REDLab at CELA 2025

At the 2025 Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA) conference in Portland, Oregon, Dr. Jessica Fernandez and doctoral student Shirin Rezaeimalek represented the REDLab with a presentation on equitable park access and community health. Ms. Rezaeimalek shared research exploring how park characteristics and socio-economic conditions shape visitation patterns in Atlanta’s community parks. By analyzing data from 30 parks using a combination of smartphone mobility tracking, satellite imagery, and census data, the study revealed that income levels and specific amenities significantly influence park use, while greenery levels alone do not. These findings offer critical insights for park design and investment, suggesting that equitable access depends on the availability of high-impact amenities that meet diverse community needs.

Doctoral student Shirin Rezaeimalek presenting research.

Networking and enjoying time with colleagues at the conference.

Ira Keller Fountain in Portland, Oregon.