Confronting Power and Privilege for Inclusive and Equitable Trails

Not all trails and parks are created equally. Low-income and racialized minority populations are often excluded (intentionally or not) from fully and fairly participating as stakeholders in key decisions regarding local and regional trails and parks. This creates a multitude of preventable barriers to equitable and inclusive park and trail use among BIPOC communities. The session will first focus on the national picture and will then focus in on how this is being navigated locally. 

Charles T. Brown, MPA, Founder and Managing Principal of Equitable Cities, LLC

In this presentation, Charles will give an overview on the concept of equity, highlight the importance of recognizing other social identities (e.g., age, ability, gender), and share an equity and justice framework to help mitigate and eradicate barriers to parks and trails for all residents, but particularly marginalized communities and populations. Charles T. Brown, MPA is founder and managing principal of Equitable Cities, LLC—a nationally known urban planning, policy, research, and multimedia firm working at the intersection of transportation, health, and equity.

Jordan Exantus, AICP, LEED AP Planner Coordinator at The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission

When planning for new and existing parks and trails, community engagement is an integral step to ensuring project success. How does facility design impact user safety and public health? How do you mitigate community concerns about project impacts, build consensus and encourage participation?

Hear from Jordan Exantus, Lead Park Planner with the Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation, about how community engagement was conducted during the planning process for the Central Avenue Connector Trail project in Prince George’s County. 

Register here: https://waba.org/blog/2019/10/washington-region-vision-zero-summit/