A Good Place to Start Influencing Parks

3 Steps to Take Right Now

There is no stronger force for change than an involved and informed citizen base, and when that force is applied to the physical environment, a whole community experiences that change. You can help make it special. You can help make it inclusive. You can help make it better.

While there is a lot that is necessary to learn about planning public green spaces that takes guided education, there’s just as much that requires good old fashioned networking and experience. The steps that require you to better know the literal and figurative lay of your land are important to get involved with as soon as possible.

Wherever you live, I would bet that some community member, local group, or government agency is already looking for passionate residents to strengthen their effort to do something to improve and protect your green spaces. You need these people to hear your perspective. You can help lead these initiatives and add to existing visions.

So, to get to know your green spaces and the people involved in caring for, advocating for, and creating them, here are 3 actions I recommend you take as soon as possible:

1. SHOW UP

Where do I go?

Show up at meetings that help plan, program, and care for public parks and green spaces. The specifics of this are different for every community. I recommend searching your town’s website for park, trails, or walkability meetings.

Many communities have some local government-led entity that looks at walkability and bikeability. I’ve seen it called the Walkway/Bikeway Committee, the Greenway Committee, the corridor Committee, and other variations of this. These groups often have representatives from different city departments or partner groups, like health departments and regional planning commissions. They’re a great place to get plugged in and hear about ongoing projects and plans.

Within localities, Parks and Recreation Departments and Planning Departments usually have some committees with resident positions and meetings that are open to the public. At the very least they probably have some project or plan that is soliciting resident feedback. Participate in whatever is available, even if it has to do with programs that are run out of parks, trails, or plazas.

You can also look for clubs or non-profit groups that have to do with trails (mountain biking, cycling, hiking, running, etc.), bodies of water (water quality, paddling, rowing), wildlife (birdwatching, wildlife rehabilitation, bird house groups), or other park-related interests. Those who build and maintain unpaved trails typically have a good relationship with Parks and Recreation and feed opinions and intel about the trails to decision makers. They’re also generally a great force for expanding existing trail systems and have some informal power to do so.

Friends of trails or Friends of parks groups are great if you have them, and if they have open meetings or volunteer outings, attend. Make friends with the Friends. They often fundraise and petition for improvements to their park.

Think power in numbers for whatever you are working towards. It’s much more influential (and a lot less lonely) to go to City Council as an organized group rather than an individual. If you have an interest, join others with that same interest.

In what way do I show up?

Show up to meetings and events for parks and trails early, open, and inquisitive. Arrive early, get a seat near the front of the room, and if you feel comfortable, introduce yourself to others as they come. I find that in this setting, most people are pretty positive and friendly. I like to bring a notepad to record who is in attendance and jot down who I talked with or what I learned about different individuals or entities (interests, industry, etc.). This comes in handy for stepping up your own involvement in the future.

2. LISTEN

Your goal for the first few meetings is to gain understanding of your surroundings. I know you are probably brimming ideas for a park and for your community, but make it a point to listen intently before jumping in. When you do jumpHere’s what to listen for:

• Rules of engagement. How are people communicating? Is this a formal or informal setting? Who introduces newcomers?

• Ongoing plans and projects. Parks, trails, courtyards, clean up efforts, grant applications, and community events are really important to be familiar with. Pay attention to who is heading up which item, and note what you may be interested in joining in on. Also, if you have any specific idea or initiative of your own in mind, keep in mind how it may or may not fit with what is already happening.

• Others perspectives and experience. For me, parks meetings were transformative, because those attending listened to and learned from others’ experiences. They were willing to open and change their minds. The result was that projects were collaborative, and ideas built on each other rather than contradicting one another. What a thought: civics meet civility!

3. SHARE

Initially, let people know who you are, what drew you to being a part of what they are doing, and that you want to learn from them and help where you can.

Join in on discussions about your community. What are you proud of, and what are areas that need help? Who else do you know that might be an interested stakeholder or who has relevant resources? Try not to go in with predetermined outcomes or suggestions. Be honest about your biases and limitations.

Most importantly, share your enthusiasm for your park, trail, or other green space. Highlight your excitement, the potential you see, your love of the place. With this presence and intention, you will pick up on more opportunities to make change, and your presence will be a gift to whichever endeavor you take part in.