Community Engagement in Parks and Recreation Planning, Carver County, MN

Abstract

This project was completed as part of a year-long partnership between Carver County and the University of Minnesota’s Resilient Communities Project (http://www.rcp.umn.edu). The Carver County Parks Department was beginning the process of updating the parks chapter of the Carver County Comprehensive Plan. Staff wanted to engage traditionally underrepresented populations in the county in the planning process, and explore new and innovative strategies to increase participation among residents of color. The goal of this project was to develop a comprehensive public engagement plan that staff could use to reach traditionally underserved and underrepresented populations. In collaboration with Carver County project leads Marty Walsh, Nate Kabat, and Sam Pertz, a team of students in PA 5253: Designing Planning and Participation Processes, developed a community engagement and public participation plan. A final report and poster from the project are available.