There are parks all across New York City and they are all mapped at the Parks Department website. You should figure out which park you want to improve, the reasons you want to improve it, the ways you recommend to improve it, and the costs/benefits. Develop a Powerpoint presentation that includes all of the information from Steps 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Step 1: use the mapping software at the website (and other Google maps if you choose) to identify a park that is in need of improvement. You can also travel to the park in person if you choose, take photos, observe first-hand the current state of affairs.
What do you know about that neighborhood? What types of problems does the neighborhood face? Crime? Unemployment? Housing? Education?
You should use other data available about NYC to demonstrate the policy problem. You should produce at least two graphs, figures, or tables to communicate this information in class.
Step 2: Based on the information at the page and other information you collect, develop a policy proposal of what could be done to improve the park.
Do you want to widen an entrance? Lower a fence? Add food vending services? Repair the pavement? Change the equipment? Build a swimming pool? Remove the tennis courts? Add a piece of sculpture?
You should present a clear policy recommendation for how you would improve the park and an explanation of why the changes would improve the problem you described in Step 1.
Step 3: estimate the costs and benefits (monetizable and non-monetizable) of the policy proposal you have made.
How much does new pavement cost? How much revenue would vending generate? How much would crime drop?
You should present your cost benefit analysis and include a sensitivity analysis if any findings are uncertain or may vary. The analysis should be contained in a series of tables that you can insert into a final presentation.
Step 4: conduct a stakeholder analysis of the major sectors of the neighborhood, organized interests, and policy-makers that are going to oppose and support your plan. Will the support/opposition derail your plan or will the support help get it passed?
