The Philly 500: City Begins Speeding Toward 500 New Green Acres by 2015

Last week, Mayor Nutter and city officials gathered with students and neighbors at William Dick Elementary School in North Philadelphia to kick off the Green 2015 Action Plan, an ambitious initiative to add 500 new acres of parkland. The news outlets tell the story:

Philadelphia Inquirer:

The partnership, which includes the Philadelphia Water Department, the city Department of Parks and Recreation, the Trust for Public Land, and the Mural Arts Program, hopes to locate at least a patch of parkland — grass, trees, perhaps a few park benches  — within a 10-minute walk of anywhere in the city.

Philadelphia Daily News:

The announcement kicks off the next phase of the “Green 2015” plan that “de-paves” many of these acres of concrete and green them. The benefits are numerous and long-term: a healthier population, and a more environmentally sound and beautiful city. The plan relies heavily on community input, and de-paving, greening and overseeing these new green spaces can actually help build community.

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources:

"Today, a wide-reaching vision to link Philadelphia's young people to an outdoors environment is unveiled," [DCNR Deputy Secretary John] Giordano said at the school event. "And this vision hits the triple bottom line: improving environmental quality, neighborhood economic value, and the community's social fabric."

ABC 6: