The context
This brief focuses on the Whickham area within Gateshead, south of the River Tyne, opposite Newcastle Upon Tyne. As per the 2011 census, Whickham had a population of 16,652. It is located west of the Team Valley Industrial Park and the Gateshead town centre. Whickham is built on a hill overlooking the Metrocentre to the North as well as parts of the River Tyne as well as Newcastle. Within Whickham, the centre of attention of this brief is Chase Park, that has recently been improved using Heritage Lottery Fund grant. There are many features in the park including the remains of a windmill that give the space its character as a community destination. A skate park was added that has proven popular with younger people in the area, a key stakeholder in your project. The Skatepark is a facility for advanced skateboarders – and initially attracted users from across the region, a key stakeholder in your project.
Your challenge
Like many urban parks, Chase Park attracts a fair amount of vandalism to park amenities. This gives rise to a conflict between many residents and some young people which is perhaps worse then other areas of Gateshead were vandalism is perhaps more expected. Many of the Friends of Chase Park have a background in working with young people and are committed to helping young people to benefit from the Park and to help them to make a positive contribution towards it. To help address the issue, the council and the Friends seek ways to engage young people in the future of the local park, for example, using video to promote the facilities in the Park and encourage them to feel ownership and an interest in participation. How you help promote the features of the Park and its responsible use?
The Council and the Friends of Chase Park are developing two projects: One is about the development of an oral history project looking at what it was like for young people in previous generations to use the Park. The other is the establishment of a public WIFI in the park. Your project could make valuable input to either of those two activities that are already ongoing.
Your deliverables
The group is looking for an engagement approach that enables young people to create a Chase Park YouTube presence to give voice to their community and promote the Park as a destination for young people?
Review possible methods for digital park engagement that have been tried in other location and develop a concept that could be tried in Chase Park.
Do some contextual research to understand the causes of vandalism and establish how your concept could address antisocial behaviour.