Evaluating the effectiveness of landscape architects and public engagement on parks and recreation projects.

Abstract

This research investigates the effectiveness of landscape architects and public engagement on parks and recreation projects. Landscape architects have contributed to over 90 percent of park projects in the United States. The most successful park projects often include on-going community participation. Because landscape architects serve as facilitator and leader during public engagement throughout these projects, their effectiveness and preparation directly correlate to successful engagement sessions. Projects benefit from valuable citizen knowledge and opinion via successful community engagement. The research methods in this report include professional interviews and analysis of Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PRO) elements of Comprehensive Plans. Subjects of interviews include designers, city department staff, and engagement/development consultants. The results of the interviews reveal the most common methods and strategies used in public engagement, as well as the advantages and disadvantages within their strategies. The analysis of the interview responses shows the most effective public engagement strategy actively seeks as much community participation across four main phases within the project: Pre-project Phase, Project Planning and Kick-off Phase, Design Development and Feedback Phase, and Recommendations and Beyond. A comparative analysis of the interview responses and the document analysis results in a foundational understanding of successful public engagement strategies. The most important understanding is that active citizen participation must be pursued within each phase of parks and recreation department planning and project development. Specific recommendations are included in the report which can be used as a starting point for landscape architects as they prepare to work with communities and their parks.