As park leaders, we know the tremendous benefits of parks and open spaces to physical and mental health, local economies, climate resilience, and community connection. Yet historic disinvestment has left many communities with the greatest need for green space with the least access to quality parks and recreation opportunities. Cities can address this imbalance by implementing data-driven strategies that prioritize investments in parks and neighborhoods that have seen the least attention and need these investments the most.
During this workshop, we will look at examples of equitable investment strategies in Louisville, Kentucky, Lynnwood, Washington, and Detroit, Michigan, and participants will engage in small and large group dialogue to explore how they can begin to develop strategies to implement in their own cities. Attendees will leave the workshop with an understanding of the types of data they should be collecting to inform their strategies, as well as the elements and processes that need to be in place to pursue this work, including cross-sector leadership, effective community engagement strategies, and clear definition of equity goals.
Support for this workshop is provided by The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Learn about equitable investment strategies in Louisville, Kentucky Lynnwood, Washington, and Detroit, Michigan, including how these strategies were developed, how data was used, the partnerships that were required, community engagement strategies, and the cities’ successes and challenges with implementation.
- Explore how you can begin to develop an equitable investment strategy in your own city, including developing an understanding of the types of data you should be collecting to inform your strategy.
- Gain an understanding of the elements and processes that need to be in place to pursue this work, including cross-sector leadership, effective community engagement strategies, and clear definition of equity goals.
