Trust for Public Land
The Community Compass
Measuring the Social Impact of Public Spaces
The Community Compass is a practical toolkit designed to help organizations of all sizes understand and strengthen the social impact of their work in parks, public spaces, and community-based programs.
At a time when communities are seeking connection amid growing division, The Community Compass equips practitioners to measure what matters – outcomes like belonging, connection, intergroup contact and trust. With easy-to-use tools and a focus on real-time learning, the Community Compass helps organizations understand who their work is reaching and where impact is strongest.
The Community Compass includes ready-to-use survey tools to measure the impact of programs, events, and public spaces.
Paper surveys: These printable .pdf’s are designed to be printed on 11 x 17 paper, then folded in half to create a booklet. You can use a .pdf editor to customize the surveys.
Digital Surveys: Create your own copy of these Google Forms by clicking the blue “Use Template” button in the top right corner of the form. This will add a copy to your Google Account. You can then customize the survey as needed.
Analyze your survey results using the Community Compass spreadsheet templates:
One-time events: Template, Example with mock data
Pre/Post events: Template, Example with mock data
Measure the impact of programs with a Pre- and Post-Survey on the first and final session of the program.
Program Pre-Survey
Printable: English, Spanish, Marshallese
Digital: English, Spanish, Marshallese
Program Post-Survey
Printable: English, Spanish, Marshallese
Digital: English, Spanish, Marshallese
Measure the impact of events with either a one-time survey or by using a pre- and post-survey at the start and end of the event.
Event One-Time Survey
Printable: English, Spanish, Marshallese
Digital: English, Spanish, Marshallese
Event Pre-Survey
Printable: English, Spanish, Marshallese
Digital: English, Spanish, Marshallese
Event Post-Survey
Printable: English, Spanish, Marshallese
Digital: English, Spanish, Marshallese
Measure the impact of public spaces with either a one-time survey or by using a pre- and post-survey as people enter and leave the space.
Public Space One Time Survey
Printable: English, Spanish, Marshallese
Digital: English, Spanish, Marshallese
Public Space Pre-Survey
Printable: English, Spanish, Marshallese
Digital: English, Spanish, Marshallese
Public Space Post-Survey
Printable: English, Spanish, Marshallese
Digital: English, Spanish, Marshallese
Looking for more support?
Reach out to our team to inquire about training and technical assistance opportunities.
