Great Places Nomination Form

Great Places in Pennsylvania 2025 Nomination Form

Submit your nomination by Friday, May 30, 2025, to be considered for designation in 2025. The Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Planning Association is looking for Great Places in three categories: Great Greenways/Trails or Preserves, Great Public Space and Great Transformation. Great Places are unique, memorable places that display a wealth of best practices in community planning and serve as models for other communities. They also have a true sense of place, cultural interest, community involvement, and a sustainable vision for tomorrow.

We want to hear your suggestions for a Great Greenways/Trails or Preserves, Great Public Space or Great Transformation designation. Nominations will be considered by the Great Places in Pennsylvania Judges Committee with notification to applicants in the summer.

  • [i.e. street address, municipality(ies), and county(ies)]
  • Accepted file types: pdf, jpg, Max. file size: 128 MB.
  • Accepted file types: pdf, jpg, Max. file size: 128 MB.

  • Please respond to the questions below to describe why the nominated Greenway/Trails or Preserves; Public Space; or Transformation is worthy of a Great Places in Pennsylvania Designation.

  • Greenway/Trails or Preserves: Describe the Greenway/Trail or Preserve’s natural features, topography, trailheads, access/parking, and connectivity to other trails, transit systems, and neighboring uses.

    Public Space: Briefly describe the setting of the Public Space (urban, suburban, neighborhood, village, rural).

    Transformation: Briefly summarize what makes the submitted project a “Great Transformation.” What was it before? What is it now? What is the most important issue that needed addressed? (Please share before and after photos)

    Please be specific and use Category Criteria for guidance. (Maximum 200 words)

    Criteria

  • Greenway/Trails or Preserves: Describe the variety of users and how the Greenway/Trail or Preserve encourages use by a diverse cross-section of the community or region..

    Public Space: Describe how the Public Space is designed to contribute to the livable built environment (reflects the community’s character/personality, interesting visual experience, design/architecture is fitting).

    Transformation: Describe the process used to develop the vision and designs for the Transformation project.

    Please be specific and use Category Criteria for guidance. (Maximum 200 words)

    Criteria

  • Greenway/Trails or Preserves: Describe the unique characteristics that set the Greenway/Trail or Preserve apart from other greenways/trails, such as connections to places of cultural/historical significance, incorporates interpretative signage, opportunities for environmental/public health education, and/or site for special programs or events.

    Public Space: Describe the unique qualities, traits, and characteristics that make the Public Space special, extraordinary, and/or memorable and set it apart from other public spaces.

    Transformation: Describe any community support that existed for creating and/or enhancing the Transformation project. What resources did the community invest in the effort? Provide examples.

    Please be specific and use Category Criteria for guidance. (Maximum 200 words)

    Criteria

  • Greenway/Trails or Preserves: Describe the Greenway/Trail or Preserve’s resilient and sustainable qualities, such as maintenance without excessive costs, safety features, and/or use of green infrastructure.

    Public Space: Describe how the Public Space promotes and accomplishes social interaction and community engagement, as well as fosters a sense of community. Also, describe the diversity of users.

    Transformation: Describe how the Transformation project enhances the community. For example, does it provide housing? Does it deliver community services? Does it generate economic development? Is it a community gathering place? Provide examples.

    Please be specific and use Category Criteria for guidance. (Maximum 200 words)

    Criteria

  • Greenway/Trails or Preserves: Describe how the Greenway/Trail or Preserve contributes to the local/regional economy. If possible, quantify the impact (# of visitors, types and number of events/ activities).

    Public Space: Describe how the Public Space contributes to the economy of the community. If possible, quantify the impact (# of visitors, types and number of events/ activities).

    Transformation: Describe the visual character of the Transformation project. What physical features, such as building scale, design, architecture, parking design, environmental design, and pubic art, contribute to its character? How does it fit and connect with the surrounding neighborhoods?

    Please be specific and use Category Criteria for guidance. (Maximum 200 words)

    Criteria

  • Greenway/Trails or Preserves: Describe the extent to which planners, partnerships, planning, and community involvement have played a role in the development and sustainability of the Greenway/Trail or Preserve.

    Public Space: Describe the extent to which planners, partnerships, planning, and community involvement have played a role in the development and sustainability of the Public Space.

    Transformation: Describe the extent to which planners, partnerships, planning, and public engagement have played a role in the development and sustainability of the Transformation. Did the project create community synergy?

    Please be specific and use Category Criteria for guidance. (Maximum 200 words)

    Criteria

  • A minimum of four photos is required; up to six are permitted; individual photo size cannot exceed 5 MB. Photos must demonstrate the qualities, characteristics, and social (people) interactions highlighted in the narrative. For transformations, include before and after pictures.

    Drop files here or
    Accepted file types: pdf, jpg, png, Max. file size: 128 MB, Max. files: 5.
    • Additional supporting material (such as a newspaper article or video) should be directly related to the nominated place and relevant criteria, must be in a single pdf file, and cannot exceed 15 MB. Videos related to the nominated place and relevant criteria are also acceptable. The video must be less than 5 minutes in length, be uploaded to a website (such as YouTube), and have a specific website link. If submitting a video, provide the website link below.
      Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 128 MB.
    • I am submitting a video, the website link is entered below.
    • Nominators shall permit APA PA the use of all materials submitted in support of a nomination for purposes related to the Great Places in Pennsylvania program, including use in promotional materials.

      The Great Places in Pennsylvania team of knowledgeable and experienced judges will review nominations and designate the 2025 Great Places. (Nominators will be notified of the results by end of July)

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