Why subscribe?

This reflective vlog is designed to share the seen and unseen complexities when the land use planning world intersects with the recreation, leisure and parks world. The interests of the two are really the same but the languages spoken are different. Sometimes you need a translator - that is the purpose of this vlog.

Land use planners create spaces (property) allocated across an urban landscape. Spaces are transitioned into (park) places when the public imbues them with meaning. Space is transitioned into place by social actors (i.e., community leagues, organizations, individuals, coaches, ice flooders, etc.) working with municipal government elected officials (i.e., cost shared funding) and staff (i.e., recreation coordinators, landscape architects, construction and maintenance). This carefully choreographed complex network of working relationships connect people with their neighbours and nature, relieve stress of daily life, become physically active with community wide health and wellness benefits. All of these benefits on top of the economic and ecological goods and services necessary for the creation of a sustainable city. This vlog uncovers the complexity of the parks and urban planning underworlds that can be used to inform parks land use and parks service operationalization decision-making.

The opinions expressed are my own, and do not represent the perspectives or positions of any boards or groups with whom I may volunteer my expertise.

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Why Consider THIS Vlog?

My educational credentials include:

• An Honours BA Brock University, Geography and Urban and Environmental Studies (1979)

• A Master of Planning from Queens University School of Urban and Regional Planning (1985)

• A PhD from the University of Alberta (2019) - “Social Actor Engagement in Municipal Decision-Making for Parks, Planning, and Civil Society in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 1960-2010: Institutional Intersections”

• Three terms teaching to fourth year and graduate studies students about Municipal Parks Planning at the University of Alberta, Human Geography School or Urban and Regional Planning, 2016, 2017 and 2021.

My practice credentials include:

• A full member of the Canadian Institute of Planners (25+ years)

• 30+ years experience in working parks, recreation, school and river valley planning with extensive working experience with community development staff, programmers, construction and operational personnel as well as multiple community outreach/ consultation initiatives.

• Director, Canadian Institute Of Planners (current).

• Director, North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society (current).

My Experiences

Work/tasks included:

·      Putting together the 5 year and long-range capital budgets

·      Reviewing area plans, plans of subdivision, zoning, engineering drawings and servicing agreements

·      Policy development including the 2006-2016 Urban Parks Management Plan and the Strathcona County version

·      Developed community need assessments and need assessment training

·      Developed concept plans with the community

·      Was part of and managed public engagement processes

·      Was part of development and redevelopment processes for parks including playgrounds walkways, plazas, lighting, recreation facilities, school facilities, trails, bridges, amenity shelters, inside and outside the river valley

·      Land acquisitions included table lands and river valley lands and natural areas

·      Developed shared park development programs with developers

·      Interface with elected officials and media

·      Multiple conference presentations

My Values

People and ecology first, last and always. I have a special affinity for indigenous peoples, palestinian and kurdish populations, LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent peoples and communities. My motto… “if not now, when.”

My Practice Mentors

It takes a village… I owe what I have learned from Bryce Card, Jill Bradford Green, Dr. David Howell, Lyall Brenneis, Barry Anderson, Peter Millar, Robert Marchak, Gabrielle Barry, Leslie Sparrow, Jim Mackie, Roland Labbe, and Amanda Michelle Priebe. My learning journey continues….

My Perspectives

The views in this vlog are my own based on reflections from my practice, and do not necessarily represent the views and perspectives of my previous employers, or volunteer boards I may represent today.

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