Week2 Comunity Project Paper
Community Project Paper
Trista Baldwin
MGT/522
October 27, 2014
Cara Koch
Community Project Paper
The Heart in the Park Labyrinth located in Tonkawa began in 2006 with a group of community members who expressed interest in local artist Audrey Schmitz idea to recognize and celebrate Oklahoma 's Centennial. The city 's motto "Wheatheart of Oklahoma" and the Native American translation of the towns name "Tonkawa" meaning "they all stay together" was the inspiration behind the design. The park contains pavers and art panels depicting local culture and history. In less than one years’ time fund in excess of $150,000.00 were raised through donations, grants, and in-kind services. The park is utilized for a variety of community activities including educational presentations to high school and college students, fundraising events, an annual Harvest Walk, Valentine 's Day Walk and weddings ("Heart in the Park Labyrinth", n.d).
Community projects such as this can be successful when elected officials come together with residents. Collaboration amongst various team members has proven to be an effective tool when utilized to accomplish common goals that may not have been achievable on their own (Swindell & Hilvert, 2014). When different partners come together it is important to ensure that all team players are on the same page. There are seven characteristics that can influence the success in achieving goals in a community project; assessing funds available, contract specifications, labor intensity, capital intensity, costs, management competencies, and administrative stability. These agreements that are often formed between public or private sectors and government can be informal arrangements or it can be done through more formal arrangements. According to Contemplating Collaboration, these arrangements consist of at least two units of government but can include more (2014). An example given in Contemplating Collaboration includes 18 municipalities in Cook
Trista Baldwin
MGT/522
October 27, 2014
Cara Koch
Community Project Paper
The Heart in the Park Labyrinth located in Tonkawa began in 2006 with a group of community members who expressed interest in local artist Audrey Schmitz idea to recognize and celebrate Oklahoma 's Centennial. The city 's motto "Wheatheart of Oklahoma" and the Native American translation of the towns name "Tonkawa" meaning "they all stay together" was the inspiration behind the design. The park contains pavers and art panels depicting local culture and history. In less than one years’ time fund in excess of $150,000.00 were raised through donations, grants, and in-kind services. The park is utilized for a variety of community activities including educational presentations to high school and college students, fundraising events, an annual Harvest Walk, Valentine 's Day Walk and weddings ("Heart in the Park Labyrinth", n.d).
Community projects such as this can be successful when elected officials come together with residents. Collaboration amongst various team members has proven to be an effective tool when utilized to accomplish common goals that may not have been achievable on their own (Swindell & Hilvert, 2014). When different partners come together it is important to ensure that all team players are on the same page. There are seven characteristics that can influence the success in achieving goals in a community project; assessing funds available, contract specifications, labor intensity, capital intensity, costs, management competencies, and administrative stability. These agreements that are often formed between public or private sectors and government can be informal arrangements or it can be done through more formal arrangements. According to Contemplating Collaboration, these arrangements consist of at least two units of government but can include more (2014). An example given in Contemplating Collaboration includes 18 municipalities in Cook
References: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/aag/healthy_communities.htm Heart in the Park Labyrinth. (n.d). Retrieved from http://www.heartinthepark.org/history.html Swindell, D., & Hilvert, C. (2014). CONTEMPLATING COLLABORATION. Public Management (00333611). 96(7),6.