Rejuvenating Neighborhoods and Communities Through Parks—A Guide To Success www.NRPA.org National Recreation and Park Association © 2011 All Rights Reserved 5 Section 1: Recalling the Concept The information and insights in this section are intended to: • Remind citizens, advocates, and professionals of the role open spaces and parks play in creating, supporting, and sustaining the well-being of a neighborhood or community • Remind the reader that a park or section of open space holds potential beyond its obvious existence as a parcel of land • Provide an example of the “before” and “after” circumstances where a park renovation contributes to the revitalization of a neighborhood • Identify ways in which a renovated park serves as a community asset • Reference opportunities for parks that tie into collaborating with other emerging community efforts and initiatives Defining a Park When people are asked to define a park, most of their answers are similar in focus but cite differing outcomes For example, the bird-watcher may define a park as open space left in its natural state to support the habitat of local birds and provide him or her with untold hours of education and enjoyment A child might refer to a neighborhood park as a place where to go climb on playground equipment Still another individual may immediately define parks as athletic fields Beyond what parks do to fulfill individuals, they address important community and societal needs. Aside from what parks mean to individuals, parks can surpass an individual’s preference to address important community and societal needs The component parts of a park—grass, trees, open space, benches, and play equipment—can come together to result in more than just another public place When is a park more than a park? A park assumes more widespread and important roles for communities when it: • Serves as an impetus to revitalize or rejuvenate the neighborhood or community in which it is located • Plays an integral role in the life of a neighborhood and the lives of the people who reside there • Serves as a touchstone for sense of community for those who live, work, and play there A park can be a vehicle for creating social organization and community. If it doesn’t catalyze something else, it’s not going to be a great contribution to the neighborhood. GREGORY D. SQUIRES, GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR OF SOCIOLOGY AND PUBLIC POLICY AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
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