Transform Public Spaces to Increase Safety

Thriving public spaces and positive recreational activities are essential for the well-being of any community. However, in areas with high concentrations of low-income families these resources are often scarce. The absence of safe, engaging activities for youth can increase the risk of destructive behaviors, while neglected public spaces can diminish community pride and safety.

By partnering with residents and local leaders, you can create and maintain high-quality recreational facilities, develop engaging programs, and transform communal areas into vibrant hubs of activity.

To Get Started:

• Assess Community Needs and Assets: Connect with community leaders, resident groups, and local organizations to identify specific needs, such as recreational facilities or improvements to public spaces.

• Focus on High-Need Areas: Prioritize efforts in communities with a scarcity of well-maintained public spaces to ensure the greatest impact.

• Build a Broad-Based Coalition and Implement Inclusive Projects: Form a broad-based coalition that includes residents, local leaders, faith communities, and government representatives. This partnership will plan, fund, and implement projects, ensuring residents are central to the decision-making process. Launch inclusive initiatives such as recreational programs for all ages or community clean-up and beautification events.

Examples of Best Practices / Innovative Programs:

• Individual and Family

  • The Healthier Niagara Falls Collaborative revitalized a vacant lot by planting produce, landscaping, and constructing benches, transforming it into a community asset. This project demonstrates how residents can transform blighted spaces into vibrant community hubs. 

  • Neighborhood Allies AIM Initiative is a six-week summer program in Pittsburgh's Hill District that educates youth about unity and community improvement. Residents can replicate such programs to empower youth and strengthen neighborhood ties. 

  • Adopt-A-Neighborhood Project partners with Legal Aid of Western Missouri to address quality-of-life issues in urban neighborhoods. Residents can collaborate with their services to tackle public safety and well-being challenges.

• Faith Community

  • Enterprise Faith-Based Development Initiative partners with houses of worship to transform underused land into affordable housing and community spaces. It provides funding, training, and expert support to create sustainable community assets. 

  • Zones of Peace, Philadelphia is a region-wide interfaith movement that includes churches, synagogues, mosques, and other organizations working together to revitalize neighborhoods. Projects focus on creating safe, peaceful, and thriving communities.

• Government

  • The Baltimore City Adopt-A-Lot Program allows communities to lease vacant city-owned lots to create community gardens, parks, or healing spaces. This initiative beautifies neighborhoods, provides fresh food, and fosters communal connections.