This peer conversation invites participants into a candid dialogue about what it means for a nonprofit park to “grow out” and “grow up.” Discussion leaders from Moncus Park in Lafayette, LA—including executive leadership, landscape designers, and operations staff—will share how the park is activating its underutilized back 50 acres while evolving its staffing, funding, and governance models to meet increasing demand. The session will explore how to align spatial master planning with organizational growth, and how to build flexibility into a master plan to accommodate changing community needs and regional draw.
A key focus will be on implementation strategy: how to balance donor enthusiasm and funding opportunities with design integrity and operational sustainability. This includes strategies for managing donor expectations, prioritizing projects, and maintaining a cohesive park identity over time. Participants will leave with practical insights and peer-tested strategies for evolving their own parks and public spaces—without compromising the values that made them special in the first place.
Note: This Peer Conversation is a closed session for conservancy and individual park nonprofit leaders and staff only and is not available to general conference participants. If you represent a conservancy or individual park nonprofit, please add your name to the waitlist. Conference organizers will regularly review the waitlist and notify those who are moved into the session or are ineligible to attend so they can register for an alternative.