Parks & Recreation - February 2015

Voting Results for Parks | Designing Themed Playgrounds | Fund Your Park Campaign FEBRUARY 2015 W W W. N R PA . O R G

Money Smarts

Innovative financial strategies for park and recreation agencies Page 42

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contents february 2015 volume 50 | number 2 | www.nrpa.org

COVER STORY

42 Tomorrow’s Park at Today’s Price Cover and interior illustrations by Jeff Byrd

Financial loans for land acquisition and facility operations offer oft-overlooked purchasing opportunities for park and recreation agencies

46 Grassroots Gumption

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Parks & Recreation

Reggie Hall

Election results show resounding public support for state and community parks and recreation David Tyahla

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Read the digital edition of this issue online at http://ezine.parks andrecreation.org.

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contents february 2015

departments

68 Park Bench Dog-gone Clever Samantha Bartram

6 Web Exclusives

columns

12 Letters

8 Perspectives

14 50th Anniversary

50 Years: The Next Big Thing Detrick L. Stanford, CPRP

Archive Throwback: June 1970

16 Community Center Playground Land 16 Agency Spotlight: Rapid City Parks and Recreation, South Dakota 18 Notable News 20 NRPA Connect Hot Topics 20

21 By the Numbers Proof of Worth

22 People for Parks Transforming Travis Park Casey Whittington

24 Member to Member You Get What You Pay For Sandra J. Gonzalez

50 NRPA Update

10 Editor’s Letter Let’s Talk About Money Gina Mullins-Cohen

26 Advocacy Embracing New Opportunities Kevin O’Hara

28 Law Review Pretrial Summary Judgment Dismisses Playground Injury Claim James C. Kozlowski, J.D., Ph.D.

32 Future Leaders How Do I Overcome the Experience Requirement on a Job Application?

Mary Tapps, Jared Dowis, Tyler Tapps, Ph.D.

34 Conservation Beetles to the Rescue Richard J. Dolesh

Fund Your Park Crowdfunding 50 In Memoriam: John H. Davis 52 PRORAGIS and Playground Facilities 53 Revenue School Anniversary 54 Test Your Park and Recreation Knowledge 55 Member Benefits: NRPA Career Center 55 Time to Fill that Trophy Case 55 Member Spotlight: Kenya V. Bryant, CPRP 56

37 Health and Wellness Commit to Health: A Review of Year One Kellie May

40 Social Equity The Park and Recreation Profession: Socially or Financially Alluring for Diversity?

Ken Koonce

Staff Spotlight: Larry Allen 57 Professional Development Calendar 58

60 Operations Let Your Imagination Run Wild Samantha Bartram

62 Products 63 Reader Service 67 Advertiser Index 4

Parks & Recreation

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Page 32

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Web Exclusives

ParksandRecreation.org Last month, we branched out a bit on our cover and presented a graphical concept instead of a photo or illustration. We’re trying out some new ideas and want your feedback! To view past issues (and their covers) going back to November 2009, visit http://ezine.parksandrecreation.org/archives.

In addition to cover feedback, we want your opinions on how the magazine has evolved in recent years and what you want to see in your magazine each month. Email Executive Editor Danielle Taylor at dtaylor@nrpa.org with your comments. We look forward to hearing from you!

Are you staying current with the magazine on Twitter? If not, what are you waiting for? Check us out @Parks RecMag for a regular shot of content from your association’s magazine, a look into the process of pulling together the issue each month, sneak peeks at the next issue and more. While you’re at it, follow @NRPA_news for broader updates from the association and relevant tweets from around the field. Connect with us — we want to get to know you!

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Parks & Recreation

Check out our digital edition at http://ezine.parks andrecreation .org

Have you checked out the materials for this year’s Park and Recreation Month, the 30th annual celebration of this congressionally recognized event? Whether you need them for your summer program guides, would like to prep some themed events or just want to see what the plan is for this July, we have a toolkit full of totally tubular materials ready to help you kick it back to 1985. Visit www.nrpa.org/july to download posters, web graphics, calendars and more.

The site also includes tips for how to encourage your local government to officially declare July 2015 as Park and Recreation Month and advice for how to make the most of the month on social media. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #JulyPRM30 on your posts and tweets! For questions about Park and Recreation Month, contact Senior Marketing and Communications Specialist Roxanne Sutton at rsutton@nrpa.org.

Stay in touch!

NRPA website: www.nrpa.org Parks & Recreation website: www.parksandrecreation.org Digital edition: http://ezine.parksandrecreation.org NRPA Connect: www.nrpaconnect.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/NationalRecreationandParkAssociation Twitter: www.twitter.com/NRPA_news, www.twitter.com/ParksRecMag Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/nrpa Instagram: www.instagram.com/nrpa

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50 Years: The Next Big Thing In our anniversary year, it seems appropriate to take pause to honor those individuals who 50 years ago had the foresight and were willing to become change agents and innovators of their day by establishing the National Recreation and Park Association. It is worth noting that we truly owe them a debt of gratitude for laying the groundwork to bring us to where we find ourselves today. As a result of their innovations, we have countless examples of how we have advanced tremendously during the past 50 years, resulting in positive effects on the economy, environment, and health and well-being of people throughout our nation.

In order to truly honor their legacy, it becomes incumbent upon us to consciously examine and determine what we are willing to do to continue the association’s advancement during the next 50 years. As our technology counterparts say, “What’s the next big thing?” So, it also seems appropriate for us to ask ourselves the question: Are we not the new change agents, or as I like to say, the “strategic radicals” of our time? Are we willing to embrace new innovative thoughts and actions, as our forefathers did, in order to realize a quantum leap for our association over the next 50 years?

Within the Three Pillars of Conservation, Health and Wellness, and Social Equity, we have developed a firm strategic framework for addressing three of the most critical challenges facing our communities at this time. How we meet these challenges is up to us. Now is the time to ask ourselves, as the pioneers of NRPA asked, do we want to conform to the traditional environment or do we want to go where no one else has gone before? I quote NRA (National Recreation Association) Vice President Luther Gulick, at the time of consolidation, “The nation stands on the threshold of tremendous developments in recreation and parks, greater than for two generations; it is important to develop a whole new strategy, to take a broad look and start anew, concentrating on positive moves.” With that thought, strategy and change is not new to our industry. Are you creating that next BIG THING?

D E T R I CK L . S TAN FO R D, CPR P Chair of the Board of Directors

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2377 Belmont Ridge Rd. | Ashburn, VA 20148 2 703.858.0784 | www.nrpa.org

NRPA’S MISSION: To advance parks, recreation and environmental conservation efforts that enhance the quality of life for all people.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Jack Kardys

Chair of the Board of Directors Detrick L. Stanford, CPRP

Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department Miami, Florida

Clayton County Parks and Recreation Jonesboro, Georgia

Michael Kelly

Chair-Elect Susan Trautman, CPRP

Chicago Park District Chicago, Illinois

Great Rivers Greenway District St. Louis, Missouri

Brian Knapp

Past Chair Robert F. Ashcraft, Ph.D. ASU Lodestar Center Phoenix, Arizona

Treasurer Neelay Bhatt PROS Consulting Indianapolis, Indiana

Secretary Stephen Eckelberry

NOVA Parks Fairfax, Virginia

Molly Stevens Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center Austin, Texas

William “Joe” Turner Houston Parks and Recreation Houston, Texas

LIFE TRUSTEES

Bartlett Park District Bartlett, Illinois

Beverly D. Chrisman

President and CEO Barbara Tulipane, CAE

Anne S. Close

National Recreation and Park Association Ashburn, Virginia

Lexington, South Carolina

Fort Mill, South Carolina

James H. Evans BOARD OF DIRECTORS

New York, New York

Leon T. Andrews

Rosemary Hall Evans

National League of Cities Washington, D.C.

Sugar Hill, New Hampshire

Barbara Baca

Cullman, Alabama

Albuquerque Parks and Recreation Department Albuquerque, New Mexico

Earl T. Groves

Rebecca Benná, CPRP

Charles E. Hartsoe, Ph.D.

Five River Metro Parks Dayton, Ohio

Kevin Coyle National Wildlife Federation Washington, D.C.

Jennifer Harnish Southwest Christian School Fort Worth, Texas

Roslyn Johnson Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Greenbelt, Maryland

Chester W. Freeman

Gastonia, North Carolina

Richmond, Virginia

Harry G. Haskell Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania

Kathryn A. Porter Mendham, New Jersey

Perry J. Segura New Iberia, Louisiana

R. Dean Tice Round Hill, Virginia

Eugene A. Young, CPRP Baton Rouge, Louisiana

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Parks & Recreation

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EDITOR’S LET TER

Let’s Talk About Money When you think of getting a loan, I bet you think of a bank. This is where people seeking money upfront to buy a home or car usually go. It’s true for CFOs and business owners anticipating expansion of their firm or even to make ends meet during tough economic times, and it is also the case for park directors. Going to a bank has a definite upside. A local bank can generate support within the community, and depending on the relationship one has with the bank, financial terms may be agreeable.

PRESIDENT AND CEO

Barbara Tulipane, CAE VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING, COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLISHING, AND EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Gina Mullins-Cohen gcohen@nrpa.org EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Danielle Taylor

dtaylor@nrpa.org ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Samantha Bartram

However, let’s take a step back for a moment and consider all of the options, because yes, there are other options.

In this issue of Parks & Recreation magazine, our cover feature, “Tomorrow’s Park at Today’s Price,” by Director of the Land Conservation Loan Program at The Conservation Fund Reggie Hall, brings to light the benefits of working with nontraditional lenders. Whether you look at securing your funds through a traditional institution, an individual supporter or a conservation lender, this article will walk you through the steps necessary to make the best choice for your park agency.

Often those hard-earned funds are earmarked for facility upgrades, additions and equipment, including playgrounds. In this month’s Operations column, Associate Editor Samantha Bartram outlines some points to consider when planning a themed playground. In “Let Your Imagination Run Wild,” on page 60, Bartram talks with leading manufacturers of themed playground equipment to determine how best to select a theme, plan your equipment acquisition and, ideally, form an even stronger connection with the communities you serve.

Our Social Equity column on page 40, by Ken Koonce, speaks to the lack of diversity in the field of parks and recreation professionals. Koonce, a recent retiree from the post of recreation coordinator/supervisor at North Carolina’s Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department, speaks firsthand about the slowly changing culture of the park and recreation industry and focuses on a range of topics from salaries to nepotism that often stifle much-needed progress in this area.

It is apparent this year more than ever, as NRPA celebrates its 50th anniversary, that many agencies are ready to embrace growth opportunities, whether in staffing or physical expansion of facilities. Perhaps this is the time to choose the road less traveled as we look ahead to where the next 50 years will take us.

GINA MULLINS-COHEN Vice President of Marketing, Communications and Publishing Editorial Director 10 Parks & Recreation

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sbartram@nrpa.org EDITORIAL INTERN

Marissa Bracamonte mbracamonte@nrpa.org PUBLICATION DESIGN

Creative By Design www.creativebydesign.net SENIOR MANAGER OF ADVERTISING

Dana Storm

703.858.2174 dstorm@nrpa.org (ISSN 0031-2215) is published monthly by the National Recreation and Park Association, 22377 Belmont Ridge Rd., Ashburn, VA 20148, a service organization supported by membership dues and voluntary contributions. Copyright ©2015 by the National Recreation and Park Association.

Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Opinions expressed in signed articles are those of the writers and not necessarily those of NRPA. Issued to members at the annual subscription price of $30, included in dues. Subscription: $36 a year in the U.S.; $46 elsewhere. Single copy price: $4.50. Library rate: $48 a year in the U.S.; $58 elsewhere. Periodical postage paid at Ashburn, Virginia, and at additional mailing offices. Editorial and advertising offices at 22377 Belmont Ridge Rd., Ashburn, VA 20148.

703.858.0784. Postmaster, send address changes to Parks & Recreation, 22377 Belmont Ridge Rd., Ashburn, VA 20148.

Letters We hope the articles you read in Parks & Recreation are thought-provoking and engaging, and we want to hear your opinions on what you read in these pages. Through social media posts, website comments, emails to staff or posts on NRPA Connect, let us know how the magazine’s articles apply to your job and your agency. To submit feedback for this section directly, email Associate Editor Samantha Bartram at sbartram@nrpa.org.

old, and with his help, in three months I have lost 20 pounds and gained muscle mass. I look forward to visiting the center at least three to four days out of the week. Mr. Espinoza is encouraging and knowledgeable and should be commended for a great job.

Comment from Herbert C. Williams, a retired Miami-Dade County Transit Scheduler currently residing in Miami, on Jimmy O’Connor’s November 2013 article, “Empowering Veterans to Improve Community Health” (www. parksandrecreation.org/2013/November/Empowering-Veterans-to-Improve-Community-Health) Remember the city park system we were about to create when [NRPA’s Vice President of Conservation and Parks Richard J. Dolesh] visited Niterói? We finally made it.

Last month [in the neighborhood of] Parnit, the park was created. Now we have more than 40 percent of the city of Niterói territory protected. Thanks for inspiring.

Email from Axel Grael, Vice Mayor of the city of Niterói in Brazil, regarding NRPA Vice President of Conservation and Parks Richard J. Dolesh’s February 2014 article, “Brazil’s Park Challenge” (www. parksandrecreation.org/2014/February/Brazils-Park-Challenge). Niterói, the historic capital of the State of Rio de Janeiro, recently approved a plan to 12 Parks & Recreation

create a citywide park and biodiversity protection area for portions of the Atlantic Rainforest.

I would like to say thank you to Miami-Dade Parks and Recreation and to the Coca-Cola Troops for Fitness program for providing the centers with veterans. I attend the fitness program at Arcola Lakes Park. The staff members are very nice and helpful. I would like to give particular commendation to Mr. Christian Espinoza, who provides excellent fitness training, assistance and workouts. He has a great personality and is consistent with his help to all. He is very well-liked by all and is a good asset to the center. I am 61 years

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I am very concerned about this proposed change in the playground surfacing criteria. We have spent thousands of dollars in the past couple of years installing bonded rubber and poured-in-place and turf at about 30 playgrounds for infants and preschoolers for our Head Start program. If tests/studies do not support a need for a change, I agree there should be no changes. I am also very concerned that a CPSI in a neighboring state is sending out emails to many local day care facilities indicating that this will all go into effect in January or February and offering his services to perform testing for meeting the criteria. Is this not “jumping the gun?”

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Comment from Michelle Smith, CPSI, with Head Start Facilities and Support Services at Audubon Area Community Services in Owensboro, Kentucky, regarding NRPA Vice President of Conservation and Parks Richard J. Dolesh’s December 2014 article, “New Playground Criteria Adopted Amid Controversy” (www.parksandrecreation.org/2014/December/New-Playground-Criteria-Adopted-Amid-Controversy) Besides the news putting undue spin on an industry, it’s interesting that no tire manufacturers or tire handlers were surveyed for cancer or other ailments. You would think that men who handle tires all day, every day for years would have the industry proof. Of course their exposure is extreme and they are not children. Nevertheless, the fact-finding mission hurt American workers and an industry based on a few young moms and a one pediatrician. Totally wrong. You can’t fix it now. The damage is done. It will take boots on the ground to re-educate our school districts, etc. Thank you for this platform.

Comment from Mary Yelton, CPSI, founder and owner of bulk landscape construction company My Bark Co., on NRPA Senior Manager for Professional Development Caroline Smith’s Open Space blog post, “Why Crumb Rubber is in the News” (www.nrpa.org/blog/why-crumb-rubber-is-in-the-news)

Correction Information about playground surfacing manufacturers DuraPlay Inc. and Playworld Systems Inc. was omitted from the December 2014 article, “New Playground Criteria Adopted Amid Controversy” (www.parksandrecreation.org/2014/December/ New-Playground-Criteria-Adopted-Amid-Controversy). Those details have now been added to both our online and ezine versions of the magazine — Parks & Recreation regrets the error.

Field Guide Next month, Parks & Recreation magazine will publish the print version of its 2015 Field Guide, the park and recreation industry’s comprehensive supplier and resource directory of companies serving our field. If you are an industry member and wish to ensure your company’s inclusion in the 2016 print edition, visit www.fieldguide.org and enter your information, or contact Dana Storm at dstorm@nrpa.org. Members of the field can always access the updated listings at www.fieldguide.org.

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Parks & Recreation

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Archive Throwback: June 1970

By Danielle Taylor

L

ast month, we looked at the June 1966 issue (www.parksandrecreation.org/2015/January/Looking-Back-to-NRPA-Beginnings), one of the first issues of Parks & Recreation magazine after NRPA incorporated in August 1965. Fast forward a few years to the summer of 1970. Vietnam War protests were at a peak, and The Beatles had just released their final album in May. The first Earth Day was celebrated in April, and the Environmental Protection Agency would soon be established in December.

NRPA was about to celebrate its fifth birthday.

The cover feature this month focused on America’s living heritage of its national parks. Both the Secretary of the Interior Walter J. Hickel and Director of the National Park Service George B. Hartzog Jr. shared their thoughts in this special section, and they commented on ensuring the relevance of parks to the public and the ongoing debate between preserving natural landscapes and providing access for public use. Both are sentiments that everyone in the broader park and recreation field can appreciate, even 45 years later. Among other articles, the section also dug into current environmental education opportunities offered by national parks as well as challenges they experienced, and it concluded with “A Look into the Future,” in which the editors considered future developments in national parks.

Of particular interest in our current money-themed issue, the June 1970 edition also included a feature on “The Economics of Recreation Today.” Distinguished leisure researcher Richard Kraus, Ph.D., explored then-current spending on recreation.

He quoted the January 1970 National Economic Review of The New York Times, which affirmed, “At the dawn-

14 Parks & Recreation

ing of the seventies, leisure has become an essential part of American life, with a pattern of growth significantly greater than that of the economy.” Encouraging words indeed.

Kraus went on to discuss the variable definition of “recreation,” which accounts for the wide range of reported spending from various sources. Pulling information from several sources, he estimated annual spending on recreation as this field defines it to be approximately $132.15 billion per year in 1970. However, this total is widely split between private and public spending, indicating a major problem for agencies. “The imbalance between private spending

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on recreation ($125.9 billion) and public, voluntary agency or employee program spending ($6.25 billion) has meant that many recreation and park operations serving the public at large have been starved for financial support.” Kraus stressed the need for substantially increased public funding as well, largely to even the playing field for the 25.4 million Americans at the time with family incomes below the minimum subsistence level. “They are largely dependent on the network of recreation and park facilities and programs provided by public agencies for constructive leisure opportunities. To permit such programs to depend increasingly upon fees and charges to support capital development and current operations will mean, more and more, that poor people will be excluded from all but the most minimal and barren facilities.”

Today, community park and recreation agencies continue to be some of the great equalizers in American society, but the struggle for adequate funding continues. Kraus ends with the following thoughts. “While we may be impressed by the fact that Americans today spend over $132 billion each year to meet leisure needs, this does not mean very much in impoverished neighborhoods...where the only recreational opportunities are likely to be limited to a poorly equipped, littered and unattended playground — or to the corner bar. Our public and private expenditures on recreation need to be placed more nearly in balance.”

Danielle Taylor is the Executive Editor of Parks & Recreation magazine (dtaylor@nrpa.org).

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North Las Vegas’ Craig Ranch Regional Park boasts some very cool playgrounds designed to keep kids coming back for fun, imaginative and active play

By Samantha Bartram

W

ithin Craig Ranch Park’s 170 acres exist many wonders: a skatepark, sports plaza, dog park, community gardens, ballfields, tennis courts and plenty of open space. North Las Vegas’ only regional park also features two very awesome playgrounds, plus several ancillary play areas that captivate imaginations and inspire creative recreation.

From Putting Greens to Green Spaces Before Craig Ranch Park opened to the public in 2013, it was known as Craig Ranch Golf Course. Built in 1962, the 132-acre parcel operated as a public golf course for almost 50 years, its last four under the purview of the city of North Las Vegas. “In March 2005, the golf course was purchased by the city of North Las Vegas using Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act (SNPLMA) monies,” explains Mary Ellen Donner, director of neighborhood and leisure services with the city of North Las Vegas. “Using these federal funds to purchase the golf course required the city to purpose the

land as a park. Master planning began in 2006…the golf course closed in May 2009 and Craig Ranch Regional Park opened to the public in October 2013.”

Situated as it is in the arid Las Vegas Valley, the golf course’s design took advantage of the surrounding landscape with a discernable “ranch/ desert” theme. In preparation for park construction, planners elected to treat the carefully curated grounds like a prepared canvas and worked to integrate an additional 2.5 acres of undeveloped land acquired in addition to the course. Stands of mature trees, healthy plantings, water features and outbuildings all would be

The playspaces at Craig Ranch Park incorporate North Las Vegas’ natural surroundings with features reflecting the flora and fauna common to the area, like this giant rendition of a cottontail rabbit created by PlayCore.

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preserved and their design echoed in new elements for the park. “They really wanted to keep that [ranch] style and theme,” says Brett Miller, parks maintenance supervisor for the city of North Las Vegas. “There’s also a natural theme in conjunction with that, which allowed us to plan the playgrounds to reflect the environment.”

Play for the People Although North Las Vegas is home to almost 220,000 residents, before Craig Ranch Regional Park’s opening, there was a serious lack of public parkland.

A 2004 update to the city’s Parks and Recreational Facilities Master Plan identified a “sizeable regional parkland level-of-service deficit of nearly 500 acres.” In the face of data like that, North Las Vegas leaders knew increasing the amount of open public space had to be a top priority. Following the acquisition of the former golf course, public hearings, design charrettes and events intended to get resident’s input about what they’d like to see in their new park began immediately. After almost four years of surveys, consultations and votes, construction of Craig Ranch Regional Park began in 2009.

Between summer of that year and the park’s opening in October 2013, crews were hard at work implementing the vision of those hundreds of North Las Vegas residents who participated in the planning phases. Of course, that included construction of the Pioneer and Adventure Playgrounds, as well as several ancillary sites like pee-wee

parks, the rock river, gecko sandbox, rock mountain, giant flower bed and more. Amenities were clustered in two areas: a large, centrally located destination play area and a smaller community play area located near one of the park’s two entrances. Both spaces were designed to accommodate children of all abilities up to and including age 12.

Purposeful Play Not only do the imaginative play areas of Craig Ranch Regional Park provide a magical place for children to laugh, run and pretend, they’re also designed to be great educational tools. Nature play elements including a stream and discovery area along the edge of one of the park’s ponds provides learning and interpretive opportunities. The interactive — and enormous — rattlesnake slide includes

speakers that emit snake sounds as children pick their way through the reptile’s frame. Similarly, the treehouse features speakers playing fun forest sounds, as well as natural elements like hollow logs that can be explored.

Teamwork and healthy physical development are also encouraged at Craig Ranch Regional Park’s playgrounds. The hillside play space features an interactive game where one child must use a crank-and-pulley system to move a platform of her friends from one landing to another as they cross a river of sand. At the hexagonal spacenets and swaying bridges, children must come up with creative strategies to negotiate complex rope structures and webs, helping to develop strong bones and muscles. This area also includes a large fiberglass

spider, which could be imagined as the architect of the surrounding nets.

Speaking of imagination, Craig Ranch Regional Park also features the peaceful and striking giant flower bed, where huge red, orange and yellow flowers stretch high into the sky.

In the dappled shade provided by these gargantuan plants, children will find friendly little bug toys and mini spicas, which rotate as they’re climbed upon.

It’s not surprising that Craig Ranch Regional Park has been a major hit with area residents, especially young ones. “It’s great,” Miller says. “Lots of folks are using the park now, enjoying the playgrounds and all the open spaces.”

Samantha Bartram is the Associate Editor of Parks & Recreation magazine (sbartram@ nrpa.org).

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Parks & Recreation

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Community Center

Agency Spotlight: Rapid City Parks and Recreation, South Dakota

By Danielle Taylor

Municipality: Rapid City, South Dakota Population: 70,812 (est. 2013) Year Agency Founded: 2004 Annual Operating Budget: $7.8 million Director: Jeff Biegler Full-time Employees: 47 Part-time and Seasonal Employees: 300

Essential Information 32 named parks, three natural openspace areas for hiking and mountain biking, two community centers, two golf courses, five off-leash areas, one dirt-jump park, one Strider nature trail, six sand volleyball courts, two disc golf courses, two 12-court tennis complexes, four neighborhood tennis courts, 14 picnic shelters, two skateboard parks, a 10-mile greenway

with bike path running east and west throughout the city, 10 fishing sites, two horseshoe courts, one bandshell, 17 playgrounds, one historic Dinosaur Park, seven formal gardens, one butterfly garden, one indoor swim center, three outdoor pools, one indoor ice arena, one outdoor skating rink, one BMX track, eight outdoor racquetball courts, two indoor racquetball courts, two municipal cemeteries.

Building on History Located in the Black Hills of southwestern South Dakota, Rapid City may be more widely known as a jumping-off point to attractions like Mount Rushmore National Monument, Badlands National Park, Crazy Horse Memorial and other area tourism destinations, but it deserves recognition in its own right as well.

In response to a growing local population as well as a constant influx

Legacy Commons Playground, featuring playground equipment from Landscape Structures Inc., offers Rapid City families an exciting new place to play as part of the recent Memorial Park Promenade project.

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of tourists, the city incorporated its Parks and Recreation Department in 2004, and in the 11 years since, it has burgeoned to provide an ever-increasing array of parks and recreation options for locals and visitors alike.

However, the city’s park and recreation roots extend far beyond the agency’s founding. A favorite local treasure is Dinosaur Park, originally constructed in 1936 as a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the park “features seven green concrete dinosaurs, the largest being a 30-foot tall by 80-foot long apatosaurus (think brontosaurus) that sits high above Rapid City,” shares Landscape Architect Alex DeSmidt. “It is a great place for families traveling to the Black Hills to stop, grab a bite to eat, pick up a souvenir at the Dinosaur Park gift shop and stretch their legs. Climbing the stone staircase to the top of the hill to ‘pet’ a dinosaur, touching and even riding the dinosaurs is allowed.”

In another nod to the past, the city is working on another major venture with similar historical beginnings.

WPA crews also created Skyline Drive in the 1930s as a scenic byway to attract tourists to Rapid City and Mount Rushmore, which was then under construction. Today, the city and local partners are working together to enhance Skyline Wilderness Park, “a major park development project that will provide access to nearly 200 acres of city-owned wilderness in the heart of Rapid City,” says DeSmidt. Using land acquired by the Skyline Drive Preservation

Group and donated to the city, the park will ultimately provide a network of easily accessible hiking and biking trails as well as a scenic overlook for park visitors to enjoy.

A Biker’s Paradise Luckily, bikers won’t have to wait until Skyline Wilderness Park improvements wrap up next year to engage in their sport. Rapid City already offers tons of road- and trail-biking opportunities in and around its borders, and it’s not by accident. “Rapid City has invested in the planning and development of bicycle-related facilities to provide transportation and recreation opportunities to support a more active and healthier community,” says DeSmidt.

“Through the adoption of a citywide bicycle/pedestrian plan in 2011, we have been able to focus efforts on completing the major goals of the plan in strategic order with the vision of becoming a Bike-Friendly Community.”

Last summer, Rapid City took a major step forward toward this goal with the introduction of B-Cycle, a bikeshare program with two stations in town.

Recognizing that a fun childhood introduction to recreation can lead to a lifelong passion for exercise and wellness, Rapid City Parks and Recreation has partnered with locally headquartered Strider Sports International to open up biking opportunities for the youngest members of their community.

“Since [Strider’s] beginning in 2007, we have worked with them at various events promoting their no-pedal bike as a tool to learn life skills including balance, coordination and spatial awareness to the children at a young age,” says Kristy Lintz, CPRP, special events coordinator for Rapid City Parks and Recreation. “Now our department offers the Strider Camp curriculum that they produced. We have

taken the program a step further by incorporating it within our Special Olympic Young Athletes program as well as introducing it to older adults at assisted living facilities.”

In 2014, Strider approached the department with the idea of creating a nature trail specifically designed for their no-pedal bike to introduce young riders to off-road riding. Using a section of underutilized park land, “Strider designed and developed an 800-foot-trail that weaves between trees, over stumps and incorporated other natural landscaping that young strider riders can maneuver,” Lintz says. “This public-private partnership has allowed us to achieve all three NRPA Pillars.” The agency also attracted NRPA attention for its biking initiatives in 2009 when it won the association’s Commercial, Recreation and Tourism Special Event Award for the Black Hills Fat Tire Festival. While recognizing that there is more work to be done to make Rapid City a safer and more attractive community for riders, last year’s honorable mention for bike friendliness by the League of American Bicyclists shows that the city is moving in the right direction.

Recent noteworthy developments also include a public-private partnership community playground build at Willow Park and the Memorial Park Promenade project, both of which were dedicated last fall. In summer 2016, the department expects to open an outdoor waterpark facility currently under construction.

Beyond just facilities, the agency also offers a wide range of recreation clubs, providing community members with everything from hiking to curling, dancing, martial arts and more. For more information, visit www.rcgov. org/Parks-and-Recreation.

Danielle Taylor is the Executive Editor of Parks & Recreation magazine (dtaylor@nrpa.org).

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Community Center

Notable News n The timely completion of Freshkills Park in Staten Island, New York, is uncertain, as officials question whether adequate funding will be available through Mayor Bill de Blasio’s office. The destination park — comprised of almost 6 percent of Staten Island’s landscape and the largest New York City park to be built in more than a century — would reclaim 2,200 acres of land where the city dumped some 150 million tons of garbage. Staten Island officials are hoping to capture de Blasio’s attention, and purse strings, to ensure the project continues uninterrupted, with a goal for completion in 2036.

At least $950 million has already been spent on site development and years-long efforts to cap four large mounds of trash under the fields, trails and playgrounds that will make up the park. However, much of the project is still in the planning stages and city officials aren’t yet sure of the total cost. Current plans call for four parks within Freshkills — North, South, East and West for each of the landfill mounds — and a Confluence, intended to be the cultural and waterfront recreation core of the site. Planners intend to construct the site from the outside in, so locals can enjoy portions of the park as soon as possible. Some areas of the park are already in regular use and more than 10,000 people have also taken advantage of events and annual sneak peeks. In an interview with SILive. com, New York City Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver said it’s “very difficult to say” if the whole project will be built on time, “because, as you know, funding is going to be key.”

According to reports from SILive. com’s Anna Sanders, the city budget20 Parks & Recreation

ed $4.8 million to the park in 2014, plus $3.6 million in noncity money, and committed $31.3 million more through 2017. Talks are ongoing as to what amenities to include or leave behind at Freshkills, and whether to seek out additional funding from private-sector partners. n As part of its continued revision and updates to the collection of U.S. Topo topographic maps, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) is outlining mountain biking trails in addition to other land features. The 2014 edition of U.S. Topo maps covering Arizona were the first to feature the trail data — several other states, including some portions of Alaska and the Pacific Territories, will follow throughout 2015. The mountain bike trail data is provided through a partnership with the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) and the MTB Project, which allows local IMBA chapters, IMBA members and the public to provide trail data and descriptions through their website.

MTB Project and IMBA then verify the quality of the trail data provided, ensure accuracy and confirm that the trail is legal. This online crowdsourced project also allows availability of the mountain bike trail data though mobile and web apps. U.S. Topo maps can be downloaded at http://on.doi. gov/1bms9Vb. To take part in IMBA’s crowdsourcing project and contribute your own data, visit www.mtbproject. com and enter trail descriptions, ratings and other information.

For more news from around the industry, visit www.parksandrecreation.org/2015/February/Notable-News.

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NRPA Connect Hot Topics

W

ant to see what professionals in your field are discussing? Visit NRPA Connect to learn about the latest hot topics and newest trends in parks and recreation! Below is a sample of some of the topics being discussed: 1) Winter/Snow Trail Maintenance: Does your agency remove snow from paved trails? Your colleagues discuss their policies and the feedback they receive from the public, which helps decide their snow-removal priorities.

2) Class Pricing: If you have multiple recreation centers, do you list classes in your brochure by recreation center, class type or age group? How should you handle price consistency across recreation centers for similar classes? Read how other professionals are tackling these decisions.

3) Disc Golf Tournament Policy: Disc golf (also known as Frisbee golf) is growing in popularity, and thereby increasing the amount of tournaments beckoning players to neighborhood courses. Should these tournaments be treated as special events?

Participants in this thread share the policies and procedures they’ve put in place for this popular sport.

4) Summer Camp Ideas: It’s never too early to start planning your summer camps! Looking for budget-friendly ideas? Your colleagues share tips and personal experiences. Visit the discussion to learn more on hosting fun, themed onsite programs or building partnerships to help sponsor field trips.

Join the conversation — it’s easy!

Visit www.nrpaconnect.org and get inspired today.

— Hayley MacDonell, NRPA’s Membership Programs Manager

By the Numbers

Proof of Worth

It’s now a fact so ubiquitous as to become a contemporary axiom: Parks are economic drivers. They attract businesses and professionals looking to relocate. They increase property values and help mitigate certain environmental impacts, such as stormwater runoff. They improve the health and wellness of surrounding communities by providing a place to play and exercise. We know these statements to be true, yet it remains difficult to adequately quantify these effects. The city of Chicago sought to contribute to the field’s body of knowledge related to parks and economic benefits by partnering with the Civic Consulting Alliance, Global Economics Group and Roland Berger Strategy Consultants to determine the impact of Chicago Park District-owned assets on the city’s overall economy. Below, we share some highlights from the 2013 study, which bore out the theory that CPD’s 585 parks indeed have a positive and substantial impact on Chicago’s financial well-being.

1.5: Percentage boost in value to homes located

within two blocks of a park.

25: Percentage of parks under the Chicago Park Dis-

$900 million:

trict umbrella that are considered mini-parks (stand-alone playgrounds roughly one-half acre or less in size that do not typically have any indoor facilities).

43: Percentage of residential properties located in

Percentage of total economic impact on residential property value attributable to such mini-parks.

$1.4 billion: The estimated economic

just two iconic magnet parks in Chicago’s system: Grant Park and Soldier Field, both of which host high-profile events like music festivals and sports tournaments.

The total value added to residential properties located within two blocks of a park.

Chicago that command a higher value because of their proximity to parks.

impact of tourism in Chicago’s major parks.

17:

Percentage of economic benefits related to tourism that can be attributed to Chicago parks.

35:

80: Percentage of total event revenues generated by $30-150 million:

Revenue generated per year by visitors who cite the beauty of Chicago’s parks as the primary driver for their visit.

Source: Chicago Park District Economic Impact Study, 2013.

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People for Parks Transforming Travis Park

Revitalization efforts at a small Texas park inspired a local businessman to spearhead programming designed to build stronger community ties

By Casey Whittington

W

alk through any big city in the U.S. and you will undoubtedly come across a park in need of some tender loving care. Often, as a city grows, priorities and investments shift. Green space and urban parks can suffer as a result. What were once beautiful gathering spots for the community become places to avoid. separated from the mission by streets and buildings, the park had lost its once-charming appeal from simple neglect.

The city recognized an opportunity to revitalize the park and received investments from the private sector, led

by Southwest Airlines and the San Antonio Parks Foundation.

After a $500,000 renovation that included replacing sidewalks and furniture, as well as adding a new community bikeshare point, the park was ready for a new future. DiGiovanni saw an opportunity to provide new life for the park. How do you reverse

David Rangel

Travis Park in San Antonio, Texas, was one such place in need of renewed focus to make it great again.

What makes Travis Park special is not its size or features, but its history. This fact was not lost on Pat DiGiovanni, CEO of Centro San Antonio, a company dedicated to fostering a vibrant, thriving urban core in Texas’ second-largest city.

Travis Park, located in the heart of downtown San Antonio, was once part of the Alamo mission, the site of the famous Battle of the Alamo that served as a catalyst for Texas’ fight for independence from Mexico. Now

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Pat DiGiovanni

decades of opinions? “One day at a time,” DiGiovanni says.

After the facelift, “We wanted to show the community that Travis Park was once again a place for families,” DiGiovanni says. To get families to the park, DiGiovanni and his team hosted a series of themed events at Travis, starting with the Fall Festival, a free event with a pumpkin patch, scarecrow contest and face painting.

The occasion was a huge success and sparked thoughts of “what next?” DiGiovanni drew upon his previous experiences in cities such as Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Surfside Beach, South Carolina. With the holidays approaching, DiGiovanni provided 250,000 reasons to come to Travis Park to celebrate. Installing 250,000 holiday lights transformed the space into a vibrant explosion of cheer and brought scores of people to the newly renovated park.

LEFT: The free and family-friendly Fall Festival was the first of many themed events held at the newly revitalized Travis Park in San Antonio, Texas.

The culmination of the events was “Let It Snow: A Holiday Celebration.” San Antonio hadn’t seen major snowfall since a 1985 storm laid down a foot-thick white blanket. “Obviously, we don’t get too much snow down here,” says DiGiovanni. By bringing in 25 tons of man-made snow, Centro gave thousands of local kids their first taste of a proper sled ride down a snowy hill and making a snow angel.

There were even a few snowball fights.

While a tremendous amount of time and effort went into the event, “it was all worth it to see the kids smile and the parents laughing and taking pictures,” DiGiovanni says proudly.

While each event was fun and brought many people to the park who may have not otherwise visited, DiGiovanni insists that there was a higher purpose. “We wanted to show citizens and visitors that a successful city has a vibrant downtown, and a vibrant downtown has areas for work and play,” he explains.

DiGiovanni has deep roots in serving the public. After earning his bachelor’s from Northeastern University and master’s at the University of Pittsburgh, he began working for the public sector. He worked his way up from a small-city director of finance to city manager in Kalamazoo.

“I have always loved my work for cities, through the challenges as well as the good times,” he recalls.

While not all of DiGiovanni’s work over the years has focused on parks, he cherishes times when his work involves parks and green spaces because he can combine two of his favorite activities — helping the public and being outdoors. While working in Surfside Beach, he led the effort to build the first children’s park in the state that was accessible and

BELOW: A view of Travis Park on a sunny spring afternoon.

usable for youngsters with disabilities.

What Travis Park lacks in size at just 2.6 acres, it more than makes up for in character. “The history of Travis Park is one of the many reasons we wanted to show it off,” DiGiovanni expounds, “and successful downtowns have parks that bring people together from all walks of life.”

It’s been an astounding transformation. A year ago, Travis Park was uninviting and a bit scary. Now it is a

jewel of the city and a symbol of what can happen when the public sector and private sector share a vision and work together to achieve it.

Casey Whittington is a Senior Account Executive with The Whittington Group (caseyw@thiswgroup.com).

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Member to Member You Get What You Pay For

By Sandra J. Gonzalez

S

ix years ago, the City of Pico Rivera, California, was similar to many other Los Angeles suburbs — a working-class population, high Hispanic demographic and ever-growing demands from the community.

The parks and facilities were tired and worn, the athletic fields were overused and there was no funding to implement major capital improvements.

With slightly more than 100 acres contained within its nine local parks, hundreds of people used Pico Rivera’s open public spaces every day. Without some sort of structural increase to its revenue, the city would have to shut down recreational programs, close its community pool facility and possibly lay off employees.

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A grassroots group of residents took up the cause, which resulted in the proposal of a local sales tax ballot measure. Measure P, as it was called, would raise the sales tax in the city from 8.25 percent to 9.25 percent to fund the preservation of public safety and community programs, as well as prevent significant cuts to essential services. The revenue would support general city services, including hiring additional police, maintaining anti-gang and graffiti efforts, facilitating youth and after-school parks and recreation services, expanding libraries and parks, fixing city streets and other essential neighborhood improvements. The revenue generated by the additional sales tax would enable the city to issue and sell Pico Rivera’s Vital City Services Bond, the proceeds of which would provide approximately $6 million per year to implement a Parks Master Plan and renovate several of the existing older parks.

But the unintended consequence of a 1-percent increase in statewide sales tax saw this blue-collar city of 63,000 people paying the highest rate in the state, and one of the steepest in the nation. In all, Pico Rivera sales taxes will have climbed from 8.25 percent to 10.75 percent over a threemonth period.

At first glance, the odds of such a bill passing might seem ridiculous. Sales tax makes everything we buy just a little more expensive.

Why would hard-working families choose to pay even more money each time they went shopping? Furthermore, would the approval of an

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Sandra J. Gonzalez is the Director of Parks and Recreation in Pico Rivera, California (sgonzalez@pico-rivera.org).

MA

increase in sales tax cause Pico Rivera residents to drive a few miles into a neighboring city, simply to avoid the additional costs?

The community rallied. A group set up by residents in favor of the tax opened a small office and began walking neighborhoods door to door, to tell the community about the benefits of Measure P. As expected, the residents had questions, and many citizens had concerns. They were concerned that it would be too expensive to shop in Pico Rivera, and they would be inconvenienced by having to shop outside the city. Countering this fear was the reality that without additional revenue, residents would be affected by cuts in recreational programming and public works services. The residents understood the importance of maintaining the same level of services to which they were accustomed.

City employees felt that without this sales tax increase, Pico Rivera would have a difficult time getting back on its feet. Parks and recreation and public works full-time staff members were challenged with gaining support from hourly employees. The grassroots campaign would require all employees to help with evening rallies and phone campaigning. Parks and Recreation Supervisor Lupe Aguilar, who had been with the department for more than 35 years, spearheaded the employee charge.

“Nothing was easy about this campaign. It was difficult getting staff from the various city departments to assist with weekend sign distribution, and door-to-door marketing,” she says.

In the management of volunteers, strong leaders who had the trust of employees and a connection with the community were required. In the end, they, too, took up the cause, using their personal time to become involved and engage community groups, churches, unions and the chamber of commerce. While some merchants were against the proposal, feeling it may hurt their bottom line, in the end, Measure P passed with an overwhelming majority.

Fast forward to 2014. Thanks to the actions taken by this passionate community, Pico Rivera now boasts a beautiful 16,000-square-foot LEED-Certified county library, and

SA

now boasts $20 million in major park

U

passionate community, Pico Rivera

$20 million in major park renovations, including stateof-the-art ballfields, playgrounds and a football stadium.

“Never underestimate the power of strong leadership and the voice of a community,” Aguilar says.

Pico Rivera’s residents continue to enjoy the fruits of their labor, and the city has become a formidable presence in the arena of parks and recreation. Visiting youth baseball teams coming from wealthy towns such as Pacific Palisades, Redondo Beach and Los Alamitos enter the Pico Rivera ballfields with wide-eyed delight and astonishment at the world-class amenities.

Across the state of California, school budgets continue to be slashed and critical public services are being cut. But thanks to the vision and the voice of a strong and united community, Pico Rivera stands proudly as a beacon for other progressive cities to emulate. It may cost a bit more to buy a new pair of tennis shoes in this town, but ultimately, you do get what you pay for.

BE

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ADVOCACY

Embracing New Opportunities NRPA’s VP of urban and government affairs reflects on the significance of a recent Troops for Fitness event

By Kevin O’Hara

U

sually, these column inches are dedicated to updating you on policy or legislation that affects your work. This month, I’m taking a break from that to share a story that in my mind distills the impact that parks and rec has on communities.

The Troops for Fitness Program is a three-year partnership between the

Coca-Cola Foundation and NRPA intended to help park and rec agencies hire veterans as fitness instructors, provide fitness equipment and market these programs to the communities.

Maj. Aaron Shaw’s wife, Brenda, and daughters accept the Troops for Fitness check on behalf of the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks.

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Atlanta, Miami-Dade, Newark, Sacramento, Boston, Detroit, Honolulu and Los Angeles have been selected as host agencies, with a goal of hiring 200 veterans by the end of the program.

Last month in Los Angeles, I had the privilege of representing NRPA at a kickoff event at Sylmar Rec Center. The event featured the wife and daughters of Army Maj. Aaron Shaw, a Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks (DRP) employee who is currently deployed to Guantanamo Bay-Cuba and is due back stateside in a few months. Maj. Shaw’s daughters kicked off the event and led the assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance, and his wife, Brenda, the recreation

coordinator at Sylmar, shared a few words about how much it meant to her family to have the Troops for Fitness kickoff at her rec center. Maj. Shaw also sent a note to his DRP colleagues, and I asked him for permission to share his words with you.

Troops for Fitness is about recognizing those who serve and giving them the opportunity to continue to serve when they arrive home. Honoring our veterans by providing job opportunities when they come home, and hav-

ing these leaders help teach others the importance of a healthy lifestyle? Now that sounds like a real win-win.

Kevin O’Hara is NRPA’s Vice President of Urban and Government Affairs (kohara@ nrpa.org).

It is with a deep sense of gratitude and heartfelt appreciation that I write to you. Please know that my wife, Brenda, has informed me of the Coca-Cola-sponsored event that is scheduled to take place in the valley at the Sylmar complex on 8 January.

My sincere thanks to you and all of our esteemed colleagues at Partnerships for recognizing us, men and women in uniform, and acknowledging our continued service to the nation. The Department's partnership with the Coca-Cola Corporation is a true testament to your enduring commitment to providing outreach to military servicemembers for the purpose of offering meaningful employment opportunities. This is undoubtedly shaping up to be a win-win situation for all involved, and I am very hopeful for the ongoing success of this endeavor...Thanks again for your tremendous support to the troops. For I could not be more proud of the momentous work that you all have set out to accomplish.

As the next several months come to a close, I will anxiously prepare for my return to the States, and will look forward to reuniting with the Department. Until then, I wish you well and Godspeed as you charter the path forward into this new year for the Operations Branch. Keep up the good work, and please share my sincerest regards to all.

Also when you have a moment, please render a courtesy phone call to Glenn Campaña (coordinator) at Highland, and encourage Glenn to keep up the fine work that he has undertaken during in my stead...It’ll be greatly appreciated.

Very best to you and the entire Department.

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L AW R E V I E W

Pretrial Summary Judgment Dismisses Playground Injury Claim

By James C. Kozlowski, J.D., Ph.D.

A

recent Internet report titled “Parks Dept. Puts a Stop to Spinning Playground Equipment After Injuries” reviewed a controversy between the New York City Parks Department and a local neighborhood regarding the removal or welding into place of a number of turning or spinning discs in public playgrounds (www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20141205/park-slope/ parks-dept-puts-stop-spinning-playground-equipment-after-injuries).

While the city characterized its actions as a “matter of public safety,” some parents in the affected neighborhoods thought the city had gone “too far to protect kids.” As characterized by one angry parent, the city’s decision to turn “the spinning disks into statues” was “a sad commentary on how litigious and afraid we’ve become of having our children get a few booboos.” The report noted, however, that that there had been no complaints or lawsuits associated with these partic28 Parks & Recreation

ular spinning discs (http://newyork. cbslocal.com/2014/12/05/parentsupset-after-spinning-saucers-weldedin-place-at-nyc-parks).

One comment speculated that recently reported litigation may have prompted the city’s actions. Specifically, “[a] simple Google search brings up why these spinning discs were removed/welded.” Specifically, the case of Jimenez v. City of New York also involved an injury associated with a “circular, spinning playground disc,”

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(www.law.justia.com/cases/newyork/appellate-division-first-department/2014/12122-108416-08.html).

Further, this comment noted that the city “fought to keep the discs, and fought the lawsuit till the bitter end.”

Actually, a closer examination of the text of the court opinion in the case of Jimenez v. City of New York might indicate otherwise. In this particular case, the city had merely filed a pretrial motion for summary judgment, which was denied by the court. Failing to get a claim dismissed on a motion for summary judgment is far short of the procedural “bitter end” in such litigation.

Dangerous Playground Disc?

In the case of Jimenez v. City of New York 117 A.D.3d 535; 986 N.Y.S.2d

64; 2014 N.Y. App. Div. LEXIS 3527; 2014 NY Slip Op 3585 (5/15/2014), plaintiff Jeremy Jimenez was injured when he fell from a piece of playground equipment. In his complaint, Jimenez alleged the piece of playground equipment was inherently dangerous. In so doing, plaintiff submitted an affidavit in which his expert claimed “the flat, circular spinning playground disc” from which Jimenez fell had a “defective design.” Specifically, “the mere presence of excessive speed caused plaintiff to be ejected from it.” In response, the city of New York brought a motion for summary judgment to dismiss the claim that the playground equipment from which the plaintiff fell was inherently dangerous. In so doing, however, the city failed to offer any supporting evidence or testimony to refute the opinion of plaintiff ’s expert and conclusively establish “it did not create the unsafe condition by installing an unreasonably dangerous piece of equipment.”

Since reasonable minds could differ on whether this particular piece of playground equipment was inherently dangerous, the court denied the city’s pretrial motion for summary judgment. Accordingly, plaintiff could continue to pursue his claim in further trial proceedings. At trial, to establish liability, plaintiff would have to convince a jury that this particular spinning playground disc, more likely than not, was inherently dangerous. In other words, it is much easier for a plaintiff to overcome a pretrial motion for summary judgment than establish liability at trial and obtain a final judgment awarding damages.

Settle or Litigate?

Accordingly, the Jimenez opinion may not be as legally significant as it might first appear because the court

never reached a final judgment on whether plaintiff ’s injury on this particular “circular, spinning playground disc” was indeed attributable to negligence on the part of the city.

That being said, once a pretrial motion for summary judgment is denied, a public entity may find it more fiscally responsible to settle a claim, rather than aggressively defend itself in costly and time-consuming trial proceedings before an unpredictable jury. A settlement to avoid further trial proceedings is not an admission of any liability, nor should the business decision to settle necessarily be equated with negligence liability under similar circumstances.

In response to a case like Jimenez, the mere threat of liability may unfortunately have been sufficient to prompt the New York City Parks Department to dismantle or remove pieces of spinning disc equipment from neighborhood playgrounds. If so, such a response to a perceived threat of liability, however, does not reflect the reality of negligence liability in public parks and recreation.

On the contrary, liability is the exception rather than the rule in reported case law defining negligence liability in public parks and recreation. The mere occurrence of an injury and/or the filing of a lawsuit should not be equated with liability.

Reasonably Safe Playground In sharp contrast to Jimenez, another New York opinion involving an injury on spinning playground equipment granted summary judgment to the town of Babylon. In so doing, the court found the town had effectively refuted plaintiff ’s allegations of negligence with evidence indicating the playground was in a reasonably safe condition at the time of the injury.

In the case of Villatoro v. Town of Babylon, 2013 N.Y. Misc. LEXIS 3185; 2013 NY Slip Op 31640(U) (7/12/2013), a 3-year-old was injured when he fell from playground equipment in a town park. Plaintiff ’s mother, Johanna Villatoro, testified that she had brought her young son, Sebastian, to the playground many times. At the time of the accident, Sebastian was “playing on a spinning wheel when he fell and broke his arm.” The wheel apparatus, identified as the “twister,” was 64 inches above the ground.

As described by Sebastian’s mother, there was a small platform that Sebastian stepped on with a wheel above him. Sebastian stepped off of the platform after grabbing the wheel, which started spinning. Sebastian spun around for half a circle and fell to the ground. The mother testified that she “did not see any signs on the playground which indicated there was an age restriction, but that she saw a sticker which had Spanish words and the numbers ‘five’ and ‘12’.”

Plaintiff ’s mother alleged that the town was negligent in “failing to install sufficient signs to notify users as to the age appropriateness of the playground.” In response, the town argued that any failure on its part “to provide sufficient age-appropriateness stickers” did not create a dangerous condition that caused the accident.

The public works coordinator for the town testified that there was “no set inspection schedule of the parks, but that if employees of the fence crew find a dangerous condition, they would repair it.” Further, the coordinator stated that “a cleaning crew cleans the playground every morning.” Moreover, the public works coordinator testified that he was “not aware of any complaints regarding

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L AW R E V I E W

the wheel apparatus or of any accidents which involved that apparatus.”

According to the court, “a municipality has a duty to maintain its parks and playground facilities in a reasonably safe condition.” That being said, the court acknowledged that “a municipality is not an insurer of the safety of those who use its facilities.”

On the contrary, the court noted the only legal duty of a municipality is “to exercise ordinary care in the supervision, construction and maintenance of those facilities.”

In this particular instance, the court found the town had “established that the playground was in a reasonably safe condition” at the time of the accident. As a result, the court held that the town had not breached any legal duty owed to Sebastian under the circumstances of this case. In response to plaintiff ’s allegation that there were no age-appropriateness signs warning the apparatus would be inappropriate for young children, the court found there was “no duty to warn against a condition which is readily observable by the reasonable use of one’s senses.”

Moreover, in this particular instance, the court noted that Sebastian’s mother was present at the playground and watching Sebastian.

Under the circumstances, the court found it was “readily observable” to Sebastian’s mother that “there was an inherent risk posed by use of the wheel apparatus, which is approximately 64 inches above the ground.”

The court also found any “alleged violations of guidelines promulgated by the ASTM (International) and the (Consumer Products Safety Commission) CPSC” were insufficient to establish negligence liability because these guidelines were “non-mandatory and not meant to be the exclusive standards for playground safety.”

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Further, in this particular instance, the court found plaintiff had failed to establish that any alleged violation of these playground safety guidelines caused the accident.

As a result, the court granted summary judgment in favor of the town. In so doing, the court found the alleged “lack of age-appropriateness signs” was not a defective condition providing a basis for negligence liability.

According to the court, “a municipality has a duty to maintain its parks and playground facilities in a reasonably safe condition.”

Summary Judgment Reversed In the case of Gatlin v. City of Miles City, 2012 MT 302; 367 Mont. 414; 291 P.3d 1129; 2012 Mont. LEXIS 370, the Montana Supreme Court reviewed a summary judgment in favor of the city effectively dismissing plaintiff ’s lawsuit. In this particular case, Tiffany Gatlin, age 8, fell from a playground slide and sustained a severe head injury. At the time of the accident in July 2002, Gatlin alleged that the defendant City of Miles City had failed to “maintain a safe depth of impact-absorbing material” in the area of the slide. The city used bark chips. According to Gatlin, the 1997 installation instructions for the slide required a “protective fall zone” below the slide, which included “12 inches of impact-absorbing material under the slide, in compliance with

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standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC).”

In 2001, the city had undertaken a review of its park system, focusing on playground maintenance and safety. A review committee reported to the city council that surface protection for playground equipment was important and that the goal was “to prevent serious injury and death.” A risk specialist with the city’s insurer recommended establishing adequate surfacing and “fall zones” under playground equipment, following guidelines developed by the CSPC. The city’s park review committee recommended adoption of a policy to install fall areas around all playground equipment, and that those areas be raked daily in periods of peak use. In January 2002, the city council adopted a resolution outlining “current safety standards” for the city’s parks.

The trial court granted summary judgment in favor of the city. Gatlin appealed to the state supreme court.

Summary judgment would only be appropriate if the city could demonstrate that it was “entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” In other words, the city had to show that Gatlin failed to allege facts upon which to base a claim for negligence liability. If reasonable minds could differ on whether these alleged facts could possibly provide a legal basis for liability, further trial proceedings would be necessary and a summary judgment dismissing Gatlin’s negligence claims would not be granted.

Willful and Wanton Misconduct As noted by the state supreme court, Gatlin and the city both agreed that the Montana “recreational use statute (RUS)” applied to this case. The RUS provided that an individual using property owned by a public entity

free of charge has no assurance that the property is safe for recreational purposes. While the public landowner owes “no duty of care with respect to the condition of the property,” the RUS does provide for landowner liability for an injury attributable to “willful or wanton misconduct.”

In opposing the city’s motion for summary judgment, if provided an opportunity at trial, Gatlin claimed the complaint had alleged sufficient facts to establish willful and wanton misconduct by the city in maintaining the park and the playground area.

According to the state supreme court, “proof of willful or wanton misconduct can be difficult.” Unlike mere carelessness or unreasonable behavior that characterizes ordinary negligence, willful wanton misconduct requires

proof of a level of recklessness that demonstrates an utter disregard for the physical well-being of others tantamount to intent to injure.

While proving willful and wanton misconduct might be difficult, applying the judicial standard of review for a summary judgment, the state supreme court found Gatlin was “entitled to present her case.”

Based upon the reasonable inferences that could be drawn from the evidence submitted on summary judgment, the trier of fact (i.e., jury) could conclude that the city had knowledge of the danger of children falling on hard surfaces in the park and knowledge of the steps that could be taken to reduce that risk.

The determination of whether that rises to the level of willful or wanton misconduct should be decided at trial.

Accordingly, the state supreme court reversed the summary judgment of the trial court in favor of the city and remanded the case for further proceedings. As a result, Gatlin would have the opportunity to proceed to trial. That being said, in light of the city’s playground maintenance policy described above, Gatlin might have a difficult time in demonstrating the level of “utter disregard” necessary to establish the requisite willful and wanton misconduct for liability under the state recreational use statute.

James C. Kozlowski, J.D., Ph.D., is an attorney and Associate Professor in the School of Recreation, Health and Tourism at George Mason University (jkozlows@gmu. edu). Webpage with link to Law Review articles archive (1982 to present): http:// mason.gmu.edu/~jkozlows.

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FUTURE LEADERS

A student delegate at the 2014 NRPA Congress networks with other members from the field.

How Do I Overcome the Experience Requirement on a Job Application?

Tips for students to improve skills and use knowledge beyond the classroom

By Mary Tapps, Jared Dowis and Tyler Tapps, Ph.D.

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any students struggle with having the correct skill set or knowledge base for a job in recreation. Students continually hear the calls for more experience; however, it is sometimes difficult to obtain such experience. While this presents a challenge for students who may not have the work experience preferred, there are certain things they can do to give themselves a competitive edge. Students can use current or future skill sets and knowledge to bridge to their next professional endeavor.

Bridging is the process of preparing yourself for your next position by developing the skill set necessary for that position. When attaining full-time experience can be difficult, students can prepare themselves for that job opportunity using R.B. Kauffman’s bridging theory.

Skill Sets In developing your skill sets, it is important to take advantage of your academic

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advancements as well. Internships are a way you can gain professional experience and begin networking contacts and skills that relate back to the classroom.

Typically, internships are offered when students have completed all course work or during the summer of their junior year. Scheduling the internship after the course work makes it easier for students to apply all the knowledge learned throughout the curriculum.

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Perhaps one of the best ways to gain skill sets would be to volunteer in your community. Volunteering can give students a way to see work in a realistic sense. Always keep in mind that when choosing a place to volunteer, select one where you would enjoy working.

Volunteering highlights your willingness to be involved with that facility.

Another way to advance your skill set is to earn notable certifications.

Professional certifications allow students to bring more to the table in job applications and interviews. At Northwest Missouri State University, the faculty give students multiple opportunities to complete concentration-appropriate certifications. Continuing your education is profession-

ally noteworthy, as it shows you are enhancing your knowledge and skills in the right direction, demonstrates self-determination and indicates the motivation to further oneself.

It is also important to get involved in professional clubs at your university. Whether a majors club or a community service organization, professional participation helps you stay current in the field and possibly do something positive for the community. Involvement in clubs and organizations, by their nature, helps you network with future professionals.

These relationships, if nurtured, can grow to become fantastic professional friendships into the future.

Knowledge Beyond the Classroom Being a recreation major means that it is important for us to be involved, and a great way to start your involvement is by attending conferences. Attending a conference gives you a type of knowledge that you cannot learn in the classroom; it supplies you with new information that you could not receive elsewhere. Beyond attending for networking and learning, going to conferences can also supply you with Continuing Education Units (CEUs), helpful for those seeking and keeping various certifications. Many professionals develop friendships in the field at conferences and training, and conferences can give you new ideas to take back to your own communities.

Presenting at a conference is a great way for students to work on public speaking, and it initiates self-study in researching a topic in depth. Many of us have given presentations in the classroom, but doing so at a conference gives us the added opportunity to network and meet other professionals.

Networking, networking, networking. Getting to know other profes

sionals is extremely important for us as future professionals. Networking and getting to know others will help open doors into the future. Students should hand out business cards or résumés (when appropriate) as they talk to others about their future in the profession. For instance, many folks feel more at ease hiring someone they already know and trust.

Future Recommendations/Issues As a student, any professional disadvantages are self-imposed. We need to make the extra effort to take in as much knowledge and experience as possible from those around us.

Through active participation, we can build our résumés, give ourselves a competitive advantage and extend our professional network. Focusing

on going that extra mile is creating that advantage for yourself. So, do yourself a professional favor and start volunteering and getting involved.

These endeavors will help us improve skill sets and knowledge beyond the classroom, and most importantly, they will help you become the best future professional you can be.

For a complete list of references, visit www.parksandrecreation. org/2015/Febr uar y/How-Do-IOvercome-the-Experience-Requirement-on-a-Job-Application.

Mary Tapps and Jared Dowis are graduate students at Northwest Missouri State University (s512998@mail.nwmissouri.edu, s277513@mail.nwmissouri.edu).

Tyler Tapps, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor at Northwest Missouri State University in the Recreation Department of Health and Human Services (tyler.tapps@gmail.edu).

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Lilioceris cheni, the Nepalese beetle that is providing bio-control of air potato vines in Miami-Dade County nature preserves, munches contentedly on one of the invasive plants.

Beetles to the Rescue An innovative alliance between South Florida students, scientists and a very hungry beetle is helping to eliminate invasive plants in parks

By Richard J. Dolesh

J

ust imagine if one day you discovered a new plant species in your local park. You have never seen this climbing vine before, but suddenly it’s everywhere and growing like wildfire. You call it the “air potato,” although it is nothing like the well-mannered vegetable that knows its place in the soil and stays there, producing plump nourishing tubers. Your air potato is aggressive, invasive and destructive to natural ecosystems. If you live in South Florida, this not a dream — you have them all over your nature preserves, and they are expanding their range and damage.

Air potatoes (Dioscorea bulbifera) are invasive plants that originally came from Asia. They are twining vines that latch on to trees, shrubs and virtually anything that is upright. They grow at an astonishing rate of 8 inches per day and can grow up to 80 feet per year.

When they reach the top of taller trees, they intertwine in tangled green mats, blocking out sunlight and nourishment

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for everything below. Air potatoes form a dense canopy that by its sheer weight can bring down even healthy vigorous trees. Worse, as they grow to maturity, air potatoes drop hard little bio-bombs called bulbils that spread the plant. In some areas, air potato bulbils cover the forest floor so thickly that you would be likely to crush one with every step you took! And every bulbil — from the

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largest, which can grow to the size of a grapefruit, to the smallest, which can be tinier than a pencil eraser — is capable of propagating new vines when it extends tubers into the soil.

So, who are you going to call if air potatoes invade your parks? Well, if you live in Miami-Dade County, Florida, an area of the country that is ground-zero in the nationwide fight against invasive plants and animals, you will be very glad to know that your county park and recreation department has a Natural Areas Management unit composed of biologists, ecologists and park managers dedicated to reducing and controlling the spread of invasive plants and animals in 80 natural area park preserves.

To give some perspective of how problematic invasive species in the United States are, the cost of dealing with them now approaches $140 billion per year. Florida alone spends more than $100 million annually on invasive species. Controlling invasives on public lands and in nature preserves is even more difficult when simultaneously trying to protect rare natural ecosystems. The damages to parks are more ecological than economic. According Dr. Min Rayamajhi, a plant pathologist with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Services Invasive Plant Research Lab, invasive species displace native wildlife and destroy ecological balance. And South Florida is in danger of irrevocably losing a remarkable variety of native plants and wildlife that are rapidly disappearing because of invasive species.

Park Preserve Proposed as Bio-Control Site to Combat Invasive Air Potato When it came to fighting the advance of the air potato, Eduardo Salcedo, an environmental resources project supervisor for the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department (MDCPRD), had a good idea. He knew the USDA was looking for bio-control test sites, that is, areas carefully selected to deploy a type of highly selective plant pest to control the damages from a particular invasive species. Rayamajhi and a colleague discovered a type of beetle (Lilioceris cheni) in Nepal that appeared to eat only air potato vines. USDA began a rigorous testing protocol on the species for potential use as a bio-control agent for this plant.

When Salcedo heard about USDA’s interest in establishing test control sites, he led the effort for MDCPRD to propose Kendall Indian Hammock Park as a possibility. But Salcedo, who was originally instrumental in bringing students to the park to teach ecology, went a step further. He asked his brother, Alex Salcedo — a lead teacher of environmental science at the nearby Miami-Dade County magnet high school, TERRA Environmental Research Institute — if he would like to involve students from TERRA in the research.

Students Enthusiastic; Administrators, Not So Much There was resistance at first. The school principal was skeptical. Even though the park was a walkable distance from the school and she was not opposed to kids leaving the grounds for science education, she was concerned about taking kids out to a heavily wooded park containing many natural hazards — poisonous insects, poisonous plants, spiders, snakes and more.

Alex Salcedo said he had to work with the school administration to overcome concerns but, in the end, the principal agreed and has now become very supportive of student involvement.

Students from the TERRA Institute visit nearby Kendall Indian Hammock Park as part of their invasive species control project.

Rayamajhi was skeptical as well. He said, “I don’t really have time for this,” but as a research scientist who is very aware of USDA’s commitment to stimulating young scientists through STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education, he was willing to take a chance, especially when he saw the enthusiasm of the students. In fact, as the students became increasingly engaged in the project, new ideas about how they could contribute flourished and new partners emerged, such as the Darden Foundation, which volunteered help and financial support, and the State Farm Youth Advisory Board, which provided funding for materials and supplies.

What began as field study and class projects has evolved into much more. Based on the early success of the collaboration, MDCPRD worked with the USDA Invasive Plant Research Laboratory and the teachers and students at TERRA Institute to set up a school lab where the students themselves could raise thousands of beetles for release in the park and other areas to control air potato vines. (Visit the TERRA Institute’s video stream to take a closer look at the students’ project: www.terrawolves.com/apps/video.) Junior Micaela Divico says, “I got involved in the project because I became fascinated with the beetles. How could they eat so much?” Gabriel Caceres, also a junior, says he became interested because he is concerned with saving the environment.

When asked to identify the most valuable part of being involved with this project, Micaela says, “The most valuable thing for me was what we gave back to the community. We are giving them back this park. It gives me a great feeling.” Eduardo Salcedo says adding students to the project changed everything. “It has been worth all the effort. It makes all our work so meaningful.”

Richard J. Dolesh is NRPA’s Vice President of Conservation and Parks (rdolesh@nrpa.org).

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It has been one year since our commitment and the positive impact of the implementation of the HEPA standards is being realized in communities all across the United States.

park and recreation sites have pledged to implement the HEPA standards.

children now have improved access to healthy foods and increased opportunities for physical activity.

THANKS TO ALL OF OUR PARTICIPATING AGENCIES! • Albany Recreation and Parks Department • Arlington County Department of Parks and Recreation • Blowing Rock Parks and Recreation • Channahon Park District • City of Alamogordo • City of Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department • City of Colorado Springs Parks and Recreation • City of Covina Parks and Recreation Department • City of Evanston Parks and Recreation Division • City of Fort Worth Parks and Recreation • City of Fresno Parks and Recreation • City of Gary Department of Public Parks - Youth Services Bureau • City of Greensboro Parks and Recreation Department • City of Hialeah Department of Parks and Recreation • City of Inglewood Parks and Recreation • City of Keene • City of Los Angeles, Department of Recreation and Parks • City of Lubbock Parks and Recreation • City of North Miami Parks and Recreation Department • City of Oakland Parks and Recreation • City of Omaha Parks and Recreation • City of Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Department

• City of San Diego Parks and Recreation • City of South San Francisco Parks and Recreation Department • City of St. Petersburg • City of Whitefish Parks and Recreation Department • City of Wichita Parks and Recreation • Columbus Recreation and Parks Department • Davenport Parks and Recreation • Des Moines Department of Parks and Recreation • Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation • Grand Prairie Parks, Arts, and Recreation Department • Great Alaska Council Boy Scouts Of America • Greensboro Parks and Recreation • Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation • Hannahville Youth Services • Houston Parks and Recreation Department • Indy Parks and Recreation • Johnson County Park and Recreation District • Kansas City Parks and Recreation • Knoxville Parks and Recreation • Lansing Parks and Recreation • Lincoln Parks and Recreation • Longview Parks and Recreation • Lynwood Recreation and Community Services Department • Madison School and Community Recreation

• Maplewood Parks and Recreation • Martin County Parks and Recreation • Memphis Parks and Neighborhoods • Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board • Montgomery County Department of Recreation • Montgomery County Department of Recreation • North Little Rock Parks and Recreation Department • NYC Department of Parks and Recreation • Pine Bluff Parks and Recreation • Port Huron Recreation • Portland Parks and Recreation Department • Portsmouth Parks and Recreation • Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation (M-NCPPC) • Prospect Heights Park District • Sacramento START • Saint Paul Parks and Recreation • Shreveport Public Assembly and Recreation (SPAR) • Syracuse Parks and Recreation • Town of Breckenridge • Tucson Parks and Recreation • Village of Champions Options After School • Washington, D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation • West Allis-West Milwaukee Recreation and Community Services

Make the Commitment www.nrpa.org/CommitToHealth

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Kids in Arlington County, Virginia, get a well-rounded dose of healthy eating and physical activity through programs with their local community center, one of almost 500 sites participating in Commit to Health.

Commit to Health: A Review of Year One Are you committed?

By Kellie May

T

he first year of Commit to Health was quite exciting for NRPA, from the launch event with First Lady Michelle Obama in Miami to celebrating the 486 park and recreation sites across the country that have committed to implementing the Healthy Eating and Physical Activity (HEPA) standards. Although this is a great start to a five-year initiative and we certainly are taking a moment to celebrate this month, we don’t want to lose momentum and are encouraging more park and recreation sites to join in this collective effort. Why is it important? Simply stated, this is the first generation of children who will live shorter lives than their parents.

Park and recreation agencies are increasingly a part of the critical solution to providing healthy environments, including access to nutritious foods and opportunities for physical activity for children. A recent article published in the peer-reviewed journal Preventive Medicine titled, “Promoting physical activity in out-of-school-time (OST) programs: We built the bridge — Can we walk over it?” (www.activelivingre

search.org/promoting-physical-activity-out-school-time-programs-we-builtbridge-can-we-walk-over-it) describes the collective effort at the national level among OST providers, such as YMCAs, Boys & Girls Clubs, the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, National AfterSchool Association and others, to implement the HEPA standards in OST and address a public health issue — childhood obesity. Park and recreation

agencies through NRPA’s commitment to the HEPA standards are now also being recognized as part of this effort.

Two agencies that have had early success with HEPA implementation are Arlington County Department of Parks and Recreation in Virginia and Montgomery County Parks and Recreation in Maryland.

Arlington has made great strides in fulfilling its pledge to Commit to Health. In just one year’s time, Arlington is meeting 16 of the 19 HEPA standards and best practices! This is positively impacting the health of approximately 150 K-5 youth across the three Kids in Action after-school pilot locations (http://parks.arlingtonva.us/programs/kids/kids-inaction). They could not have accomplished this goal so quickly without the

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substantial technical support from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation (https://host.healthiergeneration.org).

The Alliance has conducted three staff trainings thus far to educate staff on using their Healthy Out-of-School Time framework and has provided them with countless additional resources. Capital Area Food Bank’s Kids Café has been another essential partner in Arlington’s success and continues to work with Arlington to improve the health of its offerings. Above all, Arlington’s success is due to the strong leadership for creating a culture of health and the support from the staff directly implementing the standards. A staff member from Lubber Run Community Center, Myesha Taylor, saw the cool FitArlington blender bike at an event and brought it to her site so the kids could pedal their

way to a smoothie and learn about the benefits of eating more fruits. Arlington also held a special event on National Food Day as a kickoff event to make nutrition and physical activity fun and inform parents of the commitment (http://parks.arlingtonva.us/2014/10/ fitarlington-celebrates-food-day). The event brought together kids from all three sites to taste different apple varieties, play active games with the DJ and engage in a cooking demonstration.

Arlington hopes to expand this initiative to more sites and continue implementing more national healthy eating and physical activity standards and best practices in the upcoming year.

Montgomery County, Maryland, introduced the HEPA standards to site-level leaders in five of their largest youth-serving programs, which

reached more than 8,000 young people in 2014. Through this process, they established a new summer program, Food, Fun and Fitness, which pairs drop-in physical activity with free meals for children under 18 (www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGicMcmPwk0).

Montgomery County estimates that meals served through USDA meal programs have a yearly positive economic impact on families of more than $600 per child for those taking full advantage of free opportunities. Additionally, they have restructured their organization to establish a new position that will coordinate health and wellness efforts for the department and established a formal agreement with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation to help support their efforts to implement the HEPA standards.

As Arlington and Montgomery Counties have demonstrated in 2014, park and recreation agencies are positively impacting youth by providing healthier food options and increased opportunities for physical activity through implementation of the HEPA standards. If your agency hasn’t taken the pledge, there is still plenty of time to get started on this important work. Take the pledge today at www.nrpa.org/committohealth. As we celebrate Year One, we look forward to four more years and the success we will have together!

Kellie May is NRPA’s Senior Program Manager (kmay@nrpa.org).

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HELPING AGENCIES GROW

for 50 years

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The Park and Recreation Profession: Socially or Financially Alluring for Diversity?

By Ken Koonce

L

ike, but unlike, the hit NBC television show “Parks and Recreation,” the real world of parks and recreation is a white-male dominated profession. Although there is some diversity, African-Americans, Latinos, females and other demographics are in the minority. And unlike the cast of “Parks and Recreation,” whose salaries stretch well into the high six-figure income bracket, in the real world of parks and rec, six-figure incomes are not common among frontline, in-the-trenches employees.

Having just retired from the park and recreation profession after a 31-year career, I’ve seen from whence I came to where the next generation seems to be heading. As a recreation administration major at North Carolina Central University, I recall statements from professors like, “If you expect the park and recreation profession to be financially rewarding, you may want to get a ‘drop/add’ form today,” and, “In parks and recreation, you will work when

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your patrons want to play!” With such a backdrop, I knew I wasn’t going to get rich. But, aided by my character, I knew I would be socially enriched and hopefully impactful to those my agency would serve.

My freshman year, I planned to be a high school English teacher; my sophomore year, a business major (I was going to own my own company and make a million dollars). The summer heading into my junior year, I took a

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personality-trait survey, which revealed that I was a people person. That, along with obtaining a job at the Holloway Recreation Center in Kinston, North Carolina, cemented my path in a park and recreation career.

Parks and recreation wasn’t one of the “glam” majors that were looked upon with high regard and respect. It wasn’t one of the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) majors that you knew could garner a six-figure income. Outside of our profession, the perception was that anyone could work at a recreation center — you didn’t need a college degree for that! I believe attitudes like this may account for why top high school graduates choose to go into professions perceived as more lucrative and prestigious, such as medicine or law.

Having conversed with coworkers in their 20s, 30s and 40s, I found the thoughts of those in their 30s and older were very similar to mine — that the love of the people we serve outweighs the need for a big salary, and that we have deep respect for our profession, even if others don’t. But, as one millennial put it, “My generation isn’t willing to put the time in to work their way up the ladder to get into positions that pay six figures. My generation wants fast money and great-paying jobs right out of college. We’re not looking to be long-term employees — we’re chasing the money.”

In examining the whys and wherefores of the lack of diversity in the park and recreation profession, I look to my experiences as Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation’s representative

to our North Carolina Recreation and Park Association’s (NCRPA) athlete divisions for youth and adult sports programming, the Statewide Athlete Committee (SWAC) and the Athlete Director’s Workshop (ADW). I felt firsthand what it was like to be one of a handful of black men attending those conferences. There were perhaps fewer or no black women and few other races were represented. Even at the 2014 NRPA Congress — held in Charlotte, the city where I built my career — white males were the majority.

Diversity is coming to our profession, but why so slowly? I posed that question to my coworkers, and our summation points included: Low salaries; not a “marquee” career; shrinking budgets mean park and recreation departments are not hiring; lack of ad-

vancement or slow growth in the field; people hire employees like them, rather than striving for increased diversity; nepotism; and stigmas associated with being gay, female, etc.

We agree that society is changing and becoming more diverse. So, too, are parks and recreation’s patrons.

The world walks through our doors and when they enter, an agency’s staff should be a reflection of that world.

Parks and recreation’s hiring processes should be on the cutting edge. There’s no reason our industry should compromise when it comes to attracting the most talented, and socially diverse, candidates possible.

Ken Koonce is the former Recreation Coordinator/Supervisor for Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department in North Carolina (titoq@hotmail.com).

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Tomorrow’s Park at

Today’s Price Financial loans for land acquisition and facility operations offer oft-overlooked purchasing opportunities for park and recreation agencies

By Reggie Hall

B

rrring! Brrring! Phone call. A key tract of land, the one identified in your comprehensive plan and that your department has had its eyes on for years, is now listed with a Realtor and is on the market. What do you do? Slump in your chair and say “Oh well…” and lament that there’s no funding for the ballfields, playgrounds or rail-trails that might have been? Or do you spring to action and start trying to figure out how to make an offer and respond to the opportunity? How are you going to pay for tomorrow’s park at today’s price?

their fingers. They had ample concern that the community might not secure funding in time to nearly double the size of Pond Park. The city of Bozeman had recently approved a $15 million bond for the preservation and creation of trails, open space and parks, but the funding would not be available in time to meet the landowner’s need for a quick sale.

So, GVLT stepped up to purchase the property in 2013 with a $720,000 loan from the Land Conservation Loan Program (LCLP) of The Conservation Fund. The property, valued at

Illustration by Jeff Byrd

Multiple Benefits for Bozeman The community of Bozeman, Montana, faced this very dilemma. The 16-acre Bozeman Pond Park is located in a densely populated, rapidly growing part of the city. It’s highly popular with residents, who regularly enjoy its trails, beaches, fishing access, dog park and climbing boulders.

When a 12-acre property adjacent to the park came on the market, it seemed like a natural opportunity for a much-needed expansion because it was the only significant open space remaining nearby. It was also an attractive location for future residential development.

Market events move quickly, and the Gallatin Valley Land Trust (GVLT) did not want to see this conservation opportunity slip through

$800,000, was secured with a ninemonth loan at 3 percent with the property deed as collateral.

Protection of this land for Bozeman’s residents came with additional benefits.

GVLT sold three of the newly acquired acres to HAVEN, a domestic violence shelter and advocacy organization, for use as a new shelter site. The remaining land was purchased by the city of Bozeman as an expansion of the park.

“Without help from The Conservation Fund, we would

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FINANCIAL LOANS

have lost this property to development,” says Penelope Pierce, executive director of GVLT, “but the LCLP allowed us to be nimble and responsive to an urgent opportunity.”

A Funding Option in Times of Fiscal Restraint All across the country, as federal, state, county and local government budgets stagnate or shrink, some of the first programs to get cut are acquisition dollars for new parks and playgrounds. The theory may be to solely focus on maintaining existing properties while providing programming to an increasing population. Even though you may have a limited budget for acquisition, what if there was a way for you to spread out your payments for the new park over time? In other words, has your department ever considered taking out a loan?

When most people think of loans, they think about going to their local bank — which is where people should always start. Local banks can generate community support for your project, and depending on your relationship with the bank, you may obtain the right rate and terms to suit your needs. But

• How do they secure their loan to you?

• What types of collateral will the lender accept?

• How flexible are they with a loan repayment schedule?

• If the worst should happen, what’s their course of action?

also consider working with a nontraditional lender, one whose mission is to acquire land for conservation purposes including use and enjoyment by the public. For example, loans from LCLP come with the added benefits of technical assistance and help in navigating complex issues, drawing upon decades of acquisition experience.

Lessons Learned Over 20 years, LCLP has loaned more than $120 million without a single default, protecting more than 100,000 acres across 33 states. We have learned a number of valuable lessons. It may be best to start by identifying the four basic types of lenders: banks and credit unions, foundations, nonprofits and private individuals. Each type has its own strengths and weaknesses, so how do you determine the right one for you?

While the most obvious difference is the interest rate that they charge, other variables are often more subtle. You may want to consider these questions (even if you don’t need a loan yet, you’ll have them for possible future use): • How quickly can the lender originate a loan?

Cameron McIntyre

The Conservation Fund provided Amigos de los Rios, a restoration nonprofit in Los Angeles, with bridge financing that allowed them sustained income while waiting for public reimbursement payments for its work.

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Tips to Consider Start early. Sit down with your local bank. Meet with the local foundation.

Call up a conservation lender. Have a conversation. Tell them about your project or a hypothetical one. Ask them questions so you know what you need to look for when evaluating whether you could or should borrow money to acquire the land.

Who do you know? Who’s in your fan club? Do you have a friends group or nonprofit partner that could possibly step in and help? They may be aware of available grants or could borrow the money to become the patient seller, which can give you more time to set aside the money to buy the property. What about individual supporters? Could they lend the money or perhaps provide a personal guarantee as collateral for a loan?

Can a loan kickstart a larger fundraising campaign? Almost everyone has borrowed money for something, whether it is their home mortgage or their credit card. People know what it means to repay a loan. Can you harness this energy and use it to start a larger fundraising effort? You need money to acquire the property, but what about infrastructure, maintenance or perhaps a stewardship endowment?

Can you get creative with collateral? Not all groups have cash in the bank to secure a loan. What other collateral is available to your group? An individual donor or group of donors who can personally guarantee or back your loan?

Revenue from product sales?

What’s Plan B or even Plan C? We all

Tales of Two Cities Two major American cities used loans to achieve very ambitious aims without the delays that can encumber momentum. Their stories, in brief: Los Angeles, California Los Angeles is one of America’s largest metropolitan areas, but unlike other cities of its size, only 36 percent of children live within one-quarter mile of a park (compared to 91 percent in New York and 85 percent in San Francisco).

Rudolf Balasko

think that our primary strategy for completing a project and repaying a loan is going to work, but what if it doesn’t?

What’s your backup plan? What’s the business plan behind your project?

Have you completed a risk assessment/ likelihood of receiving the grants or dollars you need?

Tell your story. Be proactive: Borrowing money to acquire a key tract and then repaying the loan is a great story.

Tell it! You’d be surprised how it might elevate community support. It really helps with fundraising, too!

The River Revitalization Foundation’s goal is to recreate Milwaukee’s urban landscape using the river as a focal point.

grants for project design and development, Amigos often had to wait months for approved funding to be distributed, which slowed their momentum.

“All of our projects are based on reimbursement, and that makes it difficult to manage cash flow,” says Claire Robinson, executive director of Amigos. “We were unable to get financing from three different banks, despite having $7 million in contracts.”

A $1 million loan from LCLP enabled Amigos to continue their work on doz-

Borrowing money to acquire a key tract and then repaying the loan is a great story. Tell it!

The nonprofit Amigos de los Rios (Amigos) aimed to change that disparity by designing sustainable open spaces along river corridors to create vibrant communities and bring renewed life to neglected urban neighborhoods.

Amigos created a countywide vision that includes nature trails, playgrounds and green spaces. All are designed to enhance public life and health through a network of parks and public spaces that connect the San Gabriel Forest to the Pacific Ocean — an Emerald Necklace for the Los Angeles Basin.

Relying on public reimbursement

ens of projects, working with 62 cities in the region. The comprehensive “Expanded Vision” plan was announced in August 2014 with strong support to re-create L.A. County as a leader in green infrastructure and an overall better place to live, work and play.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin In Milwaukee, three rivers — the Milwaukee, Menomonee and Kinnickinnic — define the vitality of the region in more ways than one.

To help make this vibrant city an even more attractive place to live, the River Revitalization Foundation

established a parkway bordering the three waterways for public access, walkways, recreation and education, as well as to use the rivers to revitalize surrounding neighborhoods and improve water quality.

When key riverfront properties were listed for sale, the Foundation knew it wouldn’t be able to obtain a loan from their local bank fast enough to secure the properties for a new arboretum. “There’s not much undeveloped land available along the river corridor anymore, and we cherish those small pieces,” says Executive Director Kimberly Gleffe.

With a loan from the LCLP in 2012, the Foundation acquired a 40acre network of river bluffs, trails and parkland for the Milwaukee Rotary Centennial Arboretum. Today, the land is an ideal outdoor classroom, research laboratory and public sanctuary that is free for the public to enjoy.

All of us have big plans, and too often there’s no money available, or it’s provisional or unclear when it will materialize. Consider how alternate financing can move your big-picture thinking to tangible public benefit.

Reggie Hall is the Director of the Land Conservation Loan Program of The Conservation Fund (rhall@conservationfund. org).

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Grassroots Gumption Election results show resounding public support for state and community parks and recreation

By David Tyahla

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015 is shaping up to be a very big year across the nation for public policy related to parks and recreation. Three important, existing laws affecting parks and recreation are up for renewal this year, and budget deliberations could result in major impacts. Both the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and Child Nutrition Act are scheduled to expire in September and will need to be renewed, and by all indications, the Surface Transportation Act (MAP-21) will run out of money in May without Congressional action.

The partisan political tone on Capitol Hill threatens all of these laws.

There is a very real possibility of seeing none of these important laws being renewed, and it is a pretty sure bet that there could be discord and more than a few tense and worrisome standoffs along with the possible suspension of any or all of these programs. Faced with the uncertainty of stable federal funding, state and local government agencies are finding it difficult to plan for projects ranging from bicycle and pedestrian trails to acquiring and developing open space lands, to building communities more resilient to forces of

nature, and even providing funds for out-of-school meal programs for underserved youth.

With decision makers on Capitol Hill increasingly unable (or unwilling) to address urgent needs and issues including conservation, transportation and resiliency, states and local governments are stepping up to fill the void. In fact, voters of every political and social demographic group across the country are “voting with their wallets� to tax themselves (or to approve bond measures to borrow funding) to protect public open space and promote multimodal transportation.

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GRASSROOTS GUMPTION

Proof can be found by simply looking at the results from the most recent general election of November 2014. Nationwide, more than two dozen state and local ballot questions ranging from State Constitutional Amendments to local taxes and municipal bonds were approved by voters, committing more than $29 billion for public park infrastructure and maintenance, with up to 75 percent voter approval rates. These included statewide measures approved by voters in California, Florida and New Jersey.

In addition, the city of Seattle approved creation of a Special Park District, effectively creating a dedicated tax for parks and recreation.

Additionally, as reported by the Center for Transportation Excellence, 69 percent of all transit or multimodal measures were approved by voters this past year, including Rhode Island’s first ever statewide transportation bonds. Voters in Clayton County, Georgia, approved an increase in their local sales tax to join four other Atlanta-area jurisdictions as part of the MARTA public transit system.

The Trust for Public Land reports that voters approved a record $13 billion specifically for land conservation. The following is a simple scorecard illustrating key conservation ballot measures from the November elections, along with a few transportation measures relevant to parks and recreation. We included some landmark victories as well as a few defeats. Each serves as a bellwether of community and state public priorities, which NRPA believes will give elected leaders in Washington the political courage to do the same at the national level.

The measures included: Statewide Florida voters (by an overwhelming 3-to-1 margin) approved the single largest state land conservation measure in history.

An amendment to the state constitution will dedicate $18 billion during the next 20 years, with half that amount set aside for new land conservation.

The voters of New Jersey (known for their dislike of increased taxes without any

✔ ✔

perceived public benefit) decided by a 2-to-1 margin to dedicate more than $2 billion during the next 20 years for land conservation, utilizing a portion of the revenues from the state corporate business tax to fund it.

Californians voted in favor of $1.5 billion for land conservation as part of a $7.5 billion water infrastructure bond. It’s the first new state funding specifically for land conservation in almost a decade.

In North Dakota, a proposed state constitutional amendment that would have dedicated 5 percent of the state’s oil extraction tax money to parks and conservation for the next 25 years (approximately $75 million/year) was soundly defeated.

✔ ✘

Regional and Local Portland, Oregon, voters approved a $68 million bond specifically to address the issues of repairing and maintaining their community parks.

In Bernalillo County, New Mexico (Albuquerque area), a 15-year property tax for open space and natural areas passed.

In Larimer County, Colorado (Fort Collins), extension of a 25-year property tax for conservation was approved.

Raleigh, North Carolina, voters approved a $92 million bond for parks and recreation facilities.

In Hopewell Township, New Jersey, a new 1 percent property tax for open space, farmland and recreational purposes was approved.

A 10-year property tax in Benton County, Washington, which was expected to generate $1 million annually for open space, was narrowly defeated 45 percent to 55 percent.

In Los Angeles County, California, a $23 parcel fee to pay for parks and other priorities

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✘ ✘

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needed 66 percent of the vote (twothirds majority) to pass, but only received 62 percent.

Transportation Transportation advocates are increasingly turning to state efforts to boost funding because Congress has been unable to agree to any major new transportation revenues since the last long-term surface transportation law expired in 2009. The existing 18.4-cent-per-gallon gas tax hasn’t been increased since 1993. Therefore, the Highway Trust Fund — which funds transportation projects ranging from bridges to bike trails — has become exhausted. Instead of longterm reliable funding that comes from a dedicated source of revenue, federal lawmakers have kept money flowing to the states through a series of short-term patches, usually paying

tax so revenues could keep up with inflation and allow the state to stay on top of its transportation needs. In a vote closely followed by transportation advocates across the nation, voters decided by a small 52 percent majority to repeal the indexing of the gas tax. The vote does not impact the original 3-cent gas tax increase.

A small but vocal minority of both Republicans and Democrats in Washington are showing the courage to publicly speak about the need to increase the federal gas tax, as well as possibly indexing this user fee in order to keep up with the fact that our nation’s infrastructure has fallen behind dozens of competing countries overseas. The calls have grown stronger as gasoline prices plunge toward $2 per gallon. Many legislators think that there has never been a better time for public acceptance.

Nationwide, more than two dozen state and local ballot questions ranging from State Constitutional Amendments to local taxes and municipal bonds were approved by voters. for them with general funds. The latest temporary fix expires in May, just as the construction season begins, and there is much uncertainty in the transportation construction world.

Even a last-minute deal to keep funds flowing would be problematic because it would not give state agencies enough planning time to start any new projects beyond basic upkeep.

One of the most significant measures at the state level was considered by Massachusetts, where the legislature recently approved a 3-cent increase in the state gas tax for transportation as well as indexing the

What does it mean for action on Capitol Hill? We’ll know more by the end of May when MAP-21 expires.

Will Congress act in a manner that truly shores up the Highway Trust Fund and allows states to plan their transportation work over time, or will they simply kick the can down the road as they have previously done by passing another short-term six-to12-month “patch” that does nothing to address the Highway Trust Fund’s ongoing insolvency?

Here are a few takeaways from the election results: Voters seem to be separating their negative feelings

for federal programs from their desire to see increasing investments in critical municipal infrastructure at home. While Washington may be caught up in partisan ideology, the public is regularly and repeatedly showing that this divide seems to end in our nation’s capital and that investing in park and recreation infrastructure is, indeed, a critical priority at the community level.

This is a mixed blessing for park and recreation agencies. While agencies may not be able to count on any sort of reliable federal partnership, community recognition of the value of the services and spaces they provide is on the rise, regardless of who and how voters are represented in Washington. Parks, recreation and conservation are not generally subjects that stimulate political rancor, but a dysfunctional Washington has recently proven that it is not quite ready to cease lurching from crisis to crisis. The election results showed resounding support for parks, recreation and land conservation. Our federal elected officials would do well to be mindful of the overwhelming support for this public good.

David Tyahla is NRPA’s Senior Government Affairs Manager (dtyahla@nrpa.org).

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NRPA Update Raising Money and Awareness One Dollar at a Time This past fall, NRPA launched Fund Your Park — the only crowdfunding site dedicated to parks and recreation

By Michele White

Crowdfunding:

The practice of funding a project or venture by raising many small amounts of money from a large number of people, typically via the Internet.

Even though crowdfunding is a new buzzword, it has been around for quite some time. The first crowdfunding project in the U.S. was in 1885 to raise money for the Statue of Liberty to be installed in the New York Harbor. That campaign garnered 160,000 donations and achieved its goal of $100,000 through an ad in the New York World.

Today, crowdfunding is being used for anything from venture capitalism and improving communities around the world to supporting personal goals and even raising money to make some potato salad.

From the small and mundane ideas to a real game changer, this online giving tool can provide the capital to achieve whatever anyone can

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dream up if there is someone out there willing to back it.

Appealing to the first project of this country, the public has an inherent interest in promoting projects and ideas that will benefit them.

Parks, public spaces and experiences that are in need of attention or that haven’t been created yet appeal to the public’s desire to improve their community.

Fund Your Park was created to allow agencies to do just that — raise funds in local communities to achieve projects that would provide benefits through conservation, health and wellness, and social equity. Agency crowdfunding campaigns not only raise funds for a given project, they also raise awareness in their

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local communities and create park and recreation supporters by reaching new audiences.

For the launch of Fund Your Park, nine NRPA member agencies were selected to host their campaigns on the site for 45 days. They included Illinois’ Lake County Forest Preserves, Michigan’s Grand Blanc Parks and Recreation Commission, Ohio’s Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Department, Oklahoma’s City of Edmond Parks and Recreation, Texas’ City of Sugar Land Parks and Recreation Department, Wisconsin’s West Allis-West Milwaukee Recreation and Community Services Department, Indiana’s Porter County Parks and Recreation, California’s Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District, and California’s Santa Clara Parks and Recreation Department. Their projects aimed to raise funds for student gardeners, ADA-compliant playgrounds, new playground builds, outdoor fitness equipment and a sanctuary for veterans. The first round of nine projects were followed soon after with six more, and NRPA will launch the third round later this spring.

Together, the initial nine projects garnered a total of $78,664 in donations, grants and in-kind donations. Even though these projects did not reach their monetary goals for their 45-day campaigns, many of them achieved

enough funding and support to move forward while also bolstering community support for their initiatives.

The Lake County Forest Preserve’s project in Illinois raised half the funds they needed to sponsor a full crew of four students for the 2015 season on the Green Youth Farm crew. This sustainable agricultural program grows 10,000 pounds of food for the local community each growing season. The Green Youth Farm isn’t only a youth development and sustainable agricultural program, it also provides fresh and nutritious food to underserved families.

Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Department in Ohio was hugely successful in raising $56,369 of the $65,000 they needed during their campaign for rejuvenating one of Bowling Green’s most economically challenged neighborhoods.

Their project proposed the creation of a 3.5-acre public park on the site of a former elementary school, the first park in the ward. Bowling Green approached fundraising on multiple fronts including grant writing, partnering with other nonprofits and having an aggressive local on-the-ground campaign. They contributed their success to their fundraising strategy and in-kind donations. They also garnered donations after the close of their campaign and currently are expecting to reach $85,000 in donations. They have purchased their equipment and will have a park build with volunteers in the spring of 2015.

In California, Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District’s goal was to revamp a community park named Good Hope with playground upgrades and ADA features. With the tag line, “Every Child Deserves a Safe Place to Play, Good Hope Park Project, Adaptive and Ac

cessible,” Riverside knew what they were trying to achieve. Good Hope Playground is in a park-poor area with no other park within a five-mile radius. With the funds they raised along with in-kind donations to install the equipment, Good Hope will have a new playground very soon.

California’s Santa Clara Parks and Recreation Department, Wisconsin’s West Allis-West Milwaukee Recreation and Community Services Department and Texas’ City of Sugar Land might not have reached their funding goals through their initial campaigns, but with assistance through grants, other donations and/ or budgetary monies, were able to move forward with their projects.

West Allis will install their outdoor exercise equipment in the spring of 2015. Sugar Land has continued to fundraise and hopes to break ground on their playground soon, and Santa Clara is moving forward with their Bracher Park community improvements project. Indiana’s Porter County Parks and Recreation staff are still fundraising around their playground build, but will be able to purchase elements of their project with the funds they have raised. The City of Edmond, Oklahoma, and

Grand Blanc Parks and Recreation in Michigan are still raising funds for their projects.

Project leaders suggested that crowdfunding should be used as one of many tools during a comprehensive fundraising campaign. It is important to listen to community feedback and identify projects that mean the most to them in order to generate a good level of support. As community leaders, park and recreation agencies have great connections with citizens, local businesses and nonprofits, but it is important to have support and momentum before launching a campaign. Overall, crowdfunding is great opportunity to engage new audiences and solidify community relationships.

For more information on Fund Your Park, please go to www.nrpa. org/fund-your-park. To read about each project that has been hosted, visit www.fundyourpark.org and review the archived projects. The next application process will be announced in the spring of 2015. In the meantime, start planning your next fundraising project and building momentum!

Michele White is NRPA’s Executive Assistant (mwhite@nrpa.org).

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NRPA Update

In Memoriam: John H. Davis

From left, Barry Sanford Tindall, Beverly D. Chrisman and John Davis show off their Pugsley Awards during the AAPRA Banquet in Houston, Texas, on October 10, 2013.

T

he park and recreation community mourns the loss of John Davis, a tireless advocate and leader of our industry. Davis died January 7, 2015, at his home in Culpeper, Virginia.

Leading up to his career in the field of parks and recreation, Davis spent two years in the Navy, obtained a bachelor of science degree from South Carolina’s Furman University, served in the Korean War and obtained a master’s degree from Columbia University. After his military service, he took a job as director of recreation with the town of Darlington, South Carolina, but still dreamed of becoming a college baseball coach. Following his time at Columbia, Davis had an opportunity to fulfill that dream, but instead followed the advice of Willard “Woody” Southerland of the National Recreation Association (NRA), who convinced Davis to pursue a career in parks and recreation.

Heeding that advice, Davis applied to be director of parks and recreation for the city of Dalton, Georgia. He was selected by the city and served in the position for six years. It was his work

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in Dalton that catapulted Davis into high prominence at the state and national level.

In 1963, Davis became the executive director of Georgia’s then-newly established Georgia Recreation Commission (GRC), where he proved adept at working with the state legislature. Operating as an independent agency for 10 years, Davis and his staff served not only the state, but provided their professional skills to municipalities and county governments as well. This resulted in the creation of more than 50 new departments of parks and recreation.

In 1972, the tasks and responsibilities of the GRC were incorporated into the Department of Natural Resources.

Davis became chief of recreation and park planning, where he continued to administer the work of the old GRC, in addition to several new duties.

Davis left Georgia in 1974 to fill a new position as associate director of the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, a job that led to executive director of the organization. He held the directorship for a short period of time until NRPA asked him to become its executive director. He accepted that invitation and began his service in 1976.

When Davis began his 10-year career with NRPA, there were approximately 11,000 members — when he left, the membership topped 19,000.

Davis received many professional honors and served professional organizations in many capacities during his career. This spring, in honor of Davis’ service and commitment to the field of parks and recreation, a tree will be planted in NRPA’s Memorial Grove at its Ashburn, Virginia, headquarters.

— Roger Brown, NRPA Southeast Regional Director, NRPA President, 1982

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“John Davis was a giant in the field of parks and recreation. During his 10-year tenure as executive director, he was a major force in accomplishing the goals of NRPA. It was a great joy to be in his presence. He was the best of the best!”

— Earl Groves, Chair, NRPA Board of Trustees, 1976-79, NRPA Life Trustee “When I think of John Davis, it is with admiration for his leadership skills and great appreciation for his sense of humor that comes to mind. We could not have had a better person as our executive director. He was second to none in the parks and recreation field.”

— Harry G. Haskell Jr., Chair, NRPA Board of Trustees, 1980-85, NRPA Life Trustee “I met John Davis in 1959, a few months before we drove to Chicago to attend our first national conference. John lived and breathed his love of the parks and recreation field. Telephone conversations with John could be l-o-n-g, and on more than one occasion, I have begged for a bathroom break! After retiring from his career field, John took a job with Walmart in their paint department. His wife, Joyce, confirms the story that while he was mixing paint, he would inquire about their local parks and recreation department. As he gave them their paint, he would smile and leave them with these parting words: ‘Enjoy your paint and don’t forget to support your local parks and recreation department.’”

— Roger Brown, NRPA Southeast Regional Director, NRPA President, 1982

PRORAGIS and Playground Facilities

By David Kurtz

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ark and recreation agencies throughout the country vary widely from one another, each with their own unique qualities and characteristics. Whether it’s staff size, organizational structure, program services offered or population demographics, it can safely be concluded that no two agencies are exactly the same. However, one of the greatest common denominators among almost all agencies is the operation of playground facilities. Data from PRORAGIS™ shows that approximately 96 percent of park and recreation agencies offer playground facilities, almost all of which are at no cost to the public.

The nearly universal operation of playgrounds among park and recreation agencies can be attributed to the many demonstrable positive impacts that such facilities have on communities and citizens. The beneficial health effects of play in playground facilities are experienced as children engage in physical exercise in activities like climbing ladders, kicking their legs on swings and traversing obstacle courses. Playgrounds also allow for the chance to develop social skills among children through imaginative play, sharing and interaction with peer groups; similarly, parents of children

have opportunities to meet people and create new friendships in a unique social setting. In many instances, playgrounds provide access for children and families to play places, green spaces and community activities that would otherwise be unavailable without park and recreation agencies.

Previous issues of this magazine have showcased a number of innovative playground facilities that are working to provide even more positive impacts. Whether it’s inclusive facilities (www.parksandrecreation.org/2013/ November/The-Freedom-of-Play) that are specifically designed to promote

Facility Type

% of Reporting Agencies that Offer Facility

Median Jurisdiction Population per Facility

Playground

95.74%

3,910

Basketball Court (outdoor)

85.92%

7,167

Tot Lots

49.06%

19,279

Gyms

61.11%

28,852

Recreation/Community Center

76.68%

29,683

Fitness Center

38.83%

47,406

Swimming Pool (outdoor)

60.07%

53,501

playground access to children and adults of all physical and mental abilities, or nature play areas (www.parksandrecreation.org/2014/September/ New-National-Guidelines-for-NaturePlay-Areas, www.parksandrecreation. org/2014/June/Connecting-Children-and-Families-to-Nature) developed to connect children to diverse elements and organisms in nature, many park and recreation agencies are at the forefront of exciting advances in the way communities play.

Not only do most park and recreation agencies operate playgrounds, but each playground also generally serves a smaller population than other facilities. In 2013, of agencies that provided information, the data shows that the median population per playground was 3,910 individuals. Out of context, this figure is nondescript, but when comparing facility usage by facility type (particularly for facilities that are available most commonly among all reporting agencies — see table), the data shows that playgrounds tend to be more common and serve smaller populations.

As your agency thinks about its playgrounds, be it to access the impact of your current facilities or to plan for a future innovative playground, use PRORAGIS to help meet your evaluation needs. PRORAGIS can provide data that will allow you to compare your playground and facility needs against those of your peers, and can provide you with valuable data to achieve your operational goals. For more information, visit www.nrpa. org/PRORAGIS. David Kurtz is NRPA’s Research Specialist (dkurtz@nrpa.org).

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NRPA Update

NRPA and the Revenue Development and Management School Share Golden Anniversaries

By Phil Rea

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he coming year is very important in the evolution of parks and recreation in the United States as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of two iconic organizations: the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and Revenue Development and Management School.

NRPA was formed in 1965 through the merger of five organizations, each serving elements of the park and recreation movement including the National Recreation Association, American Recreation Society, American Institute of Park Executives, National Conference on State Parks, and American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums. At the same time, a group of visionary park and recreation leaders developed the first Revenue Sources Management School, a professional development program that would serve as the model for other elements of our profession that continue to this day, such as Maintenance Management School, Supervisors’ Management School, and Directors School.

“Revenue School” evolved from a series of workshops and conferences offered by the American Institute of Park Executives from 1956 to 1964 on revenue-developing park facilities.

The motivation for developing this innovative program was in response to the growing use of park lands in the United States, along with ever-increasing leisure time and the escalation in outdoor recreation participation.

These conferences were instrumental in the development of standard nomenclature for the classification of fees and charges in recreation, as well as management publications that provided guiding principles for the de54 Parks & Recreation

velopment and management of revenue-producing facilities in local, state and national parks.

In 1961, the American Institute of Park Executives offered the “First Annual Conference and Exhibits for Revenue-Producing Facilities…” at the new Wilson Lodge at Oglebay Park in Wheeling, West Virginia, one of the nation’s most successful self-supporting parks. The emphasis of the program was on food and beverage concessions, but other topics included philosophy of revenue-producing facilities, salesmanship, impulse buying, souvenirs and gifts, fiscal controls and employee accountability. By 1965, this revenue conference evolved into Revenue Sources Management School, a program that is still the leader in providing professional education to park and recreation professionals in the development and management of revenue resources.

Revenue School was led by Professor Thomas I. Hines from North Carolina State University with curriculum development and instruction provided by a team of highly successful park and recreation leaders from across the nation. This first Revenue School attracted 129 students to the five-day, three-year program. Over time, Revenue School was reduced to two years. With the American Institute of Park Executives joining other organizations in forming NRPA, the

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Revenue School’s Board of Regents invited this fledgling organization to become a co-sponsor of the school, a partnership that continues today.

After 50 years of what is now titled the “Revenue Development and Management School,” the curriculum continues to be dedicated to generating and managing revenue in park and recreation settings. The program is still offered by a partnership of NRPA, NC State University and Oglebay National Training Center; it is still located at Oglebay Resort and Conference Center; and it continues to be governed by a board of professionals or regents who develop reading materials and instruct in the program. Currently, Revenue Development and Management School attracts approximately 60 year-one students annually with a return rate of more than 80 percent for year two. Attendance records show almost 3,600 park and recreation professionals have completed Revenue School with 2015 registrations surpassing any school in recent history.

The Revenue School experience includes a mix of traditional training to active-learning exercises and case studies. Participants earn two CEUs for each year of participation. Information and registration materials can be found at www.revenueschool.org, or, contact Phil Rea at phil_rea@ncsu. edu or NRPA Education Manager of Conferences and Schools Tom Crosley at tcrosley@nrpa.org.

Phil Rea is Professor Emeritus at North Carolina State University (phil_rea@ncsu.edu).

Find It at the NRPA Career Center!

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he NRPA Career Center is the online resource for park and recreation professionals you won’t find anywhere else (www.nrpa.org/careers). Whether you’re looking to add a great team member, searching for a new job opportunity or wanting to gain the skills to advance your career, the NRPA Career Center is the go-to place!

NRPA members receive a discount on job postings. If you’re an employer looking to reach qualified park and recreation professionals, it’s quick and easy to get started.

Employers can post job descriptions, search résumés, set up résumé alerts and manage applications.

Here you will also find sample job descriptions, background screening information and our new Executive Recruitment Concierge service.

Looking for a job? You can search online 24/7. Post your ré-

sumé, search for openings and apply online from the comfort of your own home. If you’re ready to take the next step, you’ll find the opportunity on the Career Center.

If you’re interested in furthering your career or qualifying for a job you see, there are resources available. New to the Career Center is information on choosing a career in parks and recreation, salary information, education information, trends, interview tips and professional development.

Whether you are pursuing a career, furthering your profession or searching for the perfect candidate, visit the NRPA Career Center today.

Have questions about posting a job, accessing your member discount or applying online? Contact Hayley MacDonell at hmacdonell@nrpa. org or 703.858.2148.

— Hayley MacDonell, NRPA’s Membership Programs Manager

Time to Fill that Trophy Case

Y

ou’ve done a lot of great work over the past year.

The design on the new rec center is unique and innovative, and people can’t stop raving about your summer programming. You and your agency work hard to serve your community year-round, so why not get recognized for it?

NRPA is now accepting submissions for its Gold Medal, National and Hall of Fame awards. Applying

for and receiving an award is a great opportunity to be nationally recognized and prove your value to your community and local leaders. Not to mention, adding another plaque to your trophy case is always satisfying.

Learn more about NRPA’s awards by visiting www.nrpa.org/awards. Submissions are due March 23, 2015.

— Roxanne Sutton, NRPA’s Senior Marketing and Communications Manager

Test Your Park and Recreation Knowledge The following question is a sample Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) examination question.

The park and recreation professional promotes leisure services to primarily: A. Attract new customers B. Generate revenue C. Complete exchanges with targeted customers D. Inform the community of the agency’s services Calling all beginning to midlevel professionals! The Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) is the national standard for all park and recreation professionals who want to be at the forefront of their profession.

For more information on the CPRP certification program and the answer to the above question, please visit www.nrpa.org/cprp.

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NRPA Update

Member Spotlight: Kenya V. Bryant, CPRP

A

lthough many park and recreation professionals begin their careers through a recreation-related college program or a part-time job, that’s not always the case. Kenya Bryant, assistant executive director of the Richland County Recreation Commission (RCRC) in Columbia, South Carolina, began his professional pursuits as a nationally recognized up-and-comer in the advertising world. However, after several years of working in that field, he realized that he wanted to put his energy and talents toward supporting his community, so he took a job as public information officer (PIO) for RCRC and began working toward his master’s degree in public administration.

Bryant recently wrote a blog entry about his shift and how attaining his Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) certification has augmented his career (www.nrpa.org/blog/his-best-decision-becoming-a-certified-park-and-recreation-professional). We caught up with him to learn more about why changing fields to parks and recreation was the right move for him, how his family has motivated him for success and his favorite game to play with his community.

Parks & Recreation magazine: As you described in your blog post, your career took a major shift in 2009. Tell me more about this transition and your motivations to make the change.

Kenya Bryant: Making a real impact in the community was the most compelling reason for my change in career.

I really wanted to work in an environment whose mission was based on making a difference in people’s lives.

What is intriguing to me about our field is that we touch so many types of people at different levels of their lives.

I know from personal experience the impact recreation can have on a person. I grew up playing sports in several of our parks, which kept me out of trouble and helped to build lasting relationships that I cherish to this day. If it helped me, it can help someone else.

P&R: You have since moved up at your agency and now serve as assistant executive director for RCRC. What is your day-to-day job like, and what are some of your biggest challenges?

Bryant: The simple answer is that I assist our executive director in evaluating and improving existing programs and

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services, and in initiating new services as required to meet our customers’ needs. Currently, I am heading up the agency’s development of our Comprehensive PROST 10-Year Master Plan, working with Wood+Partners Inc. and PROS Consulting.

Although I don’t consider this a challenge, a primary focus of mine is ensuring that each of our employees, whether seasonal, part-time or full-time, buy in to our mission and feel that they play a significant role in the success of the agency.

P&R: How do you feel your academic and professional backgroundhelped prepare you for your current role?

Bryant: In answering this question, I have to first give credit to my parents and the values that they instilled in me as the foundation that helped me to prepare for my current role. Being a communications major and having that professional experience has served me well, because I really focus on the agency’s image and how we are portrayed in the media. From a political sense, my contacts along with our executive director’s, have assisted in building bridges that weren’t there before with elected of-

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ficials and members of the community who serve as advocates for the agency (especially at budget time). The MPA degree provided a deeper understanding of the inner workings of the public sector and why the public sector is so important to our everyday lives. The CPRP certification has increased my knowledge of the field of parks and recreation. I also wanted to bridge the gap between myself and the staff and show that I am committed to this profession, to the agency and to them.

P&R: What’s your favorite game, sport or activity to play with patrons of your recreation facilities?

Bryant: I first played pickleball during our Senior Games this past year and really enjoyed it.

Bryant and his wife, Sabrenna, are the proud parents of two young sons, Myles and Joshua. In addition to his work and home life, Bryant is also a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and serves on the School Improvement Council at his son’s school.

— Danielle Taylor, Executive Editor of Parks & Recreation magazine

Staff Spotlight: Larry Allen

T

hey say you can’t keep a good man down, and that’s certainly true of Larry Allen. Not even the sweet embrace of retirement could best this numbers whiz, who, at the spry age of 61, decided to re-enter the working world as NRPA’s director of accounting. “[After a year of retirement] in the words of the great John Riggins, I decided, ‘I’m bored, I’m broke, and I’m back!’” he says. Those who have enjoyed the pleasure of working with Allen during his five-plus years here at headquarters are certainly glad for it. We convinced NRPA’s resident numbers cruncher to shelve his abacus for a moment and give us some insight into his personal and professional life.

Parks & Recreation magazine: Tell us a bit about your background before you came to NRPA. Larry Allen: I have a bachelor’s degree in economics and business from Emory & Henry College and a BCS in accounting from Benjamin Franklin University. After graduating, I worked at a CPA firm for several years, then a few for-profit organizations. These organizations provided me valuable accounting and business experience before entering the nonprofit world. Since coming to the association community, I have worked with the building industry for 10 years and the industrial design industry for 14 years.

P&R: What drew you to your current position?

Allen: After 24 years in the nonprofit community, with the last six as chief financial officer, I found myself spending more time working on legal issues, personnel issues, politics and other nonaccounting responsibilities. So at the age of 60, I decided to retire. [A year later] I talked with some staff about NRPA, its mission and specifically the role of director of accounting. It felt like a wonderful opportunity and matched my qualifications and desires with its needs. I applied, NRPA offered

and I hope we have both been happy since.

P&R: What’s your number-one financial tip for young people?

Allen: Most everyone who gives young people financial advice tells them starting to save money early is the key. This is extremely important.

Even if you are only saving a small amount to begin with, it forms good financial habits that stick, and even small amounts compound to larger amounts over time. Beyond that, but also important, is developing a system of tracking your savings and spending. Regularly prepare a net worth statement (assets/liabilities/ net worth) to watch your savings as they grow over time. At some point, the bell rings and you find yourself looking forward to the next time you prepare your net worth statement and seeing your investments grow.

Also, prepare an earnings and expense statement. Once you see how large some of your discretionary expense totals are, you may consider adjusting your spending patterns and saving a little more.

P&R: Do your family and friends ask you to do their taxes? And, if so, do you do them?

Allen: Not after they see my rates!

I keep these as high as possible so people won’t ask.

P&R: What are your interests outside of work?

Allen: I enjoy time with my family.

[My wife of 41 years] Lynne and I have a granddaughter who just turned two who has a wonderful personality.

She is just beginning to string words together into sentences, so it’s still really fun to guess what her expressions are trying to communicate.

I enjoy having a boxer around the house. Gus is our fourth boxer (we love the breed), and while there are similarities between them all, each one has had a distinctively different personality. Gus is our timid one.

I also enjoy operating large construction equipment. While at home, I have a small tractor that I use to attempt to do as much yard work as possible.

But through friends in the equipment industry I have had the opportunity to operate backhoes, dozers, excavators and even an articulating logger skidder. It’s like being a kid again, but with large expensive toys!

— Samantha Bartram, Associate Editor of Parks & Recreation magazine

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NRPA Update NRPA is dedicated to providing learning opportunities to advance the development of best practices and resources that make parks and recreation indispensable elements of American communities.

Find out more at www.nrpa.org/education.

2-3 10-11 12-13 24-25 26-27 26-27

Seattle, Washington Massanutten, Virginia Sunrise, Florida Royersford, Pennsylvania Englewood, Florida Lawrence, Kansas

9-10 15-16 23-24 23-24 23-24 30-May1

Stuart, Florida Glendale Heights, Illinois Denver, Colorado Wilmington, Delaware Key West, Florida Billings, Montana

www.nrpa.org/AFO

MAR

The Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) certification program provides the most comprehensive training on playground safety standards and the credentials to inspect playgrounds for safety compliance.

2-4 3-5 9-11 10-12 10-12 18-20 24-26 31-April 2

APR

The Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO) certification is a state-of-the-art certification for pool operators and aquatic facility managers.

MAR

CPSI PROGRAM

APR

AFO PROGRAM

1-3 8-10 15-17 21-23 22-24 28-30

4/9

Innovative Programming on a Budget

5/14

PRORAGIS: New Tools to Help you Succeed

SCHOOLS AND CONFERENCES NRPA Conferences and Schools are forums where the park and recreation community comes together to exchange ideas and information. Register now for these upcoming events. All NRPA Schools are held at Oglebay Resort in Wheeling, West Virginia, unless otherwise indicated.

6/11

2015 Year in Review: Hot Topics in Parks and Recreation

www.nrpa.org/elearning

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March 12-13, 2015 Miami, Florida

March 22-26, 2015

and

12/8

March 8-13, 2015

Park R V ent lofanagem Schood M ional N atC am pgroun

Tips and Tools: Celebrate Park and Recreation Month 7/9 Innovation Labs: How Park and Rec Will Save the World 8/13 Is This Your First Rodeo? A Guide to NRPA’s Las Vegas Conference for First-Time Attendees 10/8 Do the Right Thing: Social Equity in the Field of Parks and Recreation 11/12 NRPA.org version 2.0: What’s New and Improved

Newport News, Virginia Las Vegas, Nevada Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey Chicago Area, Illinois Omaha, Nebraska Columbus, Ohio

www.nrpa.org/CPSI

ONLINE LEARNING NRPA is pleased to announce the 2015 Premier Member webinar series (free to all Premier members). The webinars will occur on the 2nd Thursday of every month at 2 p.m. ET. Professionals who wish to receive CEUs will be required to pay a $25 fee. For more information, please visit www.nrpa.org/premier-webinars or contact our Customer Service department at customerservice@nrpa. org or 800.626.6772.

3/12 Grow the Walking Movement: Safe Routes to Parks

Erie, Colorado Bothell, Washington Shawnee, Kansas Bismarck, North Dakota Sacramento, California Plymouth, Minnesota St. Charles, Missouri East Hartford, Connecticut

July 6-10, 2015 Denver, Colorado

August 22-28, 2015

www.nrpa.org/education

It’s Time to Fill that Trophy Case

Every year NRPA recognizes individuals and agencies who work hard to advance parks, recreation and environmental conservation efforts that advance the quality of life for all people. Our awards programs highlight the efforts of those who go above and beyond to make a difference in the community.

Now accepting submissions for Gold Medal Awards, National Awards and the Hall of Fame.

Join the Gold Medal Live Chat, scheduled for Tuesday February 10, 2015, 2:00 pm, EST.

www.nrpa.org/Awards

Operations Let Your Imagination Run Wild

Themed playgrounds are a great way to foster creative play and get community buy-in

By Samantha Bartram

T

hese days, it seems we’re always searching for ways to get kids outside and excited about play. Parents and caregivers do their part, coming up with creative outings and tantalizing activities. Park and recreation professionals help to sweeten the pot, with enticing programming around crafts, sports, games, cooking, art and more. But the pièce de résistance of any facility is an amazing playground. Nothing sets a child’s imagination alight like a playspace that feels as though it were designed with their greatest interests in mind.

Choosing a Theme Dozens of manufacturers offer a plethora of choices when it comes to themed playgrounds, so approaching the marketplace with a plan in mind is sure to smooth the process. Conducting a public survey is a good place to start, in order to gauge what the community wants in a new playground. “Community input is the most important thing when planning a themed playground,” says Scott Roschi, director of design at Landscape Structures, a playground design firm based in Delano, Minnesota. “The community helps uncover many great ideas that lead to themed playground designs that are more meaningful to the community because of a tie to the local culture or history.”

There are practical concerns, too, says Greg Harrison, chief marketing officer at Playworld Systems. “When thinking through a themed playground, there are many important factors to consider, including the conceptual vision for the new play space and determining how to maintain high levels of play value without sacrificing the overall look and feel of the themed structure. It’s also critical to know the total budget for the project, which goes beyond purchasing equipment to also include surfacing.”

60 Parks & Recreation

Harrison recommends agencies ask: • Will the themed playground blend with the surrounding area?

• Are there existing visual elements that can be incorporated to enhance the theme onsite?

• Is the theme one that children will still enjoy a decade from now?

Safety is a major component — “Above all, it’s the biggest issue we consider,” says Lisa-Marie Klooster, CPSI, who serves as director of marketing at custom environment manufacturers Themed Concepts. “Each of our products is designed and modeled to scale to ensure that we are creating a safe, yet engaging play product for our intended age group…Our constant focus in our studio brainstorming sessions is to feel confident with each product we design that we are creating an experience for children that provides them with a reasonable challenge, whether balancing on a rotted log, climbing a mountain peak or going exploring through a ground-level rattlesnake den.”

What’s Hot Now? So, what are communities currently demanding in their custom playspaces?

“As far as the theme of the product is concerned, it’s all about nature, nature,

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nature,” Klooster says. “Although our artists are hanging on to a collection of product designs that range from funky art deco to high fantasy, nature is definitely the driving theme right now, and there is no end in sight.”

Roschi concurs, “Nature-inspired playgrounds have been a significant theme as many communities really want to help connect kids to the natural world around them. Incorporating natural materials and creating a connection to the local animals and plants are really important aspects in this movement, and [Landscape Structures] takes special care of adding as much realism as we can to these environments.”

Incorporating a sense of place is also a marked trend, as community members rally for playground themes that reflect the history and natural elements of the surrounding landscape.

“Creating a local-themed playground is fun because, as a designer, we have the opportunity to learn so much about a specific community — the local history, architecture or culture,” Roschi continues. “Then we take that inspiration and turn it into an amazing play environment that is reminiscent of the community and, most importantly, a place where play and imagination can really take hold for many years.”

Harrison says incorporating cues from the local environment also helps to facilitate a bond between the playground and the families who frequent it. “One of the added benefits of themed playgrounds is that they often inspire true ownership/sponsorship from the local community, particular-

Ed Brown Playground at MacLearie Park in Belmar, New Jersey, ties local history and personalities into its design, which is now enjoyed by hundreds of children.

ly when they depict real places, people or things,” he says.

Play Smart Anne-Marie Spencer, vice president of marketing and communications at PlayCore, reminds agencies to look for high levels of craftsmanship and integrity in design when purchasing equipment for a themed playground. Such amenities can represent a major investment — getting the biggest bang for the buck is important, but not at the expense of durability, utility and quality.

“Ask your playground designers to show you examples of their work,” she says. “There are many ways to do theming, from the utilization of themed panels to fully sculpted glass fiber substrates. The key to success is the talent of the designers and artists…If you are doing themed panels, ask the supplier about their routing process, how finely can they detail the pieces, what sort of dimensional work can they do? With the fiberglass substrates, it’s all about the finish work, as even well-sculpted pieces can be painted poorly and miss the overall effect that the community is hoping for.”

One way to ensure you get exactly what you want is to opt for a custom job, says Klooster. “Having your theming company design a custom site to fit your budget and space not only can save you money in the design process, but allows the customer to add details into a project that are specific to their area or local history.” Going the custom route also helps increase buy-in from the community — agencies can choose to involve the public in brainstorming a theme, selecting certain equipment and taking part in a fun unveiling event, where the oneof-a-kind playground is revealed amid a backdrop of special programming, food, music, etc.

Poignant Playgrounds Perhaps the biggest payoff of a great themed playground is the memories it creates for the children and families who spend time there, coupled with a sense of community pride in a truly thoughtful playspace. Cre8Play, working with its partners to develop Ed Brown Playground at MacLearie Park in Belmar, New Jersey, took inspiration from Brown himself.

Originally the owner of nearby Monmouth Executive Airport, Brown felt a special gratitude to the town that believed in his vision enough to fund construction of the facility’s original runway, way back in 1940. In his will, Brown provided funding for the community park that now bears his name, as well as an awesome airplane theme. Brown’s family, with Cre8Play, Marturano Recreation (MRC) and Belmar residents, contributed to the design process and equipment selection. Ed Brown Playground now boasts a big plane in which children can play, complete with a cockpit that makes sound, control tower, “lost luggage climber” and yet more features. The entire playground is ADA-compliant and a huge hit with the community. “It’s projects like this that have meaning behind them that make my job so rewarding,” says MRC’s Don Cooper. “I was able to

get creative here and make a one-ofa-kind-playground.”

Likewise, in Minnehaha Regional Park’s Wabun Picnic Area in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Landscape Structures made deep connections with the community while constructing the auto-themed playground. “We integrated a great historic theme with a nod to the auto tourist camp that once stood on the spot where the new playground is today,” Roschi says. “What makes it truly special for the community is that not only is it an amazing themed play environment, but it is also the first inclusive playground in the Minneapolis park system…The community has embraced the play space and it has become a real destination for this part of south Minneapolis.”

With solid planning and inspiration, any agency can boost its visibility and viability in the community with the addition of a themed playground. Best of all, Spencer says, industry suppliers are more than happy to help. “As playground designers and suppliers, we owe it to the communities we serve to create play spaces where any child can play, in a manner that feels fun and comfortable to them, no matter their age and ability,” she says.

Samantha Bartram is the Associate Editor of Parks & Recreation magazine (sbartram@ nrpa.org).

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Products Modular Seating The Fallen Tree Bench by Cre8Play was designed to be modular, and the possibilities are endless. Use one or several benches in whichever configuration you design. Place them facing each other, connected or spaced out to get different social interactions between users. Constructed with 100 percent glass fiber-reinforced concrete, the fallen tree bench is extremely durable and impresses with its comfort and styling.

A perfect choice for every outdoor and indoor application including streetscapes, parks, entryways, gardens and plazas! Cre8Play offers a number of site amenities, play products and custom play environments and can design a solution for you. CRE8PLAY, 612.670.8195, WWW.CRE8PLAY.COM

Swim Enclosure Mod-U-Dock Inc. is now offering the latest “must-have” item for waterfront recreation: an enclosed offshore swimming area with built-in bottom platform.

The Swim Enclosure provides a regulated environment for stressfree fun. It enables lake or river swimming without mud, muck or seaweed. With a solid bottom, there is no fear of the unknown or exposure to bottom dangers.

It also provides a consistent shallow depth for kids and nonswimmers, and is easier to supervise than an uncontrolled lake/ river environment. Using the same modular sections that constitute the Mod-U-Dock dock system, the enclosures are movable and come in a variety of different sizes. The modular design also helps keep the system cost effective, as does the fact that no heating is required. Maintenance is minimal. Mod-U-Dock is a manufacturer of premier, high-quality modular dock systems.

The maintenance-free docks are ADA-compliant for slip resistance, have no exposed surface fasteners and stay cool even in extreme temperatures. The warranty package includes a 50-year commercial warranty on standard solid decking. MOD-U-DOCK, 877.746.7056, WWW.MODUDOCK.COM

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Drinking Fountain Most Dependable Fountains Inc. introduces the new Wall Mounted Hi-Lo Drinking Fountain with Recessed Bottle Filler. This product features a water filter and a mounting plate for easy installation. The 10485 WM is available in standard or stainless steel with your choice of 16 colors! Go online for the full product line. MOST DEPENDABLE FOUNTAINS INC., 800.552.6331, WWW.MOSTDEPENDABLE. COM

Tire Plugger Ideally, all tubeless tires should be repaired from the inside out.

But in an emergency situation, that’s not always possible. That’s when the Stop & Go Tire Plugger can do what few other tire repair kits can. The spring-loaded gun drives the plug into the hole, allowing for an “on the spot” and “on the wheel” repair to virtually any tubeless tire that seals the puncture on the inside.

The shaft of the plug expands under pressure to fill the puncture, and the plug’s mushroom head sits on the inner wall, allowing no air to escape. This ensures maximum reliability from its revolutionary design. Periodic specials are available from the Stop & Go website. STOP & GO, 800.747.0238, WWW.STOPNGO.COM

Request free information from the manufacturers of the products found in this issue.

I prefer to receive the information via

Mail

Phone

Email______________________________________________

Name________________________________________________________________ Phone__________________________ Address______________________________________________________________________________________________ City_________________________________________________State________________Zip_________________________ What is your average annual budget for overall renovations this year and for the past three years?

reader service

YES! I would like free product information!

____________________________________________________________________________________________________ What was the main area of concentration in using the funds for renovation? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Please email your answers to gcohen@nrpa.org.

Check the product(s)/company(ies) that you would like information from: ATHLETICS/SPORTS Beacon Athletics............................ 25 800.747.5985 www.beaconathletics.com Scoremaster................................... 67 888.726.7627 www.scoremaster.com AQUATICS Aquaclimb...................................... 33 800.956.6692 www.aquaclimb.com Aquatic Recreation Company....... 13 877.632.0503 www.arc4waterplay.com CONCESSIONS Gold Medal Products..................... 66 800.543.0862 www.gmpopcorn.com DOG PRODUCTS Dog-On-It-Parks............................. 64 877.348.3647 www.dog-on-it-parks.com DOGIPOT......................................... 19 800.364.7681 www.dogipot.com Mutt Mitt........................................ 13 800.697.6084 www.MuttMitt.com FITNESS Greenfields Outdoor Fitness............3 888.315.9037 www.greenfieldsfitness.com FOUNTAINS Most Dependable Fountains............7 800.552.6331 www.mostdependable.com

PLAYGROUND/PARK PRODUCTS American Swing Products............. 64 800.433.2573 www.americanswing.com Berliner Seilfabrik.......................... 64 877.837.3676 www.berliner-playequipment.com Bobcat................................................5 877.745.7813 www.bobcat.com/allnew6 Cemrock.......................................... 41 520.571.1999 www.cemrock.com Club Car.......................................... C2 800.258.2227 www.clubcardealer.com Cre8Play.......................................... 23 612.670.8196 www.cre8play.com Doty & Sons Concrete Products Inc....65 800.233.3907 www.byobagsgame.com Go Ape............................................ 65 415.553.0769 www.goape.com Landscape Structures速.................. C3 888.438.6574 www.playlsi.com Pilot Rock.................................. 27, 66 800.762.5002 www.pilotrock.com Play & Park Structures................... C4 800.727.1907 www.playandpark.com Playworld Systems Inc................... 15 800.233.8404 www.playworldsystems.com Polly Products................................ 66 877.609.2243 www.pollyproducts.com

Safety Play Inc...................................9 888.878.0244 www.safetyplay.net SIGNAGE Berntsen International.................. 64 877.686.8565 www.berntsen.com iZone速 Imaging.............................. 66 888.464.9663 www.izoneimaging.com/NRPA15 STRUCTURES/SHELTERS Classic Recreation Systems........... 38 800.697.2195 www.classicrecreation.com Easi-Set Buildings.......................... 65 866.252.8210 www.easisetbuildings.com Poligon............................................ 31 616.399.1963 www.poligon.com Shade Systems Inc............................1 800.609.6066 www.shadesystemsinc.com SURFACING PLAYGUARD Safety Surfacing....... 17 800.851.4746 www.playguardsurfacing.com SofSURFACES................................. 11 800.263.2363 www.sofsurfaces.com TURF MAINTENANCE Superthrive速......................................9 800.441.8482 www.superthrive.com

Mail the completed form to Gina Mullins-Cohen at NRPA, 22377 Belmont Ridge Road, Ashburn, VA 20148-4501 or email to gcohen@nrpa.org.

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SPORTS EQUIPM ENT

67

Park Bench

Dog-gone Clever

KOMO News

The relationship between dog and man has evolved over centuries.

We’re best friends, helpmates and sources of love and affection for one another. But in the bond between Jeff Young and Eclipse, a Seattle-area man and his two-and-a-half-year-old Labrador mix, there exists a remarkable level of trust and understanding. “I live in the city — 90 percent of my time is spent in an urban landscape,” says Young. “[Eclipse] has to be able to navigate the streets…I ingrained that into her since she was a puppy. There’s nothing worse than a dog that is scattered, scared and flipped out — that’s not Eclipse. If she’s out by herself, she knows exactly where she’s going.”

Regular passengers of Belltown’s express bus know as much, as Eclipse often assumes the role of a fellow commuter, patiently angling for a window seat as she awaits the stop for her local dog park. Miles Montgomery, host of KISW Rock 99.9FM’s “Men’s Room,” broke the story in mid-January after noticing Eclipse during his morning commute. “I actually thought that she was a service dog because she was wearing a red harness collar and had her tags and everything,” Montgomery says.

“She was wandering up and down the aisle and appeared to have no owner…She kept looking up at me as if to ask if it was OK to sit beside me. I told her to come up and she did. I later realized she just wanted to be able to see out the window so she could get off at her stop.”

Once, maybe twice a week for the past two years, Eclipse hops on the bus ahead of Young, and 12 blocks later, the two meet at Belltown’s Regrade Park. The first time Eclipse slipped away, Young immediately “jumped on my motorcycle and flew down to make sure [she went to Regrade Park],” he says. Indeed, Eclipse was there, waiting patiently at the .3-acre off-leash dog park located in the heart of downtown Seattle. David Takami, communications strategic advisor with Seattle Parks and Recreation, said until the recent media coverage, his agency was unaware of Eclipse’s clever travel practices, but “we welcome visitors of all species and are delighted that Eclipse has found a unique way of visiting her favorite dog park.”

Many expressed disbelief that a dog would know which bus to take, given the plethora of commuter buses traversing Seattle’s streets each day. Young, however, offers a simple explanation: “She catches the express bus. It’s big and red and yellow — the other buses are green. It’s low to the ground with three doors that open simultaneously. [Eclipse] knows that’s her bus and she knows where the dog park is, I assume, because of the smell.

She’s familiar with the route now whether she’s with me or by herself.” These days, however, Eclipse is less likely to be by herself — her recent notoriety has Young concerned for her safety. “Lately I’ve kept her closer than normal,” he says, but the pair still regularly visits Regrade Park to enjoy Eclipse’s favorite, if predictable, pastime, “chasing tennis balls.”

— Samantha Bartram, Associate Editor of Parks & Recreation magazine

68 Parks & Recreation

| F E B R UA R Y 2 0 1 5 | W W W. N R PA . O R G

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