20 | NATIONAL RECREATION AND PARK ASSOCIATION Best Practice: Design for Equity and Inclusivity). Green stormwater infrastructure projects can transform the look and feel of a community. In downtown where space is particularly valuable, it is also important to ensure that selected practices are designed to meet multiple goals. STRATEGIES: • Engage the community through operational staff who interact with the community daily (via comment boxes, conversations). • Identify an individual, individuals, or organization to lead efforts to organize stakeholders—a “local champion committed to improving a neighborhood, city, or region’s quality of life and sustainability”.61 • Set a regular meeting schedule to keep stakeholders informed of the progress. • Utilize tools such as formalized policies and frameworks for engagement to guide outreach in an inclusive direction and keep the design adaptive. • Use visuals and key messaging to frame the conversation. • Provide data and explain project benefits and the perceived and real drawbacks in a way the community understands so that they can make informed decisions. • Hold meetings at times and places that make it possible for all members of the community to participate. • Form partnerships to maintain momentum for the plan during a long implementation period. • Utilize various ways to engage stakeholders, including charrettes and town meetings, to ensure different viewpoints are incorporated and projects provide long-term benefits such as jobs and volunteer opportunities. • Consider upfront how to address language barriers, communication issues, cultural barriers, or seemingly irreconcilable differences of opinion. • Consider the possibility of gentrification and involve partners such as the local Housing Authority to take necessary measures to maintain the community. EXAMPLES: • In 2005, the nonprofit organizationAmigos de los Rios introduced an ambitious plan known as the Emerald Necklace Expanded Vision Plan to “link the San Gabriel and Santa Monica Mountains with the Pacific Ocean”62 through a network of parks, trails, and restored waterways. When complete, it is expected to link more than 1,500 acres of parks and open spaces around Rio Hondo, San Gabriel, and the lower Los Angeles Rivers.63 One big challenge has been the large number of municipalities and unincorporated areas of the county that make up the plan area – many of which are already competing for limited investmentdollars. Amigos de los Rios has served as a much-needed liaison between the local communities and public agencies. The organization has been successful bringing youth into the design process, organizing volunteers for regularly-scheduled stewardship and cleanup events, BEST PRACTICES: SITE DESIGN Interpretive sign of native plants at Lashbrook Park in El Monte, CA Amigos de los Rios
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