MPRA Minnesota Magazine

MINNESOTA Official Publication of Minnesota Recreation and Park Association

Jan

Volume 6, Issue 1

Spring 2011

Recreation and Parks

Minnesota Park and Recreation Space Rental Guide INSIDE

www.mnrpa.org Spring 2011 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 1

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MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks

Publisher Minnesota Recreation and Park Association 200 Charles Street NE, Fridley, MN 55432 www.mnrpa.org Tel: 763.571.1305 Editorial Staff Michelle J. Snider Bethani Gerhard Editorial Board Patty Anderson, Maple Grove Jan Ficken, Brooklyn Park Jennifer Fink, Anoka County Chad Ubl, Winona Heidi Sedlacek, New Brighton

WHAT’S INSIDE

By MRPA Magazine Editorial Board

Are students ready to become a park and recreation professional?

At the Editorial Board meeting this following 50 questions, each correct past February, we met with Winona answer is worth one point. Starting State University Professor Roger with Question Number One: You have Riley. The intent of the meeting was 12 students in a swim lesson class; the to review the second article in our class costs $45 to participate. You have research, Faculty Members’ Perspec- spent directly and indirectly $3,200 tives, which you can read in the fol- to administer the program. What is lowing pages. We also met to discuss your cost recovery percentage? Questhe third article which will tion Number Two: The words focus on professionals in cancellation and registration the recreational profes(a) have similar meaning; (b) Recreation and Parks sion and their perspechave contradictory meanings; tives of graduating stuor (C) mean neither the same dents entering the field. nor the opposite. During the combine we would also line-up The dialog at that meetstrollers, backpacks, towels, and ing focused on the studeck chairs and have the gradudents’ ‘readiness’ to enates navigate from one end of ter the field. Are they ready to the pool to the other in a timed fashbecome a professional? Since big-time ion; it would be known as their 50 mecollege athletes prepare to leave the ter time. Of course we would shortly university around this time and enter come to the conclusion that none of into the professional world, I wonder if this means anything about their ability recreation professionals should assemto be a recreation professional. ble in Indianapolis and hold a recreational combine similar to the National What it may in fact mean the most Football League. We would ask gradu- is their willingness to do ‘anything.’ I ating seniors to take the recreation ver- think we have witnessed two good exsion of the Wonderlic Test. Students amples of this and they are outlined you will have 12 minutes to answer the on the back page of this issue.

MINNESOTA Official Publication

Advertising & Design Pernsteiner Creative Group, Inc. MRPA Board of Directors President: Cris Gears, Three Rivers Park District President-Elect: Jack Kirk, Fridley Past President: Jon Oyanagi, Brooklyn Park Secretary: Jay Hutchison, Albert Lea Treasurer: Dale McCamish, Rochester RSC Chair: Lyndell Frey, Eden Prairie East Metro: Jennifer Fink, Anoka County East Metro: Dan Schultz, Rosemount East Metro: Jason T. West, New Brighton Northwest Region: Brad Bonk, Willmar Northeast Region: Marc Mattice, Wright County Southern Region: Rick Schaber, Saint Charles West Metro: Regina Michaud, Plymouth West Metro: Andy Solvedt, Golden Valley West Metro: Nicole White, Eden Prairie This magazine is the official quarterly publication of Minnesota Recreation and Park Association and is provided complimentary to members as part of their MRPA membership. The editorial board encourages the submission of articles and photos for publication.

Articles of approximately 500-700 words or less may be submitted, but may be edited for length and clarity.

Contact Michelle Snider, MRPA, at 763.571.1305 x100 if

of Minnesota

Recreation and

Park Association

Jan

Volume 6, Issue

Spring 2011

1

Minnesota Park and Recreatio n Space Rental Guide INSIDE

Spring 2011 • www.mnrpa MINNESOTA .org Recreation and

Parks 1

interested in submitting an article for a future issue.

Deadlines for Articles and Advertising Summer ...........April 20 for the Summer issue Fall .............................July 15 for the Fall issue Winter .......... October 15 for the Winter issue Spring ..........February 18 for the Spring issue MRPA reserves the right to approve all submitted advertising in MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks magazine. All requests for advertising should be made to Todd Pernsteiner, Account Manager, at 952.841.1111 or info@pernsteiner.com.

An affiliate of National Recreation and Park Association

Spring 2011 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 3

ADVERTISER INDEX

TABLE OF CONTENTS What’s Inside.................................3 From the Board President............5 Keeping Up....................................6 Fitness & Wellness Section..........7 MRPA In Action..............................7 MRPA Awards................................8 Corporate Connections.............10 Public Parks and Recreation Faculty Perspectives...................12 Events Go Green.........................17

Don’t Forget a Permit................ 20 Running the Race........................21 Emergency Preparedness..........23 Going Solar..................................24 Space Rental Guide....................25 10 & Under Tennis.......................28 Minnesota Recreation & Park Foundation......................... 29 What’s Going On....................... 30

Advanced Coating Systems................... Inside Back Cover Anderson Race Management........................................... 25 Bonestroo............................................................................. 3 Broyhill................................................................................... 7 Clearwater Recreation........................... Inside Front Cover Gopher Athletic Venues........................ Inside Front Cover JRK Seed............................................................................. 23 Kidology.............................................................................. 24 Landscape Structures.........................................Back Cover Minneapolis Northwest..................................................... 11 Minnesota/Wisconsin Playground..................................... 4 Murdock Super Secur.......................................................... 9 Musco Sports Lighting...................................................... 27 Pernsteiner Creative Group, Inc....................................... 11 Science Museum of Minnesota........................................ 15 SEH........................................................................................ 4 Ultimate Events.................................................................. 15

Park & Trail System Plan Park Master Plan Park Design Funding & Implementation

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4 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

Thank you to our advertisers for your help in supporting MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks magazine. We kindly ask members to please support our advertisers.

Interested in advertising? Contact Todd Pernsteiner at 952.841.1111 or info@pernsteiner.com.

FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT

By Cris Gears, MRPA President

Hope Springs Eternal Welcome to the dawning of another Spring in Minnesota!

In a month or so the snow will be gone, the crocuses will win their epic battle against the frozen ground, rising up just before being eaten immediately by the dozens of rabbits living under my neighbor’s deck. The seasons march forward, and I hope it will come sooner than later.

Unfortunately, the Parks and Recreation profession is still in the middle of a longer, more intense winter driven by harsh economic winds that haven’t let up over the last few years. These winds are slowly eroding the relevance of parks and recreation programs to the people they are intended to serve.

I can’t recall a time when the rhetoric against public service has been so strident, when our work has been vilified as a primary cause of the public’s woes. These are tough times for all levels of government, for all of the people in public service, and for the private companies that provide the materials and expertise needed to provide services to the public. It is the winter of seemingly everyone’s discontent.

And yet there is great hope for a better future. One of my favorite quotes is from former Secretary of State Madeline Albright, “The great dividing line in the world is not between East and West, North and South or rich and poor. It is between those paralyzed by the memories and habits of the past, and those energized by prospects for the future.”

Simply waiting out this Winter of Discontent is not a viable option, especially if you are a young professional. The actions we choose to take today will affect the profession for 20 or more years.

So what can we do? While I don’t claim to have all the answers, I know two things to be true. First off, this Winter of Discontent is not driven by nature. It’s driven by people. And we are in the people business. Parks are a primary touch point for people in every community, across all income levels, across all ages. I can’t think of another single profession that has so many grassroots connections to the people in the community. Second, I know that the parks and recreation profession employs intelligent, creative and dedicated people who have, by the very nature of the profession, a history of forward thinking and a proven record of problem solving.

For the short term, I encourage all of you to re-emphasize your connections to your community. Drop the emails – go out for coffee to re-connect with the people in your community. Personalize the profession one person at a time.

For the longer term, MRPA has assembled some free thinkers – including Jason West, Corky Ebeling, Tracy Petersen, Chris Esser, Jody Yungers, Jill Anfang, Jim Wise, Jennifer Ringold, Jon Oyanagi, Randy Distad and

Jonathan Vlaming – to guide the development of a vision and strategic plan for the parks and recreation profession in Minnesota. This group will craft a vision and goals and bring those to our Annual Conference at Mystic Lake in September, where you will be invited to help develop specific short and long-term actions that will be needed to reach these goals, and ultimately the vision.

According to legend, Pecos Bill tamed a tornado, rode it into the ground and created the Grand Canyon. And though none of us individually may have the strength to change the landscape of America, a group of dedicated professionals can be just as strong as Pecos Bill, working in unison to reestablish the relevance of parks and recreation across all communities. Tough times make people work together, and that is a good thing.

As I wrap this up, the temperature has risen a bit and I’m coming down with a case of baseball fever. The forecast is for more snow, and fresh snow always seems magical. It’s time to stop griping and enjoy the end of a natural season. And while the Winter of Discontent may still be raging, I’m starting to see the opportunities that it is creating. I see hope for a new spring – one that we may have to drag in kickin’ and screamin’, but a new spring nonetheless.

MRPA Annual Conference 2011 SAVE THE DATE - FOUR BIG DAYS OF EDUCATION & EVENTS! The 2011 MRPA Annual Conference is coming to Mystic Lake Conference Center from Sept.

20-23. The theme, “Back to Our Future,” helps remind us we can reflect on the successes of the past to plan for the great opportunities that lie ahead. Watch for more details in the summer issue of “Minnesota” magazine.

Tuesday, September 20:

• Pre-Conference Institutes • 18-Hole Golf Tournament

Wednesday, September 21:

• Off-Site Tours • Speakers • Conference Social

Thursday, September 22:

• Exhibit Hall • Speakers • Membership Social

Friday, September 23:

• Speakers • Closing Keynote Schedule subject to change.

Spring 2011 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 5

KEEPING UP

Barrier Breaker. Hockey Hero. Scholarship Achiever.

“Keeping Up” is a feature that highlights MRPA member events, news, people and more. To contribute to this section, please send a 125 word or less brief and photos to Michelle Snider at MRPA (snider@mnrecpark.org).

Breaking Barriers

Kare 11 Recognizes Hockey Organizer

Eagan Parks and Recreation Department director, and volunteer running instructor, Juli Seydell Johnson, was honored with a Breaking Barriers Award from the National Women’s Sports Foundation and the Minnesota Coalition of Women in Athletic Leadership. The award presentation was part of the National Girls and Women in Sports Day on February 1 at the State Capitol.

Congratulations to Susie Miller for being honored as one of Kare 11’s Eleven Who Care award recipients. Miller was recognized for her work in establishing Minnesota Special Hockey, a non-profit hockey league meant to give all Minnesotans with developmental disabilities the ability to play the sport.

Miller is the Edinborough Park assistant manager with Edina Park and Recreation.

Minnesota Special Hockey began as a six-week spring program offered through the City of Edina’s adaptive recreation office. With Miller’s guidance, it has evolved into a statewide hockey league with five teams, over 80 skaters and a five-month long season. The non-profit organization is comprised entirely of volunteers, consisting of 20 coaches and an eight-person board of directors. The league welcomes players with developmental disabilities of all ages.

Juli volunteered to teach several women’s running classes and a running club that introduced and encouraged many women in Eagan and surrounding areas to try the sport of running.

Additionally, she volunteers to provide race support with Team Ortho and as a volunteer pacer for many Twin Cities races.

Trudeau Scholarship Awarded Alicia Watts received the Richard Trudeau Advocacy Scholarship to attend her first National Recreation and Park Association Legislative Forum in Washington, D.C. The scholarship is provided by the NRPA branch, National Society of Park Resources. NSPR offers a scholarship for young professionals who have demonstrated exceptional promise to be advocates for public policy and legislation that affects and supports parks, recreation, and the conservation of natural resources. Watts is a park facility specialist with Dakota County Parks and Open Space.

The Breaking Barriers Award celebrates positive impact and contributions towards providing athletic opportunities for girls and women of all races, all ages, and all levels of abilities.

Faribault Family Aquatic Center Turns 10 The Faribault Family Aquatic Center will soon commemorate 10 years of thrills, spills, and chills as it celebrates its 10th anniversary during the 2011 season. The anniversary festivities begin June 10, with participants sharing a huge birthday cake and participating in water activities. The summer-long celebration consists of fun days each week, including sandcastle contests, free evening swims, Christmas in July, Friday night family rates, and much more!

The Faribault Aquatic Center features: water slides, lily pads, diving board, water basketball, water fountains, and a sand play area – a great place to make sandcastles. The center provides water fun and safety for people of all ages, as well as groups and rental parties.

6 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

MRPA IN ACTION MRPA Fitness & Wellness Section The MRPA Fitness and Wellness Section’s meeting schedule for 2011 provides a new abundance of knowledge and ideas for health and fitness professionals throughout the state.

The section’s meetings will be held quarterly this year, and will be structured to provide industry information and facility operation insight for each host facility.

We encourage you or your staff to attend the next meeting on Thursday, May 12 in New Brighton. Participants will discuss fitness program development for ‘tweens. Attendees are encouraged to bring copies of your agencies’ youth and ‘tween programs to share with fellow professionals.

The other meetings for 2011 will be held September 8 and December 8.

Additionally, the section will provide state and national legislative updates regarding health and physical activity, initiatives, and up and coming trend information throughout the year. We also want to hear from you if you have questions or ideas. Please email Beth Witt at bwitt@edenprairie.org with any requests for information or hot topic ideas.

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Meet Eric Anderson

Eric Anderson’s introduction to the recreation profession began similarly to many others – working various part-time and volunteer jobs to gain experience.

He then completed internships with Owatonna Parks and Recreation and Eden Prairie Parks and Recreation. In 2002, Anderson was hired as the adult recreation programmer / aquatics coordinator for Redwood Falls Parks and Recreation and worked there until 2007. He was then hired as the recreation supervisor with Owatonna Parks and Recreation.

Anderson’s involvement in MRPA began in 2000 as a student member while attending Minnesota State University, Mankato.

He says being involved in MRPA has offered “the opportunity to establish relationships needed to learn about and become part of the profession.” While at MSU, Mankato, he was a member of the 2002 MRPA Aquatics Conference Committee, helped to coordinate the MSU, Mankato Sports Challenge exhibit hall booth, and volunteered during several MRPA annual conferences. He also received a Minnesota Recreation and Park Foundation student scholarship.

Anderson’s involvement in MRPA has continued during his professional career. Anderson was a member of the MRPA Annual Conference Committee in 2005 when the conference was held in southern Minnesota. He is a graduate of the MRPA Emerging Recreation Leaders Institute for 2010. Anderson has been very involved with the Southern Minnesota Recreation and Park Association (SMRPA), and currently serves as SMRPA Treasurer. He also attends MRPA section meetings and trainings.

“MRPA has provided me with opportunities that helped me get to where I am today and to continue to grow in the profession,” says Anderson. He adds that MRPA membership and offerings provide the “ability to interact with and feed-off others who share the same passion for the parks and recreation profession and achieving greatness in our communities.” Anderson names the following Association benefits as most helpful: networking and friendships with fellow professionals, support from the organization and membership; and opportunities to develop professional knowledge.

States Anderson: “The parks and recreation profession allows me to affect the lives of people in a positive way. In this profession you have the ability to offer people experiences and memories through the opportunities you provide for them. When I see the excitement and enthusiasm from the people who take advantage of these opportunities, it gives me the motivation to continue what I do each day.”

MRPA members are the heart of our organization. They are involved and committed to advancing the parks and recreation programming. MRPA in Action is a new magazine feature which will highlight one section/ committee and one professional per issue.

Spring 2011 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 7

MRPA Recognizes Outstanding Professionals During Awards Ceremony

By Bethani Gerhard, Minnesota Recreation and Park Association

Minnesota Recreation and Park Association held its annual professional awards ceremony on January 13, 2011 to recognize MRPA members and agencies that have made outstanding contributions to parks and recreation.

MRPA extends a special thank you to Landscape Structures, Inc. for their generous support of the awards program and to Apple Valley Parks and Recreation for hosting the event.

The Clifton E. French Distinguished Service Award is MRPA’s award of highest distinction. The 2010 recipient was Terry Just, Maple Grove Parks and Recreation Board director (see following article for more information).

The Jack Niles Award is presented to a male professional member with 9 to 15 years of outstanding service to the parks and recreation profession and to MRPA. The 2010 recipient was Chuck Stifter, Maple Grove Parks and Recreation Board park planner.

Jon Oyanagi, Brooklyn Park Recreation and Parks, and Jennifer Ringold, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, were presented with the Special Award. This award is presented to a person(s) who has demonstrated notable and outstanding achievements in the parks and recreation profession. Oyanagi and Ringold received this award for serving as co-chairs for the National Recreation and Park Association Congress and Exposition’s Local Host Committee.

The Board and Commission Award, given to a member of a citizen’s advisory or policy-making board in the parks and recreation profession, was presented to Jerry Hennen with Scott County.

Dennis Frederickson, Minnesota Senate, received the Legislative Award. This award recognizes legislators for “outstanding contributions at the state or federal level on behalf of parks and recreation.

The Dorothea Nelson Award is presented to a female proLeft to right: Jerry Hennen, Brad Martens, Jennifer Ringold, fessional member with 9 to 15 Dennis Frederickson, Jennifer Christie, Terry Just, Chuck Stifter, Jon Oyanagi; Not pictured: Saint Paul Parks and Recreation years of outstanding service Again, congratulations to all the to the parks and recreation MRPA professional award recipients. We look forward to the next profession and to MRPA. The 2010 recipient was Jennifer Christie Annual General Meeting and Awards Luncheon scheduled for with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

January 12, 2012.

Brad Martens, New Brighton Parks and Recreation, received the Horizon Award, given to a professional member of MRPA with eight years or less of professional experience. In order to receive this 2010 MRPA Clifton E. French Award Recipient award, the MRPA member must be an “up and coming” professional Terry Just, Maple Grove Parks and Recreation and an active contributor to MRPA with great leadership skills.

Saint Paul Parks and Recreation was presented with the Tommy Johnson Award for their Pool Green Initiative. The MRPA Awards Committee selected one “Award of Excellence” project to receive this award for best exemplifying the values that Tommy Johnson was known for: innovation, futuristic, revolutionary and/ or creative with ideas and initiatives that helped establish future trends, philosophical change, sharing of new resources and new exciting concepts.

8 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

The Clifton E. French Distinguished Service Award recipient for 2010 was Terry Just, Maple Grove Parks and Recreation Board director. This award is the highest distinction presented to a person who has provided long and outstanding service to MRPA and the parks and recreation profession.

“Humbled is the word to describe what the Clifton E. French Award means to me personally,” says Just. “I’ve been able to provide leisure services and programs throughout parts of the state for 40

years. I’ve worked in five cities with five great mentors: Roger Lowe and Roy Sutherland in Rochester, Bob Welch in Winona, Fay Miller in Albert Lea, and Frank Rog in Roseville.”

According to Just, the Clifton E. French Distinguished Service Award is a tribute to great support from Maple Grove policymakers, both city council and park board members, and an outstanding staff. “All together, my staff adds up to 425 years of work experience,” he states.

Just considers Maple Grove’s Town Green one of his major career accomplishments. The Town Green opened in 2010 and features a beautiful “state-of-theart” outdoor performance venue.

It was actually one of Just’s dreams when he came from Roseville Parks and Recreation to Maple Grove in 1986, to make an outdoor bandshell like the Frank Rog Amphitheater in Roseville Central Park.

Another highlight from Just’s career is the Maple Grove Community Center. The community center provides services for every facet of the community. “I consider this to be the jewel of our park system,” says Just.

“And I remember a time, not too long ago, when the property was just a gravel pit.”

Just was also able to have a huge impact on MRPA. He helped set a financial base as Treasurer when he served on the Board of Directors for MRPA in 2003-2006. In 2009, Just was part of the MRPA Treasurers’ Task Force, who conducted a financial sustainability study and delivered recommendations to the Board for operations completed by past treasurers of the organization.

“The Town Green project was Terry Just (right) and his father, Jack Just overwhelmingly received by the residents of Maple Grove,” states Congratulations to Terry Just for receiving this Just. “It has become the centerpiece of our cultural activities in distinguished award, and thank you to Terry for all his years of the city, offering 42 performances serving thousands of visitors.” service to MRPA and the parks and recreation profession.

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Represented by: Clearwater Recreation, LLC 329 East Lake Street, Waconia, MN. 55387 clearwaterrec@msn.com 866-654-1490 www.clearwaterrecreation.com

Spring 2011 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 9

MINNESOTA RECREATION AND PARKS

CORPORATECONNECTIONS Plan it and they will come Brauer & Associates Ltd. is a Minneapolis-based land use planning and design firm specializing in projects that add value to the public realm, improve the quality of life in our communities, and protect the natural environment in meaningful ways. The firm has been providing professional landscape architectural services since 1963. With over 500 public-related projects including; park and trail system planning, regional and state parks, community parks, neighborhood parks, urban and special-use design, athletic complexes, creative children’s play areas, campgrounds, development projects, and conservation development plans in the last 12 years alone, the firm’s collective experience provides clients with vast, relevant experience that can be applied to projects of varying type, size, complexity, and importance to the community and region.

Meet in a treehouse…seriously

The Radisson Hotel Bloomington by Mall of America features five distinctive rooms that will host your meeting in sophisticated style. Plan a unique gathering within the Water Park of America in our Treehouse, featuring an elevated view of the park’s attractions, perfect for a company picnic or casual event. For something traditional, try our River Birch or Red Oak rooms for up to 80 guests, or the more intimate Sugar Maple Room for up to 60 guests. All of our event space provides efficient event planning services from our time-tested staff.

Book your next meeting and receive a $100 credit toward the event (certain restrictions apply). Contact Sarah Strege at (952) 229-5705 or sstrege@radissonmallofamerica.com.

NEW! Varmint Defiant Trash Can Cover When critters get into your trash you’ve got a BIG mess and a BIG problem. The new Trash Can Cover from Pilot Rock can help keep pests out of your trash cans.

The steel fabricated cover is hinged to a steel post for easy operation. The cover weight, deep front lip and the security ring all work to keep your can…and the trash…in place. When you pull the trash door open it closes the throat of the cover so animals can’t reach inside. Close the door and your trash drops into the can. Embedded post or surface mount installations are available.

Pilot Rock park equipment is designed and manufactured in the United States

by R.J. Thomas Mfg. Co. Inc., Cherokee, IA. The Pilot Rock product line includes picnic tables, pedestal grills, park and street site benches, campfire rings, bike racks, trash and recycling receptacles, lantern poles, custom signs and more.

Corporate MRPA members are invited to submit CORPORATE CONNECTION briefs, up to 125 words or less, along with a photo (optional) of new products or services, company news, special events or anything related to the profession of parks and recreation. Consideration will be given for future issues of MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks magazine. We reserve the right to edit content. Submissions placed based on when submitted and space availability.

Send your article and photos to info@pernsteiner.com two months prior to publication date.

10 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org 10 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

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Minneapolis Northwest Helps Expand Programming & Outreach Outreach, expansion, grant dollars and free services equal successful programming & exposure.

Pop quiz. How do you expand your reach and still maintain a quality program? How can you expand your programming without going over budget? How do you find a partner that is willing to grow your programs without giving up your first born child? The answer to all of the questions is: work with your convention & visitors bureau.

For the cities of Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park & Maple Grove, Minneapolis Northwest Convention & Visitors Bureau has been evaluating the opportunities of park & recreation departments along with city facilities in each. The organization has also been facilitating growth with programs, tournaments and awareness of facilities and amenities for the service area over the past 25 years. The next question on your pop quiz is, Why? Minneapolis Northwest exists to provide a unique type of economic impact to the cities it serves. The main revenue source of the organization is via a hotel tax. So one of the goals for Minneapolis Northwest is to find sports and recreational opportunities within the area for expansion of those

the area to bring in different types of competitions and tournaments. As an added bonus, Tim has the ability to evaluate programming and assist with development of programs that would appeal to a broader audience with grant dollars provided by Minneapolis Northwest.

Tim Zunker Sports & Meetings, Minneapolis Northwest

programs to bring in participants, teams and spectators that will spend dollars at local business, plus utilize the hotels in Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park & Maple Grove.

For Tim Zunker, Sports & Meetings Manager at Minneapolis Northwest, he works closely with the different park & recreation departments and approaches the growth opportunities with a type of sales and marketing outreach to sports and tournament planners. He also works as a type of matchmaker to expose planners to the fields and other facilities within

Last question in the quiz: How can I afford to work with an organization like Minneapolis Northwest? The benefit of working with an organization like a convention & visitors bureau is that all the services are FREE. This translates to both planners and city entities.

Outreach, expansion, grant dollars and free services equal successful programming and exposure.

Contact Tim Zunker at 763.566.7722 or via e-mail at sports@mplsnw.com for more information on how to work with Minneapolis Northwest.

www.mnwspor ts.com

Spring 2011 â&#x20AC;˘ MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 11

Public Parks and Recreation Option Faculty Members’ Perspectives In this, the second of four articles, we look at the perceptions of professors at the four main universities that “feed” Minnesota parks and recreation departments.

Dr. Begum Aybar Damali, Dr. Roger Riley, Lucas Schmidt On September 2, 2010, the following message was sent to all professors on SPRE.NET, the listserv of the Society of Park and Recreation Educators, a former branch of NRPA: “We are excited to be able to share the program and registration information about the Leisure, Recreation, Sport and Tourism Educators Teaching Institute (the event formerly known as SPRE Teaching Institute) - not sure if the ‘as inclusive as we could think of’ name will stick, but we hope the ideas will.”

Where once, the Teaching Institute was for the Society of Park and Recreation Educators (SPRE), it has now been renamed the Leisure, Recreation, Sport and Tourism Educators Teaching Institute. This is, perhaps, evidence of the widening mission of academic departments that focus on developing leisure professionals.

The MRPA Editorial Board prompted the authors to investigate undergraduate recreation majors’ interest in public parks and recreation as a future employment option. The Board’s perception suggests that undergraduates are now less interested in the profession of public parks and recreation than they once were. Findings in the first article suggest that students are still interested in public parks and recreation but they are equally interested in many other professional options.

In this, the second of four articles, we look at the perceptions of professors at the four main universities that “feed” Minnesota parks and recreation departments. For this article we asked the four department chairs to offer their opinions and to choose an opposite gendered faculty member to do the same. The following questions were asked of the faculty members via e-mail and they could reply with as much depth as they chose.

12 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

1) Have you seen growth in your department – numbers of students, number of offerings, facilities, staff.

2) Have your witnessed students’ interests changing within the recreation field? (e.g. from more traditional recreation professions to more non-traditional recreation professions).

3) Have you seen the demographics of students change over the years? gender, race, ethnicity, rural/city 4) Has your curriculum changed – how?

5) Do you discuss the option of public parks and recreation within your coursework? How? 6) Do you discuss the option of public parks and recreation when advising or in discussion with students outside the classroom?

7) Do you work with your local parks and recreation department or state recreation association? If not, is there another agency or service area you work closely with?

Department Growth - Students, Course OfFerings, StafF Student Numbers - Except for the University of Minnesota, undergraduate numbers have remained the same over the last few years at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Minnesota State University, Mankato. A slow and steady increase was reported at Winona State University. The University of Minnesota has witnessed declining numbers but a revamped 2009 curriculum appears to be attracting the interest of students. In graduate programs, UW-La Crosse reported increasing numbers and Winona State has recently started a graduate certificate program as part of a master’s degree in educational leadership. While MSU, Mankato did not report on enrollment in their longstanding master’s degree, the University of Minnesota’s graduate program fell victim to budget cuts and no longer exists.

Faculty Resources - It is “steady as she goes” in the MSU, Mankato faculty ranks with five full-time people and 170 undergraduates but the department chair remarks that additional growth would be impossible without more faculty resources – they are maxed out. UW-La Crosse has been able to add faculty due to a “growth and access” initiative from their new chancellor. At nine full-time faculty members, with additions to come, they have the largest undergraduate population and faculty, of the four contributing schools. Winona State has recently added a new faculty member to bring their total to five full-timers and they have approximately 140 students. Following the budget-cut theme, the University of Minnesota has lost faculty members and is serving students with some full-timers and some part-timers.

Recent curricula changes were not reported by UW-La Crosse but Winona State has changed their curriculum from one generalist option to a core and four specialty tracks. This approach seems to have resonated with the students and is being accompanied by modest growth in majors. Joy Joyner at MSU, Mankato remembers back to the biggest change in the Minnesota State University system which was the move from the quarter system to a semester system. With the change, four academic tracks at MSU, Mankato were combined into three just over ten years ago.

Changes in Student Interest (Traditional to Non-Traditional ProfesSional Options?)

The inevitable answer from faculty was, “what is traditional?”

Beyond this comment, there was general agreement that few students have identified their exact area of interest when they first entered the major. Therefore faculty members try to expose them to the vast range of options that are available. Best said by George Arimond of UW-La Crosse. “In recreation management, the number going into municipal parks and recreation has decreased, but it is still the predominant career field.” More globally reiterated by Lorene Olson of Winona State, “students are still interested in the traditional but I believe they realize more than ever before, that their degree can be applied to many fields.” At MSU, Mankato, Joy Joyner says that students often start out with preferences for cruise ships and Disney World but by the time they reach their practicum, they have swayed back to the more traditional options. Where Joy sees a big increase is in the area of event planning. Students tend to

think these events are run by private companies until she shows them that the majority of special events are run by public parks and recreation departments.

Changes in Student Demographics The nationwide trend toward more females on campus is also manifest on the four campuses. Winona State, with dominant programs in teacher education and nursing had a 2008/09 enrolment of 61% females, while UW-La Crosse had 58% females (2009 numbers) and a major emphasis in the health sciences. The University of Minnesota had 57% female undergraduates and MSU, Mankato had 52% females – [data gathered online from Institutional Research departments at each university]. Within the recreation programs, it is typical for females to outnumber males, especially if there is a major in therapeutic recreation.

However, James Wise of MSU, Mankato reports that males tend to outnumber females in their natural resource career track.

As with almost all schools in Minnesota and Wisconsin, there have been few changes in racial makeup over the years despite affirmative efforts to address this imbalance. The four recreation programs reported few racial minorities and fewer international undergraduates but the University of Minnesota program is witnessing a diversity change within the department. Diversity problems are not surprising considering data from the MnSCU central office (Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System) that says, while the trend is changing, Minnesota high school graduates (2009-10), were 83% White non-Hispanics, 4% Hispanics, 6% Black non- Hispanic, 6% Asia/Pacific Islander and 1% American Indian/Alaskan Native. By 2014-15, the White non-Hispanic population is projected to fall to 78.7% with more rapid growth in Hispanic populations. It is debatable whether regional campus such as La Crosse, Winona and Mankato will see evidence of an increasing population.

Comments from a MSU, Mankato faculty member noted a slight reduction, over the decade, in the number of therapeutic recreation students but still, a surprising number of first generation students. More importantly, MSU, Mankato is recently noting a number of inquiries from working adults who want to retrain or who want to finish the degree they never completed.

Continued on page 14…

Spring 2011 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 13

Recent CurRiculum Changes Based on our interviews with faculty, the student enrollment, number of staff available to teach, and the current issues and practices of the profession have been the major motivations for the changes that have been made in curricula.

A. UW-La Crosse has now more management focus in its curriculum and aims to help students develop budgeting, finance and marketing skills that can be utilized in managerial areas of the recreation and leisure profession.

B. The recreation program at MSU, Mankato has been nationally accredited, thus their core courses have not changed.

However, as previously stated, transition from quarter system to the semester system, addition of new adjunct faculty, and also organizational and structural changes of the department (e.g. change in the title of the program: recreation, parks, and leisure services) have had an impact on what courses are now offered in specialized areas to support their core courses.

C. University of Minnesota eliminated the graduate program and also undergraduate therapeutic recreation focus due to budget cuts resulting in reduction in the number of faculty, thus their curriculum has significantly changed. However, we have no specific information regarding the changes in the content area other than they no longer address therapeutic recreation related issues in depth in their curriculum.

D. Winona State currently has two majors (i.e. (A) recreation and tourism (B) therapeutic recreation) and a minor (i.e. adventure tourism) interdisciplinary program focusing on adventure tourism programs and services. The major change in their curriculum occurred in the recreation and tourism major, they have added four different emphasis areas within this major (i.e. (1) commercial recreation, (2) nature-based tourism, (3) inclusive recreation, and (4) community/non-profit recreation).

DiscusSion of Public Parks and Recreation Within Coursework?

Based on our interviews with the faculty, we found that public park and recreation issues are frequently discussed by faculty at all of the four programs, within their coursework. Faculty stated that the topic is discussed in at least one introductory level foundation course at some level through case studies, guest speakers, and/ or examples. Faculty at the UW-La Crosse and Winona State encourages students to get involved with trade associations and attend conferences. Similarly, faculty at the University of Minnesota stated that with their two emphasis areas for the major (i.e. recreation administration and outdoor recreation), it is crucial to discuss the role of public parks and recreation in providing programs and services; they invite speakers from public parks to present in classes. The faculty at Winona State and MSU, Mankato

14 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

also mentioned that the option of public parks and recreation provides a background for some assignments (i.e. creating and following budget) in some courses such as administration at MSU, Mankato and programming at Winona State. Faculty at Winona State also work with parks and recreation department to facilitate components of their curriculum. The students design, implement, and evaluate programs in various courses (both core and elective courses) working with faculty and professionals in the field. In addition, Dr. Lorene Olson from Winona State stated that “…all seniors who have completed internships in public parks and recreation agencies return to campus to present their experience in various RTTR classes”.

Public Parks and Recreation DiscusSion During Advising All faculties specifically stated that they discuss the option of public parks and recreation outside the classroom, faculty stated that advising in this area focuses on career options (UWLa Crosse, MSU, Mankato, University of Minnesota), internship opportunities (UW-La Crosse, WSU, UMN), and/or attending the state conferences (MSU, Mankato).

Working with Local Parks and Recreation Departments or State Recreation AsSociations Is the interest of current students in the profession of public parks and recreation declining? The first article on this issues suggested that students are still interested in public parks and recreation. Based on this finding, it is reasonable to state that faculty’s collaboration with parks and recreation departments or state recreation associations may certainly play role on students’ interest. Thus we must ask: to what extent do faculty work with local parks and recreation departments or state recreation association at various programs? If they do not work with them, are there other agencies they collaborate with?

The results show that the faculty in all four programs collaborate with professionals in parks and recreation departments, at various levels. In addition to public parks and recreation and state recreation association, faculty at UW-La Crosse mentioned that they work with area state and national affiliates as well as national associations that represent other career fields within recreation parks and tourism; the faculty at Winona State stated that they also closely work with local health care settings; and the faculty at the University of Minnesota works with federal, regional, suburban, urban agencies, community non-profit organizations, and campus recreation.

The other important issue mentioned by the faculty was about active role of professionals in parts of curriculum.

The former parks and recreation department program director at Minneapolis is an adjunct faculty at MSU, Mankato and faculty is currently collaborating with the city to run a local natural park. Similarly, one of the adjunct faculty at Winona State is the program director at the city parks and recreation department, and she collaborates with the faculty in various projects outside of the classroom, and in facilitating many components of their curriculum.

Faculty at several schools also mentioned how their students provided opportunities to work with the professionals from parks and recreation departments or state recreation association.

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Faculty at UW-La Crosse stated that they train their students for many professionals, but they primarily focus on municipal parks and recreation in their training. The students’ exposure to public parks and recreation is through speeches given by local speakers in classrooms and self-initiated contact with professionals for course assignments. The students at the MSU, Mankato are encouraged to attend and volunteer at conferences, participate in job shadowing events, and become members.

At a recent summit of doctoral programs in recreation, parks, leisure studies, and related disciplines (tourism, sport management), hosted in Utah (Caneday, 2010), one of the topics of discussion was related to defining the field of study. According to Lowell Caneday, it was generally acknowledged to include healthy lifestyles, healthy environment and healthy communities. If this is the charge of all academic programs and not just doctoral programs, then it is incumbent upon departments to offer a professional realm beyond the traditional leisure service delivery options.

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References Caneday, L. (2010). Future of parks and recreation education. Email to SPRENET members at SPRENET@ LISTSERV.UGA.EDU, October 6, 2010, 10.05am.

Prescott, B. (2008). Knocking at the College Door: Projections of High School Graduates by State and Race Ethnicity, 1992-2022. Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education printed for MnSCU.

Call us for a free estimate!

(952) 358-6333 www.ue-mn.com

Spring 2011 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 15

10 & Under Tennis

Sweeping The Nation

By Lisa Mushett, USTA Northern 10 & Under Tennis, featuring the QuickStart Tennis play format, is quickly becoming the future of tennis and is fully endorsed by the United States Tennis Association (USTA). Although different than what most adults grew up with, tailoring tennis equipment and court sizes for those under the age of 10 makes sense. Think about it…you don’t see kids playing soccer or baseball with adultsized equipment or on regulation-size fields, and now with 10 & Under Tennis using the QuickStart Tennis play format, you will not see tennis players doing that either. The initiative is designed and structured for kids to learn, rally and play tennis quickly in a way that is both enjoyable and rewarding.

USTA Northern has over 121 registered sites in Minnesota, North and South Dakota and Northwestern Wisconsin which use the QuickStart Tennis play format. To find a program in your area, visit www.10andundertennis.com or contact Christine Nickels in the USTA Northern office at (952) 887-5001.

QuickStart Tennis Play Format: 101 Racquets For an adult player to succeed at tennis, racquet control is essential. Same goes for kids. But since kids are smaller than adults, kids have trouble controlling full-size racquets. Kids need racquets that are proportionate in length and weight and have a grip that fits their smaller hands.

• For 8 & under, the racquet should be 19, 21 or 23 inches • For 10 & under, the racquet should be 23 or 25 inches

Balls Kids need a ball that’s sized and paced to their playing abilities. A regulation tennis ball moves too fast, bounces too high and is too heavy for their smaller racquet.

• For 8 & under, a red felt low compression ball moves slower, bounces lower and travels less distance.

• For 10 & under, an orange felt low compression ball moves a little faster and travels farther than the ball used with the younger group, but it still has a lower bounce than the original yellow ball.

Court Dimensions The QuickStart Tennis play format uses courts and nets that are scaled to the size and ability level of young children.

16 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

• For 8 & under, children will play on a court that is 36-feet long and 18-feet wide. The net is 18 feet long and 2-foot, 9-inches in height. Portable nets and support systems are available from many manufacturers, or temporary nets can be constructed using tape or caution tape tied to existing nets, fences or even chairs.

• For 10 & under, a regulation net is used on the 60-foot court.

If you are not using an existing court and net, the net height for the 60-foot court is three feet. The sidelines are 21 feet for singles and 27 feet for doubles.

Scoring The scoring system has been modified as well. Gone is the traditional 15, 30, 40, deuce system.

• For 8 & under, there are only seven points in a game, so match play is short and sweet. Kids play the best of three games; the first to score seven points wins the game. The first to win two games wins the match. The longest the match will last is approximately 20 minutes.

• For 10 & under, players should play the best-of-three sets; the first to win four games wins a set. For the third set, the first player to win seven points wins the match.

Tournament Play The USTA just passed a new rule effective for the 2012 competition season that is similar to the International Tennis Federation rule adopted earlier in 2010.

• For kids ages 9 & 10, tournaments must be played on 60foot courts using orange low-compression tennis balls and regulation nets (3 feet at the center) or, for those more experienced and more skilled players, on 78-foot courts with green lower-compression balls. USTA Northern is adopting the 60-foot, orange ball option only and will implement the rule effective one year earlier than both the USTA and ITF starting January 1, 2011.

• Tournaments for those 8 & under are to be played on 36foot courts using red foam or felt balls and nets at a height of 2 feet, 9 inches.

Put QuickStart Tennis Lines On Your Courts!

With the 10 & Under Tennis movement taking over tennis programming, now is the time to put permanent QuickStart Tennis lines on your courts! Did you know the USTA will fund 75-percent of the cost for those facilities wishing to paint permanent lines on its courts or convert existing courts into permanent QuickStart Courts? For more information, please contact Becky Cantellano at cantellano@northern.usta.com or at (952) 358-3291.

Looking for a great way to give back to your profession?

Jan

The Minnesota Recreation & Park Foundation promotes recreation and parks for the purpose of enhancing the quality of life in Minnesota communities by supporting education, grants and the Minnesota Recreation and Parks Association.

Join MRPF & Support Your Profession!

Dear Parks and Recreation Professionals: On a regular basis, we all get asked to support a number of very worthwhile non-profit charitable organizations.

With limited dollars, we can’t give to them all . . so we often times make some difficult decisions related to which organizations will ultimately receive our financial support. As professionals in the parks and recreation field, we have a unique opportunity to support an organization that is solely dedicated to promoting excellence in our profession…Minnesota Recreation and Park Foundation.

Scholarships…MRPF projects include providing scholarships for very worthy undergraduate and graduate students pursuing studies in the field of parks and recreation. The Foundation has provided tens of thousands of dollars of financial support to 92 students in the past 26 years.

Professional Enrichment…MRPF also provides for professional enrichment grants to support professionals working in the field to attend advanced academic training, workshops, special institutes or conferences. This past year, we provided financial assistance to seven professionals to attend the National Recreation and Park Association Congress in Minneapolis, and four professionals to attend the MRPA Annual Conferencee in Prior Lake.

Educational Sponsorship…The Foundation strongly supports the educational efforts of the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association with a long history of sponsoring speakers for conferences and training programs.

We sponsor of a keynote speaker at the MRPA State Conference each year.

New Initiative Grants…Several years ago, the Foundation started the New Initiative Grant Program. Funding is provided by the MRPF for programs and services that demonstrate innovation in parks and recreations. These start-up grants allow communities to try some new programs that just may not be in their budget allocations.

In order to continue to make a positive impact in our state, we need your support. Membership in the Foundation is easy and costs only $25. Consider giving back to your profession. Join many of your fellow professionals and become a contributing member of the Minnesota Recreation and Park Foundation today.

You can join on-line at mnrpa.org, then select Foundation…or contact membership chairperson Travis Karlen at tkarlen@plymouthmn.gov Together we can make a difference in Minnesota parks and recreation.

Sincerely, Jack Kirk MRPF President

Spring 2011 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 17

Photo by: Paul Crosby

Minnesotaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parks and recreation agencies have a variety of indoor and outdoor facilities that host events of all sizes. These facilities are diverse in design and function, and offer spaces for weddings, corporate functions, small and large group outings, and much more. A few of these facilities are highlighted on the following pages, along with event planning tips regarding permits and emergency preparedness procedures.

The space rental guide showcases facility amenities, which is a great resource when planning your next event!

18 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks â&#x20AC;˘ www.mnrpa.org

Spring 2011 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 19

Menu options include, but are not limited to, a carved roast beef, ham, pork, or prime rib buffet along with their house specialty chicken parmesan with alfredo sauce. They can accommodate almost any menu request. Their professional staff, including the managers Mike and Mar Dols with over 20+ years of restaurant and banquet experience, will help you create an event that will make a lasting impression for you and all your guests.

Pebble Creek Golf Club 1400 Clubhouse Lane Becker, Minnesota 763.263.4653 pebblecreekgolf.com

Edinburgh USA Located on the championship Edinburgh USA golf course, this upscale Scottish manor located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota is a charming venue for wedding receptions, special events, meetings, corporate retreats, and golf outings. Edinburgh USA has a variety of event spaces for entertainment, business, or socializing. From a grand ballroom to spacious meeting rooms to an intimate space or private terrace, Edinburgh USA offers a variety of options.

The Clubhouse at Edinburgh USA features more than 10,000 square feet of flexible meeting and banquet space with stateof-the-art technology, high-speed wireless internet access and free parking. Their exclusive on-site caterer, Lancer Catering, provides deliciously prepared and elegantly presented cuisine that adds a special flavor to your event making Edinburgh USA 20 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

the perfect site for your next business meeting, conference or special event.

For golf outings and events, the course offers a rigorous challenge featuring over 65 bunkers, 12 acres of water and one of the world’s largest putting surfaces, their famed triple green. Lancer Catering’s services offer a variety of options for your group golf event and their staff will coordinate every detail for you. “We offer four golf outing packages to meet the needs and budget of your next group golf event. Our staff can assist you in coordinating every detail of your corporate golf outing,” said General Manager Dean Dutko.

Whether you are planning a breakfast, lunch service or an afternoon event with a social hour or dinner banquet, Edinburgh USA has exceptional menu offerings to satisfy all guests. They offer full beverage cart service on the course or your guests may also relax and enjoy the view overlooking the golf course from the full service restaurant Girvan Grille.

Edinburgh USA 8700 Edinbrook Crossing Brooklyn Park, Minnesota 763.315.8500 lancercatering.com girvangrille.com

Book your group today.

Groups of 15 or more enjoy special discounted rates to King Tut. Contact (651) 221-9444 or groupsales@smm.org.

120 W. Kellogg Blvd., St Paul, MN 55102

Spring 2011 â&#x20AC;˘ MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 21

22 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

Spring 2011 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 23

24 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

Spring 2011 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 25

Jan

26 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

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We have great CPE! $225* ÷ 1,172 eyes** = $.19 per eye MINNESOTA magazine offers an excellent cost per eye (CPE) ratio – getting your message out is extremely affordable.

Advertising in MINNESOTA Recreation & Parks magazine makes a lot of sense.

It offers an affordable way to reach park and recreation professionals – from department directors and youth programmers, to facility managers, event planners and adult recreation coordinators, you can get your message right in front of key city, county and state decision makers. I spy with my little eye a great place to market your products or services.

MINNESOTA

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Jan

Volume 6, Issue 1

Spring 2011

Minnesota Recreation

and Park Association

For advertising information, contact Todd Pernsteiner at (952) 841-1111 or email info@pernsteiner.com.

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Spring 2011 • MINNESOTA

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Spring 2011 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 27

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We can help your message get noticed in some pretty unexpected places.

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From advertising sales, graphic design and marketing, to event planning and social media, we will help you get noticed. For turn-key marketing solutions call Todd at (952) 841-1111.

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through a variety of tennis. Rotate the U.S. Tennis the benefits from Experience run by a professional or use one of ours. of fun lessons own racquet Bring your Association. will be awarded.

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your lawn lunch, bring Pack a picnic take flight. watch the kites with chairs and it kite and fly Or, bring your Kite Society. the Minnesota members of 4 p.m.

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the Louis Park Park live raptor as you celebrate ways Aquatic face with a to learn simple by Get face to with local organizations Make a difference planet.

Earth. Visit musical impact on our litter. The interactive to make a big or picking up will be performing. planting trees with Rachael” stick around a lunch and group “Kidtime p.m. provided. Bring Truth” at 12:30 Refreshments of “An Inconvenient This event is cofor a showing on page __.

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youth All ages run or try the for a 5K family-friendlyalong paved city trails travel Come join us Memorial .” Both courses “Almost-a-Mile before finishing at the Veterans’ the St. support lakes All proceeds and around receive a in Wolfe Park.

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Center, Excelsior T-shirt and Bank.

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Registration $5 per person Activity # ____ Almost-a-Mile Starts at 9 a.m. of race / $18 on day $15 in advance # ____ Open House 5K Activity by a paid adult) at 9:15 a.m.

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30 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

80

Indoor Theater Capacity

224

Yes No No No No

Indoor Theater Rental

310

50 366 366 35 45 175 240 400 300 60 1,000 500 180 200 200 100 230 230

No No No No No

Amphitheater Rental

160

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Outdoor Space Rental

5 5 5 5 2 4 6

Yes

Pool/Waterpark Capacity

Yes

Yes No Yes Yes No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

No No No Yes No No Yes

Pool/Waterpark Rental

No No No No No

On-Site Maintenance

Cocktail Reception Capacity 240 45 100 50 96

On-Site AV Rental

Meeting Capacity (theater style) 130 45 100 50 90

Alcohol Permitted

Meeting Capacity (classroom style) 240 45 100 50 75

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Booth Capacity

Meeting Rooms 4 1 1+ 1 2

No No No No Yes

Convention Hall

Kitchen Rental Yes No Yes Yes Yes

Open Catering

Anoka County - Activity Center Anoka County - Campground Visitors Center Anoka County - Riedel Estate Anoka County - Rum River North Building Apple Valley Apple Valley - Hayes Community and Senior Center Bloomington Civic Plaza Bloomington - Creekside Community Center Brooklyn Park Community Activity Center Buffalo Chanhassen Recreation Center Chaska Community Center Cloquet Community Education and Recreation Coon Rapids Dam Visitors Center Crystal Community Center Dakota County Parks - Camp Sacajawea Lodge Dakota County Parks - Camp Spring Lodge Dakota County Parks - Dakota Lodge Dakota County Parks - Schaar’s Bluff Gathering Center Eagan Civic Arena Eagan Community Center Eden Prairie Community Center Hutchinson Event Center Inver Grove Heights - Veterarans Memorial Community Center Lakeville Area Arts Center Maple Grove Community Center New Brighton - Brightwood Hills Golf Course New Brighton Community Center New Ulm Civic Center New Ulm Community Center New Ulm Recreation Center Oakdale Discovery Center Owatonna - Four Seasons Center Owatonna - Parks / River Springs Water Park Owatonna - Senior Center Plymouth Creek Center Ramsey County - Keller Golf Course Clubhouse Rosemount Community Center Rosemount Steeple Center Roseville - Frank Rog Amphitheatre Roseville - Muriel Sahlin Arboretum Roseville Parks and Recreation - Nature Center Roseville Skating Center St. Louis Park - The Rec Center Saint Paul - Como Historic Streetcar Station Saint Paul - Newell Building Shoreview Community Center Thief River Falls Parks & Recreation Three Rivers Park District Vadnais Heights Commons Waconia - Safari Island Community Center Waseca Water Park Washington County Historic Courthouse Washington County Parks Woodbury - Central Park

On-Site Catering

Minnesota Park and Recreation Space Rental Guide

100 100 60 300 450 400+ 400 320 650 100

2

No

No

350

Edinburgh USA

Oakdale Discovery Center

Minnesota Park & Recreation Rental Directory Anoka County Parks and Recreation 550 Bunker Lake Road Andover, MN 55304 Phone: 763-767-2870 Fax: 763-755-0230 Web: www.anokacountyparks.com/ facilities

Apple Valley - Hayes Community and Senior Center 7100 147th Street W. Apple Valley, MN 55124 Phone: 952-953-2345 Fax: 952-953-2339 Web: www. ci.apple-valley.mn.us

Cloquet Community Education and Recreation 509 Carlton Avenue Cloquet, MN 55720 Phone: 218-879-1261 Fax: 218-878-3013 Web: www.cloquetcommunityed.com

Anoka County Parks - Activity Center 550 Bunker Lane Blvd NW Andover, MN 55304 Phone: 763-757-3920 Fax: 763-755-0230 Web: www.anokacountyparks.com

Bloomington - Creekside Community Center Phone: 952-563-4944 Fax: 952-563-4945 9801 Penn Ave. S. Bloomington, MN 55431 Web: www.ci.bloomington.mn.us

Coon Rapids Dam Visitors Center 550 Bunker Lane Blvd NW Andover, MN 55304 Phone: 763-757-3920 Fax: 763-755-0230 Web: www.anokacountyparks.com

Anoka County Parks - Campground Visitors Center 550 Bunker Lane Blvd NW Andover, MN 55304 Phone: 763-757-3920 Fax: 763-755-0230 Web: www.anokacountyparks.com Anoka County Parks - Riedel Estate 5100 East River Road Fridley, MN 55432 Phone: 763-767-2870 Fax: 763-755-0230 Web: www.anokacountyparks.com/ facilities/riedel_farm.htm Anoka County Parks - Rum River North Building 550 Bunker Lane Blvd NW Andover, MN 55304 Phone: 763-757-3920 Fax: 763-755-0230 Web: www.anokacountyparks.com Apple Valley 7100 W. 147th Street W. Apple Valley, MN 55124 Phone: 952-953-2300 Fax: 952-953-2306 Web: www.cityofapplevalley.org

Brooklyn Park Community Activity Center 5600 85th Ave N Brooklyn Park, MN 55443 Phone: 763-493-8333 Fax: 763-493-8253 Web: www.brooklynpark.org/weddings Buffalo 212 Central Avenue Buffalo, MN 55313 Phone: 763-682-4132 Fax: 763-684-5471 Web: www.ci.buffalo.mn.us Chanhassen Recreation Center 2310 Coulter Boulevard Chanhassen, MN 55317 Phone: 952-227-1400 Fax: 952-227-1404 Web: www.ci.chanhassen.mn.us Chaska Community Center 1661 Park Ridge Drive Chaska, MN 55318 Phone: 952-448-5633 Fax: 952-448-5426 Web: www.chaskacommunitycenter.com

Crystal Community Center 4800 Douglas Drive North Crystal, MN 55429 Phone: 763-531-1174 Fax: 763-531-0949 Web: www.ci.crystal.mn.us

Minnesota Park and Recreation Rental Directory

New Brighton Community Center

Dakota County Parks 14955 Galaxie Avenue Apple Valley, MN 55124 Phone: 952-891-7996 Web: www.dakotacounty.us/parks Dakota County Parks Camp Sacajawea Lodge 14955 Galaxie Avenue Apple Valley, MN 55124 Phone: 952-891-7996 Web: www.dakotacounty.us/parks Dakota County Parks Camp Spring Lake Lodge 14955 Galaxie Avenue Apple Valley, MN 55124 Phone: 952-891-7996 Web: www.dakotacounty.us/parks Dakota County Parks - Schaar’s Bluff Gathering Center 14955 Galaxie Avenue Apple Valley, MN 55124 Phone: 952-891-7996 Web: www.dakotacounty.us/parks

Spring 2011 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 31

Minnesota Park and Recreation Rental Directory

Chaska Pool & Waterpark

St. Croix Bluff Regional Park

New Ulm Recreation Center

Minnesota Park & Recreation Rental Directory Eagan Civic Arena 3830 Pilot Knob Road Eagan, MN 55122 Phone: 651-675-5592 Fax: 651-675-5595 Web: www.eagancivicarena.com

Maple Grove Community Center 12951 Weaver Lake Road Maple Grove, MN 55369 Phone: 763-494-6527 Fax: 763-494-6454 Web: www.maplegrovecommunitycenter.org

Eagan Community Center 1501 Central Parkway Eagan, MN 55123 Phone: 651-675-5558 Fax: 651-675-5565 Web: www.eagancommunitycenter.com

New Brighton - Brightwood Hills Golf Course 1975 Silver Lake Road New Brighton, MN 55112 Phone: 651-638-2150 Fax: 651-638-2135 Web: www.newbrightonmn.gov

Eden Prairie Community Center 16700 Valley View Road Eden Prairie, MN 55344 Phone: 952-949-8333 Fax: 952-949-8492 Web: www.edenprairie.org Hutchinson Event Center 1005 Hwy 15 South Hutchinson, MN 55350 Phone: 320.234.5659 Fax: 320.234.5655 Web: www.hutchinsoneventcenter.com Inver Grove Heights Parks and Recreation Department - Veterans Memorial Community Center 8055 Barbara Avenue Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077 Phone: 651-450-2580 Fax: 651-450-2490 Web: www.ci.inver-grove-heights.mn.us Lakeville Area Arts Center 20195 Holyoke Avenue Lakevlle, MN 55044 Phone: 952.985.4640 Fax: 985.985.4649 Web: www.lakevillemn.gov

32 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks â&#x20AC;˘ www.mnrpa.org

Owatonna - Four Seasons Centre 1525 S. Elm Ave P.O. Box 57 Owatonna, MN 55060 Phone: 507-451-1093 Fax: 507-451-5078 Web: www.co.steele.mn.us Owatonna Parks 540 West Hills Circle Owatonna, MN 55060 Phone: 507-444-4321 Fax: 507-444-4321 Web: www.ci.owatonna.mn.us

New Brighton Community Center 400 10th Street NW New Brighton, MN 55112 Phone: 651-638-2138 Fax: 651-638-2135 Web: www.newbrightonmn.gov

Owatonna River Springs Water Park 540 West Hills Circle Owatonna, MN 55060 Phone: 507-444-4321 Fax: 507-444-4321 Web: www.ci.owatonna.mn.us

New Ulm Civic Center 1212 N. Franklin Street New Ulm, MN 56073 Phone: 507-359-8340 Fax: 507-359-8342 Web: www.ci.new-ulm.mn.us

Owatonna Senior Center 500 Dunnell Drive Owatonna, MN 55060 Phone: 507-774-7110 Fax: 507-444-4299 Web: www.ci.owatonna.mn.us

New Ulm Community Center 122 S. Garden St. New Ulm, MN 56073 Phone: 507-359-8340 Fax: 507-359-8342 Web: www.ci.new-ulm.mn.us

Plymouth Creek Center 14800 34th Ave N Plymouth, MN 55447 Phone: 763-509-5280 Fax: 763-509-5290 Web: www.plymouthmn.gov

New Ulm Recreation Center 122 S. Garden St. New Ulm, MN 56073 Phone: 507-359-8340 Fax: 507-359-8342 Web: www.ci.new-ulm.mn.us

Ramsey County - Keller Golf Course Clubhouse 2166 Maplewood Drive St. Paul, MN 55109 Phone: 763-744-8609 Web: www.ramseycountygolf.com

Oakdale Discovery Center 4444 Hadley Avenue North Oakdale, MN 55128 Phone: 651-747-3860 Fax: 651-747-3861 Web: www.ci.oakdale.mn.us

Rosemount Community Center 13885 South Robert Trail Rosemount, MN 55068 Phone: 651-322-6002 Fax: 651-322-6080 Web: www.ci.rosemount.mn.us

Vadnais Heights Commons

Shoreview Community Center

Minnesota Park & Recreation Rental Directory Rosemount Steeple Center 13885 South Robert Trail Rosemount, MN 55068 Phone: 651-322-6002 Fax: 651-322-6080 Web: www.ci.rosemount.mn.us Roseville - Frank Rog Amphitheatre Roseville Parks and Recreation 2660 Civic Center Drive Roseville, MN 55113 Phone: 651-792-7163 Fax: 651-792-7100 Web: www.cityofroseville.com/parks Roseville - Muriel Sahlin Arboretum 2660 Civic Center Drive Roseville, MN 55113 Phone: 651-792-7106 Fax: 651-792-7100 Web: www.cityofroseville.com/parks Roseville Parks and Recreation Nature Center 2660 Civic Center Drive Roseville, MN 55113 Phone: 651-792-7104 Web: www.cityofroseville.com/parks Roseville Skating Center 2661 Civic Center Drive Roseville, MN 55113 Phone: 651-792-7122 Fax: 651-792-7120 Web: www.cityofroseville.com/index. aspx?NID=337 Shoreview Community Center 4580 Victoria Street North Shoreview, MN 55126 Phone: 651-490-4705 Fax: 651-490-4797 Web: www.shoreviewcommunitycenter.gov

St. Louis Park - The Rec Center and Aquatic Park 3700 Monterey Drive St. Louis Park, MN 55416 Phone: 952-924-2546 Fax: 952-925-5663 Web: www.stlouispark.org

Waconia - Safari Island Community Center 1600 Community Drive Waconia, MN 55387 Phone: 952-442-0691 Fax: 952-442-0692 Web: www.waconia.org

Saint Paul - Como Historic Streetcar Station Park Permit Office Hamline Avenue North Saint Paul, MN 55108 Phone: 651-632-2445 Fax: 651-632-5115 Web: www.stpaul.gov

Waseca Water Park 508 S. State St. Waseca, MN 56093 Phone: 507-835-9700 Fax: 507-835-8871 Web: www.wasecawaterpark.com

Saint Paul - Newell Building Parks Permit Office 1100 Hamline Avenue North Saint Paul, MN 55108 Phone: 651-632-5111 Fax: 651-632-5115 Web: www.stpaul.gov Thief River Falls Parks & Recreation 525 Brooks Avenue South Thief River Falls, MN 56701 Phone: 218-681-2519 Fax: 218-683-7246 Web: www.citytrf.net Three Rivers Park District 3000 Xenium Lane Plymouth, MN 55441 Phone: 763-559-6700 Fax: 763-694-0145 Web: www.ThreeRiversParks.org

Washington County Historic Courthouse 101 W. Pine Street Stillwater, MN 55082 Phone: 651-275-7077 Fax: 651-275-7076 Web: www.co.washington.mn.us/hc

Minnesota Park and Recreation Rental Directory

Chaska Theater/Auditorium

Washington County Parks 10191 St. Croix Trail Hastings, MN 55033 Phone: 651-430-8245 Fax: 651-430-8239 Web: www.co.washington.mn.us Woodbury - Central Park 8595 Central Park Place, Suite 102 Woodbury, MN 55125 Phone: 651-714-3586 Fax: 651-702-1346 Web: www.woodburycentralpark.com

Vadanis Heights 800 E County Road E Vadnais Heights, MN 55127 Phone: 651-204-6000 Fax: 651-204-6100 Web: www.cityvadnaisheights.com

This directory is a small sampling of park rental facilities available throughout Minnesota. For more information on other facilities throughout the state, contact your local city park and recreation department or county/state park office.

Winter 2011 â&#x20AC;˘ MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 33

WHAT’S GOING ON

By Chad Ubl, Community Services Director, City of Winona

I used to be that part-time employee who drove that very puppet wagon around town to parks that had drop-in playground sites.

I like the MRPA President’s headline in his opening message “Hope Springs Eternal.”

Three words that carry so much meaning this time of the year. Spring brings Opening Day for Major League Baseball, which by the way needs to be recognized as a national holiday, graduation for universities across the country, and of course the start of mowing season. “Hope Springs Eternal,” got me thinking; I hope we have LGA next year. I hope the graduating students find a job. I hope those without a job find a job. I hope those with a job keep their job. Certainly the economy is driving the media train on a daily basis. Regardless how you are tuned in, it is rare that “Hope Springs Eternal” when the economic forecast is being broadcast. Whether it is local, state, or federal politicians discussing budgets or if it is the latest consumer spending report, it is becoming more difficult to hold out hope. What is the hope for parks and recreation, or more poignant, what is the new normal for parks and recreation? Two parallel stories I would like to share with you that in my mind illustrate the new normal.

I was in my hometown of New Ulm and attended the annual lighted holiday parade held the Friday night after Thanksgiving. In the middle of the parade is the New Ulm Park and Recreation Department entry. It is a very simple entry; one truck pulling the puppet wagon. My first thought is who is driving the truck? The New Ulm Park and Recreation Director Tom Schmitz is driving the truck! This comes as a bit of a surprise because the past few years it was Assistant Director Cheryl Kormann driving the truck, and before that it was a part-time employee driving the truck. Furthermore, I used to be that part-time employee who drove that very puppet wagon

around town to parks that had drop-in playground sites. Kids would literally come running out of their homes to catch the puppet wagon show. What’s my point? In my opinion Tom should be driving that truck. Whether one is getting paid, or whether on salary, or whether a union employee, get out there and wave like you’re the mayor. Promote parks and recreation’s simple functions, like the puppet wagon. Remind the community the value of parks and recreation. Sell parks and recreation to the taxpayer, our neighbors, visitors, and your community. Save the cost of the part-time employee and by the way take some time off on Monday morning you deserve it; you just worked the holiday weekend!

Here is where story two begins. Enter Reid Fieber, a recent graduate from Winona State University. If Reid were a big-time athlete his scouting report would read something like this: Reid has a strong aquatic background, intelligent in the field, great programmer, and of course comes from a long line of recreation professionals (his father Phil is the director of the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department for the

34 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

City of Eau Claire, Wisconsin and his sister Jordan Burress is the recreation/aquatics supervisor for the City of Monona, Wisconsin), bottom line the kid knows recreation!

I asked Reid’s permission to use him in this story because of his actions at the National Recreation and Park Association conference in Minneapolis this past fall. Reid was attending the conference as a way to meet professionals, further his development, and look for job openings. At a social gathering name tags were handed out, and it’s customary to write your name followed by your employer. Reid filled out his name and listed “Hire Me” as his current employer.

According to Reid, that tagline got him some positive attention from the professionals at the event. I asked Reid, what did you say when people approached you? “I told them about my experience, that I really want to get my foot in the door, and that I’m willing to do anything.” It is Reid’s attitude and creative approach to getting his foot in the door that prompted these two stories. A director driving a puppet wagon and an unemployed recent graduate appear to have the same motivation. “I’m willing to do anything for recreation.” That seems to be the new normal, reincarnated from the past.

All of us willing to do what we can to achieve the task at hand; with less staff, less money and the same strong pressure from the public to perform. This is also a message that should ring loudly in the ears of graduating students; be willing to do anything. Driving the puppet wagon may not be the most glamorous job but in reality it is what makes our profession great and should give all of us eternal hope. Hang in there and good luck Reid.

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