South Carolina Rec & Park Magazine - Summer 2016

RECREATION & PARKS ASSOCIATION

2016

SOUTH CAROLINA

SUMMER 2016

MEMBER DIRECTORY INSIDE

Recognizing Trends in North Myrtle Beach City of Florence Embraces Sports Tourism

Starting Young Making Technology Work for You Community Partners Help Lee County to Better Lives through Recreation

Mount Pleasant’s New Program

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Association Report............................................................................. 5 City of Florence Embraces Sports Tourism...................................... 6 Starting Young..................................................................................... 8 The Art of Inclusion............................................................................. 9 Community Partners help Lee County to Better Lives................. 10 Recognizing Trends in North Myrtle Beach....................................12

RECREATION & PARKS ASSOCIATION

2016 Board of Directors

Making Technology Work for You....................................................14

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

ADVERTISER INDEX

President Eric Stewart

Central VP John Alexander

President Elect Lawanda Curry

Eastern VP David Williams

Vice President T. J. Rostin

Southern VP Doyle Best

Secretary Amy Evans

Western VP Ray Dunham

Treasurer Randy Gibson Past President Jeff Metz

Barrs Recreation.................................................................Back Cover Carolina Parks & Play.......................................................................... 9 Carolina Recreation & Design..........................................................15 Churchich Recreation......................................................................... 5 Cunningham Recreation..................................................................... 4 John Deere.......................................................................................... 7 Most Dependable Fountains............................... Inside Front Cover Musco Lighting.................................................................................... 4 The Parking Place................................................................................ 3 Wood Partners, Inc............................................................................11 Thank you to our advertisers for your help in supporting SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks magazine. We kindly ask members to please support our advertisers. Interested in advertising? Contact Todd Pernsteiner at 952-841-1111 or info@pernsteiner.com.

BRANCHES CBM Branch Scott Wilhide

SCAP Branch Shannon Loper

ELM Branch Mark Sexton

Student Branch Leslie Ballard

PRM Branch Josh Sullivan

SC PRT Representative Matt Elswick

ON THE COVER: The North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex

RAP Branch David Caldwell

SCRPA EXECUTIVE STAFF Executive Director: James E. Headley jim@scrpa.org

Membership Services Coordinator: Melissa Williams melissa@scrpa.org

SCRPA MAGAZINE/MARKETING COMMITTEE Laurie Helms City of Rock Hill Chris Pounder Charleston County PRC

Kathy Kackley City of North Charleston Sarah Reynolds Charleston County PRC

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Dena Long Irmo Chapin Joshua Singleton City of Loris

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Summer 2016 • SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks 3

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by Eric Stewart and Jim Headley

THE ASSOCIATION REPORT As the summer temperatures heat up, so do all of our programs and facilities. We know that everyone is busy so we appreciate you taking time out of your day to read through this magazine to stay in touch with the Association.

As we march through the second quarter, things are certainly ramping up legislatively. We would like to say a big thank you to all of our members who made the effort to educate our State Representatives and Senators on the probable impacts that Bill H3767, the “DSS Expansion” bill, could have on our summer day camps and after school programs. This bill did not make it through this year but we will stay vigilant as it has the possibility to be reintroduced in the future.

Recently, SCRPA sent four representatives, President Elect Lawanda Curry, Citizen/Board Member Branch Chairman Scott Wilhide, Executive Director Jim Headley, and myself, to Washington D.C. to meet with our State’s Congressional Delegation. Over the course of two days we met with nine different offices and were able to express the importance of the Recreational Trails Grant Program as well as the reauthorization of the Land and Water Conversation Fund. Both of these programs were well received by our delegation and their staff members. SCRPA is one of the only state associations that spends time and resources working to gain support for these programs on a national level in hopes to gain more dollars stateside.

We have three other items that you will be hearing more about in the coming months.

The first is a brand new endeavor for SCRPA – we have brought on board a new staff member under a one-year contract, fully funded through grants, to assist with the Association taking a larger role in the SCtrails.net website. Neil Hamilton is now part of our staff and has hit the ground running. There will be plenty more details about this coming out in the near future but please look for Neil to be contacting your department or agency regarding your trail offerings. Also, if and when you get the opportunity to meet Neil, please give him a warm welcome to our Association. Secondly, this year’s Conference Committee is hard at work! They have let us in on a few details and we’re excited to get to Greenville this year to celebrate our 71st annual conference!

The room block is open and the schedule is

posted on our website. Finally, it is also that time of year to start getting excited about our 14th Annual Golf Tournament – our only fundraising event of the year. Please see the website or contact T.J Rostin for more information. We need teams to sign up (nonmembers are welcome!), $100 hole sponsors, and tent sponsors.

We want to wish everyone the best during their summer season.

While it is important to work diligently to ensure our residents and visitors are enjoying and benefiting from our offerings, please remember to keep staff and yourself safe during this hot season!

Thank you for everything you do.

Eric & Jim

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Summer 2016 • SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks 5

CITY OF FLORENCE

Embraces Sports Tourism

By Darlene Buchanan, City of Florence

The City of Florence is abuzz with its next opportunity to join in on the sports tourism trend that is sweeping through recreation departments everywhere. With the development of two new and exciting venues, a multi-court gymnasium and multi-field soccer complex, Florence hopes to capitalize on its already convenient location at the intersections of Interstates 20 and 95.

The notion of sports tourism underwent a rebirth in July 2011, when the city saw the completion of the Dr. Eddie Floyd Florence Tennis Center. Its 24 hard courts and six clay courts have been home to the McLeod for Health Florence Open, a USTA Pro Circuit Event, since 2012. The ladies’ professional event has seen the likes of young, future stars such as Madison Brengle, Anna Tatishvili, Cece Bellis and Taylor Thompson battle it out and continue their rise in the world rankings during this weeklong tournament.

In Spring 2016, the city broke ground on a multi-court gymnasium. This facility will have three full-size indoor basketball courts and will be home to the Florence Youth Basketball League which continues to demonstrate marked growth each year. The facility will also allow plenty of time and space for travel tournaments and other special events to be held there.

6 SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks • www.scrpa.org

Also in Spring 2016, the city began the construction of a multifield soccer complex. The master plan for this facility includes 10 fully landscaped and sodded fields, two of which will have lights for night competition. An additional four fields are planned and will be hydra-seeded and used as practice fields. On the same property is a five-acre lake that will be improved to allow for events that include some type of water component to be held there. One such type of event is a triathlon competition.

The tennis facility, along with the new soccer complex and gymnasium, complement the existing nine-field Freedom Florence Softball/Baseball Complex, which has 46 tournaments scheduled this year. It is expected that these four flagship venues will stimulate a zestful thirst for highly competitive sporting adventures. As that occurs, Florence will be prepared to play host to local, state, regional and national events. After many years of planning, the idea of increased sports tourism is finally becoming a reality and the Florence community is more than eager to embrace it.

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Mount Pleasant’s New Program Introduces Parents and Kids to the World of Youth Sports

By Corinne Pavlicko, Mount Pleasant Recreation Department

It is no easy task to be a parent of a young athlete. It can require an enormous amount of time and energy.

These days, you can sign up your toddler for soccer, baseball, dance, swimming and just about everything in between.

The pressure and uncertainty around introducing your child to sports can be overwhelming, especially if you’ve never played the game. Parents often ask, “When is my child ready to play organized sports?”, “How do I decide which sports they should play?” and “How do I help them succeed?” Well, for the moms and dads in Mount Pleasant, it’s now going to take more than just sitting on the sidelines. Mount Pleasant Recreation Department (MPRD) is taking a new approach to help introduce parents and their kids to the world of youth sports.

The department’s FUNdamental sports leagues start at age five, with emphasis on the most important thing parents and

athletes need to remember: having FUN. While it is great that children become as active as possible at an early age, many times well-intentioned parents become win-hungry in pursuit of scholarships.

The number one reason why kids quit sports is that it’s no longer fun.

Responding to growing demand, MPRD has teamed up with Coach Kellen Kirby to help change this culture. MPRD is now offering Little Bits, a sports program for four-year-olds in t-ball, soccer, basketball and lacrosse.

Games, activities and exercise focus on the development of basic movements such as running, balancing, catching, throwing and agility. Parents are required

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to stay for each class during the fourweek program, and will be encouraged to participate. For the parents who have never played sports, it’s an opportunity for them to learn the rules of the game and how to work with their children in developing basic skills. Most importantly, Coach Kirby encourages parents to always be positive and appreciate the enjoyment their child is having no matter what the numbers are on the scoreboard.

We are excited and confident that Little Bits will be our community’s go-to source for the invaluable advice every parent needs to raise a healthy, balanced and happy athlete.

The Art of Inclusion

By Docshee “Doc” Moore, City of Myrtle Beach

The staff of the Mary C. Canty Recreation Center has truly mastered the art of inclusion. The AM Fitness Program (or should I say the “Always Motivated” Program) is designed for youth, teens, adults and seniors with a variety of disabilities and special needs.

This one-of-a-kind program takes place every Tuesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., with participants coming to the center from several schools and organizations throughout the county.

So, what is the AM Fitness Program?

This program consist of cardio exercises, flexibility stations, upper and lower body strength conditioning, and a group activity.

Cardio exercises include walking, jogging, running and movement through agility bags. Flexibility stations offer stretching activities for the upper

and lower body. Strength conditioning is offered through resistance training.

Group activities include kickball, dodge ball, baseball, basketball, organized games, and other activities.

All participants have the opportunity to work out at their own pace. In this class there is never a dull moment. Everyone works hard and enjoys the activities. All the group activities are very competitive and keep the staff busy.

Scaled just right for developing toddlers and pre-schoolers, the ® accessible Smart Play : Motion 2-5 packs 16 activities into its compact size! From the winding ball track and interactive sand shoot to the climbers and tunnel, Smart Play: Motion 2-5 delivers plenty of developmentally appropriate challenges along with an efficient use of materials. Learn more at playlsi.com or call 888.438.6574 or 763.972.5200.

This program has truly been a blessing to the staff of the Mary C. Canty Recreation Center and the City of Myrtle Beach. Every Tuesday and Thursday we learn valuable lessons from the participants. They teach us the value of hard work, the art of never giving up, the ability to understand, the courage to live life to the fullest, and to “Always stay Motivated.”

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Summer 2016 • SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks 9

Community Partners Help Lee County to Better Lives through Recreation

10 SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks • www.scrpa.org

By Gee Atkinson, Lee County Parks and Recreation Department

Lee County Parks and Recreation Department has been busy hosting several events recently at the new Chappell Park Recreation Complex. Recreation Department Director Thaddeus Dickey was happy to volunteer Lee County to host the Feb. 10 SCRPA Eastern District meeting.

“I thought it would be a great time to show off the county’s newest gymnasium here at Chappell Park and show how wonderful the voter-approved penny sales tax has been for recreation,” he said. During the meeting, host sites were chosen for upcoming All Star tournaments.

the Samaritan methodology of humbling themselves by serving others. Dickey said close to 40 youngsters received new shoes.

Kathy Days and Julia Williams were two of the Coke employees who took part in the program.

“It was so heartfelt when this one little guy got up and gave me a hug,” Days said. “He almost made me cry!”

Williams said, “The smiles on the children’s faces when they were receiving their sneakers were worth a million dollars!”

The new gym at Chappell Park is being utilized by the recreation department and the public and is available for rent. Safe Federal Credit Union provided the gym’s clock for the 5, 6 and 7 year olds to play in the Chappell gym. “Jason Fuller, a former Mt. Pleasant High School Rattler and manager of Lee County’s Safe Federal Credit Union, along with Marketing Director Lynn Blizzard were instrumental in obtaining the clock for the Chappell gym,” Dickey said.

The gym is equipped with public Wi-Fi that can accommodate up to 100 members. “Carolyn Shipman, Communications Consultant, and Chip Chase, Public Relations Director, both with FTC, have worked with the Recreation Department and County on so many levels and provided so much,” Dickey commented.

“If you want to use Wi-Fi here and you sign on with your FTC code from your account, you will get faster speeds than if you just sign in as a guest.”

In addition to hosting the Eastern District meeting, Lee County Parks and Recreation partnered with Coca-Cola Consolidated of Bishopville to host a free shoe drive. It was part of a program called Samaritan’s Feet, which is headquartered in Charlotte, N.C. Kids came in and got their old socks and shoes replaced with a brand new set. A volunteer washed their feet before placing the new socks and shoes on them. Local parents graciously allowed their children to be served and the kids loved it. The Coca-Cola employees who volunteered were upbeat and eagerly embraced Summer 2016 • SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks 11

Recognizing Trends

to Support Tourism and Key Demographics

in North Myrtle Beach

By Angel Rabon, City of North Myrtle Beach Parks and Recreation

A THRIVING PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT MAKES A CITY MORE ATTRACTIVE TO ITS RESIDENTS AND VISITORS. OTHER THAN THE BEACH, PRIMARY ATTRACTIONS IN NORTH MYRTLE BEACH INCLUDE PARKS, FESTIVALS, TOURNAMENTS AND MAJOR RECREATION FACILITIES OPERATED BY THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT.

The importance of facility investment Our mayor and city council recognized that new additions like the North Myrtle Beach Park & Sports Complex are good financial investments because of their many positive impacts to the city.

Benefits for the local community include additional recreation and leisure opportunities, increased property values, and bringing the community together. The sports complex provides state-of-the-art athletic fields to our youth, adults and seniors. Prior to the complexes, there were not enough athletic facilities to meet the needs of youth practices and little or no time

12 SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks • www.scrpa.org

available for the adults and seniors.

The athletic programs have grown 30% since the park opened and afforded adults and seniors an opportunity to participate in organized sports.

Citizens and visitors find additional leisure opportunities at the park’s playgrounds and picnic shelters, which host family reunions, meetings and parties. Over four miles of paved and natural walking trails not only allow walkers and joggers to get their hearts going, but also provide facilities for cross country meets and 5K races.

The dog parks are another favorite for residents and visitors.

The new facility draws tourism dollars by generating overnight stays during sports tournaments, as well as patronage for restaurants, retail stores, gas stations, and more. Park festivals and special events draw visitors and business patrons from around the region. Our economy is tourism-driven, contributing 60-70% of total economy.

The park has allowed the city to extend tourism into the “shoulder” season, a time when the economy is slower, which benefits local businesses as well as taxpayers. Equally important, the park provides an opportunity to bring thousands of people to North Myrtle Beach for the first time. We do everything we can to make sure they have a positive experience. After being introduced to our first- class facilities, the friendliness of our community, nine miles of beaches, variety of restaurants, hotel accommodations or things to do when not competing, many visitors return later as vacationers and possible homeowners.

In short, the city invested in the park to provide a quality recreation facility to meet the leisure pursuits of its citizens and community and to increase tourism through sports. The park contributes about $16 million per year in economic impact to the city. Overall, sports tourism generates over $25 million to the local economy.

Baby Boomers, who have been known to decide where to retire based on the local pickleball scene. Keeping up with the latest trends is essential to success and adds to the legitimacy of the parks and recreation profession.

Hosting a variety of tournaments provides another opportunity to bring people to our city for the first time.

Quidditch brought 79 college co-ed teams to the area from 30 states and Australia. Ultimate Frisbee brings 200+ teams to North Myrtle Beach from 28 states plus Washington, D.C. The Diva Half Marathon brought over 4,000 runners from 48 states and several countries, along with their friends and family, bringing the visitor total to over 10,000 and direct economic impact to over $4 million. Such non-traditional events give our community something new and exciting to watch, and in some cases, participate in.

With the influx of seniors to the area due to retirement and seasonal residents (“snowbirds”), it is important that we offer a variety of fitness and

social programs for this group. Some of the most popular of these include pickleball, board /card games, dancing lessons and Zumba Gold. Focusing on this demographic ensures that our seniors stay active in the community, and having a supportive parks and recreation department makes the city more attractive to potential retirees and vacationers.

The philosophy of the city’s teen programming is to offer quality innovative activities that best meet the needs and desires of the local junior and senior high population. Through programs involving positive adult interaction and a mutually respectful atmosphere, we hope to empower young people to be the best they can be. Sports programs offered for teens include tennis, golf, baseball, softball, basketball and soccer. With specialized group fitness classes like teen boot camps and yoga, we are able to foster a sense of health and well-being and hopefully create a lifelong interest in fitness.

Investing in the interests of key demographics Recreation is ever-changing. There will always be the tried and true programs like soccer and baseball but new activities will continue to emerge and gain popularity from all ages - in particular,

Summer 2016 • SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks 13

Making Technology Work On-site Registration Helping to Increase Attendance Numbers

By Ashley Houdyschell, Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission

When it comes to event, race, or festival registrations, the best customer service provides quick and easy options to customers. The Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission has made strides in improving its registration processes for customers, specifically for races, large-group yoga events, and an annual outdoor paddle sports festival.

With pre-registration methods already running smoothly, the focus has now turned to expanding on-site registration opportunities. Such a venture first requires the establishment of outdoor high-speed wireless networking capabilities across a park or facility, as well as testing any software and equipment in advance.

The Charleston Outdoor Fest is a three-day weekend festival that includes a symposium package option and individual daily “try it” offerings for a variety of outdoor activities. This

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year, the event’s on-site registration operation included six terminals under two different tents at James Island County Park. Each staff member had a laptop, receipt printer, laser printer, and a credit card reader, all running live in the agency’s registration software using wireless networking.

Staff were able to quickly register customers on site for the weekend symposium package using any chosen payment method at the festival. Furthermore, customers were also able to purchase “try it” passes and souvenirs using pointof-sale software with the quick click of a button. A used equipment sale and silent auction also ran throughout the weekend within the scope of the operation and the agency’s software. The ability to offer these options to customers on site rather than limiting them to pre-registration provides the potential for increased attendance, revenue, and reach to the customer base.

for You The same advantages of offering live on-site registration easily apply to races and runs as well. This April, 17 total customers registered on-site for the Mullet Haul Trail Run at Mullet Hall Equestrian Center in Johns Island. Each participant spent only a couple minutes each to complete all necessary information for program registration before moving on to prepare for the race.

Teamwork between programmers, administrative staff, parks staff, and information technology staff results in the smooth process of on-site registration that CCPRC has worked to establish – both for fitness events and large festivals.

Utilizing technological advancements and options to the fullest for such recreation programming can work to provide high quality customer service, ease, and most importantly, the best experience possible for all participants.

When it comes to event, race, or festival registrations, the best customer service provides quick and easy options to customers.

Summer 2016 • SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks 15

SOUTH CAROLINA RECREATION & PARKS ASSOCIATION

P.O. Box 1046 Lexington, SC 29071-1046