Canter Group Planning & Design Blog

  The following was a short discussion on Linked In "The creation of community --fundamentally based on the relations between people -- is largely beyond the reach of government... and the sooner we understand that the better. Otherwise we'll wait a long time for government (or any other large organization, for that matter) to build urban villages, and then they may be named Potemkin."--David Sucher in "City Comforts. How To Build An Urban Village" A fine book, full of great photos and suggestions. I've found that illustrations are some of the greatest tools in working with clients to see possibilities and consider options beyond their current experience...and they often work far better than the regulatory hammer Pete Pointner FAICP, ALA, ITE • Jim, Government controls land use; the type, pattern, density, quality and timing of development. Not all governments want to exercise their authority or do so badly, agreed. But are you saying that the physic...

In Response to City Shaped Design , which offers furniture in the shape of urban scenes, I offer a building in the shape of furniture….

Just after Christmas this year, I drove from Tallahassee to my hometown, Gallatin. I was surprised to see that the small square had been renovated. Huge Bradford pear trees that had obscured the art deco style courthouse had been replaced with Eastern Redbud trees and (what appeared to be) East Palatka Holly. In addition, the streetscape had been significantly altered to provide widened sidewalks, mid-block crossings, improved parallel parking, etc. I was able to meet with Jim Svoboda, the Community Development Coordinator for Gallatin to find out more. In a time when these types of changes to downtowns may be seen as just more government social engineering, it looks like this town got it right from the beginning.

The Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park is a 670-acre tract containing The Meadows Soccer Complex, and Meridian Park multi-use youth complex.  According the the City of Tallahassee website over 600 acres remains for passive forms of recreation, including hiking, biking and riding trails, as well as environmental education. The park is located on North Meridian Road and on Miller Landing Road, north of Maclay School. Photo near Gate B. Median at Gate B. View from Bike Trail Bike Trail

In Northwest Leon County, located on the North Shores of Lake Jackson there is a Park maintained by Leon County Parks and Recreation.  An incredibly beautiful 26 acres, with a Florida Birding Trail, 6 picnic pavilions, a mile of hard surface paths for bikes and hikers, boardwalks, playground, sand volleyball court and restrooms.  The Leon County Parks photos on their website don’t do this area justice.  The LCP&R photos are old, and many improvements have been made since they were taken.  These photos were taken October 3, 2011.    Entrance to J. Lee Vause Park, 6024 Old Bainbridge Road, Tallahassee, FL  32303 Interior of the park Sand Volleyball court with co-ed net height.  Picnic tables located in shaded corner (lower right). Park roadway viewed from picnic pavilion Playground located adjacent to pavilion One of the picnic pavilions Smaller picnic pavilion near the playground

Alas, traffic and parking planners!  Even your best plans are brought to nothing by the driver who does not want to be inconvenienced.  I even asked this driver, “You know this is one way in, right?”