Rejuvenating Neighborhoods and Communities Through Parks—A Guide To Success www.NRPA.org National Recreation and Park Association © 2011 All Rights Reserved 62 Section 7: Cycle of Success The information and insights in this section are intended to: • Remind the reader that projects are subject to a natural cycle that can result in continued growth or eventual decline • Identify the defining role of ceremony and celebration • Identify critical elements aligned with long-term success • Outline other forms of assessment that can contribute to the long-term sustainability of a project Every human being, project, or organization has an inherent life cycle The beginning of that life cycle is characterized by relatively slow growth followed by increased interest and resources, which ultimately culminates in reaching a defined pinnacle For park projects similar to the ones cited in this toolkit, the pinnacle is likely to be the completion of the park project The same cycle applies to a park renovation and the revitalized neighborhood around it The overarching challenge is how to counter the natural life cycle While the previous sections of this toolkit have explained how to grow an initiative, this section shifts its focus to the completion of the project and the actions required to maintain the park’s sustainability and the community’s viability Celebration and Ceremony Whether the agency is involved in a relatively small park project, such as the three-acre Lou Walker Park in DeKalb, Georgia, or a large undertaking such as Marvin Gaye Park in Washington, D C , there is one common thread: the need for celebration and ceremony || PARKS BUILD COMMUNITY BANNER AT DEDICATION || GIRLS PLAYING || MOSAIC SIGN || ADULT MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY AT DEDICATION
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