Evaluating urban parks and recreation.

After his father walks out on his slightly crazy mother, sixteen-year-old Jason, the last child at home, finds it difficult to deal with his mother's increasing desperation.

Parks and recreation systems have evolved in remarkable ways over the past two decades. No longer just playgrounds and ballfields, parks and open spaces have become recognized as essential green infrastructure with the potential to contribute to community resiliency and sustainability. To capitalize on this potential, the parks and recreation system planning process must evolve as well. In Parks and Recreation System Planning, David Barth provides a new, step-by-step approach to creating parks systems that generate greater economic, social, and environmental benefits. Barth first advocates that parks and recreation systems should no longer be regarded as isolated facilities, but as elements of an integrated public realm. Each space should be designed to generate multiple community benefits. Next, he presents a new approach for parks and recreation planning that is integrated into community-wide issues. Chapters outline each step—evaluating existing systems, implementing a carefully crafted plan, and more—necessary for creating a successful, adaptable system. Throughout the book, he describes initiatives that are creating more resilient, sustainable, and engaging parks and recreation facilities, drawing from his experience consulting in more than 100 communities across the U.S. Parks and Recreation System Planning meets the critical need to provide an up-to-date, comprehensive approach for planning parks and recreation systems across the country. This is essential reading for every parks and recreation professional, design professional, and public official who wants their community to thrive.

Everyone from the professional to the layperson is affected by what a designer proposes for the development of parklands. The entire community has a stake in the results. Dahl and Molnar enable the reader to experience the aesthetic and functional aspects of park design through the eyes of the people for whom parks are planned, designed, and built. The book bridges the gaps that often exist between park designer and park user, between landscape architect and park board, between administrators and maintenance staff. Readers will enjoy the witty and lively presentation of the principles that govern skillful plan interpretation and effective site design, addressing the modern-day challenges facing landscape architects, park administrators and personnel, and the communities they serve. The third edition includes a detailed treatment of creative funding solutions, including the ins and outs of grant writing and application. Readers will be better able to identify opportunities and generate ideas for building partnerships to help conceive and implement park projects. The authors engage the reader in thought-provoking discussions about multiple-use concepts, nature preservation and energy conservation, the increasing importance of cost-conscious budgeting, the value of good design and durable construction, and the latest in computer-assisted park design and maintenance.