Centre For Local Research into Public Space (CELOS)
From Jane Jacobs in Vital Little Plans: "Diversity is a small-scale phenomenon. It requires collections of little plans."
It also requires permission, for the people who work in the park, to shape the work according to what they see is needed and is good.
From Joe Mancini, head of The Working Centre in Kitchener (a vital little plan since 1983, and thriving), from his speech at the 2018 Mayors' Dinner: "An increasing portion of our society is excluded from work. This means they lose their place in society, losing the ability to make a contribution. Work reinforces the social bond by shaping character and culture."
Jobs that provide a paycheque but no more -- "MacJobs" -- are not, we think, what Joe means by work.
It's our view that work in a park, in its good meaning, is the kind that allows onsite park staff to invite park neighbours to discover alongside them what works well and what doesn't.
Back to vital park plan