Parks for People

As families count down to the first day of school, one thing is for certain: the 2020-2021 school year will be unlike any other in our collective lifetimes. The COVID-19 pandemic has put educators and school administrators between a rock and a hard place: bring kids back to the classroom, where experts say that all will be at high risk of virus transmission, or continue with distance learning, which experts agree compromises educational outcomes and accelerates inequality.

This Pocket Park Toolkit was created to help any individual, group, or organization interested in supporting their community by building parks. Through research, discussion, and interviews with experts in the fields of community engagement and organizing, park funding, design, and ongoing park operations and maintenance, this Toolkit provides practical guidance for both the novice community leader and the seasoned government employee. It is geared toward a reader with knowledge about parks and their benefits, but still looking for some clear guidance on how to get started. This Toolkit provides a snapshot of successful strategies and case studies partnered with checklists and templates to empower folks to work with their neighbors to build more parks and stronger, healthier, and more connected communities.