Interview with Warinda Harris, Community Organizer for Central Texas Interfaith

Community organizers across Austin, Texas have long worked to make neighborhood parks safer, more welcoming, and more reflective of local needs, but navigating the City’s processes has often been a barrier. Through the Design Workshop Foundation’s Community Capacity Building Initiative, Central Texas Interfaith (CTI) partnered with planners and designers to create a tool kit that simplifies park activation and strengthen collaboration between residents and City staff. In this Q&A, Warinda Harris, who leads CTI's partnership with the Austin Independent School District (AISD) and the Austin Parks and Recreation, reflects on how the collaboration unfolded, what made the Foundation’s approach impactful, and how the resulting toolkit supports community‑driven engagement.

To begin, can you share your role with Central Texas Interfaith and how you became involved in the Austin parks activation work?

I serve as an organizer with Central Texas Interfaith, where I help residents build the skills and confidence to advocate for the changes they want to see in their neighborhoods. Our involvement in Austin’s park activation work grew directly out of conversations with families who wanted safer, more welcoming public spaces but weren’t sure how to navigate the City’s processes. When we learned about the Design Workshop Foundation’s Community Capacity Building Initiative, it felt like a natural fit and an opportunity to bring technical expertise to a community‑driven effort already taking shape.

From your perspective, what made the Design Workshop Foundation a meaningful partner in this work?

The Design Workshop Foundation approached the partnership with deep respect for community knowledge. They didn’t come in with a predetermined solution. They listened first, asked thoughtful questions, and helped us translate residents’ ideas into clear, actionable steps. Their team brought planning and design expertise that we simply didn’t have access to, but they delivered it in a way that strengthened our organization rather than overshadowing it. That combination of technical skill and humility made them an invaluable partner.

How did the approach developed through your collaboration help simplify or demystify the process of activating parks for your organizers and residents?

Before this project, the process for activating a park felt overwhelming. There were forms, approvals, and City departments that weren’t always easy to navigate. The Design Workshop Foundation helped break everything down into a simple, visual roadmap that showed who to contact, what steps to take, and how long each part typically takes. That clarity made a huge difference. It turned something intimidating into something residents felt they could actually do, and do confidently.

Can you share a moment when you saw the work that you collaborated on with the Design Workshop Foundation directly empower residents or shift how people engaged with their local park?

 One moment that stands out was when a group of students used the toolkit to organize their first community event at a neighborhood park. Instead of waiting for the City to take the lead, they felt empowered to initiate the process themselves. Seeing them walk through the steps, coordinate with City staff, and ultimately bring dozens of families together in the park was powerful. It showed that when people understand the process, they step into leadership roles that strengthen the whole community.

What did the Design Workshop Foundation bring to the table that helped strengthen collaboration between community members and the City?

The Design Workshop Foundation provided expertise that helped community leaders communicate more effectively with the City. By grounding conversations in historical data and an understanding of the landscape, they helped craft clear, shared language. This ensured that both the community and the Parks Department were operating on the same foundation of knowledge, strengthening trust, improving dialogue, and supporting more collaborative decision‑making.

How do you see the toolkit and this partnership shaping future community‑driven park activation efforts in Austin and beyond?

The toolkit gives communities a repeatable, accessible way to move from ideas to action. It’s not just a one‑time resource, it’s something organizers can use again and again as new leaders emerge and new projects take shape. I also think the model we developed with the Design Workshop Foundation has potential far beyond Austin. Many cities struggle with the same challenges around access, equity, and community engagement. This approach shows what’s possible when technical expertise and grassroots leadership come together.