by Hal Salazar
Our public park systems are an integral part of our communities. These are the places where our children play, our sports teams win, and our families bond. Unfortunately, public areas are often taken for granted, neglected or forgotten.
Don’t let your public green spaces get taken for granted. If you want to truly advocate for change, you have to take the reins. Know where the needs are, form a nonprofit to help you gain leverage within your community, and keep in mind that no effort is too small, and every little bit helps when it comes time to make your community a better place.
Get Organized
Before you can truly create change, you have to get organized. This starts with understanding the space in which you’re trying to save. Is it in a safe area? Are there available amenities that make it unique? Do you know what it will take to keep the park up and running? Once you know this, you can draft a plan to get started with your community endeavor.
Start A Nonprofit
One thing on your planning list might be to create a nonprofit organization to rally support from the community. When you start a nonprofit, you’ll need to write bylaws, which essentially outline how your “business” will operate and distribute funds. You also need to know all the rules that involve conflicts of interest, board meetings, voting, and corporate governance. How to Start a nonprofit.
Safety: Security And Lighting
With any public space, security is a number one concern. When you’re dealing with a public park, which means lots of children, two things that you have to keep in mind are lighting and a way to secure the perimeter. Where lighting is concerned, talk to your city administrators about how much it would cost to ensure that the entire area is illuminated. You can help them out by researching lighting options. By using a pole lighting system, you’ll save money in the long run as these are durable and can withstand many different environments. You’ll typically be able to price aluminum and steel, you may even find decorative poles, which can enhance the overall visual appeal of your park.
Your fencing also serves both aesthetic and safety purposes. Australian-based construction supplier ProjectLink notes that fences not only keep kids safe, but can also be cleverly integrated into a park’s design to blend seamlessly with the surroundings. Choose a fence material that’s both high quality and durable, and get plenty of quotes from local contractors before presenting your proposal to your parks department.
Bring Awareness
Many people in your community may not realize that there is a need to advocate for parks. We often take for granted that these are simply maintained by our respective cities. This isn’t always the case, and you can bring awareness to the issue by:
- Creating a social media presence. VoterVoice notes that Facebook is the best social media site for drawing attention to a cause.
- Hosting a community event at the park. Contact your parks department to find out about getting a permit to hold a community event at the park. This could be something as elaborate as a fall festival to a simple meet and greet with others who may wish to preserve and protect your shared city’s public places.
- Having a fundraiser. Fundraisers come in many forms, but they serve the same purpose: collect money to complete a goal. You might sell tumblers, T-shirts, or raffle tickets for larger prizes. Before you do any type of fundraising, make sure that your nonprofit organization is legally in place and that the parks department is aware of the coming efforts.
If you’re looking for a way to be a springboard for change, becoming an advocate for your public green spaces is a smart move that can have a huge and positive impact on your community.
