Organize Valuable Input

ORGANIZING EXPERTISE
Creating an Advising Committee

Getting the right advice at the outset of a project can make a real difference to your park project. Once you have a vision in place, or even before you commit, gathering feedback from different groups can help you identify opportunities and challenges early on.

Advisors on your parks planning committee could include:

Technical experts

Sports and recreation organizations

Organizations with expertise on accessibility and inclusion

Representatives from other cultural organizations, such as art galleries or museums

City or town administrative employees

Business associations that represent business interests in the community

Businesses within the community with an interest in supporting public infrastructure projects

Community or neighbourhood associations

Representatives from school boards

Representatives from surrounding communities with park development experience

As with any big undertaking, it’s a good idea to bring people on board early in the process, and to find people who are passionate about the vision you will create for your community. Passion and knowledge can go hand in hand, and a big part of setting the vision for your park is to get people excited about it!

When you’re organizing your advisory committee, keep in mind the long term goals for the urban park or trail system. Consider how current and future projects will affect residents, businesses and cultural spaces in your community, and bring in interested parties early on.