mediaadvocacycommunityplanning
How do I plan a press event at a splash pad?
Quick answer
Pick a visual moment (ribbon-cutting, first kids playing, advocates with signs), schedule 10-11 AM weekday for best media turnout, prepare 2-3 named speakers with 90-second remarks, supply a 1-page fact sheet, line up 3-5 photo subjects, and follow up that afternoon with photos and quotes for outlets that did not attend.
Press events are designed for cameras and reporter convenience. Best practices for splash pad press events: (1) Pick a visual moment — ribbon-cutting, first water turn-on, kids playing on a hot day, advocates with signs and a giant check. (2) Schedule mid-morning weekday (10-11 AM) when reporters can fit it before noon news. (3) Prepare 2-3 named speakers — a parks director, an elected official, and a parent advocate — with 90-second prepared remarks each. (4) Supply a 1-page fact sheet covering history, costs, who funded it, who designed it, expected attendance. (5) Line up 3-5 photo subjects (kids with parental consent, advocates) ready to talk. (6) Provide bottled water and shade for media. (7) Designate one person as media liaison answering questions. (8) Follow up that afternoon with photos, quotes, and the fact sheet emailed to outlets that did not send a reporter. Total event runtime 30-45 minutes is optimal.