MRPA Minnesota Magazine Fall 2016

MINNESOTA Official Publication of Minnesota Recreation and Park Association

Recreation and Parks Volume 11, Issue 4 • Fall 2016

MRPA AWARDS OF

EXCELLENCE RECOGNIZING MINNESOTA AGENCIES & ORGANIZATIONS FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS

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MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks

Publisher Minnesota Recreation and Park Association 200 Charles Street NE, Fridley, MN 55432 www.mnrpa.org Tel: 763.571.1305 Editorial Staff Michelle J. Snider Bethani Gerhard Editorial Board Patty Anderson, Maple Grove Jan Ficken, Brooklyn Park Jennifer Fink, Ramsey County Chad Ubl, Winona Advertising & Design Pernsteiner Creative Group, pernsteiner.com MRPA Board of Directors President: Mary Jo Knudson, Owatonna President-Elect: Patty Anderson, Maple Grove Past President: Jay Lotthammer, Eden Prairie Secretary: Michelle Margo, Brooklyn Park Treasurer: Randy Distad, Farmington RSC Chair: Jerry Ruegemer, Chanhassen East Metro: Garrett Beck, Burnsville East Metro: Andy Soltvedt, Anoka County East Metro: Jared Flewellen, Eagan Northeast Region: Jamie Cassidy, Becker Northwest Region: Dolf Moon, Hutchinson Southern Region: Kim Underwood, Austin West Metro: Jamie Polley, Shakopee West Metro: Kelly Mertes, Brooklyn Center West Metro: Sonya Rippe, Plymouth This magazine is the official quarterly publication of Minnesota Recreation and Park Association and is provided complimentary to members as part of their MRPA membership. The editorial board encourages the submission of articles and photos for publication.

Articles of approximately 500-700 words or less may be submitted, but may be edited for length and clarity.

Contact Michelle Snider, MRPA, at 763.571.1305 x100 if interested in submitting an article for a future issue.

Deadlines for Articles and Advertising Winter 2017 issue......................... December 5 Spring 2017 Issue.......................... February 28 Summer 2017 issue................................May 13 Fall 2017 issue......................................... July 30 MRPA reserves the right to approve all submitted advertising in MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks magazine. All requests for advertising should be made to Todd Pernsteiner, Account Manager, at 952.841.1111 or info@pernsteiner.com.

An affiliate of National Recreation and Park Association

FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT

By Mary Jo Knudson, MRPA President

Keep looking for your super power.

Greetings from St. Louis! Well, not really by the time this lands in your mailbox, but right now, I’m at the NRPA Congress. What an experience this has been. So many people from all over the country, looking for the best way to serve our communities! Big or small, diverse or not, we are all trying to connect kids to nature, encourage adults to play and make our communities a great place to live!

At an event like this, I can’t help but compare Minnesota Recreation and Park Association to other places in the nation and I have to say, we are pretty darn amazing! Our MRPA staff and membership are dedicated to make our recreation experiences top notch, and our educational opportunities abound! Thank you again to this year’s conference committee for seeking out a great variety of sessions!

I do have to share one unique idea I heard in St. Louis. This month’s magazine talks about Pokémon Go! If your organization isn’t jumping on the Pokémon Go craze, why not Pokémon Stop? Advertise your community center as a place for people to take a break, charge their phones, come in from bad weather, or try a new activity. If we can’t eliminate screen time, we can certainly encourage a break from screen time.

I’m excited to see the Young Professional and Student Network taking off!

Based on a national model, it’s one of the best forms of support for those entering the profession. Thanks to John Stutzman for taking the initiative to get this rolling!

It’s award season again! Please take the time to nominate a colleague for one of MRPA’s awards. Everyone is busy, but it only takes a few minutes to nominate a deserving professional.

A quick update on what the board is doing ... the 2017 budget is being finetuned, core value statements are being finalized and individual and corporate membership structures are being examined.

We’re now in the fall of the year, a beautiful time to be outdoors in Minnesota! So head out to catch that last fish, play that last round of golf, or hike in your favorite park one more time before the leaves are gone and the white stuff flies!

Finally, I want to remind you to accept NRPA’s challenge and keep looking for your super power because together we can do more! If you have found your super power, share it with others!

TABLE OF CONTENTS From the Board President............................ 3

Did You Know............................................... 10

Foundation Corner........................................ 5

MRPA Flashback........................................... 10

Keeping Up..................................................... 6

Operating Drones.................................. 12-15

What is YSPN?................................................ 8

MRPA Awards.......................................... 16-19

MRPA in Action.............................................. 9

Strength in Numbers................................... 21

Meet Janelle Crossfield................................ 9

Pokémon Go Play Outside......................... 22

Fall 2016 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 3

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FOUNDATION CORNER

Minnesota Recreation and Park Foundation Updates

by John Stutzman, CPRP, Minnesota Recreation and Park Foundation Vice President The Minnesota Recreation and Park Foundation is the only non-profit organization solely dedicated to promoting excellence in the Parks and Recreation profession. We might not sell fantastic cookies, discount cards, or little candy bars, but we take great pride in our educational and networking opportunities, programs, grants, student and continuing education scholarships, and the continued support of the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association. For more information regarding MRPF’s membership benefits, please contact MRPF President Nate Rosa at nrosa @ st.louispark.org.

DID YOU KNOW…the Minnesota Recreation and Park Foundation…

• Serves members by following our primary objective of supporting the education, innovation and training for all members and the parks and recreation profession!

• Hosted the Annual Golf and Lawn Bowling Tournaments on September 22 at Brookview Golf Course: 52 golfers, 20 lawn bowlers and 10 sponsors contributed to a great event and enjoyed a fun day on the links!

Park hopper passes, autographed sports memorabilia, and brewery and winery packages. The raffle featured airline tickets, a shotgun, and a Coach purse. Thanks to everyone who supported MRPF by participated in these events. Special thanks to Scott Heitkamp for volunteering his time and leadership for this year’s silent auction and raffle fundraiser.

• Presented Austin Eschweiler, Bloomington Park and Recreation, a complimentary registration to the MRPA Emerging Recreation Leaders Institute (ERLI).

• Offers student scholarships. The scholarship program includes up to five $1,000 scholarships for juniors and seniors enrolled in a four-year parks and recreation curriculum at a Minnesota or neighboring state university. Information and the scholarship application can be found online at: http://www.mnrpa.org/mrpf/.

For questions please contact Jason Hicks at jason.hicks@newbrightonmn.gov or Jamie Cassidy at jcassidy@ci.becker.mn.us.

• Offered great items and prizes at the silent auction and raffle fundraiser held at the MRPA Annual Conference. Silent auction items included sporting event tickets, date night packages, rounds of golf, Disney

• Membership is only $25 (retirees $20, students $10) and is a tax-deductible donation. Contact Nicole Gorman at ngorman@ci.farmington.mn.us for more information on becoming a member today!

• Was a sponsor of the MRPA Annual Conference. Contributed over $6,000 in financial support towards the delegate gift, Young Professional and Student Network’s (YPSN) event, student luncheon, and MRPF 2016 New Initiative Grants session.

DONATING TO MRPF HAS NEVER BEEN EASIER! 1. Shop your Amazon purchases at: smile.amazon.com 2. Designate Minnesota Recreation and Park Foundation as your beneficiary A portion of your online purchases will automatically go to MRPF!

Student Scholarship Recipient: Where are they now?

Casey Hagert: 2011 Recipient While enrolled at Minnesota State University, Mankato, Casey spent the summer of 2011 gaining valuable work experience as a seasonal employee at Yellowstone National Park. The summer job complemented his education nicely as he was pursuing a degree in recreation, parks, and leisure services with emphasizes in natural resources and leisure and planning management. Casey returned to Mankato in the fall to finish his classes and graduate. Shortly before graduation, he was selected as a recipient of a $1,000 MRPF student scholarship.

Degree in hand and $1,000 richer, Casey joined the City of St. Louis Park as their summer intern. Upon the completion of another successful summer of work experience, he began his pursuit of full-time employment in the parks and recreation field. He spent the next several years working multiple parttime jobs with Carver County Parks and Recreation, Chaska Community Center, Eden Prairie Parks and Recreation, Three Rivers Park District, and Safari Island Community Center in Waconia. In April of 2015, his perseverance and resume-building opportunities paid off as Casey was offered a full-time position as a recreation coordinator for Willmar Community Education and Recreation.

MRPF is delighted to congratulate Casey on the start of a new endeavor, having just learned he has accepted a position with Eden Prairie Parks and Recreation as their senior recreation specialist of youth development. Congratulations Casey and best of luck in your new position!

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KEEPING UP Terry Schultz Retires After 30 Years with the City of Burnsville Terry Shultz retired as director of parks, recreation and natural resources for the City of Burnsville in August of 2016. “I was blessed to be able to work with a number of outstanding parks and recreation professionals in both Apple Valley and Burnsville that mentored and taught me much of what I needed to know to be successful,” states Schultz.

He continues, “I worked part-time for the City of Apple Valley and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board while I attended college at the University of Minnesota. I landed my first full-time job in 1981 with the City of Apple Valley as a recreation program supervisor. After five years with Apple Valley I took a job with the City of Burnsville as their recreation programmer/facilities manager. I held a number of positions during my 30 year tenure at Burnsville, culminating with being appointed director of parks, recreation and natural resources in 2009.”

Schultz states he has had love for the great outdoors and athletics his entire life. After high school, he spent his free time camping in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) and various state parks, as well as participating in recreational athletic leagues in his community. “The benefits of the programs and facilities that we offer in the parks and recreation profession have been a very important part of my life,” he says. “I pursued a career in parks and recreation because it would give me an opportunity to share the things I loved to do with others. I feel passionate about the importance of making sure people have the opportunity to get away from the stresses of everyday life and recreate themselves by getting out into the outdoors or by getting involved in recreational activities.”

Schultz was a student member of MRPA while he attended the University of Minnesota from 1979 to 1980. He continued his involvement throughout his 35-year career. He worked on numerous sections and committees throughout his career, and served as treasurer on the MRPA Board of Directors.

“In 1992, I was honored to be the recipient of the Jack Niles Award,” he adds. “I am grateful for the friends and professional contacts I have made through my involvement with MRPA. It is so comforting to know you have a vast network of professionals you can lean on for advice and guidance when you run into a situation where you could use a little help. MRPA conferences and educational programs have been invaluable to me in terms of keeping me up to speed on current issues and trends in the profession. It has been great to be part of the MRPA family!”

Schultz adds he feels honored to have spent his career in a city that values their natural resources, recreation programs, and park facilities, and has a top-notch group of parks and recreation professionals. He looks forward to the next chapter of his life, continued enjoyment of the great outdoors, and next recreational adventure.

6 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

Kerry Phillips Recognized as a Good Neighbor Award Winner on WCCO Congratulations to Kerry Phillips with Eagan Parks and Recreation for leading the way in starting Eagan’s Marketfest. Phillips was nominated by Tom Lee with Blue Cross Blue Shield and Eagan resident Pam Carlson in appreciation and recognition for her leadership of 10 successful years with MarketFest. Lee states, “MarketFest is a wonderful community gathering and we are grateful to Kerry and her team for making it such a successful and fun event.”

This is no ordinary farmer’s market! Every Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m., there are about 60 vendors selling everything from vegetables and flowers to eggs and strudel along with live music. Phillips started this event with 10 vendors and about 3,000 people attending throughout the summer. Now, the market draws 50,000 people from June through September and has been expanded to include an indoor winter market - all at Eagan’s Central Park and Community Center. It is a tribute to Phillips’ ability to think big and to the city for supporting this great idea.

Eagan will miss Phillips’ creativity. Please join MRPA to wish Phillips all the best as she soon begins a new venture. She has accepted a new position as deputy director of the Greater Ithaca Activities Center and Department with the City of Ithaca, N.Y. starting November 14.

Century Fence Company Celebrates 100 Years in Business Long-time MRPA corporate member, Century Fence Company based in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, announced that it has commenced its hundredth year of corporate existence on June 20, 2016. Founder Henry Bryant incorporated the company in 1917 upon his entry into the U.S. Army and his deployment to France during the First World War. The firm is a major contractor of fencing and highway marking systems operating in seven states in the north central United States. Century Fence was previously known as Henry Bryant & Company and Waukesha Steel Products Company before its final name change to Century Fence Company in 1925.

Century Fence operates a branch in Forest Lake, Minnesota and owns a subsidiary company, Fortress Fence, located in Green Bay, Wisconsin. A manufacturing facility for highway striping equipment is maintained in western Wisconsin in the Village of Knapp.

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YOUNG PROFESSIONALS AND STUDENT NETWORK (YPSN)

What is the Young Professionals and Student Network?

YPSN Upcoming Events Inaugural YPNS Conference Call Tuesday | November 1, 2016 |2:00 p.m.

Dial-In Number: 641-715-3580 Access Code: 356073 YPNS Conference Call Tuesday | December 6, 2016 |2:00 p.m.

Dial-In Number: 641-715-3580 Access Code: 356073 The Young Professionals and Student Network (YPSN) is a group of Minnesota Recreation and Park Association members under the age of 35 and students currently pursuing a degree in parks and recreation (or related professions) who wish to build their professional network.

What do we do?

The purpose of the YPSN is to promote networking, inspire involvement, and encourage professional development.

Throughout the year, students and young professionals hold monthly conference calls to network, share ideas, discuss hot topics, and provide updates from Minnesota Recreation and Park Association (MRPA), Minnesota Recreation and Park Foundation (MRPF), National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), and other professional associations. We are also hosting networking events at the MRPA Conference and Annual General Meeting.

How do I get involved?

Get involved with the monthly conference calls, connect with the YPSN on social media. Connect before, during, and after the conference with other YPSN members!

Facebook Group: MRPA Young Professionals and Student Network

MRPA Events Calendar MRPA Annual Conference and Exhibit Hall 2016 October 24 - 27, Eagan Jack-O-Lantern Jamboree Pickleball October 29, Faribault YPSN Conference Calls November 1, December 2, Bloomington Emerging Recreation Leaders Institute (ERLI) Various locations November 15 & 29; December 13 2016 Butterball Classic Pickleball November 17, Crystal MRPA Entertainment Jamboree December 1 , Bloomington MRPA Indoor Triathlon December 4, Eden Prairie MRPA/WILS Volleyball January 7, 2017, Crystal Annual General Meeting and Awards Luncheon January 10, 2017, Brooklyn Park

Twitter: MRPA_YPSN

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9 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Bloomington Civic Plaza An event designed to allow you an opportunity to “see them before you book them.”

The jamboree includes a variety of 20-minute performance sessions: musicians, bands, drum groups, children’s performers and more.

A $39 registration fee includes the showcase with up to 12 performers, the entertainment exhibit hall, an entertainment guide and lunch.

Visit mnrpa.org for more information.

8 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

MRPA IN ACTION

< Meet Janelle Crossfield Senior and general programs manager, City of Minnetonka Besides softball, basketball and swimming, Janelle Crossfield was actually in very few recreation programs as a child. “My mother did in-house daycare so in many ways I feel like I’ve been working in programming my entire life,” states Crossfield, senior and general programs manager for the City of Minnetonka.

Marketing Strategy Workshop Forty-one participants attended the Marketing Strategy Institute on September 23. Thank you to Plymouth Parks and Recreation for hosting the event. This workshop featured best practices for creating engaging campaigns, developing highly targeted advertisements, leveraging multiple social platforms, and measuring results. Participants will came away with actionable strategies to raise awareness and increase engagement.

The speaker for this workshop was Ryan Hegreness who currently serves as operations manager for the City of Westminster, Colorado, and is a co-manager of the Brand+Aid Marketing and Social Media Conference.

Crossfield says, “My summer highlights were weeks spent running around on the family farm. I did not attend college right after high school and during that time I found I had an interest in the natural sciences. I took several courses at North Hennepin including a geology course that included a camping trip in Mystery State Park. During our cave tour I thought the guides had the best job in the world, so I told the park ranger that I wanted to get a job in the parks. She told me to do so, and I did.

The next semester I transferred to the University of Minnesota to get a degree in parks and recreation.”

After wrapping-up a three week study abroad in Kenya, Crossfield packed up her belongings and went to the Black Hills in South Dakota for an internship with the Boys and Girls Club. “On the drive out, I became sick from the flight and everything went downhill,” Crossfield says. “I ended-up having nowhere to live and had to come home. Luckily, I had volunteered for the MRPA Annual Conference while in school and was on Margo Numedahl’s email list. She was hiring afterschool program instructors and I needed a job. This was truly my first experience in municipal recreation and I quickly fell in love with it. Margo agreed to supervise an internship for me and I gained experience in everything Fridley has to offer: youth, senior, athletics, nature center, and more. At the same time I also was offered a position creating and leading programs as an outdoor educator at Three Rivers Park District’s Silverwood Park.”

Shortly after her internship, Crossfield was offered a position coordinating the birthday party program at the Eden Prairie Community Center. At the same time, she was the interim art center supervisor during a maternity leave and filled-in as the athletics assistant. She also covered maternity leaves at St. Louis Park and Falcon Heights, and worked part-time as a recreation coordinator for the City of Plymouth, until she found her current full-time position with the City of Minnetonka.

Emerging Recreation Leaders Institute (ERLI) The ERLI program kicked-off on September 13 at the Maple Grove Community Center. There are over 40 participants registered for this program that focuses on leadership skills and the knowledge base needed to sustain and better the organization and the people they serve.

ERLI meets a total of six session throughout this fall season, with three sessions remaining: November 15 and 29, and December 13. This program is geared for the parks and recreation professional with less than eight years of experience. Thank you to the ERLI committee members Lisa Abernathy with the City of St. Louis Park and Reed Smidt with Woodbury Parks and Recreation.

Since 2009, Crossfield has been very active with MRPA. “I’ve helped with the Programming Section, summer leadership workshop, and conferences,” she states. “I’ve also helped with Minnesota Recreation and Park Foundation and Minnesota Association of Senior Services. My favorite experiences have been chairing the Summer Leadership Workshop and being a part of the Professional Development Committee in 2012.” Crossfield has recently begun her term as the chairperson for the Programming Section According to Crossfield, she has gained everything by being involved with MRPA. She thanks Donna Tilsner and Susie Miller for making their entire University of Minnesota class volunteer at the conference. Additionally, she met members Nate Rosa, Travis Karlen, and John Stutzman at MRPA meetings. “Thanks to Margo, Nate, Travis, and John for helping give me the opportunity to work hard and find success in the field,” states Crossfield.

She continues, “Thank you to all the directors and leaders at Three Rivers, Eden Prairie, St. Louis Park, and Plymouth for giving me all the amazing part-time positions and supporting me in my involvement with MRPA. Thanks to many others, you know who you are! And, lastly, thanks to MRPA for providing all of us with the opportunity to connect, learn, and grow with one another. “ MRPA members are the heart of our organization. They are involved and committed to advancing the parks and recreation programming. MRPA in Action is a new magazine feature which will highlight one section/committee and one professional per issue.

Fall 2016 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 9

Did You Know…

New Brighton Parks and Recreation

Minnesota,

DID YOU

New Brighton Parks and Recreation held a parks, recreation and environmental meeting on September 7, 2016. The department staff gave their commission members a presentation on the MRPA Did You Know advocacy program.

PA R K S & R E C R E AT I O N

Following the formal meeting, they had a work session with the commissioners. The purpose of the work session was for commissioners to learn how to write impactful facts related to the parks and recreation industry, and in the future, watch for facts to share with New Brighton Parks and Recreation staff. “These fun nuggets of information have the potential to spark our community’s interest in health and our environment,” says Mary KuneshPodein chairperson for the New Brighton Parks, Recreation and Environmental Commission.

“Knowledge is power!” Sandy Breuer, director of New Brighton Parks and Recreation adds, “New Brighton is excited to be on the forefront of this

KN W Enriching Life. Inspiring C ommunit y.

Minnesota Recreation and Park Association Did You Know (DYK) program agencies continue to implement the initiative throughout the state. Each magazine issue will highlight how a participating agency is using the program to provide education and advocacy for the community.

new MRPA initiative. New Brighton holds a fact writing session with the Parks and Recreation Staff each September and at each of these sessions we have discovered new ways to use these facts.“ The DYK program can assist your park and recreation agency with relaying your benefits to your community.

The program can be used as much or as little as your agency wants to use it. The DYK committee has developed a starter toolkit to assist agencies with the program implementation.

The toolkits contain facts, statement examples, ideas on how the statements are used and sample presentations.

If your agency has not purchased the program and would like to know more about it, please contact Michelle Snider at snider@mnrpa.org and a training session for your agency or region can be arranged.

Current Minnesota “Did You Know” Participating Agencies • Albert Lea

• Burnsville

• Elk River

• New Ulm

• St. Louis Park

• Faribault

• Inver Grove Heights

• Austin

• Carver County

• Becker

• Eagan

• Owatonna

• Shakopee

• Farmington

• LeSueur

• Prior Lake • Rochester

• South Saint Paul

• Rogers

• Willmar

• Bemidji

• Eden Prairie

• Fridley

• Minnetonka

• Brooklyn Park

• Edina

• Hutchinson

• New Brighton

1937-1962 Minnesota Recreation and Park Association handed out a Moss Back or Whipper Snapper button to new professional members. A Moss Back is a professional who became a member between 1937 through 1962.

A Whipper Snapper is a professional who became a member after 1962. At that time, our association was known as Minnesota Recreation Association (MRA).

10 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

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Before Flying Drones – Be Aware of Regulations

By Bethani Gerhard, Minnesota Recreation and Park Association

When flying a drone in a public area, operators must be aware of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations. According to the FAA, local law enforcement can detect, investigate, and even take action in order to stop unsafe drone operations.

The FAA also has rules that prevent hobbyists’ model aircrafts from flying over groups of people and violating community standards.

12 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

Some cities in Minnesota have drone regulations, and some do not. “In Bloomington, park regulations prohibit the use of motorized toy boats, motorized airplanes, rockets or other missiles,” says Randy Quale, parks and recreation director for the City of Bloomington. “We are including drones in this prohibition. Parks and recreation agencies are receiving more and more requests to use drones at parks to film weddings, fireworks displays, etc.”

Brooklyn Park Recreation and Parks hired a drone company to film a flyover of each hole at Edinburgh USA Golf Course. “We will use the videos to help promote our golf course to people who have never been there,” says Brad Tullberg, parks and facilities manager for Brooklyn Park Recreation and Parks. “We just asked that the drone company comply with the local aviation regulations.”

Drones can be an asset for venue and park promotions. Drone operators must adhere to state and local laws and register the device with the FAA. A registered drone will be given a registration number, which should be marked visibly. The FAA can impose civil fines and jail sentences for operators in violation of its core restrictions. According to the FAA, local law enforcement will also get involved if city ordinances are violated.

The FAA provides guidelines as well as a reference card for local law enforcement officers to follow if they suspect a drone is being flown in an unsafe or unauthorized manner. In addition, local entities can impose

penalties based on local ordinances prohibiting drone use.

According to the FAA’s restrictions, unmanned aircraft and remote-controlled aircraft are prohibited within a threenautical-mile radius up to and including 3,000 feet above ground level of any stadium having a seating capacity of 30,000 or more people where either a regular or post-season Major League Baseball, National Football League, or NCAA Division I football game is occurring. Flights conducted for operational purposes of any event, stadium or venue and broadcast coverage for the broadcast rights holder are authorized with an approved airspace waiver.

The FAA announced the implementation of the first operational rules for routine nonhobbyist use of small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS or “drones”) on June 21, 2016. The provisions of the new rule – formally known as Part 107 – are designed to minimize risks to other aircraft and people and property on the ground.

Operators may apply for an exemption.

While the implementation of Part 107 will allow many civil operators to fly aircraft without an exemption, it won’t cover

You don’t need permission from the FAA to fly your drone for fun or recreation, but you must always fly safely and follow state and local laws.

Fall 2016 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 13

Before Flying Drones – Be Aware of Regulations It may take up to 48 hours for the website to record that the applicant has passed the knowledge test. The FAA expects to validate applications within 10 days. Applicants will then receive instructions for printing a temporary airman certificate, which is good for 120 days. The FAA will mail a permanent remote pilot certificate within 120 days.

To register, you’ll need:

RECREATIONAL DRONE USE

• Register UAS that weigh less than 55 lbs. and more than 0.55 lbs. online

You don’t need permission from the FAA to fly your drone for fun or recreation, but you must always fly safely and follow state and local laws. everything, and the FAA will continue to approve exemptions on a case-bycase basis.

The FAA will make every effort to approve requests as soon as possible, but the actual processing time will vary, depending on the complexity of an individual request and the volume of applications the FAA receives.

The agency is urging users to submit requests at least 90 days before they intend to fly in controlled airspace.

The FAA will use safety data from each phase to ensure appropriate mitigations are in place as small UAS operations are integrated into controlled airspace. Testing centers nationwide can now administer the Aeronautical Knowledge Test required under Part 107. After an operator passes the test, he or she must complete an FAA Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application to receive a remote pilot certificate at: iacra.faa.gov/IACRA/Default.aspx

• Email address • Credit or debit card • Physical address and mailing address (if different) • Pay a registration fee of $5 which is valid for three years

• Register UAS that weigh more than 55 lbs. by mail • Label your UAS

Before you fly outside you must:

Safety Guidelines

• Register your UAS if it weighs more than 0.55 lbs. and less than 55 lbs.

• Fly at or below 400 feet and keep your UAS within sight

• Label your UAS with your registration number

• Never fly near other aircraft, especially near airports

• Read and understand all safety guidelines

• Never fly over groups of people, stadiums or sports events

You must be: • 13 years of age or older (if the owner is less than 13 years of age, a person 13 years of age or older must register the small unmanned aircraft) • A U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident • Visiting foreign nationals must register their UAS upon arrival in the United States (online registration serves as a certificate of ownership)

• Never fly near emergency response efforts such as fires • Never fly under the influence • Be aware of airspace requirements • To help promote safe use of drones and help raise awareness, the FAA also has a “No Drone Zone” outreach program that provides signage to alert operators when they have entered an area that does not allow drones. The FAA also offers a mobile app that helps users determine if they’re in a no-drone area, a hotline for reporting unsafe drone use, and an educational website: knowbeforeyoufly.org.

To help promote safe use of drones and help raise awareness, the FAA CREATED an educational website: knowbeforeyoufly.org.

14 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

Perspective from AN Experienced Drone Operator

By Patty Anderson, Maple Grove Parks and Recreation

When Central Park of Maple Grove opened in the summer of 2015, Joe Stone volunteered to film a video and donate photos for promotional use to Maple Grove Parks and Recreation.

Stone is both a resident of Maple Grove and the owner of Gopher Aerial. Stone came with a wealth of knowledge about drones, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, and a passion for sharing the beauty of parks to the world. Yearto-date he has hundreds of hours of experience flying drones and videoing large events.

What should parks and recreation professionals know about drones?

Stone shared his thoughts on two considerations: the hobbyist going to the park, and the drone operator interested in using the camera as a tool for taking videos and photos for promotional efforts.

Stone says, “There should be some concern for park users’ safety if

hobbyists are allowed to fly drones in parks.” He adds in the future, park regulations may have signs in the park stating ‘no drone zone.’ Just like many signs today that read ‘no alcohol’ or ‘no motorized vehicles.’

According to Stone, if agencies issue a permit for general drone activity in the parks, one regulation that would be important to know is drones should be operated at a safe distance from people. Also, when the operator is focused on the flight of the drone, it is necessary to have a visual observer to watch park visitor movement on the ground. Adding this requirement to a permit could provide some assurance of park visitor safety and responsible use by the drone operator.

Drone videos and photographs offer a bird’s-eye view of parks, activities, and some amazing photos. Stone says, “I view my work as creating art and a great way to promote parks.”

Stone shared some thoughts about the new FAA regulation that became effective on August 29, 2016 called Part 107, a written test drone operators can take and need to pass if they are going to fly their drones for commercial use. If park and recreation professionals are looking to hire a drone operator for video and photography work, Stone recommends they ask for proof of the operator’s Part 107 completion.

Stone states there is value in requiring a certificate of liability insurance.

“Passing of Part 107 is like passing the written exam for a driver’s permit,” he adds. “It does not provide proof of the skill level to actually fly the drone.

Before hiring a drone photographer, it might be worth asking how many hours of experience he or she has flying drones and ask to see a portfolio of work.”

Drone photo by Joe Stone

Fall 2016 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 15

CHASKA FIREMEN’S PARK

MRPA AWARDS OF

EXCELLENCE RECOGNIZING MINNESOTA AGENCIES & ORGANIZATIONS FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS

By Bethani Gerhard, Minnesota Recreation and Park Association

Each year MRPA recognizes agencies or organizations in Minnesota for outstanding achievements. The following are the recipients of the MRPA Awards of Excellence for projects completed in 2015.

16 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

INVER GROVE HEIGHTS LAWN OF THE WEEK

MAPLE GROVE CENTRAL PARK

Parks and Facilities: Chaska Parks and Recreation Firemen’s Park The Firemen’s Park project included the renovation of two city parks that lay on both sides of Clay Hole Lake in the downtown Chaska area. Project components include new park shelters, park concession stand, new playground equipment and amenities, interactive fountains, boardwalk around the lake and a bridge connecting the two parks. There is also a performance stage, remodeled beach, 300-seat event center, six-sheet curling center, Crooked Pint Ale House Restaurant, historic gardens, and a large common area.

Maple Grove Parks and Recreation Board - Central Park of Maple Grove What was formally a gravel pit, has transformed into a large 40-acre park.

Almost 30 years in the making, Central is located just east of the Town Green on Lakeview Drive and features a park building, pond, large lawn space, interactive fountains, playground, gardens, courts area, ice skating loop, and access to extensive trails that run

HIGHLAND HILLS SKI CHALET throughout the city. This new community park is another part of the comprehensive plan to create a walkable city that links residents to Maple Grove’s many amenities. Central Park serves as a destination park that attracts visitors from the community and surrounding areas.

Three Rivers Park District Hyland Hills Chalet In the fall of 2015, Three Rivers Park District celebrated the grand opening of the new chalet at Hyland Hills Ski Area.

The previous chalet was demolished in the spring of 2014, and the project

Fall 2016 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 17

Woodbury Feed My Starving Children MobilePack Event

to designate nominees and ultimately select a winner. Once a winning lawn was identified, a congratulatory flyer was posted on the homeowner’s door with instruction on how to proceed. A colorful yard sign was then placed in the recipient’s lawn for the public to see and also directed viewer to our website if they wished to nominate a lawn for the future.

Sponsorship and Partnerships: Edina Parks and Recreation Braemar Field

EDINA BRAEMAR FIELD called for an approximately 16-month construction timeline. The new chalet includes an innovative design responsive to a unique customer base; a butterfly roof to keep snow from shedding or melting onto sidewalks and ski areas; expanded kitchen, food service and guest services areas; general seating areas that can be reconfigured for use during the winter season as well as special events; energy efficient and green building elements; and a mechanical system that adequately ventilates the rental room, keeping the odor out of the rest of the building.

Programming and Events: City of Inver Grove Heights Lawn of the Week The Lawn of the Week program concept was developed and implemented with the intent of recognizing resident lawns that exemplified curb appeal, neatness, natural beauty, natural resources and neighborhood pride. The parks and recreation department enlisted its “Green Thumb” summer seasonal staff to drive to a different neighborhood each week

18 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

With demand for sports facilities booming, the City of Edina partnered with local athletic associations to make Braemar Field a reality instead of a vision. For over 10 years, the City of Edina vetted construction of sports dome for 6,000-plus youth that participate in sports. While meeting with youth nonprofit athletic associations to determine the need of the sports dome, the youth associations understood they needed to commit to a partnership for the benefit of the community and most importantly their association. Adjacent to the sports dome, the outdoor ice rink was built.

Twelve miles of piping was used to refrigerate the rink and 110 tons of steel helped construct the barrel-vault roof.

City of Woodbury Parks and Recreation Feed My Starving Children MobilePack Event Feed My Starving Children is a Minnesota-based non-profit organization committed to feeding hungry children with hand-packed meals specifically formulated for the malnourished. The goal for Woodbury’s Feed My Starving Children MobliePack event was packing four million meals over a four-day period. Woodbury Parks and Recreation coordinated the event logistics and donated the space, which took place at the new Bielenberg Sports Center Field House. In addition, city staff helped to market and promote the event, as well as encourage employees from all departments to participate in the packaging process of the event.

Volunteer Initiatives: Roseville Parks and Recreation Roseville Parks Stewardship Network The Stewardship Network supports the maintenance and sustainability of natural resources restoration projects and natural resources management efforts, as well as cultivates a better understanding of the processes involved.

Current park maintenance obligations are stretched, so staff needed to look beyond the traditional city labor pool and tap into another community resource, its volunteers to help support natural resources. The Stewardship Network performs critical work that contributes toward the long-term health of natural areas. In 2015, 167 individual volunteers participated in the Stewardship Network and spent 735 hours cutting and removing buckthorn from 80 acres of parkland; performed broadcast seeding of native grasses and glowers at four park locations; installed 3,000 plant plugs along Roseville shoreline; planted 500 trees; and built 50 bee nesting boxes and 15 duck boxes.

Roseville Parks Stewardship Network

Congratulations to all winners!

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Fall 2016 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 19

SUNDAY DECEMBER 4 8 AM - 11 AM

WHERE: Eden Prairie Community Center 16700 Valley View Road Eden Prairie MN 55346-4243 FORMAT: Swim 10 minutes / Bike 20 minutes / Run 15 minutes Starting times will be assigned and started in waves of 10-15 people FEE:

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Strength in Numbers:

MRPF’s Appreciation of the Experience Partnership withBetter Hiway Banking Federal Credit Union Borrowing for a car or home. Financing

By John W. Stutzman, CPRP, Minnesota Recreation and Park education. Saving for a family vacation.

Consolidating debt. Whatever your Foundation Vice President financial needs may be, save money and experience better banking at Hiway Federal Credit Union (Hiway).

Since 2012, the We are not-for-profit and are dedicated to improving your financial Minnesota Recreation well-being. Call or visit us online today. and Park Foundation has worked in cooperation with Hiway Federal Credit Union to increase 651.291.1515 | 800.899.5626 | hiway.org membership, develop FOLLOW US additional benefits for members, and create sustainable finances to support the innovation, education, and training for the parks and recreation industry. During the partnership’s inception, neither organization knew the full impact it would have for them. Over time, the partnership has contributed directly to the development of many new and incredible opportunities.

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As the end of 2016 approaches, MRPF is thrilled with the increased membership and awareness brought to the organization thanks to hundreds of new members registered through Hiway Federal Credit Union. With over $14,000 in new membership dues received this year alone, MRPF has utilized the increased revenue to develop the National Professional Development Grant, graduate student scholarship for professionals, create the MRPF insider newsletter, distribute membership pins, and offer additional support for MRPA initiatives including: annual conferences, MRPA 75th anniversary book, Emerging Recreation Leaders Institute (ERLI), redesign of MRPA website, facility energy management workshop, student luncheons, and much more.

With this strong partnership, the future offers MRPF great reason for excitement. Members will see the continuous development and creation of new initiatives and membership programs providing support into the future for MRPA and the entire parks and recreation profession. MRPF is extremely thankful to have Hiway Federal Credit Union as a partner!

experience Better Banking Borrow for a car or home. finance education. Save for a family vacation. conSolidate deBt. whatever your financial needs may be, save money and experience better banking at hiway federal credit union (hiway). we are not-for-profit and are dedicated to improving your financial well-being. call or visit us online today.

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Fall 2016 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 21

Pokémon GO Outside and Play!

By Brian Sanders, Assistant County Administrator, Aiken County, South Carolina Reprinted with permission of South Carolina Recreation & Park Association During my career, recreation professionals have had the unique challenge of encouraging people to get active and stay fit, while advances in personal technology seem to be pulling in the other direction. While there is no dispute that electronics have made daily life easier in many ways, they have also affected the way that youth spend leisure time and interact. As an organizer and participant of many recreation conference sessions and workshops, often the subject comes up: How do we, as recreation professionals, combat the couch potato draw of the X-Box, Playstation, and now the mobile phone?

It seemed that many of the new, nontraditional activities that we tried were met with middling success, at best. In our battle against virtual entertainment, we were barely holding off the electronic forces of evil in our quest to get people outside and active. Then in a stroke of genius, developers at Nintendo, The Pokémon Company and Google collaborated to create a game that would transform electronic gaming from a personal experience in front of a screen to an outdoor experience that encourages social interaction (a sore point among recreation professionals regarding electronics), cooperation, team building and exercise. All good things, right?

all age groups, from elementary school to college students. This new version of the game actually encourages physical activity (long the number one goal of recreation) in order for players to progress.

I was introduced to this new phenomenon by my teenaged children on our recent annual vacation with friends. Over the years, we enjoyed activities like volleyball, ping pong, kayaking and swimming, but with the introduction of mobile phones, the kids were spending more and more time in their own personal virtual worlds. Last year, the kids in our group would take part in half-hearted activities after nagging from the parents, then quickly return to their devices and their invisible bubbles. This year, however, the kids were rarely indoors. They repeatedly asked for permission to go to various locations as a group, meeting other players and working together as a team.

The point of this piece is that we as a profession should operate under the philosophy of “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.” We should encourage app makers to create more opportunities for electronics and exercise. Sweat and technology CAN go together! Pokémon Go popularity may fade but my hope is that this literal game changer is the beginning of a new trend.

Pokémon Go is based on the popular Pokémon Empire that has a nostalgic draw for millennials, but the game is wildly popular with

Invest in Your Career

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www.nrpa.org/CPRP

22 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

2016 MRPA CORPORATE MEMBERS GOLD MEMBERS

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Across our different product lines there are hundreds of variations offering you choices in style, size, features, materials, and colors.

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ISG is-grp.com

Ultimate Playgrounds ultimateplaygrounds.com

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Viking Trophies Awards & Recognition vikingtrophies.com

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Webber Recreational Design webberrec.com WSB & Associates, Inc. wsbeng.com BRONZE MEMBERS Anderson-Johnson Association, Inc. ajainc.net Bolton & Menk, Inc. bolton-menk.com Busch Architects, Inc. busch-architects.com CEI Engineering Associates, Inc. ceieng.com Century Fence Company centuryfence.com

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Campfire Rings Standard and Accessible Park Tables

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Charcoal Grills

Sports Technology Inc. sportstechnologyinc.com Sprung Instant Structures Inc. sprung.com TKDA tkda.com Tricia & The Toonies thetoonies.com Twilight Zone Outdoor Cinema tzcinema.com Valleyfair valleyfair.com Walker Area Community Center walkerwacc.com Wild Mountain wildmountain.com

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

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Fall 2016 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 23

MINNESOTA RECREATION AND PARK ASSOCIATION 200 CHARLES STREET NE FRIDLEY, MN 55432

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