Yerkes Observatory sits on grounds shaped by the Olmsted Brothers firm. The gently rolling lawns, curving drives, and carefully framed lake views reflect classic Olmsted principles—designing with the natural terrain to create a calm, contemplative setting. That approach was meant to complement Yerkes’s scientific mission, blending world-class astronomy with a park-like landscape that invites reflection and discovery.

With informed stewardship and greater resources, Washington Park offers an opportunity for revitalization, community development and economic growth.

Part of the Emerald Necklace, Franklin Park is often considered Olmsted’s final park masterpiece. Currently, there is an opportunity to restore public parkland that was previously lost to development. However, efforts to promote alternative sites— outside Franklin Park— are being met with resistance.

Downing Park is the last great collaboration of Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux. While the Olmsted Network supports an African American memorial in Newburgh, proposed plans for the memorial in the park raise serious questions concerning project design, footprint, and maintenance, as well as respect for the dead and for the integrity of the park. Robust public engagement is needed before decisions are made.

In the greatest setback to Olmsted advocacy in recent years, the Obama Presidential Center is currently under construction in Jackson Park. While supporting a vibrant presidential center, the Olmsted Network opposed construction in the park and remains vigilant in watching potential new threats to the lakeshore, nature preserve and open and accessible public space.

Threatened. The Emerald Necklace is a 1,100-acre linear park system that includes a 7-mile-long chain of parks, parkways and waterways— including the Muddy River. Proposed development in the Fens would cast building shadows, causing irreparable ecological harm, undermine the million-dollar investment in the Muddy River Project and adversely impact the restorative and healthful nature of the park.

The opening of the restored Ravine Bridge in Lake Park underscores the power of informed and engaged friends groups to protect the historic integrity of Olmsted’s designs.

Olmsted’s design of the Emerald Necklace involved a masterful interconnection of parks and parkways. The parkways consist of a series of travel ways. By separating conflicting or incompatible uses, Olmsted intended to give users a safe, efficient and restorative experience. We applaud current efforts by city and state leaders to restore the separation of ways to ensure visitor safety.