The (composite) Role of a Parks Planner (September 3, 2024)
... i.e., propriety knowledge acquisition
We respectfully acknowledge that the traditional land on which we reside is in Treaty Six Territory. We would like to thank the diverse Indigenous Peoples whose ancestors’ footsteps have marked this territory for centuries, such as nêhiyaw (Nay-hee-yow) / Cree, Dene (Deh-neyh), Anishinaabe (Ah-nish-in-ah-bay) /Saulteaux (So-toe), Nakota Isga (Na-koh-tah ee-ska) / Nakota Sioux (Na-koh-tah sue), and Niitsitapi (Nit-si-tahp-ee) / Blackfoot peoples. We also acknowledge this as the Métis’ (May-tee) homeland and the home of one of the largest communities of Inuit south of the 60th parallel. It is a welcoming place for all peoples who come from around the world to share Edmonton as a home. Together we call upon all of our collective, honoured traditions and spirits to work in building a great city for today and future generations. (Source: City of Edmonton Office of Indigenous Relations)
Vlog Overview
My vlog series is a collection of practice and research reflections. My practice included 32+ years of parks and urban planning experience combined with my Phd dissertation (2019). My research focussed on park land decision-making processes in Edmonton, Alberta, using institutional theory. My practice was engaged in municipal processes that included park lands identification, park land assembly, zoning, funding, construction, programming and maintenance. I seek to provide a balanced perspective, but I do offer strong opinions/biases on the importance and values of parks recreational and leisure benefits and outcomes sourced from both my practice and literature. As a life long learner, I continue my learning journey as a board member volunteer with the North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society and the Canadian Institute of Planners.
Ice Sculpture : The (composite) Role of a Parks Planner
I am currently a sessional lecturer in Urban Parks Systems Planning at the University of Alberta. I am teaching a course called Parks Planning, which I am rebranding to Wicked Parks Planning, where I discuss some of the many nuances of land use and park system decision-making from both the literature and 30+ years of practitioner experiences. To prepare for this course, I am sharing a short video presentation, that I share here, about the role of a parks planner in municipal systems planning, acquisition, design, construction, programming and maintenance.
Each jurisdiction is organized differently which in itself can empower or disempower the park planning function vis a vis other planning functions in a corporation. I prepared as a composite role and function based on my own practice, in multiple roles, that I had the pleasure to deliver, and to pay homage to what the always passionate park planners can bring to sustainable city development practices.