What do we mean by a neighborhood beautification program? __ Neighborhood beautification means making a neighborhood look and feel better. __ A neighborhood beautification program is a strategy to maintain, enhance, and/or change the character of your neighborhood over the long term. __ Neighborhood beautification can lead to more interaction among neighbors from diverse backgrounds, more neighborhood life, and a neighborhood that supports both economic development and a sense of community. Why establish a neighborhood beautification program? __ A neighborhood beautification program can build neighborhood pride and ownership. __ It can improve the quality of life in the neighborhood. __ It can help to attract new residents. __ It can help to attract new business. __ It can attract entertainment and culture. __ It can serve as the base for neighborhood revitalization. __ It can improve neighborhood and community health. __ It’s a way to involve youth and other people who are often left out. __ It can build stronger neighborhood relationships. __ It can send a message to the rest of the community about the unity and values of your neighborhood. When should you consider a neighborhood beautification program? __ When a neighborhood group acts as a spearhead. __ When the neighborhood has gone, or is in danger of going, downhill. __ When there’s a specific problem that needs to be tackled. __ When funding or other support is available. __ In conjunction with a brownfields cleanup or similar effort. __ In conjunction with other types of neighborhood improvement efforts. Who should be involved in neighborhood beautification programs? __ Homeowners. __ Renters. __ Landlords and other property owners. __ Business owners and managers. __ Local officials. These would include neighborhood City Council representatives, state legislators that represent the neighborhood, Board of Health members, etc. __ Youth. __ Specific populations defined by race, ethnicity, or other common elements. __ Neighborhood organizations. Some possibilities would include neighborhood associations or councils, a neighborhood watch, block associations, and neighborhood youth groups. __ Organizations and agencies that serve the neighborhood – a local hospital, the public library, health and human service organizations, cultural institutions. __ Community services (planning, police and fire, garbage pickup, recycling, etc.) __ Neighborhood faith communities. __ Service clubs (Lions, Rotary, etc.) __ Schools and other educational institutions. How do you establish a neighborhood beautification program? Phase One: Recruiting neighborhood residents as leaders and participants __ Recruit people to take the lead. __ Conduct outreach to neighborhood residents to inform them about and involve them in the effort. Phase Two: Developing a plan for neighborhood beautification __ Assemble a participatory planning group. __ Conduct a neighborhood assessment. __ Develop a vision for the neighborhood. __ Develop goals. __ Develop an overall strategy to realize your goals and, ultimately, your vision. __ Develop an action plan for each goal. __ Develop a plan for maintaining gains. __ Devise a way to monitor and evaluate your effort. Phase Three: Presenting the plan to the neighborhood, gaining approval, and implementing the first step __ Present the plan to the neighborhood. __ Collect feedback. __ Incorporate feedback to the extent possible. __ Present the final plan and ask for neighborhood support. __ Implement the first stage of the plan. __ Start working on the next stage of the plan. __ Keep the program going for the life of the neighborhood.
