Building Common Ground

Building Common Ground is a practical, flexible toolkit designed to help park practitioners create more vibrant public spaces.

Developed by the Trust for Public Land, this resource builds on the Common Ground Framework, a research-based approach to strengthening parks as essential places that foster connection, belonging, and community wellbeing.

Informed by feedback from more than 70 park practitioners across 20 cities, this toolkit translates research into actionable steps you can use in your day-to-day work.

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Why this toolkit matters

Building Common Ground helps you:

• Center community voices in park planning and design

• Strengthen relationships and trust across diverse groups

• Turn engagement into lasting impact

• Create parks that reflect and serve the people who use them

How to use this toolkit

You can use this resource at any stage of a project—whether you’re just getting started or refining your approach.

Start here:

Identify your project
Reflect on why it matters. Who does it serve? How will their lives improve?

Choose a Mindset
Ground your approach in a perspective that supports meaningful engagement.

Select a Mode
Pick a way of working that aligns with where you are in the process.

Take Action
Use the suggested activities to begin, adapt, and learn as you go.

You can work through the toolkit independently or with a team—and over time, mix and match Mindsets, Modes, and Actions to fit your needs.

This toolkit is organized into three components:

• Mindsets: Attitudes that shape how we approach our work

• Modes: Ways of working

• Actions: Steps to get moving, make progress, and learn

Each Action card guides you through:

• What to do

• Why it matters

• How to get started

Activation questions to answer with your team

Who it’s for

This toolkit is designed for:

• Park and recreation professionals

• City planners and agency staff

• Community-based organizations

• Designers, facilitators, and advocates

Whether you’re leading a large capital project or a small neighborhood initiative, Building Common Ground can support more thoughtful, inclusive engagement.

Get started

Ready to begin?

Explore the toolkit and start building stronger connections in your parks and communities.

Get the Toolkit

Looking for more support?

Reach out to our team to inquire about training and technical assistance opportunities.