Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich’s office announced layoffs of up to 450 state employees and the closure of 25 historic sites and state parks. Fourteen state historic sites are scheduled to be closed October 1. Eleven state parks are slated for closure November 1.

San Antonio City Manager Sheryl Sculley sought and obtained the resignation Friday of Parks and Recreation Department Director Malcolm Matthews following a series of controversies and public missteps.

Scientists looking at the effect global warming will have on our major cities say a modest increase in the number of urban parks and street trees could offset decades of predicted temperature rises.