This agreement provides funding under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to the trust for public land

Specifically, through this project entitled 'building democratic systems for a climate resilient cleveland' partners trust for public land (TPL) and see you at the top (SYATT), will extend their work with the city of cleveland (the city), and the cleveland parks and greenspace coalition (the coalition) to enable the full and equitable participation of cleveland citizens, particularly those who have been historically marginalized, in municipal decision-making processes for environmental and climate justice issues related to parks and greenspaces. Currently, the city is RE-establishing its parks and recreation department (PR dept.) and will soon complete its first citywide parks and recreation master plan (PR master plan). Once complete, the PR master plan will set the vision informing the goals, objectives, and policies for the PR dept. For the next fifteen years. The project partners seek to realize the climate resilience and public health benefits of parks and greenspace for all cleveland residents by establishing a system of transparency, public participation, and collaboration among residents and the city by engaging residents from historically disadvantaged communities to jointly determine how information is shared, goals and policies are set, resources are allocated, programs are operated, and benefits like contracts and investments are distributed. Activities:the activities include: objective 1: by september 2027, project partners will engage over 1,000 cleveland residents, focusing on historically disadvantaged communities, to increase their understanding of how parks and greenspace can improve environmental and climate justice in their communities and how to engage in the city's plans, processes, programs, and policies that advance park equity and climate justice in clevelandmdash; such as the creation of the PR dept. And PR master plan. Objective 1 activities: - host 3-4 community engagement events per year (10 total) for resident input on implementation of the PR master plan, shaping the PR dept., and related park plans, policies, and resources. - expand the park action guide and create physical (non-DIGITAL) guides and resource kits for residents and community groups to directly inform city processes. - work with resident leaders to develop at least 3 new resident-led park stewardship groups, prioritizing parks and greenspaces in historically disadvantaged neighborhoods. - implement 2 annual targeted park clean-up improvement volunteer days to advance equitable park maintenance and community ownership of neighborhood parks. Objective 2: by september 2027, project partners will reduce barriers for resident participation in city decision-making processes by CO-developing, piloting, and institutionalizing mechanisms for residents to directly inform and help shape the city's strategies, plans, policies, and programs that advance park equity and environmental and climate justice, focusing on the new PR dept., creating a model for other city departments. Objective 2 activities: - with the city, CO-develop a PR advisory committee that meets regularly to review funding strategies, policies, and park and greenspace improvement plans in cleveland. - reduce barriers for resident-led park and greenspace stewardship by facilitating the development of a new park improvement waiver and memorandum of understanding (MOU) process with the city to allow resident-led stewardship groups to conduct pre-approved parks and greenspace maintenance and stewardship activities without city approval for each improvement . - expand coalition membership among residents, identifying 3 new residents to serve on the coalition steering committee. Objective 3: by september 2027, project partners, the city, and residents from historically disadvantaged communities WI