How can we better understand what green space means to those who live closest to it, and how storytelling can serve as a way to reclaim narratives around land, nature, and belonging? This session explores case studies where storytelling was intentionally embedded in the planning and design process to acknowledge legacies of marginalization and elevate the resilience, unity, and cultural identity that arose in response. It also shares community-based research in the Black community of North Minneapolis to explore their connections to Theodore Wirth Park, a large urban park that holds both historical weight and current relevance.
The case studies – in two historically recognized golf courses and in a new park in a predominantly Black community that celebrates its legacy and impact on the entire community – demonstrate how authentic and empathetic community engagement can be the foundation for creating spaces of remembrance, resilience, and renewal.
In a related approach, Stories of Connection is a community-based research project grounded in the belief that our stories can challenge dominant systems and shape more inclusive programming. Emerging from conversations with community elders, it yielded a digital StoryMap that brings these stories to life through spatial features, quotes, and community-curated visuals. Beyond the map itself, the themes and insights from the project are being used to inform several initiatives at a local foundation including art installations around the park, the development of children’s storybooks, and future community programming.
