West Side Park Conservancy
· Actively Pursue the Creation of the West Side Park Conservancy
The concept of the West Side Park Conservancy, a collaborative effort between local groups to improve the park, is a vital action that should be pursued further with equal participation and contributions by members. The presence of such a group would go a long way towards improving communications at all levels, increasing the ability to exert pressure on decision-makers and funders for support of the park, and to force the police and Essex County to act on safety and sanitation concerns.
· The Conservancy Should be Citizen-Based, not Organization-Based
Following the example of the Weequahic Park Association, as well as the successful framework used by the Greater Newark Conservancy and the Trust for Public Land’s Urban Initiative projects within Newark, the West Side Park Conservancy should be comprised of neighborhood residents themselves. This is the vital link necessary for residents to take ownership of the park and make it something worth enhancing, using and protecting. They must work to get their improvements (and make them on their own), rather than to have improvements handed to them by community organizations or the county. A "handout" improvement from a community-based group ultimately may not be afforded much more respect than something provided by the county.
The community development corporations and other organizations which would initiate the Conservancy effort should consider acting as an Advisory Committee, while allowing the residents themselves to govern the direction of the organization. Such a committee would, based on interviews, be a unique addition to park advocacy groups in the county (which are generally comprised strictly of citizens or perhaps inspired by one organization, such as a church or corporation). The depth of expertise contained by Advisory Committee members would help make the Conservancy a very effective organization.
· Explore Creative Ways to Create Value Within the Park
Interviews and survey results suggest several ways to create value through this neighborhood resource.
The physical condition of the park and a perceived lack of activities can be turned into an opportunity for young adults and adults. Unemployed adults and students should be encouraged to participate in park restoration and programming as a form of developing job skills and building a resume. Park maintenance, landscaping and activity programming are but a few examples of park-related tasks that require certain skills that are marketable and appeal to a wide segment of employers. Simply having the experience would look good on a resume. All of the activities associated with park and neighborhood revitalization, particularly working with young people, can also be closely associated with boosting self-esteem.
The local schools, particularly South 17th Street School (which is located across the street from the park), might be good partners for basic park upkeep in conjunction with daily physical education. For example, during a visit to the park we observed a group of kids killing time during an outdoor gym class. These kids might be excited to compete with other classes or within their own class in park cleanup projects. This would instill a sense of ownership at an early age, while also promoting physical activity and forging an important partnership with the Board of Education.
Park Improvements & Related Activity
The surveys proved to be an outstanding preliminary step in identifying what area residents felt were important to improve the park. However, while the responses are useful in identifying potential priority projects, it is recommended that the Conservancy be established and conduct additional outreach before expensive or time-consuming projects are promoted.
· Improve Neighborhood Outreach Regarding the Community Center
One action that can and should be undertaken right away is to have community groups coordinate with the United Community Corporation (UCC), which runs the community center, to better educate area residents as to the offerings at the community center.
Survey responses indicated that people were not aware of the facility, the availability of programs or even of the existence of certain outdoor equipment (suggested improvements included tennis courts and basketball courts, both of which have been in place for years). Some people who knew about the center did not know if it was open; one respondent thought she needed a membership card to get in. Clearly this resource is not being fully utilized by the neighborhood. The Community Development Initiatives report that Corinthian commissioned from Comprehensive Development Planning Services in June, 1994 also identified that this was a problem (and that previous reports had also reported the issue). If a community information program can identify everything that is available to residents at the park and in the community center, it may impact some of the items or at least the priorities identified by survey respondents in our study.
· Increase Programming at the Center through Neighborhood Volunteers
The surveys and interviews identified a commonality that can be developed right away: interest in volunteering for programs and activities was strong, while the recreation director at UCC identified that the ability to provide additional programs is constrained only by a lack of people-power. Planning efforts to match these interests and needs should be undertaken in a logical way so as to maximize the volunteerism, keep the program manageable and achieve positive results that will keep volunteers and program participants coming back.
· Initiate Manageable Park Improvement Projects and Programs
While larger, more expensive projects should be delayed until the Conservancy is established and effective relationships with Essex County and other funding sources are developed, it is clear that more manageable projects or programs can be undertaken at this time. These projects could be initiated through Corinthian, or in conjunction with other groups:
Park cleanup projects may best be undertaken as larger, all-day projects, rather than sporadically by a smaller nucleus of volunteers. Success breeds success, so more people will be inclined to "take the plunge" and help out if they know that hundreds of neighbors will also be there. Larger numbers of participants will also increase the number of people who will "take ownership" of the park, and be more inclined to care for it in the future. Activities such as this may also help identify potential community leaders for the Conservancy. At the same time, do not engage in something so large or ambitious that it results in failure.
Festivals, concerts, picnics and other community functions were among the most requested activities identified by the survey. Like park cleanup functions, these are all single-day functions that can be coordinated by a committed core of volunteers or a community organization or two. To defray possible expenses, it is recommended that sponsorship of citywide events or regional activities be pursued. For example, the weeklong Newark Jazz Festival could be approached to hold a performance in the park. In a recent news program on WBGO-FM, which focused on the growing cultural arts movement in Newark, one producer implored "give us more venues!" Clearly an opportunity for partnerships exist in this area.
· Increase the Number of Garbage Cans
A cleaner park was a major theme of responses. In addition to park cleanup projects, efforts should be pursued to reduce the level of garbage that accumulates in the park. More garbage cans, particularly within the park, might assist in reducing the volume of litter that ends up on park grounds. Perhaps area residents would be receptive to "recyclable-only" cans.
· Improve Park Security
Increased or more effective policing was a priority of survey respondents and, based on information, would probably have a positive effect on actual and perceived crime levels. A police substation at the park would certainly have a marked impact in the park and surrounding area, and bike or foot patrols would likely also improve safety in the parks.
The relationship between the county and city police departments must be better defined for park users and between the two departments. This definition should be aimed at improving service while removing inefficiencies.
Many residents expressed an interest in having park aides or attendants staff the park, and several expressed a willingness to undertake the tasks as volunteers or for a small stipend. This idea should be pursued with law enforcement organizations and the county parks department.
· Park Restoration Should be Coordinated with Other Neighborhood Improvements
A citizens-based West Side Park Conservancy has already been identified as a necessity to break the cycle of repair-and-neglect (or outright destruction) at the park that was indicated by the review of newspaper articles and resident accounts. In conjunction with this line of thinking, it is also recommended that planning for future park improvements must be tied into redevelopment activities and social programs of all types in the neighborhood. For example, no matter how good the park looks after extensive and expensive restoration, if the crime factor is not dealt with there will still be a problem with lack of use. Similarly, if certain properties around the park remain in disrepair or access routes to the park continue to be dangerous, it will have a destructive effect on even the nicest looking park.
Working on its own (e.g. Phase II, III and IV of residential development) and with other community groups, Corinthian should encourage the upgrade of residential and commercial properties bordering the park. Such improvements on the park’s periphery will create an "eyes on the park" environment for park users, and should make residents feel more comfortable about accessing the park. It should also work reciprocally to benefit property owners when the park is improved, raising property values and improving the quality of life for residents fronting the park. Sixteenth Avenue might be the logical place for community groups to focus their attention for two reasons. First, of the four streets surrounding the park it is the only one supporting a mix of residential and commercial activity, which is beneficial to everyone and to the relationship to the park (with the possible exception of the liquor stores). Second, this street was identified on numerous surveys as a street to be avoided.
The idea that any type of commercial activity would be an improvement is not necessarily true, as shown by the three liquor stores in close proximity to the park along 16th Avenue. Perhaps park-friendly businesses could be pursued through the West Side Conservancy (e.g. ice cream, sporting goods, hobby supplies, etc.). At the same time, the community may wish to promote a dialogue and relationships with existing businesses, such as the liquor stores, to help improve safety and cleanliness along 16th Avenue and within the park.
Corinthian-Specific Recommendations
Corinthian has not constructed its own playground, partially due to the proximity of West Side Park. However, the survey responses indicate that residents are not using the park, particularly due to fear of crime. Therefore, the lack of recreation amenities will become a liability to Corinthian if they cannot encourage residents to go to the park (or they may be forced to add the expense of a playground to future development). Advertising the programs available at the park, particularly at the community center, may help ease this potential conflict.
Improving the feeling of safety for residents using the park is an important step for Corinthian. Certainly the Phase II, III and Phase IV housing, which will create a more comfortable corridor of new homes and familiar faces up to the park, will help create a sense of neighborhood and "continuation" that residents may not be feeling at this time. Corinthian should promote concepts of "safety by design" in new and existing units. This might include lighting, the type and location of vegetation, etc. Working with tenants, particularly new tenants, to make them feel safer about their environs would probably help encourage people to leave their homes to visit the park. Police-sponsored awareness events and the promotion of a neighborhood watch would be examples of possible programs.
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