Reimaging Vacant Lots in North Lawndale with Chicago Youth Centers

The teen program at Chicago Youth Centers took a close look at an abandoned park in their neighborhood and were tasked with reimagining it. The were able to analyze and assess the makeup of the neighborhood on an oversized map and noticed the large presence of vacant lots. Teens then used Tinkercad to create designs that envisioned their imagined future of this spaces.

Through a collaboration with the Field Museum and a curriculum framework based on the environment and natural world in Chicago, the teens discovered which native plants would thrive in their lots. The students focused on trees, plants, and animals, the removal of trash and the addition of playgrounds. They wanted to design safe and clean gathering spaces that focused on relaxation and mental health. Many used the addition of elements like water and gardens to promote natural wildlife.

Through a collaboration with SkyART, their projects and planning process were displayed at SkyART’s Heart and Craft event in August 2024.