January 2024 - Parks & Recreation - 27

10 Ways to Build Trust and
Engagement With Diverse
Communities
encouraged to share their personal
stories and experiences. By engaging
in open dialogues, we cultivate
an environment of mutual respect
and understanding,
fostering the
empathy needed to bridge cultural
divides. Lynnwood's NRPA
grant-funded equitable park planning
project, ParksLove Project,
utilized several outreach and engagement
strategies to reach diverse
groups of community members,
including offering a bilingual
listening session and park tour.
Communication and
Engagement
Language barriers
Association that develops cultural
exchanges, convenings and artistic
projects, such as the unique design
for each community built into our
Signal Box Art program.
often can be
a significant obstacle to effective
communication and engagement.
Language is not just a means of
communication; it is a gateway to
understanding the nuances of a
culture. By learning the languages
spoken by our neighbors, we not
only facilitate better communication,
but also demonstrate a sincere
commitment to building lasting relationships.
In the ParksLove Project,
we worked closely with trusted
messengers from different cultural
groups to assist with translation
and interpretation of materials so
that visuals, boards and conversations
were being held with context,
using appropriate - and sometimes
subtle - dialect choices, and
serving as the face of the project to
gain better insights.
Cultivating Trust
Trust and engagement can be fortified
through collaborative community
initiatives. Creating platforms
that encourage cross-cultural partnerships,
such as volunteer programs,
can help unite people around
common causes. Lynnwood has a
thriving Sister and Friendship City
Advancing Education
Education plays a pivotal role in
dispelling stereotypes and misconceptions
that may hinder trust and
engagement. Lynnwood organizes
cultural art and heritage displays
and workshops that provide accurate
information about different
cultures, dispelling myths and fostering
a deeper appreciation for diversity.
These workshops can cover
such topics as history, traditions
and social norms, promoting cultural
literacy and reducing the potential
for misunderstandings.
As a Mexican-Latina immigrant,
I firmly believe that building trust
and engagement with diverse cultures
is an essential undertaking
that enriches our collective experience.
By fostering inclusivity, empathy
and education, Lynnwood
strives to become a model for harmonious
coexistence among its
multicultural residents. Embracing
diverse cultures is not just a responsibility,
but also an opportunity to
create a thriving community where
everyone's voice is heard and everyone's
contributions are valued.
Through
concerted efforts, we
can transform our differences into
strengths and create a brighter future
for all.
Thank you to Sarah Olson, MPA,
CPRP, for her contributions to this
article. To read this article in Spanish,
visit nrpa.org/FosteringTrustAnd
Engagement.
Julieta Altamirano-Crosby, Ph.D., is
Council Vice President at City of Lynnwood
and Executive Director of WA-GRO
Foundation (jcrosby@lynnwoodwa.gov).
1. Community Involvement and Collaboration
* Involve diverse community members in the
planning, design and decision-making process.
* Establish partnerships with local community
organizations, cultural groups and leaders to
ensure representation and inclusivity.
2. Cultural Sensitivity and Competency
* Train staff and volunteers in cultural competency
to understand and respect the values, beliefs
and practices of different communities.
* Offer educational programs that celebrate the
diverse cultural heritage of the community.
3. Language Access
* Provide multilingual signage, maps and
information about park amenities and rules.
* Hire multilingual staff or interpreters.
4. Inclusive Programming
* Develop a variety of programs and events
that cater to the interests and preferences of
different communities.
5. Accessible Facilities
* Ensure park facilities, trails and amenities are
physically accessible to people with disabilities,
including those with mobility challenges or
sensory impairments.
6. Representation in Marketing and Promotion
* Use marketing materials that feature diverse
communities.
* Collaborate with local media outlets and
community influencers to promote the park
and its offerings to a broader audience.
7. Listening and Feedback Mechanisms
* Create avenues for feedback from park
visitors, especially from under-represented
communities.
8. Celebration of Traditions and Festivals
* Incorporate traditional celebrations and
festivals from various cultures into the city's
event calendar.
9. Safe and Inclusive Spaces
* Ensure parks are a safe space for all. Address
any incidents of discrimination, harassment or
exclusion promptly and appropriately.
* Implement visible policies against hate speech,
discrimination and behavior that goes against
the principles of inclusivity.
10. Continuous Learning and Improvement
* Regularly evaluate your engagement practices
through surveys, focus groups and community
meetings. Use this feedback to make
improvements and refine your strategies.
PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G | J ANUAR Y 2 0 2 4 | Parks & Recreation
27
http://www.nrpa.org/FosteringTrustAndEngagement http://www.nrpa.org/FosteringTrustAndEngagement
January 2024 - Parks & Recreation

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