A Voice for North Park

A Voice for North Park:

Connecting and Communicating

Two of the most important things the NPCA seeks to enable within all North Park residents are a voice and a sense of connection.

A Strong Voice

Through the many interactions our members and our Board of Directors have around the community, we seek to amplify the sounds of our neighbors' voices.  Whether you are concerned about excessive waste, street improvements, safety, or some other issue, as an organization we want to foster an atmosphere that helps you express those concerns--and make sure they are heard.  One important way that the NPCA helps North Park residents strengthen your voices is by making it easier for you to take action to fix the things you want to see improve or to keep the things you cherish most about our community.  Two areas make up our current efforts around providing a voice in North Park:

ALBA/North Park Partnership

In 2009, the NPCA Board of Directors has been working to bring needed infrastructure improvements, safety, and cleanliness to our largest public space - the North Park Community Park - and the neighborhood in which it sits.  We've been working with the School District, the City of San Diego Parks and Recreation Department, a new local school (ALBA Community Day School), the Police Department and Councilman Gloria's office to encourage the most benefit possible to the neighbors and residents who live in and around the area.  Providing leadership, cooperation and a voice for the many concerns and hopes raised by our members and neighbors has been an essential part of this developing partnership.  While the external benefits are still materializing, the partnership is on its way to providing real improvements to a large portion of our community.

Community Group Participation

The NPCA has representatives on every community group active in North Park, which provides an essential two-way information source.  On the one hand, this enables us to ensure that the messages our members and other residents bring to us can be carried back to the organized groups who serve the interests of North Park.  On the other hand, through this website and one-on-one interactions around the community, we are able to carry information about these groups and plans around North Park back to you.  This enables our members and residents of North Park to make informed decisions about the issues and actions that matter most.

A Sense of Connection

The other key component of the NPCA's efforts to provide a voice is to help create a sense of connection to this community.  Through Community Mixers and the Summer Concerts and publicizing local block parties and events, we want to help members and residents feel connected to what is going on in North Park.  The Summer Concerts are a long-running series of free live music shows that are put on entirely through donations and volunteerism.  They help provide a way for you and your neighbors to really enjoy spending time here in North Park and even meet a few new neighbors.

In addition, our My North Park site and blog and the new Under 5 Parents' Network are two ways our volunteers are working to help everyone feel more connected to each other and to our community.  My North Park is a section of the website dedicated to enabling neighbors to connect with each other.  It allows us to share successes and challenges and find ways to strengthen North Park from within.  The My North Park blog provides a window into our community from a range of people who live and work right here.  The free exchange of ideas about what happens in North Park provides another opportunity to explore this place we call home.