Homestead Park Safety Training

Monday, March 27, 2017

On Saturday, March 25, residents, community leaders, and representatives from YPD, YSU, and YNDC participated in a safety training at Homestead Park.

The training outlined the principles of CPTED, or Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design, and applied these to a park setting. Participants worked in groups to complete a CPTED analysis of Homestead Park, identifying issues that could be contributing to undesirable activity at the park. Groups then identified recommendations for improving the park, such as increasing general maintenance, repairing or replacing playground equipment and playground surface, installation of additional seating, installation of lighting, installation of an additional basketball court, renovating or replacing the outdoor pavilion, replacing BBQ grills, installing a drinking water fountain, repairing the front steps to the pavilion, increasing programming for users of all ages, and the installation of a walking trail and obstacle course. The safety training was conducted as part of the Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation project, which seeks to reduce crime on the South Side of Youngstown through the collaborative efforts of law enforcement, community development, criminal justice researchers, neighborhood residents, and other community stakeholders.