Reid Park Neighborhood

SUSTAIN CHARLOTTE www.sustaincharlotte.org Reid Park Neighborhood Sustainable Vision Plan

Using Your Plan This Sustainable Vision Plan is being provided as a living document to help your neighborhood become more environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable. It is a compilation of the neighborhood s three most important sustainability goals, as identified and voted on by your residents during the visioning workshop process. For each of your three primary sustainability goals, we have listed the long-term goal, an initial target (short-term goal), and an initial strategy, which is a tangible action to get started. Each goal is accompanied by a list of ideas to get you started. These are listed with the easiest to implement ideas at the top. A list of community resources available to help you reach each goal is also provided. When you contact representatives from these departments and programs, you should ask if they can suggest any other helpful resources for you. The availability of resources changes rapidly, so it s always a good idea to ask the experts! (Links may need to be copied and pasted into a web browser.) At the bottom of the plan, you ll find a list of ideas that you and your neighbors contributed during the brainstorming phase of our visioning process. The list is sorted by the six sustainability issues we asked you to consider, but we ve left the ideas in their original unedited form to remind you of exactly what you shared with us. We invite you to refer to them often, add to them, and be inspired to pursue some ideas on this list beyond your top three goals. Contact at Sustain Charlotte: Meg Fencil Education and Outreach Program Director meg.fencil@sustaincharlotte.org (704) 968-2187 www.sustaincharlotte.org Please keep us informed about your neighborhood s progress towards your goals! You are always welcome to contact us if you have questions or need help deciding how to take the next step. We are also available to discuss ideas you have for adding additional goals or extending the scope of your existing goals to the next level in partnership with Sustain Charlotte.

1 Long-term Goal #1: Reduce the amount of litter in the neighborhood and trash in the creek. Organize a team of residents who will regularly clean up the streets and wooded areas along the creek. Hold a neighborhood clean-up with at least 20 youth and adult volunteers participating. Ideas to get you started: Continue to build momentum for the youth mentorship program in the neighborhood, including regular clean-ups. Organize a core group of adult volunteers and mature youth leaders to provide longterm stability for the program. Work with area nonprofit organizations and local government departtments that have a youth development or waste reduction focus to create a model program that will be appealing to potential funders. Coordinate with school staff to involve children in cleaning the school grounds as part of a neighborhood pride service activity. Mark storm drains to reduce dumping of chemicals into our streams (see below). For neighborhood sports and recreation events, purchase reusable water bottles and refill them from a large cooler. It saves money in the long-term, and keeps disposable bottles out of the landfill. Carry your groceries in reusable grocery bags. When you must use plastic bags, return them to the store to be recycled. (They are not accepted in curbside recycling) Request for volunteers to be Recycling Captains to send out a reminder each week on the day before recycling collection will occur in single-family home neighborhoods. Call 311 or 704-336-7600 or see the calendar at: http://charmeck.org/city/charlotte/sws/curbit/recycling/pages/home.aspx Encourage neighbors to dispose of yard waste and recyclables separately from garbage. Host a recycling education event at the NGSC center and include hands-on demonstrations about how to sort recyclables. Invite a County recycling representative to give a presentation at a neighborhood meeting: http://charmeck.org/speakersbureau/pages/default.aspx Have residents bring used batteries, CFL light bulbs, and plastic bags to community events for collection. Have a neighborhood volunteer take these items to a recycling facility or business that properly disposes of the items (see resource list below). Register for the Great American Cleanup (March 1 - May 31) to let Mecklenburg County know how you re planning to clean your neighborhood. Submit photos and a story about the cleanup so it can be shared with the wider community: http://charmeck.org/mecklenburg/county/luesa/solidwaste/litter/pages/great%20american%20cleanup.as px Hold a neighborhood swap shop event where people exchange reusable items that they no longer need or want. Arrange for any unwanted items to be donated, recycled, or properly disposed of. Contact Salvation Army, Goodwill, or another thrift store to arrange a community-wide donation pick up day.

1 Long-term Goal #1: Reduce the amount of litter in the neighborhood and trash in the creek. Organize a team of residents who will regularly clean up the streets and wooded areas along the creek. Hold a neighborhood clean-up with at least 20 youth and adult volunteers participating. Community Resources Available Keep Mecklenburg Beautiful Maintain and improve the cleanliness and beauty of the city through garden grants, adopt-a-street and adopt-aneighborhood programs and more. http://charmeck.org/mecklenburg/county/luesa/solidwaste/ Litter/Pages/KeepMecklenburgBeautiful.aspx Keep Charlotte Beautiful Borrow clean-up supplies for the Great American Cleanup (March 1 - May 31 annually), find dates of free paper shredding events, apply for a neighborhood beautification grant, adopt-a-city-street, and more. Contact them to to borrow supplies and organize a volunteer waste cleanup in your own neighborhood. Email kcb@charlottenc.gov or call 704-353-1235. http://charmeck.org/city/charlotte/nbs/kcb/pages/home.aspx Street Clean-Ups If you haven t ever planned a street clean-up event, volunteer for an organized street clean-up in Charlotte and learn how easy it is to do in your neighborhood. http://charmeck.org/city/charlotte/nbs/kcb/pages/eventcalendar. aspx Adopt-a-Stream Program Make a 2-year commitment to clean up waste from a stream in your neighborhood. Cleanup supplies can be borrowed. Search for available stream segments online: http://charmeck.org/stormwater/volunteergetinvolved/pages/adopt-a -streamprogram.aspx Residential Drop-off Recycling If recycling facilities are not available at your apartment complex, organize a weekly trip to the nearest drop-off recycling center. The website includes information about what is and is not recyclable. Do not mix trash with recyclables. http://charmeck.org/mecklenburg/county/luesa/solidwaste/ RecyclingDropOffCenters/Pages/default.aspx Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools Recycling Program In addition to teaching children how to recycle waste at home, get involved at local schools and encourage recycling if it is not already happening. http://charmeck.org/mecklenburg/county/luesa/solidwaste/s choolandkidsrecyclecorner/pages/default.aspx City Code Enforcement Office Report poor lawn public right of way, junk accumulation, or other health and sanitation problems.. Call 311 or 704-336-7600, or onlne: http://charmeck.org/city/charlotte/nbs/codeenforcement/pages/re portacodeviolation.aspx Business Recycling Do you own or work for a business in your neighborhood? Be aware of recycling laws, and request a free indoor recycling container. http://charmeck.org/mecklenburg/county/luesa/solidwaste/ BusinessRecycling/Pages/default.aspx Goodwill Electronics Recycling Keep dangerous heavy metals and toxins out of our soil and water by NEVER disposing of electronics or computers in your regular trash pickup. If your items are still in good working condition, you can donate them to a variety of vocational services or thrift stores. Goodwill offers free electronics recycling. http://www.goodwillsp.org/donate/computers/how-to-donate-acomputer/ Mecklenburg County Water Quality Program Report sewage overflow, broken pipes, sewer odor, discoloration of creeks or streams, or injured/sick animals in streams. Call 311 or 704-336-5500, or online: http://charmeck.org/stormwater/reportpollution/pages/default.as px Mecklenburg Stream Water Quality Monitor the health of the streams in your neighborhood. Enter your address and see the quality of water in real time. http://charmeck.org/stormwater/reportpollution/pages/condition ofstreamsinbackyard.aspx Charlotte Mecklenburg Storm Drain Marking Program Request a free drain marking kit and organize residents to mark drains in order to discourage dumping of chemicals. http://charmeck.org/stormwater/volunteergetinvolved/pages/stor mdrainmarkingprogram.aspx

Ideas to get you started: 2 Compile a list of residents who are willing to commit to contributing volunteer effort to a project that would complement the new park. Use this list of pledged sweat equity to demonstrate the neighborhood s commitment to the park when applying for Neighborhood Matching Grant. Share it with potential funders, such as regional foundations and large Charlotte-based businesses. Work with Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation to adopt the new Reid Park and complete regular cleanups and maintenance there. Volunteer as an individual or family to be a Park Ambassador (see below) for your park. As the new park attracts community investment to the neighborhood, be pro-active members of your community. When zoning or land use issues are being discussed by City Council or the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners, take advantage of the opportunity to speak publicly for 3 minutes (see below) to share resident perspectives. Schedule a meeting with your neighborhood s city councilmember and county commissioner to talk about the need for land use decisions that support more green space. If you see facilities in the park that need repair, contact Park Services (see below). Ask how residents can help with repairs and regular maintenance beyond what can be done by the county. Request a meeting with Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation staff to discuss future plans for the area, especially how the Blue Line Extension may affect development. Organize a group of residents who will attend relevant government meetings about land use and transportation decisions likely to affect Villa Heights, and give reports at neighborhood meetings. Community Resources Available Long-term Goal #2: Ensure that the new park becomes a safe, accessible neighborhood activity center. Apply for funding to add amenities to the park and involve residents in its construction. Organize a place-making project in which residents will help to build mosaic tile benches. Park Services Division Responsible for construction and maintenance of structures in parks and tree service. http://charmeck.org/mecklenburg/county/parkandrec/parks/pa rkservices/pages/default.aspx Park Planning Meeting notes, maps, and updates on planned park projects:http://charmeck.org/mecklenburg/county/parkandrec/ Parks/ParkPlanning/Pages/default.aspx Planned Greenways page Updates and maps about existing and planned greenways are posted, along with information about who to contact with questions: http://charmeck.org/mecklenburg/county/parkandrec/greenway s/plannedgreenways/pages/default.aspx Park Ambassador Program Adults or families can educate the community, assist Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation staff, and provide a team to deter undesirable behavior in parks. http://charmeck.org/mecklenburg/county/parkandrec/parks/pa ges/parkambassadorprogram.aspx Other volunteer opportunities with Park and Rec: http://charmeck.org/mecklenburg/county/parkandrec/pages/vol unteer.aspx Division of Nature Preserves and Natural Resources Staff offer more than 5,000 programs annually in environmental education, nature-based programs, and outdoor recreation. http://charmeck.org/mecklenburg/county/parkandrec/stewardshi pservices/pages/default.aspx

Community Resources Available (continued) 2 Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners Find contact information for your commissioners, meeting schedules and agendas, and Register To Speak Form. http://charmeck.org/mecklenburg/county/countymanagersoffic e/bocc/pages/home.aspx Charlotte City Council Find contact information for your councilmembers, meeting schedules and agendas, and Speaker Sign-Up Form. :http://charmeck.org/city/charlotte/cityclerk/councilrelat ed/pages/speak%20at%20a%20council%20meeting.aspx Long-term Goal #2: Ensure that the new park becomes a safe, accessible neighborhood activity center. Apply for funding to add amenities to the park and involve residents in its construction. Organize a place-making project in which residents will help to build mosaic tile benches. Reid Park Neighborhood Association organized a litter cleanup and recycling day to launch their youth mentorship program.

3 Long-term Goal #3: Make the neighborhood a safer and easier place to walk and bike. Find out the status of pedestrian and bicycle improvement plans for the neighborhood and learn how residents can contribute to the discussion with city staff. Invite a representative from Charlotte Department of Transportation to meet with neighborhood leaders. Ideas to get you started: Organize youth to create hand-made traffic calming signs to be placed throughout the neighborhood to remind drivers to slow down. Send photos of this effort to your elected officials and invite media to cover the effort. Request that police increase traffic patrols at the streets and intersections where speeding and unsafe driving behaviors commonly occur. Identify safe routes for children to walk or bike to and from school. Younger children can be accompanied by parents. Arrange for a small group of parents to share this responsibility. The more people walk and bike, the safer streets will be for these activities. Identify and assign bike mentors to help neighbors plan safe and efficient routes to services, work, or select locations. Share these notes with the neighborhood. Walk through the neighborhood to identify hazards or obstacles that make it difficult to access bus stops, walk, or bike. Work with the City (using resources mentioned below) to remove these obstacles. Challenge residents in your neighborhood to have an alternative or sustainable transportation day. Show them how easy and safe it is to ride the bus or light rail, walk, or bike. Consider offering prizes such as transit passes or biking/walking gear. Obtain schedules for neighborhood bus routes and light rail. Make these available to residents at local recreation centers and service organizations. Talk to your employer to see if they offer reduced transit passes, bike parking facilities, or other amenities that would make a car-free commute easier for employees. If not, let them know that this important to you Community Resources Available Trips For Kids This nonprofit organization will teach children how to ride a bike for the first time. They offer training in bike skills to children and adults, as well as recreational mountain bike rides for children. http://tripsforkidscharlotte.org/ Bike groups and weekly rides Learn fun and safe bike routes for commuting and recreation in Charlotte by finding a group bike ride in your neighborhood that s right for your skill level at WeeklyRides.com. Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) Sign up for alerts about schedule changes, find maps, and plan your trip. http://charmeck.org/city/charlotte/cats/alerts/pages/default.aspx CATS smartphone app Find information about routes, next arrival of a bus or light rail, and submit feedback to CATS. Spanish version available. http://charmeck.org/city/charlotte/cats/bus/pages/mobileapp.aspx CATS Seniors In Motion Program Fares for seniors age 65+ are half-price. Invite a representative from CATS to share information about their services with seniors at your senior center, place of worship, or civic group. http://charmeck.org/city/charlotte/cats/about/catsprograms/page s/seniorsinmotion.aspx 25 mph signs If speeding drivers make your neighborhood unsafe for walking or biking, submit a Speed Limit Reduction request. http://charmeck.org/city/charlotte/transportation/traffic/pages/spe ed%20limit%20reductions.aspx

Community Resources Available (continued) 3 Request a bus stop If a bus stop is needed at a location in your neighborhood, call CATS customer service at 704-336-7433 or email telltransit@charlottenc.gov with the proposed location of the stop and your contact information. Translate and distribute information about current transit routes (bus and light rail) and how to use them into the languages used by immigrants in your neighborhood. Neighborhood Traffic Management Learn about the ways your neighborhood streets can become safer for residents, including requests for 4-way stops and speed humps (based on need and availability). http://charmeck.org/city/charlotte/transportation/traffic/page s/neighborhood%20traffic%20management.aspx City pothole repair If the street surface needs repair, call 311 or fill out the online form: http://charmeck.org/city/charlotte/transportation/streetsidewal kmaintenance/pages/pot%20hole%20repair.aspx Carpool If biking, walking, or riding transit isn t possible for you due to location or working a night shift, organize a carpool with people who work with or near you. CATS offers a system to search for potential carpool partners: http://charmeck.org/city/charlotte/cats/commuting/carpool/pages /default.aspx Charlotte Department of Transportation (CDOT) Bicycle and Pedestrian Programs Download the free Charlotte Cycling Guide, learn about pedestrian and bicycle laws and safety, plans, and more. http://charmeck.org/city/charlotte/transportation/pedbike/pages/ Home.aspx Walking Navigation from Google Maps Easily find your way around Charlotte while walking. http://googlemobile.blogspot.com/2010/09/walk-this-way.html City sidewalk repair Is there an unsafe sidewalk in your neighborhood that needs repair? Call 311 or fill out the online form: http://charmeck.org/city/charlotte/transportation/streetsidewalkma intenance/pages/sidewalk%20repair.aspx Long-term Goal #3: Make the neighborhood a safer and easier place to walk and bike. Find out the status of pedestrian and bicycle improvement plans for the neighborhood and learn how residents can contribute to the discussion with city staff. Invite a representative from Charlotte Department of Transportation to meet with neighborhood leaders. More than 25 youth and adults volunteered to clean up Reid Park s streets and stream banks for three hours.

Resident-Submitted Ideas and Suggestions Transportation Transit to run a little more often and adjust their time. Drivers speed in neighborhood. It s not safe for kids to walk or bike. Waste Lots of trash end up on our streets. s. It goes into the stream. People need to pick up their litter. te Some people never recycle. e. A few people pick up most of the litter. Everyone should help. Energy Turn off lights when you leave a room. Use the new light bulbs that use less s electric. Water Don t flush meds down the toilet. It pollutes the streams. Use less water in the shower and kitchen. Parks + Green Space Stream restoration project would be great! Reid Park has no access to open space in the neighborhood. This type of access within the community would significantly improve the quality of life for all residents, especially the elderly. Park/greenway will improve public health and community connectivity. When you take out trees you take away the good air. Because the trees are here for a reason. No trees, no good air. Start an environmental or sustainability education program in Reid Park for adults and youth. Concerned about clean park and clean water in park areas. We don t have a park near to dismantle obesity or to enjoy land and trees. The beauty of parks can be relaxing, which would reduce stroke, heart attacks, worry, and stress. Food Concerned about getting healthy fruits and vegetables in the neighborhood. Need a local grocery store for food. Contact at Sustain Charlotte: Meg Fencil Education and Outreach Program Director meg.fencil@sustaincharlotte.org (704) 968-2187 www.sustaincharlotte.org Check the weather before you water your outdoor plants. It might rain the next day. Many years ago, lots of people had gardens in Reid Park. They ate fresh food. Now they don t.