eng Science and Education Publishing Applied Ecology and Environmental Sciences 2013-11-15 1 6 113 119 10.12691/aees-1-6-3 AEES2013163 article Alcindo Neckel alcindoneckel@yahoo.com.br 1 Luciana Londero Brandli 2 Pedro Domingos Marques Prietto 2 Departmentof Geography, Federal University of Rio Grande of Sul, Brazil Post-graduation in Engineering, Infrastructure and Environment, University of Passo Fundo, Brazil The objective of this project was to turn an impacted area at The University City Lot in Passo Fundo, Brazil, into an urban park through the local community effort, since urban green areas play an important role in environmental quality and sustainability. Qualitative research methods were applied and a plan of action to present to the municipal authorities was elaborated in a participatory manner, which included several environmental perception surveys, soil profile and water quality parameters identification, remediation and preventive actions to increase soil and water quality. Overall, research results in 2005 and 2010 have shown greater native plant diversity with evidence of improved soil and water quality, contributing to the environmental recovery and the community quality of life. http://pubs.sciepub.com/aees/1/6/3/aees-1-6-3.pdf Brazilian parksurban parksenvironmental recoveryenvironmental preservation