Open Space and Parks

What makes one park high quality and another a disappointment? Across the country, cities as well as parks and recreation departments are seeking to articulate what “high quality” means. This report presents a framework for park quality that can help systematically assess quality, park by park and systemwide, to make investments and address longstanding disparities in access to high-quality parks.

Flooding is the most expensive and common natural disaster in the United States, and managing flood risk is critical to protecting homes, local and regional economies, and community well-being. On Safer Ground: Floodplain Buyouts and Community Resilience highlights how local governments across the United States are increasingly turning to buyouts as one strategy to cost effectively reduce flood risk, offer relief to residents, and potentially improve access to open space in urban areas.