Rejuvenating Neighborhoods and Communities Through Parks—A Guide To Success www.NRPA.org National Recreation and Park Association © 2011 All Rights Reserved 8 Marvin Gaye Park, the former Watts Branch Stream Valley Park, was officially reopened in 2009 and featured state-of-the-art playground equipment, permanent mosaics honoring community heroes, and rebuilt hiking and biking trails Community Alive and Well The story of a park renovation project intended to revitalize a neighborhood does not stop with a successful dedication More changes and improvements were on the horizon, due to continued involvement by Washington Parks & People and the strong community leadership developed as part of this effort The renovated and reopened park indeed had ties to positive changes in a newly revitalized neighborhood, such as: • The closing of a nearby methadone clinic that attracted drug users to the area • More people, young and old, visiting the park • Visitors staying longer in the park • Youths being more active physically while visiting the park • Adults recalling childhood memories they recaptured by spending time in the park • People speaking about how the park has broken down barriers among residents Community was once again alive and well in the former Watts Branch Stream Valley Park after it was renamed and revitalized To conclude, in combination with the adjacent Riverside Center (owned and operated by Washington Parks & People), Marvin Gaye Park has become a community asset || MARVIN GAYE PARK, BEFORE MOST RECENT RENOVATION || MARVIN GAYE PARK, AFTER RENOVATION Marvin Gaye Park—A Community Asset The rejuvenation and revitalization of the Anacostia community is related to the restoration of Marvin Gaye Park, which has now assumed become a valuable asset to this community The many community assets accrued to this project include: • A safe community gathering spot. Prior to the renovation, local residents requested that D C government remove the unsafe play equipment, so that it would not attract children to the park, which not only was home to an open-air drug market with rampant drug usage but also was a frequent crime scene • Health and social interaction In earlier times, most people avoided the park, and parents warned their children to stay far away from its boundaries Today, however, young mothers push baby carriages through the park, and children of various ages attend programs and activities within the park The programming by Washington Parks & People changed people’s perception: the new perception is that Marvin Gaye Park is a safe place to go—one that offers activities and opportunities for improving one’s health as well as social interaction
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTkzMzk=