How can we fulfill our promise of “Parks for all, forever”?
GOLDEN GATE NATIONAL PARKS CONSERVANCY
THE PRESIDIO TRUST
NATIONAL PARKS SERVICE
THE CHALLENGE
How do we attract and engage diverse communities?
The Golden Gate National Parks area, specifically Chrissy Field and the planning of the upcoming Tunnel Tops Parks, had a low visitation and representation from people in neighborhoods other than the surrounding ones. There was an opportunity to engage diverse communities from all around the city and the Bay Area in the master plan for the Tunnel Tops and the “Chrissy Field rethink” project. Special consideration was given to underserved and marginalized populations.
What do ethnically and socioeconomic diverse communities want from an open space?
What kind of meaningful experiences resonate with these communities when it comes to parks and green spaces?
How do we engage these communities in the planning process?
Scansion started by identifying which communities were most underrepresented in the planning process and designed an engagement methodology based on their assets and life experiences, not only on their barriers for participation.
We conducted ethnographic research to understand in depth the kind of experiences, and their associated needs, communities expect to have when they visit green spaces. And then, we collaborated with our clients in developing strategies for long-term engagement while developing internal capacity to understand and engage these communities. That led to the development of engagement programs for Chrissy Fields and the master planning process of the Presidio Tunnel Tops.
SOLUTION AND RESULTS
An asset-focused approach to inform master planning.
PROCESS
Experiential tours
We conducted “experiential tours” in which we took groups of community members through the green areas to understand their needs and desired experiences.
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It’s a 25 on a scale of 10. ...There are a lot of folks here who have come to the Presidio for the first time. I heard some kids say, ‘Can we come back next weekend?’
CHRIS LEHNERTZ
Parks Conservancy
President and CEO