Rejuvenating Neighborhoods and Communities Through Parks—A Guide To Success www.NRPA.org National Recreation and Park Association © 2011 All Rights Reserved 64 • Public visibility. There are likely to be other community issues and projects that attract the attention of citizens and local media Therefore, one essential element of sustainability is a year-round plan for events and accomplishments that can attract local media attention and reinforce community involvement • Continued assessment of accomplishments. The role and need for outcomes assessment featured in the previous section is central to demonstrating the impact of your project and associated activities related to the project with ongoing support There are other types of assessment that can be implemented that will strengthen the longer term sustainability of the project by providing indicators of progress and success Two videos featuring the rededication of Marvin Gaye Park can be accessed at http://www.nrpa.org/media/parkday/pg_video.html. Continuing With Assessment Options Other types of outcomes of a park project can be assessed, as the examples and suggestions below will illustrate Three different but closely related areas for assessment will be featured in this section • Process assessment identifies and tracks activities and results of people involved with the park, such as memberships, levels of attendance, and involvement at meetings and other events • Outputs assessment tracks and monitors more tangible aspects of the project, such as funds acquired or upgrades made • Sustainability assessment refers to the most difficult task: identifying key indicators of behavior and actions that should support for the long-term viability of the park and the neighborhood As shown in the outcomes assessment process, indicators are easier to envision if you start with the end in mind Process Assessment Everyone involved in the project—volunteers, advocates, staff, and partners—will be looking for signs of progress or interim success markers Process assessment is especially useful for a park project that will extend over a substantial period of time Most project planning software includes a flowchart with established dates to reach certain tasks or targeted projections These targeted dates can serve as a form of process assessment, particularly if the results and milestones are widely publicized and then recognized or celebrated in some manner Process indicators naturally focus on the activities and actions of people The strength of revitalization projects depends on the involvement and support of people, so it is appropriate that this assessment technique is people-centered When tracked over time, the involvement and commitment of people can provide valuable insights into the extent of support from a neighborhood or community Citizens Play a Key Role in Process Assessment In process assessment, the involvement and ongoing participation of neighborhood groups and citizen advocates (such as friends groups) and foundations play a major role. Indicators of this continuing support can be identified by tracking: • New citizens or members joining the effort • Renewals of membership or annual pledges, if applicable • The proportion of the membership attending meetings • The proportion of the membership helping with work projects (such as cleanup days)
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