Partnerships for Parks supports the work done by the Immigrants & Parks Collaborative through technical assistance.
The Immigrants & Parks Collaborative works to ensure our city’s open spaces are democratic, representative of neighbors’ wants and needs, and serve as relevant resources for all New Yorkers. The Collaborative consists of ten vibrant organizations working in eight parks throughout the city. Committed to fueling locally driven, immigrant-led community development by creating opportunities for civic engagement in neighborhood parks, the Collaborative encourages local government, institutions, and organizations to work together to use parks in creative ways for inclusive community development and park improvements.
Conceived of and funded by the J.M. Kaplan Fund, the Immigrants & Parks Collaborative consists of a unique partnership among a private foundation, city agency, private-public entity, and advocacy organization. Partnerships for Parks and the New York Immigration Coalition work together to provide technical assistance to ten community-based organizations. Most organizations house Immigrant Outreach Fellows—staff charged with carrying out the daily activities of connecting immigrants with local parks. The result is strengthened local capacity and clarity and a citywide member network of immigrant and park supporters.
The Immigrants & Parks Collaborative grew out of a pilot project in Forest and Highland Parks. The pilot project yielded: new relationships, new programming created in collaboration with immigrant-serving community partners, trainings on how organizations can use parks, inclusive outreach tools, and a better understanding of park user preferences through surveys.
Visit the Immigrants and Parks Collaborative website for more information and to read more about the members of the Collaborative.
For a park to truly play its role—to welcome everyone in the community—parks programming and activities have to appeal and be relevant to people who live in the neighborhood. New York City’s parks are a testament to its extraordinary diversity: 40 percent of the city's residents are foreign-born. Parks are also an entry point for immigrants to participate in civic life. For parks groups looking to make a difference in their communities, one question stands out: How ready is your parks group to reach out and engage immigrants?
This guide, prepared by Partnerships for Parks, aims to inspire and inform you with successful outreach tips and strategies used by the Immigrants & Parks Collaborative.
© City Parks Foundation
