green spaces

Athens is transforming its old airport site on the coast into what is planned to be Europe's largest coastal urban park. The redevelopment of the disused Hellinikon airport land would turn a long-abandoned airstrip into a major public green space on the Athenian Riviera. Supporters see it as a rare example of large-scale urban land being returned to residents rather than sold off for development.

A park in Allentown, Pennsylvania has been awarded a $4 million grant from Jeff Bezos's philanthropic program, marking the first time a Pennsylvania site has received such funding. Officials say the money will fund major improvements and expansion plans for the park, and the award is drawing attention as a notable investment in the city's public green space.

A catering company in West Philadelphia has transformed an empty lot into a community garden. Local coverage highlights the project as an example of businesses putting unused urban space to productive use, giving residents access to green space and fresh produce in the neighborhood.

Local nonprofits in Portland have converted a closed landfill site into a solar array while restoring part of the land as wildlife habitat. The project turns otherwise unusable brownfield land into clean energy generation and green space, and the reuse of landfills for solar and habitat projects is drawing interest in other cities looking at similar conversions.

Better Homes & Gardens tried Cameron Diaz's big green salad recipe and reports that one serving left the tester immediately craving another. The write-up praises the dish as satisfying enough to want on repeat, adding to Diaz's growing presence in the food and wellness space alongside her wine ventures. Readers are picking it up as an easy, celebrity-backed way to upgrade everyday salads.

Warsaw's Młociny district has opened a public inventory of urban biodiversity, documenting plant and animal life in the area. The initiative makes records of local species accessible to residents, reflecting a broader push by European cities to map and protect green spaces within urban environments.

Los Angeles city officials have approved $4 million in funding for a new park and education center near the battleship USS Iowa in San Pedro. The project is intended to add public green space and educational facilities to the waterfront area, a popular tourist destination. Local outlet Daily Breeze reported the decision, which is drawing attention from San Pedro residents and waterfront development watchers.

A former brownfield site in Denver's Globeville neighborhood has been converted into a new park and open space. The project reclaims land previously affected by industrial contamination, giving residents access to green space in an area long dominated by industry. The redevelopment is being covered by local media as part of broader efforts to revitalize Denver's north-side neighborhoods.

A corner lot in Detroit is set to be transformed into a community garden, according to local news reports. The project would give residents green space and a place to grow food in the neighborhood. Details about who is behind the plan and when work will begin have not yet been reported.

A photographer has shared a picture of a Silver-throated Bushtit taken on August 27 at Huanggang Binjiang Park in Shenzhen, China. The small songbird, native to southern China, was photographed in the park's greenery as part of an ongoing series of bird and wildlife photos the poster shares with fellow birding and photography enthusiasts.

The New York Times has published a feature on a foraging tour of Prospect Park in Brooklyn, examining the wild edible plants and forest flavors that can be found in urban green spaces. Readers are sharing the piece, with some noting they were already familiar with foraging in the park before the article drew wider attention to the practice.

The garden city concept is being promoted as an inspiration for building more sustainable urban futures. The model, which blends housing with green space and planned communities, is drawing renewed interest as cities look for ways to balance growth with environmental goals. Proponents argue it offers practical lessons for greener, healthier urban development.

Rose Haven Heritage Garden in Temecula, California, is celebrating its 35th anniversary with a series of free family-friendly events planned for the community. The milestone highlights the garden's long history as a local green space and educational resource. Details of the event schedule and activities are being shared with residents through local coverage.