Reimagining the Civic Commons’ Post

Public spaces are central to local economies. “When you go to a neighborhood park or hang out at a recreation center, you may not think about the economic impact of the public amenity you are enjoying. But research shows that our public spaces can generate significant economic value. “And when investments are made with intention, public spaces can help catalyze equitable economic opportunity in cities and neighborhoods while reducing costs from health care to climate change.” #publicspace #economy #localgov #economicdevelopment #value #equity #research #climatechange #investments https://lnkd.in/ePhWm96D

"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

"The take-home message here is that nature is not an amenity; green spaces are not a perk for the wealthy. They are essential for us as human beings." Newly released results from a University of Louisville clinical trial show that people living in neighborhoods with twice as many trees and shrubs had lower levels of a blood marker associated with heart disease, diabetes and some types of cancer compared with those who lived in more tree-bare neighborhoods. https://lnkd.in/evMDANgg #trees #greenspace #publicspace #health #research

Concerned about the loneliness epidemic and the multiple ways it is impacting lives, communities and our society? New survey research by Capita, in partnership with Harvard University's Making Caring Common, found 72% of Americans believe the most important social solutions include connection-focused public spaces, and activities/fun community events. We've been saying it for a while now, but it is time to invest in our shared civic commons as the social infrastructure we need in communities all across the country. https://lnkd.in/gYXCCq7x #loneliness #socialinfrastructure #publicspace #civicinfrastructure #connection #research

Congratulations to Bronlynn Thurman, a longtime Reimagining the Civic Commons partner, on being selected for the 2024 class of Next City Vanguards. Want to learn more about Bronlynn? Check out this interview we did with her about belonging in nature and her founding the Akron-based group, Black Women Explore: https://lnkd.in/eWiS8zcX #Akron #CivicCommonsUS Cleveland Foundation GAR Foundation Knight Foundation THE JPB FOUNDATION The Kresge Foundation William Penn Foundation #leadership #innovation Tonika Johnson

Americans value their parks and public spaces. The "Yes For Parks!" campaign kicked off earlier this month in Lexington, Kentucky with support from more than 90 businesses and community leaders in favor of a new tax that would generate up to $8 million per year for the city's 100 local parks. The ballot measure will be up for a vote this November. In fact, more than 80% of similar ballot initiatives for parks and green spaces have passed across the country. #lexington #kentucky #funding #advocacy #parks #publicspace Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG)Blue Grass Community Foundation Trust for Public Land CivicLex https://lnkd.in/gpKBjpcF

Check out the results of co-creating high quality civic infrastructure on the social fabric of a neighborhood. In Detroit’s Fitzgerald neighborhood, between 2017 and 2023: ✅ The percentage of residents who say most people can be trusted nearly tripled from just 13% to 34%. ✅ The percentage of residents who say they can trust their city government to do what is right most of the time grew from 12% to 30%. ✅ While residents who said they never spent time socializing with their neighbors decreased from nearly 1 in 5 to only 1 in 20. ✅ And the overwhelming majority of residents feel hopeful about its future: 97% believe the neighborhood will improve in the next few years (up 20 percentage points). Impressive results in just 6 years. Imagine if this was the norm in communities across the country? https://lnkd.in/eHGC-uZQ THE JPB FOUNDATION Knight Foundation The Kresge Foundation William Penn Foundation City of Detroit Live6 Alliance - Detroit Invest Detroit #trust #connection #loneliness #hope #publicspace #civicinfrastructure

Congratulations to Reimagining the Civic Commons partner, Kaci Murley tapped as the next Executive Director of the Overton Park Conservancy in Memphis. “Memphians cherish Overton Park and the magic of the Old Forest, and they want to see a successful Conservancy. I know this work, and I am absolutely energized to build and sustain a strong and lasting public asset while leading an incredible team that embodies dedication to the mission every single day. I love this city so much, and I could not be more honored to begin this new chapter.” #Memphis #nature #publicspace #civicinfrastructure #leadership https://lnkd.in/eFu6vHFM

FloatLab, a 75-foot-wide floating work of art with an observation deck, classroom, stage, gallery, fishing spot and kayak launch is being built on the Schuylkill River at Bartram's Garden. https://lnkd.in/e9i_cayZ Mural Arts Philadelphia J. Meejin Yoon #Philadelphia #nature #connection #civicinfrastructure #art #publicspace William Penn Foundation Knight Foundation National Endowment for the Arts Institute of Museum and Library Services U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development City of Philadelphia

In celebration of National Black Business Month, uplifting Reimagining the Civic Commons partner city, Macon, Georgia which has increased the proportion of Black-owned businesses in its downtown from 18% to 28% in just three years. #smallbiz #downtown #equity #Macon #Georgia #economicdevelopment NewTown Macon Knight Foundation Macon-Bibb County Consolidated Government Christele Parham, MBA Josh Rogers https://lnkd.in/eWSztCXU