adapt & overcome By Luke Bolinger, CPRP, Community Partnership & Special Projects Manager, Town of Erie
Photo: Wember, Owner’s Representative
Adapt and overcome. It’s a phrase I heard a lot during my ten years in the United States Marine Corps, both as a follower and a leader. Adapt to the changing circumstances – what you think you were going to do is no longer applicable. Overcome – make a decision, charge ahead, and accomplish your mission. Sounds familiar, right? We’ve all had to adapt and overcome this year. What we
thought we were going to do in 2020 is no longer applicable. We’ve had some significant obstacles – rapidly changing orders and restrictions, upset patrons and program participants, abrupt stops to projects, but that’s what we do as Parks & Recreation professionals – we find a way to adapt and overcome.
I saw this mode of operation play out in the development of Erie’s Clayton Park. The excitement around Erie’s newest neighborhood park was palpable. The park would support Erie’s growing sports programs with two ballfields and a multipurpose field, a half-court basketball court, a small amphitheater, a clovershaped playground with a boulder hill slide, and a loop trail.
We’ve had some significant obstacles – rapidly changing orders and restrictions, upset patrons and program participants, abrupt stops to projects, but that’s what we do as Parks & Recreation professionals – we find a way to adapt and overcome.
Colorado Byline | Fall 2020 • 21
