I'd Like a Seat at the Picnic Table, Please

A simple start to local politics

Scrolling through my feed, I see a lot of fiery glimmers of hope this week. Letter writers, organization builders, and local leaders at all levels are stepping out and speaking up. I see people standing in freezing rain and snow with signs of protest. People being loud, moving their feet towards an unknown destination of anywhere but here.

There’s no one right move. I think they’re all worthy efforts, and it heartens me to witness any of them. However, when I hear people saying they don’t know where to start, I would be remiss, if I didn’t jump in with an ask.

Parks and greenspaces need this kind of energy and input. They are hopelessly and hopefully political, and they are a place to start making change now. If you are looking for a way to be involved in your community, contact your Parks and Recreation planners. When I move to a new place, it’s one of my first places to look to be involved in and to get to know my community.

Here’s an example of an email to send to get a lay of the land:

Good morning (name of Parks and Recreation planner/Greenway or greenspace committee chairperson/Transportation or bikeway walkway committee chair).

My name is … I am a resident of …. and am looking for a way to volunteer and get plugged into the community. I am interested in parks and greenspace because I use them all the time as a (biker/walker/runner/parent or grandparent/birdwatcher…). I have an expertise in (gardening/coaching sports/wildlife identification/biking…) and am happy to help with ongoing efforts or to contribute something new if the opportunity comes up.

Please let me know if there are planning meetings or community engagement activities I can be a part of or even just observe.

Thank you so much for your time!

And as easy as that, you’re off!

Please consider being active in the creation and preservation of your community’s greenspaces. From clean up crews to coaches to committees, the avenues for making a difference are endless. I know it will open doors to all sorts of connections and activism that you can’t imagine when you start.

Thank you all for caring and for being a wonderful part of the world.

With love and hope for the future,

Stephanie

Where do you find opportunities to be active in your local government or political scene?