This work addresses the critical need for youth inclusion in the evaluation of outdoor community spaces (OCS) through the development of pilot youth-engaged workshops. Grounded in strengths-based theoretical frameworks, the workshops emphasize identifying and leveraging individual and community assets to foster positive development. The workshops use participatory action research principles, positioning youth as active researchers and equipping them with the skills and knowledge to assess their local environments; encouraging youth to recognize and build upon existing resources and empower them to shape their OCS.

Motivated by the understanding that adolescents' engagement with their surroundings significantly influences their well-being, sense of belonging, and overall development, this work developed a replicable and scalable model for youth-engaged workshops focused on evaluating OCS, as well as a youth-engaged audit tool reflecting young peoples’ needs and preferences. The research considers the need for a range of culturally responsive methodologies that allow youth to apply their contextual understanding when generating and analyzing data. This work contributes to the fields of youth development, space assessment and planning, and participatory action research by providing evidence for the effectiveness of strengths-based, youth-engaged approaches to evaluating and reimagining OCS.