Minnesota Recreation & Parks Spring 2016

MINNESOTA Official Publication of Minnesota Recreation and Park Association

Recreation and Parks Volume 11, Issue 2 • Spring 2016

Valleyfair Celebrates 40 Years of Fun

Did You Know…

Are you using this?

2015 MRPA AWARDS

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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 Heidi Sedlacek, New Brighton 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: Heidi Sedlacek, New Brighton 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 Summer 2016 issue................................May 13 Fall 2016 issue......................................... July 30 Winter 2017 issue....................... November 14 Spring 2017 Issue.......................... February 28 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

Happy spring everyone!

Before I start looking ahead, I’d like to look at 2015 and thank everyone who was a MRPA member, participated in an event, training, or volunteered their time to our great organization. An extra thank you to Jay Lotthammer for his leadership as MRPA president. I’m looking forward to continuing the Board’s great work in 2016.

We’ve had many things to celebrate recently, the Minnesota USSSA Hall of Fame and the Annual General Meeting (AGM) showed many of our members’ achievements.

Congratulations to all the recipients and everyone who was nominated. A special congratulations to my boss and past MRPA president, Corky Ebeling on being chosen as the Clifton E. French recipient. Congratulations also to our recent retirees, and thank you for your contribution to our profession.

Looking ahead, the MRPA Board is focusing again on the strategic plan, specifically: Educate #3, create and maintain a web-based member forum for exchanging ideas and experiences; Optimize #6, conduct annual membership scanning to identify and anticipate changing needs of the members; Lead #3, identify common goals of private industry and the profession, and use shared goals as a basis for enhancing partnerships; Optimize #3, embrace and actively seek diversification of the membership base across professions; Educate #6, develop and maintain a mentorship program; Educate #7, identify, assess and implement the most effective methods for offering non-metro education courses.

Along with the strategic plan, we are also looking at what the core values of our association are from our initial discussion. We can see the strengths of our organization, but we’re also looking at where we can improve and grow. Be looking for more information in the coming weeks and months. If you weren’t at the AGM this year, I’d like to give you the same challenge as I did those in attendance, reach out to someone who is not yet a member of the MRPA family and invite them to become part of this great organization. Or, if you know someone who used to be involved but has maybe drifted away, reach out and invite them to come back to MRPA. It is up to us as members to grow our MRPA family and make it the best organization it can be.

Thank you to Michelle, Deb, Troy and Bethani for everything you do for this organization, we are lucky to have such fabulous staff. I am truly honored to be your 2016 Board president and will work diligently along with the Board of Directors, you the members, and the MRPA staff to make this another great year!

Finally, I’d like to remind everyone of National Recreation and Park Association’s park and rec month slogan, “When Our Powers Combine, We Change Lives!”

What a great line to keep in our minds as we journey though this year. Here’s to finding your super power!

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

Ebeling Wins Clifton E. French Award...... 11

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

MRPA Flashback........................................... 11

Keeping Up..................................................6-8

Did You Know............................................... 12

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

Starfish Aquatics Institute........................... 13

Meet Gina Norris........................................... 9

Offering Healthy Food Choices............ 14-18

2015 MRPA Awards................................. 10-11

Valleyfair Celebrates 40 Years of Fun........ 19

Spring 2016 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 3

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FOUNDATION CORNER

Minnesota Recreation and Park Foundation Updates

by John Stutzman, City of Bloomington DID YOU KNOW…the Minnesota Recreation and Park Foundation…

• Is the only non-profit organization solely dedicated to promoting excellence in the parks and recreation profession. MRPF’s primary objective is to support the education, innovation and training for all members in our profession!

• Provides an annual grant intended to inspire and expand the participation of Minnesota recreation professionals who would not otherwise have the opportunity to develop their leadership and experience the benefits and professional growth connected to attending a national conference or seminar. Detailed information and applications will are now available at http://www.mnrpa.org/mrpf/ • Provides financial support for professionals seeking continuing education opportunities and new program/facility initiative, student scholarships opportunities.

• Will be launching a NEW graduate student scholarship for professionals in 2016. Created to provide financial assistance for working professionals, in Minnesota, who are enrolled in a graduate program (online or in-person) with a park and recreation (or related) curriculum.

• Is providing our members with a new MRPF membership pin. For $25 (retirees $20, students $10) you can become a member, contact Nicole Gorman at ngorman@ci.farmington.mn.us to update your membership and your membership pin today!

Board Retreat a success The MRPF Board of Trustees held a retreat in February to develop an action plan and develop our 2016 goals and objectives. It was voted on at this meeting that MRPF will provide up to $7,500 to MRPA to support the 2016 Annual Conference and other educational opportunities!

Student Scholarship Recipient: Where are they now?

Jen (Hopp) Graham: 2000 Recipient Jen started her “career” in recreation at the age of 15 working seasonal parks and recreation jobs in her tiny hometown.

In fact, she still has a picture frame craft with photo of the program participants back in the day hanging in her office, to which always makes her smile when thinking about the fun everyone had in the programs. While

in college at Mankato State University (MSU), she gained additional experience working for several agencies including MSU Intramurals and the cities of Mankato and Austin, to name a few of the W-2s she collected. Upon her graduation in 2001, she completed an internship with the City of St. Louis Park. Currently Jen serves as the recreation coordinator for the City of Inver Grove Heights, a position she has held since November of 2001.

We have a winner!

Member Jeff Orluck won the membership drive drawing for two Disney Park Hopper Passes at the Annual Conference.

Get involved!

To ensure the continued success of initiatives like these, MRPF is guided by the Board of Trustees who provide the direction for 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 programs and initiatives, please contact MRPF President Nate Rosa at nrosa@stlouispark.org.

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KEEPING UP Terry Just Retires After More than 35 Years in the Parks and Recreation Profession Just worked for Winona Parks and Recreation for two years, Albert Lea Parks and Recreation for seven years and Roseville Parks and Recreation for one and one-half years. All those experiences eventually led him to become the parks and recreation director for the City of Maple Grove.

Just became a member of MRPA 35 years ago. “I have gained teamwork within a committee and developed relationships from MRPA,” he states. “My favorite memory is from the 1977 Duluth State Conference. There were 11 members in my city car for a late night road trip to Superior, Wisconsin.”

Terry Just, director of Maple Grove Parks and Recreation, has retired after 35-plus years in the field of parks and recreation.

“I started my career working part-time in high school in Rochester, Minnesota,” says Just. “I worked my way through college driving the Zamboni and owned a skate-sharpening business in the ice arena.”

Just explains how he became interested in parks and recreation. “I was a jock growing up, and I worked at my dad’s grocery store two blocks from Mayo Clinic,” he states. “Dad was a bit of a slave driver, so I suggested he find me a job with his friend the recreation director, Roger Lowe. I have been a baseball coach, scorer for men’s basketball, Zamboni driver, maintenance, skate guard, and locker attendant.”

Just was instrumental in the MRPA treasurer’s task force, finance ad-hoc committee and the Board of Directors, where he served four years as the treasurer. He also was president of the Southern Minnesota Recreation and Park Association (SMRPA) in 1983.

Just considers his most challenging part of being a director: selling policy-makers to provide enough permanent staff to provide top-notch customer service and leisure services.

“Facility development has become so complex, and buildings are so computerized that maintenance staff must become specialized technicians,” says Just about the most notable change he’s seen in the parks and recreation field. “Surround yourself with quality, organized and passionate team members to provide first class parks and recreation programs.”

Molly Madden Retires After 36 Years in the Recreation Profession Molly Madden became interested in parks and recreation at the age of 10 while riding her bike with friends on the first day of summer vacation.

She says, “We ran into a couple of adults in red Mankato Area Recreation Council (MARC) shirts. They had a huge bag full of all kinds of equipment and another bin full of arts and craft supplies. It was the greatest thing that ever happened to us. I decided right then I was going to grow up and go to college to become one of the people in the red shirts.”

Madden explains that six years later she started her first recreation job at MARC (now Mankato Community Education & Recreation) as playground summer staff.

“Since I had achieved my career goal of being one of the people in the red shirts by the time I was 16, I needed a new plan and started to leaf through the Mankato State University program catalog,” says

Madden. “When my eyes ran across parks and recreation it was once again the greatest thing that happened to me.

I couldn’t believe parks and recreation was a field of study and something I could actually get a degree in. While attending college I worked at a large printing company in Mankato and a minimum of one to two part-time recreation jobs at the same time.” She says she worked as an ice rink attendant, chair lift operator, fitness instructor, city campground manager, parks maintenance worker, and more.

Madden first got involved with MRPA as a student at MSU in the late 70s. “Joy Joyner, MSU professor at the time, was adamant about students being involved in anything and everything we could that had to do with recreation, and made sure we knew all about the resources and benefits of our state and national organizations,” Madden explains. “We had a great student rec. club and many of us attended both state and national conferences.”

Madden’s professional recreation career began shortly after graduating from MSU at the Mankato Family YMCA. She says she ran about every program the Y

6 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

offered throughout the 26 years she was there. “After the YMCA, I was fortunate to end up back where I started at Mankato Community Education and Recreation, in a recreation coordinator position,” says Madden. “Mary Jo Knudson called me and made sure I was aware of SMRPA and how I could become involved. This past fall, Mary Jo and I served as the co-chairs for the 2015 MRPA Annual Conference in Mankato.

It was a great experience and honor to be involved with the conference. It was a great opportunity to work so closely with all the fantastic recreation professionals in SMRPA and we had just a ton of fun doing it.”

Madden says she feels so very fortunate to have been a small part of this wonderful profession that has the ability to impact communities and people of all ages and walks of lives in so many different ways.

“I am very glad that retiring from this profession doesn’t mean I have to leave it all behind,” she adds. “Recreation always has been, and always will be a part of me.

In fact, I think I will ride my bike up to the park tomorrow just like I did when I was 10 years old and see what’s going on.”

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KEEPING UP Jay Hutchison Retires After 35 Years as the Albert Lea Parks and Recreation Director Jay Hutchison recently retired after 35 years as the director of Albert Lea Parks and Recreation. “I just want to say how much I have enjoyed being involved in this wonderful profession,” says Hutchison. “I’ve enjoyed my 35 years as a parks and recreation director. I want to say thanks to all of the great, dedicated professionals that I have had a chance to work with, who work so hard to provide the people of Minnesota a wide variety of quality leisure experiences. Keep up the great work!”

Hutchison and his wife Karen are heading back to Iowa where they will spend some time chasing their three grandsons. “And when they tire us out, we’ll do some traveling,” he adds. Congratulations to Jay Hutchison and all his years of service to the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association and the parks and recreation field.

The Minnesota USSSA Hall of Fame Inducts First Women League Directors

Left to right: Lacelle Cordes, Garrett Beck, Jerry Ruegemer, Jeanne Vestal

The Minnesota USSSA Hall of Fame induction banquet was held on January 22, 2016 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Minneapolis North. MRPA members Lacelle Cordes from Rosemount Parks and Recreation, and Jeanne Vestal from Maple Grove Parks and Recreation are the first women league directors to be inducted into the Minnesota USSSA Hall of Fame.

Since 1994, Minnesota USSSA honors individuals who have contributed to the Minnesota United States Specialty Sports Association program by electing them to the State’s Hall of Fame.

This is considered the highest honor Minnesota’s USSSA can bestow on any individual. Congratulations to all the 2015 inductees.

Brooklyn Park Recreation and Parks Receives 2015 Local Government Innovation Award Park’s geothermal ice arena is among 24 diverse projects recognized for showing creativity and innovation in redesigning how they do business. The awards are organized in partnership with the Bush Foundation and co-sponsored by the League of Minnesota Cities, the Association of Minnesota Counties, MN Association of Townships, and the Minnesota School Board Association.

Mark Palm and Wayne Roehrich

Brooklyn Park Recreation and Parks’ geothermal ice arena received a 2015 Local Government Innovation from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. Brooklyn

All 24 awardees were recognized at an awards ceremony on December 10, 2015.

The overall winners of each category received a $5,000 grant from the Bush Foundation to continue their work and a professionally produced video to use for marketing and awareness.

The improvements to Brooklyn Park’s ice area used geothermal heat from the city’s water system to efficiently cool the rinks and heat portions of the building.

The ice facility project was part of a larger energy efficiency project that used a combination of stimulus money from the federal government’s energy efficiency and conservation block grants, heritage infrastructure funds, sale of bonds and utility rebates related to energy savings. The city worked with a contractor to complete the arena enhancement as part of a $6.3 million citywide energy-efficiency project. The overall project will pay for itself in just over twelve years.

The original intent of the initiative was to extend the life of their ice arenas.

However, it turned into something much greater. The project extends the life of the rink by 20 plus years and because of the innovative design of the new system, is one of the most energy efficient ice facilities in the nation and possibly the world.

“Keeping Up” is a feature highlighting MRPA member events, news, people and more. To contribute to this section, please send a 125 word or less brief and photos to Michelle Snider at MRPA (snider@mnrpa.org).

8 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

MRPA IN ACTION Get Involved with MRPA Sections!

MRPA sections are special-interest areas within the parks and recreation profession. Section meetings focus on related discussion topics. Members are invited to participate in section meetings. This is a great way to network with colleagues and exchange information about the latest trends.

The MRPA aquatics, facility, park and natural resources, and programming sections meet at various locations typically once per month. The professional development committee recently met and discussed kicking-off the LEAD section (Leadership, Emerging Trends, Administrative, and Development). Visit the MRPA website (mnrpa.org) – under sections and committees – for each section’s meeting schedule, agenda, and minutes.

Aquatics Section to Host Risk Management Workshop The MRPA aquatics section will host the Developing Risk Management Plans workshop on April 20 in Apple Valley.

The MRPA programming section annually hosts the Summer Leadership Workshop - training for all summer parks and recreation staff. This year’s workshop will be held May 21 in West Saint Paul.

MRPA Facility Tour Coming This Fall The MRPA facility, park and natural resources section will host the MRPA Facility Tour in the fall. The date is tentatively set for September 16. If you have a new facility you’d like to feature, contact Michelle Snider at snider@mnrpa.org.

< Meet Gina Norris Gina Norris became interested in parks and recreation while working as a camp leader during a college break. “I LOVED working with kids and our supervisory staff,” states Norris, recreation program supervisor for Brooklyn Park Recreation and Parks. “Work was so much fun. I made new friends and enjoyed being outdoors with kids every day during the summer.”

Norris adds by working at camps and getting to know the supervisors, she was recruited to work more hours. Soon she had many different roles. Norris says, “I worked at golf courses, coached youth sports, provided customer service at the community center and Zanewood Recreation Center, and pretty much anything else they needed me to do.”

During this time, she was also attending the University of Minnesota, finishing her degree in communications. When she graduated, Brooklyn Park Recreation and Parks was hiring a program supervisor whose responsibilities were marketing, communications and facility coordination.

Norris adds, “It was right up my alley! I had to go through a series of interviews and was offered the job in May of 2008.”

Norris started attending MRPA facility section meetings in 2008. She went to a few meetings and workshops and then became more involved by writing articles for the Minnesota Recreation and Parks magazine. She will join the MRPA Editorial Board this year. “I have served on the web team, branding team, 2012 and 2013 conference committees and will be co-chairing the food/social committee for the 2017 conference,” adds Norris. “I have also assisted presenting at workshops, been a cheerleader for the Did You Know campaign and have completed ERLI I and ERLI II.” She adds that wonderful networking opportunities and great friendships have been made through MRPA. “I also appreciate the continuing education classes and workshops offered by MRPA,” states Norris. “They have helped me grow both personally and professionally. I was so honored to be the recipient of the 2015 MPRA Horizon Award and appreciate all that MRPA has done for me!”

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.

Spring 2016 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 9

2015 MRPA Awards

By Bethani Gerhard, Minnesota Recreation and Park Association

Minnesota Recreation and Park Association held its annual professional awards ceremony on January 14, 2016 at the Roseville Skating Center, Roseville, Minn. MPRA recognizes members and agencies that have made outstanding contributions to parks and recreation.

MRPA extends a special thank you to Landscape Structures, Inc. for their generous support of the awards program and to the City of Roseville for hosting the event.

Clifton E. French Distinguished Service Award The Clifton E. French Distinguished Service Award is MRPA’s award of highest distinction. The 2015 recipient was James “Corky” Ebeling, Owatonna Parks and Recreation (see page 11 for complete award information).

JACK NILES AWARD The Jack Niles Award is presented to a male professional member with 10-plus years of outstanding service to the parks and recreation profession and to MRPA. The 2015 recipient was Jason Eisold, City of St. Louis Park.

DOROTHEA NELSON AWARD The Dorthea Nelson Award is presented to a female professional member with 10-plus years of outstanding service to the parks and recreation profession and to MRPA. The 2015 recipient was Roxann Maxey, Edina Parks and Recreation.

HORIZON AWARD Gina Norris, Brooklyn Park Recreation and Parks, received the Horizon Award, given to a professional member of MRPA with eight years or less of professional experience. In order to receive this

award, the MRPA member must be an “up and coming” professional and an active contributor to MRPA with great leadership skills.

TOMMY JOHNSON AWARD The Tommy Johnson Award was presented to Chaska Parks and Recreation, Victoria Parks and Recreation and Carver County Parks.

The MRPA Awards Committee selected one “Award of Excellence” project to receive this award for best exemplifying the values that Tommy Johnson was known for; innovation, futuristic, revolutionary and/or creative with ideas and initiatives that helped establish future trends, philosophical change, sharing of new resources and new exciting concepts.

2015 MRPA award winners (left to right): Jason Eisold, City of St. Louis Park; Aimee Peterson, Chaska Parks and Recreation; Sam Pertz, Carver County Parks; Holly Kaufhold, Victoria Parks and Recreation; Erick Goodlow, Saint Paul Parks and Recreation; Gina Norris, Brooklyn Park Recreation and Parks; Roxann Maxey, Edina Parks and Recreation; James “Corky” Ebeling, Owatonna Parks and Recreation; and Mike Polehna, Washington County Parks.

10 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

James “Corky” Ebeling - MRPA Clifton E. French Award Recipient nominating him and the MRPA awards committee for selecting him for this honorable award.

BOARD AND COMMISSION AWARD The Board and Commission Award, given to a member of a citizen’s advisory or policy-making board in the parks and recreation profession, was presented to Erick Goodlow, Saint Paul Parks and Recreation.

PRESIDENTIAL AWARD The Presidential Award was given to Lisa Abernathy, City of St. Louis Park, Michelle Margo, Brooklyn Park Recreation and Parks, Regina Michaud, Plymouth Parks and Recreation and Tanya Mozingo, formerly of Lino Lakes Parks and Recreation for being part of the ERLI II committee. Mary Jo Knudson, Owatonna Parks and Recreation and Molly Madden, Mankato Community Education and Recreation also received this award for their work on the 2015 Annual Conference. Nicole Gorman, Farmington Parks and Recreation, received the presidential award for being instrumental in the National Council on Aging/MRPA Aging Mastery Program advisory committee.

Congratulations to all MRPA professional and presidential award recipients. We look forward to the 2016 Annual General Meeting and Awards Luncheon in January of 2017 in Brooklyn Park.

The Clifton E. French Distinguished Service Award recipient for 2015 was Corky Ebeling with Owatonna Parks and Recreation. This award is the highest distinction presented to a person who has provided long and outstanding service to MRPA and the parks and recreation profession.

Ebeling has worked for Owatonna Parks and Recreation for over 38 years.

He started his career for the City of Owatonna in park maintenance, and later was hired as the first park director. He currently serves as the director of parks, recreation and government buildings.

“Thank you to the entire City of Owatonna staff, present and past,” states Ebeling.

“We truly are a team and I appreciate all of you for all that you do. Also, Southern Minnesota Recreation & Park Association (SMRPA)! Here again, another great team – present and past. You have taught me so much.”

Ebeling thanked his wife Julie for all of her support and love throughout the years, as well as his family for always being there for him. He also thanked Mary Jo Knudson with Owatonna Parks and Recreation for

Ebeling has been a member of MRPA and SMRPA for the past 36 years. He served on the MRPA Board of Directors for seven years, and was the Board president in 2009. He’s been president, vice-president, treasurer and secretary for SMRPA. He has been on countless MRPA committees, and serves on the Minnesota Recreation and Park Foundation Board of Trustees. He’s been very instrumental while serving on the president’s task force on recreational sports, strategic plan task force, and the treasurer’s task force.

“MRPA is a great organization,” says Ebeling. “I had the privilege to be hired and mentored by one of its great leaders, Leo Rudolph. My highlights with MRPA are many, but two really stand out. First, it has been about the members and the friendships we’ve developed over the years. Working with all of you has truly been a blessing. Second, the hiring of Michelle Snider. She is a great leader and I am honored to know her professionally and as a friend.”

Ebeling adds, “Congratulations to all the previous Clifton E. French Distinguished Service Award recipients. It is truly an honor to be a part of this group.”

Congratulations to Corky for receiving this distinguished award, and for all his years of service to MRPA and the parks and recreation profession.

1984 MRPA award recipients, circa 1984.

Spring 2016 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 11

Did You Know…

Are You Using This?

By Jamie Polley, Shakopee Parks and Recreation

Minnesota,

DID YOU

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

Enriching Life. Inspiring C ommunit y.

Are you using the Did You Know (DYK) Program? If you are great! If you are not, you should! Minnesota currently has 27 participating agencies that have purchased the DYK program. The DYK Program is a great advocacy program that can assist all of us in relaying our message to our communities. With the DYK program we take facts that are already out there and turn them into meaningful statements that our community can relate to. The community then becomes our champions. The program can be used as much or as little as your agency wants to use it.

What has MRPA done with the DYK program so far? The DYK program is one of the action items in the strategic plan.

The strategic plan is a plan adopted by the membership to layout a roadmap of

Brooklyn Park Did You Know campaign

where MRPA wants to go. The strategic plan has four pillars, Optimize, Educate, Innovate and Lead. Lead action item #1 is to develop media kits with consistent messages and FAQ’s, Lead action item #2 is to develop a grassroots-advocacy methodology for use by agencies to cultivate and support citizens as community leaders and supporters of the profession. DYK meets both of these action items.

MRPA has conducted DYK workshops, a conference session on statement writing and a Train-the-Trainer workshop. There are now eight members that can train MRPA’s agencies that do not currently have the program on the benefits of the program and how to use it. The DYK committee has also developed a mini or starter toolkit to assist agencies with the program implementation. The toolkit contains facts, customized agency logos, statement examples, ideas on how the statements are used and sample presentations.

What’s to come? The DYK committee will be organizing one to two roundtable workshops for members to share their experiences and ideas, get assistance on implementation and work together on statement building. MRPA will be enhancing the mini toolkit but only with your help. Please send your examples and statements to Bethani Gerhard with MRPA at gerhard@mnrpa.org and she

Shakopee Did You Know campaign

12 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

will add them to the website. The more the participating members share, the better the toolkit will become!

Finally 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 “Did You Know” Participating Agencies • Albert Lea • Austin

• Inver Grove Heights

• Becker

• LeSueur

• Brooklyn Park

• Minnetonka

• Burnsville

• New Brighton

• Carver County

• New Ulm

• Eagan

• Owatonna

• Eden Prairie

• Prior Lake

• Edina

• Rochester

• Elk River

• Rogers

• Faribault

• St. Louis Park

• Farmington

• Shakopee

• Fridley

• South Saint Paul

• Hutchinson

• Willmar

New Brighton Did You Know campaign

Swimming Lessons and Lifeguard Training Starfish Aquatics Institute

By Bethani Gerhard, Minnesota Recreation and Park Association

Both Ramsey County and HopkinsMinnetonka Recreation Services are now using Starfish Aquatics Institute (SAI) for their aquatics programs. SAI is a provider of training, certification, and risk-reduction programs to the aquatic community.

Ramsey County has entered into a fiveyear agreement with SAI for their lifeguard training and certification services. “They will be certifying our 50 beach and waterpark lifeguards and instructors, and providing auditing services,” says Jennifer Fink, recreation services supervisor. “Previously with Ellis and Associates, Ramsey County went through a request for quotations (RFQ) process, to best determine who we should be using in the future.”

Fink adds that the Ramsey County RFQ took into account many things: pricing, experience, flexibility, and education models, to name a few. “We are very excited to be one of the first in Minnesota to work with SAI,” she says. “The flexibility in staffing, along with their commitment to excellence and customer service and proactive industry research make them a great partner for us. We hope that others will join in on the training, so that we can continue to better the industry as a whole in Minnesota.”

Hopkins-Minnetonka Recreation Services made the decision to sign-up with SAI for the swimming lesson component, according to Michele Gerstner, aquatics supervisor for Hopkin-Minnetonka Recreation Services. “We had broken away from Red Cross and wrote our

own program which was very successful, however there was a big gap in the manual aspect,” she states.

After many conversations with Starfish, Gerstner realized they shared the same philosophies and the program would be very beneficial. “During the process of our partnership, the customer service, flexibility, and commitment to excellence impressed us and we have even decided to add in the Starguard component. We are in the process of setting up a training for the Starfish Instructor Training. We hope other cities will follow suit, to better our aquatic industry in Minnesota.”

According to Steve Skinner, recreation supervisor for Apple Valley Parks and Recreation, there are two main divisions of interest for MRPA member agencies: StarGuard, lifeguard training and certification program, and StarFish, swimming instructor training and swimming instruction program. “SAI works with programs worldwide,” says Skinner. “The MRPA aquatics section recently hosted a fact-finding discussion with Leslie Donavan, CEO of SAI. Out of that discussion has come the first foray of SAI into the Minnesota market. SAI is based in Chicago, Illinois and is a one-stop shopping environment for the vast majority of recreational aquatic program needs.”

Skinner adds there are also programs for scuba safety in conjunction with the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), auditing and evaluation services, pool operation and coaching

safety - with partner USA Swimming. “A philosophy of customization for each individual facility and program is one unique aspect of these programs,” says Skinner. “Another is their non-exclusive design, facilitating the addition of their program into facilities that are already associated with other agencies such as the American Red Cross.”

Skinner adds there is no stated standard for swimming instructor authorization in the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) guidelines. “The standard is set by the host agency providing the instruction,” he says.

“However, in the case of lifeguards, MDH regulations specify the requirement for lifeguard certification, and SAI is one of the certifying agencies designated by MDH for this certification. SAI certification fulfills the standard below.”

4717.0950 LIFEGUARD REQUIREMENT An individual currently certified in first aid and adult, child, and infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation must be on duty at all times the pool is open to use, unless a sign warning that a lifeguard is not present is posted as specified in part 4717.1050.

The individual must have a Red Cross lifeguard certification or equivalent and be responsible for user supervision, safety, and sanitation at all times the pool is in use.

For more information on SAI programs, call (877) 4654545, email info@sai-intl.org or visit starfishaquatics.org.

Spring 2016 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 13

By Jason McGrew-King, Three Rivers Park District

Can park and recreation agencies do better in providing more healthy options for guests?

14 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks â&#x20AC;˘ www.mnrpa.org

Experience Better Banking Braemar Arena, Edina

As providers of park and recreation programming and services, we are in the business of promoting healthy lifestyles. We encourage people to visit our parks and trails, sign-up for recreation programming and try new activities designed to get people moving and burning calories. As we promote positive lifestyle choices like physical activity and wellness, are the vending and concession stands at our facilities helping our guests to make good choices? Can park and recreation agencies do better in providing more healthy options for guests?

These are some of the questions that parks and recreation professionals in Minnesota and nationally are exploring.

The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) in collaboration with the Partnership for a Healthier America, launched a Commit to Health campaign in 2014.

Through this campaign, NRPA has pledged to implement the evidence-based Healthy Eating and Physical Activity (HEPA) standards established by the national Healthy Out-of-School-Time Coalition in kids’ programs across at least 2,000 park and recreation sites within five years. Park and recreation agencies are also implementing nutrition standards for their vending machines, reducing or phasing out sugary beverages, and exploring creative ways to bring more healthy food into their concessions. For insight and lessons that agencies wrestling with some of these questions might be able to apply, let’s take a closer look at how two agencies in Minnesota are tackling the issue.

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Spring 2016 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 15

OFFERING HEALTHY FOOD CHOICES IN PARKS

City of Edina The City of Edina’s policy, Smarter Choices for Concessions, began with a desire by the city to add a concession area at Edinborough Park, according to Ann Kattreh, Edina Parks and Recreation director. She said the city conducted a survey targeting parents whose children play at the park and survey respondents clearly favored incorporating healthy food options into the concession menu.

staff were able to suggest other options when customers asked for products that were no longer available. In the case of the smoothies, Kattreh said the city offered lots of free samples. Now, she said, “We absolutely have replaced sales of that sugary drink with a much healthier alternative.”

Three Rivers Park District

Edina staff experienced what it was like to change an existing menu when they decided to expand the policy to the concession operations at Braemar Arena and the Edina Aquatic Center. Kattreh explained those two facilities operated concession stands that included no healthy options.

Lynn Stoltzmann, director of facility services at Three Rivers Park District, said Three Rivers has set a goal that 50-percent of the foods and beverages offered to park guests will meet healthy standards. The Park District’s standards, which include limits on the number of calories, amount of sodium, fat and sugar in food and beverages that are offered, are very close to nutrition guidelines for school cafeterias in Minnesota and the national HEPA standards used by NRPA as well as YMCAs in Minnesota and other states.

“We went in cold turkey,” Kattreh said of implementing changes at those two locations. Initially, staff encountered some resistance from staff and from customers. Kattreh explained that icees had been the top selling product at the Aquatic Center, but staff determined they couldn’t continue to offer them and still meet their nutrition standards for the program. Instead, the city began offering fresh fruit smoothies. Kattreh said staff training was key in the process, because

Because Three Rivers is aiming to have 50-percent of the products offered meet healthy guidelines, Stoltzmann said a park guest will still be able to buy a candy bar at Park District facilities. She explained, however, that simple efforts by staff can help to encourage guests to consider healthy options. These steps could include highlighting healthy items on the menu displays at facilities, and placing fresh fruit near the cash register instead of candy bars. Another important

“It was pretty easy at Edinborough because we were building a new concession stand,” Kattreh said.

“Sometimes it’s harder making change than starting something new.”

16 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

consideration, Stoltzmann said, is determining which healthy products can be offered at price points that don’t make the items unattractive for guests to purchase.

Challenges Both Stoltzmann and Kattreh identified product shelf life as a challenge related to offering healthy food products.

Stoltzmann explained vendors may have requirements about minimum quantities that must be ordered and if a facility isn’t selling large quantities of the product, the agency might end up wasting significant amounts of food.

Kattreh said at the beginning of the process, Edina found it challenging to obtain good quality foods from vendors that would sell well. She added, however, “It’s a lot easier to find healthy food options than five years ago.”

She added Edina doesn’t have the capability to prepare food at any of its facilities, which limits the city to purchasing prepackaged products.

“It’s cheaper if you can do food prep,” Kattreh said. “We’re buying prepackaged food items.”

For other agencies considering adding healthy options, Kattreh said a good first step is for agency staff to look closely at their own concession operation and determine what’s possible for food preparation.

Help is Available Three Rivers and Edina both were able to enlist help from public health staff. Three Rivers has worked with Maia Seitz and Dianne Blaydes from Hennepin County Public Health, and Edina partnered with Bloomington Public Health. Stoltzmann and Kattreh both said public health staff have provided invaluable assistance with helping the park agencies meet their nutrition objectives.

Last fall’s MRPA Annual Conference featured a panel on this topic. Panelists included Kattreh; Judy McDowell, Three Rivers Community Engagement Manager; Robin Hedrick, Director of Healthy Kids for the YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities; and Julie Ralston Aoki, staff attorney for the Public Health Law Center.

During the discussion, Ralston Aoki shared data from food industry surveys showing consumers want healthy options. For instance, 74-percent of consumers are trying to eat healthier, 65-percent are eating specific foods to lose weight, and sales growth of healthier snacks are surpassing traditional snack foods by a 4:1 ratio.

Ralston Aoki also shared information about the successful effort by the Chicago Park District to implement nutrition standards for its vending machines in rec centers. She explained when an agency implements a healthy vending policy, sales often decline at first but then rebound or even increase. Data from the Chicago Park District support this — according to an evaluation published in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s online journal, Preventing Chronic Disease, average monthly sales per vending machine went from $84 to $371 across the District in a little more than a year. Hedrick noted that one year after implementing its 100 percent healthy vending policy, the YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities showed a small decrease in units sold but no revenue loss.

Hedrick and her colleagues at the YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities have developed extensive resources around HEPA standards, both for meals (which the YMCA provides through its child care operations) as well as vending and concessions. All of the panelists — Hedrick, Ralston Aoki, McDowell and Kattreh — are willing to talk through issues surrounding healthy food in park facilities. “My advice would be to reach out to some of us who have already implemented plans so as not to duplicate some of the problems,” Kattreh said.

If you would like to contact one or more of the individuals mentioned in this article, contact Jason McGrew-King at jason.mcgrew-king@threeriversparks.org.

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Spring 2016 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 17

OFFERING HEALTHY FOOD CHOICES IN PARKS

Healthy Concessions in Washington County

By Bethani Gerhard,Minnesota Recreation and Park Association Living Healthy in Washington County (LHWC) is part of the larger statewide efforts across Minnesota to make long lasting economic and health impacts.

Through LHWC, Washington County staff started offering healthy food options in the concession areas at their beaches about five years ago.

“Some of the healthy food choices at our beach concessions worked, and some didn’t,” states Lori Meyers, guest

services supervisor for Washington County. “I found fruit didn’t work because it was perishable and expensive.

Instead I offered applesauce, wheat buns, all beef hotdogs, healthier popcorn, and carrots to name a few.”

She adds giving people choices in addition to the traditional concession items, customers were able to have access to healthy food. “The wheat buns didn’t replace the white buns, it was just an option for people,” says Meyers.

“The sherbet push-ups were offered, but we still have ice cream as an option.

However, I cut back on candy choices.

I also took away Snickers bars, but have trail mix as the healthy option.”

18 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

Meyers adds she didn’t charge more for healthy food. “We didn’t want customers to choose the item that cost less,” she states. “For example, the wheat bun instead of a white bun doesn’t cost them more. The sherbet push-up is just as much as the ice cream. And the all-beef hot dog costs the same.”

Meyers oversees concessions at the following Washington County parks: Big Marine, Lake Elmo, Point Douglas, Square Lake and St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park. She says the healthy concessions is an ongoing process at all the locations. When starting the healthy food choices through LHWC five years ago, it was hard to find healthy food that would sell.

“Customers wanted the traditional concession food of hot dogs, ice cream and popcorn, especially on a hot summer day,” says Meyers. “We also allow people to bring in their own food.

So if someone wanted healthy food, they could bring it in and wouldn’t be buying it from us.”

Meyers adds this summer will look different for concessions in Washington County. They are currently renovating

the Lake Elmo Park Reserve swim pond, with an anticipated open date of July 1, 2016. Meyers says she might be adding food trucks to that location, which brings in a new challenge for healthy eating in the parks. The hope is to still have choices for people.

For more information about LHWC and the health-friendly policies and resources that make it easier for residents to incorporate healthy actions into their

daily routines, visit livinghealthywc.org.

The vision for LHWC is to be a community committed to active, healthy lifestyles. The mission is to inspire and support residents to live longer, healthier lives through actions that decrease tobacco use and exposure, and increase opportunities for physical activity and healthier food options.

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OFFERING HEALTHY FOOD CHOICES IN PARKS Edible Duluth

By Bethani Gerhard,Minnesota Recreation and Park Association The City of Duluth has recently implemented healthy eating programs through their parks and recreation division. “The Edible Duluth program aims to promote, develop, and create sustainable and maintained edible landscapes on public property, specifically in our city parks and trails,” states Josh Abraham, recreation specialist for Duluth Parks and Recreation.

“We currently have 15 sites within 12 parks that have public fruit tree orchards. These orchards are maintained by the city to provide the public an opportunity to harvest fruits as they enjoy their time within our parks.”

Edible Duluth started in 2012 when the park maintenance and the volunteer teams looked at how they could engage the community in caring for, monitoring, and watering the orchards in their parks, according to Cheryl Skafte, volunteer coordinator for the City of Duluth. “We wanted to get neighborhoods

to feel pride and ownership in the trees, and we wanted the community to eat the produce,” she states. “Through our discussions about encouraging community members to adopt an orchard, we started to frame the discussion around the idea of Edible Duluth.”

Skafte explains that through their effort, they also work with partners that have gardens on City property, especially parks, and provide support with water, mulch and compost delivery.

“Park maintenance has partnered with the Duluth Public Library and we host public edible gardens, usually featuring the vegetable of the year, in some circle garden spaces that line the Michigan Street side of the Library,” she says. “These circle gardens feature signs that invite the public to enjoy the food that is grown.”

Skafte adds the public’s feedback has been very positive. “Our program is still young, like our trees, but we are working on how to better inform the public about the location and benefit of the trees,” she says. “We expect this to grow bigger as the trees produce more fruit.” Currently, the 15 sites have almost 150 trees with most being apple trees, but also a few crabapple and cherry trees.

The City of Duluth has another healthy eating program called Seeds of Success. It was created through a partnership with the Duluth Community Garden Program and Community Action Duluth. “The Duluth Community Garden Program focuses on giving different communities the opportunity to have access to community garden plots,” says Abraham. “The Seeds of Success program focuses on providing the unemployed the opportunity to attain economic stability by providing them with transitional employment through growing vegetables. We work with both programs to find areas within our parks that would be suitable for urban gardening plots.”

Abraham explains Seeds of Success also provides classes in urban gardening. By helping the unemployed with transitional employment growing vegetables, they are able to use the produce and sell it at the Lincoln Park Farmer’s Market in Duluth. Lincoln Park is one of the larger and more densely populated neighborhoods in Duluth. The median household income (MHI) of the neighborhood is significantly lower than Duluth’s overall MHI. New on the horizon is a deep winter greenhouse, a mostlypassive solar structure that is designed especially for winter growing, with very efficient ventilation and heat storage. This is an exciting collaborative project between the City of Duluth, Seeds of Success, Junior League of Duluth, Zeitgeist Center for Arts and Community, and Wagner Zaun Architecture.

Organizations like these are working together to bring resources to the Duluth community to improve access to healthy food. Learn more about their program at www.communityactionduluth.org/seeds/index.html

20 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

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We Need Your Moments!

As part of MRPA’s 2016 Conference theme, we are requesting professionals to submit “Unexpected Moments” they’ve experienced throughout their careers. If you have photos, we’d love those too.

“Unexpected Moments” and photos can be sent to Loudi Rivamonte, program section committee member at: lrivamonte@cityofeagan.com

BEGINS FALL 2016 Look for registration information in the next issue of MINNESOTA magazine.

Spring 2016 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 21

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22 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

VALLEYFAIR CELEBRATES 40 YEARS OF FUN IN 2016 New Attractions For Thrill–seekers Of All Ages This summer, Valleyfair will mark its 40th anniversary with a season-long celebration that includes the return of an original ride, an all-new extreme sports show, throwback-inspired entertainment and a full summer of special events.

TIME TO EARN YOUR WINGS A Valleyfair original makes its return!

Guests will have a chance to earn their wings as the park reintroduces the Flying Eagles. Part of the park’s original ride package in 1976, the Flying Eagles will once again become a family favorite for parents and children alike. The planes will glide above the ground and allow each rider to uniquely control their flight experience. The Flying Eagles will be nestled between Route 76 and Enterprise.

NEW VENUE MAKES WAY FOR NEW ENTERTAINMENT Valleyfair’s outdoor amphitheater has played host to a number of well-known artists over the past 40 years. Following a complete offseason renovation, the new performance space will be unveiled this summer as home to the all-new All Wheels Extreme, a finalist on NBC’s hit show “America’s Got Talent.” The show will feature some of the top professional inline skaters, skateboarders and BMX bicycle performers in the world.

Dancers, trampoline artists and aerialists add a theatrical element to create a one of a kind production that will excite audiences of all ages.

SPECIAL EVENTS MAY 14-15 - RUN & RIDE RACE SERIES Come for a run, stay for the fun! Join Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang to kick off summer with the 2nd annual Run & Ride race series including a half marathon, 10K, 5K and one mile run through the park. Courses take runners in and around Valleyfair for an exclusive and up-close look at their favorite rides and attractions. Park admission is included with registration for the 5K, 10K and half marathon.

Register at www.runandriderace.com.

MAY 21 - FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL Sample the creations of more than a dozen food trucks throughout the park during our Food Truck Festival. The event will include live music and other fun activities.

JUNE 18-19 - HOT DISH AND HOPS What’s more Minnesotan than hot dish paired with a great local brew? Come for the food, stay for the rides!

SEPT 3-5 - 40TH ANNUAL CORN FEAST A combination of 30,000 pounds of allyou-can-eat corn on the cob, live music and corn-eating contest make this Labor Day weekend tradition a can’t-miss event!

WEEKENDS, SEPTEMBER 17 – OCTOBER 30 - VALLEYSCARE! ValleySCARE is the upper Midwest’s largest Halloween attraction with something to satisfy everyone’s devilish desire. Join Snoopy and the Peanuts gang for some not-so-scary daytime fun at The Great Pumpkin Fest. As night falls, the Halloween Haunt comes to life with more than a dozen of the most intense haunted mazes and scare zones. Experience tight spaces, extreme situations and unforgettable encounters designed to test the boundaries of your worst fears!

GROUPS From family gatherings to corporate outings, Valleyfair is a shared experience unlike any other; bringing people together, connecting generations and creating memories that will last a lifetime. A variety of admission, accommodation and catering options are available for groups of all sizes and budgets. Contact a Valleyfair group sales professional at 952.496.5331 or groupsales@valleyfair.com.

VALLEYFAIR OPENS FOR ITS 40TH SEASON ON FRIDAY, MAY 13.

Experience Valleyfair in a whole new way with a 2016 Season Pass! Enjoy exclusive benefits such as unlimited visits – including Soak City Waterpark and ValleySCARE – free parking, early entry to the park, discounts on food and merchandise, special bring-a-friend offers and more! For more information, visit www.valleyfair.com.

MRPA CONGRATULATES LONG-TIME CORPORATE MEMBER, VALLEYFAIR, ON ITS 40TH ANNIVERSARY! Spring 2016 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 23

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