The Park Renovation Conflict

The City Parks Department has secured a budget for a major renovation of the city’s central but aging Liberty Park. Two project leaders must agree on the plan for the park’s largest unused area.

Profile 2: The Community Engagement Lead

Background:

You manage community outreach and recreation programming. Your primary focus is on maximizing public use, ensuring the space meets current community needs, and generating revenue through public programming. You value dynamic use, inclusivity, and contemporary design. You can be perceived as ignoring preservation guidelines.

Position:

The unused area must be developed as a flexible, multi-use recreational space (e.g., covered pavilion, movable seating, splash pad).

  • This space must be open, accessible, and designed to host events like farmers’ markets, yoga classes, and public festivals.
  • It should be integrated with the city’s event calendar for maximum utilization.

Interests (The “Why” behind your position):

  1. Public Accessibility (Utilization): You need the space to be actively used by the maximum number of diverse citizens year-round, making the park feel relevant today.
  2. Financial Sustainability: Hosting events and markets generates operational revenue, which can be used to fund ongoing park maintenance (your top priority).
  3. Community Needs: You have survey data showing high demand for covered, flexible spaces for community gatherings.

Scenario Instructions for Role-Play

The Challenge:

You have been told by the Parks Director that they must submit a single, unified renovation plan for the unused area within the next 15-20 minutes. The plan must be one of your current positions or a creative new option that addresses the core interests of both.

Task:

Use the Active Listening and Principled Negotiation techniques to find a resolution that honors both historical preservation and modern community needs by focusing on the underlying Interests, not just the stated Positions. Be prepared to share your proposal with the group.

Guidelines for Discussion:

  • 2 minutes: Introductions and identify a person to report out to the group.
  • 2 minutes: Reviewing instructions and project profiles.
  • 4 minutes: Active listening to understand interests.
    • Ask why.
    • Remember to separate the person from the problem.
  • 4 minutes: Brainstorming options for mutual gain.
    • Get creative, listen!
    • Don’t counter arguments at this time.
    • Write down all ideas.
  • 4 minutes: Identify objective criteria.
    • Winnow your options using objective criteria.
  • 4 minutes: Determine proposal to present to group.