Olivia Carpenter
Olivia Carpenter

The current usage of and conditions in Farnham Park are not optimal. The park cultivates a strong sense of place amongst the community. Efforts to rehabilitate the park could be effectively undertaken by the mobilization and empowerment of the community-based social system
2002 Urban Fellow
Research Topic: Land Use Planning and Management
Faculty Advisor: William Burch
Rainbows in the Puddles: A Covenant of Hope in Manifest Neglect
Since children are the most frequent users of the park space, I conducted an investigation with three goals surrounding youth engagement. First, I wanted to determine how engaging youth in environmental education and park rehabilitation would lead to changes in their sense of place. Second, I wanted to determine how said action resulted in an increased sense of community ownership and civic responsibility. Third, I wanted to determine the impact of youth mobilization and community service on decisions made by those who control larger decisions on the political and social landscapes.