\[Insert Community Name\]

Open Space Workshop

\[Insert Date\]

\[Insert Location\]

\[Insert Time\]

Facilitation Guide

-   **Welcome participants.** Thank them for their willingness to share
    their ideas and commit their time.

-   **Introduce open space workgroup**

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-   Introduce each member

-   Explain how the workgroup represents various interests within the
    community

-   Explain the workgroup's leadership role

-   Explain the workgroup's coordination responsibility

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-   **Introduce speaker(s) and guest(s)**. If planned, allow them to say
    a few words.

> **Explain the participants' objective**. (Display the workshop's
> objective on either a chalkboard or easel and pad where the whole
> group meets.) The objective of the workshop is: Identify and document
> potential uses of the newly acquired open space, taking into account
> the buyout area, adjacent areas, existing and proposed facilities and
> programs within the community, and local regulations and policies.

Also, explain that you will:

-   Divide participants into smaller working groups

-   Assign each group its own workspace

-   Provide materials the groups need

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-   **Explain schedule.** Indicate that the community wants to go forth
    only with open space ideas that reflect a consensus. Consequently,
    you will hold as many public meetings as necessary to help ensure
    the open space is used as the community's citizens want it to be
    used. Also, explain that anyone may attend any meeting, regardless
    of attendance at past meetings.

-   **Establish protocol.** Explain the acceptable rules of conduct.

-   **Divide participants into groups**

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-   Assign approximately the same number of participants to each group

-   Ensure each group reflects balance and diversity with regard to
    personality, culture, education, background, profession, etc.

-   Avoid assigning neighbors, friends, business associates, etc. to the
    same group to the extent possible

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-   **Distribute and explain workshop materials**

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-   Give each participant a copy of the framework. Explain that the
    framework offers profiles of the buyout area and community, which
    create the context for ideas.

-   Give each group a base map. Instruct groups to consider where their
    ideas for specific open space facilities and programs best "fit"
    into the buyout area. For example, fishing and canoeing areas
    obviously belong at the water's edge. If possible, provide overlays
    that allow groups to sketch their ideas for locating facilities and
    programs on the base map.

    Using the framework and base map while formulating ideas, ask groups
    to consider:

1.  Safety, e.g., avoiding placing children's activities where children
    can easily wander too close to water or traffic; or, attracting
    wildlife to populous areas if either the people, property, or
    wildlife might be threatened

2.  Populations in adjacent areas, and their right to the peaceful
    enjoyment of their properties, e.g., avoiding placing playgrounds
    and athletic fields where neighbors might be bothered by noise

3.  How best to integrate the buyout area with adjacent areas, e.g.,
    planting trees between the buyout and adjacent areas to create a
    buffer

4.  Possibilities of integrating buyout area with other facilities or
    programs, e.g., creating a greenway with a trail linking the buyout
    area to a state park

5.  Possibilities of integrating buyout area with the community, e.g.,
    creating a greenway with a trail linking a residential area to a
    business district as an alternative means of commuting

6.  Possible amenities, e.g., providing drinking fountains, restrooms,
    and lighting

7.  Possible restrictions, e.g., prohibiting pets or bicycles on trails

8.  Access within the area to persons with disabilities, e.g.,
    establishing a wheelchair-accessible trail or portion of a trail,
    constructing handrails along a trail or portion of a trail

9.  Access to and around the buyout area, e.g., closing streets to
    vehicular traffic that are no longer necessary throughways

10. Where and to what extent native vegetation should be restored

-   Give each participant a pad and pen to take notes, record their
    group's progress, document individual as well as group ideas, etc.

-   Give each group easels, pads, and markers to record group consensus,
    make sketches, etc.

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-   **Explain what is and is not allowed on open space**

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-   Only structures opened on all sides (e.g., picnic shelters, kiosks,
    refreshment stands, etc.) and public restrooms are allowed

-   Anything that alters the area's natural appearance, impedes the
    area's ability to convey flood flows, reduces the area's capacity to
    store floodwaters, increases downstream velocities, and restricts
    access into and out of the area, etc. is not allowed (Be prepared to
    explain and provide examples.)

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-   **Assign workspaces.** Assign each workgroup its own workspace and
    ensure each member of the group knows where his or her workspace is.

-   **Get to work.** Instruct groups to go to their workspaces. Allow
    groups approximately two hours to capture their ideas. (Use
    discretion to decrease or increase that time depending on overall
    group productivity, efficiency, enthusiasm, energy level, etc.)

-   **Circulate among groups**

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-   Answer questions, clarify instructions, and provide guidance, etc.,
    as requested

-   Diffuse tense situations within groups, as necessary

-   Promote balance among personalities within groups, as necessary (e.
    g., draw out shy members, calm aggressive members, and direct
    attention away from overbearing members)

-   Instruct groups to be more specific, detailed, etc., as necessary

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-   **Reassemble whole group**

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-   Congratulate participants on a job well done

-   Thank participants for their hard work

-   Remind participants to look for notices of future meetings

-   Encourage participants to attend future meetings

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-   **Question and answer period/open discussion.** Answer any questions
    participants might have, and facilitate an open discussion if
    participants want one.

-   **Conclude meeting**