6:00 Reception

6:30 Program

Featuring:

• Peter Harnik, Author of Urban Green: Innovative Parks for Resurgent Cities.  Mr. Harnik will sign copies of his book, which will be for sale at the Academy's bookstore. 
• Harris Steinberg, Director, Penn Praxis (moderator)
• Alexander "Pete" Hoskins, President/CEO of Laurel Hill and W. Laurel Hill Cemeteries
• Jamie Wyper, President of the Roxborough Conservancy
• Mark Focht, Executive Director, Fairmount Park

Cities are continuously searching for new ways to make underused spaces greener to create the next generation of urban parks.  As we learned last month, Philadelphia has initiated Green2015 - an action plan to turn schoolyards, recreation centers, public and private vacant land in to accessible green spaces.   In his newest book Urban Green: Innovative Parks for Resurgent Cities, author Peter Harnik shares his thinking about the complexities of creating new parks. Borrowing the best from other cities, he will discuss solutions - from reusing defunct factories, to eliminating parking lots and closing streets, to developing rooftop parks. 

A panel of local stakeholders, facilitiated by Penn Praxis director Harris Steinberg will share innovative examples of how Philadelphia is already practicing what Harnik promotes and is well on its way to achieving the goals of Green2015.

This event is being brought to you by the Philadelphia Commission on Parks and Recreation, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, and the Academy of Natural Sciences.