Discovery Green Is Named One of America’s Great Public Spaces

Discovery Green Is one of our city’s most vibrant parks. We know this. The American Planning Association does too, naming our beloved 12-acre downtown destination among six Great Public Spaces on its annual Great Places in America list. Congrats, everyone! And we do mean everyone, because this is a public space after all.

The APA designates its Great Public Spaces as having demonstrated exceptional character, quality, and planning, all attributes that enrich communities, facilitate economic growth, and inspire others around the country. The public was largely engaged in Discovery Green’s design and development—the sprawling lawns, lake, interactive fountain, playground, public art installations, gardens, old oaks, on-site restaurants, and then some.

Since Discovery Green debuted in 2008, it’s been instrumental in attracting locals and tourists alike to see the exciting growth and change happening around it downtown. Meanwhile, the Discovery Green Conservancy holds about 700 events each year for the public, most of them completely free and family-friendly.  

Speaking of which, you can celebrate Discovery Green’s top honors at the park’s annual Scream on the Green from 6-10 p.m. on October 25. The free event also includes a costume contest and Halloween celebration. Or catch the fourth annual Art @ Discovery Green fest on October 26-27, when an outdoor fine art and contemporary craft market takes over Grace Event Lawn and Avenida Houston. 

The APA also honored the following parks as Great Public Spaces, too: Pioneer Park in Mesa, Arizona; Neponset River Greenway in Massachusetts; Mohawk Valley Gateway Overlook in Amsterdam, New York; Governors Island in Manhattan, and the Gathering Place in Tulsa.