Proving Ground

In this informative and inspiring E-ssential, Alec Appelbaum offers a look at the potential of parks as public assets and necessary elements of urban resilience. He compares two contemporary projects in Manhattan, the High Line and the High Bridge. By tracing how a water delivery system and a rail trestle changed their neighborhoods historically, and forecasting how they can change their neighborhoods again as public spaces, Appelbaum argues that parks, with a focus on those built on dead infrastructure, can promote public health amid current challenges, including climate change. 

While the value of parks is increasingly recognized for creating community, encouraging a healthy lifestyle, sequestering carbon, managing stormwater, preserving biodiversity, and even improving property values, significant challenges remain for getting support to use or reuse valuable urban space for parks. The challenge is often greater in lower-income neighborhoods. Appelbaum draws on his unique perspective as an urban critic and offers practical lessons and inspiration for readers looking to transform neglected public spaces in their own neighborhoods. Featuring Appelbaum’s engaging voice and passion for making parks a policy priority, this E-ssential will appeal to professionals and citizens working on city park issues around the country, policy students and associations.