Though Parks and Recreation heroine Leslie Knope could not attend, about 30 residents joined 23 Ohio University students to discuss parks and recreation in Athens.
Wednesday’s Public Arts, Parks and Recreation forum, organized in conjunction with OU’s College of Communication, aimed to see which programs and facilities are most used and appreciated, said Anita James, associate director of undergraduate students for the college.
The eight graduate students who participated in the forum are taking Integrated Research and Praxis, which is instructed by James. The 13 undergraduate students are either taking classes instructed by graduate students, or participating in other graduate student research.
“(The students are) not doing this for course credit, but rather because they’re interested in the process of public meetings,” James said. “They’re learning to filter information, identify key points, finding the nugget in what somebody said, active listening — all things they’re discussing in their classes.”
The real-life application of class discussion is what the undergraduate students need most, said Katie Striley, a graduate student from James’ class.
“Public meetings are a great way to see how people feel about certain things,” she said. “Being a part of this is a great way for (students) to see first-hand things they are being taught in class.”
Though it doesn’t help fulfill a course requirement, participating in the discussion is a valuable experience, said Cody Walker, a sophomore studying communications.
“It’s very interesting to see what people suggest, and how they make suggestions,” he said. “It’s a great experience and I like being able to see the benefits of communicating.”
Walker serves as the section’s facilitator, guiding the discussion between topics. The two other OU students in the group served as note-takers.
“Our students get experience in a variety of different ways by participating in this public meeting, and the city doesn’t have the resources or time to do this on its own,” James said. “It’s a win-win for our students and the city.”
In attendance was Athens City Councilman Jeff Risner, D-2nd Ward.
“Some people in one of my groups were talking about rehabbing the old armory building into a theatrical and visual art center,” he said. “If we could find the right grant money, it could be something council would definitely consider.”
The students will compile the information from the interviews, surveys and roundtables and submit the data to the city.
Amy Pohler could not be reached for comment.
jj360410@ohiou.edu
