Getting Together Multiplies Results COALITIONS PROVIDE A FORUM to share concerns, bring together resources and create a unified voice on issues that affect the whole community.Commitment to helping groups strengthen relationships of this kind defines the work of Partnerships for Parks, from the efforts of our Volunteer program to the development of Partnerships Academy, a new training program focused on helping groups build and be effective partners (see “Get Involved”). In Manhattan and the Bronx, our outreach staff is supporting three very different collaborations—all working to bring new life to their parks. New Beginnings: On the Lower East Side, volunteers in Sara D. Roosevelt Park are organizing a new and growing alliance that currently includes M'Finda Kalunga Garden, whose site is inside the park, Bowery Residents’ Committee’s Delancy Street Senior Center, the Chinese American Planning Council, the Chinatown YMCA, and Hester St. Collaborative, a non-profit community design organization. “These groups all share a history of community activism and they have worked together successfully in the past,” says Partnerships’ outreach coordinator Leah Worrell. “There is a lot of energy already invested, so it’s just about making new connections and achieving consensus.” During initial meetings, the Sara D. Roosevelt Park Coalition decided to collaborate on increasing park safety, advocating for the community during the renovation of Hester Street Playground, and planning future programming in the park. Reaching Goals: Seven years ago, the Fordham Bedford Housing Corporation (FBHC) authored a report on the state of Poe Park that resulted in securing $1.8 million towards its renovation. They then secured another $2 million for a new visitors’ center, and the partners in this growing project now include Parks, City Parks Foundation, the Historic House Trust, the Friends of Poe Park, Bronx elected officials and local businesses. The groups are working with the visitors’ center designer to give input into the building’s design and are planning for future staff and programming. “The center will serve all visitors,” FBHC President Pat Logan explains, “It will house exhibits about Poe and his time at Poe Cottage, but it will also have space for other exhibits and community events, and offer clean public restrooms.” Outreach coordinator Anthony Martinez plays a pivotal role in a project this size. “I serve as the link between all the community groups and Parks, making sure that everyone stays informed,” says Martinez, “I provide support wherever needed.” Sustaining Success:Community Outreach and Development Efforts Save (C.O.D.E.S.) has been developing services for youth in Washington Heights and Inwood since spring 2004. When Partnerships’ Catalyst Coordinator Joseph Sanchez proposed fostering healthy competition through athletics, the C.O.D.E.S Youth Basketball Tournament at Highbridge Park was born. The tournament relies on significant volunteer participation and broad community support. Highbridge Recreation Center Manager Emilio Lopez secures permits; the Police Athletic League (PAL) provides uniforms, trophies, and referees; and organizations including Alianza Dominicana, Inwood Community Services at IS 52, Armory PAL, Jay Hood Wright Parks, Children’s Aid Society at IS 218 and Wadsworth Baptist Church coordinate the teams. Sanchez reports that as a result of the tournament, “Now more people in the community know how to use parks—they know that their group can come to us and get the resources they need.” We encourage volunteers to seek support from Partnerships as we work together to improve our parks. These Outreach Coordinators are helping groups form and sustain coalitions that increase community participation, resource sharing, and tangible results.  The strong community networks help hard-working volunteers stay visible, energized and effective. Wherever volunteers are working in parks, Partnerships is eager to help groups get together and achieve their goals – from clean-ups to coalitions. MAKE IT YOUR BUSINESS TO VOLUNTEER AT A NATURE CENTER Corporate volunteer groups need not wait for spring to get involved in their local parks. Volunteer Projects Coordinator Tony Killeen reports, “Even though it’s cold outside, there are plenty of opportunities to volunteer in 36 recreation centers citywide.” Basketball, soccer, football and roller hockey are just a few of the sports that keep indoor courts buzzing all winter long, not to mention after- school programs and other classes that meet throughout the year. One-day volunteer projects generally focus on completing a single important task. The artistically inclined might find themselves painting colorful murals, while others might simply repaint walls throughout a center. General clean-up projects keep gyms tidy and get pools in shape for summer. When the weather is warm enough, outdoor clean-up and gardening often make the agenda. Partnerships thanks Accenture, RockCorps, Digitas LLC, Citigroup, American Express, Blue Smoke and all the other corporate volunteers that have already given their time to improve our recreation centers. To get involved, call Tony Killeen at 212-360-8156 or email tony.killeen@parks.nyc.gov. Join Partnerships for Parks' Events Crew to help promote and staff our fun events year round, including Spring and Fall It's My Park! Day and volunteer recognition receptions. For information, or to attend an orientation, call Volunteer Events Manager Eileen S. Remor at 212-360-8126. Partnerships for Parks is offering a new ten-month program called Partnerships Academy, helping your organization succeed by developing and maintaining strong partnerships within and beyond your group. Participants qualify for an exclusive grant program. Contact Asi Klein at (212) 676-6054 or email asaf.klein@parks.nyc.gov for an application. Deadline is February 15th. Computer Resource Centers (CRC) help people of all ages learn about technology in 27 recreation centers citywide. Volunteer to teach classes or workshops, repair computers, do marketing and outreach, write grant applications or help plan special events. To learn more, contact kami.griffiths@parks.nyc.gov. The annual Winter Festival will take place on February 4th and 5th from 10 am-3 pm in Central Park's East Meadow. Activities include snowshoeing, snow tubing, snow sculpting, cross-country skiing (Saturday only), a snowboarding rail jam and more. For more information, visit www.nycgovparks.org or call 311. The Urban Park Rangers do not hibernate in winter. Bundle up to go hiking, watch birds and wildlife, learn the history of City parks or brush up on your wilderness survival skills. For a complete calendar of upcoming free events, visit www.nycgovparks.org or call 311. The 12th annual Bronx Parks Speak Upis Saturday, March 4th, from 1-5 pm. Join the Bronx Coalition for Parks and Greenspaces to network and learn new skills at presentations and workshops at Lehman College’s Faculty Dining Room. Bx10 or Bx26 bus or D/4 trains to Bedford Park Blvd. For more information, call 718-430-4641 or email bxspeakup@hotmail.com. To reserve a table, email fvcpeducation@verizon.net. Trees New York is offering the 12-hour Citizen Pruner Tree Care Course this spring, including tree identification, pit gardening, pruning, identifying invasive pests, and more. Participants will be certified by Parks to care for street trees upon completion. Fee is $90—some scholarships available. Also offered is a free, seven-week Job Training Program beginning in late March, which includes use of power tools and ropes and saddles. Call 212-227-1887 or email info@treesny.com for information. Partnerships for Parks and the Natural Resources Group are offering a Citizen Steward training course in Highbridge on restoration of natural areas. Volunteers will attend an indoor training on April 5th from 7-9 pm, and a field training in Highbridge Park on April 8th from 10- 2 pm. Receive free supplies, be permitted to work in the forest on your own and lead groups in basic restoration work. For information, call 212-360-8180. Dear Friends, As our name suggests, Partnerships for Parks believes that strong partnerships and networks of support are essential to the long-term success of groups working in parks. Winter provides us with an opportunity to strengthen these relationships within and beyond our groups. Partnerships’ new director, Jason Schwartz, is leading us from this season of reflection into a promising new year, and we are eager to provide your park group with the tools you need to do the same. This issue of the Leaflet highlights some of the ways in which we can help—offering volunteer projects, technical assistance, and the support of dedicated outreach staff. Sincerely, Adrian Benepe, Commissioner Parks & Recreation David Rivel, Executive Director City Parks Foundation Make the Most of Meetings Every meeting is an opportunity to foster trust and growth among your group’s members and recognize individual talent while developing a team. Strong leaders can achieve this through effective delegation, allowing participants to develop new skills and feel pride in the group’s accomplishments. » Generate tasks collectively. People will have more ownership over tasks they help to identify. Before taking on a new project, brainstorm with the group to create a list of things that will need to be done. Then have people volunteer for tasks. » Break down tasks into concrete, manageable parts. Be realistic about deadlines and time commitments. Say, “This will require at least two evenings of phone calls this week,” not “this shouldn’t take much time.” » Delegate tasks to people who will be able to carry them out. As you get to know your group’s membership better, you’ll be able to identify who has what skills. Don’t put people into a situation in which they are unable to meet expectations. If you would like to sign up for a workshop to learn more about delegation or other leadership skills, contact Asi Klein at 212-676-6054. Winter is a great time for bird watching in our City parks. Seeds attract songbirds such as white-throated sparrows, tufted titmice, starlings, blue jays, and cardinals. WAYS TO ENJOY THOSE SNOWY WINTER DAYS! On snowy winter days, Parks will provide sleds and hot chocolate in select locations throughout the five boroughs. Those who prefer to practice their figure eights can rent a pair of skates at one of seven ice rinks in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island. Parks will post signs to indicate safe skating areas in shallow water spots around the city as soon as outdoor ice is strong enough. For more information, call 311 or visit www.nycgovparks.org. DRESS UP YOUR PARK! The Ben & Jerry's Foundation offers competitive grants of up to $15,000 to grassroots non-profit organizations that focus on environmental activism to affect change in their communities. There is a rolling deadline. For more information, call (802) 846-1500 or visit www.benjerry.com/foundation.

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Partnerships for Parks works to increase community support for and involvement in parks throughout New York City. Founded in 1995, Partnerships works to start, strengthen, and support neighborhood park groups; to link these groups together so that they can learn from each other and become stronger collectively; and to promote involvement in parks so people will join in efforts to restore and preserve them.

Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor
City of New York

Adrian Benepe, Commissioner
Parks & Recreation

David Rivel, Executive Director
City Parks Foundation

Jason Schwartz, Director
Partnerships for Parks

Editor: Hillary Angelo, Manager, Technical Assistance Program
Writer: Jennifer Kenney Sendrow

http://www.partnershipsforparks.org
http://www.nyc.gov/parks
http://www.CityParksFoundation.org

To contact Partnerships for Parks and for information on volunteering in parks,
call (212) 360-1357 or call the City's non-emergency hotline, 311.