Take a Walk - Vibrant Cities Lab

With an ambassador as co-host, invite people to walk the neighborhood to get a sense of what trees might do to improve it. The aim is collaborative learning – achieving common understanding of what’s possible and what neighbors expect, need and want.

Face-to-face or telephone invitations may be preferable as people are more likely to attend. Make sure any invitation – personal or email – comes from you and one or more respected leaders from the community.

To make conversation easier, it may help to limit the group to 15. This can be most productive if you give some thought to who should attend. The goal of this initial walk is to recruit allies and address the legitimate concerns they raise. If there are people you already believe will oppose the plan, it’s best to deal with their objections later.

Tips

Find a Host

Folks are more likely to attend if they know who’s inviting them. Who you choose to host will determine who’s most likely to show up. For example, the local elementary school Parent Teacher Assocation (PTA) president will attract other members – and possibly teachers and students as well. Likewise, local pastors and clergy may be willing to help organize a congregational activity.

Make it Fun

Select a time that’s convenient – weekends or early evening. Offer snacks, beverages and childcare, especially if you can arrange for donations. Invite participants to take photos of what they find most appealing (and/or least appealing) during the walk. Ask them to forward their favorites to you and return a “slide show” which reflects what residents seem to value.

Invite Local Officials

Not only can they contribute to the discussion, they’ll have an opportunity to listen. Hearing directly from residents on their own turf can help officials assure that plans are developed in concert with people, not by the local government for people.

Once you’ve gathered at the starting point, begin by asking group members to agree on the “best” place in the neighborhood. If there’s no consensus, try to visit one or two or more. Once there, ask what about this place appeals to them. Then structure a walk that passes some or all of the following sites:

A dead or dying tree
Street with no or very few trees
Trees near houses
A large healthy tree to demonstrate benefits to people
Trees in a school yard or a school yard with no trees
A walking route often taken by neighborhood residents (note the presence or absence of trees)
Bare pavement without trees (parking lot, sidewalk, school yard)

For a printable description of these locations and suggested discussion topics, click here.