Outdoor spaces took on new significance during the recent pandemic. While some of us rediscovered parks and trails that we once took for granted, others may still feel the stressors of unwelcoming or inaccessible outdoor areas. Join facilitator Mareshah “MJ” Jackson to discuss what makes an outdoor space a “safe” space. How does one’s identity intersect with security in a park, on a trail, or on a patio? In what ways have our perceptions of these spaces changed, and how may they change in years to come? This conversation is a chance to reflect on the role open spaces play in our lives and how our perceptions may differ from each other’s.

Register for this free online conversation here.

Mareshah "MJ" Jackson is a communication and public involvement consultant at a civil engineering firm. Her writing has appeared in Oregon Humanities magazine and CRAFTMTN, a free zine distributed throughout the Pacific Northwest. She has a master of science in strategic communication from University of Oregon and bachelor of arts in communication studies from UCLA. She’s an advocate for activating urban outdoor spaces and streets, and you can often find her running and biking through the streets of Portland.