As the pandemic transformed the landscape of park engagement, cities got creative, finding new ways to involve communities through digital platforms and distanced outdoor activities in lieu of traditional town halls. We heard from city staff that experimenting with these new methods has allowed them to reach broader audiences and rethink engagement practices moving forward.

However, the rush to meet emerging needs through pop-up projects like pedestrianized streets sometimes meant engagement was expedited or bypassed altogether. Communities have taken notice, making their voices heard through advocacy on issues from golf courses to encampments, sometimes using parks as a space of protest.

In light of these new pressures and opportunities, some cities are changing their approach to park engagement, prioritizing ongoing relationship-building with communities beyond one-off project consultations. To aid this work, cities are moving toward approaches that better share power with communities, including co-designing engagement processes, employing community members to engage their peers, letting communities lead the sense-making process after gathering feedback, and more.