How to Start a 4) Spread the word LOCAL PARK GROUP Make sure to let everyone know about your park group-- your elected officials, community board, block association, police precinct, local businesses, and other stakeholders in your community. Before people can help, they have to know your group exsists. By fostering these relationships your group can gain partners that provide different kinds of support.

q Tip: Attend a Parks Committee Community Board meeting and introduce your group to the Chair. 5) Organize an event or service project Once you have a few key community partners,

Photo courtesy of Friends of Commodore Barry Park. it is time to take action. Begin with a highly visible, quickly achievable project to grow your Local park groups transform green spaces into dynamic community assets for all. The group’s capacity and establish your credibility. groups are often formed by neighbors with common interests in stewarding their park. Make sure the group shares the responsibilities Follow these steps to start engaging in your local park. of planning, and check in with your OC for guidance. Promote the project by tapping 1) Getting started into the network your group has formed, and ask those stakeholders to spread the word. Share your interest in starting a park group with your Partnerships for Parks (PfP) Outreach Coordinator Remember to thank supporters for their (OC) and find out what resources are available to you. Hold an open meeting in your neighborhood to contributions. understand what community members want to do and to identify people who care about the park. Take every opportunity to recruit and create a network of supporters. q Tip: Host an It’s My Park service project q Tip: Ask your friends and neighbors to each bring one or two people to your meeting. or a community event. 2) Create a core group and a shared vision 6) Next steps for Most of the work to establish a park group is done by a handful of dedicated people that development should reflect the diversity and interests of the community. Your group should determine Continue growing your group’s roles and responsibilities for core group members and create a group name. The group should meet capacity by holding consistent together often to clearly define its mission and goals. Share this information with your OC. meetings, being visible in the park, recruiting q Tip: Have every group member list their dream for the park and look for commonalities. more members, and expanding your network. Your group can further develop its skills by taking advantage of PfP’s resources, such as 3) Know who’s who in NYC Parks attending free Partnerships Academy and grant workshops and applying for the Capacity Fund The relationships you build with NYC Parks staff is critical for achieving your group’s goals. Grant. Continue to reexamine short and long From the very beginning you should be in close contact with your OC as well as the Park & term goals to ensure that your group’s mission Recreation Manager (PRM) and Supervisors responsible for your park. Your group should is advancing. Always remember your OC is here establish who will be the direct contact for coordinating with your OC. to help. q Tip: Fill out the back of this sheet and set up a meeting with the PRM and Supervisors to introduce your group and discuss how to collaborate to care for the park. Your Park District in most cases follows the borders of your HOW DO WE FIND OUR… Community Board District., but be aware your Council Member District may not coincide with your Park District or Community Board District. Find your Partnerships for Parks Community Board Visit https://www.nycgovparks.org and search for your park’s Outreach Coordinator (OC) name to find out which Community Board (CB) it’s in (under “More About”). To contact: Call 212.360.1310 or visit http://partnershipsforparks.org www.nyc.gov/html/cau/html/cb/cb.shtml My OC: My CB District #: My CB District Manager: Phone: Phone: Email: Email: City Council Member NYC Parks District Staff Council Members have offices in Lower Manhattan and in their Reach out to your OC for your NYC Parks District Staff contact information. district. Always contact your district office—they know your local park best. Find your representative by visiting • Parks & Recreation Manager (PRM) manages and oversees the operations, inspections, and maintenance of multiple park districts. https://council.nyc.gov and check out City Council District Profiles by visiting New Yorkers for Parks at www.ny4p.org • Parks Supervisor Level 2 (PS2) reports to the PRM while supervising and directing the operation, inspection, and maintenance of at least one park district. (under “Our Data & Research” tab) • Parks Supervisor Level 1 (PS1) reports to the PS2 while supervising, My City Council District #: instructing, and training full-time and seasonal Maintenance & Operations My City Council Member: (M&O) staff that clean the park on a daily basis. District Office Phone:

My Park District #: Borough President: My Parks & Recreation Manager (PRM): Each of the five boroughs has a president. To contact: http://bronxboropres.nyc.gov (Bronx) Phone / Email: http://brooklyn-usa.org (Brooklyn) http://manhattanbp.nyc.gov (Manhattan) http://queensbp.org (Queens) My Borough Parks Commissioner: http://statenislandusa.com (Staten Island) My Borough President: Chief of Staff: Phone: Email: Other Essential Parks Staff: Local Precinct: Each NYPD precinct has Neighborhood Coordination Officers (NCOs) assigned to act as liaisons between the community and the police. To contact: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/nypd/bureaus/ patrol/precincts-landing.page My precinct #: My NCOs: