It all about the parking!

The ideal format of developing policy is a linear process of agenda setting by identifying policy or problem. Defining possible solutions for the problem. Implementing the solutions and addressing other issues that may develop through the solution implementation and finally evaluating its success or failure and making adjustments in the policy as needed (Rippner, 2016).  This linear thought process makes sense until you get into the steps of making or managing policy itself.  

            As a member of a county fair board, I am constantly examining policies and how they affect either the experiences of fair exhibitors, attendees, vendors, customers, and community organizations.  A policy change made by the fair board recently about our facility rental parking policy was scrutinized by many groups after it was implemented and after the reading, I can understand the pitfalls that could have been avoided if the policy change would have been handled differently.  

            The former policy allowed building renters to park in the areas on the fairgrounds next to the buildings that they rented for their events.  The fair’s insurance carrier had concerns with this policy and suggested that it be changed in order to keep moving vehicles off of the grounds themselves and parked in the main parking lots.  There had been a few fender benders and close calls with pedestrians during events that made the change in policy needed.  This policy had been adopted by several fairs within our region.  The diffusion of this policy followed the regional diffusion model (Berry & Berry, 2007) where we studied what fairs in our geographic area and similar size had done with their parking policy. After a couple of board meetings and information from the insurance company and the fair’s executive director, the board voted to change the policy citing the increased need for safety and the concerns of the insurance company.

            The push back was immediate from fair patrons who rented buildings for events.  There were community groups who hosted large events and rented our biggest facilities that decided to move venues because of the parking policy.  After completing the readings on the theory of the policy process I see that we did not include as many of the stakeholders as we could have to examine the policy change before it was implemented.   Understanding how community organizations felt about the current parking policy and how they perceived it would affect their events could have helped us shape the policy to try and meet the needs of the different groups.  

            During the implementation process of the policy change, we realized we did not have enough handicapped parking spots designated and had to adjust the budget in order to paint spots in front of the main entrance to meet the required number of handicapped parking spaces needed for our largest facility.  We then realized that the walk from the handicapped parking spots to the closest of the building was a problem for the elderly, and those with mobility problems.  This problem was brought to our attention by a community group whose average member’s age is 70 years old.  

            As we evaluated the policy after the first year of its implementation we realized that the change created a direct blow to our operating budget as it decreased the number of facility rentals between fairs.  This income is vital to the day to day operation of the fairgrounds.  It also affected fair sponsored events such as the Lamb buyers appreciation dinner which is held in the building furthest from the entrance and is also a drive through pick up dinner. 

 The policy was readdressed by the board with input from community members, vendors, patrons, and other organizations that use the fairgrounds to help shape a more accommodating policy that still meets the safety needs that board and fair’s insurance were still satisfied with.  Moving forward I hope to develop surveys for the facility renters to complete for us to better serve the community and to provide a venue for all to enjoy.  

  

Berry, F., & Berry, W. (2007).  Innovation and diffusion models in policy research. In P. Sabtier

 (Ed.), Theories of the policy process (2nd ed.,pp.223-260). Boulder CO: Westview Press.

Rippner, J.A. (2016). The American Education Policy Landscape. Rutledge Publication: New

 York, New York.