DESCRIPTION

Despite increasing efforts to diversify open spaces and improve racial equity on open space, open spaces are often perceived as exclusive and predominately white spaces. This reality can influence the work of an entire department, from public programming to rules and regulations to planning processes for new properties. To combat this reality, Boulder County Parks and Open Space’s Community Engagement Team has implemented a new approach to community engagement, centering the voices and assets of historically underserved communities striving toward co-creation of outdoor programs. By rooting our work in this foundation – trusted relationships, co-created programs, and incorporating community assets and needs into every facet of our work – it provides opportunities to grow into something bigger and long-lasting. Over time, and through building relationships internally, our team has supported the growth of sustainable community engagement into interdisciplinary spaces within our department, ultimately supporting community connection to land and stewardship of public places in a more equitable way. We aim to build reciprocal and trustworthy relationships with community in order to better meet their needs, the needs of the department, and create a more inclusive and equitable open space system for all and will share how other organizations can begin to do so.

ADDITIONAL INFO:

EXPERIENCE LEVEL:

Entry Level/Early Career, Intermediate, or Expert