Public participation in shaping our own reality is a topic that began with the emergence of a democratic society, and since the 1960s, it gained momentum. However, theoretical and practical examples reveal ineffectiveness of legally prescribed methods of public participation and problems that arise during their implementation. Additionally, a definitional problem of key concepts in the area of public participation in environmental decision-making, such as the imprecision of the notion of landscape, public, and participation, is evident. It limits the research, development, and the implementation of effective participation. Moreover, an extensive amount of methods and tools have been developed in different areas and for various purposes, resulting in ambiguity related to the concept and practice of public participation. Although public participation is deemed necessary by many public agencies, and is embedded at all levels of decision-making, there are very few detailed strategic guidelines that could help decision-making bodies understand when and how to engage the public. That is why this paper focuses on the collection and description of various theories of the notions often used in defining participation and participatory methods, tools, and processes that appear in the practice, and their systematization. Our aim is to call attention to different selection criteria and start a wider discussion of issues that are gaining ever more significance in our society.