The innovative aspects of Brink’s research stems from the health-related benefits of Learning Landscapes (www.Learninglandscapes.org), a schoolyard redevelopment initiative she founded in 1998. Under her watch as principal designer and researcher (and volunteer construction foreman and laborer), Learning Landscapes (LL) became an innovative $50 million design and construction program that completed all 96 Denver elementary public schools. LL’s mission was threefold: 1) design and construct play environments for healthy living that address the whole child–social, emotional, academic, and nutritional well-being; 2) empower children and communities through, community organizing, healthy eating and active living, and 3) evaluate and research these activities in a comprehensive manner. 

Brink came from private practice to the University of Colorado in 1988 with a passion for using landscape architecture to effect real change in communities: “I believe in what we do and I show that by doing it”. Her academic & professional strengths come from lessons learned while building a movement in Denver relying on basic “collective impact” principles: a common agenda, shared measurement, and backbone support. Partnering closely with the Denver Public School District, she was intimately involved in budget planning and development for the bond offerings put before Denver voters in 2003 ($300 million) and 2008 ($400 million).

Brink’s knowledge and experience of children’s development and play—coupled with her 45 years as a landscape architect—is critical to other similar initiatives. During her stewardship of Learning Landscapes, the organization made substantial progress in Colorado and across the country. Professor Brink is currently examining the sustainability of schoolyard redevelopment through three other efforts: 1) International Green Schoolyards Alliance and its global lessons effort, 2) An evaluation of Denver Public Schools Learning Landscapes program, and 3) Working with North Philadelphia Schools and the School District of Philadelphia to redevelop schoolyards as part of the City’s green infrastructure program. 

Most recently she is supporting The Big SandBox (TBS), a young non-profit organization that supports small-scale neighborhood efforts and grows them into large system-wide community change. They help build sustainable, healthy communities through educational, cultural, and historically grounded projects and initiatives that improve the physical and emotional well-being of children, young adults and citizens of all ages. Current work is focused on a strategic launch of NOLA’s Big Green Vision Plan in partnership with the New Orleans Office of Youth and Families. The Nature Everywhere Campaign is a two-year effort to reduce nature inequity throughout the city.

As the first female full professor at the College of Architecture and Planning, Professor Brink has a strong commitment to diversity. Her research and teaching efforts focus on marginalized communities of Denver, Philadelphia and New Orleans. 

"Today, our landscapes and their history and culture are very present and politically charged. We have an opportunity to rethink how we engage affected communities in a manner empathetic to their values."