Tactical Urbanism in

Park Projects

Christine Newman

Director of Community and Volunteer Engagement, AARP NJ

Examples from AARP NJ’s

Livable Communities Work

Tactical Urbanism as a Tool in the

Livable/Age Friendly Toolbox in NJ

AARP NJ begins Livable work in late 2016

1st Tactical Urbanism Project: Community Challenge Grant 2017

Initial Goal Engaging in Tactical Urbanism

Utilize as a connection to new communities and new

organizations

Trial balloon with volunteers and community partners

Explore if a viable tactic for our work in NJ around Livable/Age

Friendly

Example from New Jersey: 2017 Alley

Activation Project in Metuchen

Project Goals:

Connect large downtown parking area to main street shops and restaurants

Concretely demonstrate the untapped potential and reclaim the space for public

use

Provide opportunity for local community and main street patrons to sit, socialize,

interact, play

Economic Value-Ad to Downtown

Unleash the power of local community, civic engagement

Example from New Jersey: 2017 Alley

Activation Project in Metuchen

Example from New Jersey: 2017 Alley

Activation Project in Metuchen

Reclaimed Wood Table: $45

Road Paint and

Supplies: $300

2017 Alley Activation Project, Metuchen NJ

Example from New Jersey: 2017 Alley

Activation Project in Metuchen

Project Results:

Achieved Project Goals, Community continues to iterate

Engaged existing volunteer core

and recruited 2 new volunteers

Engaged targeted Stakeholders

Participants were able to concretely identify/relate this

project to Livability/Age Friendly

Expanded concept of our Livable Work

Demonstrated how this is a viable tactic

to achieve livable goals

Example from New Jersey: 2017 Alley

Activation Project in Metuchen

Lessons/Insights Moving Forward

Partnerships are Key

Must be community driven, with organizational support

Community visioning boards

Local downtown alliance, community members, city council members identified goals, created and delegated work plan

Don’t think $$, think Community Organizing

2 Levels of Strategy Needed

High level: How do you keep the focus on long term goal vs. this is a one off “event”

Need very logistical/tactical skill set and focus as well: building a pallet chair etc.

Example from New Jersey: 2018

Sayreville Park Project with DPW

AARP NJ Project Goals:

Provide opportunity for volunteer leadership engagement and development

Engage volunteers as community representative of AARP with local DPW

Establish new relationship with local municipal depts. with CP: DPW

Long term: Re-start community activities in this section of the park

Example from New Jersey: 2018

Sayreville Park Project with DPW

Completely Volunteer Led

Partners

Sayreville DPW

EMS,

local Boy scout troop

Project Scope: 1 Day

Add temporary way-finding signage to horseshoe pits

Add temporary palette chair seating around horseshoe pits

Park Cleanup

Rebuild horseshoe pits:

Fill and grade with sand

Build perimeter

Install stakes

Example from New Jersey: 2018

Sayreville Park Project with DPW

Lessons/Insights Moving Forward

Must have realistic and defined scope

Communicate with Partners early and often regarding goals/scope/timeline

2 Levels of Strategy Needed

High level: How do you keep the focus on long term goal vs. this is a one off “event”

Need very logistical/tactical skill set and focus as well: building a pallet chair etc.

Example from New Jersey: 2019 Garfield

Jewel St. Park with Generations for Garfield

Project Goals:

Increase intergenerational utilization of Jewel park to advance AF action plan

Demonstrate temporary improvements that can be implemented in other parks, and demonstrate need for permanent improvements

Engage local community members and non profits in intergeneration activities to advance AF action plan

Foster connections between diverse communities and police force in park neighborhood

Raise awareness and involvement of community members in Generations for Garfield

Example from New Jersey: 2019 Garfield

Jewel St. Park with Generations for Garfield

Partners:

Garfield PD

Garfield Health Dept.

Garfield Housing Authority

Garfield YMCA

EPIC Teen Mentorship program

Example from New Jersey: 2019 Garfield

Jewel St. Park with Generations for Garfield

Project Scope: Build and Paint Corn hole Boards

Example from New Jersey: 2019 Garfield

Jewel St. Park with Generations for Garfield

Project Scope: Re-Paint Seating with Temporary Paint

Example from New Jersey: 2019 Garfield

Jewel St. Park with Generations for Garfield

Project Scope: Add Temporary Seating

Example from New Jersey: 2019 Garfield

Jewel St. Park with Generations for Garfield

Project Scope: Add Temporary Fence Art

Example from New Jersey: 2019 Garfield

Jewel St. Park with Generations for Garfield

Results

Increased park utilization day of and after

Completed entire scope in timeframe

Engaged new volunteers in both AARP and Generations

for Garfield’s initiative

Completely intergenerational activity

City looking to replicate in other parks

Example from New Jersey: 2019 Garfield

Jewel St. Park with Generations for Garfield

Lessons/Insights Moving Forward

Local Partnerships are Key

Who needs to be at the table and who’s not?

Take the time to define and get agreement on the goals

Keep the goals as a laser focus

Looking Ahead to 2020 and Beyond

Projects helped define AARP’s Goals and Role

Convener, partner, resource

The idea and action must come from community to be effective

Valuable tool for volunteer capacity and leadership

development

Tactic to advance Age Friendly Action Plans

Focus on support at 2 Levels of Strategy

Goal Setting: How do you keep the focus on long term goal

vs. this is a one off “event”

Logistical: Tactical skill set development

Parks: Thank You!

Tactical Urbanism in Park Projects

Christine Newman, cnewman@aarp.orgDirector of Community Outreach and Volunteer Engagement,

AARP New Jersey