March 2022 - Parks & Recreation - 10

EDITOR' S LETTER
Community Engagement Should
Be Key to Park Design
Mahatma Gandhi once said, " You must be the change you wish
to see in the world. " I would imagine those words resonate with
most - if not all - park and recreation professionals. As stewards
of the land and champions for public health and well-being, you
have the power to create a world that is more equitable, inclusive
and resilient. And you do that one community at a time. How do
you begin? By engaging your community members and asking
them what they envision for their neighborhood park.
This month, we take a closer look at park design with the cover
story, " Parks Are Essential Public Health Infrastructure, " on page
34. Contributors Cheri Ruane, Julia Africa, Chuck Raymond,
Gary Hilderbrand and Chris Reed highlight the role the park and
recreation field can play in strengthening public health and safety
through intentional park design, especially in underserved neighborhoods.
" Recent research suggests that 92 percent of low-income
blocks in the United States have less tree cover and hotter average
temperatures than high-income blocks; these figures are not accidental but rather an artifact of
structural racism and stark wealth inequality, " they write. What's more, the contributors point out,
" we...must bring to bear the full measure of the role that the profession plays and turn resolutely
toward planning an even healthier and more equitable future. "
Sometimes, residents are the ones who first recognize a gap in their own communities, and
therefore, directly engage their park and recreation department, as illustrated in the feature article,
" Blazing a Trail in Bristol, Connecticut, " on page 40. Authors Nick Pitas and Sammie Powers
take a closer look at the city's new mountain bike pump track, which aims to offer more youth
sports opportunities. " We believe everyone has a right to access high-quality parks and recreation,
and we never want cost to be a barrier, " explains Dr. Josh Medeiros, superintendent of Bristol
Parks, Recreation, Youth and Community Services (BPRYCS). To overcome this obstacle, he
and BPRYCS have created the " All Heart Gear Shop, " in which young community members can
borrow mountain bike equipment free of charge.
Lastly, in the feature article, " Evaluation Builds Park-Use Stories, " on page 46, contributors
Aaron Hipp, William Beam, Kat Deutsch and Christopher Dunstan share new data on park use
at Catherine Street Park, a two-acre park located in Baltimore. The park was renovated more than
two years ago as a Parks Build Community project.
Cities like Boston, Bristol and Baltimore are testaments to innovative park design supported
by strong community engagement and a shared goal of being the change they wish to see in the
world.
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VITISIA " VI " PAYNICH
Executive Editor
Director, Print and Online Content
10 Parks & Recreation | MARCH 2 0 22 | PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G
MAGAZINE ADVISORY
BOARD MEMBERS
Anthony-Paul Diaz, Chair
Michael Abbaté, FASLA
Neelay Bhatt
Ryan Eaker
Beau Fieldsend
Kathleen Gibi
Paul Gilbert, CPRP
Tim Herd, CPRE
Brian Johnson, CPSI
Denise Johnson-Caldwell
Roslyn Johnson, CPRP
Michele Lemons
Sam Mendelsohn
Maria Nardi
Lisa Paradis, CPRP
Paula Sliefert
Shonnda Smith, CPRP, AFO
Ronnetta Spalding
Anne-Marie Spencer
Stephen Springs
http://www.CreativeByDesign.net http://www.Dreamstime.com
March 2022 - Parks & Recreation

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