Members Sought for Danehy Park Improvements Plan Working Group. Application Deadline is 3-11-24.

Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang seeks volunteers to serve on a new Working Group to help guide the Danehy Park Improvements Plan Project for the City of Cambridge. The application deadline is Monday, March 11, 2024.

What is the Role of the Danehy Park Improvements Plan Working Group?
Working Group members will have two general responsibilities:

• Serve as community representatives to help guide the City Manager and staff on key issues related to the design of improvements to Danehy Park;
• Help communicate the process and design of the project back to the larger community.

What are the Goals of Danehy Park Improvements Plan Project?
Danehy Park is 30 years old and needs a fresh look. The City of Cambridge has contracted with a landscape consultant team to plan the next 10-20 years of improvements to the park. The goal is for Danehy Park to be an exceptional public park that residents of Cambridge will continue to be proud of and cherish.

The Capital Improvement Plan will identify improvements for Danehy Park that:

• complement the essential natural, historic, and visual character of the site;
• are based on a strong public engagement process that prioritizes outreach to traditionally underrepresented groups. In addition to the Working Group, there will be a community engagement process for additional public participation;
• provide access to and protect the plants and animals of Danehy Park;
• address future flooding and heat impacts due to climate change;
• allow people of all ages, backgrounds and interests to relax, play, exercise and connect with other people in the park;
• judge the condition and quality of the parks features and systems; and
• propose a series of distinct projects and phased improvements to the park.

How many members are sought for the Danehy Park Improvements Plan Working Group? When will the Working Group meet?
We expect the Working Group will be made up of 10-15 members, representing a diverse set of interests. This will help ensure that multiple perspectives are heard and that there is appropriate representation reporting back to the larger community. The Working Group will include residents, institutional representatives, and a variety of people that currently use Danehy Park.

It is anticipated that the Working Group will meet six to eight times between April 2024 and December 2024. Meetings of the Working Group will be open to the public.

Who can apply to serve on the Danehy Park Improvements Plan Working Group?
Individuals who want to shape the future of Danehy Park and want to collaborate with City of Cambridge staff to realize the goals above are encouraged to apply. The City of Cambridge is committed to advancing a culture of antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion. Working group members should have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies. Women, Black, Indigenous and other people of color, veterans, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

How Can I Apply for to serve on the Danehy Park Improvements Plan Working Group
Persons interested in applying can do so through the City’s online application system at www.cambridgema.gov/apply and select “Danehy Park Improvements Working Group” in the list of Current Vacancies. A letter of interest can be submitted during the online application process.

The deadline for submitting applications is Monday, March 11, 2024.