Have you ever wondered what goes into making NYC’s public parks and green spaces so wonderful? In addition to the work of NYC Parks personnel, there are groups of New Yorkers working year-round to make sure our local parks are well cared for. These dedicated people are members of community park groups: informal or formal groups of citizens who support, maintain and advocate for NYC Parks, gardens, trees, and other spaces. When you see a vibrant, thriving park, there is likely a community group caring for it!
In 1995, inspired by the work of these dedicated New Yorkers, a unique public-private program called Partnerships for Parks was started to provide support, resources and training to make these neighborhood groups even stronger. A joint program of NYC Parks and City Parks Foundation, Partnerships for Parks supports and champions neighborhood volunteers to advocate and care for their neighborhood parks and green spaces.
One way that Partnerships for Parks supports community park group leaders is to connect them with one another. The Partnerships Academy training programs bring together volunteers from around the city to learn from expert speakers and peer leaders about all elements of managing and growing their groups. Partnerships for Parks is currently seeking applicants to be part of their six-month long leadership development program called the Partnerships Academy Fellowship. The Fellowship is a leadership and group development program which helps groups get to the next stage of their development, and which will run from May to September 2019. The training program is geared towards groups that are ready for the next step in their park group development. Members of the Fellowship cohort receive tailored support and learn how to define goals, develop an action plan, and monitor and evaluate progress
The Partnerships Academy Fellowship’s creator and manager Leah Worrell spoke to 2018 Fellowship graduates and North Brooklyn community leaders Kathleen Agaton and Tim Daly of the Friends of William Sheridan Playground, and Sarah Balestreri and Acacia Thompson of the Greenpoint Tree Corps about why community leaders in north Brooklyn and all across NYC might want to consider applying to the 2019 Fellowship program.
LW: Each group that participates in the Fellowship creates and works towards goals for their park groups. What goals did you achieve, and what opportunities opened up for your group while you were in the Fellowship which you didn’t expect?
SB: When we were accepted into the Fellowship, we were looking to increase participation in our in-person street tree stewardship activities. We were happy that by the end of the Fellowship we had over 50 Greenpoint community members take part in these programs. In addition to this goal, participating in the Fellowship program positioned us to take on some of the important work of partner groups like Greening Greenpoint, a project funded through the Greenpoint Community Environmental Fund that is phasing out in 2019 as their GCEF funding expires. Greenpoint Tree Corps, as a small neighbor-run community group, is primed and ready for Greening Greenpoint to pass the torch along so we can continue pushing for street tree advocacy and green initiatives in our community.
KA: We came into the Fellowship wanting to focus on developing our group structure. We–along with other group members including Bia Sampaio–were pleased to have achieved our goals of creating a mission statement, and outlining a plan for electing leaders and forming committees.
LW: The Fellowship sessions include a combination of expert group speakers, time to work with your group members towards your goals, and feedback from other leaders. What elements of the Fellowship program did you find most helpful to your group’s development?
SB: The “work time” which is part of the Fellowship program provided the structure and the protected time to focus on achieving Greenpoint Tree Corps’ goals. Like most New Yorkers, we’re busy with family, jobs, and community commitments, and it was great to have a few hours each month to focus solely on our street tree stewardship goals.
KA: The sessions provided the resources and headspace to create a blueprint of how our group could move forward towards our goals. It helped to have to write down goals, by when we wanted to complete them, and to have to report back on them to the group. When you are part of the Fellowship, you are also meeting others who are working towards challenging goals, so you are accountable to one another. We knew that were part of a network and getting free resources, so we wanted to make the most of the program, and push ourselves to the next level.
LW: Why should community groups that work with parks consider being in leadership development programs like the Fellowship?
SB: New York City is a complex place. Learning about the way it all works and the various agencies and government offices who can support your park or street tree advocacy efforts is SO worth it.
TD: It was very helpful to hear other groups highlight both success stories, and challenges. Even when I heard someone bring up an issue with their park that wasn’t yet relevant to our group, I knew they may be helpful later down the road.
LW: How can participating in leadership development programs like the Fellowship help community leaders better serve their neighborhoods north Brooklyn or even NYC as a whole?
KA: It helps to develop networks and having a wider network to serve your neighborhood.
TD: When you are doing community work, it can be hard to get in touch with different groups in other areas–sometimes you know a face, or a name, but not both. Coming out to events and programs helps to expand your networks, which provides important additional allies in your work.
LW: How can North Brooklyn community members get involved with your group and support your work?
SB: We believe that caring for street trees is akin to caring for our community. We would love for more north Brooklyn residents to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay informed about the stewardship opportunities coming up this spring and summer, including a fun project involving educating the community about all the benefits that street trees provide.
KA: Anyone interested in getting involved with the Friends of William Sheridan Playground can contact us at friendsofwilliamsheridan@gmail.com or on Instagram @williamsheridanplayground. We look forward to hearing from you!
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To find out more about the 2019 Partnerships Academy Fellowship, and if it might be right for you, set up an individual consultation with Leah Worrell, or email her at lworrell@cityparksfoundation.org. Applications will be due on April 16, 2019, and past Fellowship participants are welcome to apply. In addition to the Partnerships Academy Fellowship program, Partnerships for Parks offers grants, workshops, beautification support, one-on-one staff support and more to anyone who is looking to get more involved with their local park or green space.