Over the summer, Growing Up Boulder worked with middle and high school students from the I Have a Dream Foundation (IHAD) to document what they like (green frames) and don't like (red frames) about public spaces in Boulder and the current civic area in particular (See Civic Area Projects).  They shared these ideas at a public meeting in July at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art and again at a public meeting at Boulder High School on September 12th. 
In general, students like the green spaces, bike paths, and public gathering spaces.  They would like to see more public art and space for soccer and play.  They expressed concerns about their safety in the evening and when there are large groups of homeless near the pathways.  They said they would like to see a stronger police presence and perhaps a shelter for homeless in the area.

In addition to the work with IHAD, GUB is also engaging from Casey Middle School, Boulder High School, New Vista High School, and the Earth Task Force at New Vista to bring vision to the civic area planning process.

The public meeting on September 12th had broad participation of about 110 residents, youth, and Environmental Design students from the University of Colorado.  Shane Coen of Coen+Partners presented inspiration from great places around the world, and a comparative study of the benefits of open space and ecological infrastructure.  The presentations were followed by small group workshops.  The participation of youth from IHAD, Boulder High youth, and ENVD students in the event gave real youth voice to the visioning process for the civic area.

CYE Center for Community Engagement Environmental Design Program, University of Colorado Boulder

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