Enriching Public Space
Principle 6: Be Approchable
Why is being approachable important to the tolerance and acceptance of parkour in public space? And what is the connection between “openness” and parkour? Public spaces exist to serve their communities through shared use of space. Openness is the cornerstone to improving and promoting inclusive outdoor parkour training. To fulfill this mission, practitioners need to focus on sharing knowledge and information in order to build both accountability and trust. An ‘open’ community is transparent, accessible to others, and responsive to new ideas or demands. Parkour communities have to lead by example by committing to inclusive accessibility and making information open.
Be Open
When training outdoors, you’ll naturally come across others. It’s important to make an effort to be both open and approachable to help people feel comfortable around and better understand parkour. There may be many questions from “what are you doing” to “how can I learn more?” By being open to conversation, you may find new opportunities in building bridges towards parkour acceptance. And you never know, those very conversations could potentially lead to coaching jobs, stunt work, or unique partnerships.
An open community is also associated with important outcomes – creativity, tendencies for new ideas, growth, and diverse perspectives. These are all characteristics that can help a community adapt to the challenges of training in public spaces.
Have Information
Depending on your level of organization, having materials readily available can be an important step in making a memorable first impression. The subtle expression sends a professional and reliable message. Particularly during a quick exchange when you want to continue an open conversation. Secure a lasting connection with a brochure or business card that offers information on what you’re doing and how to get in touch. Whatever format you choose, information should be brief yet representative of what you’re offering. Having materials ready shows that you’re prepared and ready to share.
Enriching Public Space - The Six Principles
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EDUCATE
YOURSELF
PRACTICE
RESPONSIBILITY
SHARE ACCESS
WITH THE
PUBLIC
COORDINATE
WITH
OTHERS
ESTABLISH
REGULARITY
BE
APPROACHABLE