If We Become a NeighborSpace Site, Who Will Be Responsible for What?

We recognize that the success of NeighborSpace depends on the success of each site. We also recognize that this success occurs when strong, respectful partnerships are developed and supported over time. NeighborSpace is committed to creating these partnerships with community gardeners and other stakeholders. To that end and to the benefit of all parties, we have established a partnership framework that defines typical roles and responsibilities that support our mutual goals.

Once NeighborSpace acquires a property, the Garden Leader and a representative from the Community Organizational Partner will enter into a long-term Partnership Agreement detailing the following roles and responsibilities.

The roles and responsibilities of NeighborSpace are based on the organization's mission and commitment to the success of each site:

• Provides ongoing communication about site issues and opportunities and conducts itself as a responsible partner
• Holds the deed to the land for use as community managed public open space
• Ensures that all real estate taxes are paid or exempted
• Provides basic liability insurance to site users
• Acts as a referral service to Garden Leaders and Community Organizational Partners in their search for additional support

The roles and responsibilities of Garden Leaders are based on their commitment to the site's role in the community, their role as a local leader, their knowledge of gardening or park maintenance, and their proximity to the sites:

• Meet with, organize, and provide leadership to others in the surrounding community, supporting their involvement with the site's continued development and maintenance
• Provide guidance to community members about important NeighborSpace guidelines such as keeping the park open to the public, avoiding the installation of permanent structures such as garages or parking spaces, keeping the adjacent sidewalks and parkways clear and free of debris
• Be a responsible liaison, communicating and working with NeighborSpace staff to provide updates and share information on issues in the field
• Be a responsible member of the larger NeighborSpace community, sharing lessons learned with peers across the City

The roles and responsibilities of Community Organizational Partner , similar to the Garden Leaders, are based on their commitment to the garden or park's role in the community, the leadership they can provide to community members, and their proximity to the site. Additionally, these groups or organizations can also:

• Provide broad perspectives of the community, its history and changing needs
• When possible, identify and access resources not available to individuals
• If available, provide access to office space, phones, internet access and meeting space, leveraging into the community's efforts to organize people to help, and
• Support the continued development of the Garden Leaders as a leader and, when necessary, assist NeighborSpace in the search for additional Garden Leaders should the existing Manager move away.

Once NeighborSpace acquires a property, the Garden Leader and a representative from the Community Organizational Partner will enter into a long-term Partnership Agreement that details these roles and responsibilities for all parties.