While the construction of accessible & fun play spaces is at the core of MTWB’s work, these projects serve as vehicles for intensive engagement & community-building opportunities. Our engagement initiatives run through all phases of a project, from site selection & conceptual design, through construction, opening, programming & maintenance.

MTWB works with numerous partners to cultivate playground & neighborhood stewards, community buy-in, strengthening the health & wellness of the surrounding community.

Community Engagement

Participatory Design

Adult helping youth use a power drill to construct picnic table

Four people looking down at design renderings.

Four teens around table arranging labels for design activity

MTWB’s Participatory Design practice is founded on the belief that partnership between communities and design professionals is essential for equitable results. Trust is established between community and designers by engaging adult neighbors and youth. The process is geared at upending the typical top-down activity while solidifying the current parkusers’ role as experts of their home park. Multiple design workshops and other activities are facilitated by both community members and project designers. This helps to solidify relationships that will carry throughout the design and construction processes.

Youth Project Team

A group of smiling people in construction vests

A woman leading young people through an activity

Three young men posing in a high school hallway

A boy named Tariq Bazemore holding up a $5,000 scholarship award

MTWB’s Youth Project Team is designed to engage youth in all phases of the project and is done in partnership with the Greater Philadelphia ACE Mentor Program. Youth Project Team students participate in hands-on activities, meet with industry professionals who are involved with the park design and construction, attend field trips, put together project presentations, and get first-hand exposure to various career opportunities. In addition, seniors who participate in the Youth Project Team program are eligible for scholarships.

Community Events

Vare gymnastics team during Vare groundbreaking ceremony

Waterloo youth participating in yoga in Waterloo pool

Group photo of MTWB team and Vare community members during Vare Farewell party

MTWB orchestrates a variety of different events for and on behalf of the communities we serve each year.

Capacity and Technical Support

Group of four from Vare community looking over design mock-ups.

Smith community participatory design session in progress.

MTWB team member leading Vare participatory design session.

MTWB often acts as a resource to support community groups and their roles as stewards of their public spaces. Whether it’s attending Advisory Council meetings or assisting with fundraising events/initiatives, MTWB works to continually support the communities our projects serve.

Community Engagement

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