18 | NATIONAL RECREATION AND PARK ASSOCIATION BEST PRACTICES: SITE DESIGN BEST PRACTICE: INVOLVE A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAM DESCRIPTION: Successful development and implementation of green stormwater infrastructure practices in park settings requires carefully balancing and addressing multiple agency and community goals. Finding the right balance can be challenging. A strong project team should involve members knowledgeable in the design, construction, long-term maintenance, recreational, educational, and community engagement value of green stormwater infrastructure. This may include: • A park planner to provide input on plans, designs, and materials appropriate for parks • A landscape architect familiar with green stormwater infrastructure to give input on location, plantings, planning strategies, and other choices • A water resource engineer with experience focused on the design, monitoring, and evaluation of green stormwater infrastructure to prepare or review engineered designs • A construction specialist to provide feedback on construction constraints and challenges • Facilities maintenance personnel knowledgeable about operations and maintenance • Community and education outreach specialists to engage and gather input from community members • Other municipal or county agency representatives with permitting authority (if a construction or development permit) or other specialties required for the project • Community members to communicate their needs and desires STRATEGIES: • Ensure the project leader has experience with the design and construction of green stormwater infrastructure projects. • If the project team’s experience is limited, seek input and/or review from planning, design, construction, and maintenance professionals from other agencies, local universities, extension agencies, or other sources who can help troubleshoot problems. • Establish clear roles and responsibilities for each team member; prepare a memorandum of understanding or some other partnership agreements between the park agency and other responsible parties to lay out how each will work together to build and maintain the green infrastructure project.57 • Identify the most pressing problem to be addressed – both from a stormwater perspective and from the perspective of other participants. • Involve Friends of Park groups or community partner to help raise funds, identify stakeholders, or for other expertise they might bring to the project • Authentically engage and collaborate with residents and community representatives to ensure that the project serves the interests of the whole community. EXAMPLES: • In 2016, the City of Austin, Texas, adopted the South Central Waterfront Vision Framework Plan to guide public and private development of an 118-acre area along Lady Bird Lake, just south of downtown. The City’s Urban Design Division sought numerous outside resources and formed diverse partnerships to help
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