Uncovering (often intentionally) hidden histories about park spaces can provide invaluable opportunities for engagement and community building, in addition to educating people about the past.
In this panel, speakers will explore how parks can help reduce polarization through intentional engagement and partnerships, including reconnecting descendants to their place-based heritage, fostering new understanding, and creating new community rituals. Panelists will also discuss the role of parks in racial and social justice movements and emphasize the importance of working with Black-led organizations and storytellers to ensure authentic representation. Lastly, the discussion will focus on designing parks as living monuments to ensure that stories and lessons from the past are not lost.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Recognize the benefits of uncovering hidden histories about park spaces for community building and engagement.
- Identify strategies for reducing polarization through intentional engagement and partnerships in park spaces.
- Describe the concept of designing parks as living monuments for preserving stories and lessons from the past.
- Discuss the role of parks in racial and social justice movements, and discuss the importance of working with Black-led organizations and storytellers for authentic representation.
