Shaping partnerships by doing the work

Partnership as an ordinary, everyday way of doing business within Saint Paul Parks and Recreation (P&R) has often been limited to working with individuals, groups, or agencies through a contract, generally to provide fee-based programs or services. This approach does not encourage new ways of thinking about or working with other organizations on a common purpose or service. Other partnership approaches are necessary to bring innovation to this work. These must allow and foster space for joint negotiation, for ways to meet needs and wants of both organizations and their missions, and focus on meeting community needs.