Financially Feasible? One Common Community

¶ … financially feasible?

One common community project that is frequently cited as a valuable endeavor is that of a recreational center for teens. While this is a noble project, it also entails considerable expense because of the overhead required to maintain and run as well as build the facility. For example, coaches must be hired to supervise the games, equipment must be stored and maintained, and the teens must be supervised within the facility. Insurance during potentially hazardous sporting events is another consideration. However, an open space park requires less maintenance costs. Thus improving the existing community park and adding sports facilities for teens, like basketball courts and tennis courts might be a better option than a luxurious indoor facility with a snack bar, organized leagues, and so forth.

What populations are historically underserved?

Is it the elderly? The young? People living within certain districts that are poorer and lack open spaces for people to go to play and enjoy the outdoors? Is there a need for people who exercise to have sidewalks in some areas, or are certain teams and leagues in the community suffering because of the limits of the current park system? Given that resources are finite (and $50,000 is not very much in today's dollars) it must be asked if some of the needs addressed by the projects are already being met by other institutions. Schools may offer sporting facilities after-hours that are already available for recreational players, while seniors might be able to have a 'Bingo' night already at the local church and organize their community around private institutions.

How much community spirit is there?

For projects such as a sports or country fair, a clean-up day, a senior citizens dinner, etcetera, more than money is needed -- time and volunteers are also required. Does the community have people with enough time 'on their hands' to staff such projects? If much of the community is made up of adults with small children and busy careers, most of them may not have time to engage in the necessary planning and coordination efforts to run these projects. However, a community with a large population of retirees might contain people who are willing to jump at the chance to give back something meaningful, in organizing such efforts. Additionally, there might be long-standing community organizations, like a runner's club, that would be willing to help organize a 5K run.

How long do residents usually live in the area?

If there is a large population of people that tend to leave at times, like during the summer, or a large population of renters, creating regular 'days' or seasonal events might also be problematic, as attendance might vary from year to year so much, or because people lack the willingness to make going to the event a regular part of their family celebrations.

What resources already exist that can be built upon and developed?

If there are recreational softball leagues, building new fields might be a good idea. If the senior citizen's center exists already, refurbishing it to allow for more wheelchair access and more varied activities might be a good idea. If areas of the community are unsafe, full of graffiti, or unusable, putting money into rehabilitating these efforts might be a good idea.

How do we wish to change and shape the community?

For a community with a lack of a common bond, creating a central meeting place like a park might be a good idea. If the community is suffering particular problems, like obesity and lack of activity, creating an area where there are tracks and fitness runs might be a good idea. Having a monthly 5K run, or a 'let's get healthy day' staffed by volunteer nurses and doctors is another option. Some communities have even experimented with allowing residents to grow small gardens in unused plots of land, which would give people access to more fresh and inexpensive fruits and vegetables.

For communities where improved safety is a priority, using some of the financial resources to create a neighborhood watch, install more street lights, and provide more bike racks where people can keep their bikes safe may be the priority.