In metro Vancouver, British Columbia, a new park expands the scarce supply of public waterfront on the Fraser River; landscape architecture's economic impact is tiny but growing; .5 billion is marked for a state water plan in parched California; and more.Edited By Adam Regn Arvidson, FASLA32 SpeciesPoisonous spiders, often wrongly accused of assault; plus, the starry stonewort, an alga more successful abroad than at home.By Constance Casey40 EducationChatham Shuts the DoorLast year, the bell tolled for Chatham University's master's degree program in landscape architecture under an administration that doesn't seem ever to have known what it was.By Katarina Katsma, ASLA52 PlayDIY, KiddoA program of the Trust for Public Land is turning hard, ugly playgrounds in New York City into fun community parks, and maybe producing a few future landscape architects along the way.By Alex Ulam64 WaterThe Drought Will TellJoni L. Janecki & Associates designed the Packard Foundation's landscape to stand up to California's feast-or-famine moisture patterns. Lately, it's been famine and more famine, and the plantings hold their own.By Bill Marken, Honorary ASLA80 House CallTeam EffortA student design collaboration for the Solar Decathlon produced a house and garden for a wounded war veteran. An ASLA Student Award followed.By Jennifer Reut90 GoodsBackyard BaitThe season of sitting outside and staring is nigh. Here are some objects to keep in view.By Lisa SpeckhardtFEATURES102 Many Sand CountiesThe ground beneath much of Wisconsin is being upturned for a special type of sand that is a hot commodity for the fracking business. Fortunes are at stake, and the land will never be the same.By Philip Walsh120 Eyes NorthwardLateral Office, in Toronto, so far has made a name largely on its research, which is increasingly focused on the vast, strange Arctic lands of Canada.By Jane Margolies134 Go Wild, Oregon Child