in the country." Why does this matter? "New research by the nonprofit shows cities with higher scores have residents who are on average more socially connected with their neighbors, more likely to volunteer and more likely to form friendships across socioeconomic groups." There is, however, work to be done. "Columbus still doesn't compare particularly well to its Ohio peers, all of which were once again ranked higher this year. Cleveland came in 31st, Toledo was 27th and Cincinnati came in eighth." Even so, get outside with the summer weather. Go enjoy a park near you!

"At a time when New Yorkers are using parks and open spaces more than ever—and these places have become even more vital to the city’s future livability—the city can’t keep up with their growing needs, especially as its Parks Department absorbs a $20.1 million budget cut. Adequately maintaining the city’s public parks and open spaces will require sustained public investment." Along with calling for more investment in civic infrastructure, this commentary by John Surico elevates why and how New York City should make it easier for nonprofit and community groups to help care for parks and public spaces. And offers recommendations for cities everywhere to consider in moving from a "culture of no" to a "city of yes" when it comes to public-private partnerships for public space stewardship: ✅ Direct the city’s lawyers to simplify agreements around parks and open space care.  ✅ Develop a public space management handbook that includes parks and open spaces. ✅ Reduce the overhead costs for groups that support the needs of public parks and open spaces—starting with insurance. ✅ Ensure that the city’s proposed Public Space Academy includes parks groups. https://lnkd.in/e2faEn9h Center for an Urban Future #parks #publicspace #stewardship #care #maintenance #civicinfrastructure

NYC's public parks and open spaces face mounting maintenance needs, even as the city’s Parks Department absorbs a $20.1 million budget cut. To sustain a healthy and equitable parks system, NYC will have to restore funding. But that's not all that the city can do to help. In a new commentary, John Surico and I argue for one creative solution to the city’s perennial parks maintenance challenges: make it far easier for nonprofit organizations and community groups to help. The problem is that city regulations too often require that groups seeking to help their local parks jump through unnecessarily complex legal hoops that add considerable time and costs, often deterring them from getting involved. And while NYC Parks is launching crucial new efforts to help facilitate these partnerships, it can't clear the path all on its own. Fortunately, Mayor Adams can change this at little or no cost to the city: by directing the city’s lawyers to simplify and speed up partnership agreements with volunteer groups that want to help their local parks. Check out our newest commentary here:

I appreciate initiatives like this that help enhance the quality of our transit stations 🚉 Putting a spotlight on the Chestnut Hill West line in particular is important, especially with fears of the line's closure looming in the not so distant future. #urbanplanning #publictransport

On this Labor Day, more often than not, we are continuing to grapple with shoestring resources that typically accrue for community organizing and capacity building efforts within public agency led processes. All in service of improving and strengthening our cities and regions: better access to food, homes, transit, parks, schools and jobs, stronger adaptation and resilience preparation to the ill effects of climate change and other emergent community needs. It doesn’t have to be this way. As novel examples illustrate well across several community constellations in California alone—Allensworth Progressive Association in Allensworth, 40 x 40 Council in Oakland, Santa Ana Shared Financing Collective in Santa Ana and others—communities are flipping the script and orchestrating the future of their own neighborhoods. When we as communities assert power and articulate our collective visions we can attract resources in abundance. This is no mirage! This is a snapshot of an alternate reality that can be true for more communities and must be a reason to not mourn but celebrate today—the promise held within community’s collective labor. #CommunityVision #CommunityPower #AbundantResources #LaborDay

🌿 New Community Green Spaces Fund Launches 🌿 The Government has unveiled a new £7 million Community Green Spaces Fund aimed at revitalising rural areas across England. Grants of up to £75,000 will be available for community projects from Northumberland to Cornwall. Imagine the difference this could make: community orchards bursting with fruit, kitchen gardens brimming with veggies, improved green spaces attracting pollinators and vibrant natural play areas for our kids to enjoy. There will also be a strong focus on accessibility, with funding allocated for paths, seating, and parking spaces. An additional £5 million is dedicated to modernising village halls and enhancing connectivity within these community keystones. Robbie Moore MP, Minister for Rural Affairs, emphasises that this fund is a step towards integrating the needs of rural people and businesses into the heart of policymaking. It’s an action-packed plan with improved transport, digital access, and a boost to the rural economy, all while safeguarding the unique character of these areas. Richard Quallington of ACRE welcomes the move, highlighting the fund's alignment with environmental and community health goals. This initiative is part of the government’s pledge to ensure no one is more than a 15-minute walk from greenery, aligning with the goals set out in the Environment Improvement Plan. For local government officers, town councils, and neighbourhood developers, this is an opportunity for growth and to promote sustainable communities. Applications expected to open this summer, we'll keep you posted. #CommunityGreenSpacesFund #RuralDevelopment #LocalGovernment #ACRE #SustainableCommunities #RuralEngland

An 1-229 conceptual plan by K-State Architecture already exists for portions of our double decker as an alternative to a tear down. Be creative Mr MODOT.

Have you ever passed by a long-vacant or abandoned property and wondered, “What’s the deal here? Why isn’t our community making better use of this land?” Neighborhood residents, nonprofit organizations, and local governments are teaming up to transform underutilized and contaminated properties (brownfields) into community assets like affordable housing, community centers, playgrounds, parks, and more! ✅ But turning a #brownfield into quality open space is no small feat. You can’t do it overnight, and you certainly can’t do it alone. ✅ This resource will walk you through the many steps and considerations involved in taking a brownfield-to-open space project from inception to reality! Click below to check it out. https://buff.ly/4fd7MBn Interested in learning more? Join us for Brownfield Curious: Understanding the Brownfield Reuse Process and Timeline! 🗓️ August 13th, 2024 ⏰ 2 pm ET | 11 am PT During this webinar, experts at the Center for Creative Land Recycling (CCLR) will break down the stages of the land transformation process and guide you through the entire land revitalization journey—from planning to the celebratory ribbon cutting on your new community asset. Register here: https://buff.ly/3zSfBMS

There are over 450,000 brownfield sites in the U.S., mostly in communities of color and low-income areas, just waiting to be transformed into thriving community spaces! ✅ But transforming a brownfield into a community center, maker spaces, playgrounds, and parks, is no easy feat. It does not happen overnight, and certainly not alone. ✅ If you’re wondering how this process works, take a look at our Brown to Blooming guide, which walks you through the many steps and considerations involved in taking a brownfield-to-open space project from inception to reality. https://lnkd.in/g4rd6sMK #brownfields #landreuse

Yesterday, I attended the community safety meeting at the RONDO Saint Paul Public Library, organized by Rena Moran The room was packed with community members, many of whom I recognized as neighbors and longtime residents of Rondo. The diversity in age and background was striking, and it was clear that people truly care about our community—they showed up‼️ During the meeting, people shared personal stories and voiced serious concerns. It’s evident that we are facing a crisis, with a troubling lack of accountability. As our taxes continue to rise, we have every right to demand transparency on where our money is going. I raised the issue of gentrification, specifically noting that areas like Dale/University, Hamline/Midway, and Rice/University are undergoing rapid changes with remodels and new investments. It seems that the City of Saint Paul might be allowing these areas to be overrun with drug activity to pressure residents into selling their homes, ultimately devaluing the neighborhood so properties can be bought at a lower cost. It’s alarming that while our property taxes are increasing by over $1,000 each year, our community continues to deteriorate. We, as residents, witness drug dealers operating openly, parking outside our homes, and yet the city seems to turn a blind eye to it. But we are RONDO—a community with a unique spirit and a special kind of magic! When we unite, the power of our ancestors will reignite, awakening the enduring spirit that has always defined RONDO. This is a place of opportunity, creativity, and deep-rooted love. It’s time to focus our energy and resources on our youth, because they are the future! #ChangeIsComing #loveispower #RONDO #gentrification #Community #MizzMercedez #YoKidzFavoriteTeacher 😊🫶🏽