Ten secrets of successful community park groups [P4P]

Ten secrets of successful 

community park groups 

1. Empower and support volunteer members

2. Foster cohesion through authentic dialogue (Martha Lopez-Gilpin)
 Make yourself visible
 Keep people informed
 Build personal relationships
 Be a good listener
 Look for win-win opportunities

3. Create positive interactions with city agencies, elected officials, appointed officials, and the public
(Martha Lopez Gilpin)
 Park Users
 Civic Associations
 Block, Tenant and Neighborhood Associations
 Other park groups in your area
 Elected Officials: City Councilmember, Mayor, Borough President

4. Use diverse tools and media to reach different people (Chauncy Young)

5. Work hard to promote and celebrate group successes (Chauncy Young)

6. Have fun! Play with inspiring local goals like creating the best little park in New York City (Len Maniace)

7. Don’t miss opportunities to improve your group’s diversity. It is easy to fall into the pattern of having members from the same ethnic, economic, or age groups (Len Maniace)

8. Be open to new ideas and issues that are related to your park and environmental goals. Groups lose energy and fade away if their issues do not excite members and the general community (Len Maniace)

9. Look for opportunities to partner with non-park and non- environmental organizations to get projects done and increase clout with elected officials (Len Maniace)

10. Activate the space: ask people what they want, and then help them do it! (Emily Pinkowitz)


[emphasis added]

AstoriaParkAlliance.blogspot.com/2013/11/thank-you-Partnerships-for-Parks-2013