The Year 2020 Archive

  • From Neglected Urban Wilderness to Resilient Gem: Transforming Houston’s Memorial Park

    At 1,500 acres, Memorial Park is Houston's largest and wildest park. Its size, centrality, composition, and cultural history, as well as the diversity of the t…

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  • Community-Led Amenities in Parks

    How can we ensure that community members have a chance to provide input for local park amenities, and how can park practitioners balance those needs with other…

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  • How to Leverage Visitor Count Data

    How can organizations use visitor count data to make informed decisions about their parks and improve their infrastructure?In this Peer Conversation, we will d…

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  • The Unhoused in Parks: Design Strategies for Inclusive Public Space

    As cities across the country struggle to respond to growing housing, mental health, and substance abuse crises, homelessness is increasingly visible in public …

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  • Creative Uses of Green Infrastructure for Parks

    As wildfires, droughts, and severe weather become the new normal in many communities, how can cities advocate for the responsible and efficient use of water wh…

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  • Race-Conscious Language to Promote Equity in Nature

    Words matter. When we say our parks and natural spaces are for "all," are we actually glazing over certain stories and reinforcing ones that have always been t…

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  • Using Tech, Media and Art for Youth Programming and Engagement

    Post-pandemic, what approaches are being used to address youth violence in parks? To mitigate this issue, park officials are leveraging technology, media, and …

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  • Using Green Infrastructure to Create Community Spaces

    This Peer Conversation will discuss innovative solutions to stormwater management challenges. These solutions can serve as essential community gathering spaces…

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  • Protecting Your Vision Through Park Design, Construction, and Programming

    Completing large-scale capital projects involves managing budgets, revising timelines, securing contractors, and countless other resource-intensive tasks. The …

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  • Building Lasting Connections Between Youth and Parks

    Many people, especially young people, feel increasingly disconnected from nature. This disconnect is particularly prominent in underresourced, environmental ju…

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  • Solutions for Public Restrooms and Parks

    Restrooms are the separation between the public sphere and private activities; thus, keeping certain people out of public restrooms serves to also keep them ou…

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  • Partnerships for Large-Scale Urban Ecosystem Management

    How can multi-party partnerships be used to manage large-scale urban ecosystems, and how are they funded? Discussion leaders will share examples of partnership…

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  • Parks and Barks: Expanding Seattle’s Dog Off-Leash Area System

    The demand for facilities that serve dogs and their owners has increased over time. However, acquiring funding, identifying suitable locations, and managing co…

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  • Aesthetic Biodiversity in a Changing Urban Environment

    This Peer Conversation will focus on resilient landscapes that require minimal inputs but provide high-impact multifunctional plantings. Discussion leader…

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  • Finding Common Ground: How Parks Can Flip the Script on Polarization

    What societal divisions can our parks help bridge? How can we use community engagement to help reduce polarization, loneliness, and prejudice? Discussion …

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  • Addressing Difficult Legacy Monuments in Parks

    How can we effectively involve the community and ensure cultural competence when addressing the social impacts of historical monuments? Discussion leaders will…

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  • Integrating Actionable Research into Park Climate Planning

    How can park systems leverage the power of research partners to address climate-based threats? The pace at which climate change is impacting communities and mu…

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  • Creating Multi-Generational Parks and Public Spaces

    How can we design parks and public spaces that bring different generations together? This Peer Conversation will delve into the complexities of designing inclu…

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  • Dealing with Misinformation and Disruption in Community Engagement

    What is the future of public participation in the age of contentious social media? This Peer Conversation will explore how practitioners are dealing with misin…

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  • Decarbonizing Public Agencies and Park Systems

    Design standards for most American Parks Departments are influenced by operational costs and user expectations, which, unfortunately, have resulted in high-car…

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