project leader
Erika A
location
9811 south blvd
(glenville)
latest update rss
No updates yet.

the project

This summer my community and I are creating 3 Urban Pocket Park Retreats in the Glenville neighborhood. These parks will function as small event spaces, play areas for children, spaces for relaxing or meeting friends, taking lunch breaks, reflecting on the unique desires of the neighborhood, and stimulating creativity of the residents who helped build it! These parks will have areas devoted to natural habitat reconstruction and return the land to its original ecological function.

Another feature of our pocket park retreats will be a shade structure to reduce exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays. Even during cooler weather or cloudy days, the sun causes damage. Prolonged exposure can drastically increase your risk of skin cancer. Not only does a shade structure protect from the sun, but it can also add a needed barrier from wind, dust, rain or even snow.  Shade structures are often installed for the sole comfort of customers or guests. Or if there is an area where people are sitting or standing outside for a long period of time, the shade can make them much more comfortable. Because it’s cooler, users are more likely to enjoy the outdoors for a longer period of time. Kids will want to play longer on a playground, or families may extend their picnic if they’re keeping cool under the shade. An outdoor community area encourages friends and families to gather, and they’ll stick around longer if they’re comfortable. Sitting under a shade tree provides the equivalent of SPF 10 sunblockWe will strategically plant fruit trees and native plants to function as nesting grounds for red cardinals, bluejays as well as honeybees.

Lastly by replacing individual car rides with a van to transport our youth to the dozens of field trips and volunteer activities we engage in every summer, we will reduce traffic congestion but also overall carbon emissions in our city. Having a van will help to transport our cleaning and gardening supplies which will in return keep us from having to walk around the neighborhood with alot of tools and supplies, we want to save our energy to put into the work in the Urban Pocket Park Retreats.  Help us save time, neighborhood health, and the planet!

the steps

 

  1. I've already identified 3 vacant city lots 
  2. Finalize flyer to inform neigbhors of the Urban Pocket Park Retreats project and to invite them to participate
  3. Finish touring other pocket parks for inspiration
  4. Complete the layout design for Urban Pocket Park Retreats 
  5. Fundraise 
  6. Organize three teams of volunteer workers (one for each park)
  7. Purchase supplies
  8. Complete the build out!
  9. Opening celebration event where we award the kids their stipends

why we're doing it

By creating a sustainable living ecosystem, pocket parks can be a tool to counteract the negative effects of the urban environment. Air pollution and the depletion of our ozone, is mainly the result of human activities. he small things you do every day can help reduce air pollution and hence improve the protection of the environment as well as human health.  The establishment of pocket parks throughout the urban environment also has the potential to benefit the overall ecology of cities because communities who have parks that meet their needs within walking distance are less likely to drive far away for the same resources, thereby reducing pollution, traffic and the consumption of resources such as oil. 

In addition to creating a place for people to socialize and reflect, Pocket Parks can also inform and inspire people. For example, seed exchanges let visitors take a bit of the park home with them, as well as letting them build relationships with others by contributing seeds in return. The Pocket Park can also host community events; extending the park season to become year-round places of interest and supporting local, grassroots expressions of culture.

Lastly, carpooling encourages single drivers to ride with more passengers, reducing the number of cars on the road. Idling cars contribute to ground level ozone pollution; according to Moms Clean Air Force, “Ozone pollution contains tiny particles that penetrate deep into the lungs and irritate the respiratory system, exacerbating existing asthma. Children are the most vulnerable: their lungs are still developing, and they breathe faster than adults, taking in more dirty air.” Fewer vehicles on the road means less of this pollution, reduced consumption of fossil fuels, and less wear on vehicles. That means that cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs last longer and require fewer repairs to stay operable.

 

budget

Disbursed Budget (5.24.18)

Raised = $5,050.00

less ioby Platform Fee $35.00

less ioby Fiscal Sponsorship Fee (5%) $232.18

less ioby Donation Processing Fee (3%) $139.31

Total to Disburse = $4,643.52

 

For the vacant lot:   $1,500.00 lot

  1. solar lights (2)
  2. solar camera (1)
  3. bike stand (1)
  4. grill (1)
  5. fruit tress and native plants (4)
  6. MISClot fees

Van:   $2000.00 for van and $343.52 for gas 

  1. carpooling youths to and from community engagement activities to save on emissions from having parents with multiple vehicles on the road for our activities
  2. transporting supplies and tools to do the beach and vacant lot clean ups

Student Stipend:  $800.00 

  1. Give to the students at the end of the project, to show them that giving back to the community pays off

 

 

Original Budget

For the vacant lots:    $4,500.00 ($1,500.00 each lot)

1.     solar lights (6)

2.     solar cameras (3)

3.     bike stand (3)

4.     gravel

5.     wood (3 shady areas)

6.     grills (3)

7.     fruit tress and native plants (10)

Van:   $3,500.00 ($3,000.00 for van and $500.00 for gas)  

1.     carpooling youths to and from community engagement activities to save on emissions from having parents with multiple vehicles on the road for our        

        activities

2.     transporting supplies and tools to do the beach and vacant lot clean ups

Student Stipend:  $1,000.00 ($100 each for 5 youths)

1.     Give to the students at the end of the project, to show them that giving back to the community pays off

Subtotal =

7,000

ioby Platform Fee 

$35

ioby Fiscal Sponsorship Fee (5%)

$350

ioby Donation Processing Fee (3%)

$210

Total to raise =

$7,595

 

updates

Sorry, but this project doesn't have any updates yet.

photos

This is where photos will go once we build flickr integration

donors

  • Anonymous
  • Mike McDermott
  • Anonymous
  • Dolores Watson / Eco-Village
  • Anonymous
  • Tracy J.
  • Mary Filipic
  • Lisa-Jean Sylvia
  • Jane Finley
  • Cathi
  • Anonymous
  • Julana Eakin
  • India Pierre-Ingram
  • Anthony Flowers - XIV Productions
  • Karen Gahl-Mills
  • Anonymous
  • Michael Bernot
  • Justin Ragor- State Farm
  • Jane A Black
  • Robert Needlman MD
  • karen w.
  • Linda Russell
  • Anonymous
  • Marchel Beasley
  • Anonymous
  • Peg McDermott
  • Anonymous
  • John Ervin