The Neighborhood Design Center hosted The Vision is Yours, a transformative regional forum focused on placemaking and placekeeping, at Joe’s Movement Emporium in Mt. Rainier, MD June 5-6, 2025.
Thank you to everyone who showed up—fully, generously, and with open minds and hearts. We gathered in a time of uncertainty, when the resources we need to do this work can feel scarce. And yet, what this community continues to show is that when material resources thin out, social capital steps in.
We build power in relationships. We find clarity in dialogue. And we move forward — together — by asking the hard questions.
Over two days, we heard bold ideas and witnessed creative sparks fly:
Placemaking is not something we deliver—it’s something we practice together.
That’s what this forum was about: field building not as an abstract aim, but as a lived, collective act. A space to expand our tools, forge new alliances, and name the challenges we face out loud.
In the opening plenary, Marcus Monroe offered us the idea of place sharing—a call to reject scarcity and control, and to instead embrace shared stewardship and co-authorship of our environments. It’s a powerful reframe.
Participants left the forum not just with new ideas, but with renewed energy, deeper connections, and a few new phone numbers in your pocket. We hope the conversations sparked here continue to echo—across projects, neighborhoods, and networks. There’s real work ahead, and real momentum too.
Relive some of the moments—or see what you missed—through our event photo gallery
Eager for more? We’ve included resources and upcoming events below—let’s keep the dialogue going.
Resources
State Of Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Just Communities resources
Build Day Resources
Thank you to everyone who pitched in on the build day activities! We completed new furnishings and native garden planting for the Mount Rainer ES Children’s Reading Garden. It was a joyful and productive day as we came together to enhance the beauty and usability of this local park. For those interested in building the chairs at home, you can find the design plans here.
We also completed a demonstration traffic safety mural on Bunker Hill Road. For anyone interested in learning more about Art in the Right Of Way, please visit our Made You Look project site.