Setting a Higher Bar: Improving Social, Economic, and Physical Accessibility in Parks and Public Spaces

Join us to learn how to provide both access to and accessibility within parks and public spaces in a way that resonates with the communities they serve. Participants will explore strategies for designing engaging parks that seamlessly integrate into the urban fabric, while also promoting walkability and accessibility. The invited panelists will cover recent examples of parks and public spaces in the Dallas-Fort Worth area that have challenged themselves to accommodate diverse individuals of all abilities and to provide direct health benefits to current and future residents of our city.

Learning Objectives:
Participants will identify innovative design approaches that foster community engagement and appeal to all members, ensuring inclusive and welcoming spaces for all.

Participants will learn to promote the incorporation of biophilic elements and greenspaces, harnessing the numerous health benefits they offer while addressing challenges of equitable access to nature.

Participants will learn to anticipate and proactively address future community needs, creating dynamic and adaptable parks that evolve alongside the changing urban landscape.

Participants will learn to effectively address feedback and concerns regarding accessibility, ensuring that the designed spaces are truly barrier-free and inclusive for individuals with diverse abilities and needs.