2015 MRPA Annual Conference Guide by Pernsteiner Creative Group, Inc.

join the journey! 2015 Conference Guide

Schedule at a glance Tuesday, October 6 Golf Outing....................................9 a.m. Shotgun Start Registration Check-In........................ 12 noon to 1 p.m. Featured Speaker...................................... 1 to 2:15 p.m. Educational Sessions.......................... 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. Off-Site Institute.................................. 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, October 7 Registration Check-In...............................8 to 8:45 a.m. Opening Keynote Presentation.............8:45 to 10 a.m. Educational Sessions....................... 10:15 to 11:30 a.m. Lunch.........................................11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Educational Sessions..............................12:45 to 2 p.m. Exhibit Hall........................................... 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Networking Event................................................. 7 p.m.

Thursday, October 8 Fun Run/Walk.........................................................6 a.m. Registration Begins................................................8 a.m. Educational Sessions...............................8:15 to 11 a.m. Luncheon Keynote................... 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Educational Sessions..............................12:45 to 5 p.m. Off-Site Institute.................................. 3:45 to 5:30 p.m.

Welcome On behalf of Southern Minnesota Recreation and Park Association and the conference committee, we are excited to welcome you to Mankato and the 2015 Minnesota Recreation and Park Association Annual Conference. This year’s conference, “Trails to Healthier Communities,” promises to be a productive and rewarding experience packed full of creative and relevant educational sessions, off-site institutes, and dynamic keynote speakers. There will be plenty of fun networking opportunities throughout the conference as well as the chance to meet and connect with industry experts at the exhibit hall in the Verizon Wireless Center arena. Join your colleagues for an early morning 5K run/walk along the Minnesota River and enjoy the trek down one of Mankato’s many great trails located just across the street from the conference headquarters and hotels. No matter what trail(s) interest you: programming, leadership, management, administration, marketing, natural resources, networking, industry trends — all trails lead to Mankato!

Networking Event........................................ 7 to 10 p.m.

Mary Jo Knudson, Owatonna Parks and Recreation

Friday, October 9

Molly Madden, Mankato Community Education and Recreation

Closing Keynote...................................... 9 to 10:15 a.m. Educational Sessions....................... 10:30 to 11:45 a.m.

2015 Annual Conference Verizon Wireless Center One Civic Center Plaza Mankato, Minnesota

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Pre-Conference Institute Tuesday, October 6 KEYNOTE PRESENTATION:

Tough Times Don’t Last – Tough People Do Todd Hoffner, Head Football Coach, Minnesota State University, Mankato 1 to 2:15 p.m. Room: Banquet Hall Coach Hoffner will share his personal and professional journey that focuses on the fact that life presents many lessons and challenges. However, it’s up to each of us to make a commitment toward our continued growth, and personal and professional development while being resilient and following the course by maintaining our faith, trust, and beliefs!

Creating Agency / University Partnerships: Bridging Theory and Practice Kristi Montandon, Assistant Professor, Minnesota State University, Mankato; Brooke Burk, Assistant Professor, Minnesota State University, Mankato 2:30 to 3:45 p.m. Room: 243 University recreation, tourism, and leisure departments provide opportunities for agency partnerships with access to students and educators with practical experience and training. These educators are often looking for meaningful experiences that allow students to connect theory with practice. This session focuses on bridging partnerships.

Meals Included with Registration Wednesday: continental breakfast, lunch, exhibit hall snacks, and networking event light appetizers (at 9 p.m. at last event stop); Thursday: continental breakfast, lunch, and networking event buffet; Friday: breakfast buffet

Adventure and Challenge are Part of Your Life. Fostering Challenge and Adventure Programming at MNSU Sam Steiger, Program Coordinator, Minnesota State University, Mankato 2:30 to 3:45 p.m. Room: 241 This interactive session will feature the Minnesota State University, Mankato (MNSU) Adventure Education Program facilities and operations, which provide teambuilding, leadership development opportunities, and rock climbing programming. The session includes activities to take away that might get you moving and thinking about how your program can offer adventure and challenge to participants.

Off-Site Institute: MNSU Campus Recreation Facility Tour Todd Pfingsten, Director of Campus Recreation and Sam Steiger, Program Coordinator of Campus Recreation 4 p.m. - Meet in Verizon Wireless Center lobby to board shuttle 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. - MNSU Campus Recreation Facility Tour 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. - Open Rock Climbing Join the campus recreation staff for a tour of Minnesota State University, Mankato’s facilities, sport fields, high ropes and challenge course, and rock walls. In recent years, MNSU has upgraded outdoor fields, added a disc golf course, and constructed two state-of-the-art climbing facilities. Come learn about the planning and design process to meet the needs of students and patrons, and how this may be translated to your own agencies. We will have a comprehensive tour of all of our indoor and outdoor campus recreation facilities. Following the tour you will have the option to stay and climb on the MNSU indoor climbing wall. Open climbing runs from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Late-Arrivers on Tuesday: A second bus will leave from the Verizon Wireless Center lobby at 6:30 p.m. for those wishing to rock climb only.

2015 MRPA Conference Committee Conference Chairs Mary Jo Knudson Molly Madden Program & Off-Site Institutes Julie Dorshak Brad Dushaw JP Flood Sara McKay Joey Schugel Shane Wampler Layne Wilbright

Exhibit Hall Jenny Davis Jay Hutchison Cheryl Kormann Paul Peanasky Kim Underwood Facility Logistics Lance Dlouhy Lake Johnson Mark McQuillan David Pribbenow Eric Wollenzien

Food, Catering and Social Events Nikki Callahan Corky Ebeling Maynard Johnson Mike Schaber Rick Schaber Chad Ubl Volunteers Eric Anderson Brooke Burk Kristi Montandon Jane Timmerman

Publicity & Brochure Jessica Abrahams Robyn Ceurvorst Courtney Rosenau Sponsorships Al Baloun Michelle Margo Dale McCamish Tim Truelson

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Education Sessions

Advancing Aquatics: The Research, Methods, and Mindset

Wednesday, October 7

Leslie Donovan, Starfish Aquatics Institute

OPENING KEYNOTE PRESENTATION:

Creating a Culture of Excellence Tom O’Rourke, Executive Director, Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission 8:45 to 10 a.m. Room: Banquet Hall Sponsored by: Hiway Federal Credit Union Every organization has a culture, but is yours the one that you want? This session will assist participants in knowing what it takes to create an environment that defines who you are, what you do, and why you do it. The session will also emphasize why culture is important, how to create your own culture, and present techniques on how to be the culture you create. Tom O’Rourke is the executive director of the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission in Charleston, South Carolina. He is responsible for the oversight of a 10,000-acre park system consisting of a wide array of parks, programs and services. Tom currently serves as a member of the Clemson University School of Health, Education, and Human Development Advisory Committee, and the College of Charleston School of Hospitality and Tourism Management Advisory Board. He also serves on the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Revenue and Management School Board of Regents and Executive Development Program Board. Tom holds memberships in the South Carolina Recreation and Parks Association, NRPA, and National Association of County Park and Recreation Professionals.

10:15 to 11:30 a.m. Room: Reception Hall Aquatics is changing rapidly. Are you keeping up? Participants will discuss what’s on the horizon for aquatics.

Aging Mastery Program: Do You Qualify for New Grant Funding? Susan Stiles, National Council on Aging; Nicole Gorman, President, Minnesota Association of Senior Services 10:15 to 11:30 a.m. Room: 243 Minnesota is one of three states selected by the National Council on Aging for a grant program. MRPA, in partnership with Minnesota Association of Senior Services, will serve as the lead agency for this grant program, which will provide funds to rural senior centers to implement the Aging Mastery Program. Session attendees will discuss who qualifies for funding, how to apply, and what the program entails.

3, 2, 1 Network! Margo Numedahl, Program Supervisor, Fridley Parks and Recreation 10:15 to 11:30 a.m. Room: Banquet Hall East You’ve heard of speed dating? Welcome to speed networking – a whirlwind session offering students the opportunity to network with recreation professionals from a variety of backgrounds. In this interactive session, students will have a chance to sit down with professionals one-on-one and in small groups to introduce themselves and get to know people in the recreation profession.

Using Nutrition in Youth Sports to Increase Fun and Safety Chef Marshall O’Brien, Chef Marshall O’Brien Group

Management from a Director’s Standpoint Tom O’Rourke, Executive Director, Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission 10:15 to 11:30 a.m. Room: Banquet Hall West Each day we are asked to do more and more. This session will cover how a busy director can handle the essential management issues that directors must deal with while still getting the dayto-day work accomplished. This session will not only discuss how to manage your agency, but how to manage yourself.

10:15 to 11:30 a.m. Room: 241 Chef Marshall O’Brien has worked with the Timberwolves, Lynx and University of Minnesota Athletic Department to create a sports performance strategy for high school athletes using nutrition, hydration, and sleep to improve both mental and physical performance. He has taken this program and modified it to fit youth sports (ages 6-12). This session covers why this is important and explain how it should be implemented.

Annual Student Luncheon 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Room: Banquet Hall Sponsor: Minnesota Recreation & Park Foundation

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Robyn Ceurvorst, Assistant Professor, Minnesota State University, Mankato 12:45 to 2 p.m. Room: Reception Hall This session includes a brief interactive presentation on recreational trails with examples from the Greater Mankato Trail Planning System. Participants will engage in a discussion and hands-on workshop to address their community trail planning and resource conservation needs. Attendees will share planning resources, strategies and funding opportunities to improve trail systems, enhance recreation corridors, and connect people to recreation areas.

The Latest in Pup Culture: Pet Events Take Center Stage Gina Norris, Recreation Program Supervisor, Brooklyn Park Recreation and Parks; Michelle Margo, Facility & Program Manager, Brooklyn Park Recreation and Parks 12:45 to 2 p.m. Room: 241 Programs and events have gone to the dogs, literally! Some people are crazy for their furry friends and seek ways to pamper their pets. Participants will explore new pet program and event offerings, such as pet expos, parades, and dog park showcases. Join us for this fun session and head back to your office with some great ideas on how to implement your own pet event. DIRECTORS’ FORUM:

What Are You Doing Today to Protect the Future of Parks and Recreation? Tom O’Rourke, Executive Director, Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission 12:45 to 2:30 p.m. Room: Banquet Hall West Sponsor: Flagship Recreation In this session we will discuss the top issues facing our profession and how participants can take the necessary action steps to stay ahead of these issues. By the end of the session you will have an action plan to implement new and exciting ideas that will keep your department relevant.

Aquatics Special Events and Roundtable Discussion Steve Skinner, Apple Valley Parks and Recreation 12:45 to 2 p.m. Room: 243

Exhibit Hall Wednesday, October 7 1:30–4:30 p.m. Room: Arena • This is your opportunity to gain new ideas related to the newest technology, products, services, equipment, and programs • Nearly 80 vendors • Please take time to visit the exhibit hall vendors as their contributions are integral to the conference’s success • Cookies, popcorn and refreshments, plus a cash bar, available starting at 3 p.m.

MRPA Exhibit Hall Prizes We encourage all attendees to visit with our exhibit hall partners. They are great resources for you and your department, and have travelled to participate in our conference in hopes of meeting friendly professionals from throughout Minnesota. All pre-registered attendees on Wednesday will be entered into exhibit hall drawings that will occur at various times throughout the afternoon. You won’t want to miss your chance to win! All it takes you to be eligible to win one of the following great prizes is to attend the hall and connect with vendors:

PRIZES PRIZES PRIZES

Connecting to Trails for Access & Conservation

• iPad Mini • $100 Scheels All Sports gift card • Restaurant and gas gift cards Must be present to win.

Wednesday Networking Event Begins at 7 p.m. Full event details located in delegate packet Plan to network with your fellow colleagues each evening. Wednesday’s networking event begins at 7 p.m. Sponsored by: St. Croix Recreation

This session examines successful aquatic programming and special events to make your facility a hit! Come prepared to discuss special event ideas with other aquatics professionals. This session will end with a roundtable discussion about hot topics or concerns at your facility.

Glo

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Exhibit Hall Layout er rn t h o C oo B

Food & Beverage

MRPA Campus

MRPF Silent Auction

Bring Your Dollars to the Exhibit Hall! MRPF at the 2015 MRPA Annual Conference MRPF is once again proud to provide financial support for the annual conference speakers and student luncheon. The Foundation exhibit hall booth will hold the Silent Auction Fundraiser featuring sports packages, golf packages, themed baskets, and much more. MRPF will also have a raffle featuring great prizes including: airline tickets for Sun Country Airlines, a Coach purse, and a Fitbit so be sure to stop by their booth to get your tickets. All proceeds of the silent auction and raffle go towards the MRPFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fundraising efforts.

Not a Member of MRPF, Feel Free to Join Us MRPF will have a membership drive where for $20 you can become a member or renew your membership with the Minnesota Recreation and Park Foundation, a non-profit organization solely dedicated to promoting excellence in the parks and recreation profession.

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Minnesota State University, Mankato students will have a Minute-to-Win-It booth as a fundraiser for the Recreation Club. Compete for the fastest times and win great prizes. Several different challenges are available. Come and interact with the future of our profession. Challenge your friends and give to a great organization.

Minnesota State Mankato Alumni & Student Social The Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services (RPLS) Department at Minnesota State University, Mankato will host an Alumni & Student Social. The social will take place from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 7 at Pub 500, located downtown. Hors dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;oeuvres and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided, along with a cash bar. The first 50 alumni in attendance will get a free RPLS, MNSU swag bag! Come connect with past alumni and current students and faculty!

Exhibitors AIM Electronics..............................................79

ISG...................................................................32

REACH...............................................................6

American Ramp Company............................61

Kafka Granite..................................................82

RJM Construction..........................................77

Anderson Race Management..................... 68

Kakookies....................................................... 54

Spartan Promotional Group........................ 39

Becker Arena Products.................................73

Kromer.............................................................15

Sports Technology....................................... 83

Bioverse...........................................................17

LHB, Inc. - Performance Driven Design...... 55

Sprung Instant Structures Inc.......................10

Bolton & Menk, Inc....................................... 50

Loucks............................................................ 58

SRF Consulting Group...................................11

Broyhill Inc......................................................78

Maximum Solutions Inc.................................16

SSCI - Background Checks.............................9

BSN Sports.................................................... 56

Midwest Groundcover Express Blower Service............................................................ 22

St. Croix Recreation...................................... 29

Busch Architects, Inc.....................................69 C&C Courts Inc................................................4 C&R Supply....................................................45 Century Fence..................................................5 Commercial Recreation Specialists........71-72 Custom Builders, Inc.......................................8 Custom Manufacturing.................................12 Designline Products Group......................... 53 Equinox Environmental Products............... 30 Fahrner Asphalt Sealers, LLC.......................27 Flagship Recreation.......................................57 Foremost Fitness...........................................67 Gopher............................................................24 HGA Architects and Engineers....................41 Hiller Commercial Floors............................. 40 Hiway Federal Credit Union.........................42 Hoisington Koegler Group Inc.....................28

Midwest Playscapes..................................... 35 Minnesota Field Trip Library.........................52 Minnesota Recreation and Park Foundation........................... Far End of Arena Minnesota Wisconsin Playground.............. 43 MRPA Campus...............................47-49, 64-66 MSA Professional Services, Inc................... 46 MSU, Mankato..................................................1 Murdock Mfg..................................................25 Musco Sports - Lighting............................... 84 National Flag Football...................................74 Northland Recreation......................................7 Oertel Architects...........................................23 Omega II.........................................................62 Page 1 Printers.............................................. 34 Play & Park Structures...................................51

Stantec........................................................... 60 SwedeBro....................................................... 33 The Graphic Edge, Inc.....................................3 TKDA.............................................................. 80 Trane............................................................... 44 Twin Cities In Motion.....................................59 Ultimate Playgrounds................................... 63 USAquatics, Inc..............................................31 USTA Northern.................................................2 Vermont Systems, Inc....................................26 Viking Trophies...............................................81 Webber Recreational Design.......................76 Why Not Events..........................Corner Booth Wild Mountain / Taylors Falls Recreation....70 Wickcraft Company, Inc................................18 WSB & Associates..........................................75

Push Pedal Pull..........................................13-14

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Glow 5K Fun Run & 1-2 Mile Walk Thursday, October 8, 6 a.m.

Tennis in Your Park Program - Easy, Fast and Hassle-Free

Minnesota River Trails Near Host Hotels

Tony Stingley, Director of Training and Outreach, USTA Northern

The first-ever MRPA conference fun run and walk will be held Thursday morning! This 5K run and 1- or 2-mile walk (your choice!) takes place on Mankato’s scenic trails along the Minnesota River near the convention center and host hotels. Roll out of bed, walk out of your hotel, and join the action on the adjacent trail. Glow sticks and lamps will help brighten your path and your morning!

8:15 to 9:30 a.m. Room: 241 Kids’ Tennis Club is a program that allows kids to sample tennis in a traditional or non-traditional setting through supervised play and interactive activities. This program can take place on tennis courts, gymnasiums, activity rooms, or playgrounds. Experience these tennis activities, through games and tips by offering the lifelong sport of tennis to kids in your programs.

Youth Engagement and the Keys to Engaged Teen Programming Pam McBride, Project Director for Youth Development, Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board 8:15 to 9:30 a.m. Room: Banquet Hall West

Education Sessions Thursday, October 8 Preparing for the Unthinkable: Indoor Facility Active Shooter Training Travis Pabuda, Sergeant, City of Maple Grove Police Department 8:15 to 9:30 a.m. Room: Banquet Hall East People of all ages enjoy parks and recreation facilities. Agencies are committed to keeping users safe. This session addresses active shooter response awareness procedures, pre-planning considerations, and the importance of parks and recreation and police departments establishing a strong working partnership.

Aquatics In-Services and Industry Hot Topics Shane Wampler, Aquatics Supervisor, Faribault Parks and Recreation 8:15 to 9:30 a.m. Room: 243 This interactive session provides aquatics professionals practical advice for bringing more intention into how they schedule, organize and implement in-service trainings for aquatics staff. This session will also include discussion of some of the current industry hot topics in aquatics.

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Learn innovative ways to build upon conversations with youth to understand their ideas, encourage participation, and engage them as a partner in your work. This interactive session explores a variety of ways to engage and connect with youth to make the most of your parks and recreation center. Let’s engage together!

MRPF New Initiative Grant: Innovative Programming 8:15 to 9:30 a.m. Room: Reception Hall Using existing playgrounds and parks is an alternative way to provide new ways to stay active. Come hear the success stories of two communities who did just that to serve their community with a new way to get fit and use a golf course for programming other than improving one’s traditional golf game. Ramsey County and the City of St. Louis Park will share their spin on how parents can incorporate a good workout for themselves on the playground and be with their children at the same time. Inver Grove Heights will describe their innovative approach for bringing in more users to their golf course through footgolf.

Did You Know Statement Building Jamie Polley, Director, Shakopee Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources 9:45 to 11 a.m. Room: Reception Hall Do you have a lot of great facts and need help making them meaningful? You are not alone. Attend this session while working with fellow colleagues by building the statements that will make a difference in promoting your community. We will work as a team to discover how to recognize the facts and turn them into powerful statements.

Social Equality: Making Parks Relevant in Light of Increased Diversity

LUNCHEON KEYNOTE PRESENTATION:

Raintry Salk, Research Analyst, Metropolitan Council

Healthy Self-Talk: Effective Stress Management

9:45 to 11 a.m. Room: Banquet Hall East

Dr. Jody Janati, Communications Studies Department, University of Minnesota

The demographic shifts, combined with existing disparities among people of color accessing our parks, poses an impact to park planning, policy, and service provision. In a recent study, 400 individuals participated in focus groups to explore regional park usage among select communities of color. Key insights gathered across various racial and ethnic groups involved in this study will be shared.

Sweat the Small Stuff in Tennis Court Repairs Fred Kolkmann, Tennis & Sport Surfaces, LLC 9:45 to 11 a.m. Room: 241 Asphalt courts can be the least expensive to build, yet the most expensive to maintain. Identify how to extend the life of tennis and basketball courts using small steps with regular maintenance. Options include new repair technologies that will extend the life cycle costs of your sport surfaces.

Walk! Bike! Fun!

11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Room: Banquet Hall Sponsored by: Minnesota Recreation& Park Foundation Drama-free communication starts with you. The way you converse with yourself impacts how you behave and interact with others. Examine how self-talk creates more drama in your life than is really necessary. Recognize how to reframe your destructive thoughts into solutions based thinking. Explore strategies to change negative thoughts and go from “you stress” [bad stress] to “eustress” [good stress]. Jody Janati teaches in the University of Minnesota’s communications studies department. Her primary interest area pertains to interpersonal conflict resolution strategies. She offers a variety of public and professional workshops on conflict reduction tactics and effective interpersonal communication skills throughout the year. Jody has a doctorate degree in organizational leadership, and a master’s degree in speech communication.

Michelle Breidenbach, Safe Routes to School Education Coordinator, Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota 9:45 to 11 a.m. Room: Banquet Hall West Many communities and schools are experiencing growth by encouraging movement for more walking and biking for active transportation and physical activity. The Walk! Bike! Fun! Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety curriculum has been developed to teach children how to safely walk and bike to school and throughout the community. This curriculum invites educators and youth program coordinators to engage youth in a thoughtful, fun and interactive program and teaches safety tips and skills to last a lifetime.

Get Your Weeknights and Weekends Back… Hire an Intern! Nate Rosa, Recreation Supervisor, City of Saint Louis Park 9:45 to 11 a.m. Room: 243 This session gives professionals a “how to” in providing a student internship. Information on course requirements from nearby colleges, along with guidelines and manuals will be discussed. Also, how to handle the situation when an intern’s skill set is not what you expected. .

Connecting Kids to Nature: Benefits and Challenges Cathy Jordan, Minnesota Children and Nature Connection 12:45 to 2 p.m. Room: 243 Kids spend more time staring at the computer monitor or playing electronic games than they do interacting with nature. What are the benefits and challenges of connecting kids to nature? Recognize how professionals, policymakers, planners, educators, and youth workers can do more to enhance the child-nature connection.

Youth Recreation Programs — Creating a High Quality Program Pam McBride, Project Director for Youth Development, Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board 12:45 to 2 p.m. Room: Reception Hall Ever wonder why people don’t understand what you do and think you babysit kids in your daily work? This session examines the tools needed to turn good programs into GREAT. Identify the four key elements that will retain young people, build programs, and focus on best practices. These are local tools and assessments available for use starting today! 2015 ANNUAL CONFERENCE 9

Education Sessions Thursday, October 8 Balance Your Boundaries: Move from Fighting to Uniting Jody Janati, Communications Studies Department, University of Minnesota 12:45 to 2 p.m. Room: Banquet Hall East Most groups understand decisions need to be made and problems need to be solved. Effective group communication helps members move from debate to dialogue, while focusing on unearthing solutions. Defining the language of cooperation helps groups stay grounded in a collaborative approach. Drama-free interactions allow group trust to grow. Recognize step-by-step techniques to set healthy boundaries and use messages that support a cohesive group environment. Gain confidence to bring up an issue and ensure it gets solved.

Creating an Agency that is Trusted, Valued and Loved Tom O’Rourke, Executive Director, Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission 12:45 to 2 p.m. Room: Banquet Hall West Being trusted, valued, and loved speaks to the qualities of a healthy relationship. Parks and recreation professionals interested in strengthening their position with those they serve need to ensure they are being a good partner. This presentation addresses the importance of respect, honesty, communication, conflict resolution, sensitivity and trust. Healthy relationships don’t just happen, they must be managed. The necessary tools to become an agency that is trusted, valued, and loved will be discussed.

Where Have the Slow Pitch Softball Teams Gone and What Can We Do? Garrett Beck, Recreation Supervisor, City of Burnsville

Funding Possibilities through a Local Option Sales Tax (L.O.S.T.) Tom Schmitz, Director, New Ulm Parks and Recreation 2:15 to 3:30 p.m. Room: 243 Learn how some park and recreation facilities are being financed. Hear about the past, present and future options for different sales tax ventures.

Next-Gen Ice in Multi-Use, Four Season Park Designs Jim Maland, Associate, Stantec 2:15 to 3:30 p.m. Room: 241 Ice design has become more creative, adventurous and welcoming. This session invites attendees to explore a new form of outdoor skating, the multi-use ice ribbon. A refrigerated ice ribbon provides a unique, quality skating experience that accommodates a variety of all-season use, and fits well into a park-like context. Images and photos will illustrate the historical development of the ice ribbon, showcasing design, and construction costs.

Five Star Speaking Strategies: Your Guide to Effective Presentations Dr. Jody Janati, Communications Studies Department, University of Minnesota 2:15 to 3:30 p.m. Room: Banquet Hall East Effective public speaking strategies are basic life skills and essential for most individuals. The ability to speak effectively is an asset in any public or professional setting. Learn effective construction and delivery techniques to ensure your message is delivered as intended.

12:45 to 2 p.m. Room: 241

What’s Trending Now - And How Will it Affect Parks Tomorrow?

Slow pitch softball participation numbers have been steadily declining for the past two decades. This session examines some of the reasons for the decline and share what a subcommittee group is doing to combat the decline. We invite you to be a part of the “where do we go from here” as recreational professionals.

Kevin Clarke, Landscape Designer, Hoisington Koegler Group Inc.

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2:15 to 3:30 p.m. Room: Reception Hall Shifting demographics, new technology, environmental awareness, health concerns, and challenged budgets are all affecting the ways parks are being used. This session examines current trends and start a discussion about how to plan for the parks and recreation system your community needs in the future.

Staff Training - Bullying in Youth Programs Brooke Burk, Assistant Professor, Minnesota State University, Mankato (MNSU); Kristi Montandon, Assistant Professor, MNSU; Rachelle Fuller, Associate Professor, MNSU 2:15 to 3:30 p.m. Room: Banquet Hall West Bullying has become a nationwide concern. It is important to consider the ramifications of bullying and properly prepare staff to deal with situations that emerge among our youth participants. This session will provide tips and tools to properly train staff to handle bullying situations that may occur during programs and/or in your facilities.

Sports Marketing & Events within Our Communities Gayle Junnila, Metro Regional Manager, Explore Minnesota and Jason T. West, Recreation Superintendent, City of St. Louis Park 3:45 to 5 p.m. Room: Banquet Hall East Sports marketing is one of the fastest growing segments of the tourism industry. Through the Minnesota Sports initiative, Explore Minnesota collaborates with communities across the state on promotions to increase the number of tournaments and championships held in the state. Local parks and recreation departments are an important partner in this effort. Gayle Junnila provides an update on Minnesota Sports efforts, and Jason West shares the ways he has partnered with Discover St. Louis Park.

Connecting Your Community to Build a Youth Collaborative Julie Dorshak, Recreation and Community Services Manager, City of Burnsville, Tracie Clanaugh, Branch Executive Director, Duluth Area Family YMCA; Fatima Muhammad, Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board; and Rebecca Gilgen, Executive Director, Brooklyn Bridge Alliance for Youth 3:45 to 5 p.m., Room: 243 Examine how four local cities are working together with community partners to build a youth collaborative board to offer positive youth development programs and services. Panelists will share information on how they are leveraging funds with agencies, collaborating with Community Education Departments, working with the YMCA’s, to build coordinated and complementary programming. Useful tips and lessons will be shared to bring back to your agency. OFF-SITE INSTITUTE:

Custom Playground Design: Capturing Your Vision & Sibley Park Tour Flagship Recreation and Landscape Structures

Building a Better Greenway System the Greenway Collaborative

Sibley Park, Mankato 3:30 p.m. - Meet in lobby to board shuttle 3:45 to 5:30 p.m. - Institute The discussion and tour will evolve around design and construction capabilities that go beyond traditional design. Topics will include: discussing custom design, developing a vision, transforming space, and establishing local connections. Audience participation and discussion will be encouraged at the existing custom space at Sibley Park.

Lilliam Leatham, Planner, Dakota County, John Mertens, Senior Planner, Dakota County, Gabrielle Grinde, Landscape Architect, Hoisington Koegler Group Inc.

Affordable Youth Coaches Training

3:45 to 5 p.m. Room: 241

Dawson Blanck, Executive Director, Trusted Coaches

Dakota County’s 2008 Parks and Recreation Master Plan established a vision for a 200 mile county-wide greenway system to integrate recreation, transportation, habitat, and water quality. The Greenway Collaborative was established to implement this vision by fostering inter-agency cooperation. Since 2008, the Greenway Collaborative has prepared seven greenway master plans and secured funding for over 30 miles of greenway. This session will examine the successes and challenges associated with moving from an ambitious vision to building greenways.

Minnesota Recreation and Park Association is partnering with Minnesota Youth Athletic Services (MYAS) for its Trusted Coaches Verification Program (TC). This program consists of four key components that are fundamental to being a successful youth coach: first-aid training, concussion instruction, a nationwide criminal background check and the Positive Coaching Alliance Double-Goal® Coach character education course. This program is delivered entirely online and can be completed at a coach’s own pace. Participants will learn how this program can impact their agencies and their partner youth associations.

Building a Path to Healthy Food through Parks and Recreation Judith McDowell, Strategic Initiatives Manager, Three Rivers Park District 3:45 to 5 p.m. Room: Reception Hall Addressing chronic health issues created by a lack of physical activity and poor nutrition is a key focus nationwide. This panel will discuss efforts to improve the food and beverage environments in parks and recreational facilities and other community settings through the implementation of healthy vending and concessions policies and operations.

3:45 to 5 p.m., Room: Banquet Hall West

Thursday Networking Event 7 to 10 p.m. • Full details in delegate packet Network with your fellow colleagues. Shuttles depart from the Verizon Wireless Center beginning at 6:30 p.m. Sponsored by: Anova and Musco Sports Lighting

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Education Sessions Friday, October 9 CLOSING KEYNOTE PRESENTATION:

Recreational Tourism: The Benefits and How Toâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Anna Thill, President, Visit Mankato 9 to 10:15 a.m. Room: Banquet Hall West Sponsored by: Landscape Structures As president of Visit Mankato, Anna Thill has worked with many partners to grow recreational tourism as an economic development tool for Mankato. As a result the community is becoming known as having a full calendar of wellness events and is reaping the benefits in many ways. People are finding ways to be active with a myriad of recreational activities. This presents tremendous opportunities for communities to capitalize on. Learn tangible examples of how to increase recreational tourism in your community and the many benefits it provides to residents, businesses and the general economy.

Emergency Response Procedures for Onsite Risk Management J.P. Flood, Associate Professor, Minnesota State University Mankato 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. Room: 241 This educational session outlines the risk assessment process as it relates to emergency response procedures. Emphases will be on assisting parks and recreation departments to reduce injuries and liabilities in their programs and facilities while maximizing the benefits of recreation. Identifying risk management concerns and solutions from festivals to specific areas of parks and recreation that include playgrounds, skateboard parks, ice rinks, trails and many others will be addressed.

12 2015 ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Exploring Mindfulness Practices to Enhance Leadership Skills Patty Anderson, Administrative Management Supervisor, Maple Grove Parks and Recreation 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. Room: Reception Hall This session offers insights into what mindfulness is and how mindfulness practices can affect leadership skills. Some mindfulness practices are simple, take minutes, and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t require sitting cross-legged and remaining perfectly still. Participants will leave with tools to enhance their ability to be focused, compassionate, creative, and have more clarity.

Developing an Afterschool System for Youth Fatima Muhammad, After-school Project Director, Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. Room: Banquet Hall West Wonder what it looks like to build an afterschool network? Curious how to bring people together who work with young people in afterschool? Come to this interactive session to find out how the Minneapolis Afterschool Network is making the case for the field of afterschool. Participants will learn how this citywide system has identified key stakeholders, developed an online city-wide program finder, and created quality and professional development opportunities with the overarching goal to help youth thrive.

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651.291.1515 | 800.899.LOAN | hiway.org 2015 ANNUAL CONFERENCE 13

Watch The Canyon Collection in action at playlsi.com/canyon-collection.

Come support the Minnesota Recreation & Park Foundation at the Silent Auction and Raffle in the Exhibit Hall.

4940 W. 35th Street St. Louis Park, Minnesota 55416 877.550.7860 763.550.7860 info@flagshipplay.com flagshipplay.com

Serving all Minnesota zip codes except 565 & 567

Serving Minnesota zip codes 565 & 567

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Free Family at RosedaleThursdays Center

JUNE 18-AUGUST

Green Mill - $3 off a large pizza Karmelkorn - $1 off any flavor of popcorn size and Marbles the 10% off ANY Brain Store item in store Orange Julius Yogurt Smoothie- $1 off any size

*Offers valid Thursdays, 11 a.m. and June 18-August 2 20, 2015 to change p.m. Not valid with and while other offers. between supplies last. Offers subject

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summer of fun!

to 2 p.m.*

Air Traffic – Free juggling, and Kendama yoyo lessons

Alex & Allie regular priced– 20% off one item. Dairy Queen Blizzard ® Treat – $1 off any size

Potato Corner – Purchase Giga (any a type receive a small of fries) and soda/lemonade Potbelly Sandwich Works – Free cookie or regular fountain drink with purchase of an entré Sbarro $3.99 cheese pizza for a slice of two whole and a small drink, or pizzas for $20. Stride Rite priced shoes $5 off regular of $50 or more

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