University of Wisconsin–Madison
Progressive Local Government
For the 21st Century

ProGov21 Policy Library

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Year
The Power of Parks to Promote Health
Type Policy Brief or Report
Year 2023
Level City or Town, County
State(s) All States
Source The Trust for Public Land
Policy Areas Community Development, Health, Public Spaces
Parks and natural spaces promote mental, physical, and environmental wellbeing, and many parks departments are leveraging parks and recreational resources to improve health outcomes. This report outlines the benefits of preserving access to parks and green spaces and provides policy...
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The Excellent City Park System: What Makes it Great and How to Get There
Type Policy Brief or Report
Year 2013
Level City or Town, County
State(s) All States
Source The Trust for Public Land
Policy Areas Community Development, Economic Justice, Public Spaces
This report outlines best practices for effective park development and recommends that cities take inventory of their land assets, prioritize park safety and equity, and regularly engage with the public. It also highlights case studies that have implemented successful park development...
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Joint Use Agreements in Tucson Arizona
Type Policy Brief or Report
Year 2012
Level City or Town, County
State(s) Arizona
Source Kaboom.org
Policy Areas Children & Families, Community Development, Economic Justice, Health, Public Spaces
To address its deficiency in parks and public green spaces, the city of Tucson established joint use agreements with the unified school district which expanded community access to 12 elementary school yards. This brief outlines the costs and legal processes associated with the agreements...
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11th Street Bridge Park Equitable Development Plan
Type Policy Brief or Report
Year 2018
Level City or Town
State(s) District of Columbia
Source Building Bridges Across the River
Policy Areas Community Development, Economic Justice, Housing, Public Spaces
The 11th Street Bridge Park will expand pedestrian mobility, incorporate educational resources, and provide a public venue for arts and cultural programming. This equitable development plan outlines the project's community engagement emphasis and highlights its strategies for developing...
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Green pattern book: using vacant land to create greener neighborhoods in Baltimore
Type Policy Brief or Report
Year 2015
Level City or Town
State(s) Maryland
Source United States Department of Agriculture
Policy Areas Community Development, Economic Justice, Environment & Natural Resources
This guide outlines best practices for converting vacant land into publicly accessible green spaces and parks. It specifically highlights eight "green patterns" or strategies for holding and converting vacant land including establishing temporary green spaces in plots reserved for...
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Park Impact Fees 101
Type Policy Brief or Report
Year 2015
Level City or Town, County
State(s) Washington
Source Clark County
Policy Areas Community Development, Economic Justice, Finance & Procurement, Public Spaces
Park Impact Fees (PIFs) are fees levied on the construction of new residential housing to provide an ongoing source of revenue for park and recreational space development. This guide outlines best practices for implementing PIFs and highlights how Clark County and Vancouver have developed...
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The Economic Benefits of BREC Parks
Type Policy Brief or Report
Year 2023
Level City or Town
State(s) All States
Source The Trust for Public Land
Policy Areas Economic Justice, Environment & Natural Resources, Health, Public Spaces
This report examines how Baton Rouge's parks promote recreation, reduce healthcare costs, bolster tourism, reduce pollution, and provide other economic benefits. It provides a guide for quantifying the economic impacts of the parks system and outlines how parks can be used as a tool...
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The Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns (G3) Approach
Type Policy Brief or Report
Year 2023
Level City or Town
State(s) All States
Source Environmental Protection Agency
Policy Areas Environment & Natural Resources, Finance & Procurement, Public Spaces
The Green Streets, Green Jobs, Green Towns (G3) Initiative provides support to communities in urbanized watersheds looking to reduce stormwater runoff using green infrastructure. This brief outlines how communities can incorporate green technology into roadway and utility upgrades....
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Greening Without Gentrification: Learning from Parks-Related Anti-Displacement Strategies Nationwide
Type Policy Brief or Report
Year 2019
Level City or Town
State(s) All States
Source UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability
Policy Areas Community Development, Economic Justice, Housing, Public Spaces
When parks are built in historically marginalized areas they can contribute to 'green gentrification' as improved access to natural spaces increases property values and brings an influx of wealthier residents. This guide outlines policy strategies for greening marginalized communities...
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The Power of Parks to Address Climate Change
Type Policy Brief or Report
Year 2022
Level City or Town
State(s) All States
Source The Trust for Public Land
Policy Areas Economic Justice, Environment & Natural Resources, Public Spaces
Parks and green spaces reduce air temperatures and absorb floodwater, making them vital resources in mitigating the effects of climate change. This report outlines how cities are supporting park services and promoting natural spaces to lower urban temperatures, manage stormwater,...
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Green Space: An Underestimated Tool to Create More Equal Cities
Type Policy Brief or Report
Year 2020
Level City or Town
State(s) All States
Source World Resources Institute
Policy Areas Civil Rights, Economic Justice, Environment & Natural Resources, Public Spaces
Improving access to urban green spaces can promote equity in health, safety, and climate resilience. This report outlines how access to quality green spaces like public parks and athletic fields is often linked to wealth and examines how local governments can improve green space equity...
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Portland Parks Local Option Levy
Type Fact Sheet or Infographic
Year 2020
Level City or Town
State(s) Oregon
Source Portland Parks & Recreation Department
Policy Areas Democracy & Governance, Economic Justice, Finance & Procurement, Health, Public Spaces
The Parks Local Option Levy was a tax initiative passed in Portland that will direct millions toward supporting parks, nature, and clean water. This guide outlines how the parks levy will promote equitable access to recreational programming, support park maintenance and preservation...
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Economic Benefits of Parks
Type Policy Brief or Report
Year 2011
Level City or Town, County, State
State(s) All States, Pennsylvania
Source We Conserve PA
Policy Areas Community Development, Economic Justice, Environment & Natural Resources, Public Spaces
This guide examines economic impact studies of public parks, and finds parks provide many economic benefits to their surrounding communities, including increased property values, increased tax revenues, decreased medical costs due to recreational opportunities, and decreased stormwater...
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Urban Heat Islands 101
Type Policy Brief or Report
Year 2023
Level City or Town
State(s) All States
Source Resources for the Future
Policy Areas Economic Justice, Environment & Natural Resources, Public Spaces
The urban heat island effect describes an increase in temperatures caused by heat absorbing surfaces in urban areas and heat-generating human activity. This guide explains how these heat islands are formed and outlines the impacts of extreme heat on public health, the economy, and...
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Joint Use Agreements in Hernando Mississippi
Type Policy Brief or Report
Year 2012
Level City or Town, County
State(s) Mississippi
Source Kaboom.org
Policy Areas Children & Families, Community Development, Economic Justice, Health, Public Spaces
Due to increasing statewide obesity rates, localities across Mississippi are exploring ways to expand access to parks and recreational facilities. The city of Hernando established joint use agreements with public schools to allow greater community access to recreational facilities...
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Growing Cities: How Local Governments Can Promote Urban Farming and Community Gardens
Type Policy Brief or Report
Year 2017
Level City or Town, County
State(s) All States, Washington
Source Municipal Research and Services Center of Washington
Policy Areas Environment & Natural Resources, Food, Health, Public Spaces
Green roofs and community gardens can bolster the locally grown food supply while sustainably utilizing public land in urban environments. This brief outlines how local governments can implement zoning and code reforms that facilitate urban farming and green space development. It...
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The Benefits of Parks: Why America Needs more City Parks and Open Space
Type Policy Brief or Report
Year 2006
Level City or Town, County
State(s) All States
Source The Trust for Public Land
Policy Areas Economic Justice, Environment & Natural Resources, Public Spaces
City parks and open space improve our physical and psychological health, strengthen our communities, and make our cities attractive places to live and work. This report examines studies on the economic, environmental, health, and social benefits of city parks and finds that many cities...
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Key Park Equity Policies Toward a 10-Minute Walk Park Equity Policy Framework
Type Policy Brief or Report
Year 2023
Level City or Town, County
State(s) All States
Source Trust for Public Land
Policy Areas Community Development, Economic Justice, Public Spaces
Localities can minimize disparities in access to quality parks and greenspaces through policies and regulations that reverse discriminatory restrictions. This policy brief provides best practices for advancing park equity including developing park needs assessments, generating revenue...
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How Much Value does the City of Philadelphia Receive from its Park and Recreation System?
Type Policy Brief or Report
Year 2008
Level City or Town
State(s) Pennsylvania
Source The Trust for Public Land
Policy Areas Community Development, Economic Justice, Environment & Natural Resources, Finance & Procurement, Public Spaces
Philadelphia's park system has provided hundreds of millions of dollars in value, primarily through increased property tax revenues from properties in proximity to public parks and increased sales tax revenues from tourism. This study examines the economic benefits associated with...
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Air Quality Effects of Urban Trees and Parks
Type Policy Brief or Report
Year 2010
Level City or Town
State(s) All States
Source National Recreation and Park Association
Policy Areas Economic Justice, Environment & Natural Resources, Public Spaces
This report finds that urban parks reduce air temperatures, air pollution, ultraviolet radiation, and atmospheric carbon dioxide. It recommends preserving and increasing urban tree cover, planting long-lived trees, reducing fossil fuel use in maintaining natural urban spaces, and...
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Slauson and Wall Moving Forward
Type Article
Year 2017
Level City or Town
State(s) California
Source T.R.U.S.T. South LA
Policy Areas Community Development, Economic Justice, Housing, Public Spaces
Localities can expand housing options for low-income residents while improving access to parks and green spaces in historically underserved areas by including parks in new affordable housing developments. This article highlights the Slauson & Wall Village project in South L.A. which...
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Minneapolis 20-Year Neighborhood Park Plan 2022 Annual Report
Type Policy Brief or Report
Year 2016
Level City or Town
State(s) Minnesota
Source City of Minneapolis
Policy Areas Civil Rights, Community Development, Economic Justice, Public Spaces
Minneapolis' 20-Year Neighborhood Park Plan provides funding for the restoration, repair, and replacement of deteriorating park assets, and directs capital investments toward historically underserved communities. This report provides an overview of rehabilitation projects and outlines...
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Green Infrastructure in Parks: A Guide to Collaboration, Funding, and Community Engagement
Type Policy Brief or Report
Year 2017
Level City or Town, County
State(s) All States
Source U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Policy Areas Environment & Natural Resources, Finance & Procurement, Public Spaces
This guide promotes partnerships between parks agencies and stormwater agencies that prioritize green infrastructure development in parks. It examines the environmental, economic, and social benefits of green infrastructure, identifies optimal installation locations, outlines funding...
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