What makes open space work?

Common Elements of Successful Open Space

  • Bryant Park in New York City is roundly praised as a successful open space Access from nearby places
  • A sense of safety in the open space
  • Adequate funding for maintenance & cleaning
  • Clear delegation of maintenance responsibility by municipal agencies
  • Where possible, sustainable design
  • Lighting for safety & eighteen-hour use
  • Appropriately designed seating options
  • Programming & elements that reflect the surrounding community

Source: Compiled from many sources by Philadelphia Green

Lessons Learned About Planning & Designing Great
Open Spaces

  • Involve the neighborhood
  • Design with a vision
  • Revive underused or unused space
  • Design parks with flexible programming in mind
  • Cleanliness equals respectfulness
  • Be creative in funding parks
  • Use parks as organizing elements
  • Parks departments must play a leadership role

Source: Urban Parks and Open Space by Alexander Garvin, Gayle Berens and others. Published by the Urban Land Institute

Specific Elements Needed For Specific Types of Successful Open Spaces

Happy Hollow Tot Lot in Philadelphia Photo:PCPC Pocket Parks/Tot Lots
  • Enhances pedestrian experience & movement in the area
  • Easily-monitored by area residents/parents
  • Clear identity as a local open space resource
  • Programming appropriate for local users (e.g. art, swing sets, dog runs, seating for parents etc.)

Neighborhood Parks

  • Passive recreational opportunities
  • Community-appropriate elements, features & design
  • Event programming
  • Good lines of site from surrounding homes & streets for safety
  • Community stewardship
  • Significant tree canopy
 Gorgs Park in Philadelphia Photo:PHS

The Moriah Cemetery in Philadelphia Photo:PCPC

Private Open Space

  • Recognition of natural/ecological function of privately-owned public space
  • Clear public access rules/understandings that are well communicated
  • Visual access to private open space, where possible

Community Gardens/Urban Agriculture

  • Culturally appropriate events & programming
  • Community stewardship
  • Adequate sunlight for growing
  • Water source
  • Clean soil or raised planting beds
 Sommerton Tank Farm - Urban Agriculture in Philadelphia Photo:Eden's Lost and Found
Burlington Vermont's Church Street Photo:PHS Streetscapes
  • Combine parks, greening, transportation & urban design alongside streets
  • Integration of the automotive & pedestrian realms
  • Plantings that do not hide commerce
  • A district or neighborhood identity through plantings & signage

Vacant Urban Land

  • Clearly articulated intake/decision-making method & communications
  • Outreach to & from the public & with municipality
  • The perception that someone is caring for the land
  • Modest greening treatment
  • Heavy equipment to help remove large debris
  • Cleanup & maintenance funding
 A rose garden on vacant land in Philadelphia Photo:PHS

The new Schuylkill Banks linear park in Philadelphia Photo:PHS

Linear Open Space

  • Adequate separation for various modes of use (ex. bikes & pedestrians)
  • Passive & active recreational options
  • Access perpendicular to the linear open space
  • A linear identity through plantings, signage, and views
Waterfront Open Space
  • District-appropriate elements,features & design
  • Public access to the waters edge
  • Water-oriented programming
  • Views to the water from surrounding streets
  • Pedestrian links to surrounding districts/neighborhoods
  • Activity generators drawing people down to the water
 A great open space on Barcelona's waterfront Photo:PHS

Tinicum Wildelife Refuge in Philadelphia Photo:PA DEP

Regional Park

  • Passive & active recreational opportunities
  • Adequate signage
  • Adequate parking for regional visitors
  • Generally a large open space, often following or incorporating a water body
  • Regional stewardship resources

Public Streets

  • "Complete streets" approach to transportation planning that incorporates thinking about cars, bicycles, people, public transit & other transportation modes. (http://www.completestreets.org/)
  • Interesting street trees
 A complete street in Barcelona, Spain Photo:PHS
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