American Planning Association Recognizes Top 30 Great Places in America for 2013
WASHINGTON, DC, October 4, 2013 — The American Planning Association (APA) today announced the country’s 10 Great Neighborhoods, 10 Great Streets, and 10 Great Public Spaces for 2013 through the organization’s national program, Great Places in America.
Launched in 2007, Great Places in America recognizes unique and exemplary streets, neighborhoods, and public spaces – three essential components of all communities. These authentic places have been shaped by forward thinking planning that showcases diverse architectural styles, promotes community involvement and accessibility, and fosters economic opportunity.
“With our 2013 designations we reach our two hundredth Great Place in America,” said APA Chief Executive Officer W. Paul Farmer, FAICP. “We’re excited during National Community Planning Month to recognize these exemplary neighborhoods, streets and public spaces and the contributions planning and plan implementation make to these communities’ success,” he said.
“By highlighting places like Forest Park in St. Louis, the Kenwood neighborhood in Minneapolis, and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia,” Farmer continued, “these and our other honorees show what can result when civic leaders, elected officials and citizens work with planners to protect and enhance the unique characteristics that make each of this year’s designees worthy of this distinction.”
APA Great Places offer better choices for where and how people work and live every day. They are defined by many characteristics including architectural features, accessibility, functionality, and community involvement. The 200 Great Places designated to date are located in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Great Places in America is just one of the ways APA recognizes and celebrates National Community Planning Month (www.planning.org/ncpm) each October. The special month is designed to recognize and celebrate the many residents, leaders, officials, and professionals who contribute to making great communities.
The 2013 designees, listed below, are not ranked. Additional details about each designee will be available at www.planning.org/greatplaces October 4, 2013.
2013 Great Neighborhoods
Chinatown, San Francisco, CA; Downtown Norwich, CT; Downtown Decatur, Decatur, GA; Central Street Neighborhood, Evanston, IL; Downtown Mason City, Mason City, IA; Historic Licking Riverside Neighborhood, Covington, KY; Kenwood, Minneapolis, MN; Beaufort Historic District, Beaufort, SC; West Freemason, Norfolk, VA; and Williamson-Marquette Neighborhood, Madison, WI.
2013 Great Streets
North and South Walnut Street, Milford, DE; Palafox Street, Pensacola, FL; Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu, HI; C Street, Virginia City, NV; Bridge Street, Las Vegas, NM; Market Street, Corning, NY; Broadway, Jim Thorpe, PA; Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA; The Strand, Galveston, TX; and West Beverley Street, Staunton, VA.
2013 Great Public Spaces
Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, Anchorage, AK; Grand Park, Los Angeles, CA; The Broadwalk in Florida’s Hollywood, Hollywood, FL; Norman B. Leventhal Park at Post Office Square, Boston, MA; Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge, MA; Forest Park, St. Louis, MO; Essex County Branch Brook Park, Newark, NJ; Grand Central Terminal, New York City, NY; Walnut Street Pedestrian Bridge, Chattanooga, TN; and Esther Short Park, Vancouver, WA.
The American Planning Association is an independent, not-for-profit educational organization that provides leadership in the development of vital communities. APA and its professional institute, the American Institute of Certified Planners, are dedicated to advancing the art, science and profession of good planning — physical, economic and social — so as to create communities that offer better choices for where and how people work and live. Members of APA help create communities of lasting value and encourage civic leaders, business interests and citizens to play a meaningful role in creating communities that enrich people’s lives. APA has offices in Washington, D.C., and Chicago, Ill. For more information, visit www.planning.org.
Contact: Denny Johnson, APA, Tel. 202.349.1006, djohnson@planning.org