Rejuvenating Neighborhoods and Communities Through Parks—A Guide To Success www.NRPA.org National Recreation and Park Association © 2011 All Rights Reserved 51 Two Thoughts From One Solid Partnership This model acts as a sparkplug—spurring neighborhood involvement, attracting private donations, leveraging public funds, and empowering communities to take ownership of neighborhood parks. – COMMISSIONER ADRIAN BENEPE, NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF PARKS & RECREATION This is a truly innovative idea—partnering government with the people it serves to develop a vision for a park and then working hand-in-hand with community members tomake that vision a reality. – DAVID RIVEL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CITY PARKS FOUNDATION, NEW YORK CITY Adapting and Adopting a Model for Your Community The Catalyst for Neighborhood Parks program in New York City was cited in the beginning of this section Not only was the program effective for renovating parks and revitalizing neighborhoods throughout the city but it also resulted in a change model for the entire process The theory and accompanying model for Catalyst can be applied by any parks and recreation agency and its partners if they want to achieve similar results in a particular situation, neighborhood, or community The following factors can serve as a starting framework for the model your agency will develop, adapt, or adopt • People and partners. All people should ultimately be considered as partners—either by virtue of their physical location or mind-set • Perceptions and possibilities. A person’s perceptions are his reality The opinions, needs, and perceptions of all people need to be addressed and linked to the vision for a revitalization project • Projects and processes. It is virtually impossible and not at all desirable to separate the physical project from the critical nature of the process The project itself may equate to the tangible outcome desired, but the process will affect the immediate viability and the long-term sustainability of a park • Progress and productivity. One key element to be incorporated into a plan is a measure of progress Identifying milestones that can be measured and observed is essential to being able to track and celebrate productivity Closing Thoughts – Moving From Input to Implementation Clearly this entire process of park renovation and community revitalization, from conception to community involvement, is not without its challenges Nevertheless, a critical aspect of the project and process calls for integrating the ideas and insights of the people most affected It is worth remembering that: • From contact and communication comes commitment • From commitment creates the sustainability What people don’t understand, they won’t value. What people don’t value, they won’t protect. What they don’t protect, they will lose. – CHARLES JORDAN
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