As state and local governments struggle to find money for necessities, the conventional wisdom is something has to give. When budgets for school systems and police departments are being cut, it can be difficult to make an argument for funding something like a public park. California’s governor faced that very problem, and now the Golden State plans to close 70 of its 278 parks, including some of the parks where you can see California’s famed redwoods.
However, on the East Coast, a New York City group has proven that a public-private partnership to create outdoor public space doesn’t have to be a drain on the economy; it can actually be good business. The High Line park was a success from the minute it opened in 2009, and it wasn’t even finished. This past June, the second section opened and confirmed that a public outdoor space can be green in more ways than one. This report was produced in conjunction with our colleagues at Blueprint America.
Produced in collaboration with Blueprint America. Funding provided by The Speedwell Foundation and The Rockefeller Foundation.
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