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Reimagining the Civic Commons @civiccommonsus.bsky.social · 2d

Atlanta planners built Cook Park as a public park – and as climate infrastructure to capture stormwater, according to @nytimes.com.
Similarly, Singapore's Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park was created when a drainage ditch was replaced with meandering waterways evoking streams.
Read: tinyurl.com/5vdskjwy

Reimagining the Civic Commons @civiccommonsus.bsky.social · 5d

When turning a road into pedestrian space, Stockholm planners framed the idea as temporary pop-ups to ease concerns from car-owners, who were won over by the charming parklets.
The # of participating streets started with 2 in 2015 – to now more than 40 streets every summer. tinyurl.com/4e7w6tfc

It just got easier to float Cincinnati's central waterway

Reimagining the Civic Commons @civiccommonsus.bsky.social · 7d

A kayak kiosk on the creek – it's not a tongue twister, it's the newest amenity on Mill Creek in Cincinnati.

The city’s first kayak rental operation is another opportunity for people to connect to nature and see Cincinnati's public spaces from a different angle.

www.wvxu.org/local-news/2...

A new pilot program allows users to rent kayaks from a remote kiosk at Salway Park in Northside.

www.wvxu.org

Reimagining the Civic Commons @civiccommonsus.bsky.social · 8d

NEW: Around the world, cities are being adaptive and resilient in the face of climate change.
In our latest article, we look at examples where communities are working to mitigate environmental decline – from building green infrastructure to encouraging social connection. Read:
tinyurl.com/4244vrev

Resilient Cities in Action, in Progress

How public spaces can be powerful climate infrastructure

Strategic Plan — Ocmulgee National Park & Preserve Initiative

Reimagining the Civic Commons @civiccommonsus.bsky.social · 9d

Plans for Georgia’s potential first national park are moving forward! Meetings about the proposed Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve start this week around Macon-Bibb, Houston and Twiggs counties and a virtual meeting later this month - see www.ocmulgeepark.org/strategicplan for details

www.ocmulgeepark.org

Reimagining the Civic Commons @civiccommonsus.bsky.social · 12d

As climate change drives more severe weather and natural disasters, how can cities prepare for recovery?

Research shows communities with robust social infrastructure – like parks and cafes – had better recovery compared to more traditional infrastructure. READ: tinyurl.com/5vdskjwy #climateweeknyc

Investing with Intention: Environmental Sustainability - Reimagining the Civic Commons

Environmental sustainability is a core outcome of Reimagining the Civic Commons. Public spaces — our parks, libraries, trails,...

civiccommons.us

Reimagining the Civic Commons @civiccommonsus.bsky.social · 14d

Newly revamped Phoenix Park in Lexington forms the middle of trio of showcase parks, says Councilmember Hannah LeGris – showing importance of shared amenities.
"It's more than just a public space," she said. "It's an investment in a stronger, safer and more connected downtown."
tinyurl.com/ykvd4k5r

Phoenix Park has ‘risen with new life’ after $4.6 million overhaul

The small downtown park with a new self-cleaning bathroom is in the heart of downtown at the corner of Main and Limestone streets.

www.kentucky.com

Reimagining the Civic Commons @civiccommonsus.bsky.social · 15d

High-quality public spaces like parks and playgrounds are popular and supported by a wide range of Americans – and they offer great bang for your buck as well.
In Philly, officials said nearly $100 in economic value was created for every dollar spent on park maintenance.
MORE: tinyurl.com/mr2py6h4

With Their Votes And Their Wallets, Americans Support Funding Public Spaces

Parks, libraries and open spaces are popular across the country — and people want to keep them healthy and funded

tinyurl.com

Making Space for Play: Play Patches

Reimagining the Civic Commons @civiccommonsus.bsky.social · 16d

NEW: Investing with Intention: Environmental Sustainability is now available.
Public spaces can be powerful climate infrastructure & help cool overheated cities, absorb stormwater & strengthen social ties critical to resilience. Read the report as we head into #ClimateWeekNYC. tinyurl.com/5vdskjwy

Cover and interior spread of a booklet called "Environmental sustainability" with photos of people on bikes and pedestrians on a river pathway.

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Reimagining the Civic Commons @civiccommonsus.bsky.social · 19d

Ingredients for great playgrounds? Studio Ludo's quick guide says factors like trees for shade, residential location within walkable or bikeable distance, clean restrooms and lots of different heights to climb make for a fun experience for everyone, no matter the age. tinyurl.com/23kxey3n

issuu.com

Reimagining the Civic Commons @civiccommonsus.bsky.social · 21d

Akron legend & Civic Commons champion Daniel Rice is retiring in 2026 from Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition. Dan has been a civic commons believer since the earliest days and has left an indelible mark on Akron and the entire national network. 🎉 to his retirement.
www.yourohionews.com/tuscarawas-c...

Dan Rice to retire in 2026 after 32 years leading the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition

Akron-based CEO helped build out the Towpath Trail, secure more than $40 million for Lock 3 and Summit Lake, and expand trails across Summit, Stark and Tuscarawas counties.

www.yourohionews.com

Reimagining the Civic Commons @civiccommonsus.bsky.social · 22d

NEW: From city playgrounds to national parks to libraries, Americans love high-quality, well-run public spaces – and they will vote for and rally to support them.

Our new article looks at the demand for a robust public realm that's well-resourced and maintained. Read: medium.com/reimagining-...

With Their Votes And Their Wallets, Americans Support Funding Public Spaces

Parks, libraries and open spaces are popular across the country — and people want to keep them healthy and funded

A Call to Action: Public space for the common good

Reimagining the Civic Commons @civiccommonsus.bsky.social · 23d

Today is International Day of Democracy and an apt time to revisit this piece about why public spaces are vital for the common good – as Shawn McCaney of William Penn Foundation said, “Cities are the true laboratories of democracy."

medium.com/reimagining-...

5 insights from Philadelphia on how civic space strengthens democracy, trust and community

The Kresge Foundation announces move to Detroit, $180M investment into neighborhoods

Reimagining the Civic Commons @civiccommonsus.bsky.social · 23d

The Kresge Foundation HQ is returning to Detroit on Marygrove campus, w/ $180M in home ownership & stabilization, biz district renewal, public space upgrades & support for Fitzgerald, Bagley, Univ. District & Martin Park people + biz.
🎉 for philanthropy aiding convener Live6 Alliance & partners!

The Kresge Foundation announced on Friday that it plans to move the foundation’s headquarters from Troy to Detroit, along with a $180 million investment into city neighborhoods.

www.wxyz.com

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Reimagining the Civic Commons @civiccommonsus.bsky.social · 26d

Increasing segmentation is worsening economic segregation, and it's a feature outside the Magic Kingdom as well. Read our Medium article about how living in big cities can also lead to similar outcomes: medium.com/reimagining-...

Big City, Less Mixing

Why variety and technology make cross-class interactions less common in big American cities — and what we can do about it

Summer success: Transformed Lock 3 Park pumps money, crowds and energy into Akron

Reimagining the Civic Commons @civiccommonsus.bsky.social · 26d

Disney World can cost $$$ - and you can pay more to cut lines for rides.
"The market, and increasingly the culture, is dominated by the affluent," writes Dan Currell. "Technology is enabling companies to see these previously invisible class divides and act on them." www.nytimes.com/2025/08/28/o...

www.nytimes.com

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Reimagining the Civic Commons @civiccommonsus.bsky.social · 27d

Lock 3 Park in Akron has drawn bands & crowds & boosted local economy as visitors spend $.
"I gotta tell you, it feels so good just to see people come back down here, walk around,” singer Rachel Roberts told @news5cleveland.bsky.social. “I see big smiles on people's faces."
tinyurl.com/4afemzc2

City of Akron drone video, provided to News 5, shows large crowds filling Lock 3 on Main Street for various acts.

www.news5cleveland.com

Hundreds of cyclists peddle 35-mile Tour de Crown highlighting Cincinnati's bike trails

Reimagining the Civic Commons @civiccommonsus.bsky.social · 28d

The 3rd annual Tour de Crown hosted by local @civiccommonsus.bsky.social convener Tri-State Trails last month was a big success, with 700+ riders sharing the vision of the 34-mile trail project which will eventually form a seamless network around Cincinnati. 🚴🚴

www.wlwt.com/article/cinc...

The third annual ride brings together the City of Cincinnati and Great Parks on a journey they hope will unify the region with a network of riding trials.

www.wlwt.com

Reimagining the Civic Commons @civiccommonsus.bsky.social · 29d

Great piece, @awalkerinla.bsky.social

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Reimagining the Civic Commons @civiccommonsus.bsky.social · 29d

Our Learning Journey to St. Paul revealed a city filled with people who are deeply proud of their roots and building bridges between generations and communities for a stronger social fabric and a brighter future.

Four insights we observed for the field: medium.com/reimagining-...

Planting Roots and Building Bridges in St. Paul

4 lessons from the Heartland for growing local excellence and community strength

Newfangled Ways to Spark Old-Style Civic Life: 4 Groups Show the Way

Reimagining the Civic Commons @civiccommonsus.bsky.social · Sep 8

“Do something people want to do, and you can sneak engagement in on the side,” Richard Young of CivicLex told the Chronicle of Philanthropy for a recent piece highlighting their extensive and innovative public outreach efforts.

Bravo to the CivicLex team!
www.philanthropy.com/commons/new-...

These four organizations aim to create the modern-day version of the community group that once bound Americans together. Among their tools: investigative journalism, a bouncy house, and a neighborhood...

www.philanthropy.com