A DePaul University-community forum will take a close look at the parks of Lincoln Park, including the one for which the community is named, May 2 at 7 p.m. in Schmitt Academic Center, 2350 N. Kenmore Ave., Room 154.

The panel discussion, entitled “A Breath of Fresh Air: Parks and the Lincoln Park Community,” will address such questions as: Who are the parks for? In what ways do they mirror the community? What are the politics of these public spaces? How have changing demographics impacted Lincoln Park and the smaller community parks?

Panelists are: Richard W. Alberts, a former coordinator of urban renewal projects, City of Chicago; Julia S. Bachrach, historian and preservationist, Chicago Park District; Sally Chappell, a retired professor of art, DePaul University; Ald. Vi Daley (43rd); and Kathleen Dickhut, assistant commissioner, City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development. Award-winning journalist Bill Kurtis is the forum moderator.

A reception will be held at 6:30 p.m. Both events are free and open to the public.

“A Breath of Fresh Air” is sponsored by the Lincoln Park Community Research Initiative, a community-university partnership in support of community research.

To R.S.V.P. for this program or for more information about the research initiative, call DePaul’s Office of Community and Government Relations, at 312/362-8100.