Engage early with all interested community members and groups to understand their needs and aspirations, and reflect their wishes in the design.
Work closely with the community to incorporate design elements which reflect a distinct sense of place. Tell local history stories, and convey the community's connection with the place.
Engage with the community
Involve the surrounding community in the design process so that the park's development is based on local knowledge. Locals can inform management decisions and inspire design innovation. Engagement promotes community ownershipand the long term stewardship of the park. This contributes to a lasting high quality park environment.
Successfully involve the community by:
- engaging early in the design process with individuals, community groups, schools and organisations that have an interest in the site
- engaging with adjoining landowners
- establishing roles and expectations for the engagement process, and providing clear communication with the community throughout the design process
- understanding any existing management strategies that are in place and any aspirations the community has for the site.
Integrate active education elements
Provide opportunities for the public to learn and interact with the park. Educating park users about the traditional or historic use of the land through interpretive signage or restored buildings can help preserve and recognise rural heritage. Integrating learning experiences such as feeding farm animals can provide significant education opportunities that enhance our communities.
Include education elements in design by:
- identifying unique or interesting aspects of the park that could be celebrated and used as platforms for education
- exploring different interpretive elements or activities that could be used to educate park users and enhance their park experience, including interpretive signage, interpretive art, education centres, feeding, milking or shearing stations and teaching gardens
- where buildings exist, investigate if they can be shared with the public. Consider promoting a new or historic use of thebuilding, that gives people access to it.