How to Improve Urban Parks, Play Areas & Green Spaces

Community development encompasses more than just buildings and businesses. Community also involves the areas where people play and live. Urban parks, play areas and green spaces are all components of a community, and each serves its own purpose in making the community a better place overall. There are times when each of those community areas needs improvement or renovation due to destruction or just general wear and tear. You can take an active role in getting community areas such as parks and play areas improved by being involved and asking for help.

Things You'll Need

• Digital camera
• Computer
• Contact information for state and local government agencies

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Instructions

• 1

  Visit the areas. Make extension lists and take photos of everything in the urban park, play area or green space. Take additional photos of areas that need attention or are areas of concern. Document everything in the area and make notes about the things that are right and in working order. Create a separate list detailing areas that need improving.

• 2

  Contact the local government where the area is located. Inquire about which state or local government agency is involved in the maintenance and upkeep of the area. Make notes about the places you will need to contact regarding suggested improvement to the area.

• 3

  Write a letter regarding the area in question. Give specific details about the area and list if it is currently being used as an urban park, play area or green space. Include the details you wrote down when you visited the site and enclose the photos taken documenting the areas of concern.

• 4

  Make a separate list outlining recommendations of improvements. For example, for a play area you would list items such as new bench, new sliding board, repainting of restrooms facility or replacing grass and shrubs. Be detailed and specific about what needs replaced, renovated, added or removed from the area and write exactly why the request is being made.

• 5

  Send the letter to your local and state government offices for Community and Economic Development. Follow up your letter with a phone call 10 business days after you sent the letter. Request to have an in-person meeting with a representative responsible for funding park and play area improvements.

• 6

  Meet with all community leaders and community development agencies in your area that have direct responsibility for the park or area you are working on improving. Make appearances at all meetings open to the public and talk to the local media about your concerns and goals. Ask local business and civic leaders for advice and financial support to help you achieve your community area goals.