Putting People in Parks Programming and Community Engagement for Public Open Spaces Andy Wickens...
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Transcript of Putting People in Parks Programming and Community Engagement for Public Open Spaces Andy Wickens...
![Page 1: Putting People in Parks Programming and Community Engagement for Public Open Spaces Andy Wickens –City of Mississauga National Parks and Recreation Conference.](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022070403/56649f295503460f94c43241/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Putting People in Parks
Programming and Community Engagement for Public Open Spaces
Andy Wickens –City of MississaugaNational Parks and Recreation Conference
Sept. 27, 2007
![Page 2: Putting People in Parks Programming and Community Engagement for Public Open Spaces Andy Wickens –City of Mississauga National Parks and Recreation Conference.](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022070403/56649f295503460f94c43241/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Some Propositions• Parks and open spaces are important to cities
– Environmental, aesthetic and social benefits
• Outmoded attitudes in Parks and Recreation– Separate roles for Recreation and Parks– Recreation is a revenue centre; Parks is a cost centre– Recreation is about people; Parks are about grass
and trees– Managing Parks is about maintenance only– Once a park is designed and built our work is done
![Page 3: Putting People in Parks Programming and Community Engagement for Public Open Spaces Andy Wickens –City of Mississauga National Parks and Recreation Conference.](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022070403/56649f295503460f94c43241/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
More Propositions
• Residents tend to feel ownership of open spaces (and should)
• Well used parks are safer, and build communities
• Parks and open spaces (designed and programmed well) provide venues for healthy activity and social interaction
• If we build beautiful parks and maintain them perfectly and no one uses them – we are not doing our job…
![Page 4: Putting People in Parks Programming and Community Engagement for Public Open Spaces Andy Wickens –City of Mississauga National Parks and Recreation Conference.](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022070403/56649f295503460f94c43241/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Changes at the City of Mississauga
• Rapid growth and tight budgets in Recreation and Parks
• Mississauga – operating cost per acre - $2750• Average – comparable Canadian Cities - $3417• Cuts to service levels in Parks – but…• Household Survey
– 98% of residents use parks and trails– Residents support more parkland and trails
![Page 5: Putting People in Parks Programming and Community Engagement for Public Open Spaces Andy Wickens –City of Mississauga National Parks and Recreation Conference.](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022070403/56649f295503460f94c43241/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
Moving Forward - 2006
![Page 6: Putting People in Parks Programming and Community Engagement for Public Open Spaces Andy Wickens –City of Mississauga National Parks and Recreation Conference.](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022070403/56649f295503460f94c43241/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
“Placemaking”
![Page 7: Putting People in Parks Programming and Community Engagement for Public Open Spaces Andy Wickens –City of Mississauga National Parks and Recreation Conference.](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022070403/56649f295503460f94c43241/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Other Initiatives
• Services Integration Report– Establishment of a Parks and Forestry
Section
• Environmental Advisory Committee of Council
• Building a City for the 21st Century
• Healthy Mississauga 2010
![Page 8: Putting People in Parks Programming and Community Engagement for Public Open Spaces Andy Wickens –City of Mississauga National Parks and Recreation Conference.](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022070403/56649f295503460f94c43241/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
New Directions for Mississauga Parks
• Mississauga is taking a new direction with regard to parks, consistent with the City’s strategic priorities
• We want to move parks beyondjust “grass and trees”
• Mississauga R and P is actively raising the profile of parks in the City and improving strategic direction and operational planning
• Put people in parks through better marketing, events, programming and community/volunteer outreach
![Page 9: Putting People in Parks Programming and Community Engagement for Public Open Spaces Andy Wickens –City of Mississauga National Parks and Recreation Conference.](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022070403/56649f295503460f94c43241/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
…and More
• Ensure that park designs address the new approach to parks– Port Credit Memorial– Waterfront Strategy– Civic Centre Precinct
• Future studies to ensure that operation structures and funding address the new way of doing business
![Page 10: Putting People in Parks Programming and Community Engagement for Public Open Spaces Andy Wickens –City of Mississauga National Parks and Recreation Conference.](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022070403/56649f295503460f94c43241/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
What Else?
• Enhancing trails and natural areas– Tied into Healthy Cities Initiative and Active 2010– “Green infrastructure”
• Revenue Development– Fees – Sponsorships– Partnerships
• Parks has created a full time position to address community engagement, marketing and programming for parks
![Page 11: Putting People in Parks Programming and Community Engagement for Public Open Spaces Andy Wickens –City of Mississauga National Parks and Recreation Conference.](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022070403/56649f295503460f94c43241/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
New Initiatives – The Concept in Action
• Community Gardens
• Community Engagement – Spruce Park– Staghorn Woods
• LitterVention
• Civic Centre Skate Park
• Cardio Core – fitness classes in the park
![Page 12: Putting People in Parks Programming and Community Engagement for Public Open Spaces Andy Wickens –City of Mississauga National Parks and Recreation Conference.](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022070403/56649f295503460f94c43241/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
More New Initiatives
• Cherry Blossom Festival – Kariya Park
• BMX sites and Action Sports Coalition
• Parks Community Stewardship Program– Rotary Club – Richard’s Memorial– Rhododendron Gardens Group
![Page 13: Putting People in Parks Programming and Community Engagement for Public Open Spaces Andy Wickens –City of Mississauga National Parks and Recreation Conference.](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022070403/56649f295503460f94c43241/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
For 2008…
• Programming – Port Credit Parks
• Outdoor Weddings
• School Engagement – shared sites
• Urban Adventure Race
• Bike Tours
• Joint Programs with Community Centres
• Rhododendron Event
![Page 14: Putting People in Parks Programming and Community Engagement for Public Open Spaces Andy Wickens –City of Mississauga National Parks and Recreation Conference.](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022070403/56649f295503460f94c43241/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
Challenges
• People Resources – one dedicated staff person at present
• Money – building support and revenue takes time
• Sorting out roles – Events, Community Development, Marketing, Planning and Development
• Resistance from some staff – this just looks like more work…
![Page 15: Putting People in Parks Programming and Community Engagement for Public Open Spaces Andy Wickens –City of Mississauga National Parks and Recreation Conference.](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022070403/56649f295503460f94c43241/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
Why Do All This?• Cities with attractive, well used, public
greenspace and trails attract investment• Successful parks are active, vibrant and
well used (year round and 24/7)– this means a different way of planning and operating parks– Year round use– Programming– New and different amenities
![Page 16: Putting People in Parks Programming and Community Engagement for Public Open Spaces Andy Wickens –City of Mississauga National Parks and Recreation Conference.](https://reader036.fdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022070403/56649f295503460f94c43241/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
Why Do All This (Continued)
• This requires new staffing and resources• Acquiring these resources requires community
and political support• Raising the profile of parks, a high level of
community involvement and engagement with the public builds this support
• The end result is a better, more liveable city