Collaborative Park Project Taron IV

The touchstone of the project is that it is a collaborative effort between the community of Taron IV, volunteers, NGO’s, public agencies and entrepreneurial businesses, our national and international friends and supporters. The 6077 sq. meter parcel of vacant land is located on a corner lot bordered by streets, and across the street are 2 secondary schools and a school for disadvantaged children. A bus stop for public transportation is located across the street which could be enhanced with a shelter covering and coordinate into the park design. A concrete wall separating the cemetery from the park is a design opportunity with many variations to consider: A wall of trees or a “green wall” would be a natural barrier. Some of the wall sections could be painted with designs from artists or children in the community. It would also make a pleasant backdrop for the amphitheater where small music concerts or peaceful rallies could be held. The land slopes naturally towards the south and there is a beautiful vista of the mountains in the background where we plan to provide benches for people to enjoy this view. We will be planting trees with the help of the community. These groves of trees will provide shade and shelter during the hot summer months. Shelters would provide a place for nardi and chess games. Walking paths would wind around the park and provide a space to stroll or for rigorous exercise. Good lighting and garbage receptacles would be placed around the park which would help keep the park clean, secure and safe. An open air café would be a comfortable place for having a cup of coffee or glass of juice and would bring in money to sustain maintenance work of the park. The project goals are:

• To provide a safe, environmentally sensitive park, accessible to people of all ages, throughout the seasons: to encourage and support creative and environmental educational opportunities, recreational activities, to promote healthy lifestyles.
• To provide the citizens of Taron IV with the skills and expertise needed to provide the park with benches, garbage containers and outdoor seating structures. Skills transfer opportunity.
• To promote volunteerism, team work and willingness for the community to look for ways to solve their own problems which encourages civic minded thinking.
• To provide a human rights park to show how local communities and citizen groups can have a voice in how the public space in their community is used, which is a fundamental human right In a Democratic Society.
  The collaborative park project will show ways that the community can become involved with the design and building of their community park which promotes a sense of ownership and responsibility, pride and caretaking for the park. It would also provide the community with a skill transfer component which would train the citizens for future work or potential business opportunities.