Weedoo Boats: Trusted by municipalities worldwide for eco-friendly aquatic management equipment
Weedoo Boats is a global leader in the manufacturing of aquatic weed management equipment, trusted by federal agencies and municipalities alike. Operating in 41 states and 17 countries, Weedoo has established a proven reputation for innovation and environmental responsibility by … More from our cover sponsor →
Horse Capital of the World Ocala, Fla.
One century ago, Carl G. Rose started with asphalt and ended with horses. In 1916, Rose traveled from Indiana to Ocala, Fla., to oversee construction of that state’s first asphalt road. But he ran into problems with the material, so … Continue reading →
Implementing sustainable asset management
by MARK DECLERCQ, P.E. | City of Grand Rapids city engineer What is asset management? For the city of Grand Rapids, Mich., asset management is transformational. As city engineer for the second largest city in Michigan, transformation at multiple levels … Continue reading →
Sanitation and education key to combating Zika
Zika is officially here, and cities are stepping up to spread information and reduce mosquito populations, often building strong partnerships to do so. And while Zika is making all the headlines at the moment, other mosquito-related diseases, like West Nile … Continue reading →
Temporary structures allow cities to adapt quickly during worst-case scenarios
When twenty-five inches of snow in early February 2010 caused a total roof collapse at the Bailey’s Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department in Falls Church, Va., multiple pieces of firefighting apparatus suffered millions of dollars in damage. Located near Washington, D.C., … Continue reading →
Testing to maintain standards
In April 2014, the water coming out of the taps in Flint, Mich., began to turn a strange color. Residents began to complain about its taste, color and odor. The water would later test positive for high levels of trihalomethanes … Continue reading →
Maintaining the municipal fleet
To maintain a full range of vehicles, turn to the company with a full range of lifts. Municipal fleet managers are challenged with maintaining an incredibly broad range of vehicles, from cars, pickup trucks and vans to buses, fire trucks … Continue reading →
Ensuring safety in public buildings
A facility manager’s job description is lengthy and varied and includes tasks such as inspecting the premises to ensure everything is stocked for the day’s work; creating a maintenance schedule for the interior and exterior of the building; conference room … Continue reading →
Edina, Minn. Residents enjoy a high quality of life
Edina, Minn., has an especially good reason to be patting itself on the back this year. The Hennepin County city — population of 49,376 in 2013 — placed 22nd in the 2016 third annual Top 100 Best Places to Live, … Continue reading →
Creating the cities of tomorrow
Our cars may not be flying — yet — but we truly are on the verge of the stuff seen in science fiction: self-driving cars, augmented reality, solar-powered “smart” roads, etc. However, as technology continues by leaps and bounds, its … Continue reading →
First steps toward zero landfill will produce clean energy in Tennessee
A mayor’s dream of putting his city on the path away from dumping waste into landfills became a reality last month in Lebanon, Tenn., and the project is highlighting the success possible utilizing public/private partnerships to achieve sustainability goals and … Continue reading →
In a litigious society, parks can never be too careful
When it comes to risk mitigation for parks and recreation department employees and patrons, managers can never be too careful. Ron Pearson with Meadowbrook Insurance Group knows this firsthand. Meadowbrook is an Ann Arbor-based service provider for the Michigan Municipal … Continue reading →
Public gardens entice tourists
When you hear “public garden” in the American Public Garden Association, think very broadly. The APGA includes numerous arboreta, zoos, cemeteries, university gardens, retirement communities and many city/county green spaces among its 600 member gardens. Staff members include 9,000 people. … Continue reading →
Limitless parks offer access to all
It used to be the sky was the limit when describing how far someone ambitious could go in achieving something great. Subtract the sky from the equation and think again: “Madison’s Place” in Woodbury, Minn., is declaring its first park … Continue reading →
Renovated beaches bring economic benefits
It was 1926 when the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association began to deal with the erosion of beaches nationwide. In this setting, the ASBPA started to work with the federal government to create legislation to share costs in protecting … Continue reading →
William McIntosh Jr.: Peachtree City, Ga.
As a planned community charted March 9, 1959, Peachtree City, Ga., is a relative newcomer to the nation’s family of municipalities. But the city of 35,000 carries ubiquitous earmarks harkening to the person and heritage of William McIntosh Jr. (1775-1825), … Continue reading →
Park place: Pop-up parks provide casual gathering areas for communities
It all began in 2005 with a single parking space, a patch of turf, a bench and a potted tree. There was also a sign that read, “If you’d like to enjoy this little park, please put some coins in … Continue reading →
Halloween Capital of the World Anoka, Minn.
On Nov. 1, 1919, residents of Anoka, Minn., woke up to a scene of serial depredation. They saw wagons spirited onto rooftops, capsized outhouses and cows wandering along Main Street. House windows were soaped. Several cows were locked in the … Continue reading →
Parks remain as relevant today as ever
This year marks the centennial year for our U.S. National Park Service, which was created in 1916 with just 35 national parks and monuments to be overseen. That number has since soared to more than 400, with thousands of visitors … Continue reading →
