Our Parks, Our Story; The Advocates Long Road to Park Equity

1.  Diversifying your approach adds to the success of community-based efforts
2.  Celebrating small wins is essential for maintaining and increasing participation
3.  Patience is important in advocacy work
4.  Establish goals so the work is not on-going; forever going.

What began roughly 2010 in a community’s attempt to address its problem park is currently with the activation programs at two of the community’s seven park system: a vibrant community garden at Palm Center Park and Zumba at Zollie every Saturday morning. Every place has a story and every place has a purpose. Yet the places discussed in this session are the seven (7) parks in the Old Spanish Trails (OST)/South Union community that have experienced years of neglect. The contributing reasons for their decline vary on the perspective:  a changing demographic that has become generations removed from the historical significance of the park, a drop in surrounding incomes, and social and economic disinvestments from both private and public markets.

The impetus for the reinvestment in the OST/South Union parks system and the call for the reinvestment of the OST/SU parks system generated from the community and its residents desire to transform their community into a healthier, more vibrant, and economically stable one. Current and former community residents, those vested in the viability and livability of their neighborhoods have taken a lead in not only developing community park plans, but placing parks on the agenda of public officials, foundations, and philanthropic organizations.

The inspiration for seven (7) parks versus the focus on one, is attributed to Frederick Law Olmstead and his insight into the connection between parks and a community’s health; physical and mental. Just as parks have a great impact on individuals, they are also capable of serving the community at large. In the OST/SOU community, each park is different, having unique histories, amenities, trails, and facilities. They serve different groups and demographics of people, they are located next to different land uses, and they have varying potential. This session is a story-telling experience that outlines the road traveled in developing and implementing the parks’ plan. The story we tell acknowledges the partners that have helped along the way, honors the community advocates who will not see the parks’ transformation and engages the audience in identifying the next steps to achieving success.

Those who should attend the session include community residents who are attempting a parks project or have successfully completed one and are open to sharing ideas.  In addition, this session will be of interest to:
-Municipal parks and recreation officials
-Foundations
-Non-profit organizations
-University faculty