tactical urbanism in park projects - aarp · tactical urbanism as a tool in the livable/age...
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Tactical Urbanism in
Park Projects
Christine Newman
Director of Community and Volunteer Engagement, AARP NJ
Examples from AARP NJ’s
Livable Communities Work
Tactical Urbanism as a Tool in the
Livable/Age Friendly Toolbox in NJ
AARP NJ begins Livable work in late 2016
1st Tactical Urbanism Project: Community Challenge Grant 2017
Initial Goal Engaging in Tactical Urbanism
Utilize as a connection to new communities and new
organizations
Trial balloon with volunteers and community partners
Explore if a viable tactic for our work in NJ around Livable/Age
Friendly
Example from New Jersey: 2017 Alley
Activation Project in Metuchen
Project Goals:
Connect large downtown parking area to main street shops and restaurants
Concretely demonstrate the untapped potential and reclaim the space for public
use
Provide opportunity for local community and main street patrons to sit, socialize,
interact, play
Economic Value-Ad to Downtown
Unleash the power of local community, civic engagement
Example from New Jersey: 2017 Alley
Activation Project in Metuchen
Example from New Jersey: 2017 Alley
Activation Project in Metuchen
Reclaimed Wood Table: $45
Road Paint and
Supplies: $300
2017 Alley Activation Project, Metuchen NJ
Example from New Jersey: 2017 Alley
Activation Project in Metuchen
Project Results:
Achieved Project Goals, Community continues to iterate
Engaged existing volunteer core
and recruited 2 new volunteers
Engaged targeted Stakeholders
Participants were able to concretely identify/relate this
project to Livability/Age Friendly
Expanded concept of our Livable Work
Demonstrated how this is a viable tactic
to achieve livable goals
Example from New Jersey: 2017 Alley
Activation Project in Metuchen
Lessons/Insights Moving Forward
Partnerships are Key
Must be community driven, with organizational support
Community visioning boards
Local downtown alliance, community members, city council members identified goals, created and delegated work plan
Don’t think $$, think Community Organizing
2 Levels of Strategy Needed
High level: How do you keep the focus on long term goal vs. this is a one off “event”
Need very logistical/tactical skill set and focus as well: building a pallet chair etc.
Example from New Jersey: 2018
Sayreville Park Project with DPW
AARP NJ Project Goals:
Provide opportunity for volunteer leadership engagement and development
Engage volunteers as community representative of AARP with local DPW
Establish new relationship with local municipal depts. with CP: DPW
Long term: Re-start community activities in this section of the park
Example from New Jersey: 2018
Sayreville Park Project with DPW
Completely Volunteer Led
Partners
Sayreville DPW
EMS,
local Boy scout troop
Project Scope: 1 Day
Add temporary way-finding signage to horseshoe pits
Add temporary palette chair seating around horseshoe pits
Park Cleanup
Rebuild horseshoe pits:
Fill and grade with sand
Build perimeter
Install stakes
Example from New Jersey: 2018
Sayreville Park Project with DPW
Lessons/Insights Moving Forward
Must have realistic and defined scope
Communicate with Partners early and often regarding goals/scope/timeline
2 Levels of Strategy Needed
High level: How do you keep the focus on long term goal vs. this is a one off “event”
Need very logistical/tactical skill set and focus as well: building a pallet chair etc.
Example from New Jersey: 2019 Garfield
Jewel St. Park with Generations for Garfield
Project Goals:
Increase intergenerational utilization of Jewel park to advance AF action plan
Demonstrate temporary improvements that can be implemented in other parks, and demonstrate need for permanent improvements
Engage local community members and non profits in intergeneration activities to advance AF action plan
Foster connections between diverse communities and police force in park neighborhood
Raise awareness and involvement of community members in Generations for Garfield
Example from New Jersey: 2019 Garfield
Jewel St. Park with Generations for Garfield
Partners:
Garfield PD
Garfield Health Dept.
Garfield Housing Authority
Garfield YMCA
EPIC Teen Mentorship program
Example from New Jersey: 2019 Garfield
Jewel St. Park with Generations for Garfield
Project Scope: Build and Paint Corn hole Boards
Example from New Jersey: 2019 Garfield
Jewel St. Park with Generations for Garfield
Project Scope: Re-Paint Seating with Temporary Paint
Example from New Jersey: 2019 Garfield
Jewel St. Park with Generations for Garfield
Project Scope: Add Temporary Seating
Example from New Jersey: 2019 Garfield
Jewel St. Park with Generations for Garfield
Project Scope: Add Temporary Fence Art
Example from New Jersey: 2019 Garfield
Jewel St. Park with Generations for Garfield
Results
Increased park utilization day of and after
Completed entire scope in timeframe
Engaged new volunteers in both AARP and Generations
for Garfield’s initiative
Completely intergenerational activity
City looking to replicate in other parks
Example from New Jersey: 2019 Garfield
Jewel St. Park with Generations for Garfield
Lessons/Insights Moving Forward
Local Partnerships are Key
Who needs to be at the table and who’s not?
Take the time to define and get agreement on the goals
Keep the goals as a laser focus
Looking Ahead to 2020 and Beyond
Projects helped define AARP’s Goals and Role
Convener, partner, resource
The idea and action must come from community to be effective
Valuable tool for volunteer capacity and leadership
development
Tactic to advance Age Friendly Action Plans
Focus on support at 2 Levels of Strategy
Goal Setting: How do you keep the focus on long term goal
vs. this is a one off “event”
Logistical: Tactical skill set development
Parks: Thank You!
Tactical Urbanism in Park Projects
Christine Newman, [email protected] of Community Outreach and Volunteer Engagement,
AARP New Jersey