Urban Planner, Facilitator, and People Lover. Co-founder of Conscious Community Connectors.
Going to door to door is often the “unsexy” part of community engagement but I do believe it is the most important and impactful. Wimauma has been one of my personal favorite communities to do this in because of how connected the neighbors are (it’s a rural small town). I’ve been privy to witnessing neighbors sharing eggs, vegetable, and fresh tamales while out there- actively demonstrating the power and strength of their social capital. And to be clear- when we go door to door, we’re not surveying: we’re truly connecting. Checking in, asking what they care about, and making sure that they are aware of how to be involved if they choose to do so. Anyways, all of this to say: this is why it’s important to prioritize authentic, grassroots community engagement strategies in all of our urban planning processes. It’s the only way to truly understand the communities we’re trying to plan for and how we’ll actually get to see successful projects and plans.
CCC hit the streets yesterday in Wimauma to ask residents what they want to see in the Bethune Park Masterplan. Although we got to hear the perspectives and visions of many, 100% of those we spoke with wanted a Splash Pad! (Something we definitely would have taken advantage in yesterday’s heat 🥵) Hopefully we’ll be able to come back and enjoy the splash pad in the future 😊
it would be super cool to have a second splash pad for dogs inside a dog park at bethune
Speaking directly to my HEART AND SOUL, YES!!!
Deanne Austin
9mo
As a community organizer, it can be daunting but rewarding.
Making Connections that Make a Difference. Community Engagement & Outreach | Partnership Development | Communication & Media Relations | Building Trust | Public Policy Advocate
9moYou don't know unless you're a part of it, or unless you ask.