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Resistance from Parks & Recreation

MomsNtots

2 posts

Joined
4/19/2008

Resistance from Parks & Recreation
Posted: 19 Apr 08 9:51 PM

Hello, I am a board member of my local Moms group.

Our area has a beautiful park complete with walking trails and 2 play areas, but no swings. One of the 2 areas is meant for younger children and has a large empty space perfect for swings. Baby/toddler swings are much easier on the Moms that have children too young for playground equipment. One of our Moms approached the Director of Parks and Recreation and asked if he had plans for swings. He started backing away from her, saying yes but they do not have the money. Maybe in 2 - 3 years. He wants to build a basketball court first...

This Mom approached me and asked if I was interested in approaching him myself with the offer of our Moms group doing the fundraising for him.

Should I send a letter to the Director instead of visiting the office? I don't want to be turned away! Any other advice? I'm so happy to have found this website!

Thanks in advance,
Jen
Teays Valley Moms and Tots

randik

27 posts

Joined
11/8/2006

Re: Resistance from Parks & Recreation
Posted: 20 Apr 08 2:05 AM

Not that I have a track record of always successful interactions with municipal staff, but there are some basic ground rules to follow:
(1) Always put things in writing. I would draft a letter explaining that you wish to become a partner in this endeavor and request a meeting to discuss it. Always follow up any meeting or conversation with a thank you letter and a summary of what came out of the meeting. Once something is in writing it is much easier to follow a paper trail and it is much harder to ignore a community member's request that is put in writing. Conversations can be "forgotten". As you go along, thank you notes to everyone you come into contact with.
(2) Be clear about your goals. If your goal is to build swings you will need to know what the restrictions are in your area, what are the local requirements? What infrastructure is necessary, what hoops do you have to jump through? These are things you can ask about at your first meeting.
(3) Always come into the situation with the idea you are partnering and be flexible. You may want toddler swings, but are you willing to help a project that provides swings for all ages and abilities? There may be others you can partner with. Don't just talk to Parks and Rec, pull in the political, community and financial partners and enlist them sooner rather than later. The Director of Parks and Rec reports to somebody...who is it?
(4) Don't threaten other projects and make it clear that as a partner you are willing to support the big picture. That doesn't mean you let go of your goals for somebody else's, but you can be doing legwork on a swing project that may help with outreach on the basketball courts.
(5) Look for win-win situations. If moms are there with kids on swings it is less likely that a basketball court is going to be taken over by trouble makers. Many communities have issues with older kids who can be influenced by the wrong crowd. This is less likely to happen when adults are in the vicinity...and it puts more eyes on the site.
(6) When you get your first meeting make sure you have a clear agenda in your own mind of what you want to accomplish and a clear idea of how much time your meeting is going to take. Respect the time limits. Come with goals and leave with a clear idea of what next steps are. Always make sure that there are several people from your group in the meeting and make sure everyone has a talking point or two. Don't take a mob, but 3 people are more impressive than one. If you act professional and organized you are apt to be treated the same way. Verify appointment times, verify the number of people you are bringing, etc.
(7) Offer to help organize a larger meeting of community members who are willing to become informed and involved. Again, this is partnering. What are the assets you can bring to the table? What are the assets needed? If it's a project you are taking the lead on then staff doesn't run the risk of failing and might be more open to your suggestions.
(8) Smile and don't take no for an answer. Anytime you hear "no" rephrase and offer to help overcome whatever obstacle is in the way. Every obstacle is an opportunity. If the first obstacle for the city is money, then find out how much money is involved and what type of set up is needed for a community to raise then transfer funds. Smile, smile,smile but make sure that the iron hand is in the velvet glove....always walk in with the attitude that you just know this person is going to be delighted to work with you and envision the end project as if it were a done deal.
(9) Do not go it alone...you may be supermom, but you can't do it without support. Everyone needs a chore. Everyone needs help.
(10) Start at the top. Having already started with the Director of the department, don't be pushed off onto a staff member unless that staff member is empowered to follow through.

Congratulations on taking on something that will benefit your entire community!

MomsNtots

2 posts

Joined
4/19/2008

Re: Resistance from Parks & Recreation
Posted: 20 Apr 08 10:50 AM

Excellent useful information. Thank you so much for taking the time to help us get started!

whampton

27 posts

Joined
11/8/2006

Parks & Rec Help
Posted: 29 Apr 08 1:03 PM

Can you gather other moms who think the same way? I think that a letter signed by 10 moms is a lot harder to "reject" than from one person. Next time you bring your child to the park, talk to some other parents and see who else thinks the same way that you do! I don't know figures, but I would think that a few swings is way cheaper than a basketball court, so maybe your group could commit to funding half of the costs? Or maybe if your City will buy the equipment, you could help to buy the surfacing.

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