If you’ve ever walked, biked, or even just driven through Utica’s parks and parkways without realizing how special they are… this episode is about to blow your mind. 🧠💥 We sit down with historian and nonprofit founder Phil Bean, who left behind city gridlock and humid summers to return home and reignite a movement. As the co-founder of Olmsted City of Greater Utica, Phil’s passion for preserving and revitalizing Utica’s historic park system is not only contagious — it’s transformational.

Phil breaks down how our city is home to a nationally significant, Olmsted-designed park and parkway system — yes, the same Olmsted legacy behind Central Park. From historic stone staircases to lily ponds brought back to life, he explains how Utica’s parks were always meant to serve the everyday resident — and how revitalizing them is about so much more than landscaping. It’s about storytelling, community pride, economic development, and changing the narrative about what it means to live here.

Episode Highlights:
• How Utica became one of the smallest cities in America with a legit Olmsted park system 🏞️
• Why local parks matter more than we think — and how we all benefit from investing in them
• The inspiring origin story behind Olmsted City and its grassroots restoration work 🌳
• What “good bones” means in Utica — from Gold Dome buildings to hidden art gems
• The easiest way you can help (spoiler: no donation required… but they’ll take those too)

Want to help reimagine what’s possible in Utica? 🌱
Learn more or get involved by emailing olmstedcity@gmail.com

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Show Markers:
(0:00 ) - Welcome & Introduction: Who Is Phil Bean?
(1:00 ) - Why Phil Came Back to Utica After 43 Years
(3:30 ) - What Phil Remembers About the Parks as a Kid
(5:45 ) - Changing the Narrative of Utica Through Parks
(7:00 ) - Who Was Olmsted? A Deep Dive into His Legacy
(9:15 ) - Utica’s Hidden Gem: The Olmsted Parks & Parkway System
(10:45 ) - Mission of Olmsted City: Awareness and Restoration
(12:45 ) - The Two Proctor Parks: Playground vs. Pastoral Vision
(15:00 ) - Volunteer Power: No Paid Staff, Just Passion
(17:55 ) - The Lily Pond Restoration & Fundraising Challenge
(19:45 ) - Partnership with the City of Utica
(21:30 ) - Reclaiming the Ravine: Drainage and Stone Staircases
(24:00 ) - Community Impact & Increased Park Use
(26:30 ) - The Olmsted Name as an Economic Development Tool
(28:40 ) - The Boilermaker Runs Through Olmsted History
(30:30 ) - Thomas R. Proctor’s Vision for Working-Class Families
(33:00 ) - What Makes Utica Special: Arts, Parks, and Accessibility
(34:00 ) - Proximity to the Adirondacks and Quality of Life
(42:30 ) - Architectural Innovations That Started in Utica
(44:20 ) - How to Get Involved with Olmsted City

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Phil Bean's Links
Website - https://olmstedcity.org
Email - olmstedcity@gmail.com
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaHeVZgFMV8ppWh2TlXrcdQ
Olmsted City FB - https://www.facebook.com/olmstedcity
Personal FB - https://www.facebook.com/phil.bean.777

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Love Living Local Links:
Podcast Email - media@lovelivinglocal315.com
Website - https://www.lovelivinglocal315.com
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@LoveLivingLocal315
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/lovelivinglocal315
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lovelivinglocal315
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@lovelivinglocal315
Scott's FB - https://www.facebook.com/scott.grates.1
Scott's Website - https://www.scottgrates.com
Scott's Book - https://www.referralsdonerightbook.com