The Neighborhood Parks Council (NPC), sfneighborhoodparks.org, is a coalition of community-based park groups actively involved in improving neighborhood parks throughout San Francisco. In addition to technical assistance and organizing help to their network and new park groups, NPC provides a forum for sharing information and experience at park planning meetings in each District, including educational presentations and workshops with guest speakers and topic experts. Through these events, NPC strives to increase public and private support for, and commitment to, the restoration and improved maintenance of our neighborhood parks, playgrounds, and recreation facilities.
Since 1996, NPC has grown to include 67 District Park Planning (DPP) organizations, 120+ park groups and 4,000 park volunteers, establishing itself as San Francisco's premier park advocacy group. Their focus on a well-articulated mission and energetic agenda has inspired positive change within our city's parks.
Public Awareness
NPC galvanizes public awareness of, and involvement in, the major issues facing our neighborhood parks. Through their quarterly member meetings and DPP meetings, NPC brings city leaders and the community together to foster a shared vision for clean, safe, beautiful parks and quality recreation programs.
Park Advocacy
Their clout as an advocacy group shows in the placement of the "Parks Package" on the March 2000 ballot responsible for securing a $110 million bond to upgrade our neighborhood parks -- the first citywide bond in over 50 years -- and the renewal of the cherished Open Space Fund for another 30 years!
Education
NPC helps park groups acquire the resources and contacts they need to realize their goals. In addition, we provide a variety of forums through which San Franciscans can learn about their parks and plan for the improvement of these precious spaces. Through programs such as Nature In The City, community members learn about myriad topics from renowned naturalists while also enjoying the City's many unique neighborhood parks.
Community Involvement
NPC is dedicated to developing a strong working relationship between our community and the Recreation and Park Department. Through innovative projects such as ParkScan, NPC has helped to establish long-needed standards of park maintenance as well as provide city agencies with useful, accurate information about park conditions and community priorities.
Park Improvements
In addition to the thousands of hours of volunteer labor NPC affiliate groups contribute in their parks, NPC launched the Playground Campaign to help rebuild San Francisco's dilapidated playgrounds. With the help of the community and corporate sponsors, the campaign is creating safe, fun, cost-effective, destination playgrounds. The success of the Campaign is evident in its instrumental role in the impressive overhaul of Crocker Amazon Playground -- formerly one of the most rundown playgrounds in San Francisco.
All of San Francisco's neighborhoods deserve beautiful, well-maintained areas in which to play, mingle and relax. For more information on how to start or participate in an effort in your area, visit sfneighborhoodparks.org or call NPC at (415) 621.3260.
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