Rejuvenating Neighborhoods and Communities Through Parks—A Guide To Success www.NRPA.org National Recreation and Park Association © 2011 All Rights Reserved 41 || PARK CLEANUP DAY – VOLUNTEERS AND COLLECTED TRASH FROM PARK The approach to community revitalization used by WPP is likely shaped by Coleman’s earlier experiences as neighborhood association president of Meridian Hills, a neighborhood within DC Two decades ago, when Coleman was the neighborhood association president, a child was murdered in this neighborhood Coleman called a neighborhood meeting in response to this tragedy and it was that meeting that served as a collaborative springboard that resulted in a revitalized Meridian Hills neighborhood with the park as its centerpiece It is likely that few people realized that this tragedy and type of response would become a model for revitalizing a neighborhood through its park and shape the modus operandi for Washington Parks and People (WPP) To many people, park and recreation professionals and citizen advocates alike, the results achieved by Coleman and WPP seem to appear as if by magic or can be considered a near miracle, but the reality lies within the model of practice used by WPP The magic behind these successful park and neighborhood revitalizations include key approaches that WPP implements on a regular basis Cited below are a few of those techniques and strategies that form the framework of WPP’s magic and its miracles People and Neighborhood Power Strategy #1: Start with the People This cardinal principle of WPP appears simple enough, but it is the genuine insight and involvement of people living within the neighborhoods that empowers the WPP model This does not mean that individuals and agencies holding official places in the community are not included in this process, but it reinforces Coleman’s belief that there is a special character to each and every neighborhood that needs to be the basis for moving forward || WASHINGTON PARKS AND PEOPLE – PARTICIPANTS IN THE MARVIN GAYE RENOVATIONS
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