Steps to Take to Preserve or Restore Historic Parks Based on a Grassroots Focus
Research
- Research the history and original design of the park using library, archives, internet, etc. (see Researching an Olmsted Landscape in the Advocacy Resources section )
Build A Constituency
- Hold local meetings to introduce neighbors or other interested parties to the history and original design of the park.
- Develop an e-mail sign-up list to keep everyone informed of progress.
- Engage volunteers to write a short history of the park and send it to interested parties.
- Offer walking tours of the park.
Make Initial Contact With Necessary Local Authorities
- Inform them of your goals.
- Contact the local park district and ask to make a presentation to their board or directors.
- Contact and meet with local alderman.
Contact Local Press
- Develop a story line for newspapers about your goals, the history of the park and why it is important to preserve and restore it.
Seek Volunteer Expertise
- Invite architects and landscape architects to do pro bono design to demonstrate how a restored park can look.
- If there is heavy vehicle traffic have traffic engineers look at solutions to decrease traffic.
- Explore the economic advantage of an improved park (such as new housing developments, increased tax bases).
