Action Planning - Community Leadership Institute 2009

Action Plan Name:  Ritter (S. Ellen Jones) Park Renaissance

 

1. What community challenge, or issue, will the resident team be addressing?

 

Ritter Park, at the center of our neighborhood, is underutilized and has a poor image in the area.  There is a lack of organized activities and neighborhood interaction in the park.  These are the challenges we will be addressing.

 

The park was developed with resident input and participation in 2001.  Community Development Block Grant funding was the primary vehicle for the park creation.  It is a wonderful asset for the area.  The park and the opportunities for community interaction is presents, will be a hub in our rebranding image campaign that is being launched concurrently with this action plan.  The image campaign is an innovative and exciting resident driven community stablization strategy and has received NeighborWorks support (via the NWO, New Directions Housing Corporation) with a Community Building and Organizing grant earlier in 2009.  

 

2. Why is this issue important to the community?

 

The park is critical to the image of the neighborhood.  Positive park utilization aligns with our larger vision and goals – to make Midtown New Albany a neighborhood of choice.

 

3. Describe the project, activity or event you will organize to address the issue(s) described in questions 1a and 1b.

 

Installation of a U8 Soccer field at Ritter Park and facilitation of soccer clinics and a local league during summer months.

 

Installation of electricity in the canopy area of the park and scheduling of music and movie events in warm weather months.

 

 

1. If you achieve successes, what results do you anticipate from the project, activity or event?

 

Increased interaction with residents and an increase in membership in the neighborhood association.

• Increase subscription to email distributions by 50%.  Currently have 54 subscribers.    
• Increase membership by 10%.
• Expand facebook connections and interactions (facebook page to be rolled out in December 2009).
• Increase in neighborhood engagement in park activities

 

Resident and non-resident perceptions of the park and neighborhood improved.

• Measured by survey before and after park enhancements (both on-line and hardcopy survey’s to be utilized).
• Key informant interviews, before and after park enhancements

 

Increased utilization of the park.

• Comparison of scheduled activities from 2009 to 2010.   

 

2. Select 2 – 4 measures* of success that can be achieved within the next 6-12 months.

 

1. Increase of park utilization – doubling (from 15 to 30) of scheduled activities.

2. Improved resident and non-resident perceptions of the park and neighborhood.

3. Increase in residents subscribing to email distribution and registering on dedicated Facebook page.

4. Increase in resident engagement in organizing activities (2 to 4 people)

 

*Measurement reporting facilitated by NWO (New Directions) 

 

 

1. What actions will lead to implementation of the proposed project, activity or event?

 

 

Key Steps

Key Steps	Responsible Team Member	Completed by
1.  Gain city approval to proceed with project.  Meet with Mayor and Director of Operations	Ted/Susan	Completed October 28, 2009
2. Gain Parks Department Endorsement	Ted, Susan, Pastor Allen	Completed 11/17.  Unanimous Endorsement Received.
2.  Design enhancement to park area and canopy	Southern Indiana United, Resident Working Group, Parks Department	1/15/2010
3.  Construction of field and addition of electricity	Parks Department, Southern Indiana United	3/1/2010  to 4/15/2010
4.  Kickoff of new season/ celebrate park opening	Entire Team!	5/1/2010

 

 

 

2. If your Action Plan refers to a specific event or events, please indicate the dates.

 

From:       10/28/2009                  To:   5/1/2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who else needs to be involved?  How will involvement occur?

 

 

Who else needs to be involved?	How will involvement occur?
New Directions Housing Corporation (NWO)	Oversight of project, as the sponsoring NeighborWorks Organization
New Albany Floyd County Parks Department	Attendance by action planning committee at Parks Board meeting and special one on one meeting with Roger Jeffers.  Providing park maintenance and scheduling of pavilion via parks website.
YMCA	Meeting with Joe LaRocca coordinated by Ted and Pastor Allen.  Project endorsement received.  The YMCA will be users of the park facilities.
St. John Presbyterian Church	Pastor Allen Part of action planning team and heavy user of the park facilities.
Southern Indiana United (Soccer Club)	Reaching out via contacts with State Representative Ed Clere.  SIU will provide technical assistance in U8 field design as well as equipment for the soccer field.
Cardinal Ritter Birthplace Foundation	Board Members William Arbaugh and Ed Clere are engaged and are part of the planning team.  Ritter Foundation to provide storage space for soccer equipment.
New Albany Floyd County School Corporation	Susie Reis, S. Ellen Jones Elementary Principal, has been briefed and will function as School Corp contact.  School assists with daily maintenance of park grounds and provides grass cutting.

 

 

 

 

a. What is the specific budget?  Please identify potential and committed sources.  Please list the Action plan grant of $2,000 under Potential as this application will be reviewed by NeighborWorks America staff before a commitment is made.

 

Budget Item	Cost	Source	Potential	Committed
Electrical installation at Park Canopy	$400	Midtown funds		X
Permanent Goal installation	$1,000	Action Plan Grant	X
Kickoff Celebration	$250	Action Plan Grant	X
Goal Nets, Soccer balls, Signage at Park	$500	Develop New Albany		X
Field Grading and Installation (detailed budget in progress)	Est.  $3000.	Multiple Sources: $350 of Action Plan Grant.	X

 

Total estimated project Cost = $5,150

Committed as of 11/18 = $900

 

 

b. How will resources be raised?

 

 Continued Fundraising by working group. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Map of the Park

 

Letters of Support:  YMCA

 

PowerPoint Presentation