Engaging community members in the design,
implementation and care of green infrastructure
Green Infrastructure Conference
November 17, 2010
Syracuse, NY
Maren King, Director, SUNY ESF CCDR
Rebecca Kanfer, Master of Landscape Architecture candidate
SUNY ESF Center for Community Design Research
One Forestry Drive
Syracuse, NY
315-470-4721 www.esf.edu/ccdr
SUNY ESF Center for Community Design Research
• Facilitates projects where students and
citizens work together, learn from each other
and serve the wider society
• Grounded in the practices of
– Community Design
– Placemaking
“To decide to be someplace as members
of a community demands that we
become active placemakers again,
that we participate with others in our
communities in thoughtful, careful,
responsible action .”
Placemaking, Linda Schneekloth and Robert Shibley
Green Infrastructure Planning: Incorporating the
Benefits of Community Engagement
• Gather local knowledge
• Share local and expert
knowledge
• Create community dialogue
and consensus
• Understand issues and
opportunities
• Build support and partnerships
McGroarty Park
Danforth Middle School
The Basic Principles
• Have an engaged community partner
• Explore the relationship of people and place
• Provide opportunities for meaningful
contributions
• Respect and acknowledge the community
contributions
• Creatively integrate new knowledge and
information
• Extend involvement into implementation
McGroarty Park
The ESSENTIAL Foundation:
An Engaged Community Partner
McGroarty Park
Explore the relationship of people and place
McGroarty Park
• What are the physical and
social characteristics of the
neighborhood and park?
• What does the park mean
to the residents?
Provide opportunities for meaningful contributions
McGroarty Park
• Provide facilitation
• Create safe place for
dialogue
• How you ask questions
matters
Provide opportunities for meaningful contributions
McGroarty Park
Respect and acknowledge community contribution
McGroarty Park
•
•
•
•
•
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Record
Organize
Analyze
Synthesize
Apply
Confirm
Goals
• Through the redevelopment of McGroarty Park our
neighborhood desires to create and sustain a green
open space that:
– Contributes positively to the traditional residential
image and character of the neighborhood
– Supports a strong sense of welcome, community
and belonging
– Provides a setting for neighborhood gathering and
relaxation
– Promotes reflection on the lives of those that
sacrifice for the common good
– Encourages neighborhood stewardship and
partnership with the city
Creatively integrate new knowledge
and information
McGroarty Park
• Park design process
Benefits of G.I.
– Experiential/applied learning
• Green infrastructure
– Illustrated presentation
– Application in design studies
• Park stewardship
– Illustrated presentation
– Brainstorm of strategies
Norris Square Park, Philadelphia, PA
Extend involvement into project implementation
McGroarty Park
• Action strategies
• Completion of a descriptive final
master plan
• Green infrastructure installation
• Follow-up guidance
Danforth Middle School Garden
The ESSENTIAL Foundation:
An Engaged Community Partner
Danforth Middle School
Explore the relationship of people and place
Danforth Middle School
•How are gardens
meaningful/ beneficial in a
school setting?
•What community resources
are available to the school?
Provide opportunity for meaningful contributions
Danforth Middle School
•Design process planning
•Student workshops
•Design implementation
Provide opportunity for meaningful contributions
Danforth Middle School
What do we need to know to design a garden?
What does a garden mean to you?
“The most important thing about my
garden is that it is peaceful and looks with
no harm with animals that get along
(birds). It has a path to heaven.” -Raven
“The reason I like my garden is because it will make
me feel calm and relaxed.
My garden would be my Secret Garden.
My Garden would be a place I would go to clear my
head and think, sing, and write things.” -Moni
Respect and acknowledge community contribution
Danforth Middle School
•Analysis and coding of
student drawings and
narrative
•Process revealed a
powerful message
•Development of themes
Respect and acknowledge community contribution
Danforth Middle School
Native
Woodland
Urban
Agriculture
Neighborhood
Ornamental garden
Outdoor classroom
Creatively integrate new knowledge
and information
Danforth Middle School
•Workshops with hands on activities
Images
Narrative
Drawings
•Activities integrated into 8th grade
art and earth science classes
Extend involvement into project implementation
Danforth Middle School
•Field trip to local greenhouse
for plant selection
•Garden planting
•Ongoing care and
development of future phases
Closing Thoughts:
• Cast your net broadly – invite broad
participation
• Provide guidance and continuity
• Nurture the network