This paper examines what we did wrong in the past and what we are currently doing right in our work with urban soils. Beginning with a brief review of the history of conservation and management of urban soils, we will examine variations in soil properties due to the planned or random use of urban soils. A main thrust of the presentation is to examine the visual images that drive the mental perceptions of the value of urban soils. The relative value of soil and water resources in urban areas is reflected in differences in public policy and management. Over time and in different locations this value has changed from dumping ground to sustainable part of an ecosystem. Thus public use of urban soils spans a wide range from abuse (random or planned) to conservation (random or planned). Our goal as soil scientists serving urban areas is to raise awareness of the value of soil and water resources and to provide the scientific documentation to change public policy and management. This will help urban managers to minimize random abuse of urban soils and to resist the economic temptations of planned abuse. We present practical and inexpensive options for changing public perception to favor sustainable use of urban soils.