Why Delta Park?
Delta Park serves 2,623 residents within a 10-minute walk from home with children comprising nearly half of this population. With the exception of some old basketball courts, the park is primarily a desolate greenbelt that lacks a playground or equipment to entice children to be physically active in the park. The community-led redesign of Delta Park will turn this open space into a vibrant, culturally relevant and inviting space for all ages.
- The City of Greeley believes that access to quality parks and green spaces is a fundamental requirement for sustaining healthy, equitable and resilient communities.
- The Trust for Public Lands Parks for People program is committed to ensuring that everyone in America lives within a 10-minute walk of a quality park or near an amazing outdoor experience.
Let’s Connect
In support of the project goals, TPL identified four strategies to engage the community, including:
- employing the assistance of resident experts;
- holding community events;
- supporting culturally relevant programs in the park, and
- creating opportunities to listen and learn from the community.
Events
Five events were held or attended in 2021 as part of the first phase of outreach. It is estimated that 500-700 residents took part, with the majority stopping to talk with staff. During these events, the City of Greeley and The Trust for Public Land began to ask the question “How do you like to spend time outside with your family?” This question is a simple and direct way to understand the community’s priorities. Children expressed how they like to play outside and adults shared their concerns and desires for Delta Park via an interactive Delta Park Dream Tree activity.
Culturally Relevant Programs
Community events have all been designed to celebrate the diversity of the community and provide recreational and social opportunities to learn and connect with one another. Examples include World Refugee Day where residents were invited to speak about their experiences and share their stories of resilience with the community and the Meet Me in the Park event where Somali tea, foods, and entertainment were enjoyed by all. Additionally, a series of storybooks, in partnership with Unite for Literacy and local artist Armando Silva, will document key milestones during the project. Hard copies of the books will be distributed to the neighborhood and will be available for free online in multiple languages narrated by community members.
Listen and Learn
Weekly Coffee and Tea Talks have begun giving residents another opportunity to express how they view the park, barriers to the use and enjoyment of the park, and understand how the City of Greeley can improve the park in a way that addresses those barriers. Childcare and translation is provided.