Community-Engaged Park Building
The Park in a Truck (PiaT) initiative is a community-driven green space development model that transforms vacant lots into sustainable neighborhood parks. Designed to address inequities in park access, the project partners closely with residents to acquire land, co-design and build parks, and train local teens as paid Park Ambassadors who maintain and program the spaces. By centering community leadership and embedding long-term stewardship into the process, PiaT reframes underutilized lots as valuable neighborhood assets. I work with PiaT to evaluate the impact of this initiative on individual and community health.
Research on Park in a Truck
Colleagues and I research the health benefits of participating in the PiaT process on neighborhood youth. We have:
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Collected qualitative data among Park Ambassadors including semi-structured interviews with 17 youth about their perspectives on their responsibilities, and the impact of the program on their health and wellness.
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Autophotography activities resulting in pictures and narrative reflections about park activities.
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Conducted surveys among PAs and control youth about health behaviors, stress, self-esteem and community perceptions.