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designed for social engagement. These systems tend to be linear and can include streets, trails and river corridors as well as play grounds, neighborhood parks, squares, plazas and wilderness areas. For example, abandoned railroad rights-of-way are being converted to trail corridors. Sociability and aesthetic appeal are reappearing as priorities. Symbolism, represented by public art or interpretive design elements, add to the complexities and entertainment value of open space. Levels of use are also considered important. Successful open space is accessible, programmable and invites spontaneous, civil behavior. The examples of grand parks mentioned above, along with many other public park systems throughout the United States, have been transformed by the changing priorities of each generation. Coincident with Cranz' open space era, parks in the United States have gone through a period of neglect. Since the 1960's, park systems in twenty-five major cities around the country have faced decreases in public funding for improvements and maintenance. Inside City Parks, a study prepared by Peter Harnick and published by the ULI (Urban Land Institute), documents the devolution of public park systems. The deterioration, in terms of upkeep, upgrades and expansion has been the unfortunate outcome of budget cuts and rising costs. However, through the formation of non-profit organizations by private citizens, endangered parks and open space systems have been rescued. (The Central Park Conservancy and the San Francisco Parks Trust are two of many examples.) Cranz has framed each of her four park models in terms of an evolving symbiotic relationship between city and nature that evolves with each generation. Viewed from an historian's perspective, these models are simplifications that assist in defining trends. Nonetheless, parks and open space systems have been generally viewed in America as healing, calming and democratizing land uses that mitigate the negative impacts of cities through the introduction of designed nature or the preservation of natural systems. Cranz has proposed a future model she believes is emerging, one that might symbolize how to live on the earth at a higher level of sustainability. Aspects of sustainability will be explored during the planning and design of the Bernal open space. Proposed Grand Park Guiding Principles The guiding principles of open space design for the Bernal Property are outlined below. These principles represent a synthesis of design thought extrapolated from the best features of grand parks, selected New Urban ideas, the Draft Bernal Phase II Specific Plan vision statement and objectives, and design team input. These guiding principles are proposed to help define the policies and guidelines of the Phase II Specific Plan. Principle 1. Locate most intensive park uses on the least amount of land, thus maximizing the open space value of and preserving existing habitats in natural areas. Principle 2. Locate least intensive park uses on the largest land areas available to maximize the perception of open space. 12