The first thing you need when starting any updates and initiatives - asking for opinions. The inhabitants know better what is required for the yard, district or the city. This is what street sociology is aimed at.
At the beginning of the decade, such a project was launched by artist Candy Chang. In one of the quarters of New Orleans, she pasted a huge number of stickers with the inscription "I want it to be ______" on empty buildings. And it was a success: lots of people began to write down their wishes, both in serious form and in jest. For example, the citizens wanted to see a grocery store, a dog park, Brad Pitt’s house and a bicycle shop.
Such a project is useful for several reasons at once. Firstly, it is a kind of sociological research, covering a wide stratum of the population and being objective due to its anonymity. Secondly, such an action can be attributed to street art, which carries a social load.
You want a new playground in your yard? Try to find out the opinion of your neighbors in such way - this can speed up the process.