Planning for the park

Last night I participated in a sort of strategic planning session for the merger of the city department of recreation and Fairmount Park. Lots of good input from the folks present, who were incredibly engaged volunteers from park groups around the city. This new entity will be serving a complex and diverse mix of constituents as demonstrated in the variety of interests and ideas in the discussions. Suggestions were given for mission/vision/goals as well as improving the overall enjoyment of the park and recreations facilities. Here are my thoughts on the proposed mission, vision, goals statement....

Mission: The combined Department is the steward of Philadelphia's Park Lands and Recreation infrastructure and advocates for children, youth, families, and their communities.

First of all don't call your organization "the combined department," give it a real name, it deserves one. Also, a mission statement should state what you exist to do and why. And um, what are you advocating for?? For children? For what - recess and naptime? Be more specific. Take a hint from your vision and be specific.

Vision: Through policy, programs and practices connect the parks and recreation department to environmental, social, cultural and economic health of the city and region.

Vision should be your 30,000 foot Big Hairy Audacious Goal of what you hope to accomplish in the world. Something like...

Using Fairmount Park and the Rec Dep't as a framework for uplifting communities and enhancing the quality of life for the city and region.

Goals:

• Attract visitors and residents, support a positive business climate, and improve the quality of life for all citizens.
• Support the development of sustainable communities and help maintain stable neighborhoods.
• Help keep kids safe, active and healthy, connecting them to their communities and to parks, recreation and the natural world.

These are again way too vague and need to be more specific in telling the public how you are going to accomplish the mission of using the park/rec facilities to contribute to the quality of life for residents. Goals should state; we will__________in order to____________. Direct, measurable, meaningful.

• We abide by the highest standards for the park's environmental and natural resources, in order to protect and ensure it be available for future generations.


• We use policy, programs, and activities and use the park as a framework in order to promote healthy lifestyles in children and adults


• We exist to serve the citizens, volunteers, and communities that enjoy the park/rec facilities, acting as their representatives, and embrace the needs and voice of the park/rec user, in order to ensure the park continues to serve their interests and needs.

Some other suggestions:

Having recycling and wireless in the park.
More visibility and communication from the new combined parks/rec department
Have a blog! Embrace the voice of your residents and the people who are most connected to the park/rec facilities.