Week 3: Being an Advocate for Belonging

How Fostering Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Builds Community for All

At Decatur Parks and Recreation, our mission is to provide inclusive spaces and opportunities for all Decatur residents. This week, as part of Parks and Recreation Month, we are shining a spotlight on our initiatives and programs that foster diversity, equity, and inclusion within our community.

Our goal is to bring together diverse cultures, languages, and identities, ensuring that everyone feels seen, reflected, and welcomed in our programs. Some of our inclusive initiatives include:

• Functional Aerobics: This class is designed for those with mobility or balance challenges, allowing seniors to stay active and healthy in a supportive environment.
• Wheelchair Basketball: In collaboration with the Atlanta VA Medical Center’s recreational therapy program, we offer wheelchair basketball for adults with physical disabilities, ensuring that fitness activities are accessible to all, regardless of mobility limitations.

We are proud to be part of the 92% of parks agencies in the US that offer Staff Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) education and resources. This ensures that our professionals have the necessary tools to support everyone in the City of Decatur.

In addition to our staff training, we provide diverse community-based educational opportunities, offering safe spaces for all to learn and discuss various important topics. Examples include:

• Free Monthly Meetings: Covering topics such as financial management, burial planning, children’s finances, and LGBTQ+ family/estate planning. These meetings welcome everyone to engage in open and inclusive discussions.
• American Sign Language (ASL) Classes: These classes aim to bridge communication gaps and promote inclusivity, ensuring that all community members can engage fully in our activities and events.

We offer enriching experiences such as:

• The Beacon Hill Museum: Located inside Ebster Recreation Center, this museum highlights the role of the black community in Decatur’s history, providing educational opportunities for residents to learn about the city’s past. The Beacon Municipal Center’s site was once home to Decatur’s segregated African American public schools – Herring Street School, Beacon Elementary, and Trinity High School. Exhibit content was developed through close community consultation and highlights community life in the Beacon community, student life, important community leaders, and the larger historical context that impacted the community, including segregation and desegregation, and the city’s “urban renewal” projects that changed the landscape of the area.
• Inclusive Playground at Legacy Park: This playground, suitable for all children, was developed with input from elementary children, ensuring that it meets the needs of all kids and promotes inclusivity from a young age.

We invite everyone to check out our Playbook for a complete list of inclusive programs and activities available at Decatur Parks and Rec.

Finally, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated staff members. Your hard work and commitment to creating safe, inclusive spaces and programs are what make Decatur Parks and Recreation a vital resource for our community. Thank you for your unwavering dedication to fostering belonging and inclusion for all.

Join us this week and every week in celebrating diversity, equity, and inclusion as we continue to build a community where everyone belongs.