Green Space for Living

Green Space for Living

A Parks, Recreation and Green Space National Demonstration Project for People and Nature
Revised September 18, 2001

Background
Greater National and international attention is currently being given to more systematic approaches to the planning and management of park, forest, farm and ‘other’ green space lands. Increasingly communities understand the environmental, economic and social benefits derived from the use, conservation, restoration and protection of these public and private lands.

Public and private leaders are also beginning to view State and local government and private investment in community parks, recreation areas, riparian buffers, and other green space as investments in the community’s “infrastructure –its green infrastructure”.

Infrastructure, a term usually used to describe the roads, bridges, public utilities, and railways of our cities and countryside is being redefined to include the green space areas that provide ecological services and other public benefits. Parklands, farmlands, forests, waterways and wetlands – when strategically designed to provide economic, environmental and social benefits – make up the green infrastructure that allows development to profit from the aesthetic benefits and from reduced need for investments in gray infrastructure.

Green infrastructure conserves natural ecosystem values and functions. It is the strategic conservation framework needed for environmental, social, and economic sustainability.

Using the experience of various state and community-based entities, conservationists, land planners, developers and others have defined "green infrastructure" as:

“Our Nation’s natural life support system – an interconnected network of waterways, wetlands, woodlands, wildlife habitats, and other natural areas; greenways, parks and other conservation lands; working farms, ranches, and forests of conservation value; and wilderness and other open spaces that support native species, maintain natural ecological processes, sustain air and water resources and contribute to the health and quality of life for America’s communities and people.”

Recognition of the green infrastructure approach has grown over the last decade. For several years now, the American Planning Association, National Land Trust Alliance, National Association of Conservation Districts, National Association of Conservation Districts, The Wilderness Society, and other national organizations have included workshops and sessions on green infrastructure at their national conferences.

Authors such as Tim Beatley have written about its use in his book "Green Urbanism". The American Planning Association published a Planning Advisory Series Memo on “Green Infrastructure: A Strategic Approach to Land Conservation.” Governor's from FL, MD, UT, PA and MN have developed and implemented green infrastructure approaches into State policies for smart growth and land protection. And a number of metropolitan areas – Chicago, Chattanooga, Boston, Baltimore and more– have begun successful local grassroots initiatives to extend green infrastructure networks from the inner city to the surrounding countryside.

Within this context, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, through the Forest Service, has organized and helped support the design of a Green Infrastructure Training Program in collaboration with The Conservation Fund, Federal, State and local governments, private groups and professional organizations. Its purpose is to help communities and their partners make green infrastructure an integral part of federal, state, and local government plans, policies, practices and community decisions

In August 2000 Washington Parks & People, in response to these developments, convened a forum of community leaders and government representatives to discuss making the connections between Washington area parks and communities. Long a global leader in developing park, recreation and open space systems, various interests from the District and metropolitan region felt that it was timely to discuss what has been accomplished and what needs to be done to protect, restore, manage and enjoy parks, green spaces and recreation areas.

The forum was called "Common Ground" and it attracted more than 100 leaders. The day-long dialogue resulted in a recommendation to investigate the level of interest and support for a national demonstration project to implement the green infrastructure approach through a collaborative, community-lead, public and private partnership within the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

The Nation's Capital is a great city that is based on visionary plans. Meeting participants agreed that the metropolitan region's existing network of parks can serve as a foundation for completing a more comprehensive system of parks, green space and recreation areas.

The group felt that in order to enhance a system of green space that government agencies and private groups must work together with a "big vision". Specifically, they believe that they must support local initiatives, use a systematic approach to complete the vision and increase public and private funding for these areas. The strategy that was discussed called for making the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region a national demonstration project for strengthening and enhancing a system of parks, green space and recreation areas.

All the forum participants agreed that parks, recreation areas and region’s green spaces are important to the livability of metropolitan Washington and worthy of an increased public-private locally-led partnership effort.

Following the workshop, community, District and federal government leaders met to discuss a possible collaborative demonstration project. This draft proposal summarizes the results of the discussions to date and suggests an initiative for 2002 and 2003.

Green Space for Living Draft Proposal

Outcome
A metropolitan region, that has achieved a balance between the built environment and green space, sustained by natural processes able to support and enhance the quality of life for its people and communities.

Goals
h Move the parks, green space and recreation areas of the Greater Washington metropolitan area to the forefront of their neighbors consciousness when they think of recreational, environmental leadership, superior education, cultural preservation, stewardship, natural resources, ecosystem management--the myriad of elements that contribute to an excellent quality of life.

h Build a lasting public constituency to create a model public and private partnership for a metropolitan region system of park, green space and recreation areas that addresses the needs of people, landscapes and nature.


Objectives
Improve communication to the residents of the Greater Washington metropolitan area about the extensive park, green space and recreation resources that exist and that have a direct impact on their quality of life.
Educate and motivate the public to help ensure long-term protection of park and green space resources.
Improve the public’s awareness of the park, green space and recreation area land management efforts in the region.

Lead Partners
The project will initially be a collaborative effort between the U.S. National Park Service-National Capital Region (NPS-NCR) and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG). The lead partners take the responsibility for reaching out to other community leaders and local officials. A workgroup or steering committee will be created, if appropriate, to help lead the effort.

Anticipated Benefits
Build a linked metropolitan park, green space and recreation system that goes beyond the various federal/state/city jurisdictional boundaries and authorities;

Provide opportunities for recreation, natural and cultural education and tourism;

Improve environmental quality through ambient air quality improvement, noise abatement, microclimate enhancement, stormwater management and soil and groundwater management;

Protect and restore water quality and resource quantity with their important benefits to human and living resource health;

Increase the supply of fresh food within the metro area;

Provide opportunities for healthy walking, hiking and biking for recreation, commuting and travel;

Provide wildlife habitat and movement;

Enhance urban design through aesthetic quality improvement, preservation of sense of place and public access improvement.

Extend the ecological services and public benefits of green infrastructure into under-served neighborhoods of the D.C. metropolitan area.


Strategies for Action

1. Develop communication tools among communities to foster long-term productive relationships with communities and individuals that live near or use the metro-region's parks, green space and recreation areas.

a Messaging: Develop and agree on a communication message and brand image for all of the parks and public green spaces of the Metropolitan Region. Develop site-specific images for each major park or green space that captures the essence of each unit and that are consistent with the collective image in style, format and media. (Lead organization: National Park Service-National Capital Region. FY 2002 Project).

b Mapping Forum: Catalogue existing mapping efforts where COG is identified as the regional coordinator. COG would work with existing member governments, regional federal and state agencies and constituents to obtain and catalogue regional data sets. This could be accomplished through partnership opportunities with other interested parties.

Tasks would include: a) conducting an initial survey to identify potential parties with desired data; b) coordinating meetings with potential sources of data; c) negotiating agreements with those interested parties identified as having data for the mapping project; and d) maintaining data sharing agreements with those interested parties to keep data current. (Lead organization: Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. FY 2002 Project).

a Green Map: Create a Green Map of park, recreation and green space lands in the DC metro area in collaboration with similar Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and other, initiatives.

Create a general high-altitude regional forest cover map from the latest Land Sat data in collaboration with a local University Partner (i.e. University of Maryland, Virginia Tech). This map would identify green space areas defined by categories to be determined including public land and some private land areas such as golf courses. This project could also include potential project partner, USGS in Reston under their National Biological Information Infrastructure initiative.

From the general map referenced above, and based on the Forum and overall feasibility, conduct a pilot project of a detailed scale (the level of which to be determined) in the Anacostia River watershed or a watershed in Northern Virginia. This project could be done in cooperation with COG’s established partnership network in the Anacostia Watershed or a similar organization in Northern Virginia. (Lead organization: Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. FY 2002 Project)

a Directory: Create a Parks, Recreation and Green Space Directory of computer accessible information on COG’s website for regional community parks, green space and recreational opportunities, agencies and organizations.

This could probably be done with collaboration amongst park directors and regional park authority etc. Also, a portion of COG’s web page could be devoted to hot links to parks and recreation web-sites throughout the metro region.

Tasks would include creation of: a) a regional community parks database; b) a base map for posting on COG’s website including a modest page of links to regional parks; and c) a printable version of the Directory.

Additional tasks for building utility into the site would require additional funding and could include the following:
a) creation and installation of a search engine to query park attributes tables that contain information on recreational opportunities, etc.; b) include data that demonstrates connectivity between park systems such as existing and planned hiking and biking trails; c) develop agreements with those interested parties identified as having data for the mapping project; d) maintain data sharing agreements with those interested parties to keep the data current. (Lead organization: Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. FY 2002 Project)

a Guide: Publish a guidebook to the parks, green spaces and recreation areas of the Greater Washington Metropolitan area, in conjunction with a potential project partner such as the National Parks Foundation, to include maps, pointers on park and green space . . . hikes campgrounds etc. The guide could be divided into three regions and include areas within a seventy-five mile radius of Washington. Sales proceeds from the guide would be returned to support the Green Space for Living partnership.

Tasks would include: a) working with project partner to create a regional parks database from the COG region (see Attachment A: Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Region Map); b) developing format for guidebook with NPS, the National Park Foundation and graphics consultant; c) collect inventory of background data types to be included such as historical, cultural, natural as well as specific park information; and d) developing a mock up with all interested parties and invite project bids for further development and printing.

Additional future tasks could include: a) marketing the guidebook perhaps through a web-site where sample pages could be posted to demonstrate the usefulness of the guidebook to promote sales; b) evaluation and selection of different printing options and contract with local eco-printer using recycled paper, soy ink, and a recyclable binding format; c) developing and implementing a plan for distribution of the guidebook throughout the region and beyond. (Lead organization: Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and National Park Service-National Capital Region. FY 2003 Project).2. Recognize the existing achievements and traditions of cooperation.

b Showcase Local Success: Develop two-page vignettes to describe the highlights of park, recreation and green space efforts in the region. The projects would draw from groups in government, corporate and the non-profit sector including land swaps, land management partnerships and outright property purchase. This document would be based on a publication COG developed in 1996 entitled Chesapeake Bay Restoration: Innovations at the Local Level, a catalogue of local initiatives to Protect and Restore the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

Tasks would include: a) a survey of the identified region and appropriate groups and government agencies via phone, mailing and e-mail surveys; b) establishment of a review committee for selecting those to be included in the document; c) preparation of a guidebook; d) printing a limited number of copies. (Lead organization: Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. FY 2003 Project)

3. Foster partnerships between community leaders and park, green space and recreation managers and interests at all levels of the government and in the private sector.

b Exchange Best Management Practices: EPA's Office of International Activities, the National Park Service, the Department of Housing & Urban Development, and the Glynwood Center are sponsoring an exchange between local, national and international experts. The exchange will focus on urban watersheds and will include green urbanism, stormwater management, roof-top and rain gardens, riparian buffers, and other ways to protect water and air quality within the Potomac River watershed. (Lead organization: Glynwood Center and EPA Office of International Activities. FY 2002 Project)

The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments would assist this project by: a) working with National Park Service steering committee to develop a series of off-the-shelf "Best Management Practices" tour packages that would provide a flavor of projects for the Washington Area (projects could be adjusted to meet the interests specified by the international partner); b) establish a regional network of tour partner groups to add dimension to tour packages; c) develop slide shows and short seminars associated with each Exchange tour type; d) identify and provide qualified Exchange tour leader(s) for each tour type; e) make necessary arrangements with a transportation company to provide tour service.

b Project Development: Provide staff and administrative services to support the Green Space for Living Demonstration Project. (Co-lead organizations: National Park Service-National Capital Region and Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. FY 2002 Project).

4. Convene forums to provide government agencies, private groups, business and other community interests with the opportunity to share information and ideas about parks, green space and recreation.

a Green Space Forums & Workshops: Establish and maintain a Regional Green Space Forum to be housed at COG to highlight and disseminate information on issues pertaining to space programs, initiatives and innovations both nationally and internationally. This forum would act as an information exchange on technical topics pertaining to green space, parks and recreation areas.

This project would augment activities in the existing urban forest forum at COG called the Community Forestry Network.

Tasks would include: a) Developing two half-day forums/seminars per year on issues pertaining to green space in urban areas; b) Work with local partners to develop a program outline and acquire speakers; c) Use existing COG network to contact attendees and work with project partners to expand potential attendee lists; and d) Develop agendas and conduct promotional activities for the event (Lead organization: Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. FY 2002 Project).

Hold two-day workshops for public and private interests to: 1) share outstanding National examples of protection, regeneration, management and recreation use activities and strategies; and 2) create opportunities for peer networking (Lead organization: National Park Service-National Capital Region. FY 2002 Project).

5. Provide assistance to locally supported initiatives that are consistent with local government and community goals.

a Partnership Office: Create a Green Space for Living Partnership Office to provide leadership to facilitate and assist local government and private sector park, recreation area and green space assistance. The Partnership Office will support two or three Circuit Riders. These individuals will be available, on a full-time arrangement, to work with municipalities, park managers, private groups and businesses on a request basis. Circuit Riders will provide technical assistance, information and training to support locally led actions (Lead organization: Jointly sponsored. FY 2003 Project).

Funding Needs

The Green Space for Living initiative is viewed as a partnership between all levels of government and the private sector. Approximately $345,000 in public funding is needed for Fiscal Year 2002 for start-up costs to begin a National demonstration project. Additional funding for FY 2003 expenses is anticipated. All of these funds will be leveraged with other public or private monies.

Next Steps

A Memorandum of Agreement and Work Plan will be jointly developed and agreed to by NPS-NCR and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. Cooperative agreements to transfer portions of the funds to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, and possibly others, are anticipated.

For Further Information

J. Glenn Eugster, Assistant Regional Director, National Park Service, National Capital Region, 1100 Ohio Drive, SW, Room 350, Washington, D.C. 20242. By telephone: (202) 619-7492. By e-mail: glenn_eugster@nps.gov

Brian M. LeCouteur, Environmental Planner/ Urban Forester, Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, Department of Environmental Programs, 770 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20002-4230. By telephone: (202) 962-3393. By e-mail: blecouteur@mwcog.org