The way Friends of Brown Street Park (FBSP) Chair Wendy Nilsson puts it, the idea was simple: “A few different neighbors who thought someone should do something about a run down park in our community connected with the Parks Department and decided to be the somebodies that should do something about the park.” In reality, over 75 local businesses, schools and community groups – not to mention countless volunteers – have all contributed to make Brown Street Park a thriving, revitalized community space that now offers daily fitness classes, childrens’ programming, a skating rink in the winter and a gathering place for everyone in the College Hill neighborhood. “The response was always positive,” says board member Kate Bothe, “but grew more and more positive as word spread. We have noticed that over time the users in the park are from farther and farther away – someone from Barrington who comes up to work out on the adult equipment, families coming from different parts of the city.” Now, FBSP is working with the City on the Partnership for Providence Parks, a group meant to help foster the same kind of neighborhood investment in some of the other 92 parks in the city. As Bothe explains, “The park is all about partnerships and the power of community.” To get involved with the Partnership, contact wnilsson@cox.net.
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