CPRA Byline - Spring 2024

New Edge on the Horizon

Natural play meets urban design in the NU-Edge GSX for activity that builds balance and overall confidence. This compact piece offers a gauntlet of challenges for a child. How will they choose to get to the rope bridge? The options are as limitless as a child’s imagination. Climb the crisscrossing ropes to escape a collapsing tomb or slide into an unexplored jungle. Stay steady on the large rope over a course of raging rapids. Hang out between the top wooden planks to plan the next adventure. The NU-Edge GSX invites kids, and kids-at-heart, to channel their creativity in a space that teeters between the rustic and the modern.

To see NU-Edge® GSX in action, visit LittleTikesCommercial.com/GSX

LetsPlay@RecreationPlus.com

303-278-1455

www.RecreationPlus.com

Designed with the ability to connect to an existing post and platform.

COLORADO PARKS & RECREATION ASSOCIATION

PO BOX 1037

Wheat Ridge, CO 80034 [P] 303-231-0943 [F] 303-237-9750 cpra@cpra-web.org www.cpra-web.org

Ashley Perillo Executive Director ashleyp@cpra-web.org

Rachel Hungerbuhler Professional Development Program Manager rachelh@cpra-web.org

Jillian Galoci (Strogis) Membership & Communications Coordinator jilliang@cpra-web.org

Colorado Byline is the official member magazine of CPRA, Colorado Parks & Recreation Association. CPRA is a dynamic, proactive organization that creates healthy residents and livable communities by promoting excellence in parks and recreation.

2023-24 CPRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PRESIDENT

Clay Shuck City and County of Broomfield cshuck@broomfield.org

PRESIDENT-ELECT

Ali Rhodes

City of Boulder rhodesa@bouldercolorado.gov

SECRETARY/TREASURER

Adam Hamm South Suburban Parkas and Recreation District ahamm@ssprd.org

AT-LARGE

Gina Barton Jefferson County Parks and Conservation gbarton@jeffco.us

Megann Lohman City of Boulder Parks and Recreation Lohmanm@bouldercolorado.gov

Luke Bolinger Town of Erie lbolinger@erieco.gov

Jaclynn Alvarez Hyland Hills Park and Recreation District jalvarez@hylandhills.org

2023-24 CPRA ADVISORY COUNCIL

AAPS

Linda Kudrna City of Fort Lupton Parks & Recreation lkudrna@fortluptonco.gov

AQUATICS

Steve Hanson Town of Parker shanson@parkeronline.org

CARA

Nicole Reeves

Widefield Parks and Recreation reevesn@wsd3.org

DIRECTORS

Mari Steinbach

Montrose Recreation District mari@montroserec.com

FACILITY MANAGEMENT

Marc Rademacher

City of Fort Collins mrademacher@fcgov.com

FITNESS

Veronica Mueller

City and County of Broomfield vmueller@broomfield.org

PARKS

Brent Delehoy

City of Aurora Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces bdelehoy@auroragov.org

PLAaY

Becca Mack City of Lafayette becca.mack@lafayetteco.gov

THERAPEUTIC RECREATION (TR)

Ashley Bordenet City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services ashley.bordenet@coloradosprings.gov

BYLINE, ONLINE & EMAIL

ADVERTISING:

Todd Pernsteiner Pernsteiner Creative Group 952-841-1111 todd@pernsteiner.com www.pernsteiner.com

Prepping for July Parks & Recreation Month

By Jillian Galoci, Membership & Communications Coordinator, CPRA

July is just around the corner and its time to prepare for Parks & Recreation Month!

NRPA has shared their Outreach Toolkit with templates, fact sheets, and key messaging to help your agencies celebrate the industry and its impact on your communities across our state this year.

Download the toolkit at nrpa.org/events/July/toolkit

How will you be celebrating Parks & Recreation Month this year? Be sure to share your P&R Month pride on the CPRA Facebook page so we can celebrate YOU and all you do year-round - www. facebook.com/coloradoparksandrecreation

The Outreach Toolkit includes the logo, calendars, posters, and social media graphics

Colorado Springs Encourages 1,000 Neighborhood Gatherings

From www.coloradosprings.gov

Mental health is ALL of us. That’s why the City of Colorado Springs, in partnership with several community partners, is challenging residents to host 1,000 neighborhood gatherings this summer to encourage neighbors to connect with one another to address social isolation and loneliness. The city believes residents can all play a part to make a positive impact on mental health – right where they live, on their own block, in their own neighborhood. Colorado Springs is on a mission to address this crisis head on, as they strive to be a city of good neighbors.

The 1,000 Neighborhood Gatherings initiative launches May 18-19 during Mental Health Awareness Month and will run through Sept. 28 (National Good Neighbor Day).

Whether it’s snacks on the porch or shutting down the block for a party,

there are a variety of ways residents can host a gathering. They can download helpful toolkits that include tips and ideas for how to host a great gathering which includes ideas such as: a block party, park event, porch lunch, clean up, beautification project, or a movie or game night.

The city recommends resident invite their neighbors by knocking on their door or mentioning it the next time they see them. They also suggest posting on neighborhood social media sites like Nextdoor, neighborhood Facebook Groups, or ZonZon.

By hosting a neighborhood gathering, residents are stepping up and taking action to address mental health in Colorado Springs. Studies show people who know six or more of their neighbors have decreased levels of social isolation and loneliness compared to people who don’t. By stepping out of their home and connecting with neighbors through a neighborhood gathering, residents are helping to build a social support system

in their neighborhoods.

The city's 1,000 gatherings website includes a registration page, a map of neighborhoods hosting registered gatherings, details about permits, rentals, and event planning support, as well as a list of mental health resources.

Learn more about this initiative at https:// coloradosprings.gov/1000Gatherings

The city's 1,000 Neighborhood Gatherings website includes a map of neighborhoods hosting registered gatherings, details about permits, rentals, and event planning support, as well as a list of mental health resources.

City of Boulder and State Designate New "Natural Area"

From www.bouldercolorado.gov

In October 2023, the City of Boulder and Colorado's Natural Areas Program designated 1,470 acres of city open space south of the Flatirons Vista Trailhead and west of Colorado Highway 93 as a new "State Natural Area." The Colorado Natural Areas Program is a statewide program focused on the recognition and protection of areas that contain at least one unique or high-quality natural feature of statewide significance.

The new Coal Creek Tallgrass Prairie State Natural Area contains large undisturbed areas of prairie grassland vegetation, along with plant communities that are rarely found where the Rocky Mountains and the Great Plans meet. The area is also home to several species the state has identified as having "greatest conservation need," such as grasshopper sparrows, golden eagles, prairie falcons and the Northern Leopard Frog. While the area is closed, OSMP does invite the public on guided hikes in the area.

The state also expanded other State Natural Areas on OSMP-managed land:

• The Colorado Tallgrass Prairie State Natural Area, located east and west of Highway 93 south of Boulder, highlights tallgrass prairiew, which once covered hundreds of millions of acres in the Great Plains and is now nearly all gone. The area is home to rare plant species and animals that the state and Open Space and Mountain Parks work together to help protect.

• The White Rocks State Natural Area, located east of Valmont and 75th streets. The unique rock formations are home to rare and critically imperiled plant species. The area is also a sensitive wildlife area, habitat for species that the state considers “species of greatest conservation need.”

The rich biodiversity in Boulder open space has led Colorado to designate two other OSMP areas as State Natural areas:

Across

• The Boulder Mountain Park Natural Area, which includes diverse mountain areas west of the Chautauqa Meadow and on Flagstaff Mountain.

• The South Boulder Creek Natural Area located along the South Boulder Creek corridor southeast of the city and is accessible the South Boulder Creek Trail.

Learn more State Natural Areas on Open Space and Mountain Parksmanaged lands at hbouldercolorado.gov/ media/12986/download?inline

Nurturing COMMUNITY

COLLABORATIONS & PARTNERSHIPS

Carbon Valley Parks and Recreation District and Fit4Mom

By Suzi Shankweiler, Fitness and Wellness Coordinator, Carbon Valley Parks and Recreation District

One of our goals at Carbon Valley Parks and Recreation is to provide the safest, most fun, and effective fitness programming for our community and to expand our programs outside the walls of our facility. Our partnership with contractors allows us to collaborate with professionals in their targeted field.

One of these amazing partnerships is with the FIT4MOM program. This program is the nation’s leading prenatal and postnatal fitness program, providing fitness classes and a community of moms to support every stage of motherhood. From pregnancy, through

postpartum and beyond, our fitness and wellness programs help make moms strong in body, mind, and spirit. There are currently 8 FIT4MOM locations throughout Colorado. We are proud to be a partner in this life-changing program.

FIT4MOM offers many formats, with one of the most popular being Stroller Strides®. This format is a 60-minute total-body workout with

strength, cardio, and core training, all while engaging the little ones in a stroller! Participants leave class feeling strong, empowered, connected, and energized—no matter their stage of motherhood.

Regardless of the elements, FIT4MOM very rarely cancels a class and finds a way to provide their program by using our gymnasium or one of the beautiful parks in the Carbon Valley District.

A Real Game-Changer

Transforming Communities, One Sport Court at a Time

Randy Resley loves to talk about pickleball courts –actually, any sport court for that matter. “I’ve been immersed in sports pretty much my whole life. It’s my passion,” he explained.

Who better to do a Q&A than with the owner of Sport Court of the Rockies?

Randy is an expert in the design and construction of indoor and outdoor sport courts.

Q: What types of courts have you worked on?

A. We have completed a comprehensive range of product installations, including outdoor pickleball, volleyball, and basketball courts, and indoor synthetic and hardwood floors, fitness floors, and more.

We’ve made our mark across all of Colorado, as well as projects in Wyoming and New Mexico, installing notable projects such as the American Sports Builder Association indoor facility of the year project in Windsor.

Our commercial offerings include new installations as well as upgrades of existing tennis, pickleball, and basketball courts.

Q: How have you been influential in the sport court industry?

A. My passion for sports construction and commitment to excellence is evident in my extensive involvement in industry organizations and initiatives.

As the current Chairman of the American Sports Builders Association, I’ve been able to help build relationships between court builders and end-users.

I also played a pivotal role in creating the Courts and Recreational Surfaces Construction and Maintenance Manual and the second edition of USA Pickleball’s Technical Construction Manual.

Last year, I was honored to have my dedication and expertise recognized by being named the 2023 Pickleball Builder/Contractor of the Year by Racquet Sports Industry magazine.

Q. What sets Sport Court apart from other types of court materials?

A. Our modular courts are engineered to offer unmatched performance and safety. Our products can be installed in new construction projects, or be used to improve safety and aesthetics by covering aging floors. Our online design tool is also unique. It gives customers an opportunity to visualize and create their own space.

Q. What challenges do communities face in accommodating the growing demand for pickleball courts?

A. A major hurdle is the lack of resources available to rural cities. Sport Court of the Rockies bridges this gap by offering consultation, design, and installation of multi-faceted, modular solutions that cater to a wide range of needs. For example, our Defense™ line is a low-maintenance, low-cost solution perfect for limited budgets.

Q. What do you see as being the next big game-changer in the industry?

A. The largest growth in sports construction has been in the global popularity of Padel, a sport similar to racquetball and pickleball - with walls. Over the next three years, I see it being poised to follow in the popularity and growth that pickleball has seen.

SPORT COURT OF THE ROCKIES IS REDEFINING ATHLETIC SPACES AND EMPOWERING COMMUNITY ATHLETES OF ALL AGES & ABILITIES

Q. Why do people choose Sport Court of the Rockies?

A. Sport Court nationally celebrated its 50th Anniversary in January 2024. We honor that rich history and stand as a beacon of excellence in the realm of indoor and outdoor sport court construction. With a diverse set of skills spanning construction, maintenance, and design-build services for various athletic facilities, the company has solidified its position as a leader in the industry.

From backyard courts to outdoor community courts and gym floors, Sport Court of the Rockies has consistently delivered high-caliber sports surfaces that bring out the athlete in all of us.

With a keen understanding of market dynamics, and a commitment to innovation, Sport Court of the Rockies is well-positioned to meet the evolving needs of athletes and communities across the region. Call or email Randy anytime - he’s happy to chat.

Randy Resley, Owner

(720) 300-9902 (Cell) (303) 805-2090 (Office)

randy@sportcourtoftherockies.com

sportcourtoftherockies.com

Montrose Recreation District KEEPS Fostering numerous partnerships

By Astro Ball, Grants and Data Specialist, Montrose Recreation District

The Montrose Recreation District has always prided itself on its tight connection to the community since its founding in 1956. After hiring a new Outreach Coordinator, 2023 saw a concerted push to strengthen old partnerships and create new ones. Along with the City of Montrose, the Montrose County School district was one of our first and most important partners. In 2023 this relationship flourished with an agreement which allows us to utilize each other's facilities free of charge during off-peak hours. This arrangement translates into tens of thousands of dollars in savings for the organizations and taxpayers. Examples of the fruits of this collaboration include Montrose

High school sports teams training on the indoor turf Field House, swimming and diving teams utilizing the Rec Center competition pool, MRD's summer enrichment program hosted at Columbine Middle School, and MRD's youth basketball and volleyball programs making use of elementary school gyms for practices.

In 2023 we also created the Uncompahgre Outdoor Recreation Group, a collection of 6 non-profits with overlapping missions to get youth in our community outside to develop an appreciation of nature.

In 2022 we began expanding our Outdoor Recreation offerings, and this new partnership connected us with contacts that improved our level of

service, such as having US Forest Service staff attend our hiking groups (at no charge to our District). It also laid the foundation for the group to apply for larger grants together, like the upcoming Generation Wild Great Outdoor Colorado expansion. Other collaborative projects on the horizon for this group include pooling outcomes tracking to get a better picture of regional impact, and sharing–instead of duplicating–outreach efforts.

Finally, the MRD expanded partnerships with non-profits agencies in the community including Hilltop Family Resource Center, the Mexican American Development Corporation, and Axis Health System. These connections assured us of the need to invest in reaching excluded communities, and helped us design fee assistance programs to this end. Then we marketed the programs through the agencies as well, scrolling information on TV’s in waiting room offices in domestic abuse services and behavioral health offices around town. Relationships with these agencies translated directly into expanding the number of very low income families participating in the fee assistance program providing annual memberships to our recreation center. In all of these ways partnerships and collaboration allow us to impact our community in ways we couldn’t alone.

CRPA Partner ORGANIZATIONs CAN Help YOU FORGE NEW RELATIONSHIPS

Colorado is home to numerous organizations and collaborative groups that actively contribute to parks & recreation, public health, outdoor recreation, outdoor stewardship and conservation. CPRA is proud to share information about these important partners. Visit our website at www.cpra-web.org/partnerships to see the important work that these groups are doing in our state.

Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE)

The Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE) is the professional organization for environmental educators in Colorado. They serve environmental education providers across the state in three ways:

Driving Excellence. They increase the quality of environmental education (EE) in Colorado by providing professional development, access to best practices, knowledge and current trend information.

Fostering Collaboration. They bring together Colorado’s environmental educators to pursue innovative education and engagement strategies.

Mobilizing Support

Since 1989, CAEE has grown to more than 850 members across Colorado. Members cover virtually every subject discipline from anthropology to zoology. Likewise, our members work with learners across the lifespan: early childhood educators, elementary and high school teachers, camp counselors, and university professors. They are the faces of many types of organizations from afterschool programs to state and federal agencies.

CAEE is proud to serve as the Colorado affiliate of the North America Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE). NAAEE and its 57 affiliate organizations form the largest network of environmental educators in the country, connecting us to 150,000 educators annually..

They champion EE at all levels by advocating for policies, partnership and philanthropy to support EE.

CAEE works to ensure everyone in Colorado has an opportunity to learn about the environment where they live. They value inclusiveness and theylcome everyone to the field of environmental education.

CAEE has adopted the National Guidelines for Excellence in Environmental Education, established by NAAEE to guide the development of balanced, scientifically accurate, and comprehensive environmental education programs.

Become a CAEE Member

Being a member of CAEE connects you and your organization to other

environmental education partners throughout the state and the broader NAAEE network, of which CAEE is an affiliate. Learn more at caee.org.

Colorado Municipal League (CML)

CML is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization established in 1923 and represents the interests of 271 cities and towns. Major policies of CML are established by the membership at the annual business meeting and by the CML Executive Board and various committees. Daily operations of the League are carried out by a 16-member staff. CML also has a variety of professional sections and 14 regional districts that give CML depth and breadth in its understanding of municipal needs. Take a look at CML's 2022-2023 accomplishments in our Annual Report. Learn more at cml.org.

Colorado Open Space Alliance (COSA)

The Colorado Open Space Alliance is a Colorado-based non-profit under the Colorado Nonprofit Development Center. As a regional organization of publicly funded local government open space programs, we work cooperatively to share information, create public awareness, and foster partnerships needed to protect and preserve the special places of Colorado.

recreation and interests related to land, water, and wildlife in Colorado. They ensure that the decisions we come to are collaborative and represent all members' interests to the best of our ability. Organizations represent the following sectors: outdoor recreation groups, conservation, sportspersons including hunters and anglers, environmental education, outdoor recreation industry partners, lands stewardship, agriculture and ranching, and government. Learn more at copartnership.org

Colorado Outdoor Stewardship Coalition

COSA strives to achieve its purpose by Sharing Information. Provide networking, information, skills and resource sharing, training, mentoring, technical assistance, clearinghouse activities and communication among publicly funded open space programs.

Creating Public Awareness. Promote land conservation benefits and program successes.

Fostering Partnerships. Create and nurture partnerships to assist in program implementation, fundraising and large-scale projects among open space programs, landowners, land trusts, conservation and land use organizations, and other government programs.

Learn more at coloradoopenspace.org.

Colorado Outdoor Partnership (CO-OP)

Organizations involved in the Colorado Outdoor Partnership represent the intersection of conservation and outdoor

Colorado Outdoor Principles

Colorado’s Outdoor Principles are a set of seven guidelines for advancing outdoor recreation and conservation. They are an addition to the North American Model of Wildlife Management which we currently use and an effort to further refine an outdoor ethic that promotes both recreational enjoyment and thoughtful conservation of Colorado’s special places.

Colorado Outdoor Principles believe the uniquely American public land heritage is a privilege and a birthright, and Colorado’s abundant open space and outdoor recreation opportunities contribute to quality of life and economic vitality. Coloradans and visitors enjoy spectacular landscapes in which to work, play and live. They celebrate the contributions of all sectors of the economy to sustaining a healthy balance of our State’s ecosystems. Responsible recreation respects all interests on lands and waters, and works to eliminate conflicts.

Learn more at cpw.state.co.us/ conservation/Pages/CON-ColoradoOutdoor-Principles.aspx

Founded in 1984, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) is the state's oldest outdoor stewardship nonprofit organization. Their mission is to motivate and enable people to become active stewards of Colorado's natural resources.

Each year, they engage thousands of people to provide a volunteer workforce for recreation and habitat improvement projects in partnership with land agencies, nonprofits, and community groups. These volunteer projects take place in every corner of Colorado and over the decades, we've grown beyond our projects—and our borders—to help others start and improve their own volunteer stewardship programs and inspire all of us to find our place in caring for the outdoors.

Their vision is a Colorado where all people connect to nature and care for our outdoor spaces.

Learn more atvoc.org/COSC.

Colorado Public Health and Parks & Recreation Collaborative

The Colorado Public Health/Parks & Recreation Collaborative is a group of multi-sector professionals seeking to improve the health of all communities in Colorado through education, connection and collaboration.

Our Global Vision. They want Colorado communities that are healthy, active, happy and safe.

The Colorado PHPR Collaborative utilizes a "collective impact" model as a foundation for our networking collaborative.

The CPHPR Collaborative brings together parks and recreation professionals, state and local public health staff, and community organizations to promote health equity and improve community health through increased access to quality parks and recreational programming. Learn more at co-phprcollab.org.

Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW)

CPW is a nationally recognized leader in conservation, outdoor recreation and wildlife management. The agency manages more than 40 state parks, all of Colorado's wildlife, more than 350 state wildlife areas and a host of recreational programs. CPW issues hunting and fishing licenses, conducts research to improve wildlife management activities, protects high priority wildlife habitat through acquisitions and partnerships, provides technical assistance to private and other public landowners concerning wildlife and habitat management and develops programs to understand, protect

and recover threatened and endangered species.

CPW also administers the state's trail program and registers boats, snowmobiles, off-highway vehicles and river outfitters. Parks and Wildlife employees and their partners work together to provide ongoing and outstanding customer service through recreational programs, amenities, and services. Regulations are established by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission.

Learn more at cpw.state.co.us.

SIGN SOLUTIONS

Colorado Partners in the Outdoors

Colorado Partners in the Outdoors believe that the support of their partners enables them to excel at their work of protecting and caring for their most valued and valuable resources. The program brings together diverse interests from across the entire spectrum of the outdoors to advance and balance both outdoor recreation and conservation in Colorado.

They are an outward-facing department helping to foster alignment and trust through our three cornerstone initiatives: the Partners in the Outdoors Conference, the Colorado Outdoor Partnership and the Colorado Outdoor Principles, as well as their extensive resource sharing and network building. Learn more at cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/Partners.aspx.

Colorado Special District Association

The Special District Association of Colorado (SDA) is a statewide membership organization created in 1975 to serve the interests of the special district form of local government in Colorado. Special districts fill a vital role in providing many of the basic services and public needs of the people of Colorado, including fire and rescue services, water, sanitation, parks and recreation, hospitals, libraries and cemeteries. SDA has over 2,600 special district members and over 250 associate members. SDA associate members include attorneys, accountants, investment advisors, engineers, management companies and other consultants. These knowledgeable professionals provide information for the operation and development of special districts in Colorado.

The Special District Association was organized to provide better communication, research, legislative input, administrative support, and educational opportunities for member districts. SDA exists to help special districts serve the public in the most efficient and economical manner possible. The Special District Association advocates on behalf of special districts before the Colorado General Assembly.

The Special District Association hosts an annual conference every September. The SDA Annual Conference offers several days of training and networking opportunities for SDA district board and staff members, as well as associate members.

Learn more at sdaco.org.

The Joy of Togetherness and 10 years of Public Health, Parks, and Recreation Summits

By Jo Burns, Director & Co-Founder, PHPR Collaborative & Jo Burns Connects, LLC and Bradyn Nicholson, Built Environment Coordinator, CDPHE

As we celebrated the 10th Anniversary of the Public Health | Parks & Recreation (PHPR) Collaborative Summits, we continue to acknowledge the pivotal role public health, parks, and recreation play in fostering social connections and improving quality of life through multi-sector educational opportunities, networking, and partnership building. Our decade-long commitment indicates the positive impact of collaborative efforts in building resilient, healthy, and connected communities. The first PHPR Summit, “For the Sake of Health”, was held in 2015 at the now defunct Tri County Health Department. The room was filled with 65 professionals from around Colorado with another 35 on the waiting list, indicating a growing interest in and need for this work. Over the years, we built and strengthened multi-sector partnerships that have allowed us to discuss complex community health issues and learn from one another, even during the pandemic.

Social connectedness is an important social determinant of health and yet some people may not have equitable access to resources and opportunities for social connection. In today's fastpaced world, where digital interactions often replace face-to-face connections, the need to come together to support social connectedness and combat

loneliness is even more important. In 2023, the US Surgeon General’s Advisory called for attention to the epidemic of loneliness and isolation and addressing it through the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community. This year’s 10th Annual PHPR Summit, "The Joy of Togetherness: Sowing the Seeds for Socially Connected Communities"

served as beacon of hope in addressing this public health crisis and fostering

Summit was held on Friday, February 23rd at the Northglenn Recreation Center and brought together over 160 professionals and 80 organizations working in parks, recreation, public health, built environment, education, community hubs, extension offices, non-profit organizations, and the private

Over the course of the day, professionals working in Colorado shared their time, energy, and content expertise over a

multitude of topics focused on building socially connected communities, one connection and relationship at a time. Staff from the Colorado Mountain Club and Colorado Center for Primary Care Innovation grounded us in shared definitions of loneliness and isolation, sharing evidence-based screening tools and interventions, identifying how to create partnerships to address loneliness. We also participated in a Cultural Wellness Training from All

People Thriving to explore the impacts of loneliness and techniques to foster relationships and promote a sense of belonging.

The rest of the day was spent hearing about programs that support social connections and applying learnings to our own work:

• Art a la Carte Program in Westminster is a mobile arts and culture trailer/ studio that traverses neighborhoods to bring creativity to local parks. The program engages residents in artistic

expression to building community and enhance connections among diverse individuals.

• Reducing Loneliness through Acts of Connection in Weld County focuses on the simplicity of human interaction. From organizing community meals to facilitating volunteer opportunities, this initiative encourages small acts of kindness that have a profound impact on combating loneliness.

• Magic of Intergenerational Connections at Aging Dynamics

fosters relationships between different age groups. This initiative helps reduce loneliness and promotes understanding and empathy across generations.

• Creating Connection & Belonging through Stories at Healthy Jeffco Alliance provides an opportunity to share personal stories and experiences to allow individuals to find common ground and a sense of belonging with one another.

The power of social connections continued to be elevated during the World Café, where attendees came together in smaller beak out groups to discuss and explore ideas for building stronger communities:

• Change Matrix - Colorado's Equity Compass and Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD) are leading efforts to create inclusive spaces where all community members feel valued and connected.

• CSU Extension County 4H and City of Westminster are offering opportunities for community members to engage in meaningful activities and build lasting relationships.

• The public/private collaboration between local artists, park & recreation and public health in the I-70 Corridor Mural Project brought together local teens for connection and creativity.

• Our local nature and forest therapy guide led a group walk outdoors to connect with nature, share conversation and identify ways nature can bring connection across age groups.

One sector or group cannot address the complex and interconnected social and environmental challenges that are affecting isolation and loneliness. It requires effective multi-sector partnerships. Summit attendees engaged in an interactive activity to apply the Collaborative Multiplier by Prevention Institute, which analyzes collaborative efforts across different sectors, to work towards achieving a common goal. Nonprofits, government agencies, educators, libraries,

community groups, and businesses can use this framework to leverage expertise and resources to support socially connected communities.

As this Summit and the educational sessions demonstrate, the Joy of Togetherness can be embraced to improve health and quality of life of all Coloradans.

For resources and connection info from the Summit, visit - https://www.cophprcollab.org/summit-2024. Interested in learning more about the PHPR Collaborative, visit https:// www.co-phprcollab.org/ or contact jo@joburnsconnects.com.

Jo is the director and co-founder for the PHPR Collaborative, the Chief Connection and Collaboration Officer for Jo Burns Connects, LLC and serves on the Apex Park & Recreation District’s Board of Directors.

Bradyn is a Built Environment Coordinator at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment where she works at the intersection of public health and the built environment to support healthy, active, and climate resilient communities. Bradyn serves on the PHPR Collaborative.

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