Fall 2013 VRPS Magazine

Virginia Parks & Recreation Official Publication of the Virginia Recreation & Park Society

Fall 2013

Fall in Virginia 2013

Nov. 22 - Dec. 31*

Exclusixe ticket savings available at the VRPS Central Office:

Single-Day Admission

$

27

2

christmastown.com/va Virginia Recreation & Park Society n FALL 2013

Christmas Town Fun Card

$

28

*Select days and hours. Member savings not available at park’s front gate. Savings based on $30 single-day Christmas Town admission. See website for operating schedule. Operating schedule is subject to change without notice. Christmas Town™ is a separate-ticketed event not included with Pass Membership or Waves of Honor™. © 2013 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. All rights reserved.

Official Publication of the Virginia Recreation & Park Society

Volume 61 Winter 2013/14

Virginia Recreation & Park Society 6372 Mechanicsville Turnpike Suite 109 Mechanicsville, VA 23111 Phone: 804-730-9447 Fax: 804-730-9455 vrps@vrps.com www.vrps.com

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR James C. Stutts, CAE, CPRP Part-Time Assistants Karen Florey Nancy Turnage Office Manager Marlene Bresee Editor Amy-Jo Hendrix, CPRP

Contents Features & Departments 4 Message from the President 5 2013 VRPS Board, Key Leaders and Staff 6 News from VRPS

Carol E. Steele - 2013 Fellows Award Winner 7 VRPS 2013 Calendar of Events 8 News from the City of Newport News

40th Newport News Fall Festival of Folklife 9 News from VRPS

Leadership Training Institute: The Benefits are Endless 10 News from the City of Fairfax

Congratulations Michael McCarty 12 News from Roanoke

Send Articles to:ahendrix@viennava.gov or AmyJo Hendrix, CPRP, Town of Vienna Parks and Recreation, 120 Cherry St. SE, Vienna, VA 22180

Roanoke County Recognized for Trail Project

Virginia Parks and Recreation is published three times per year by the Virginia Recreation & Park Society, Inc. VRPS is a non-profit professional organization supported by membership dues and contributions. VRPS is affiliated with the National Recreation & Park Association.

14 News from VRPS

60th Annual State Conference

Subscription Information. Members receive the magazine as part of their annual membership dues. The magazine is available by subscription for $25 per year. Requests for subscription should be directed to VRPS, 6372 Mechanicsville Turnpike, Suite 109, Mechanicsville, VA 23111.

From Food to Medicare,Its All in the Trees

Editorial Statement: Statements of fact and opinions are the responsibility of the authors alone and do not imply an opinion on the part of the officers, members or staff of the Virginia Recreation and Park Society or the Foundation of the Virginia Recreation and Park Society.

MISSION The mission of the Virginia Recreation and Park Society is to unite all professionals, students, and interested lay persons engaged in the field of recreation, parks, and other leisure services in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

15 News from Fairfax County

16 News from the City of Norfolk

Norfolk Opens State of the Art Aquatic Center

18 News from Fairfax County

Wetland Project Restores Habitat for Wildlife

Cover: Photos are courtesy of Fairfax County Park Authority; Newport News Parks, Recreation and Tourism; and Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism

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A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Moving VRPS Forward!

This year has been full of challenges, successes, laughter and learning, but this is one of the best things I’ve ever done.

I

ndividually we are strong; unified we are unwavering, determined and unmatched. I’ve said it before, standing together we can accomplish anything. And you have certainly proved it!

First, major kudos to the 2013 Annual Conference planning team, led by Arlana Fauntleroy. I think you’ll agree, the conference was another success, once again demonstrating why this is our signature event.

The education was top-notch, socials were engaging and entertaining and the VRPS Expo featuring the exhibit hall was sold out, including vendors from many organizations and several fun activities (everyone should have a Lego tiara!). And of course, the conference was capped off with the Awards Banquet, where departments, individuals, programs and volunteers were recognized for their creativity, dedication and support.

But we have another reason to celebrate.

In 2007, under the direction of President Cindy Messinger, the VRPS Board of Directors took a risk and a huge leap of faith. After decades of using a building in a cemetery (with no rent!), it became clear that VRPS was growing and it was time to have an office better suited to our needs. VRPS moved into its new home in January 2008.

No more board meetings at a rec center, no more crazy electrical wiring and plumbing issues. With the new building, however, came a debt and the Foundation made it a top priority to eliminate the mortgage so that the Society would have additional operating funds.

On September 9 , the mortgage to the VRPS Central Office was paid in full. The magnitude of this accomplishment cannot be expressed by mere words. We, the members of VRPS, now have a tremendous asset.

The Board has a central meeting spot, and that room has been used by Service Areas, Resource Groups, LTI, Annual Conference planning committees and more. VRPS is now located in an office complex, and the first impression is more professional and gives further credibility to our organization. th

This could not have happened without the dedicated members of VRPS. Certainly this was a top priority for the Foundation and

Katey Legg, CPRP

President, Virginia Recreation & Park Society

VRPS Boards, but the show of support at the 11th hour was amazing. The morning of September 9th, we were still $2,500 away from our goal, and by 4:30 that afternoon, we had reached it. I think I can speak for Foundation President Greg Sager and say it was our tremendous privilege and pleasure to announce that evening that our debt was paid in full. If you have not had a chance to visit the office, please do so. An Open House celebration is planned for November 21st, following the board meeting, and all donors will be recognized on the wall in the board room.

As 2013 winds down, we continue to look forward. I am confident that President-elect Art Thatcher will continue to listen to the membership as VRPS tries to refine its goals and objectives to accommodate our changing world. While my time as President is coming to an end, please know that I am always available to listen. It has truly been an honor to serve the VRPS membership. This year has been full of challenges, successes, laughter and learning, but this is one of the best things I’ve ever done. Thank you all for welcoming me to your meetings, for the phone calls of support, and the fun times we’ve had along the way. I look forward to continuing my work on the Board of Directors and helping VRPS move into the future. See you soon!

Visit www.vrps.com or call the VRPS Office at 804-730-9447 or email vrps@vrps.com for volunteer opportunities.

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Katey Legg, CPRP Art Thatcher, CPRP Marcy Durrer, CPRP Ed Hamilton,Ph.D. Jim Stutts, CPRP, CAE Katey Legg, CPRP Lisa Cooke, CPRP, AFO Cindy Roeder Cindy Messinger,CPRP Art Thatcher, CPRP Kathy Williams, CTRS Marcy Durrer, CPRP Michael McCarty, CPRP LaTanya Turner Ed Hamilton, Ph.D Jim Stutts, CPRP, CAE Aaron Reidmiller, CPRP Hugo Morrison Karen Lussier, CPRP Maggie Mace, CPRP, AFO Erik Dart

Gloucester Parks, Rec & Tourism Norfolk Rec, Parks & Open Space Hanover County Parks & Rec Roanoke College Virginia Rec & Park Society Gloucester Parks, Rec & Tourism Clarke Co. Parks & Recreation Herndon Parks & Recreation Fairfax County Park Authority Norfolk Rec, Parks & Open Space Virginia Beach Parks & Rec Hanover County Parks & Rec City of Fairfax Parks & Rec Isle of Wight Parks & Rec Roanoke College Virginia Rec. & Park Society Henrico Division of Rec & Parks Newport News Parks, Rec & Tourism City of Fairfax Parks & Rec Lynchburg Parks & Rec Harrisonburg Parks & Rec

804-693-1270 klegg@gloucesterva.info 757-441-2400 x 263 art.thatcher@norfolk.gov 804-365-4697 mgdurrer@hanovercounty.gov 540-375-2409 hamilton@roanoke.edu 804-730-9447 jim@vrps.com 804-693-1270 klegg@gloucesterva.info 540-955-5140 lcooke@clarkecounty.gov 703-435-6800 x 2123 cindy.roeder@herndon-va.gov 703-969-2026 cynthia.messinger@fairfaxcounty.gov 757-441-2400 x 263 art.thatcher@norfolk.gov 757-474-8877 kdwillia@vbgov.com 804-365-4697 mgdurrer@hanovercounty.gov 703-385-7853 mmccarty@fairfaxva.gov 757-357-5951 lturner@isleofwight.net 540-375-2409 hamilton@roanoke.edu 804-730-9447 jim@vrps.com 804-290-0305 rei30@co.henrico.va.us 757-247-8603 hmorrison@nngov.com 703-591-3689 karen.lussier@fairfaxva.gov 434-455-582 maggie.mace@lynchburgva.gov 540-433-9168 x 118 erikd@harrisonburgva.gov

Aquatics Cultural Diversity Athletics Seniors Outdoors Therapeutic Recreation

Laura Kowalski, AFO

Reston Association

703-435-6528

pools@reston.org

Judy Jones Travis Coad

Chesterfield Parks & Rec Blacksburg Parks & Rec

804-751-4135 540-961-1133

JonesJ@chesterfield.gov tcoad@blacksburg.gov

Annual Conference Foundation Awards & Citations

Hershey Track & Field LTI 2014

Management Conference

Professional Education Virginia Senior Games Legislative

CEO Office Manager Part-time Assistant Part-time Assistant

Arlana Fauntleroy, CPRP Greg Sager Kimberly Baldini, CPRP Pamela Sheets, CPRP, CPSI Paul W. Berryman Nancy Ellis, CPRP Jane Shelhorse, CPRP Bob Antozzi, Ed. D., CPRP Wendy Stone, CPRP Shannon Moore, CPRP Susan Lineberry Art Thatcher, CPRP Jim Stutts, CPRP, CAE Jim Stutts, CPRP, CAE Marlene P. Bresee Karen Florey Nancy Turnage

James City Co. Parks & Rec Hanover County Parks & Rec Arlington Parks, Rec & Cultural Resources Shenandoah Co. Parks & Rec Virginia Beach Parks & Rec James City County Parks & Rec Louisa County Parks & Rec Fredericksburg Parks, Rec & Pub Facilities Fredericksburg Parks, Rec & Pub Facilities Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation Newport News Parks, Rec & Tourism Norfolk Rec, Parks & Open Space Virginia Rec & Park Society Virginia Rec & Park Society Virginia Rec & Park Society Virginia Rec & Park Society Virginia Rec & Park Society

757- 259-5377 804-365-4690 703-228-4742 540-459-6777 757-426-0022 757-259-5370 540-967-4420 540-372-1086 x209 540-372-1086 x203 757-385-0420 757-926-1400 757-441-2400 x 263 804-730-9447 804-730-9447 804-730-9447 804-730-9447 804-730-9447

arlana.fauntleroy@jamescitycountyva.gov rgsager@hanovercounty.gov kbaldini@arlingtonva.us psheets@shenandoahcountyva.us pberryma@vbgov.com nancy.ellis@jamescitycountyva.gov jshelhorse@louisa.org rkantozzi@fredericksburgva.gov wkstone@fredericksburgva.gov smoore@vbgov.com slineberry@nngov.com art.thatcher@norfolk.gov jim@vrps.com jim@vrps.com marlene@vrps.com karen@vrps.com nancy@vrps.com

VRPS Staff

Enterprise Group Chairs

Board of Directors

Executive Board Service Area Chairs

President Vice President Treasurer Lay Member Executive Director President Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Lay Member Executive Director Central Eastern Northern Southwestern Western

Resource Group Chairs

2013 VRPS BOARDS KEY LEADERS & STAFF

Board Liaisons Central Service Area Eastern Service Area Northern Service Area Southwestern Service Area Western Service Area Aquatics Athletics Cultural Diversty Outdoors Seniors Therapeutic Recreation LTI

Marcy Durrer Kathy Williams Mike McCarty, Cindy Roeder Mandi Smith Mandi Smith Art Thatcher, Cindy Messinger

Lisa Cooke Kathy Williams Jim Stutts, Marcy Durrer

Professional Education Virginia Senior Games Hershey Track & Field Legislation Awards & Citations Annual Conference ‘13 Foundation Management Conference ’13 Southern Region Rep

Kathy Williams, Jim Stutts Jim Stutts Cindy Roeder Art Thatcher, Jim Stutts Katey Legg Katey Legg, Jim Stutts Jim Stutts Katey Legg, Jim Stutts Lisa Cooke

Revised 9/21/13

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NEWS FROM VRPS

V R P S 2 012 F e l l o w s

Carol E. Steele, CPRP Gloucester Parks, Recreation & Tourism

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She has been a very active legislative representative and was appointed to the Child Day Care Council by two separate governors. She was a key element in making sure VRPS was represented in childcare legislation, including testifying at the General Assembly. Her work assured that the language in state code clearly defined recreation versus childcare and protected the interests of parks & recreation departments.

s the Director of Gloucester Pa r k s , R e c r e a t i o n & Tourism since 1986, Carol Steele has demonstrated outstanding leadership and community vision in her work at the local and state levels. Her interests in park planning, recreation and tourism have led to commitments in not only VRPS, but also in the Virginia Association o f Re s o u rc e C o n s e r va t i o n & Development (RC&D) Councils, the Virginia Tourism Corporation, the National Recreation & Park Association and more.

She has received numerous awards on behalf of the department through VRPS, NRPA and the National Association of Counties, RC&D and VML. In addition to her work within the parks and recreation field, Carol has also served as chair of the Tidewater Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Council, as well as chair of the Virginia Association of RC&D Councils. In 2001, Carol was inducted into the Virginia Association of RC&D Councils Hall of Fame.

In the past 26 years, Carol has initiated the growth of the County from a one-park locality to a diverse offering of eight parks. When she began working in Gloucester, the department consisted of four staff, including the director. Today the department has twelve full time and 35 part time staff, as well as over 300 volunteers, to oversee special events, athletics, programming, tourism, a State Certified Visitor’s Center and eight parks.

Carol has been a member of VRPS for almost 30 years, since her undergraduate career at Radford.

She has served on the VRPS Board of Directors and had the honor of serving as President in 2000.

She led VRPS in a transition year after 1999 VRPS President Cindy Curtis initiated the Society’s first strategic plan.

In addition, Carol has served on numerous Annual Conference committees, and

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was a leading participant in what was the equivalent of a Small Department resource group, an assembly of directors who met quarterly to address issues pertinent to small departments.

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Carol Steele is a highly regarded local and state professional, as well as an exceptionally motivated employee who continues to give tirelessly to her profession and community after 26 years of service. She has created and managed a very diverse department, providing Gloucester County exceptional recreational programming, park sites and tourism offerings with modest financial resources.

Carol is a dedicated employee, but she also demonstrates the character traits of a true VRPS Fellows recipient.

NOV 2013

VRPS 2013/14 CALENDAR OF EVENTS 11/20/2013

2:30pm

ESA Meeting

Newport News

11/21/2013 10am WSA Meeting Shenandoah County 11/21/2013

1-3pm

Capital Campaign Open House Celebration VRPS Central Office

DEC 2013

12/5/2013

10am

CSA Meeting: Deep Run Recreation Center Henrico

12/11/2013

12pm

NSA Holiday Social

Fairfax

12/13/2013 TBD ESA Holiday Social TBD

MARCH 2014

3/24/2014 TBD AthleticFields Course Salem 3/25/2014 TBD AthleticFields Course Fairfax 3/26/2014 TBD AthleticFields Course Henrico

DEC 2014

OCT MAY APRIL 2014 2014 2014

3/27/2014 TBD AthleticFields Course Chesapeake

4/27-4/29/2014 1pm Leadership Training Institute Wintergreen

5/14-5/17/2014

2014 Virginia Senior Games

Newport News

10/14-10/16/2014

2014 NRPA Congress and Exposition

Charlotte, NC

12/6-12/9/2014 2014 VRPS Annual Conference Hot Springs

*All events subject to change. Go to vrps.com for current listing.

Leadership Training Institute Wintergreen Resort

Register Today April 27 - 29, 2014 www.vrps.com/EducationEvents/LTILeadershipTrainingInstitute.aspx FALL 2013

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NEWS FROM NEWPORT NEWS PARKS, RECREATION AND TOURISM

Newport News Parks, Recreation and Tourism - Parker the Squirrel

40 Newport News Fall Festival of Folklife th

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he 40th Newport News Fall Festival of Folklife on October 5 & 6, 2013 in Newport News Park was enjoyed by an estimated crowd of 70,000 people. City officials took part in a special ceremony to mark the festival’s 40th year and to honor the staff that started the festival in 1974. Favorite performers from past years’ festivals performed including the Dan Barth Medicine Man Show and the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show.

The festival features follklife traditions including crafts, historic trades, folk dance, and traditional music including Bluegrass and African Drumming.

Parker the Squirrel is one of the newest members of the Newport News Parks, Recreation and Tourism family. Parker

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was born out of the idea to create a mascot who could attend Department activities, events and festivals. He promotes the

Department through engaging citizens of all ages, however, wherever and whenever he can. He is not only a big surprise to those who have never met him, but he has also quickly become a requested attraction for many events by the staff and citizens of Newport News.

The 40th Newport News Fall Festival of Folklife featured demonstrations of traditional crafts and trades.

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Parker spreads joy and happiness wherever he goes. There always seems to be a line of folks, young and old, who want to hug, high-five, dance with and take photos with the large, jovial squirrel and he is always accepting of the opportunity. This past September, the Newport News Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism won a VRPS award for the Best Promotional Effort-Specialty for Parker the Squirrel.

NEWS FROM VRPS

LEADERSHIP TRAINING INSTITUTE

The Benefits Are Endless

By Brian S. Gannon, CRPR Facility Booking Manager - Reston Community Center

B

ack in early 2006, my supervisor approached me and one of my colleagues out of the blue and told us that he would like for us to sign up to attend LTI. I had only been in my job for a few months and I was not a member of VRPS at the time; therefore, I was totally unfamiliar with what LTI was. It turns out that LTI stands for Leadership Training Institute, a premiere leadership development program that is put on by VRPS every other year. The more I read about it, the more excited I got.

Imagine my disappointment when I received an email a few days later from one of the division directors at the agency’s headquarters saying that there was no funding available and that we couldn’t go. I certainly understood the decision and was in no position to argue, but my supervisor worked some magic and we ended up being able attend. To this day, I still have a suspicion that he paid for our registrations out of his own pocket. I

I truly consider LTI the

I started to become very active in VRPS and I am thrilled to be serving on the committee for the 2014 LTI so that I can give back and see that others are able to benefit just like I did.

turning point of my career.

In a word, the whole experience was intense.

It’s two and a half fast-paced days of powerful classes, networking, and team-building. truly consider LTI the turning point of my career. In a word, the whole experience was intense. It’s two and a half fast-paced days of powerful classes, networking, and teambuilding. This was my first time at such an event and it was a lot to soak in, but I left feeling refreshed and motivated.

I learned a lot, laughed a lot, met some great people, and really discovered a lot about myself and the profession I’m in.

The information I absorbed was instrumental in helping me obtain a huge promotion less than three months later. To this day, I remain indebted to my supervisor for personally seeing that I got to experience such an opportunity. As a result of LTI,

LTI takes place at Wintergreen Resort, an ideal setting for this type of program, and features sessions on a wide variety of topics that are relevant to our profession today.

These topics are presented by nationallyrecognized speakers in a way that is thoughtprovoking and encourages discussion. In addition, there will be roundtable discussions, opportunities to network with your peers, projects that housemates will collaborate on, and social activities for all to enjoy. There is so much that everyone can learn from their peers and that is one of the biggest benefits of the program. This year’s event will also include some time to experience all that Wintergreen has to offer, including miles of mountaintop trails, a full-service spa, and an indoor aquatic and fitness center. LTI will take place from Sunday, April 27 through Tuesday, April 29. Space is very limited and rates go up in January, so don’t delay in getting your registration in. The registration fee is all-inclusive, with the exception of lunch on Monday. Take it from me, this is an experience that is not to be missed and the benefits are endless. You can register online, and don’t hesitate to reach out to any of the LTI Board members if there’s anything we can do for you. We’ll see you at Wintergreen!

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Congrat ulat ions

NEWS FROM THE CITY OF FAIRFAX

Michael McCarty, CPRP

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ichael McCarty, Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Fairfax, was inducted into the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration as a Fellow in October of 2013.

Membership into the Academy is made of up practitioners and educators who have served for at least fifteen years or more, in a high level of administration in parks, recreation, and conservation or as a recognized educator in the field.

Members must have demonstrated l e ade rs h i p contr ibuting to the advancement of these fields and be willing to participate in Academy projects. Membership is limited to 125 practicing professionals at only one time. The purpose of the Academy is to advance knowledge, encourage scholarly

efforts, promote broader understanding, conduct research and provide services.

Mike has over 21 years of experience and is currently the Parks and Recreation Director for a National Gold Medal for Excellence in Parks and Recreation recipient. Mike has served twice as Chairman of the Revenue Management and Development School Board of Regents, has been named the Chairman of the Virginia Recreation and Park Society Northern Service Area Board and serves on the VRPS Board of Directors. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation Management from Springfield College.

Congratulations to Michael McCarty for being elected into the highly prestigious American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration.

Dates to Remember: March 24 - 27, 2014 Athletic Fields Courses

April 27-29, 2014

Leadership Training Institute - Wintergreen Resort

May 14-17, 2014

Virginia Senior Games - Newport News 10

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Built on a strong foundation that has spanned three generations, Cunningham Recreation is dedicated to creating unique, fun playgrounds that provide meaningful play experiences for children of all ages and abilities.

From lightly themed play areas to complete themed designation parks, if you can imagine it, we can build it!

800.438.2780

www.cunninghamrec.com

ILLUMINATING GENERATIONS You’re not just buying lights. You’re buying the support of the Musco team helping manage your system to assure your lights are on only when needed. That gives you peace of mind knowing you’re conserving valuable resources for future generations.

To learn more visit: www.musco.com/generations Local area representatives: Steve Wiley 800/825-6030 (toll free) 804/836-6785 (mobile) steve.wiley@musco.com

Joe Forche 800/825-6030 (toll free) 804/385-8950 (mobile) joe.forche@musco.com

For Your Budget For The Environment ©2013 Musco Sports Lighting, LLC · ADVA13-6

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NEWS FROM ROANOKE COUNTY PARKS, RECREATION AND TOURISM

Roanoke County Recognized for Trail Project

Unique Design and Construction Preserves Federal Grant

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Walrond Park in Roanoke County is a 48-acre facility consisting of four baseball fields, two soccer fields, ten tennis courts, a picnic area and a playground. Nearby a spring fed pond is home to local songbirds, geese and ducks, as well as a visual amenity to park users. Downstream from the pond is an approximately 3.5-acre wetland area that is home to a diversity of plant and animal life. While Walrond Park offers many opportunities for active recreation through its diversity of athletic venues, it seemed that the natural, scenic values of the park continued to go untapped.

In 2007 staff embarked on a 2/3 mile loop trail project, which almost didn’t get off the ground due to the economic downturn, as the staff was forced to focus its resources on essential services. Over the next few years the County found creative ways to complete the project, for which the department was honored in 2012 with a VRPS Award for “Best New Facility,” and more recently the Virginia Association of Counties “2013 Achievement Award” for the Parks and Recreation category.

The trail began with a $57,000 National Recreational Trails Fund matching grant from the Federal Highway Administration and administered through the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation to construct a trail system in Walrond Park.

The project was envisioned as loop trail to

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be constructed around an existing pond to include the construction of a raised boardwalk trail in an existing wetland area near the pond. During the height of the recent recession, Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism could not dedicate the funding towards hiring a contractor to complete the project, and County officials considered abandoning the grant altogether.

After a grant deadline extension, staff developed a new plan to complete the work 100% in-house.

It was determined that the main cost associated with construction of the wetland boardwalk trail was the foundation system that would support the framing and deck surface. Additionally, construction in the wetland required a permit from the US Army Corps of Engineers and approval of the permit was contingent upon minimal disturbance of the wetland. Therefore any foundation system construction in the wetland had to be done in such a manner as to limit wetland impacts.

After researching several support systems, staff decided on a relatively new technology called Diamond Pier Pin Foundations. This system had been used to construct wetland boardwalk trails in many locations around the country but the technology was pretty much untested and unproved in southwest Virginia. Not only was this a much more cost-effective foundation system from a materials standpoint but the Diamond Pier

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pin foundation system could be installed by staff, resulting in huge labor cost savings.

Initial project construction began on the upland trail in November 2010. The Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism projects team was charged with constructing the upland trail and made good progress through the winter and into the early spring of 2011. With several park maintenance positions eliminated from the budget due to the recession, our department forged a relationship with the Roanoke County Sheriff’s Office to use a carefully-picked inmate crew for mowing and general park maintenance.

This arrangement replaced two seasonal part-time employees and eliminated several contract maintenance services from the department budget, while incurring the cost of most of a sheriff deputy’s salary, which was essentially a financially even exchange. It was also a great opportunity for those inmates who wanted to get outdoors for some exercise during their time of incarceration, help out the County and get some time reduced from their sentences.

Before the mowing season began in the early spring of 2011, the inmate crew worked with the Projects Team to make great progress in the construction of the upland trail, providing hands-on support during trail finish grading, slope feathering and final seeding. All total, the inmate crew of four to five individuals logged in several

hundred hours of cost-saving labor. As this was the first time the inmate crew was utilized on a larger construction project such as the upland trail project, the positive performance of the inmate crew and beneficial results paved the way for the crew’s participation in other park construction projects, saving the department a substantial amount of money and resources.

Construction began on the first of two sections of wetland boardwalk trail in late winter 2011, the first section being a small crossing of a finger wetland. It was during the construction of this 48-foot section of wetland boardwalk trail that the two-person specialized subset of the Projects Team was introduced to the Diamond Pier pin foundation technology. However, within a few weeks, the pin foundation system was installed and work proceeded to the construction of the abutments, and the trail framing and deck surface. The crew assigned to this portion of the project had other work responsibilities within the park system, so work on the finger wetland crossing could only be done on a part-time, intermittent basis. Roughly four months later, this first section of wetland boardwalk trail was complete and the crew members were now experienced installers of Diamond Pier pin foundations!

Work on the second section of the wetland boardwalk trail began in early fall 2011 as construction proceeded the main wetland area, a 3.5-acre emergent scrub-shrub wetland fed largely by a spring resurgence and dominated by watercress in the areas of flowing water within the wetland.

The trail within Walrond Park has been a fantastic addition to Roanoke County’s parks system, providing a beautiful walking place, as well as an educational tool for students learning about the wetland ecosystem.

During earlier reconnaissance of this wetland with staff from the USACOE and Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) it was determined this 3.5acre wetland, while fairly small by some standards, was actually one of the larger areas of contiguous wetlands that remained in Roanoke County and was unique, if for no other reason, that it still existed. The fact that a wetland was located within Walrond Park and protected as a park resource made the wetland not only a unique resource for this project but a truly unique resource in the Roanoke County park system.

This portion of the project was planned to extend into the center of the wetland along a 200-foot section of wetland boardwalk trail and terminate at a wildlife viewing platform that would enable trail users to view local songbirds and other small animals, especially those species that are drawn to the diversity of a wetland environment. The “Diamond Pier Expert Installation Crew” took just over

three months to construct this piece of the wetland boardwalk trail, battling cold and snowy weather along the way, finishing up this work in the early weeks of January 2012.

With the total project now complete except for a few finishing touches, Roanoke County staff could look out over the new Walrond Park Trail System that consisted of a 2/3 mile upland loop trail and 240 linear feet (LF) of wetland boardwalk trail. For those curious about the cost metrics, the 3,400 LF of eight-foot wide upland trail cost just under $12/LF and took approximately 2,400 staff hours to construct, not including the inmate crew hours. The 48 LF section of wetland boardwalk trail across the finger wetland cost just under $135/LF and took approximately 350 staff hours to construct.

The 200 LF section of wetland boardwalk trail in the main wetland area cost just over $100/LF and took approximately 630 staff hours to construct. All costs represent materials costs and a small amount of consultant costs for drainage design on the upland trail and geotech work on the wetland boardwalk trails. All labor costs were borne by County staff salaries.

The trail within Walrond Park has been a fantastic addition to Roanoke County’s parks system, providing a beautiful walking place, as well as an educational tool for students learning about the wetland ecosystem. Through innovative use of materials and labor, our staff was able to respond to a community need with a lowcost recreational space while preserving the beauty of this natural area for future generations.

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NEWS FROM VRPS

60th Annual State Conference

DECEMBER 6-9, 2014 The Omni Homestead in Hot Springs

s

Celebrating Our Past, Charting Our Future It’s not too early to mark your calendars for one of the most highly rated and greatly anticipated events of the VRPS year-our annual conference.

The conference is one of the best avenues for you to nurture your own professional development and learn, share and recreate with your most passionate, creative and dedicated peers.

This year we’re headed to the western part of the state, to an historic small town in the midst of the George Washington National Forest, where many of the village’s buildings exist today in the same form as they have for 150 years or more. In the Warm Spring Valley in Bath County native Americans came to enjoy the healing springs that bubble to the earth’s surface in natural pools in the Warm Springs Valley. In the 18th Century, the area gradually became a place of retreat and rejuvenation for European colonists, culminating in the establishment in 1766 of what we now know as The Homestead resort. Today the amenities of modern life (eg. flat screen tvs and internet access)are melded with the hospitality of the past (afternoon tea in the Grand Hall and curbside bell service) to create the ideal environment for learning and networking.

Now is the time to share your ideas and suggestions to ensure you can maximize your conference experience. Recruitment for exhibitors, sponsors and presenters is underway. If you know someone who would be ideal to speak to our group on a topic of interest to our profession, contact Education co-chairs annmarie.heiser@herndon-va.gov or brussian@ nvrpa.org. If you wish to help with any aspect of the conference planning or execution, contact the Aquatic Resource Group, our Volunteer coordinators via Kerstin Severin (Kerstin.severin@herndon-va.gov).

Stay in touch in the coming weeks as more details are announced through the VRPS e-updates, website and Facebook page. Contact conference cochairs Laura McCarty (lmccarty@nvrpa.org) or Cindy Roeder(cindy. roeder@herndon-va.gov) anytime-we want to hear from you.

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NEWS FROM FAIRFAX COUNTY PARK AUTHORITY

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Riverbend Park’s newest trail addition is sure to renew your appreciation of trees.

The mile-long circular trail helps you identify 20 different tree varieties within the park, including some that aren’t really supposed to be there.

From Food to Medicine It’s All in the Trees

“The black maple is one tree that should not be here,” said park manager Marty Smith. “They’re normally found in the mountains, but the Potomac River brought them down here.”

The trail also features species that were important to Virginia Indians who lived here hundreds of years ago, including hemlock, oak, cedar and hickory.

“Acorns from oak trees were a big food source for Virginia Indians,” Smith said. “They would pound the nuts and turn them into acorn cakes, which were an important part of their diet.”

Smith says hickory trees

Riverbend’s marked tree trail is a relatively easy walk that most people can make.

were exceptional for making axes, and Indians favored witch hazel and ash trees for making bows. Other trees were tapped for their curative properties.

“The berries from cedar trees were used to cure digestive problems, and the dogwood’s inner b a rk w a s a f o r m o f aspirin,” Smith said.

“They would take the twigs, scrape off the outer bark and chew on the twigs. It totally works,” said Smith who has tried it himself.

Riverbend’s marked tree trail is a relatively easy walk that most people can make. The first 11 trees are located on a flat stretch along the Potomac River. The remaining trees are on an uphill trail that loops around to the visitors center. Pick up a map at the visitors center and take a self-guided tour, or sign up for a walk with a naturalist.

Scouting programs are also available. To learn more, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ parks/riverbend or call the park at 703-759-9018.

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NEWS FROM THE CITY OF NORFOLK DEPT. OF RECREATION, PARKS & OPEN SPACE

Norfolk Opens State of the Art Aquatic Center

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he City of Norfolk Department of Recreation, Parks & Open Space (RPOS) added a new addition to its inventory of facilities recently with the opening of the Southside Aquatic Center. The 20,375 square foot, $7.7 million center fills a great community need serving as the only indoor aquatic facility on the city’s south side, an area that is home to approximately 8,000 residents but is geographically separated from the remainder of the city by the Elizabeth River. Norfolk opened the facility by offering free swimming to residents for the first five weeks. The community took full advantage of this special, with more than 145 swimmers packing the pool on its second day open.

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The state of the art center includes: n Six-lane competition length swimming pool n Two, one-meter diving boards n Two-story twisty slide n Zero-depth recreation area with water spray features n On-deck pool classroom n Handicapped accessible plunge area n Full service men’s and women’s locker rooms n Family changing rooms n Community rooms to host meetings, events and birthday parties The center provides for expansion to RPOS aquatic programming, with the addition of roughly 30 aquatic classes to include learn to swim, aquatic fitness, and lifeguard training. The surrounding community is also looking forward to the development of a competitive swimming and diving team for area youth.

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Darrell R. Crittendon, Director of Recreation, Parks & Open Space states, “The Southside Aquatic Center is a welcome addition to the Department of Recreation, Parks & Open Space’s inventory of facilities.

What makes the center so unique and inviting to all is that it offers something for every age group. Beyond water activities, the center’s meeting rooms will also serve as spaces to host community meetings, events, birthday parties and more.”

NEWS FROM GOOCHL

Thanks to 2013 Event Sponsors: JenCare

Neighborhood Medical Centers

WindsorMeade of Williamsburg

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NEWS FROM FAIRFAX COUNTY PARK AUTHORITY

Wetland Project Restores Habitat for Wildlife

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or nature lovers, Huntley Meadows Park in Fairfax County has long been known for its vast beauty, its rich history and its reputation as one of the best places for bird watching in Northern Virginia. In fact, in the 1970s and 80s, the park’s central wetland was known for its regional significance as one of the most productive and diverse non-tidal wetlands in the mid-Atlantic area. It attracted many locally and regionally rare wildlife species including American Bittern, Least Bittern, Yellow-crowned Night Heron, King Rail, Pied-billed Grebe, Common Moorhen and a long list of reptiles and amphibians. But by the late 1980’s, “progress” contributed to the wetland’s decline.

“We lost approximately 10 inches of water depth due to more than six tons of silt getting dumped into the wetland from a poorly regulated construction project bordering the park in the late 1980s,” Huntley Meadows Park manager Kevin Munroe said. “Other factors such as the spread of cattails and other aggressive plant species and changing and often unpredictable beaver activity also took their toll on the wetland.”

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wildlife habitats and installing numerous brush shelters and logs to provide additional wildlife dwellings.

Now, the Fairfax County Park Authority is working to restore the wetland’s biodiversity by building an earthen berm to hold back water, creating a water control structure to manage water levels, expanding the wetland to the surrounding forest, creating five deeper habitat pools to provide year-round

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“It is important to restore the wetland to bring back locally rare wildlife that bred here in the 1980s and to restore the wetland’s biodiversity,” Munroe said.

“When that happens, visitors will be able to look forward to a larger, more complete community of wetland wildlife with many more opportunities to observe the wildlife in their natural habitat.”

The bond-funded wetland restoration project started in April 2013 and is expected to be completed by the end of the year. But you don’t have to wait until then to enjoy the views at Huntley Meadows. Munroe holds regular nature Walks and Talks at the park, and they are free of charge. You can also explore the park on your own. The wetland boardwalk and observation tower will also remain open and unchanged for the duration of the restoration project. For more information, visit www.fairfaxcounty. gov/parks/huntley-meadows-park or call 703-768-2525.

The Foundation of the Virginia Recreation & Park Society wishes to recognize and thank all donors to the Capital Campaign Beverly Agnor Robert Alexander All Recreation Sharon S. Alsop American Financial Assurance Inc. Arthur Anselene, CPRP Robert K. Antozzi, Ed.D, CPRP Aquatics Resource Group Cindi Arnold Ralph Baird, AFO, CPRP Joyce Bennett Valerie Bertani Gilda Black Robbin Blankenship Bliss Products & Services Eileen Boone, CPP, CPRP Kathryn Broadway Adrianne Brubaker John Carnifax, Jr., CPRE Central Service Area Needham Cheely, III, CPRP Lynn Childers Cathryn Chitty Sara Lu Christian, CPRP David Cmeyla Stuart Connock Lisa Cooke, AFO, CPRP Darrell Crittendon T. Cliff Culp Cunningham Recreation Cindy Curtis, CPRP Walter Daniels Dark Star Farm Gail Davis John Davis Marsha Demaree Alvin Doehring, Jr. Andy Dooley Ronald Downs Michael Dunn Marcy Durrer, CPRP Mary Jane Dye Eastern Service Area Jennifer Edwards Anna Edison E. Jay Ellington, CPRE Nancy Ellis, CPRP Kerrie Pingley Ely Barbara A. Faulkner Garland Fenwick Theresa Fornadel Fredericksburg Parks, Recreation & Public Facilities Friends of the Virginia Senior Games Brian Fuller, CPRP Len Funk Mark Furlo, CPSI, CPRP Jodi Gallagher Cecil Gilkerson Sean Gleason James Greiner Hair for All Seasons Edward Hamilton, PhD John Hamlin Emily Harper Charles Harris Rufus Harris Terry Michael Hatfield Mitchell Haugh Susan Hazelett

Amy-Jo Hendrix, CPRP Charles Hester, CPRP Paul Hightower David Holmes Andrew Hucek Jerry Huffman Shannon Hunt Jerry Hutchens Eldon James John Keating & Associates, Inc. Adolphine Johnson Myrl Jones Todd Jones Michael Kane Lynne Kennedy Abby Kimble John King Brian Laws Katherine B. Legg, CPRP Steve Lerch James Leslie Mary Ligon Letitia Lindsey Elizabeth Linthicum, CDT, RYT, CPRP Lakey Logan Ellen Fox Loos Louisa County Parks & Recreation Sharon Malchow Wes Malcomb Ann Marchetti Masonic Lodge No. 274 Constance McAdam Michael McCardle John McCarthy Michael McCarty, CPRP Melida McKee, AFO, CPRP Linda Meadors Philip Mease, CPRP Bill Mechnick Cindy Messinger, CPRP Karen Mier, CPRP Wendy Montini Theodore Mordecai Thomas Morris Kirsten Mosby Richard Murphy Musco Lighting Randal Nixon Deborah Nolen Norfolk Southern Foundation Northern Service Area Richard Nutter Jennifer Olsen Mary Omberg R. Jane Palmer Thomas Parker Mary Pascale Marie Pittman Julie Plotz Danielle Pokusa Michael Poplawski, CPRP M. Douglas Powell Laurine Press Michelle Quesenberry Rappahannock United Way Ronald Reynolds Lori Rierson Cathy Roberts Vickie Robertson Cindy Roeder

Rick Rogers Daniel Ronquillo, ADC, CPRP Keith Rotzoll, CPRP Jane Rudolph Brian Russell Diane Ryburn Karin Ryding George Sachs Greg Sager Cathy Salgado Kathleen Sargent Daniel Schlitt Warren Self Senior Resource Group Kerstin Severin Bill Sgrinia Sue Sheehan Pamela Sheets, CPSI, CPRP Siska-Aurand Landscape Architects, Inc. Site Concepts Ann Skildum Stefannie Smith SoftballNation James Spengler SSCI Southwestern Service Area Derek Stamey, CPRP Carolyn Stark Carol E. Steele, CPRP Mick Stewart Pete Stith Betty Stone James C. Stutts, CAE, CPRP Mitzi Taylor, CPRP Art Thatcher, AFO, CPRP Donald Thorne Margaret Thorne Dinesh Tiwari, CPRE Edward R. Torres Ming Truong Jo Turek Kimberly Turner, CTRS LaTanya Turner United Way of Rhode Island Priscilla Urner Susan Van Patten Virginia Playground Services, Inc. Margot Wagner Susan Walston Lakita Watson, CPRP Rose Mary Walter Western Service Area Duane Wheeling Harold & Dorothy Whitehurst Terry Whitley Fred Williams Katherine Williams, CTRS Mary Jane Williams Susanne L. Wills William Winfrey Bruce Wingo Michael S. Wise, Ph.D., CPRP Gerry Witt Linda H. Wood Rhonda Wood Steve Wood Amanda Woodson, CPRP Beth Wood-Whitley, CTRS Ann Yancey Larry Zehnder

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Virginia Recreation & Park Society 6372 Mechanicsville Turnpike Suite 109 Mechanicsville, VA 23111

Prsrtd Std U.S. POSTAGE PAID Richmond, VA Permit #320

THANK YOU! www.vrps.com

VRPS

For all your support in making 2013 another terrific year.

WE’RE FINALLY OVER THE HILL.

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Kings Dominion is celebrating it’s 40th in a big way. With 15 thrilling roller coasters, a bigger, better Planet Snoopy and our all-inclusive water park. Plus we’re bringing back some of our old favorites.

Remember you only turn 40 once — so don’t miss out on the fun.

Richmond, VA | kingsdominion.com | 804-876-5000 Virginia Recreation & Park Society

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TIME TO HOLD ON.