park
CONVERSATIONS
Explore • Engage • Connect
contents
4
8
This year I was honored to celebrate my 19th work anniversary with Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation (CCPR). It’s hard to believe, but I joined as our 11th full-time employee before construction of the Monon Community Center or launching the Extended School Enrichment program. Today CCPR has 72 full-time and 570+ part-time and seasonal employees – all dedicated to providing exceptional service for our community! We have a tremendous team, each with their own fascinating pathways to joining CCPR. In this issue, we spotlight Michael Normand, one of our senior managers who started with us as an intern. He has risen through the ranks and today directs our Recreation and Facilities Division, including the Monon Community Center. During my tenure with CCPR, I’ve witnessed incredible growth in our department and community. Parks and recreation are special because they offer opportunities for transformative experiences and lifelong memories. Parks and recreation offer space for fun, learning, and growth for everyone. We are proud to share this edition of Park Conversations. You’ll find stories of strength, resilience, and the many ways parks and recreation can support you through all seasons of life. We encourage you to explore our parks and programs this fall—we’re sure to have something for you. Help us keep the conversation going – share your story with us! Recreationally yours,
Michael Klitzing, CPRE | Director of Parks and Recreation
2 park conversations
FALL 2023
12 10
14
04 MEMORIES ARE IMPORTANT FOR WELLNESS TOO MCC member focuses on “gold” lining during cancer battle
08 MOMENT OF MASTERY
Commemorating “fourward” progress
10 WAKE ME WHEN IT’S SPRING!
Three ways animals sleep through the winter
12 A PARKS AND RECREATION CAREER PATH
Work-life balance and community support for next generation workers
14 A UNIQUE NATURAL LEGACY Where dogs can explore and thrive
We encourage you to share your stories!
carmelclayparks.com
3
4 park conversations
MEMORIES ARE
IM P O R TA N T FOR WELLNESS TOO MCC member focuses on “gold” lining during cancer battle In spring 2023, between April 17 and May 30, Monon Community Center (MCC) member JoNell Stevenson and her medical team decided to take a different approach in addressing her stage 3C ovarian cancer: no treatment. Instead, make memories. “Physically and mentally, I needed a break,” Stevenson explains. “After six months of treatment there was minimal shrinkage. It was time to hit pause and support my health in other ways. I’m grateful my doctors understood that making memories are important for wellness too.”
FINDING THE “GOLD” LINING On paper, Stevenson embodies everything most people wish to accomplish with their health. She’s been an athlete her whole life and an MCC member for over a decade. When it comes to caring for and listening to her body, there’s no one better. But despite her dedication to health and fitness, Stevenson received her ovarian cancer diagnosis in 2018. “I needed all non-essential organs surgically removed, and endured intensive treatment every three weeks,” shares Stevenson. “On days I could bear it I would show up to the MCC to do the best I could at that time. I had no hair then and would wear a hat.” Stevenson’s favorite activities at the MCC are group fitness classes. She’s a regular in nearly all cycling, aqua and yoga classes. During some of her darkest days Stevenson continued to show up for herself. It was then that she found her “gold” lining. “I noticed the Gold Medal Award winner banners in the gym during my cycling class,” says Stevenson. “I started to sit on the bike that overlooked the gym so I could see them constantly. It was my motivation. I was determined to fight this battle that was given to me.
carmelclayparks.com
5
I, too, would win. I would be a gold medal winner and beat cancer.” For those who know Stevenson, her strength and heart of gold shine even on tough days. Her spirit does not go unnoticed by instructors. “JoNell is truly inspirational,” shares Courtney Clyne, MCC group fitness instructor. “I admire her dedication and hard work when in class. I just love her. She inspires me every time I see her on that bike.”
STRONG IN BODY – AND SPIR IT Stevenson’s consistency with fitness has carried her through her most recent cancer journey. “My doctors tell me I wouldn’t be here if not for having that core background of being an athlete,” says Stevenson. “My physical health has helped get me this far. My emotional and social health have and will continue to help me carry on.” An MCC membership not only kept Stevenson moving over the years, but it also gave her something far greater: hope.
BAT TLING CHRONIC DISEASE MAKES YOU THINK DIFFERENTLY,” SHARES STEVENSON. “IT ’S MADE ME PRIORITIZE MY WELLNESS EVEN MORE. PARTICIPATING AT THE MCC, WHETHER IT ’S TAKING GROUP FITNESS CLASSES WITH FRIENDS OR WORKING OUT WITH NEW ACQUAINTANCES HELPS ME GET THROUGH THE DIFFICULT PROCESS OF MANAGING LIFE WITH CANCER.”
6 park conversations
HOPE THROUGH COMMUNIT Y Stevenson’s treatment hiatus ended this past spring. She is now back in chemotherapy fighting full force. Some days it’s impossible for Stevenson to visit the MCC but she’s always looking forward to the moment she can step back in the facility. “One of the biggest factors impacting my overall wellness is the love and belonging I receive as an MCC member,” shares Stevenson. “When I’m gone for a couple of weeks to undergo treatment, staff and members alike always check in on me when I return. They make me feel seen. With the community I’ve experienced at the MCC, I know I’m never alone.”
Family vacation to Florida in 2022.
It’s the memories of strangers who became friends, staff members who empowered her on days when life seemed like too much and ample other meaningful connections, both big and small, that make an MCC membership so significant in Stevenson’s journey. “I feel so privileged,” shares Stevenson. “I always go home a happy person because of this place. I would never not be a member. I’m thankful for the strength I’ve gained, the memories I’ve made and most importantly the memories that are to come.”
HEAR MORE FROM JONELL ! Watch this video to learn more about JoNell’s story and MCC experience.
Ovarian Cancer Retreat in 2019.
MOMENT MASTERY OF
Learn more about CCPR's "fourward" progress online! Director Klitzing shares highlights of each master plan goal.
Commemorating “fourward” progress Celebration is an important, yet overlooked, milestone in any project. There is something to be said about hitting pause to reflect on a job well done, cementing best practices into memory, and strengthening the bonds of those who contributed to collective success. As Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation (CCPR) sets sights on new horizons, it’s only appropriate to celebrate the organization’s recent success in implementing the 2020-2024 Comprehensive Parks & Recreation Master Plan.
Few professions grant the opportunity to touch the lives of nearly all populations within their community. Parks and recreation is a field uniquely positioned to address today’s most pressing issues and deliver community benefits like health and wellness, social connection and ecological resilience. Unlocking the potential for high-impact programs, facilities, parks, and services come from CCPR’s understanding that to go far, we must go together. “It takes thoughtful effort to collectively move an organization and community toward major goals like what is outlined in the 2020-2024 Master Plan,” explains Michael Klitzing, CCPR director of parks and recreation/CEO. “By creating a strong foundation from the start via focus groups, surveys, interviews, and more, we are able to use the perspectives of many to make holistic decisions.” CCPR’s 2020-2024 Master Plan outlined recommendations relating to four main areas of focus: Carmel White River regional corridor, west regional corridor, reimagining existing parks, and celebrating nature. “We’ve made great strides in all ‘fourward’ focus goals,” says Klitzing. “Thanks to generous financial investments from the Clay Township Impact Program totaling nearly $30 million, and other community stakeholders who have collaborated with the department, we’ve seen great success in accomplishing what we set out to do just a few short years ago.”
8 park conversations
Carmel White River Corridor This goal is aimed to enhance community access to the region’s most significant natural resource – the White River. Updates to reimagined River Heritage Park included an accessible nature trail leading to the river. Newly acquired Thomas Marcuccilli Nature Park is positioned in the floodplain of the river. CCPR also worked closely with other entities to establish relationships for future joint projects along the river.
Reimagine Existing Parks The Reimagining Parks initiative updated and enhanced six existing parks by making them more accessible, safer and available year-round. Reimagined parks include Flowing Well Park, West Park, River Heritage Park, Carey Grove Park, Meadowlark Park, and Lawrence W. Inlow Park. This initiative was made possible by funding from the Clay Township Impact Program.
West Regional Corridor Expanding recreation opportunities for community members in west Carmel has been a long-time focus for CCPR. Reimagined West Park received several million dollars in enhancements, including a new splash pad, playground, restored prairie, and perimeter trail which allows safe passage for parkgoers. CCPR also purchased Bear Creek Park in northwest Carmel. This 27acre park will be developed over the next several years.
Celebrate Nature
NEXT STEPS FOR CCPR
This goal was achieved in a few ways: dedicating staff to oversee the planning and development of natural resources, providing access to natural resources and open spaces and engaging community members of all ages and abilities in the stewardship of our park system. CCPR incorporated immersive nature experiences in the Reimagining Parks initiative and continues to build educational nature and volunteer programs that share ownership of our natural resources with community members.
2024-2028 Master Plan
Every five years, the department develops a new parks and recreation master plan utilizing internal assessment, data collection and community input to help determine how to best serve an ever-changing and growing community. This feedback allows CCPR to create a snapshot in time of the wants and needs of its residents. Due to CCPR’s incredible success in implementing its 2020-2024 master plan as well as operational changes because of the pandemic, CCPR has begun the process of developing its 2024-2028 master plan.
carmelclayparks.com
9
WAKE ME WHEN
IT’S SPRING! THREE WAYS ANIMALS SLEEP THROUGH THE WINTER How do you spend your winter? Maybe you wear extra layers when you go outside so you don’t get cold. Maybe you have a ravenous appetite and fill up on comfort food. Or maybe you prefer to skip the season entirely and vacation somewhere tropical until spring. Animals navigate the harsh conditions of winter a lot like we do, whether that means wearing a thick winter coat, putting on a little extra weight or migrating south. But the most interesting survival strategy is unique to the animal kingdom; let’s learn about three ways animals sleep through the winter.
Deep Sleep 101: True Hibernation, Torpor and Brumation Winter is a harsh season when food is scarce and the temperature is dangerously low. Entering a deep sleep is a way for animals to stay warm and reduce their need for food, all in one go. “While in this state, an animal’s body temperature and respiration become so low that they appear almost dead,” explains Jerry Kozlanksy, CCPR’s park operations manager of natural resources. “By conserving energy while asleep, the animal can slow down its metabolism and burn up less fat than it would if it were awake. This prevents the animal from starving.” You’re probably picturing a bear snuggled up in its cave sleeping soundly until spring. Well, you might be surprised to learn that there are several different forms of this “sleep.” Let’s discuss three: true hibernation, torpor and brumation.
True Hibernation: A Long Snooze till Spring There are several factors that make true hibernation unique and somewhat rare.
10 park conversations
Animals in hibernation put on enough fat to last several months without food, then go into a deep sleep and don’t wake again until spring. Hibernators don’t wake up for any reason during their long winter nap — not even to eat or use the bathroom.
Torpor: Waking up for a Snack Break Think of torpor as a sort of mini-hibernation. While true hibernation lasts through the winter, torpor only lasts for a few days or weeks. Animals in torpor get up periodically when the temperature rises or food becomes less scarce. What is another major difference between true hibernation and torpor? Torpor is involuntary. While we still don’t know everything about the biology behind torpor scientists believe that animals go into torpor involuntarily while true hibernation is a state that animals choose to enter. Let’s revisit that sleepy bear mentioned earlier. “I always tell people that bears are actually not true hibernators but that they go into torpor,” says Kozlanksy. “So, if you were to crawl into a
bear’s den in the middle of winter and give it a poke it would wake up. It might take a little while, but it will wake up. An animal that goes through true hibernation would take much longer to come out of that deep sleep.”
Brumation: Cozy Cold-Blooded Critters Brumation isn’t technically a form of hibernation, but it’s close. Only coldblooded animals such as amphibians and reptiles brumate. Mammals do not brumate. Cold-blooded critters might only brumate for a month or two which is more sporadic than mammals. Brumating animals eat less food before going to sleep whereas hibernating animals eat a lot more. This is because they must be able to live off that fat for several months while they’re asleep. Also, you won’t find a brumating animal cuddled up in a cave or burrow. Amphibians and reptiles brumate in some pretty strange ways. Some species of frogs spend the winter at the bottom of a lake burrowed into the mud. One remarkable species of frog, the wood frog, freezes solid during the winter and thaws out in the spring.
Illustration by Kat Wedmore
Answers: The Wood Frog is brumating, the Raccoon is in torpor, and the Groundhog is hibernating.
While we may not go to sleep until spring, some animals do. So, whether you see a raccoon walking around in the snow or glimpse a sleeping groundhog in its burrow, you can appreciate just how much effort it takes for animals to adapt to or sleep through the winter.
carmelclayparks.com
11
A Parks and Recreation Career Path Work-life balance and community support for next generation workers The great recession in 2009 caused many job seekers to find positions in off-career and alternative industry paths. For then-recent Indiana University graduate Michael Normand – a hospitality tourism and event management major – that scenario played out in his own life. Normand’s start as a Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation (CCPR) intern was an investment in his future that has since led to a varied, transitional career path. Normand says his various roles within the agency have helped him learn and grow along the way. “I was looking for an internship and with family in the Carmel area, I began working with Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation as an intern,” shares Normand. “Since then, I’ve worked in and ultimately managed guest and member services, supervised youth programming, assisted in
12 park conversations
the management of our aquatics program, and served as assistant director of recreation and facilities. It’s been a great journey but I’m not sure I had envisioned staying this long.” Normand was recently promoted to director of recreation and facilities. His experience in all aspects of CCPR, from guest and member services to recreation and facilities programming, brings a new perspective to the position. “Mike and I have grown through CCPR together over the past 14 years and have always made a well-balanced team,” shares CCPR administration and planning director, Eric Mehl. “As opportunities arose for both of us over the years, I always advocated for Mike to keep him as a key member of our team. When I decided
to pursue a different role with CCPR, I knew there was no one I would trust more than him to keep the recreation and facilities division running smoothly.” Despite the successes with CCPR, Normand says a long-term career path wasn’t always his plan. “In the beginning, I still thought I would ultimately move out west for a job in hospitality but little by little I began to make friends and I really enjoyed working with the different programming options,” shares Normand. “That opened my eyes to all the opportunities in the parks and recreation field that I hadn’t really thought about before.” Like Normand, many other young professionals start off seeing the park and recreation field as a stepping-stone in their careers. But in the 14 years Normand has worked at CCPR, he’s seen more and more people who are truly passionate about public service. In recent years it’s become increasingly apparent how essential the role of nature and holistic approaches to well-being are to our communities. Parks and recreation can impact and support good places to live, work and explore. “Communities who understand the importance of work-life balance will attract top-performing talent who can create and implement highquality programs that serve all individuals and families,” Normand says. “It’s finding the right people who are committed to public service, who want to give back to the community and understand how we work together for the betterment of all.” A diverse and inclusive team, Normand says, is important too. He shares that his mentors at CCPR over the years have encouraged him to take a hard look at his team, and if everyone thinks the same, talks the same, and looks the same – then you’re probably not doing something right. “I strive to generate a lot of creativity and encourage new ideas in a team atmosphere,” says Normand. “If you don’t, you won’t represent a realistic work community, so we focus on hiring and recruiting the best people
Graduation from Indiana University.
Family trip to Michigan. from different backgrounds, experience and skill levels.” Seeking community feedback is a priority for Normand. Understanding how and why people use our parks, programming and facilities on an ongoing basis means we are better equipped to respond with offerings that impact and serve their needs. “In the past few years there has been a shift in how we perceive health and that extends to creating a healthy work-life balance for our CCPR team as well,” Normand says.
I think there are many opportunities for the next generation of park and recreation professionals that will transition jobs into long-term career paths. Since the pandemic, we are more mindful of how the hours in our days are spent and finding a rewarding career that you enjoy is so important. I know my years with CCPR have been a great journey.”
carmelclayparks.com
13
A Unique Natural Legacy WHERE DOGS CAN EXPLORE AND THRIVE
Amy Edenburn Furry lived an active and full life filled with a loving husband, family, homes in Indiana and Florida, successful career paths, and a true love of nature and the outdoors. You’d be hard pressed to find a time, even as a child, when dogs weren’t part of her life. When Amy passed away from cancer in 2021, her husband Steve Furry knew that he wanted to create a lasting memory of his wife, Amy. As his plan evolved, it only made sense that her love of dogs would be front and center.
“Before Amy passed, we talked about the fact that funeral flowers were so temporary,” shares Furry. “She wanted folks to give in her memory, if they wanted, to something that was more lasting and impactful. I’m not sure exactly when it came to me, but I knew that combining Amy’s love of nature and dogs would be a perfect legacy in her memory.” Furry originally planned to work with a developer near their Florida home, but he encountered too many obstacles during the process. He was frustrated, but still intent on bringing his plan to fruition. Enter Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation. “Much of our family is in Indiana and it began to make so much sense to find a place for a dog park up here,” says Furry. “My son knew someone at CCPR and after just one message, I received a return phone call from Kurtis Baumgartner, CCPR’s assistant director of parks and recreation. Kurtis was just so fired up about the project that the rest is really history.”
14 park conversations
Without Baumgartner, says Furry, the trail wouldn’t have happened. He shared that Baumgartner had a dream of creating a trail where dogs could meander and explore off-leash. The main CCPR dog park was already established, so this trail would extend the current park footprint. “Most state and national parks won’t allow dogs on the trails,” Furry says. “So, Amy and I were always looking for a local trail or the use of someone’s property to get out with the dogs. I believe this off-leash trail concept may be one of the first of its kind and I knew working with CCPR and their team was going to make it become reality.” When Furry first saw the land that would become home to the trail, he fell in love with the whole concept. “When I see dogs now on the trail, mine included, you can see them start out on the trail and then boom – they’re gone hopping over logs, playing in the leaves and just being free to explore in nature. That would have made Amy so happy.” For others thinking of making a parks donation or creating a unique legacy, Furry says CCPR would be a great partner and that people shouldn’t be afraid to get creative. CCPR is open to thinking outside the box when it comes to nature and how to share it with the public to make a lasting impact for the community. “The Amy Edenburn Furry Memorial Dog Trail opened to the public in November 2022, followed by its dedication in May of 2023, which was a very special day,” shares Furry.
Beyond that day though is the knowledge that dogs (and their humans) will be out there roaming and discovering nature for a lifetime — joy for all those who use the trail beyond Amy’s lifetime. That’s just very special.”
A Committed and Compassionate CCPR Partner When assistant director of parks and recreation Kurtis Baumgartner answered his phone in 2021, Steve Furry was on the line and an unforgettable and impactful partnership was born. “Steve inquired if Carmel Clay Parks would be interested in receiving a donation to benefit the dog park in memory of his late wife, Amy. From our conversation, it was obvious Steve was a passionate, dedicated individual who wanted to make sure Amy’s legacy continued to live on. From there we met on-site at the dog park, where I gave him a tour and we discussed several park improvements that CCPR was considering for the dog park. He fell in love with the idea of an off-leash dog trail. One of the most important things in working with community partners or sponsors is identifying common ground so there is a mutual benefit between parties. In this instance, I was a little giddy that Steve was drawn toward the off-leash trail because it was a project that I really wanted to see come to fruition. I can’t say enough kind things about Steve. CCPR is extremely grateful that we could help fulfill his wishes. The donation made by the friends and family of Amy Edenburn Furry helped expedite CCPR’s vision for making the amenity a reality. Amy’s legacy lives on and the dog park has a whole new experience for fourlegged friends to enjoy.” For more information on how to partner with CCPR, contact resource development coordinator Kari Berger at kberger@carmelclayparks.com.
carmelclayparks.com
15
Explore. Engage. Connect. Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation offers space for fun, learning and growth for everyone!
Learn more at carmelclayparks.com.