Step 4 • Create your story
Artwork: Beth Driscoll, Newcastle
Start to create your city's story
Creating and sharing stories is an important part of any successful National Park City. Stories have the power to shape how we think and feel.
They influence our identities and the decisions we make. We write, tell and pass on stories and can create them through the things that we do.In your application, we’ll want to see that you’ve created a story that describes the history of your urban area, the challenges it faces and your ambitions for the future. You might want to use this story across your campaign communications.
Storytelling
When creating your story you’ll need to:
- Research the projects, policies and plans that will influence and shape your National Park City
- Build a website for your campaign and have plans to update it
- Start telling your story and making your case on social media
- Start telling your story and making your case in the media
- Train volunteers to help tell your National Park City story
- Make films, podcasts and art to share stories or have other creative ways to do so
- Gather stories from different perspectives that are written or spoken by others
- Inspire stories about what your National Park City might be like in the future.
"In London our presence online has always been critical to our success.We’ve always had a website that communicates our ideas and inspires people to get involved. This has been supported by a positive social media presence, without which I’ve no doubt we would not have gained enough traction. The London National Park City is also growing a wiki as a collaborative space where anyone can contribute to the National Park City’s story."
It’s All In The Details
When thinking about creating and sharing your National Park City’s stories it’s worth reflecting on a number of things:
- Take time to understand relevant aspects of your urban area’s past, present and future
- Actively do things that create stories that either you or others can tell. As an example, the Galway National Park City initiative has launched a National Park City Champions project. Not only does the existence of this effort create a story that can be told, but the things it does and the people involved all create stories too
- Think carefully about the stories you can share that will support your National Park City
Consider who would be best to tell a story to which audience - Accept that you won’t be able to tell all aspects of your urban area’s story – pick the most compelling ones
Visit national parks, cities and other potential National Park Cities for ideas.
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