Photograph of sledders, inside Prospect Park on the long meadow Convince your boss to let you take an extra long lunch today: The Parks Department just sent out this press release: Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe invites New Yorkers to come out to a neighborhood park for some winter fun. White-capped hills around the city are open for sledding, snowman-making and more. Parks & Recreation will provide sleds and hot chocolate at selected......

+ Architecture Research Office's climate change-influenced entry is a finalist for the History Channel's "City of the Future" design contest (right). Flooded pockets of Manhattan are called "Inundation Zones." + 250 Bowery, designed by FLAnk, has a "haunting, post-industrial vibe." The exterior's made of corten. + The battle over Washington Square Park's redesign continues. At issue: Was Department of Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe's verbal promise to make the fountain plaza no less than......