Playground Negotiation Case

The Playground Negotiation is a true to life case that takes place in Ithaca, New York. There are two officials, one from the volunteer involvement and the other in support of the Parks and Recreation Department both groups make up the Ithaca Special Projects Task Force. They have both been elected to decide on whether to fund a playground for the neighborhood. Whether they decide to build a playground or not, this task force is responsible of whether to fund the playground or choose a later project to fund in the future. The Parks and Recreation Department and elected officials of community involvement both share a common goal of bettering the community for families and children. Throughout the negotiation there are a variety of group conflicts …show more content…
We surveyed residents in the community on the issues they found pressing. They were concerned for the children safety and would like to expand the playground to allow children to have a larger play environment to keep them out of the roads. Each member of the volunteer group had a particular part in the negotiation to research. During the beginning of our research we looked up the crime and demographics. We learned that crime in Ithaca, New York was heavy with theft. Later in the preparation we did research on Ithaca College. We concluded they offered many activities for college students. Many students that attended the college were very artistic and outgoing. We researched current usage rates of the park, past park projects and sources of outside funding and the interests of the Park and Recreation Department. Our group then gathered and put together our research; we again brainstormed different playground options outside of the case, equipment options and other oversight costs. Outside playground equipment had a wide price range with equipment costing near six figures. In our group, the playground was the only option we did research on. We did not come up with whether we should save the funds for a later project or use the money towards the bike lane once that part of the case was presented to us. Overall, our group was very prepared for the upcoming negotiation. As a group we …show more content…
Both members speaking from the volunteer committee seemed to have an understanding and agreement with their committee because there were no interruptions on their end. The Parks and Recreation Department had a facilitator but it seemed that some members of the group did not necessarily agree with his recommendations because each member had an opinion to voice, the negotiation process started to have some individuals speak over others before statements were finished. Most members of the volunteer committee were engaged and taking notes. Both groups were actively listening to one another. The Parks and Recreation Department stated their position right from the beginning stating they sided with implementing a bike lane in the community. This idea was brought up when the mayor nephew passed away due to being hit while riding his bike. The Parks and Recreation Department felt this was the most useful way to use the funds given because there was already a playground in the area. The volunteer committee then stated their side of the case. They were in favor for the expansion of the playground. The group waited until a member of the Parks and Recreation Department spoke up about not stating their side. Each side went back and forth on prices for the equipment and renovation. The Parks and Recreation Department