Colorado Byline - Summer 2020

O F F I C I A L

P U B L I C AT I O N

O F

C O L O R A D O

PA R K S

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R E C R E AT I O N

A S S O C I AT I O N

cpra-web.org | Summer 2020

LIVE

Stream Teams CONNECTING WITH COMMUNITIES VIRTUALLY

• CPRA CELEBRATES STATE PROCLAMATIONS • PARKS AND RECREATION AS COMMUNITY • ENGAGING AND ENTERTAINING THE PUBLIC DURING COVID TIMES • A MAN WITH A PLAN • GRANTS ARE GREAT • CALL OF THE WILD

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CONTENTS

FEATURES 8 Parks and Recreation as Community

By Heidi Mallon, City of Thorton 10 Engaging and Entertaining the Public During COVID Times

By Alisa Zimmerman, City of Thorton 12 A Man With a Plan - Tim Strunk

By Rheana Rogers, Apex Park and Recreation District 14 Grants Are Great

By Gabrielle Chisholm

Allison Kincaid Executive Director allisonk@cpra-web.org

16 Call of the Wild

By Ryan Dusil, NFRMPO 19

From In-Person to Online

By Sarah Braun, City of Colorado Springs

22

Technology for Virtual Fitness

By Matt Eckstein, AE Design & Robert McDonald, OLC

24

Keeping Families Connected

By Chris Sturgeon, GoDog Sports

16

Competing Virtually

By Todd Pernsteiner, Pernsteiner Creative Group

30

Socially Distanced Tours & Talks

By Todd Pernsteiner, Pernsteiner Creative Group

DEPARTMENTS 6 6

I ndustry Partner Lose Design Member Spotlight: Nolan Thill

COLUMN 6

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

PRA Celebrates State Proclamations C

By Jillian Strogis, Colorado Parks & Recreation Association

ON THE COVER: Members of CPRA’s CARA Section have their monthly meeting via Zoom.

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Mission: Promote the parks and recreation profession and its growth throughout the State of Colorado.

Vision: A dynamic, proactive organization that creates healthy residents and livable communities by promoting excellence in parks and recreation.

Ashley Perillo Professional Development Program Manager ashleyp@cpra-web.org Julie Hopko Professional Development Program Coordinator julieh@cpra-web.org Jillian Strogis Membership & Communications Coordinator jillians@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.

2019-2020 CPRA BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT Justin Perdue City of Greeley 970-350-9548 justin.perdue@greeleygov.com

PRESIDENT-ELECT Hillary Roemersberger Apex Park & Recreation District 720-898-3412 hillaryr@apexprd.org SECRETARY/TREASURER Molly Elder City of Loveland 970-962-2728 molly.elder@cityofloveland.org AT-LARGE Rachel Wysup Town of Erie 303-926-2791 rwysuph@erieco.gov AT-LARGE Clay Shuck City and County of Broomfield 303-460-6903 cshuck@broomfield.org

AT-LARGE Leah Huffer-Solomon Denver Parks & Recreation 720-865-0825 leah.huffer@denvergov.org

2020 CPRA ADVISORY COUNCIL AAPS Cindy Hickman Town of Erie 303-926-2795 chickman@erieco.gov AQUATICS Philip Henry City of Boulder 303-413-7478 henryp@bouldercolorado.gov CARA Amanda Cesar City of Pueblo 719-553-2806 acesar@pueblo.us DIRECTORS Janet Bartnik Mountain Recreation 970-688-7335 jbartnik@mountainrec.org FACILITY MANAGEMENT Nolan Thill Town of Parker 303-805-3286 nthill@parkeronline.org FITNESS Glen Batista Denver Parks & Recreation 720-865-0672 glen.batista@denvergov.org PARKS Tony Jaramillo City of Commerce City 303-289-8166 tjaramillo@c3gov.com PLAaY Sarah Gange City of Loveland 970-962-2467 sarah.gagne@cityofloveland.org TRSC Deni Jacobs Town of Parker 303-805-3208 djacobs@parkeronline.org

PUBLISHER / ADVERTISING: Todd Pernsteiner, Publisher Pernsteiner Creative Group 952-841-1111 todd@pernsteiner.com www.pernsteiner.com

GO DIGITAL View this issue online at www.cpra-web.org/page/byline.

Keep up on all things CPRA via Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Colorado Byline | Summer 2020 • 3

COLUMN

CPRA Celebrates State Proclamations Honoring Parks & Recreation Professionals

By Jillian Strogis, Membership & Communications Coordinator, Colorado Parks & Recreation Association

Parks & Recreation are essential- a fact that remains so ingrained in the fabric of our state that it can be easy to overlook. However, this fact has become painfully apparent to the professionals in the field over the past few indescribable months. We could certainly describe them in some of the many worn terms of the times-“unprecedented,” “difficult,” “uncertain”- but these ambiguous phrases have become far too overused to capture the real challenge that the pandemic has presented for so many. Among the profoundly impacted, Parks & Recreation Professionals stood tall and unwavering.

Knowing from the start how essential their positions are, many still did not receive the recognition they deserve as caregivers of our communities and protectors of our state.

The financial impact of the pandemic forced agencies to furlough staff, reassign professionals to odd jobs and areas outside their expertise, and take on a multitude of other impossible decisions and adjustments. Those that remain worked double or triple time while training others or themselves on new tasks and handling the many fires that continue to spark from the constant changes. Many are juggling all this while also seeing a nearly 200% increase in use of their services.

Not only is this an “unprecedented” and “difficult” time for P&R, it’s also a time when communities need the resources they provide more than ever. The benefits of access to recreation and the great outdoors are well established and yet are something we often take for granted.

Give us a lockdown and an ever-changing tide of uncertainty and those benefits become even more necessary to maintain our wellness. Understanding this, the P&R professionals who provide these necessities work tirelessly to ensure the continued health and safety of all Colorado residents.

At CPRA we did what we could to unite the professionals on the front lines by

4 • Colorado Byline | Summer 2020 4 • Colorado Byline | Summer 2020

connecting them to each other and the best available information to help them navigate.

The appreciation from our members was heartwarming and validating in our efforts to create some kind of reliability in the ever-present mist of uncertainty. However, we still felt as if we couldn’t possibly do enough for our members who were so valiantly taking on each new challenge.

Finally, (after much advocacy and deliberation) the tribute we’d been searching for arrived: state-wide recognition of our members and their accomplishments. On July 28th Parks and Recreation Professionals were officially honored with two Colorado State Proclamations: July 2020 as Parks & Recreation Professionals Month and July 28th, 2020 marking Parks & Recreation Professionals Day. These proclamations address the efforts, impact, and essence of much of what our P&R Professionals provide. Though the list of what they give day-in and day-out is limitless, some of their sacrifice is listed on each proclamation, painting a picture of the color given to Colorful Colorado by the Parks & Recreation field.

Whereas you give of yourselves so freely; therefore we want to honor you freely as well.

Though not in perpetuity, these two new occasions mark anniversaries to come on which we hope our state will remember the grace and determination shown

by Parks & Recreation Professionals in every city, town, and county in Colorado.

We will not soon forget that the beauty, activity, and community that kept us all sane, motivated, and inspired to persist through these “difficult”, “uncertain”, and “unprecedented” times came from the tenacity of the professionals in our field.

We want each and every one of you to feel seen, in your struggles and your triumphs, and the many more of both that are sure to come. We hope you know every day just how essential you are and that, though that has always been true, we are more aware and more reverent than ever of what you give to keep Colorado colorful.

Colorado Byline | Summer 2020 • 5

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Meet Nolan Thill

By Andy Fraser, CPRP, Recreation Supervisor - Facilities, Town of Parker

Nolan Thill serves as the Facility Coordinator II for the Town of Parker. Before joining the team in Parker, Nolan served the communities of Lakewood, Silverthorne and Broomfield. Nolan has been managing facility operations at the Parker Recreation Center for the past three years. Under Nolan’s leadership, memberships have increased 57% and daily admissions have increased by 63%. In 2020, Nolan has been instrumental in the Town of Parker’s safe return plan and has done a masterful job of opening the Recreation Center in a responsible and safe manner. Nolan and his team rearranged equipment, created multiple facility zones, managed a new appointment system, and continue to do an amazing job keeping up with strict cleaning standards and other guidelines.

Their efforts have resulted in very positive community feedback.

Nolan’s leadership extends outside of the Town of Parker. He has served in a leadership role for the Facility Management section the past three years. He is the acting Section Board Representative for CPRA. While serving the section, he has worked to advance training and development opportunities by offering facility tours, customer service trainings and more. This past year, Nolan and the Facility Management section worked closely with CPRA to set up important section Zoom calls to discuss what communities were doing to prepare for a safe reopening. Nolan’s commitment and leadership within the industry has made a positive impact not only in the Town of Parker but throughout the state.

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Parks and Recreation as Community

By Heidi Mallon, Community Engagement Supervisor, Thornton Parks, Recreation & Community Programs

Community comes in all forms. We are drawn together in groups dictated by our shared biology, professional work and personal interests. The need for human interaction is so strong, even a globally-blistering occurrence like the COVID-19 virus can’t shake us from the truth that we need other people.

The field of parks and recreation is one of those categorical interests which represents an opportunity for us to be social. In this sense, it is essential to our well-being.

In the book “Tribe”, author Sebastian Junger chronicles how individuals within a society are intuitively drawn to the benefits of a shared community ethos.

Even as we evolved into a society reliant on the industrial revolution and the modern conveniences of developed areas, people still seek out opportunities to be outside and active. The need to connect to the outdoors and engage in recreational activities has become a priority rather than a passing interest, especially when so many of our modern conveniences are 8 • Colorado Byline | Summer 2020 8 • Colorado Byline | Summer 2020

indoors and keep us sedentary. We often take being out in nature and engaging in play for granted, until their possibility and our access to them are limited or removed.

Parks and recreation is a long-standing tradition in our way life, particularly in Colorado. What is admirable about the parks and rec community in these pandemic times is the mobilization to provide essential support. Besides helping our community stay engaged and healthy, we work to help those affected by the pandemic. The challenges we faced previously have merely been reconfigured as opportunities to do more, by serving our communities more efficiently and innovating in ways not previously considered.

We need to create and engage our community through access and education.

In Thornton, 93% of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park or green space. In addition to making recreation geographically accessible, we need to ensure that it is accessible to people with different physical abilities and those that are economically disadvantaged. Thornton Parks, Recreation and Community Programs has an Adaptive and Inclusive Recreation Program (AIR), which allows people of all abilities to participate. Even as these programs are developed and adaptations made, it is essential to be enthusiastically proactive about sharing the message. We cannot assume that people know we are here, what we provide, or how to access these rich experiences.

Community

A well-established community will always face challenges. The question is whether that community will rise to those challenges and how. Will the community of parks and recreation be open to thinking differently? Will systems that worked well enough before crumble under the weight of a drastic cultural shift? We are fortunate to work in a field that taps into our need to be social and recreate. We are lucky to live in a place like Colorado, where parks and recreation are embraced as indispensable.

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As a necessary way of life in established communities, we need to leverage our resilience to do two things.

First, to remind people of the value that parks and recreation brings to individuals and the greater good.

And second, to continue to invite new people to enjoy our parks and revel with us in recreation. In Thornton, it is a central mission for the parks and recreation community to be everybody’s community.

A well-established community will always face challenges.

The question is whether that community will rise to those challenges and how.

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Engaging and Entertaining the Public During COVID Times

By Alisa Zimmerman, Arts & Culture Manager, Thornton Parks, Recreation & Community Programs

The City of Thornton has presented free outdoor summer concerts for decades – one of many cherished traditions the community has come to expect from the city’s Arts and Culture Division of the Thornton Parks, Recreation & Community Programs (TPRCP) department.

These popular concerts have entertained thousands of residents and visitors with lively performances by bands from around the region on consecutive Thursday nights from June to August. An added perk are the annual Ice Cream Socials when elected representatives host four concerts in parks located in their respective wards. Each of these hyperlocal outdoor events allow councilmembers to talk with their constituents in a relaxed and fun setting that lends itself to frequent and close contact each evening.

When COVID-19 hit this year, Thornton, along with other Front Range communities, seriously considered whether to offer these annual concerts. Along with ever-changing guidelines from the CDC and state health department,

10 • Colorado Byline | Summer 2020

staff questioned the viability of bringing together a limited number of people on a weekly basis in one location while having to incorporate and monitor Covid safety measures with new logistical requirements for each concert. It would be a heavy lift, not just on these nights, but in all publicity generated on all channels prior to each concert along with hiring more onsite staff to ensure the COVID event capacity was not exceeded and patrons wore their masks and kept their distance.

Despite these challenges, Thornton decided to go ahead and offer these summer concerts with modifications: present them all in one location versus several parks; design a grid for large and small groups to be seated safely distanced; use an online reservation system (Eventbrite) for residents to pre-register for concert seating while adding additional drive-in listening options; increase online publicity and onsite signage plus create a new video to communicate our S-A-F-E message (Stay six feet apart, Always wash hands, Face mask on, and Exit if feeling ill); and repeat all this Covid

information verbally at each concert. Staff presenting Thornton’s other (new) concert series on Tuesday nights also added a Facebook live-streaming feature.

What has all this effort brought Thornton during this season of Covid? An outpouring of positive feedback and praise from our community, elected officials, neighboring

cities, and, of course, the bands, many of whom are extremely grateful to be performing since most of their other gigs were cancelled this summer. A new appreciation for how our Parks, Recreation and Community Programs team can be resourceful and resilient in delivering annual outdoor programs a different way

that still keeps our community engaged and entertained safely. And the realization that our community still needs and wants these types of collective experiences outdoors even if they have to enjoy them at a distance with their faces covered. In conclusion, if there’s any time to appreciate what we can do with each other for each other, it’s now.

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a Man with a

Plan

Tim Strunk, AN Unsung Hero

By Rheana Rogers, AFO, Executive Administrator, Apex Park and Recreation District

Tim Strunk is an unsung hero with the Apex Park and Recreation District in Arvada, CO. Tim is the Manager of Buildings and Grounds in the District Services division of Apex and oversees staff and work completion for construction and maintenance needs across a district encompassing 13 facilities serving around 200,000 residents.

In the spring of 2020 while navigating COVID closures and planning for

providing licensed childcare for essential workers, Apex Recreation Director Hillary Roemersberger approached the District Services team with the need for portable hand-washing stations for children to use before entering the facility for care. Hillary communicated the purpose and basic specifications for what she needed. Tim first investigated purchasing or renting options, but had no luck finding what was needed due to high prices and items not in stock. So, Tim being the creative and

resourceful individual that he is, decided to build them himself! The design he came up with was a compilation of ideas he gathered while doing some online research, complete with his own ideas for how to improve upon what he had seen.

Below is his original design sketch/ build plan.

Tim is an incredible engineer. Before coming to Apex, he worked at LockheedMartin on the Titan program as the Manager of Titan Logistics. As he puts it, he oversaw “spares and repairs.”

He is a master of ergonomics and functional design, and has even been described as a “human 3D printer,” but that understates his talents. Tim looks at things and understands how they work and why they are designed the way they are and then thinks of ways to improve upon them. His only constraint is resources. Given unlimited resources, Tim would be unstoppable.

Most materials were sourced and purchased online: the bases (garage storage cabinets) and faucets were ordered from a big-box retailer, the sinks from an RV supply company, and

Tim Strunk 12 • Colorado Byline | Summer 2020

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THE END RESULT the primer bulbs (the key part of the foot peddle) from a plumbing supplier. The soap and paper towel dispensers were ones we had on hand after a facility remodel. Each sink took a little less one day to complete.

The sinks had a few versions, as Tim built a prototype then improved and perfected his design.

The first version had the buckets permanently installed, which made the sinks too heavy and hard to move and required the entire unit to be taken to a mop sink to service. He built enough first-generation units for childcare to open and then began working on a retrofit upgrade to the original design. Tim’s “Gen-2” version added a Quick Disconnect to the supply line and an easy way to remove the drain line, which allowed the buckets to be removed before moving the unit and allowed just taking the buckets to the mop sink for service. The final per unit cost for the wash stations was about $300, which was half the price of the inferior products with the long lead time. Tim’s units have spent the summer being used by childcare, camps, and our gymnastics facility.

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Grants Are Great!

By Gabrielle Chisholm, former Parks & Recreation Assistant Director, Gilpin County

In June of 2020, a new GameTime Play On! playground was installed at Pete Gones Memorial Park in Gilpin County by Triple M Recreation! In December of 2019, the county was awarded the CPRA/GameTime promotes play grant.

This demonstration site uses six key play elements: balancing, spinning, brachiating, sliding, climbing and swinging.

Research proves that these movements and actions, in conjunction with one another, increase gross motor development,

14 •• Colorado Colorado Byline Byline || Summer Summer 2020 2020 14

improve critical thinking and problemsolving skills, and provide opportunities for creativity, social interaction and overall physical fitness for ages 5-12 years. This playground provides a safe and fun place for young children to develop and grow, to be able to explore and become stewards of Gilpin County’s vast open space land.

This playground replaced a 19 year-old structure, and is one of the few public park locations in the Peak to Peak area.

THANK YOU CPRA and GameTime for this excellent opportunity!

Many of the partnerships that were secured had some great contributions planned for this playground project.

BaseCamp: demo and upcycle old equipment, CSU Extension: planting native grasses and wildflowers, Local Girl Scout Troop: plant a tree, Library: help with usage research, and Ameristar: looking into how to contribute to more ADA accommodations such as a universal swing or pour-in-place surfacing.

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 the County and many of our partners closed down in

This playground provides a safe and fun place for young children to develop and grow, to be able to explore and become stewards of Gilpin County’s vast open space land.

mid-March. Some staff in Gilpin County Parks & Recreation were still able to work from home and virtually to be able to complete the project with the Public Works Department and Triple M Recreation.

The COVID-19 pandemic led to the closing of all casinos for three months by a state public heath order. The closure and the current very-restricted variance, greatly impacted the 2020 county budget, with the loss of an estimated $3 million, leading to the furlough and eventually the dismissal of 79 employees, close to 25% of Gilpin County staff.

The Parks & Recreation Department has closed entirely. The extreme measure to close the department was necessary to continue funding the statutory responsibilities Gilpin County has as a political subdivision of the state.

While passive areas like the playground and trail have reopened, once the State went into “Safer at Home and in the Vast Great Outdoors,” Gilpin County has no resources available to maintain the outdoor facilities for continued use. Gilpin County has submitted a Great Outdoors Colorado Resilient Communities Program Proposal. The proposal asks for funding

to provide maintenance and oversight of the outdoor facilities, including the new playground at Pete Gones Memorial Park, 2 ballfields, fairgrounds, arenas, trail and community garden, in order for them to open to Gilpin residents again. These funds will act as a stop gap as the county will be putting a dedicated mill levy on the ballot in November to reopen the Parks and Recreation Department in 2021. Surveys from residents show a great willingness to pass the mill levy and a successful GOCO grant will allow the outdoor areas of the department to open until revenue from the mill levy is received in Spring 2021.

Fingers crossed!

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Call of the Wild Northern Colorado Outdoor Recreation Usage Up Significantly During COVID-19

By Ryan Dusil, Transportation Planner II, North Front Range MPO

The COVID-19 pandemic began shifting daily routines across the State in early- to mid-March. Since then, land managers across Northern Colorado have seen a significant uptick in usage across the region’s trails, parks, natural areas, and open spaces. With closures or reduced access affecting many other types of recreation facilities, people living in or visiting Larimer and Weld counties have flocked to the great outdoors, no matter whether the setting is urban or rural, foothills or plains, neighborhood gem or regional jewel.

The North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization (NFRMPO) works with local and state government staff to monitor how trails and shared-use paths are being used, both for recreation and transportation.

From March through June 2020 data on bicycle and pedestrian usage was collected at seven continuous count sites across Greeley, Severance, Windsor, Loveland, and unincorporated Larimer County.* Collectively, these sites showed an average usage increase of 85 percent, compared with the same period in 2019. Weekdays in particular have shown more dispersed usage throughout the day, compared with the distinct morning, midday, and afternoon peaks seen in previous years. Although bicycle and pedestrian usage dropped by more than 50 percent at count sites on the Colorado State University (CSU) main campus, the main paths still counted over 308,000 users. Situated in the heart of Fort Collins, the campus has exhibited its ability to facilitate safe and socially distant options for recreation and active travel modes for the community at large. Across an additional 21 count sites in Fort Collins, counts from March through June were 41 percent higher in 2020 than in 2019. One site along the Spring Creek Trail at Edora Park recorded increases of more than 200 percent in March and April.

Looking beyond the usage along these trails and paths, Larimer County Department of Natural Resources has seen daily permits increase 20 percent at open spaces and 51 percent at reservoir parks, compared

16 • Colorado Byline | Summer 2020

forward. We appreciate the efforts of those who keep Colorado parks and rec up and running and thank them for their continued service to these essential areas.

with 2019. The City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Department has seen similar patterns, estimating a 94 percent increase in visits to the community’s natural areas during March – May 2020 as compared to the same time period in 2019. Some areas saw visitation well over-double during this time period.

These trends not only reinforce the importance of outdoor recreation in Northern Colorado in times of crisis, they are a sign of things to come as Northern Colorado is projected to add another 362,000 residents by the year 2045.

With this trajectory in mind and the new habits our communities have adopted in the face of the pandemic, it is safe to say that parks and rec professionals have their work cut out for them moving

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LIVE

Stream Teams CONNECTING WITH COMMUNITIES VIRTUALLY Fitness and athletics programming came to a standstill when COVID-19 hit in March.

Fortunately, many communities have adapted to staying connected with residents through online streaming and industry partners have developed ways to help programs go high-tech.

On the following pages, you’ll learn how Colorado Springs Therapeutic Recreation Program thought outside-the-box to create a new online program series for members and explore ways to stream your fitness classes to online and eventually as hybrid classes (online and inperson). Plus, discover ways to create a unique revenue stream by broadcasting your athletic tournaments and games to famillies, hear about two successful Colorado eSports leagues, and see how group history talks have gone virtual.

Colorado Byline | Summer 2020 • 19

From In-Person to Online THE CREATION OF VIRTUAL TIME RECREATING (VTR) WITH THE TRP

By Sarah Braun, CTRS, Program Coordinator, City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services

When COVID-19 hit the state of Colorado in March, the springtime programs offered by the City of Colorado Springs Therapeutic Recreation Program (TRP) were cancelled; it left individuals with disabilities and their families without daily services that were very much a part of their regular schedules.

The music for drumming and dancing classes fell silent, the balls for boccia were left on the court, and the waters of local pools remained still and calm, waiting for someone to ripple their smooth surfaces.

and adults with disabilities to acquire skills that enable them to participate in leisure experiences of their choice and enhance their abilities to function within a community setting. The TRP staff also provides advocacy and support for individuals with disabilities to participate in general recreation activities, as well as specialized therapeutic activities that include opportunities in outdoor adventure, arts & crafts, social enrichment, community integration/ leisure education, and sports, fitness & aquatics.

Most people look back on the earlier closures and found themselves enjoying old or new hobbies, catching up on to-do lists, or learning to navigate the cyber world in which we found ourselves. For individuals with disabilities, the closure of the state meant a drastic change in their quality of life and access to resources, community and companionship. The mission of the City of Colorado Springs TRP is to provide opportunities for youth

Following City of Colorado Springs and El Paso County Health guidance, the TRP staff began teleworking and soon discovered that although inperson programs were not an option, an opportunity to think outside-the-box and create an entirely new program series was upon them. Since the closure of operations also resulted in budget cuts and constraints, TRP staff relied on resources that were readily available at their

20 • Colorado Byline | Summer 2020

fingertips and could be easily accessed by a population that already exists on limited income. The result was a virtual series of programs for individuals with disabilities, and in most cases their families, focusing on connecting a population that had been isolated during the shutdown with resources that could be accessed time and again.

Since a Facebook page and YouTube channel already existed in the TRP’s repertoire of social media offerings, staff created a calendar of daily engagement posts and videos to share on both platforms, in an attempt to mimic their

typical program activities through the months of April and May. Videos ranged from seated exercises to exercises using materials found in your home, drumming, dance choreography, adaptive boxing, holiday themed arts & crafts projects and even basic cooking. Staff found that the benefit to offering prerecorded programs allowed participants to watch the videos time and time again, and that they did not have to be online at a particular time.

TRP social media presence soared during this time. Content viewed from the TRP Facebook page increased from about 100 people prior to the COVID shutdown to over 1,000 in April, and maintained well over 500 views from people through early June. Individual page followers and page likes increased by 85% each, demonstrating that if you post it, people will watch it!

Despite the popularity of the daily videos, TRP realized there was still something missing. Finding unique ways to prop devices to record videos did have its challenges, but nothing compared to the awkward feeling of talking to an empty room or laughing at your own jokes! So TRP staff took the plunge and utilized the free of charge option on the web based platform, Zoom, and started weekly Friday afternoon dance parties. The intention was to provide face to face engagement

for participants, and to foster social opportunities while also partaking in a time to cut loose, laugh and dance. The weekly dance parties included dress up themes (crazy hair, wedding guest attire, Hawaiian luau, sports teams, tie dye, mustache mayhem, and more!), and staff discovered that time at the beginning and end of each dance was needed for everyone to say their hellos and goodbyes, which sometimes included addressing all 30 people on the call individually!

Riding high on the success of the daily social media videos and weekly dance parties, TRP staff moved to the next phase of virtual programming, and developed a series focusing on skill development and social engagement through a multi date series for a nominal fee. All other videos and dance parties had been free of charge, and as the demand for more in-person engagement grew, TRP staff met the call with a more sustainable model. In June, Virtual Time Recreating (VTR) with the TRP was released, and participants were able to register for a three date program series focusing on social games of Pictionary, name that tune, and other interactive group games. Based on overwhelmingly positive participant feedback, two additional VTR series were added in July, focusing on the creative arts

of drumming and dancing choreography, and on body and mind fitness.

Both series concluded with rave reviews, leading TRP staff to think about inclusion in a different way, and offer VTR opportunities in 4 of its 5 program core areas alongside in-person opportunities for fall of 2020. The addition of VTR activities as part of regular and future programming is not by coincidence. TRP staff view it as an opportunity to move from reacting to challenging and unpredictable situations that shutdown services to a proactive and positive step forward to showing the importance of therapeutic recreation as an essential part in maintaining quality of life. With technology and software applications being developed daily, VTR with the TRP will definitely have a long lasting place among the programs for people with disabilities in the Pikes Peak Region.

For more information about the City of Colorado Springs Therapeutic Recreation Program, please visit our website at www.coloradosprings.gov/tr. Check us out on Facebook (Therapeutic Recreation Program of Colorado Springs) and YouTube (Colorado Springs Therapeutic Recreation Program), especially for a COVID-themed remake of a Golden Girls hit which has more than 1,400 views!

Colorado Byline | Summer 2020 • 21

Technology for Virtual Fitness TRANSFORMING FROM GROUP EXERCISE TO VIDEO PRODUCTION

By Matt Eckstein, CTS-D, AE Design & Robert McDonald, NCARB, LEED AP, CEO/Architect, OLC

Recreation centers have traditionally served as places of connection for a community, combining social activities with fitness and recreation to strengthen community ties and improve the lifestyles of millions of Americans. Most of these centers include some sort of group exercise studios that were designed to host groups of people all exercising together, but like many markets they have had a sudden disruption to a core tenant of the service: the ability to meet in groups in person. For now, many recreation centers have hastily arranged digital events, Zoom workouts, group/simultaneous runs using whatever means available to them, with the results varying from amateurish to semiprofessional. But some are looking further into the future than the current crisis and planning for a renaissance following the pandemic age.

While it is important to open back up to in-person workouts as soon as possible, future-proofing an in-person and online hybrid model is critical to long term success. If we can create events and workouts that can work both in-person and on-line, we can also reach community

members who may not have been able to visit in-person due to their schedule, geography, or physical limitations.

have some of this equipment installed in your space.

Livestreaming, conferencing, and instantfeedback technology will only continue to be integral to the way that we live, work, and recreate. The upside is it’s also becoming cheaper and easier to implement into already existing spaces, and the quality can go up with just a few upgrades.

Technology Upgrades All of this technology doesn’t mean hiring a full-time production crew, but can be designed and set-up by a skilled technology designer to be user friendly through the use of presets, scenes, and simple user interfaces. This person should be able to assess your needs, work with your budget to find the needed hardware, and to customize the software as needed.

A quick way to upgrade your digital presence include a computer, a camera such as a Huddly or Vaddio USB camera, a reliable internet connection, and a small microphone system, such as a Shure SLX-D wireless system with a headset microphone, or a Fitness Audio microphone system. It’s likely that you may even

To further increase production value, consider automatic camera controllers that allow multiple camera angles based on where the teacher is in the room, and a video capture card. This allows for flexible room setups and plug-and-play live streaming. And don’t forget your audio capture and mixing. For hybrid classes with music, allowing for the soundtrack in the room to be streamed over the internet live stream, but ducked under the instructor’s voice is a small but powerful feature that can take your class to a more professional level.

Soft codec-based live streams (the technical term for services like Zoom) could come with a small class fee; just as you would for a virtual class through a university. As the revenue stream from these classes increases, you can use some of the funds to continue to improve the technology and your Huddly IQ production value.

As you ramp up your technology offerings, do consider your content.

The days of broadcasting to a passive audience are quickly coming to an end, and interactivity and participation are critical. Capitalizing on technology that allows participants to share their progress and experience can make anyone feel included no matter where they are. One of the exciting things in a spin class is the competition on the leaderboard. Peloton, a popular home-cycling system, and other similar products use technology that reports back to the instructor’s dashboard about their class’s progress/statistics, but that concept can be applied to recreation center clients with simple technology like Wahoo Fitness sensors which can report stats back to the live instructor.

Don’t forget to add some lightheartedness and novelty. Goat yoga is unusually popular, and a fun new internet trend is for goats to join web conferences with the appropriately named GoatToMeeting.

Why not combine the two, and offer a

22 • Colorado Byline | Summer 2020

live-stream of a class to accommodate the people in person, as well as to include those following along at home with a branded goat filter on Snapchat or Instagram? If you’re not interested in livestock on your yoga mats, offer themed nights – yoga in your PJs, or yoga in a onesie – and curate a digital space for people to share their outfits online through hashtags or a newsletter.

Really consider the digital and in-person hybrid, including what tools someone might need to join in. Art classes are being held digitally, with a popular trend of a participant receiving a painting kit at home, who then joins into a virtual class, with an instructor who teaches them how to use these items. For those who can’t be on site, consider sending a “workout package” - weights, a yoga mat, a jump rope – directly to the participants. This could all be part of a recreation center’s fee for those classes.

Effects on Building and Space Design As we move forward into the digital space, opportunities will appear to create spaces that are more flexible as hybrid digital and physical spaces. We are already considering the technological additions to bring video streaming into the space, but there are certainly considerations for how

to set up a room so that it is successful as both a space for in-person activities, and for streaming digital activities.

Any time video- and audio-conferencing technology is deployed, acoustics, lighting, and wiring concerns are worthy of discussion. Think of your Aerobics Studio as a Video Production Studio, and you get the gist. Like technology upgrades, just a few upgrades to your physical spaces can take an otherwise banal production to new heights of professional quality and improved user experience.

Acoustics can be a huge challenge.

Applying some sound absorptive wall panels, ceiling panels, floor mats, etc. will help “deaden” the space. Marrying the room acoustics to the microphone technology being used will make for a more successful deployment. If the room has less-than-ideal acoustics for streaming or audio reinforcement, consider a head-worn wireless microphone.

Area microphones are less expensive but require a more ideal acoustical environment.

Lighting is also important. Recreation centers are typically well lit, but you now have to consider in-person task lighting as well as lighting for your cameras.

You do not want to end up transmitting a silhouette like your instructors are broadcasting from the witness protection program. Lighting for video conferencing

often involves front light (key and fill lights) and backlight. Use the key light to illuminate the subject on camera, the fill light to “fill in” shadows, and the backlight to help the subject stand out from the background. However, too much backlight can create silhouettes, and too much front light can create unattractive shadows or wash out the subject.

Daylighting is great for in-person workouts but can be difficult to control during a broadcast. If you don’t currently have window coverings or shades, consider adding these to exterior or even interior windows so you can let in the sun or block it out depending upon your needs.

Behind the scenes, consider the infrastructure for internet and power. To eliminate trip hazards and unattractive sight lines, the ability to hide the wiring within the walls/floors is always helpful.

There are also some wireless streaming devices, such as Teradek that don’t need power or data that can help to retrofit spaces that are underserved by data and power.

Digital programming via the internet is here to stay. So if you want to get it right and make sure that people can really see and hear that goat doing yoga or whatever you decide to broadcast, take the time to upgrade your studio and technology.

It will be well worth it in the long run.

If you want to get it right and make sure that people can really see and hear that goat doing yoga or whatever you decide to broadcast, take the time to upgrade your studio and technology.

Colorado Byline | Summer 2020 • 23

Keeping Families Connected PARK & RECREATION DEPARTMENTS USING LIVE STREAMING VIDEO WITH HIGH-SPEED SATELLITE INTERNET TO BROADCAST YOUTH SPORTS GAMES AND AID IN SOCIAL DISTANCING

By Chris Sturgeon, GoDog Sports

Parents have always tried to capture big moments during their kid’s sports games. Rarely do they have their phone recording at the right time. During Covid-19, youth sports programs are seeking social distancing tactics to reduce onsite crowd sizes and enable athletes to safely return to game play.

Enter GoDog GameStream, a live streaming video service for youth sports that also archives games for on demand viewing and allows users to create highlight clips and download games.

Launched in 2019 at park sports fields in Southern California, GoDog GameStream is the first live streaming service provider in the United States with the goal of making the install, launch and day to day operations of live streaming video virtually hands free for parks and sports leagues.

According to GoDog Sports Founder Seth Cummings, “we recognized the need to be a managed service and work with customers not only through install and service deployment, but ongoing. As we enter the Colorado market, we have a local team in place to manage every step of the process.”

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GoDog GameStream includes an impressive list of features that address connectivity, privacy, simplicity of use and advertising including:

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• HD live streaming cameras • On demand access to games • Video bookmarking

• Game downloads • Custom branded portals for leagues, tournaments, schools, and sports complex use

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CONNECTIVITY Access to Internet is a challenge for many parks. Through an exclusive youth sports category deal with high-speed satellite Internet provider Viasat, GoDog GameStream eliminates expensive and time intensive construction associated with trenching fiber and cable to sports fields. GoDog Sports and Viasat can also subsidize the costs of operating Wi-Fi services in the park by incorporating regional or national advertising sponsorships on the login screens.

GoDog GameStream initially deployed in parks across California and Texas, servicing Little League and independent baseball locations including VNSO Park in Sherman Oaks, Cortez Park in West Covina, and Sterns Park in Long Beach, California and Irvin J Lamka Park in El Paso, Texas. With Viasat, the live streaming service is expanding to youth sports and athletic fields at parks and schools across the United States.

“Several state parks agencies have contracted with Viasat for deployment of high-speed satellite and managed Wi-Fi services in their parks, including

24 • Colorado Byline | Summer 2020

MAKE A VIBRANT IMPACT Families will never miss a moment of their kid’s games while watching from their homes, work or anywhere in the world.

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INSTALLATION PROCESS GoDog GameStream scopes your park fields and uniquely plans your installation. GoDog Sports’ national installation team manages the install and account managers maintain the service year-round.

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Colorado Byline | Summer 2020 • 25

Competing Virtually ESPORTS BRING NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND NEW REVENUE STREAMS

By Todd Pernsteiner, Pernsteiner Creative Group

Communities across Colorado are looking for ways to provide recreation for all demographics throughout the state. The popularity of eSports has connected many generations through a common passion, video gaming.

According to CNN, eSports describes the world of competitive, organized video gaming. Competitors from different leagues or teams face off in the same games that are popular with at-home gamers: Fortnite, League of Legends, Counter-Strike, Call of Duty, Overwatch and Madden NFL, to name a few. These gamers are watched and followed by millions of fans all over the world, who attend live events or tune in on TV or online. Streaming services

like Twitch allow viewers to watch as their favorite gamers play in real time, and this is typically where popular gamers build up their fandoms.

In community programs, e-Sports leagues have been designed to teach many of the same life skills one would get from a more “conventional” program. Participants gain leadership and teamwork skills, develop consistent practice habits, and more.

The City of Thorton and South Suburban Parks and Recreation are two Colorado communities that have implemented e-Sports into their programming. A Q&A with these two groups follows.

ESPORTS Q&A Answers supplied by: City of Thorton Chris Curtis, Esports coordinator South Suburban Parks and Recreation Mike Coulter, Recreation Coordinator Adult & Youth Sports

Q: When and why did your community decide to get into eSports and competitive gaming?

A: City of Thorton – We first started hearing about esports a couple of years ago and then last fall I attended a session at NRPA that was jam-packed and realized there must be something to this.

When Covid-19 hit in March, It seemed like a logical time to jump into esports with everyone stuck at home and virtual programming on the rise.

South Suburban Parks and Recreation – The idea to get involved with eSports came from the same ideas that all of South Suburban Parks & Recreation projects originate - serving a need in the community we are both a part of and love very much! After much research, we learned that video games are clearly much more than a fad at this point, and we wanted to reach a younger demographic with something they can

26 • Colorado Byline | Summer 2020

relate to! Planning began earlier this year, and once we had everything planned out, we spent five weeks preparing the center that opened in March!

Q: Do you have an eSports lounge space? Describe that – was a remodel of an existing space? And add-on?

A: City of Thorton – Trail Winds Recreation Center opened last November and we have a computer room that is used for teaching classes primarily to seniors during the day. We plan to use it after school starting this fall as an esports lounge that can be reserved in two hour blocks. We are currently looking at purchasing four Xbox and four Sony PlayStation consoles, two Nintendo Switch consoles, two PC’s, 36 games, and 12 monitors available for check out.

South Suburban Parks and Recreation – We have a very unique space at the Lone Tree Hub, including a curved wall. It proved to be difficult to host classes, however we thought it would be an excellent space for a gaming lounge. We leveraged

the curved wall with a beautiful curved counter that holds our PC setups, and it really turned the space into something creative. I personally designed the space, and I kept the idea of “home” in mind the entire time. I have a few couches in the space, situated under large TVs for console games that really sets the tone of playing in your own living room. I use a dimmer lit room, but brighten it with custom RBG lighting in the ceiling, under our desks, and behind our televisions.

This creates a really special “high-tech” vibe in the room.

Photos: South Suburban Parks and Recreation

Q: What was the investment in equipment like for your community?

A: City of Thorton – Our first phase of offering esports consisted of partnering with Mission Control to offer online leagues in which participants use their own equipment, so no investment in equipment. On June 29 the department launched our first esports leagues. Esports are like traditional sports leagues with one major difference, games are played online in the virtual world! Esports are becoming popular with a group of people that are traditionally very hard to reach with recreational programming; boys and girls ages 14-19. It also is a great option for our A.I.R. (Adaptive and Inclusive Recreation) customers who face hurdles participating in

traditional sports leagues. Twenty separate leagues were offered in this first session and include popular games such as Madden Football, NBA2K, FIFA Soccer, Mario Kart, Super Smash Brothers, Rocket League, Fortnite, and more. Schedules are generated, games are played, and champions crowned. So far 54 individuals have signed up to be members on our site. Most leagues are just $5 to join with registration at missioncontrol.gg/play South Suburban Parks and Recreation – Thankfully, we were able to obtain a grant from the SCFD to fund the initial startup.

We made sure we were fiscally responsible during the design phase as my main focus was to make sure every dollar was spent with longevity in mind. For that reason, we have high-end computers, and the best consoles on the market. This ensures as new technology emerges, we’ll be able to maintain the center for significantly longer before having to invest in upgrades.

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Q: Can residents participate in your eSports programs from home?

A: City of Thorton – Yes, anyone can join, but our marketing has been primarily targeted to participants from our other programs here.

South Suburban Parks and Recreation – No. Most of our programs are focused on getting gamers out of the house, and interacting with other gamers locally. A big reason this program exists is because we are trying to close the gap between the stereotype of gamers and how they actually interact. Gone are the days of every gamer never going outside, locked up playing games for 10 hours a day. Gamers are now everyday people with everyday jobs, and goals outside of video games.

Bringing gamers into a space to interact about a shared interest creates friendships and friendly rivalries that are incredibly beneficial to young people.

Q: Has this become a good revenue stream for you? If so, what are fees for residents to participate?

A: City of Thorton – League fees are mostly $5 each, with some offered at $10. My feeling is that it will take about a year before this becomes a good revenue stream.

South Suburban Parks and Recreation – Even with COVID-19 restrictions, we’ve been successful early. Our camps vary in pricing but are very popular and span across multiple game types. Minecraft camps are very popular, and we host a busy weekly Fortnite league. We also offer hourly dropin play, and those prices are similar to the industry standard. Hourly prices are anywhere from $6-$3.50 an hour, depending on how many hours are purchased at once.

Our software tracks time per user/account, and can be used anytime we are open for drop-ins.

program for, but I think esports has some potential to reach this group. I’m also excited that this is something that participants in our Adaptive and Inclusive Recreation programs can be equally part of.

South Suburban Parks and Recreation – As a semi-professional player for many years, I know the interaction we provide gamers who have similar interests and ages has amazing benefits. Video games have been proven to help people relieve stress, increase reaction time, and benefit communication and awareness skills. On top of this, I focus very heavily on social interaction at my tournaments, camps, and drop-ins. I’ve already seen this in our Fortnite league! The first week was pretty quiet as the kids had never met before. However, by the second week, they were all making plans to hang out together outside the center!

Q: How many people have participated in eSports in your communit and what ages?

A: City of Thorton – In our first session, we had a total of 30 participants register for games. Our second session will begin in late August.

South Suburban Parks and Recreation – Right now, we’re near 100 unique users that vary in demographics. We run Super Smash Brothers and Tekken 7 tournaments weekly, and these games are played on a very competitive and professional level.

Many of Colorado’s top players attend this event every week, and ages range from 16-27.

This is very common for this community as tournaments are frequent and typically community funded. Our Fortnite events see a much younger age group at 10-14, and Minecraft even younger at ages 5-10.

Q:

Q:

Are there online safety issues you’ve had to overcome or deal with? Have you created your own secure network/ platform? Or do you use a third-party gaming platform?

What benefits do eSports programs offer to residents?

A:

A:

28 • Colorado Byline | Summer 2020

Photos: City of Thorton

City of Thorton – I think the primary benefit is like any other program that we offer in that it allows the participant to feel like they are part of a community. Typically the 14-19-year-old age group is hard to

City of Thorton – Mission Control is our third party platform and they have a strict code of conduct and monitor the chat rooms.

They also resolve any disputes that might arise. They have been very responsive to any questions that have come up on our end or from the participants. So far, there have not been any safety issues.

South Suburban Parks and Recreation – Thankfully, I have 10 years in IT experience. We use a third-party software called ggleap, which fully takes control of the machines on boot. It displays a login for users, after they purchase time, to login and play anything they choose. This software automatically age restricts what they can access, and we have web browser use fully disabled. It’s really given us a lot of protection with all ages.

of the space that I’ve created, but I couldn’t have done it without understanding management. This industry is very new to parks and recreation, and with the trust and support of our management team, I think we were able to create something great!

Q: Anything else you would like to add about eSports?

Q: Who set up your eSports league and/or program? Was it done within your department or did you work with an outside consultant?

A: City of Thorton – Andrew Garcia from our department is very knowledgeable about esports and set up our initial leagues and Mission Control assigned an account specialist to walk us through the set-up process and give us tips on how to market, what to offer, how long the leagues should be, what to charge, etc. It was a lot easier than I thought it would be!

South Suburban Parks and Recreation – I did personally!

South Suburban hired me specifically to create and manage the new eSports program. I’ve been running tournaments and events for a few years, and have a vast experience in esports as a player! I handled the install from start to finish, and I hired staff after we opened to our community. I’m very proud

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A: City of Thorton – I know that tournaments are big (Fortnite, Call of Duty) and we are hoping to look into this more. I think that sponsors might potentially be interested in providing prizes to the winners which would attract more participants. I’d like to also check into offering classes that would provide instruction on how to improve skills for various games.

South Suburban Parks and Recreation – I urge other parks & recreation districts to consider an esports program for their community. The younger generation is our future, and providing opportunities for them similar to the rest of our community is essential if we want to stay relevant! I welcome anyone in the industry to reach out to me and ask questions! I’m an open book to how we started this, and would love to see others follow suit!

8/26/20 9:07 AM

Colorado Byline | Summer 2020 • 29

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By Todd Pernsteiner, Pernsteiner Creative Groups

Since early this year, the motorcoach/bus tour industry in Grand Lake and Rocky Mountain National Park has been halted by most organizations, including all recreation, senior and active adult centers. A number of tours have been postponed with no set date into the future due to the uncertainty we all face.

Dave Lively, owner of Lively Tours and Talks, explained that Grand Lake continues to see Colorado residents and visitors from other states such as Texas and California, but no international travelers. “These visitors typically tour Rocky Mountain National Park from the comfort of an enclosed cab 4-door pickup truck, so they are high enough to enjoy the views and animals without being in the wind on wooden benches. Scenic and animal photo stops are frequent.”

Though the pandemic has postponed or cancelled group tours, Lively said requests for private guided history tours with short walks has increased over 2019 for the quieter and cooler west side of the Rocky. While health regulations did not allow any tour operations until mid-June and held guest capacities to 50% capacity after June 20, the July regulations allowed full capacity if all the guests are from the same Dave Lively (on right) leads household. a private group tour

On private tours, Lively, a certified tour guide and celebrated historian, navigates groups to off-the-beaten-path landmarks that most would miss on their own in the a vehicle. Along the way, guests hear animated stories of the unique characters and hidden narratives that helped shape the development of Rocky Mountain National Park.

In addition to tours, many senior and active adult centers have booked Lively to give history talks on Rocky Mountain National Park and historical figures. During the pandemic, in-person history talks have temporarily stopped, so Lively has gotten creative and now offers interactive online presentations.

“With many centers open on a limited operating basis, we’ve transitioned our in-person history programming into virtual programs. These talks have been a huge success and will be continued throughout 2021 even as in-person groups are allowed to resume,” explained Lively.

If you’re looking for ways to engage adult/senior populations and increase programming revenues, visit livelytoursandtalks.com to learn more about their tours and talks.

DO M O R E W IITH TH LES S RE

Save the Date!

VIRTUAL ANNUAL CONFERENCE October 1 - November 3, 2020 The 2020 Annual Conference will run four weeks from October 1 through November 3, 2020 with most virtual content scheduled every Tuesday and Thursday during two sessions.

Watch www.cpra-web.org for more details.

RECREATION ASS ET MANA GEME NT GEM EN T COVID-19 has changed everything. Recreation facilities and parks are

changing strategies to meet new standards. Parks & Recreation Professionals are feeling pressure to improve their best practices and maintenance/cleaning standards in order to keep their communities safe.

Unfortunately, there is a gap as managers need to balance funds, staff, and maintenance work. Many departments are understaffed, backlogged on work, and have a fraction of the budget necessary to complete what is being required of them.

www.cpra-web.org

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Colorado Byline | Summer 2020 • 31

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