The American Planning Association recently announced its 2008 designees for Great Places in America, including great neighborhoods, great public places and great streets.

Great Neighborhoods:

• Charles Village, Baltimore, Maryland
• Downtown Salem, Salem, Massachusetts
• Downtown Sheridan, Sheridan, Wyoming
• Echo Park, Los Angeles, California
• Greater Park Hill, Denver, Colorado
• Greater University Hill, Syracuse, New York
• North End, Boise, Idaho
• Old Town, Wichita, Kansas
• Society Hill, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Village of Mariemont, Mariemont, Ohio

Great Streets:

• 7th Avenue, Ybor City, Tampa, Florida
• Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Clarendon and Wilson Boulevards, Arlington, Virginia
• Commercial Street, Portland, Maine
• Main Street, Annapolis, Maryland
• Mill Avenue, Tempe, Arizona
• South El Paso Street, El Paso, Texas
• Summit Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota
• Washington Street, Boston, Massachusetts
• West Main Street, Louisville, Kentucky

Great Public Spaces:

• Central Park, New York City, New York
• Church Street Marketplace, Burlington, Vermont
• Mellon Square, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• Pioneer Courthouse Square, Portland, Oregon
• Santa Monica Beach, Santa Monica, California
• Union Station, Washington, D.C.
• Waterfront Park, Charleston, South Carolina
• Waterplace Park, Providence, Rhode Island
• West Side Market, Cleveland, Ohio
• Yavapai County Courthouse Plaza, Prescott, Arizona

 The APA website details the lengthy criteria they take into account
when making their selections, but I wonder, what do you think makes a
great neighborhood, street or public place?