Catherine McNeur, professor of history, PSU, and author of Taming Manhattan: Environmental Battles in the Antebellum City, will probe the beginnings of Central Park and how its development influence our attitudes and practices with parks today, Carl Abbott, emeritus professor of urban studies and planning, PSU, and author of Portland in Three Centuries and many other books about Portland, will reflect on how the Olmsted firm's work in Portland shaped the city in both good and questionable ways.