Finding nature south of Chicago
News: Wednesday, July 17, 2013
News: Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Bipartisan Community Parks Revitalization Act Introduced in U.S. House
FROM ASLA's WEBSITE
Today, many communities are suffering from deteriorating infrastructure, chronic stormwater management issues, lagging economies, limited green spaces, poor health, and chronic disease. Community parks and other outdoor recreation facilities have a proven record for revitalizing communities by increasing economic development, improving public health, increasing daily physical activity, reconnecting children with nature, reducing crime, and providing safe, healthy alternatives for youth.
The Community Parks Revitalization Act will stimulate neighborhood economic growth by leveraging limited public resources to generate community reinvestment. Specifically, the bill will authorize grants for park and recreation agencies, which must be matched with local funds. Grants could be used to rehabilitate existing and develop new community parks and recreational infrastructure. In addition the bill now includes an innovative financing mechanism that would establish a program for secured loans and loan guarantees for the development of parks and recreation infrastructure. Notably, this program, modeled after the popular Transportation Infrastructure Innovative Financing Act, would allow either large-scale projects such as trail systems or multiple communities to bundle multiple projects together, allowing eligible entities to take advantage of low-cost financing.
According to Nancy Somerville, Hon. ASLA, executive vice president and CEO of ASLA, the Community Parks Revitalization Act is a crucial opportunity to strengthen American communities.
“ASLA supports legislation that will assist with the rehabilitation and construction of urban parks and recreational facilities across the country,” said Somerville. “Parks provide significant economic, social, and environmental benefits to everyone in the community. Parks are not just pretty places, but critical to the fabric of our daily lives.”
Somerville also noted that landscape architects, many of whom are part of small businesses, plan and design community parks and other outdoor recreational spaces. They help encourage physical activity by making spaces more accessible, attractive, and sustainable. Exposure to nature reduces stress and improves mood. These spaces also absorb stormwater runoff, saving cities millions of dollars and, more important, promoting healthier, happier lifestyles.
For more information on ASLA federal advocacy efforts, please visit ASLA’s I Advocatewebpage.
| The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) commends Rep. Albio Sires (D-NJ), Rep. Mike Turner (R-OH), and nine others for introducing H.R. 2424, the Community Parks Revitalization Act, which would help communities to rehabilitate existing and develop new community parks and outdoor recreational facilities. |  |
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Today, many communities are suffering from deteriorating infrastructure, chronic stormwater management issues, lagging economies, limited green spaces, poor health, and chronic disease. Community parks and other outdoor recreation facilities have a proven record for revitalizing communities by increasing economic development, improving public health, increasing daily physical activity, reconnecting children with nature, reducing crime, and providing safe, healthy alternatives for youth.
The Community Parks Revitalization Act will stimulate neighborhood economic growth by leveraging limited public resources to generate community reinvestment. Specifically, the bill will authorize grants for park and recreation agencies, which must be matched with local funds. Grants could be used to rehabilitate existing and develop new community parks and recreational infrastructure. In addition the bill now includes an innovative financing mechanism that would establish a program for secured loans and loan guarantees for the development of parks and recreation infrastructure. Notably, this program, modeled after the popular Transportation Infrastructure Innovative Financing Act, would allow either large-scale projects such as trail systems or multiple communities to bundle multiple projects together, allowing eligible entities to take advantage of low-cost financing.
According to Nancy Somerville, Hon. ASLA, executive vice president and CEO of ASLA, the Community Parks Revitalization Act is a crucial opportunity to strengthen American communities.
“ASLA supports legislation that will assist with the rehabilitation and construction of urban parks and recreational facilities across the country,” said Somerville. “Parks provide significant economic, social, and environmental benefits to everyone in the community. Parks are not just pretty places, but critical to the fabric of our daily lives.”
Somerville also noted that landscape architects, many of whom are part of small businesses, plan and design community parks and other outdoor recreational spaces. They help encourage physical activity by making spaces more accessible, attractive, and sustainable. Exposure to nature reduces stress and improves mood. These spaces also absorb stormwater runoff, saving cities millions of dollars and, more important, promoting healthier, happier lifestyles.
For more information on ASLA federal advocacy efforts, please visit ASLA’s I Advocatewebpage.
Labels: asla, ILT Vignocchi, landscape, landscape architects, landscape architecture, landscape design, landscapers, magazine
News: Monday, January 7, 2013
Downy Mildew Update
Lawn and Landscape Magazine provides us with a Downy Mildew Update
http://www.lawnandlandscape.com/ll1112-downy-mildew-impatiens.aspx
http://www.lawnandlandscape.com/ll1112-downy-mildew-impatiens.aspx
Labels: downy mildew, gardening, gardening tips, ILT Vignocchi, impatiens, landscape, landscape design, landscapers, magazine
News: Monday, December 21, 2009
ILT Vignocchi featured in Sophisticated Living
This year ILT Vignocchi completed a stunning renovation to a Cincinnati Residence overlooking the Ohio River. The results were featured in Sophisticated Living, a local magazine featuring Cincinnati's finest. For photos of this project visit: http://www.iltvignocchi.com/portfolio.htmlEXCERPT:
"The rear landscape is as well appointed as the interior. Designed by landscape architect Harry Vignocchi, chairman of ILT Vignocchi in Chicago,the steeply sloping lot has been tamed with a series of terraced lawns that give way to a heavily wooded expanse. The upper lawn, accessed from a veranda off of the living room, features a unique circular fireplace,a design element borrowed from a pillar at the top of the driveway. A pergola at the other end of the lawn incorporates the same circular pillar style. In from of the pergola, a meditative ball fountain set atop a stacked stone base adds to the serene feel of this outdoor "room".
Designed by landscape architect Harry Vignocchi, chairman of ILT Vignocchi in Chicago, the steeply sloping lot has been tamed with a series of terraced lawns that give way to a heavily wooded expanse. Darting in and around the retaining walls are scores of "Lazarus Lizards", Italian imports that purportedly came to the area in 1951 after being smuggled home by a young George Rau, a member of the Lazarus family, following the family's vacation at Lake Garda near Milan."
Labels: magazine