Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/1903/21474

The Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS) is administered by the National Center for Smart Growth at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD). It is a campus-wide initiative that harnesses the expertise of UMD faculty and the energy and ingenuity of UMD students to help Maryland communities become more environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable. PALS is designed to provide innovative, low-cost assistance to local governments while creating real-world problem-solving experiences for University of Maryland graduate and undergraduate students.

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Author: search.filters.author.Espinoza, MariaEnd date: 2019

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    A Framework Plan for Preservation and Growth in Creswell, Harford County, Maryland
    (Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS), 2019-06) Ali, Bilal; Latimer, Sarah; MacKereth, Nick; Nye, Kari; Ottalini, Russ; Smith, Jerah; Weller, AnnaLinden; Clites, Philip; Espinoza, Maria; Kerner, Bridget; Phelps, Brooks; Scott, Sacsheen; Goldsborough, Elena; Avin, Uri; Noonkester, Matt
    HarfordNEXT, the county’s 2016 Masterplan, calls for a comprehensive analysis of facilities needed to serve Creswell and asserts that future development must be compatible with the preservation of Creswell’s rural character. This mandate is the basis for the present study, conducted under the auspices of the University of Maryland’s PALS program in the spring semester of 2019. The HarfordNEXT language about the Creswell study is also the basis for five of this report’s goals: Conserve Farming; Protect the Environment; Preserve Rural Character; Minimize Traffic Impacts; Maintain Adequate Infrastructure. In addition to these goals, the team added two others: Provide Additional Housing; Ensure Positive Fiscal Impact. This course examined TDR (transfer of development rights) using CommunityViz software, and also conducted scenario planning using transportation and fiscal models. The appendix document was a collaborative effort, with the following courses completing the background reports for sewer and water infrastructure, environmental impacts, and public services in the Creswell area: ENCE422 Project Cost Accounting and Economics, LARC642 Graduate Studio III, LAW577B Environmental Legal Clinic, and URSP640 Growth Management and Environmental Planning.
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    Brookside Gardens Stroll for Wellness
    (Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS), 2018) Barnes, Marquis; Duly, Olivia; Espinoza, Maria; Fields, Allison; Garcia, Catherine; Greenhawk, Rachel; Jackson, Jovon; Meilman, Jessica; Nola, Raena; Ren, Xiaoxuan; Rodado, Robert; Russell, Sherry; Schaum, Evan-Claire; Simpson, Lotoia; Tran, Cecilia; Whims, Jasmine; Young, Ryan; Sullivan, Jack
    The positive benefits of exposure to nature and green spaces related to wellness are well-documented. A structured walk in a garden or park setting, in combination with reflective journaling, has proven to be invaluable and life-changing to community members suffering from the adverse effects of stress and trauma suffering from grief, depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and other types of trauma, all of which are becoming more prevalent in our society. The Morikami Japanese Gardens in Florida, the Bloedel Reserve in Washington, and other publicly accessible gardens have developed these types of guided wellness programs. These are often referred to as prescribed or suggested “strolls” that are mapped for improving mindful, active, and engaged contact with nature. A therapeutic walking program promotes well-being and resilience in the face of adversity. With the large population of veterans in Maryland communities, plus countless local medical providers serving clients suffering from a diverse challenges, Brookside Gardens is located and poised to serve these populations and improve wellness outcomes for a range of Maryland and regional residents. As Brookside Gardens is poised to expand on health and wellness programming, it has sought the assistance of the University of Maryland’s Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS). PALS assists local governments while offering valuable real-world problem-solving experience for graduate and undergraduate students. In spring 2018, the Landscape Architecture Program collaborated with PALS and Brookside Gardens to create a Special Topics Course (LARC 489Z) that offered research and technical support for the proposed “Stroll for Wellness” program. There are many populations near the Gardens who might benefit from guided wellness programming, including those suffering from trauma, depression or chronic illness. A growing body of research has documented nature’s healing effects and Brookside Gardens offers a safe, inspirational setting where visitors can immerse themselves in nature with the kinetic experience of moving through garden spaces, a resource that can spark creativity and introspection.
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    Waterfront Design for Resilience: Annapolis Maritime Harbor
    (Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS), 2016) Espinoza, Maria; Chanse, Victoria
    Key issues addressed: Sea level rise at the 5 foot inundation and storm surge; Enhance the current event space by providing multifaceted spaces; Keeping the working waterfront; Connect Annapolis maritime history and protect current memorials and waterfront stores.
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    Fulton South Community Park Project
    (Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS), 2015) Collier, Nathan; Dennis, Mark; Espinoza, Maria; Lague, Renee; Reilly, Dylan; Shirazi, Saeed; Yi, Vincent; Ellis, Christopher D.
    Fulton South is an 77 acre site owned by Howard County at the intersection of Route 29 and Rocky Gorge Reservoir. Howard County plans to create a community park at the Fulton South site. The Fulton South Conceptual Plan is the result of a Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability (PALS) collaboration between Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks and a team of graduate students in Landscape Architecture at the University of Maryland. The design team was asked to prepare a detailed site analysis and two master plans for the site that include connectivity with the local community, ample and diverse recreational opportunities, and valuable habitat conservation/expansion.