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Mobile Recreation Expanding Access through Mobile Recreation Services

10/14/2016TheBrooklynBridgeAllianceforYouthIvanLui

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ExecutiveSummary

Therearemany‘non-participating’youthinBrooklynCenterandBrooklynParkwhodon’tknowaboutandcan’tgettoourcurrentrecreationfacilities.Oursolution,developedbytheAllianceStrategyTeamandoperationalizedbytheCitiesofBrooklynCenterandBrooklynPark,wastobringmobile‘brickandmortar’facilitiestothecommunityviaMobileRecreationServices“RecontheGo”(ROTG)thatwillincreaseparticipationandeliminatebarriers.AllianceresearchhasidentifiedtheneedsofyouthintheBrooklyns.Communitysurveyscompletedin2008,2012,andin2014identifiedthefollowing:

• 61%ofrespondentssaidthattheywerenotcurrentlyparticipatinginanyprogram• 45%ofrespondentssaid“notknowingwhat’savailable”wasabarriertoparticipation• 34%ofrespondentssaidthattransportationwasabarriertotheirparticipation,and• 45%ofrespondentsexpressedinterestinoutdoorrecreationactivities

ManycommunitiesthroughouttheU.S.areusingmobilerecreationplatformsasawaytoserveunderrepresentedand/orgeographicallyisolatedpopulations.Bybringingrecreationprogramsandservicesouttothecommunityandtotheirconstituents,weareabletoreducetransportation,access,andcostbarriers.ThisreportsummarizesthefirsthalfofthepilotyearofROTG.Theresultswillbeusedtolearnandgrowthisefforttoincreaseparticipation.BrooklynCenterandBrooklynParkeachtookthesamecoreprogramdesignandcustomizedittotheirneeds,capacity,philosophyandpractice.Theexecutivesummaryprovidesanoverviewofcombinedresults.Individualresultsareprovidedinthefullreport.Overall,thefirstsummerwasasuccess.Eachcitysuccessfullylaunched,expandedaccesstonewusersandhadhighcustomersatisfaction.

ProgramResultsSummary

ThefollowingdetailsthecombinedresultsofthefirstyearoftheROTGprogram.ProgramOutputs

• 2MobileRecreationVehiclespurchasedandoutfitted• 12ROTGlocationsatcityparksandapartmentcomplexes• 12weeksofsummerprogramming• 215totalsitevisits• 3165mealsservedbyPartnersinNutrition• 28specialeventsattendedbyROTG

YouthParticipation

• 3028totalparticipantvisits• 908unduplicatedyouthparticipants• 3842youthattendedROTGspecialevents

65%ofallyouthwhoparticipatedwerenewtorecreation

programming

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YouthOutcomes• 591participants(65%)hadneverparticipatedinrecreationactivitiespreviously• YouthweresatisfiedwiththeROTGprogramming

ProgramOutcomes

• AdemandwascreatedformoreROTG;feedbackshowedthatrespondentsrequestedexpansiontoincludeadditionalhours,programmingyear-round,andmorelocations

• BothCitiessuccessfullylaunchedauniqueservicethatreachedouttoresidentstobringrecreationservicestotheirlocalparkorapartmentcomplex

ProcessEvaluationAswearelearningtogether,thefollowinglessonslearnedemerged:

• Theprogramleadersbenefittedfromthepartnershipbetweenthecitiesandothercommunitypartners

• Havingwell-trainedstaffisakeytoprogramsuccess• Challengesincludedthelargeagerangeofyouthparticipantsandweather(heatandrain)• Increaseddemandfromthecommunitywillrequirecarefulconsiderationonhowtoexpand

scopeofROTGtoconsider:o Additionaltimeso Additionallocationso Fieldtripso Availabilityforcommunityeventsandcommunityorganizationso Staffing

Summary

ResultsindicatethatthesummerlaunchoftheROTGprogramwasasuccess.ROTGserved204%oftheestimatedgoaloftotalvisitsintheHennepinCountyYouthSportsgrantproposalthissummer(whensiteprogrammingandspecialeventattendanceareconsideredtogether),and65%ofyouthwhoparticipatedinsiteprogrammingwerenewtorecreationprogramming.Allofourstakeholderswerehighlysatisfiedwiththeprogramanddemandwascreatedforgrowthinthefuture.Thisprogramwouldnothavebeenpossiblewithoutthehardworkofrecreationstaff,managersanddirectorswholedtheimplementationofthefirsthalfofourpilotyear.Aspecialthankstoalltherecreationstaffwhomadethissummerpilothappen!

Ø KellyMertes,NickJury&JimGlasoeØ JanFicken,PaulVang,MichelleMargo,PamMcBride&JodyYungers

Also,aspecialthankyoutoCommissionerMikeOpat,MayorJeffLundeandMayorTimWillsonwhosupportedthisinnovativesolutiontoensurethatallkidsintheBrooklynshaveaccesstorecreationservices.Thefollowingisanindepthreportthatdocumentsandexpandsontheaforementionedresults.

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INTRODUCTION BackgroundTherearemanynon-participatingyouthinBrooklynCenterandBrooklynParkwhodon’tknowaboutandcan’tgettoourcurrentrecreationfacilities.Communitysurveyscompletedin2008,2012,and2014identifiedthefollowingneedsofyouthintheBrooklyns:

• 61%ofrespondentssaidthattheywerenotcurrentlyparticipatinginanyprogram• 45%ofrespondentssaid“notknowingwhat’savailable”wasabarriertoparticipating• 34%ofrespondentssaidthattransportationwasabarriertotheirparticipation• 45%ofrespondentsexpressedinterestinoutdoorrecreationactivities

ManycommunitiesthroughouttheU.S.areusingmobilerecreationplatformsasawaytoserveunderrepresentedand/orgeographicallyisolatedpopulations.Bybringingtherecreationprogramsandservicesoutintothecommunityandtotheirconstituents,theyareabletoreducetransportation,access,andcostbarriers.ProgramDescriptionTheRec-On-The-Go(ROTG)programusedmobilerecreationvehiclestotravelto12differentsites(apartmentcomplexes,parks,andaschool)inBrooklynCenterandBrooklynParkthroughoutthesummertoprovideactivitiestargetedtoyouthages5-18whohaveneverparticipated,ormayhavebarrierstoparticipatinginrecreationprogrammingandlivewithinwalkingorbikingdistanceofthepark.Programmingoccurredtwiceaweek,for90minutesateachlocation,MondaythroughThursday.BrooklynCenterstartedtheirprogramJune13thandendedAugust18thforatotalof10weeks.BrooklynParkstartedtheirprogramJuly5thandendedSeptember1stforatotalof9weeks.Theseactivitiesincludedgames,sports,arts&crafts,andeducationalopportunities.Inaddition,themobilerecreationvehiclesappearedatvariouscityevents.(Appendix1–LogicModel)SeveralpartnersalsoprovidedprogrammingenhancingtheROTGprogram.ThreeRiversParkDistrictbroughtprogrammingtosomeofthesites.PartnersinNutritionprovidedfood(lunchordinner)at10ofthesites.BrooklynParkalsohadthePop-UpBookNookprogramoperatingduringthesummermonths.EachcityaddeduniquerecreationservicesontopofcoreROTGactivitieslikecraftsandsports.Inour2015proposaltoHennepinCountyYouthSportsweestimatedthatwewouldserveroughly3360participantvisitsinthesummer.ResultsindicatethatthesummerlaunchoftheROTGprogramwasasuccess.ROTGserved204%oftheestimatedgoaloftotalvisitsintheHennepinCountyYouthSportsgrantproposalthissummer(whensiteprogrammingandspecialeventattendanceareconsideredtogether),and65%ofyouthwhoparticipatedinsiteprogrammingwerenewtorecreationprogramming.Allofourstakeholderswerehighlysatisfiedwiththeprogramanddemandwascreatedforgrowthinthefuture.ROTGProgramGoals

1. Short-termOutcomesa. Increaseinyouthparticipatingwhohavecostortransportationbarriers

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b. Increaseinyouthconnectedtorecreationstaff(positivecaringadult)c. Increaseinyoutheatingonehealthymealadayduringthesummerd. Increaseinsafespacesforyouthtoplaye. Increasethenumberofyouththatparticipateinrecreationprogramandservices

2. Medium-termOutcomesa. Increaseinpositivesocial,emotionaldevelopmentofyouthb. IncreaseinpositiveconnectiontotheCitiesofBrooklynCenterandBrooklynParkc. Increaseinresidents’trustintheirCityd. Increaseinresidentssigningupforotherrecreationprogramse. Increaseyouthparticipationinadvocacyforrecreationandparkservicesthatmeet

theirneeds3. Long-termOutcomes

a. Youtharesafeandsupportedinrecreationalplayneartheirhomesb. Policymakersandcommunityvaluerecreationandparkservicesthatbreakdown

barrierstoparticipationanddeveloppro-socialskillstobuildresiliencyinyouthEVALUATIONPURPOSEThepurposeofthisdocumentistoreportontheevaluationandmeasurementofvariouscomponentsoftheROTGprograminthefirsthalfofthepilotyear.TheresultsofthisevaluationwillbedisseminatedtoCitypartners,Alliancemembersandfunderstoreportmid-yearresultsofthefirstyearpilot.Theevaluationwillalsobeusedtogrowandimprovetheprogramexperiencebasedonfeedbackfromstaffandparticipants.Sincethisisthefirstyear,wewillcreateandpilotwaystomeasureourresultsthatarefitbestforROTGprogramming.Thegoalsoftheevaluationareto:

• Bringpartnerstogethertosharelearnings,• Documenttheprogram,anddevelopevaluationstoolsandmethods,• Documentprogramactivities,outputs,andimpactsduringthepilotyear.

COREEVALUATIONQUESTIONSThecoreevaluationquestionsweredevelopedwithguidancefrombothcities’parkandrecreationprograms.

• ProgramOutputs:Whatactivitieswereoffered(andwhenandwhere)?Whatarethecoreelementsofamobilerecreationservice?WhatisROTG?

• YouthParticipation:Howmanyyouth(mainlyages5-18)participatedintheprogramming?Whatweretheirdemographics?Areweservingourtargetpopulation?

• YouthOutcomes:Didparticipantsenjoytheirexperience?Whatimpactdidthishaveonyouth?

• ProgramOutcomes:Whatimpactdidthisprogramhaveforthecommunity?• ProcessEvaluation:Whatdidwelearnduringimplementation?

BrooklynParkRecreationandParksDepartmentalsoincludedtheseadditionalevaluationquestionsfortheirprogramming.

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• QualityEvaluation:Whatwasthelevelofqualityfortheprogramservicesasmeasuredby

theYouthProgramQualityAssessment(YPQA)?• CommunityOutcomes:Didmobilerecreationprogramminghelpbuildinterest,and

positiverelationshipsbetweentheparkandrecreationdepartmentsandthecommunity(parentsandleaders)?

EVALUATIONMETHODSThefollowingdatacollectionmethodsandassessmentswereusedduringevaluationofeachphaseoftheprogram.Eachcityusedtoolsandmethodsthatbestfittheirstaffingcapacityandneedforevaluation.

• ActivityLog:AlogwaskeptbyROTGstafftotrackactivities.• Sign-inCards:Sign-incardswereusedtotrackthenumberofparticipantsaswellthe

demographicsofapplicants.• AttendanceRecords:Attendancerecordswerekepttotrackthenumbersofnewandunique

participantsandtodeterminethedemandformoreprogramming.• YPQASelf-Assessment:AYPQAself-assessmentwasconductedtoassessquality(for

BrooklynParkonly).TheYPQAisavalidatedinstrumentdesignedtoevaluatethequalityofyouthexperiencesinprogramactivities.

• SatisfactionSurvey:ROTGstaffsurveyedparticipantstotracktheirsatisfaction.• CommunitySatisfactionSurvey:ROTGstaff(forBrooklynParkonly)surveyedcommunity

memberstogatherinformationoncommunitysatisfaction.• Survey:ROTGparticipantswereaskedtofilloutasurveytoprovideinformationregarding

demandformoreprogramming.• ProcessEvaluationSurvey:ROTGstaffwereinterviewed.

RESULTSThefollowingsectionsdetailtheresultsforthecoreevaluationquestionsforBrooklynCenterandBrooklynParkseparately;eachtookthesamebasicprogramdesignandcustomizedittoeachcity’sneeds,capacity,philosophyandpractice.

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CITYOFBROOKLYNCENTERPROGRAMOUTPUTSInthe10weeksofprogramming,BrooklynCenterROTGvisited4cityparklocationseachweek.Thenumberofsitevisitsislistedbelow.

Location NumberofSiteVisits

GrandviewPark 19KylawnPark 19GardenCityPark 20EvergreenPark 20BrooklynCenterSubtotal 78

BrooklynCenterROTGattended9differentspecialevents,includingEarleBrownDaysParade,EarleBrownDays,RecSportsCampTransportation,NationalNightOutKick-Off,MoviesinthePark,SoccerEndofSeasonParty,andSafeSummerNights(withtheBrooklynCenterPoliceDepartment).Inaddition,PartnersinNutritionservedmealsatall4parklocations.Mealsservedshownbelow.

Locations #ofMealsServed

EvergreenPark 291GardenCityPark 319GrandviewPark 168KylawnPark 243TOTAL 1021

YOUTHPARTICIPATIONAttendancewastakenateachlocation.Thetotalparticipantvisitsandaveragenumberofparticipantseachsitevisitarelistedbelow.

SiteProgrammingTotal

ParticipantVisits

AverageNumberofParticipantsperSiteVisit

GrandviewPark 93 5KylawnPark 220 12GardenCityPark 147 7EvergreenPark 159 8BrooklynCenterSubtotal 619

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SpecialEventAttendanceTotal

ParticipantVisits

EarleBrownDaysParade 800EarleBrownDays 85RecSportsCampTransportation 19NationalNightOutKick-Off 70MoviesinthePark(1) 30MoviesinthePark(2) 24SoccerEndofSeasonParty 250SafeSummerNights(withBCPD) 250BrooklynCenterSubtotal 1528

Ofthe619totalparticipantsintheweeklyparkprogramming,therewere167non-duplicatedparticipants.Therewere1528youthwhoattendedorwerereachedatcityspecialevents.DemographicsDemographicinformationwasnotcollected,butstaffanecdotalinformationindicatedthattheparticipantswerepredominantlyelementaryschoolagedandreflectedthediversityoftheBrooklynCentercommunity.BrooklynCenterROTGparticipantsheardabouttheprogrammingthroughthesesources:Facebook,flyeratschool,atswimlessons,communityactivitybook,atamovieintheparkevent,atNationalNightOut,drovepastandsawsign,theparadecommunitycenter,andtheirneighbor/friend.YOUTHOUTCOMESNewParticipantsBrooklynCenterROTGcomparedtheparticipantlisttotheirdatabase(newdatabasestartedon4/1/16)todeterminehowmanyyouthwerenewtotheirprogramming.

NumberofNewParticipants 129

%NewParticipants* 81%Theprogramwasabletoservethetargetpopulationofyouthnotcurrentlyconnectedtorecreationalprogramming.*DuringthepilottheCityofBrooklynCenterimplementedanewdatabasefortrackingregistrationonApril1st.Thus,theremaybeyouthcountedasnewparticipants,whomayhaveparticipatedpriortoApril1,2016.ParticipantSatisfactionFeedbackprovidedtostaffonthelastdayofprogrammingindicatedthatyouthlovedtheprogram.Theyspecificallyenjoyedthegames,food,friendlystaff,newactivitieseachweek,andhowtheprogramwasrun.

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PROGRAMOUTCOMESBrooklynCenterROTGStaffreportedthatyouth“wouldlovetoseeROTGinwinterevents”.Alsoyouthwhofoundoutlaterinthesummerweredisappointedsincetheymissedsomuchofit.Parentssaidtheylikedhowstaffincludedeveryone,hadnewactivitiesandgameseachweek,hadpositiveattitudes,andhowmuchthekidslovedthestaffandgames.PROCESSEVALUATIONProgramDevelopmentJimGlasoewasresponsibleforsubmittingthegrant.Afteritwasrewarded,KellyMerteswasbroughtontoresearch,testdrive,andselectthevehicle.Theyknewtheywantedapassengervaninsteadofjustastoragevehicle.Theimplementationoftheprogramwasgoingtobedifferentbetweenthetwocitiesduetoscopeandresources,sothestaffdevelopedaprogramdesignthatmettheircity’sneeds.Roles

• TheAlliance:BackboneevaluationsupportandcommunicationtotheCountyandCommissionerOpat

• JimGlasoe:Departmentdirector,responsibleforsubmittinggrant• KellyMertes:Responsibleforpurchasingandequippingvehicle,workingwithBrooklyn

Parkonmarketing(graphics,app,flyer,etc.),andhiringandtrainingstaff• Nick:ROTGsupervisor,leadstaffpersontodrivethevehicle,collectdata,andprogram

planning• OtherROTGstaff(3-4):Implementedeverything,tookturnsleadingtheactivities,and

plannedspecialeventsROTGSummerProgrammingOverall,theprogramwaswhatthestaffexpectedforthefirstyear.Successes

• PartnershipswithBrooklynPark,ThreeRiversParkDistrict,andPartnersinNutrition

• BrooklynParkwasabletoprovideontheappandgraphicdesign

• Partnershiponsharingideasfrombothpartners,sharedprogrammingideas,havingsomeonetobounceideasoffof

• Having3-4staffforthesummer• 90minutesateachlocation• Staffwalkedaroundneighborhoodhandingoutflyersandinvitingyouthtotheprogram• Theequipmentinthevanofferedavarietyofprogramsbasedonageandinterest• Eventhoughthefirstdaysstartedoutslow,youthwereshowingupatthepark• Shelterbuildingatparksforrainorhotweather

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• Kidslikedhavingactivitiesattheirlocalparks• Watergames• SomekidsfollowedtheROTGvantolocations• Freeandlowcostprogrammingisneededandappreciated• Thevanenhancedseveralcity-wideeventsthissummer• Thefreemealswereappreciated• Workedcloselywiththeparksupervisortopreparelocationsbeforehand(pickingup

garbage,mowing,cleaningrestrooms,etc.)• Parksiteswerecleanandfreeofhealthandsafetyhazards• Feedback(bothwrittenandreceivedinperson)waspositive:peoplelikedseeingROTGat

parksandatevents• Interestintheprogramgrewoverthecourseofthesummer

Challenges

• Someparkslackedamenities,suchasshelters• Onrainydaystherewerenoyouthatlocationswithnoshelter• Didnothaveasocialmediacampaigntohelpuspromoteprograms(someparticipants

foundoutaboutprogramviaBrooklynPark’sFacebookpage)• Summerschooltimesimpactedwhethersomeyouthcouldparticipateinprogram• Couldhaveusedmoresupportinmarketingtoapartmentcomplexmanagers• CommunicatingtotheentireROTGstaffwerenotinitiallyworkingaswellasexpected

SuggestionsforImprovementandNextSteps

• Considerhowtoimprovemarketingo Increasesocialmediapresenceo AssistancefromtheAlliance

• AddBrookLynkinterntoprogram• Starttodofieldtripsforteensduringtheschoolyearonnon-schooldays• Purchasetrailer• DeveloppoliciesonbringingROTGtocommunityevents• Considerexpandingsummerprogrammingtoadditionalcityparksites• ReplaceEvergreenParklocationfornextyear,sincestreetsandparkaregoingtobeunder

construction• Workwithcitydepartmentswithconnectionstoapartmentcomplexestohelpexpand

partnerships• Considersummerschoolwhenschedulinglocations,since3ofthesiteswerenexttoschools• Workwiththemiddleschoolsonwaystotargetteens• Increasefundingforprogram(alreadybudgeted)• Addstafftoprogram,butonlyasitmakessenseforstaffingneedsofotherrecreational

programming• Improvetheevaluationprocessbytrainingstaffontheimportanceofdatacollection,and

processes• Meetwithstakeholderpartners(BrooklynParkandtheAlliance)toclarifyexpectationsof

rolesandresponsibilities

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CITYOFBROOKLYNPARKPROGRAMOUTPUTSInthe9weeksofprogramming,BrooklynParkROTGvisited4cityparksand4apartmentcomplexeseachweek.Thenumberofsitevisitsislistedbelow.

Location NumberofSiteVisits

EdinbrookPark 17AutumnRidgeApartments 17EdenParkApartments 17OrchardTrail 15TrinityGardensPark 17TheWillowsApartments 18VillaDelCoronadoApartments 18NorwoodPark 18TOTAL 137

BrooklynParkROTGattended19differentspecialevents,including:RallytheFamily,TaterDazeParade,TaterDaze,BBQKick-OffsatAutumnRidge,EdenPark,VillaDelCoronado,andTheWillowsApartments,WalktheParkatTrinityGardensPark,ParkBrookElementary,NighttoUnite,St.LouisParkFlagFootball,aHmongAllianceChurchevent,aDogParkevent,andBratwithaCop(withBrooklynParkPoliceDepartment).PartnersinNutritionservedmealsat6ofthelocations.Thenumberofmealsservedistabulatedbelow.

Locations #ofMealsServed

AutumnRidgeApartments 215EdenParkApartments 434NorwoodPark 335TheWillowsApartments 277TrinityGardensPark 396VillaDelCoronadoApartments 487TOTAL 2144

YOUTHPARTICIPATIONAttendancewastakenateachlocation.Thetotalparticipantvisitsandaveragenumberofparticipantseachsitevisitarelistedbelow.

LocationTotal

ParticipantVisits

AverageNumberofParticipantsperSession

EdinbrookPark 519 30

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AutumnRidgeApartments 237 14EdenParkApartments 195 12OrchardTrail 170 11TrinityGardensPark 407 21TheWillowsApartments 296 16VillaDelCoronadoApartments 307 17NorwoodPark 278 15BrooklynParkSubtotal 2409

SpecialEventAttendanceTotal

ParticipantVisits

RallytheFamily 32TaterDazeParade 1000TaterDaze(1) 11TaterDaze(2) 114AutumnRidgeBBQKick-Off(1) 16EdenParkBBQKick-Off(1) 42EdenParkBBQKick-Off(2) 14VillaDelCoronadoBBQKick-Off(1) 26AutumnRidgeBBQKick-Off(2) 47TheWillowsBBQKick-Off(1) 35TheWillowsBBQKick-Off(2) 50VillaDelCoronadoBBQKick-Off(2) 28WalkthePark@TrinityGardens 16ParkBrookElementary 100NightToUnite 66St.LouisParkElementary 33HmongAllianceChurch 62DogParkEvent 600BratwithaCop(withBPPD) 22BrooklynParkSubtotal 2314

Ofthe2409totalparticipantsintheweeklyparkprogramming,therewere741non-duplicatedparticipants.Therewere1692youthwhoattendedorwerereachedatcityspecialevents.Demographics

Age BrooklynPark2-4yearsold 6%5-10yearsold 66%11-13yearsold 19%14-18yearsold 8%

ThemajorityofyouthparticipatinginBrooklynParkROTGwereelementaryaged(5-10yearsold),withthesecondlargestagegroupbeingmiddleschoolaged(11-13yearsold).Therewerechildren

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under5yearsoldwhoattendedwhomostlyattendedwiththeiroldersiblings.Only8%ofparticipantswerehighschoolagedteens.

Race/Ethnicity BrooklynParkAmericanIndian 2%Asian 5%BlackorAfricanAmerican 51%Hispanic 4%White 46%Other 2%TwoorMoreRaces 10%

Mostoftheparticipantsself-identifiedasBlackorAfricanAmerican(51%)orWhite(46%).Asian(5%)andHispanic(4%)youthwereunderrepresentedintheparticipantdemographics.

Transportation BrooklynParkWalked 49%Biked 25%Gotaride 26%

Almostthreequartersoftheyouthparticipants(74%)walkedorbikedtotheBrooklynParkROTGlocations.

OtherActivities BrooklynParkPartnersinNutritionMealProgram 54%ThreeRiversParkDistrictontheGo 26%Pop-UpBookNook 20%

Most(54%)oftheROTGparticipantstookadvantageofthefreemealsofferedbyPartnersinNutrition.Aboutaquarter(26%)alsoparticipatedinThreeRiversParkDistrictprogramming,and20%participatedintheOsseoSchoolDistrictFoundation&RecreationandParksPop-UpBookNook.

YOUTHOUTCOMESBrooklynParkROTGcomparedtheparticipantlisttotheirdatabasetodeterminehowmanyyouthwerenewtotheirprogramming.

NumberofNewParticipants: 462

%NewParticipants: 62%ParticipantSatisfactionParticipatingyouthwerealsoaskedtoratetheactivitiesthattheyparticipatedinonthefollowingsmiley/neutral/sadfacescale:

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Howmuchdidyouliketheactivities?

Smileyface 96%

Neutralface 3%

Sadface 1%Ninety-sixpercent(96%)oftheactivitieswereratedasasmileyfacebyparticipants,indicatingahighdegreeofsatisfaction.PROGRAMOUTCOMESAllcommunitystakeholders(youth,parents,andapartmentmanagers)reportedademandformoreprogramming.Overall,youthparticipatedinBrooklynParkROTGprogramminganaverageof3.1timesthissummer.Onehundredpercent(100%)ofparentssurveyedwantedtheprogramtoexpandasmuchaspossible,includingwinteroryear-round,withadditionalhours(afterwork,mid-afternoon,earlymorning,andweekends),andatmorelocations(JewelPark,SunkistPark,andNorthernTrail).Alloftheapartmentmanagersinterviewedrequestedthatprogrammingbeincreasedtoatleast3timesaweek,beofferedyear-round,longersessions,andhomeworkhelpbeaddedtoprogramactivities.Additionally,theywantedmorecollaborationandpartnershipbetweentheapartmentcomplexesandtheBrooklynParkRecreationandParksDepartment.QUALITYTheYouthProgramQualityAssessment(YPQA)isavalidatedinstrument(grades4-12)designedtoevaluatethequalityofyouthexperiencesinprogramactivities.Domaincategoriesarebrokendownintoindividualscales,whicharerated1,3,or5(with1beingthelowestand5beingthehighest).TheYPQSelf-Assessmentwascompletedattwodifferentlocations:TrinityGardensParkandVillaDelCoronadoApartments.ItshouldbenotedthatonthedatethattheassessmentatTrinityGardensParkwascompleted,ithadrainedpriortothesessionandthegroundwascompletelysoaked,makingitunsafetodomostofthephysicalactivitiesthathadbeenplanned.

YOUTHPQASCORES TrinityGardensPark

VillaDelCoronadoApartments

SafeEnvironment 4.8 4.9EmotionalSafety 5.0 5.0HealthyEnvironment 4.5 5.0EmergencyPreparedness 4.6 4.6AccommodatingEnvironment 5.0 5.0

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Nourishment 5.0 5.0SupportiveEnvironment 4.4 4.7

WarmWelcome 5.0 5.0SessionFlow 5.0 5.0ActiveEngagement 4.0 4.5Skill-Building 4.5 4.6Encouragement 3.7 4.3ReframingConflict N/A 5.0

Interaction 2.3 2.3Belonging 3.5 3.5Collaboration 1.7 1.7Leadership 1.0 1.0AdultPartners 3.0 3.0

Engagement 1.8 2.5Planning 1.0 2.0Choice 3.0 3.0Reflection 1.5 2.5

TheBrooklynParkROTGprogramsassessedscoredhighestintheSafeEnvironmentandSupportiveEnvironmentdomains.TheybothscoredlowestintheInteractionandEngagementdomains.Therewerefewopportunitiestoreflecton,lead,plan,collaborateon,orpartnerwithstaffontheactivities.Thisisprobablynotuncommonfordrop-intypeprogramming,butcanberectifiedwithtraining,preparation,andprogramdesignchanges.TheseresultsindicatethatROTGcreatesasafeandsupportiveenvironmentduringprograming.COMMUNITYOUTCOMESBrooklynParkROTGstaffwantedtoknowwhethertheprogramhelpedbuildinterestandpositiverelationshipsbetweentheRecreationandParksdepartmentandthecommunity.ParentsDuringthelastweekofsummerprogramming,19parentsweresurveyedabouttheirfamilies’experienceswithROTG.

• 50%indicatedthiswasthefirsttimetheirfamilyhadparticipatedinaBrooklynParkRecreationandParkdepartmentprogram

• 100%ofparentsthoughtthatROTGwasagoodprogramandspokepositivelyabouttheprogramwithsuchwordsas“love”,“great”,or“awesome”

• 67%ofparentsagreedthatBrooklynParkRecreationandParksDepartmentbringsqualityprogramstothecommunity(33%somewhatagreed)

Additionally,manyparentscommentedthattheywerepleasedwiththeROTGstaffandtheinclusionofartactivitiestotheprogramming.

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ApartmentManagersBrooklynParkROTGstafffollowedupwithapartmentmanagersat3outofthe4complexesafterthesummertoaskthemfortheirfeedbackontheprogram.Overall,allthemanagersinterviewedweresatisfiedwithROTGprogrammingthissummerattheirapartmentsandfelttherewasahealthydemandforitfromresidents.Thefreecostwaskeyforyouthbeingabletoparticipateandthefreemealswereanadditionalincentive.ROTGprogrammingpromotedhealthyliving,offeredmentorsforyouth,andprovidedconstructiveactivitiesforyouthwherethereexistednonebefore. ThemanagersmentionedthattheprogramwasmanagedwellbyROTGstaffandtheyreceivednocomplaintsfromresidents(andresidentsusuallycomplainifthereisanythingtheydon’tlike).Theyfeltthattheprogramhelpedcreatemorecommunityamongresidentsandtheyouth,andmoretrustbetweenresidentsandthecity.OneapartmentmanagerreportedthatthiswasthefirstyearthatyouthpropertydamageandgraffitiwasnotanissueandattributedittohavingROTGactivitiesonsite.TheywouldbeopentomorecollaborationandpartnershipbetweentheapartmentcomplexesandtheBrooklynParksRecreationandParksDepartment.Theyallrequestedthatprogrammingbeincreasedtoatleast3timesaweek,beofferedyear-round,longersessions,andhomeworkhelpbeaddedtoprogramactivities.

PROCESSEVALUATIONProgramDevelopmentPaulVangwashiredinSeptemberandassignedastheleadontheROTGprogram,sincehehadexpertiseingoingoutintoneighborhoods.WhentheHennepinCountygrantwasapproved,MichelleMargosetupmeetingbetweenPaul,KellyMertes(BrooklynCenter),andAmandaLarson(ThreeRiversParkDistrict)tolearnfromThreeRivers’mobileprogrammingmodel.Afterpurchasingthevehicle,theydefinedmoreoftheprogram,locations,andtargeteddemographics.Theyknewthattheyhadstrongrelationshipswithsomeoftheapartmentcomplexesandmanagers,andtheywantedparksitesthatwerespreadthroughoutBrooklynPark.Roles

• TheAlliance:BackboneevaluationsupportandcommunicationtotheCountyandCommissionerOpat

• JanFickenandMichelleMargo:LeadershipofRecreationandParksdepartmentandcommunicationswithallofthecitydepartments(especiallytheappwithIT)

• LidiyaGirma(CommunityEngagement):Helpedwithmarketingtospecificneighborhoods• PatMilton:Preparedpostcardsandsentthemouttoneighborhoods• PamMcBride:YouthServicesDirector• PaulVang:GotROTGlaunched,trainedstaff• Coordinators:Laura(wholedprogramwhenPaulwasn’tonsite),Carter,andAlex

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ROTGSummerProgrammingSuccesses

• Youthwerehappyandhadfun;theywereexcitedtogreetthestaffwhentheyarrived• Programisinnovative,connectsthecitytothecommunity,andpromotesaccessandequity

o ROTGisanoutreachstrategytoconnecttoandbringaccesstoculturalcommunities• Theopportunitytoconnectwithcommunity

o Thesoftlaunchespeciallyallowedtheprogramtostartbuildingtrustwithcommunities

o Beingwherepeopleare• MarketingworkedwellasmanypeoplehadheardaboutROTG• Gettingyouthinvolvedbothrecreationalandsocially

o Creatingasafeandfunenvironmento Theartprogramswereahugehit

• Qualityyouthengagementprogramo Kidsfeltliketheycantalktostaffo Therewasalwayssomeoneontheteamengagingwithyoungpeople

• TheoverallBrooklynParkROTGteamdynamicswereexcellento Maintainedteammoralevenwhenthingsweredifficult

• Parentsprovidedpositivefeedbackandrecommendedprogramtoothers• FamilieswhoresideinotherstatesorcitiesinthesummerwereabletoexperienceROTG• TheBrookLynkinternwasprovidedwithagreatopportunitythatmatchedherinterests• PartnershipwithEdinbrookSchoolatattendROTGonseveraloccasions

o Gavesummerschoolstudentsavarietyofthingstodoinaparkenvironmentwhenplaygroundwasbeingrepaired,andexposingmanytorecreationalprograms

• WorkedwithHmongAllianceChurchattheirannualpicnicwhere62youthparticipatedinflagfootball

• EvaluationsupportfromtheAlliancethathelpedtakesomeoftheburdenoffofstaff• Paul’sleadershipandcommitmenttopreparingstafftobeemergent,flexible,responsive,

andculturallycompetentChallenges

• Thelargeagerange(2-17yearsold)madeitdifficulttoprogram.• Hotandhumidweather,andinsects• Matchingthehighlevelofenergythatyouthhadattimes• ThefacilityspaceatAutumnRidgewaslimiting• Understandinghowtointeractwithyouthandfamiliesin“their”spacessincemobile

recreationgoesintothecommunity• Olderkidstestingauthority• TheBrookLynkinternwasinthesameagegroupassomeoftheyouthparticipantswhich

causedsomeexpectationproblems• Nothavingenoughtrainedandexperiencedstaffatthebeginningoftheprogram• RequiredmoreofPaul’stimethananticipatedduetosuccess• BecauseROTGisinthecommunityandnotatZanewoodwheretheyhavemorecontrolof

thesituation,staffweremoreexposedtorisk• Havingaconsistentdebriefingsessionatthecloseofactivities

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SuggestedImprovementsandNextSteps

• ExpandtheteamofROTGstaffo Coreoftrainedfull-timestaffo Addstaffduringthesummer

• Focusonhiringprogrammerswhoareabletothinkontheirfeetandengageparents• DevelopspecializedtrainingforROTGstaff

o Howtotalktoparentsinthecommunityo Howtoworkonstudents’turfo Howtobeculturallycompetentandmanageculturalexpectations

• TietheROTGprogramintoTaterDaze• ConsiderwhatotherBrooklynParkresourcescanbetappedintoforROTG(e.g.Eidem

Farms)• Considerifandhowtoexpandtheprogrammingtolongerhoursduringtheday,more

locations,andtoserveyouthyearroundo Parksitesprefermorningso Apartmentsprefer4pm(youtharewatchingsiblingsandnotcomingout)o The5:00-6:30pmtimeworkedbetterforteensbetter,butconflictedwithfamily

time/dinner• Addfieldtripstoprogramming• Endofseasoncelebrationatonelocation,potentiallyCentralPark• Purchaseportablefansforhotdays• TheAlliancecanprovidesupports:

o Requestingsupportandparticipationfromthecommunityserviceofficersduringprogramming

o Findfundingfortheadditionalstafftheprogramwillneedo PartnershipswithOsseoAreaSchoolso ConsiderhowROTGcanbecomeaconduitforpartners’servicestocultural

communitieso Programdesignandevaluationo Makingsurethemanagementteam,electedofficialsknowsthatthisisagood

strategytoreachthecommunity• Needabetterwaytoorganizepullingtheequipmentinandoutofthevehicle(shelves)and

seatingthatfoldsup• Considerhowtoprovidestafftimeforyouthwhoneededmoresupports• NeedtoallocatemoreofPaul’stimetoROTGmanagement

o WarnZanewoodstaffsotheycanhaveproperexpectationsofhisavailabilityduringthattime

• DeveloppoliciesaroundROTGandfeeforservices• Changetoreflectionactivitiestoincludedebriefing,anintentionalwayofmanagingenergy

attheend,coachingopportunities,andaspacetoputoutfeelings

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Appendix1–ROTGLogicModel