Movement and play are essential components of childhood development. Not only does engaging in regular play keep children healthy physically, but it also helps them thrive mentally.
We understand how frustrating living in a neighborhood with lots of kids and zero parks can be. Residential playgrounds can come with a lot of red tape, but it's well worth the time in the end. While not every town is the same, the following are general steps that will help you move toward getting a brand-new park in your neighborhood!
The first step in getting a new park in your neighborhood is to raise awareness. Chances are, your neighbors are well aware that your community doesn't have a park, primarily if they have children, so you've likely already discussed it with at least a few of them!
You can begin to raise awareness for your park by campaigning door to door or making a few posts in your neighborhood Facebook group. When you gain enough support, you'll want to form a team to establish the location and fundraising opportunities, handle permits and maintenance, and purchase an insurance policy.
Once a team is in place, you'll have to decide on a park budget. Playgrounds can vary significantly in size and price, so it's crucial to remain realistic regarding how much you'll be able to fundraise. You can easily adjust the equipment and games you plan to purchase according to your budget.
The team should design and plan the project together, utilizing valuable input and ideas from every person. Moving forward to the next step will be difficult without a structured budget.
Though you've probably got one in mind, picking the perfect central location for your neighborhood park could take some time. While Parks and Recreation will manage the site of city parks, if you want to build on public land, you have to contact the person (usually a Mayor or Administrator) in charge of playgrounds.
Once you have approval, you'll want to ensure that your desired site has proper water runoff and stays relatively dry, even during the wetter seasons. If you'd like to build a new playground on school grounds (for community use after school), you'll have to bring the school board into the planning process.
You've got the support, the budget, the location, and the approval. Now, it's time to begin designing your new neighborhood playground. The size of the area is important to keep in mind and will significantly assist you in choosing the play equipment and games you want to include.
If the design is too much for your team to take on, which is often the case, discussing the layout with Churchich Recreation could be a fantastic option. Once you've designed the playground, you can begin to engage in active fundraising through outlets like bake sales, car washes, community walks or runs, and private donations.
Many factors go into the new construction of a neighborhood park. Remember that the process takes time, so don't give up due to frustration. Your new park will come together eventually, and you'll be so happy you stuck with it! Contact Churchich Recreation today to build the neighborhood park of your dreams!