"Golden Gate Fields offers a truly generational opportunity to reimagine a world-class bayside park for the Bay Area. With the East Bay Regional Park District and a wide range of public and community partners, we have the chance to expand shoreline access, restore vital ecosystems, and create a place where hundreds of thousands of residents can connect with the outdoors."
The Japanese Tea Garden endures as one of the most popular attractions in San Francisco, featuring classic elements such as an arched drum bridge, pagodas, stone lanterns, stepping stone paths, native Japanese plants, serene koi ponds, and a zen garden.
Meininger, who grew up in Germany but now lives in London, likes making things. So when he saw how much his young sons enjoyed the jungle gym and play forts at the local park, he made an indoor treehouse for them.
The design team combined the requirements for an accessible bridge and a small pavilion into a single structure, creating a unified architectural gesture that supports both movement and gathering.
The city of Orlando happens to have the most green space per resident than any other major city, according to a new analysis from travel platform BookRetreats. The city, known as The City Beautiful, offers roughly 2,777 square feet of greenery per person. That translates to more than 148 parks, gardens, and recreation areas, according to the study, with plenty of lakes, trails, and botanical gardens to explore.
I am delighted that the once-in-a-generation redevelopment of the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre has reached another key milestone with the submission of the planning application for its transformation. The 15hectare site, opened in 1964, is set for a revamp of its athletics stadium, indoor arena, and swimming and diving facilities.
This declaration establishes a much-needed green lung for this part of the borough. Our charity launched this campaign back in January 2021. At that time, we were emerging from Covid lockdown, and people were discovering the wonders of nature and wildlife on their doorstep in the Brent River Park.
While the data shows 80% of people live within walking distance of green or blue spaces such as a river, park or woodland, it also reveals a disparity between rural and poorer urban areas. In some areas of local authorities, fewer than 20% of residents live close to these spaces, according to data released by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on Wednesday.
The idea that hiking trails are a tool for conservation is based on a simple premise: people protect what they know. That requires making conservation areas accessible. There's no point telling people you only protect what you know, if you don't give them the tools to know. The trail is this tool. People who hike, people who camp, these people often become defenders of the environment.
The project is structured around the concept of 'Abstract Landscape,' drawing from principles in Chinese landscape painting that prioritize spiritual interpretation over literal representation. Rather than replicating historical forms, the design translates landscape qualities into geometric compositions and spatial sequences. Abstract volumes reference the condition of distant mountains and nearby waters, while controlled color contrasts establish a clear visual framework.
Instead of functioning as decorative greenery, the courtyard organizes circulation, gathering spaces, and planting into a three-dimensional landscape where residents can move, pause, and interact. The site presented several typical urban challenges. Tall buildings restricted sunlight and views, while circulation routes occupied much of the available ground area, making open space feel narrow and shaded.
It was one of four skate parks being created or revamped as part of a city initiative, and the only one that proposed building an entirely new space rather than replacing an existing skate park or asphalt rink. Intended as the city's flagship, it was also by far the largest, in the city and regionally, tied with the Lynch Family Skatepark in Cambridge, Massachusetts, which is the largest skate park on the East Coast.
Children can be the captain of their own ship and let their imaginations soar when the playground reopens. The galleon will be the centrepiece of the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Playground in Kensington Gardens when it reopens in the summer.
Ruby Hill Railyard in Denver is now open to snowboarders and skiers and features 11 rails and boxes of varying configurations and skill levels. This terrain park can be found off South Platte River Drive and West Florida Avenue in the Mile High City and is free to use. "Rubyhill railyard is now OPEN!! Crazy to think we can open with the snow drought this year! The volunteers killed it! Snowmaking went incredible! Thank you."
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Italian scientists documented something interesting: in areas with more trees per capita, the number and severity of COVID-19 cases were lower than in places with fewer trees, even when accounting for differences in human population density. This work is part of a growing body of research around the world investigating whether time spent in forests and nature can provide protection from infections, such as COVID-19 and pneumonia; inflammatory conditions, such as asthma, emphysema and bronchitis; and even cancer.
Step inside Don't Tell Dad and you're immediately greeted by a warm, low-lit vintage atmosphere. When we arrived, a funky soundtrack was drifting over dark wood floors, while super-comfy olive-green velvet banquettes, booths, and bar stools offered a front-row view of the kitchen in action. Wood panels with coloured glass windows, marble-topped tables set with linen napkins, and vintage cutlery and candle holders hint at 1930s Art Deco elegance, while oval mirrors and playful statement lighting reinforce the space's French bistro vibes.
Though they're individually tiny, parking spots quietly play a dominant role in shaping urban landscapes. Most US cities dedicate at least 25% of their developable land to them. Some, even more. That land usage doesn't only determine the way a city looks. It also means covering large swathes of urban areas in heat-absorbing asphalt, which contributes to making summers hotter and heightens the risk of flooding since it prevents drainage during storms and heavy rainfall.
Architecture And Project Coordination: Paulo Tormenta Pinto Collaboration: Rosa Maria Bastos, Joao Costa, Bernardo Vicente, Mariana Brito Foundations And Structures: Miguel Villar, Paulo Mendonca Hydraulics: Jorge Pinheiro, Rita Duarte Electrical Infrastructure And Scs: Jorge Loureiro Ferreira, Daniel Moreira Safety: Renata Costa Carvalho Acoustics: Renata Costa Carvalho Gas Network: Susana Costa e Sousa Interior Roadways: Susana Costa e Sousa Landscaping: Monica Farina Partnerships: Betar and JCT Promoter: GoPorto Gestao e Obras do Porto, EM Procedure Manager: Helder Pereira Contractor: CT - Calculos & Titulos Construcoes Unipessoal Construction Management: Carlos Quaresma, Domingos Brito Supervision: KN Engenharia, Lda Technical Supervision: Luisa Outeiro, Sandra Araujo
Studio for New Realities shapes the new lakeside playground pavilion for Plaswijckpark in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, as an all-season destination that combines play, learning, and experimentation. It also restores a direct relationship between the park and the waterfront. During the design process, children help shape the project by voting for their favourite play equipment, contributing to a building that supports every kind of activity: playing, creating, eating, concentrating, and experimenting.