Back in the spring I started the process of signing the Ottawa Centre Green Party up to the City of Ottawa's Adopt-A-Park program. After discussing our options with a city staff member we selected a portion of Central Park in the Glebe, since it's within Ottawa Centre, is centrally located, and would be a good location to raise our profile in the community.
The city's Adopt-a-Park program is really a just a way to recognize the commitment that groups are making to participate in the spring and fall cleanup projects for two years. By making the commitment the city will install a small sign at the park entrance - civic pride and all that good stuff.
So we cleaned up the park in the spring. By chance we did it on the same day as the Great Glebe Garage sale which was fantastic from an exposure and public relations standpoint. We just recently cleaned up the park in the fall too. So far so good. Over the summer I've been trading emails with the employee who coordinates the program. Sadly I just got the final word on the adoption process:
... I was unsure about the policies regarding political groups adopting a park or roadway. The Council reports on the Adopt program clearly outline that the program is intended for local community volunteer groups, individuals and businesses. While we appreciate the Green Party's interest in the adopt a park program unfortunately, the program is not intended for political groups so as to avoid any impression that the City is supporting any particular party or candidate through park signage.
This outcome doesn't upset me that much. I can see the logic in the City's position from one angle. The city employee went on to explain that we are definitely encouraged to continue participating in the spring and fall Clean The Capital initiatives - and I intend to do that (especially during the Great Glebe Garage sale!). But the city's position got me thinking that this is another instance where the desire to be fair and neutral may be damaging to our overal democracy.
In a blog post a few months ago, Elizabeth May shared a letter she received from a high school student in Vernon, BC. In his letter he drew a conclusion that the lack of active political engagement within high schools serves to undermine the development of a life long interest in politics:
What needs to happen, in my opinion, is that they [students] need to feel comfortable about speaking freely about government and leaders everywhere, not just at home. Your writings later in the chapter speak of high school clubs, and how no political affiliation is allowed in high school. I agree that this needs to change. In addition, merely speaking of support for a party might land a student in a spot of trouble. This makes things, to say the least, “uncomfortable,” or “awkward.” As a result, students do not want to participate or go near any sort of these activities. This will undoubtedly follow them into their adulthood years. If Canadians at large encourage young people to express what they want from them government, they will feel comfortable with the topic. Canada’s youth need to know what their political opinions are both valuable and accepted. I think that they will be intrigued to learn more about politics if it is in their “comfort zone”, driven by the young mind’s natural drive for change. (Emphasis added by me)
A fantastic irony here is that one of the volunteers at the fall cleanup was a high school student who was volunteering with us as part of her Civic's class requirements.
Getting back to the City's desire to avoid any impression of endorsing a party or candidate, I think the Adopt-a-Park program could fit in a gray area. The City doesn't actually get to choose who adopts which park. Groups have to step forward on their own initiative and make a two year commitment. If a group doesn't maintain their commitment then the sign comes down. The actual park sign is just a statement that a particular group cares enough about their local community to get involved.
A park sign is completely different than naming a building or street. In those cases the City does get to pick the name and it can be a huge controversy. When the City renamed the Orléans Recreation Complex in 2008 more than 2,500 people signed a petition to have it changed back. I would expect a similiar uproar were the City to let us apply for my street to be renamed Green Party Way (which would be awesome).
Somehow I doubt a little "this park adopted by the Ottawa Centre Green Party" sign would have been a big deal to most people. It would have been a nice boost to our volunteers for certain. Perhaps someone in the neighbourhood who supports a different party might object - but I'd suggest they adopt the other part of Central Park on the other side of Bank Street (cue duelling banjos music here)!
My point comes down to this: why not encourage political engagement as much as possible and let citizens make their own assesments rather than shielding us at every turn from the impression of non-neutrality?
Anyone want to adopt a park? I know a nice one that's up for grabs. :)
See you in the spring.
