Media
In the News
Explore a sampling of articles, news coverage and other online resources highlighting the life and work of Frederick Law Olmsted — and the benefits of parks in our communities.
May 3, 2022
The Martha Blog
The Martha Blog
Apr. 12, 2022
Milwaukee Magazine
Milwaukee Magazine
The Lasting Legacy of Frederick Law Olmsted and His 3 Signature Milwaukee Parks
The pioneering landscape architect who left a lasting imprint on Milwaukee with his ‘Grand Necklace of Parks,’ is finally getting an overdue year in the sun for his bicentennial.
Apr. 12, 2022
The Bowery Boys Podcast
The Bowery Boys Podcast
Frederick Law Olmsted and the Plan for Central Park
With Calvert Vaux, he created two of New York City’s greatest parks — Central Park and Prospect Park. Yet before Central Park, he had never worked on any significant landscape project...
Apr. 12, 2022
Mental Floss
Mental Floss
11 Stunning Places Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted
If you’re a fan of historic architecture and green spaces, you’ll love visiting these parks, gardens, and grounds designed by Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903), considered America’s first landscape architect.
Jan. 6, 2022
The Press-Republican, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
The Press-Republican, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
Honoring Olmsted: Lecture to spotlight architect inspired by Adirondacks
In honor of Olmsted 200, the Adirondack Garden Club (AGC) is hosting a virtual discussion on Frederick Law Olmsted. Lecture attendees will take a virtual trip to Central Park, Prospect Park, Boston's Emerald Necklace and the Bayard Cutting Arboretum.
Dec. 11, 2021
CBS Sunday Morning
CBS Sunday Morning
Author Dennis Drabelle on how national parks came to be
Our national parks system is one of our country's proudest achievements, but protecting lands like this wasn't always a goal. Dennis Drabelle, the author of “The Power of Scenery: Frederick Law Olmsted and the Origin of National Parks,” speaks to Jeff Glor about the man who helped bring about the change.
Dec. 10, 2021
Yale Alumni Magazine
Yale Alumni Magazine
Frederick Law Olmsted at Yale
Was Olmsted a Yale alum? Sort of.
Dec. 2, 2021
WUWM 89.7 FM
WUWM 89.7 FM
Brooklyn-based photographer documents trees in famous landscape architect’s parks, including in Milwaukee
Earlier this autumn, before most of the leaves fell, a photographer set up his tripod up in three Milwaukee parks to document some of the trees.
Nov. 30, 2021
Business Newspress
Business Newspress
‘Godfather of landscape architecture’ now adorns Bridgeport’s Beardsley Park
Legislation Olmsted’s initiatives embrace a number of the nation’s most storied landmarks, together with New York’s Central Park and the grounds of the U.S. Capitol.
Nov. 30, 2021
Darik News
Darik News
The Godfather of Landscape Architecture Now Decorates Beardsley Park in Bridgeport
Frederick Lowe Olmsted’s projects include some of the nation’s most famous landmarks, including Central Park in New York and the United States Capitol.
Nov. 30, 2021
Connecticut News 12
Connecticut News 12
Monument of Frederick Law Olmsted unveiled at Beardsley Park
Beardsley Park in Bridgeport is now home to a new monument of a local historic figure. An unveiling ceremony was held Tuesday for a monument of Frederick Law Olmsted, celebrating the 200th anniversary of his birthday.
Nov. 30, 2021
ctpost
ctpost
‘Godfather of landscape architecture’ now adorns Bridgeport’s Beardsley Park
BRIDGEPORT — Frederick Law Olmsted’s projects include some of the nation’s most storied landmarks, including New York’s Central Park and the grounds of the U.S. Capitol.
Nov. 17, 2021
The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal
Holiday Gift Books 2021: Nature
Anyone can declaim the glories of waterfalls or snowy mountain peaks, but who dares speak for the swamp?
Nov. 3, 2021
Flower Magazine
Flower Magazine
Olmsted’s Legacy of the Land
A grand Philadelphia estate returns to its glory days as it reverberates the centuries-old philosophy of celebrated landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted
Oct. 29, 2021
The Washington Post
The Washington Post
How did our national parks come to be? A new book explores their rocky start.
Who doesn’t love national parks and public lands — besides, that is, our immediate past and severely un-outdoorsy president, who so cold-heartedly amputated Bears Ears and halved Grand Staircase-Escalante? His successor has returned these treasures to the safe-deposit box, thank goodness, and once again they enjoy the reverence and protection that the federal government bestows upon more than 400 kindred parks, monuments, memorials, preserves, seashores, lakeshores and battlefields.
Oct. 19, 2021
Central Maine
Central Maine
Olmsted 200 continues with talk by landscape designer, historian
As part of Camden’s celebration of Olmsted 200, the Camden Public Library plans to host landscape designer and historian Eleanor “Noni” Ames for a narrated slideshow honoring the designed landscape legacy of Camden and Rockport.
Oct. 11, 2021
KINUTE
KINUTE
Paying homage to 19th-century visionary Frederick Law Olmsted
Olmsted transformed America's urban landscapes and saw public parks as central to the process of democratization.
Sep. 7, 2021
WBUR News
WBUR News
Trees: Our Mental, Physical, Climate Change Antidote
There are many sugar maples along the banks of the Mill River in western Massachusetts.
Aug. 11, 2021
Cream City- Windy City Podcast
Cream City- Windy City Podcast
Frederick Law Olmsted
We look at the Father of Landscape Architecture, Frederick Law Olmsted, who had an outsize impact on Milwaukee and Chicago. Olmsted designed some of Milwaukee and Chicago’s most exquisitely conceived parks. The early 1890s found him working on projects in both cities - including the 1893 Chicago World's Fair - traveling back and forth by train the 90 miles between Chicago and Milwaukee.
Aug. 2, 2021
Roll Call
Roll Call
In pursuit of an infrastructure bill, lessons from Frederick Law Olmsted
Designer of the Capitol grounds understood the necessity of “green infrastructure”
Jul. 30, 2021
National Geographic
National Geographic
The revolutionary idea behind America’s urban trails
Pioneered more than a century ago by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, greenways are nature-filled city hikes that point to the future.
Jul. 26, 2021
Daily Breeze
Daily Breeze
Palos Verdes Estates Celebrates Birthday of a Founding Father on Saturday, July 24
Palos Verdes Estates will celebrate one of its founding fathers — and a titan of landscape architecture — on Saturday, July 24, at a stretch of eponymous green space in Malaga Cove Plaza. Various local organizations and a national group will celebrate Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., one of the urban designers of Palos Verdes Estates in the early 1920s and the son of the man who helped design New York’s Central Park, on what would have been his 151st birthday.
Jul. 13, 2021
Public Health Newswire
Public Health Newswire
Following in Olmsted’s footsteps: Reimagining public places to foster health, well-being
The connection between parks and public health has long been recognized. Natural spaces can encourage physical activity, bolster mental health and nurture community connections. During the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S., parks have played an especially important role, helping people to safely relax and gather.
Jul. 12, 2021
Trinity College
Trinity College
Outdoor Carillon Concert Series Welcomes Visitors to Main Quad
Trinity’s annual Summer Carillon Concert Series has resumed live performances this year, welcoming listeners to the Main Quad beside the Trinity Chapel every Wednesday evening in July. The audience is invited to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and picnics as they enjoy the music of the 49-bell Plumb Memorial Carillon, one of approximately 200 such instruments in North America.
Jul. 6, 2021
Library of Congress Magazine- July/August 2021
Library of Congress Magazine- July/August 2021
Parks for the People
The Olmsted family created an amazing array of outdoor spaces across America.
Jun. 22, 2021
Capital at Play
Capital at Play
Lands of the Sky
A New Generation Carries on Western North Carolina’s Legacy of Landscape Architecture
Jun. 21, 2021
Buffalo Rising
Buffalo Rising
A chance for BOPC to regain Guinness World Records title for longest line of flamingo lawn ornaments.
When the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy (BOPC) broke the Guinness World Records title for the “Longest line of garden flamingos” in 2018, no one could have anticipated that the record would be so short-lived.
May 21, 2021
Staten Island Live
Staten Island Live
Staten Islander fears historic family home will be sold to developers
While the Olmsted-Beil home was landmarked in 1967, the property was acquired by the city and added to the city parks system in 2006, records show.
Apr. 6, 2021
Capital at Play
Capital at Play
Garden Variety
Western North Carolina's Public Gardens Delight Visitors All Season Long
Feb. 23, 2021
Brownstoner
Brownstoner
New Website Launches a Celebration of the Legacy of Landscape Architect Frederick Law Olmsted
The official 200th anniversary of the birth of landscape great Frederick Law Olmsted doesn’t hit until 2022 — but the celebration has already kicked off.
Feb. 8, 2021
The Washington Post
The Washington Post
Opinion: Listen to Frederick Law Olmsted on the Capitol Grounds
Capitol Police want more security around the Capitol. Rather than listening to them, Congress should pay attention to Frederick Law Olmsted.
Feb. 2, 2021
Roll Call
Roll Call
Congressional mandates unfulfilled by Trump’s Interior Department
Julie Waterman calls for the restoration of millions in funding for urban parks grant programs.
Nov. 3, 2020
The Epoch Times
The Epoch Times
The Olmsted Legacy
A core belief in the inherent goodness of people and nature.
Nov. 1, 2020
Carillon News
Carillon News
NAOP and Olmsted 200 Announce a Carillon Composition Competition
To celebrate Olmsted’s legacy, NAOP is sponsoring a carillon composition competition.
Sep. 23, 2020
Louisville Courier Journal
Louisville Courier Journal
New 600-acre Origin Park will Integrate Ohio River Flooding into an Elevated $130M Design
Plans are in the works for a new 600-acre park in Southern Indiana along the Ohio River.
Aug. 27, 2020
How Stuff Works
How Stuff Works
8 Famous Parks Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, Plus a Tiny One You May Not Know About
Olmsted's landscape architectural firm actually created many scenes of beauty nationwide.
Jul. 31, 2020
The Washington Post
The Washington Post
Pandemic Underscores How Public Parks Shape Public Health
Uneven access to green spaces is a health risk that can affect longevity and mental health.
Jun. 24, 2020
Sierra
Sierra
In Public Lands Is the Preservation of the Republic
Can America's parks and preserves bring together a divided country?
May 22, 2020
Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune
Commentary: With a Closed Lakefront, a Chance for Underappreciated Parks to be Cinderella
Many of the legacy parks that are now open, which have suffered from underinvestment and neglect, could emerge during this time of social distancing to, again, be the model for the kind of public landscape that we need in the future.
May 16, 2020
The New Yorker
The New Yorker
Frederick Law Olmsted’s War on Disease and Disunity
In 1861, Olmsted gave up oversight of Central Park to run the newly created and privately funded U.S. Sanitary Commission, a predecessor to the American Red Cross.
May 6, 2020
Inside Sources
Inside Sources
Olmsted’s Living Legacy: Urban Parks in the Age of Coronavirus
In recent weeks, thousands of us have sought relief and respite in our urban parks. In so many ways, they have allowed us to survive and thrive in these challenging times.
Apr. 27, 2020
History.com
History.com
How Pandemics Spurred Cities to Make More Green Space for People
From wider, tree-lined boulevards to lush parks, 19th-century cholera pandemics shaped some of the world’s most famous urban landscapes.
Apr. 25, 2020
The New York Times
The New York Times
How to Save Summer 2020
A balance can be found to be both safe and outdoors.
Apr. 7, 2020
Garden Club of America
Garden Club of America
Celebrating the Legacy of Frederick Law Olmsted
Olmsted 200 will bring together landscape architects, city planners, journalists, policy makers, public health professionals and community leaders to stimulate a national discussion about access to parks and civic space for all Americans.
Apr. 1, 2020
New York Daily News
New York Daily News