Jeff Bezos is putting $100 million into neglected urban land across eight American cities, funding plans to turn vacant plots, former industrial sites and unused spaces into public parks and wildlife habitats. As reported by Bezos Earth Fund, announced on 7 July 2026, the investment will support projects ranging from the restoration of 600 vacant properties in Cleveland to a new park on a former motorway ramp in Little Rock. Other plans include planting trees along a popular Salt Lake City trail, restoring wetlands in Indianapolis and expanding green space around Los Angeles’ historic Watts Towers. The projects are designed to improve access to nature while giving overlooked land a new purpose.
The investment, announced on 7 July 2026, forms part of the Bezos Earth Fund’s Greening America’s Cities programme. The eight recipients are Allentown in Pennsylvania, Atlanta, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Little Rock in Arkansas, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City and Sioux Falls in South Dakota.
Rather than concentrating the investment on a single large park, the initiative will convert 600 publicly owned properties into a network of green spaces distributed across residential blocks. The Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust has worked with the Watts Towers Arts Center on community engagement, fundraising and design over the past 15 years. Atlanta’s Four Corners Park will cover 4.8 acres in Peoplestown, a neighbourhood in the city’s southwest. The project has been shaped by residents’ input and is expected to serve more than 3,500 people.
More than half of the parcels in these neighbourhoods are vacant, according to the project announcement. Others involve restoring wetlands, creating new walking routes or turning vacant properties into small natural areas scattered throughout residential districts. Native plants and trees will feature across the programme, alongside facilities for recreation and community activities. The new funding will help move that work towards construction, under the stewardship of the city. The design includes shade structures and trees, play areas for children and young people, accessible paths, seating and game tables. A community garden with water access and a basketball court will provide additional activities, while restrooms and parking are also included in the plans. The development, led by Park Pride, will provide accessible play and recreation areas, flexible gathering spaces and community gardening facilities, with composting and environmental infrastructure included in the design.
Little Rock’s 30 Crossing project will reclaim a 20-acre site in the city centre that became available following the removal of a cloverleaf exit ramp. The proposed park will link more than 100 acres of interconnected green space, including Riverfront Park and the grounds around the Clinton Presidential Center. That contribution is intended to help attract a further $60 million to $70 million in fundraising for the development, according to the announcement.
The space is planned as a new destination park, connecting existing areas of public green space along the riverfront. The Bezos Earth Fund grant will support the initial phase of the project.