In the context of the recent acquisition of the Pine Street African Burial Ground, KaN Landscape Design, in partnership with Harambee Coalition, the Kingston YMCA Farm Project and the Kingston Land Trust, created and facilitate a series of design workshops with the Kingston YMCA Farm Project’s students and the Kingston communities.
On account of the significant cultural and historical legacy of the site and the inclusive community-oriented design process, the series were filmed by Growing Films to produce a documentary which would allow for a broader national conversation. The series of workshops gave the students the tools and skills to comprehend the process of community engagement, site analyzing, and propose creative/inclusive design and programing answers. The youth team launched the series with a public event to present the overall project to the community. Throughout the series, special guests were invited to share their knowledge and professional skills; local and statewide based archaeologists, architects, artists, historians… The Youth Led Design Project culminated in March 2020 with a public presentation at the Ulster County Restorative Justice and Community Empowerment Center were the youth received a standing ovation that recognized the high quality of their work and their leadership in the community.
KaN is currently in contract to develop the design and help with the fundraising campaign.