Oshkosh Parks Host Face-to-Face Politics Talks

Oshkosh residents are choosing parks over screens for political discussions. This initiative aims to create more respectful conversations away from social media.
By Newsroom | Community, Politics |

Residents Initiative Invites In-Person Political Dialogue

Oshkosh residents are convening in local parks, attempting to carve out spaces for direct, face-to-face conversations about politics. The initiative, dubbed 'Politics in the Park', encourages participants to disconnect from online platforms and engage in what organizers describe as respectful dialogue. The stated goal is to foster a stronger sense of community through these public exchanges.

The core of this effort involves individuals meeting in public spaces, like Menominee and South parks, to discuss matters of public concern, explicitly aiming to move beyond the mediated and often polarized nature of online political discourse. Organizers are present, ready to facilitate discussions and pose questions, but the emphasis appears to be on allowing attendees to voice their thoughts freely.

Roots and Reach of the Project

'Politics in the Park' was initiated by Nikolas DeGroot, a resident of Oshkosh. DeGroot reportedly hosts these gatherings several times a week, with specific sessions noted in South Park on Tuesdays and Thursdays. His strategy involves posting a "question of the day" on the group's 'Facebook page', a nod to using digital tools to organize real-world interaction. There are indications that DeGroot is exploring the possibility of formalizing 'Politics in the Park' as a non-profit entity.

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A Wider Network?

This movement aligns with broader efforts under the umbrella of 'Groundfloor Democracy'. This nonpartisan organization states its mission as strengthening democracy in Wisconsin via "pop-up civic dialogues and community hubs." While 'Groundfloor Democracy' does not aim to replace existing community organizations, it seeks to supplement them by meeting people in their everyday gathering places. Financial contributions are noted as a means to support 'Groundfloor Democracy's' activities.

The summaries across various reports consistently emphasize the desire for more people to participate in these park discussions. The tone of the organizers, as reflected in the provided snippets, suggests an open-ended approach, with phrases like "We'll just see what happens," indicating a willingness to let conversations unfold organically. Despite being prepared to guide discussions, facilitators have apparently not yet found it necessary to intervene forcefully, letting attendees speak their minds.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the 'Politics in the Park' initiative in Oshkosh?
It's a resident-led effort where people meet in local parks, like Menominee and South parks, to have face-to-face discussions about political topics. The goal is to move beyond online arguments and build community.
Q: Who started 'Politics in the Park'?
Nikolas DeGroot, an Oshkosh resident, started the initiative and hosts gatherings several times a week. He uses a Facebook page to organize real-world meetings.
Q: What is the main goal of these park talks?
The main goal is to encourage respectful, in-person dialogue about public concerns, aiming to strengthen democracy by meeting people in everyday gathering places.
Q: Is this initiative connected to any larger groups?
Yes, 'Politics in the Park' aligns with 'Groundfloor Democracy,' a nonpartisan organization that supports civic dialogues and community hubs in Wisconsin.
Q: How are the discussions managed?
Organizers, like Nikolas DeGroot, are present to facilitate conversations and may pose questions. However, the emphasis is on allowing attendees to voice their thoughts freely and letting conversations unfold organically.