Improving Parks and Community Facilities

What do we mean by improving parks and other community facilities? A community facility is a physical feature provided – either by the municipality as a public service, or by a private entity – in the community for the benefit of community members. Improving community facilities comes down to determining what the community needs and wants, and working to provide those facilities that will enhance the quality of life – socially, intellectually, culturally, economically, politically, and psychologically – for everyone.

Examples of community facilities include: Parks. Libraries. Theaters, both stage and cinema. Museums. Auditoriums and concert venues. Hospitals and other health providers, both public and private. Educational facilities (schools, colleges, etc.) Churches, synagogues, mosques, and other religious entities. Local, state, and federal government offices meant to serve the public. Public and other sports and recreation facilities. Recycling facilities. Community gardens. Community art centers. Child care facilities. Playgrounds. Transportation.

Why improve parks and other community facilities Good facilities contribute to the general quality of life in the community. Good facilities provide exposure to and opportunities for a wide variety of intellectual, cultural, and physical activities. Good facilities can instill a sense of ownership and community pride in residents. Good facilities can provide services that help everyone. Good facilities can help prevent crime and other dangerous behavior. Good facilities can increase the level of fairness and equity in a community. Good facilities can help to attract new residents. Good facilities can improve the economic climate and prospects of the community, by attracting business and tourism. Good facilities can make the community more attractive physically. Good facilities can provide gathering places that improve the social character of community life.

When should you try to improve parks and other community facilities? When there is a community need and facilities are lacking. When facilities are in bad shape or inadequate. When there’s a community development initiative under way. When there’s money available – from grants or private sources – that can be used for it. When the community, or at least a group of residents, is ready to take on the task. When there’s a possibility of acquiring a piece of land or a building for community use. When a major development is in the planning or early execution stage. When there’s a possibility of historic preservation.

Who should be involved in improving community parks and facilities? Improving parks and other community facilities should be a participatory process, involving as many stakeholder groups as possible. Stakeholders include: Potential users of the facility. Community leaders. Public officials. Architects, designers, engineers, developers, and planners. Community based organizations. Community foundations. Community activists.

How do you improve parks and other community facilities? Assess community facility assets and needs. Assemble a participatory planning team representing the interests of all stakeholders. Design the best facility possible, according to the results of your assessment and planning, the available resources, and the guidelines for creating a good community facility.

Guidelines for good community facilities Facilities should meet the needs of the community. Facilities should involve the community in all aspects of their planning and development. Facilities should take advantage of the assets and culture of the community. Facilities should be designed to be as beautiful, exciting, and functional as they can be, rather than merely adequate, regardless of the resources available. Facilities should be accessible and welcoming. Facilities should be healthy and safe. Facilities should be clean and well maintained. Facilities should be marketed to potential users. Facilities should be as flexible as possible. Facilities should be sustainable over time. Facilities should be well managed. Facilities should seek to benefit the community in as many ways as possible. Facilities should have a mechanism for regular monitoring and evaluation, and a mechanism to act on their results.

How do you improve parks and other community facilities? cont. Assess and work to obtain potential resources. Do what you can with the resources you have. Collaborate with other organizations, local government, etc. Enlist help from the media. Advocate with policy makers, legislators, and the public. Keep at it indefinitely.