MINNESOTA Official Publication of Minnesota Recreation and Park Association
Recreation and Parks Volume 9, Issue 1 • Winter 2014
Gardens Sprouting up in Local Communities
More Than a Concession Stand Subway Restaurants in Community Centers
Edible Playgrounds
Buy Local at Gale Woods Farm www.mnrpa.org
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MINNESOTA
FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT
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, Ramsey County Chad Ubl, Winona Heidi Sedlacek, New Brighton Advertising & Design Pernsteiner Creative Group, pernsteiner.com Cover Photo Elizabeth McGrew-King MRPA Board of Directors President: Cindy Walsh, St. Louis Park President Elect: Mary Pat Black, Brooklyn Park Past President: Jack Kirk, Fridley Secretary: Diane Evans, Plymouth Treasurer: Mary Jo Knudson, Owatonna RSC Chair: Jerry Ruegemer, Chanhassen East Metro: Barry Bernstein, Apple Valley East Metro: Dan Schultz, Rosemount East Metro: Jared Flewellen, Woodbury Northwest Region: Dolf Moon, Hutchinson Northeast Region: Marc Mattice, Wright County Southern Region: Rick Schaber, Saint Charles West Metro: Aimee Peterson, Chaska West Metro: Boe Carlson, Three Rivers Park District West Metro: Donna Tilsner, Edina
By Cindy Walsh, MRPA President
Happy New Year! Winter brings new opportunities for outdoor recreation. If it is going to be cold, I am always thankful to have snow. It has been a great season so far for winter activities. I want to take this opportunity to thank Gerry Turnberg for his 25 years of service to MRPA. Under Gerry’s leadership, the softball program grew and became one of the most successful in the country. Gerry registered over 100,000 softball teams and 10,000 umpires. Gerry’s retirement party was a lot of fun and very well attended. I know that he appreciates all who took the time to attend. As we find a staff replacement for Gerry, MRPA will continue to offer a strong softball program in addition to growing other programs throughout the state. 2014 will be an exciting year for MRPA as we grow new programs and special events. If you have ideas about areas that MRPA should expand into, please contact Michelle, Mary Pat or myself. We welcome your ideas and participation. I want to thank all of you for giving me the opportunity to serve as the MRPA President. It has been a rewarding experience. I have learned a lot this year. MRPA is a great organization because of all of you. I have met many good friends through MRPA and plan to stay involved. My challenge to you is to get involved. Find a committee, roundtable, conference, or seminar and volunteer. As they say, “The world is run by those who show up.”
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 interested in submitting an article for a future issue.
Deadlines for Articles and Advertising Winter 2013-14 issue...................... October 14 Spring 2014 issue.......................... February 28 Summer 2014 issue................................May 13 Fall 2014 issue......................................... July 30 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
Winter 2014 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 3
TABLE OF CONTENTS From the Board President............................................................... 3 Keeping Up....................................................................................... 6 MRPA in Action................................................................................ 7 Meet Kelly Mertes............................................................................ 7 Foundation Corner.......................................................................... 8 Gardens Sprouting up in Local Communities............................ 10 Buy Local at Gale Woods Farm.................................................... 13 Edible Playgrounds........................................................................ 14 More Than a Concession Stand: Subway in Community Centers.................................................... 16 Contracts to Run Operations....................................................... 18 MRPA Flashback..............................................................Back Cover
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KEEPING UP
Dahlof, Seaton and Turnberg Retire “Keeping Up” is a feature highlighting 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@mnrpa.org).
Margie (Walz) Dahlof retires after nearly 33 years at Three Rivers Park District Margie (Walz) Dahlof grew up in the City of Maplewood in a family with 10 kids. “My parents didn’t have the time or money to spend on many recreation activities, but the Maplewood Parks and Recreation Department had a playground and an ice rink not far from our home,” she states. “During the summer, I was a daily park rat and spent time learning how to bowl, camp, play golf, shoot archery, play softball, create crafts, perform theater, and sing songs. I admired the leaders.” Dahlof wanted to give back by becoming a playground leader at age 16. Then playground supervisors and now former park and recreation directors, Eric Blank and Bruce Anderson, became her inspiration for selecting parks and recreation administration at the University of Minnesota. While at the University, Dahlof decided to get involved, not just in leadership positions within the parks and recreation student government, but also Minnesota Recreation and Park Association and National Recreation and Park Association. “I thought this would be a great way to learn from others, hone my emerging leadership skills, and build my resume,” she says. When she graduated, she had years of part-time park and recreation leadership experience and had networked well within the field, culminating at an internship under Harvey Feldman at the City of Richfield. “I then decided to try the newly emerging field of community education, landing my first full-time professional job with the Roseville School District, but quickly missed parks and recreation,” Dahlof says. “I went to Coralville, Iowa as one of the first women directors in the state, then came back to Minnesota and worked for the cities of South St. Paul and Apple Valley, before starting an almost 33-year stint at Three Rivers Park District.” Dahlof is a long-time member of MRPA, involved by being a Board member and serving on the legislative committee and the conference committees. Dahlof was recipient of both the 1981 Dorothea Nelson Award and the 2009 Clifton E. French Distinguished Award. She also received the National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials Lifetime Achievement Award in the fall of 2013. “I always tried to be involved in MRPA each year as a way of contributing to the field, improving my professional education, and networking with colleagues,” she states. “As I matured in the field, I encouraged my staff to become involved and provided them opportunities to attend committees, workshops and conferences. MRPA has been an integral part of my career as a park and recreation professional. While all this great learning, advocacy and networking have taken place, MRPA has provided opportunities to build friendships and have fun participating in the recreation activity we all love.”
6 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org
Linda Seaton retires as the Director of Facility Services at Three Rivers Park District after 28 years Linda Seaton has always enjoyed being in the outdoors, so it is not too surprising that she ended up in the parks and recreation profession. After college, she taught physical education in a small school, and then decided to get her master’s degree in park and recreation administration at the University of Minnesota. “During that time I came involved with camping ministry with the United Methodist Church, which led to a five-year position as a director of youth ministry,” states Seaton. “A friend got me to cross-country ski at Baker Park Reserve; I loved the opportunity to be outside in nature, while getting some exercise. That experience helped to lead me to working as a seasonal site coordinator at Baker Park, and eventually a fulltime position with Hennepin Parks.” Throughout Seaton’s 28-year career with Hennepin Parks/Three Rivers Park District,
she’s had the opportunity to work in the areas of facility management, park guest services, and outdoor education and recreation. “As my jobs became more administrative, I cherished the time to get outside and talk with staff and participants, observe people having a great time, and occasionally assisting with programs,” says Seaton. “I will be a frequent park and trail user as I retire, and also look forward to more adventures as I volunteer locally and internationally.” Seaton became more involved with MRPA as a committee member for the annual conferences held in Plymouth years ago. “It was such a great opportunity to work with so many talented and dedicated professionals,” she states. “I also served on the MRPA Board of Directors, representing West Metro. I have encouraged my supervisors to be involved in MRPA, which has helped to build partnerships and relationships with other park agencies.”
Gerry Turnberg retires after 25 years at MRPA Gerry Turnberg is retiring after a 25-year career with Minnesota Recreation and Park Association as the USSSA state director. “Prior to being hired as the program director at MRPA in 1989, I was a fourth grade teacher at Ascension Elementary School in Minneapolis,” states Turnberg. “I also was the head football coach, head track coach and the assistant basketball coach at Robbinsdale Senior High School.” During his years at MRPA, Turnberg created the Minnesota USSSA Hall of Fame. The first induction took place January 21, 1995 and honored seven people who pioneered the USSSA’s fast rise in Minnesota. A crowd of nearly 300 people gathered at the Village Inn, White Bear Lake, Minnesota. In 1995, the state ranked fourth nationally for USSSA participation, and first per capita. The 20th annual banquet will be held January 24, 2014 at the Boulevard Hotel in Brooklyn Center. Turnberg was inducted into the USSSA National Hall of Fame in Temecula, California in November of 2009.
Turnberg has seen many changes in Minnesota Recreation and Park Association over the years. He states, “In 1989, the offices were located in Golden Valley at the Tennant Building. Clifton E. French was the part-time executive director and there were only two full-time employees. A few years later, when MRPA moved its offices to the St. Louis Park Ice Arena, Jon Gurban became the first full-time executive director. From St. Louis Park, they moved to the Theodore Wirth House in Minneapolis, where MRPA had as many as six full-time employees. From Minneapolis, the MRPA office moved to the current Fridley location.” Minnesota Recreation and Park Association thanks Gerry Turnberg for his many years of dedication to the Association and to the USSSA softball program, and wishes him the best of luck during his retirement. “I cherish all of the friendships created over the years and give a heartfelt THANK YOU to the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association for a wonderful 25-year career,” says Turnberg.
MRPA IN ACTION Marcia Bach Inducted into the United States Tennis Association Northern Hall of Fame Marcia Bach was formally inducted into the 2013 United States Tennis Association Northern Hall of Fame class September 27, 2013 at the Minneapolis Club in downtown Minneapolis. Bach said she was “really touched” that the city would formally recognize her induction. However, the most humbling part of the whole experience was receiving recognition from tennis icon Billie Jean King. Bach and King worked together on the tennis association’s Tennis in the Parks committee and had struck up a friendship during a clinic King sponsored in the Twin Cities years earlier. While King was unable to attend the ceremony itself, her note in part read, “you are a champion on and off the court and, as a product of our nation’s public parks system, I am inspired by your leadership and your efforts to keep tennis alive and strong in our public parks. People all across Minnesota and the entire country are playing tennis in public parks and you have had a big hand in making that happen.” “That was the ultimate gift in life for me, to be recognized by Billie Jean King,” says Bach. “This just came from her heart, that’s the type of person she is…that’s probably the biggest thrill of my life.” Bach is currently a recreation supervisor for Crystal Parks and Recreation. At the October city council meeting, Bach received a standing ovation after Mayor Jim Adams proclaimed the city’s great appreciation for her contribution to the sport of tennis and recognized her recent induction into the hall of fame. “The recognition is not really about my playing ability,” says Bach. “I’m just a recreational player and have an incredible passion for the game. It’s a wonderful lifetime sport and people can play it forever.” Bach worked for Bloomington Parks and Recreation for 17 years and started the city’s tennis program, creating a women’s tennis ladder and men’s doubles league that remain in the city to this day. She was inducted into the Bloomington Sports Hall of Fame in 2011. Bach was named executive director of the United States Tennis Association’s northern section in 1987, where she served for 16 years. She then worked for the Association’s national office for five years before starting her position for Crystal Parks and Recreation three years ago. Bach has also been a long-time member of MRPA and has been on various committees throughout her membership. She was the recipient of the 1980 Dorothea Nelson Award and the 2000 Special Award. Congratulations on the hall of fame award, Marcia Bach!
< Meet Kelly Mertes
Kelly Mertes has participated in recreation programs since a very young age. “My parents gave me a love for the outdoors and wonderful parks and trails that we have in Minnesota,” states Mertes. She currently works for the City of Brooklyn Center, supervising senior programs, adult fitness and youth and teen programs. “My first year and a half has been very busy and rewarding with creating new partnerships and programs,” she states. Prior to Brooklyn Center, Mertes worked for Richfield Parks and Recreation for eight years. “I worked with the adaptive recreation programs, youth summer and out-of-school time programs, adult fitness, concerts in the park and special events,” she states. “I loved working with the adaptive recreation programs, volunteers, participants and their families. I feel like that is really where I could see an impact being made on the lives of the people I was programming for.” When Mertes was attending college at St. Cloud State, she was majoring in elementary education with a minor in special education. “When I started doing practicums at local elementary schools, I realized I didn’t want to be in the classroom all day,” she states. “I was sharing this with Patty Anderson, from Maple Grove Parks and Recreation, and she suggested I come to work with her sometime. Well, I did and then that fall changed my major to recreation management, keeping my minor in special education and adding in TR classes.” Mertes ended up having her internship at Maple Grove Parks and Recreation. Mertes’ first job after college was with the City of Columbia Heights. “It was a great first experience in a small community where I was able to do a lot of programming due to a 21st Century grant,” she states. “My next experience was with Rockford Community Education. I started programs for youth and seniors, adult basketball leagues and adult fitness classes.” Mertes volunteered at her first MRPA conference when she was a student and the conference was held in St. Cloud. Then during her internship, she started helping with the Duluth conference. “Since then, I have volunteered at several more conferences,” she adds. “I was the food and social chair for the 2013 annual conference and I am on the programming committee for the 2014 annual conference.” Mertes has also been active in the MRPA programming section since 2002 and is the current section chair. “MRPA has provided many wonderful experiences, opportunities and connections for me,” she states. “I have gained leaderships skills and have attended numerous educational opportunities. The professional connections I have made make me a better person. I have learned so much from others and gained life-long friendships. I feel very lucky to work in a profession that I love!” 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.
Winter 2014 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 7
FOUNDATION CORNER
MRPF: 2013 in Closing – Excited for 2014 2013 in Review 2013 began with the Minnesota Parks and Recreation Foundation (MRPF) presenting student scholarships at the MRPA Annual General Meeting to four students from Minnesota universities. The Foundation was also pleased to award five New Initiatives Grants in 2013 to the cities of Minneapolis (cell phone guided tour program), Minnetonka (nature, novel & nonfiction program), St. Louis Park (interactive scavenger hunt program), St. Paul (library after dark program), and Anoka County (nordic walking program). Representatives from these communities presented their award-winning projects at the 2013 MRPA State Conference in Brooklyn Center. MRPF continued its support of the MRPA Annual Conference in 2013 by providing professional scholarships and sponsoring Foundation Thursday, student luncheon and mini keynote speakers. To end the year, at the December Board meeting the Foundation was pleased to approve the MRPA funding request to assist with the redesign of the MRPA website. Finally, a big thank you to outgoing Board member Michelle Margo! Your years of service and dedication to the Foundation are greatly appreciated. 2014: Starting with the Right Foot Forward 2014 kicked off with the Foundation’s Annual General Meeting in Rosemount followed by the presentation of four student scholarships at the MRPA Annual General Meeting to students
from Minnesota State University-Mankato and University of Minnesota: Alyssa Schmeling (U of M), Ashlee Laubner (MSU), Brandon Pofahl (MSU) and Bridgette Pumarlo (MSU). Thank you to the sponsors of these scholarships: Flagship Recreation, Highway Federal Credit Union, Stantec, and St. Croix Recreation. Shortly after the annual meeting, elections were held to fill the vacant chair of the MRPF Board of Trustees. We look forward to announcing our new Board member in the near future. The Foundation’s primary objective is to support the education, innovation and training for all members in our profession. In order to support the profession to our fullest, the Foundation has several fund-raising efforts planned throughout 2014 including: Mini Golf Tournament, Give to the Max Day, Golf Tournament (new location and educational format to be unveiled in 2014), Silent Auction, Membership Drive and MRPA Conference Raffle. Watch for further details regarding these events throughout 2014. Become a member of MRPF Minnesota Recreation and Park Foundation is the only non-profit organization solely dedicated to promoting excellence in the Parks and Recreation profession, and we take pride in supporting our members and the profession. For $20 you can become a member of the Minnesota Recreation and Park Foundation and be eligible for the programs and benefits available to MRPF members.
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DENS Sprouting up in local communities
M
By Bethani Gerhard, Minnesota Recreation and Park Association
Many cities have been establishing community gardens in their local park or city property for residents. Not only do gardens have a positive impact on the residents’ eating habits, but also on their sense of community.
BEMIDJI
The City of Bemidji authorized its first community garden in 2009. It was placed at Nymore Park, after the public requested a garden spot. “The parks and recreation department received two grants from the Beltrami County Statewide Health Improvement Program to assist with both the development and programming of the garden,” says Marcia Larson, director of Bemidji Parks and Recreation. “The SHIP grant helped us expand to a new site – Rako Community Garden in 2013.” Prior to expanding to the new location, the City conducted a door-to-door survey of residents. The survey asked residents which about two potential garden sites to ensure there was interest in the program. “We had an overwhelmingly positive response and hope to expand to a third site – North Country Park in the near future,” adds Larson.
The City of Bemidji charges a rental fee of $15 to $20 for the garden plot, depending on the size of the plot, and requires a contract. The City is responsible for preparing the garden plot for planting and staking out the 15’ x 15’ or 12’ x 15’ plot. They also identify all plots by number and make water accessible to gardeners. The individual gardener also has responsibilities outlined in the contract, such as keeping the weeds maintained in their plot, and harvesting their crops regularly. “We want to ensure people take care of their plots and are good neighbors,” states Larson. “Each of the community sites has a friendly social atmosphere.” The garden season runs from the end of May through mid-October. Larson explains that each year since the first garden was established, they have completed a project at the sites, adding benches, signage, compost, and a shed for storing tools. In addition to community gardens, Bemidji Parks and Recreation offers a garden programming. “In 2011, we held a successful kids gardening program,” states Larson. “Children came to the garden once a week and Continued on page 12
10 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org
Benefits of a
COMMUNITY GARDEN What exactly is a community garden? It is any piece of land gardened by a group of people - urban, suburban, or rural. It can be one community plot, or can be many individual plots at a school, hospital, or in a local neighborhood. The benefits of community gardens are endless. It not only improves the quality of life for people using the garden, but it provides a catalyst for neighborhood and community development. Here are other benefits: • • • • • • • • • • • •
Stimulates Social Interaction Encourages Self-Reliance Beautifies Neighborhoods Produces Nutritious Food Reduces Family Food Budgets Conserves Resources Creates opportunity for recreation, exercise, therapy, and education Reduces Crime Preserves Green Space Creates Income Opportunities and Economic Development Reduces City Heat from Streets and Parking Lots Provides opportunities for intergenerational and crosscultural connections
The ACGA also provide helpful tools in setting up community gardens, such as sample garden forms, start-up guides, web community start-up guides, garden manuals, and evaluations. More information can be found at: http:// www.communitygarden.org/learn/ Reprinted from the American Community Garden Association
Winter 2014 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 11
learned about gardening. They also planted and maintained their own plot. At the end of the program, the produce was used in our kids’ kitchen program. They grew their own food and were shown how to cook it.”
Grow & LEARN
In 2014, the City hopes to add more programming and educational sessions on gardening. After the results were gathered from a survey conducted by the City, residents seemed to want more educational sessions on gardening. Also, the survey indicated the garden has had a positive impact on the residents’ eating habits.
by Kristin Aarsvold, City of Edina
MONTICELLO The City of Monticello also established a community garden in 2009. “We’re using a piece of property near the community center that the City owns and used to have a house that had been demolished,” says Kitty Baltos, director of Monticello Parks and Recreation. “Our parks department brought in black dirt and compost material to start the garden. They till the garden each fall after it closes and put in organic fertilizer. In the spring, they bring in more compost and till it before we re-lay out the garden plots.”
rent raised beds for those with mobility impairments; it was mentioned that these make great Eagle Scout projects. A few cities provide compost in the spring. Other services included: two cities provide storage shed and tools for use, one city provides picnic tables and a shelter, six provides hoses and hose holders, 14 gardens are roto tilled at the end of the season each year, four cities utilize the University of Minnesota Extension Service Master Gardener program, and one offers a Mayor’s Award for the best garden Finally, we dished the dirt in true MRPA fashion.
S
Baltos explains that the property has 31 plots that are 15’ x 20’. They charge $25 per year to have a plot. “We’ve been full each year,” states Baltos. “And we vote for the best gardener each year. The winner gets a trophy that we keep at the community center with their name on it.” The City asks that gardeners donate their garden surplus to the local food shelf. They also ask gardeners to have organic products in their plot. “The garden season runs mid-May through mid-October,” states Baltos. The garden is fenced, and they provide a shed with various gardening supplies that would be too large for the gardeners to haul back and forth from their home. “For example we have rakes, hoes, wheel barrows and hoses,” states Baltos. The City also provides the water, with five different water spigots off the main line. So far everything has gone smoothly with the community gardens in Monticello. “Luckily we have never had any critter or theft problems…knock on wood,” adds Baltos.
12 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org
Since the early 1980s, Minnesota cities have offered community gardens. Community gardens are most often maintained by local parks and recreation departments as an amenity in a city park. A recent resurgence of interest in community gardens spurred MRPA to sponsor a Community Garden Roundtable on November 14, 2013. The goal was to share information on best practices. Recreation professionals from 13 cities attended, managing a total of 23 gardens. Registration policies were discussed with most cities giving priority to resident past plot renters as well as priority of the same plot. Almost all the cities said the majority of their renters are single family homeowners. One city gives priority to apartment dwellers. Typically, cities allow families to rent one plot, although in one city you can rent up to three plots. No cities had a limit on how long a person can rent a plot. Only one city is trying online registration. Plot sizes varied from the smallest being a 10 x 10 foot plot, to the largest being a 20 x 60 plot. The most common size plot offered to renters was a 10 x 15. Costs vary with plot size with the average cost for a 10 x 15 being $29. Additional amenities offered at community gardens were also discussed. Only seven cities have fencing around their gardens, all but one offers water onsite. Several gardens
1. How do you stop theft? Some cities are putting in signs that state “privately rented plots.” Other cities have thought about surveillance cameras. No one had a foolproof way to deter vegetable thieves.
2. How do you deal with gardeners who don’t tend to plots? Most cities notify the plot renter and give them a period of time to do maintenance. If after that time the plot is still unattended, park maintenance tends the remainder of the season and that plot renter is not allowed to rent in the future.
3. Who is giving donations to local food shelves? At most gardens, plot renters are encouraged to donate extra produce which is picked up weekly by staff and donated to local food shelves. Attendees also shared that the sense of community that is created by the gardeners is one of the great successes of offering community gardens in their city. All in all the roundtable yielded a bounty of good information. If you missed it look for a session on community gardens at the 2014 MRPA Conference. If you have questions about starting a community garden in your city, feel free to contact me at kaarsvold@ edinamn.gov. Now, think spring!
Photo credit: Derek J. Dickinson
Buy Local at Gale Woods Farm T
he mission of Gale Woods Farm in Minnetrista is to reconnect folks with their food, while promoting sustainable agriculture. Part of Three Rivers Park District, Gale Woods plays host to thousands of children and families each year. Through a variety of public programs that allow you to be a “farmer for a day,” you can help tend a garden, feed sheep, or collect eggs, to name just a few of the hands-on activities. “We’re a real working farm,” said Farm Supervisor Tim Reese. “By getting kids and families involved in farm work we can teach them not only about farm life, but about sustainable farming practices as well.” A big part of that is encouraging folks
By Tom Knisely, Three Rivers Park District
to buy locally-grown produce, meat and eggs. Purchasing food that is grown and raised locally is more sustainable because it greatly cuts down on transportation costs and all the fossil fuel consumption it takes to deliver the food to market. That’s one reason Gale Woods offers their farm goods for sale to the general public in the farm’s store. The store offers fresh eggs, free-range chickens and turkeys that receive no hormones or antibiotics, grass-fed beef, lamb and pork. In addition to meat and poultry, the farm also has bountiful produce raised in organically managed gardens. They offer the usual tomatoes, carrots and lettuce, but the farm also grows more unique crops like celeriac, fennel and popcorn. Produce is available at an on-site farmer’s market on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 3-6:30 p.m. from mid-June to mid-October and in the farm store seven days a week through November. All items are sold on a seasonal, first-come, first-served basis. If you’d like to guarantee yourself a weekly supply of locally-grown produce, you can purchase a “share” from the farm’s “Community Supported Agriculture” (CSA) program. There are 65 yearly shares available. For more information, you can call the farm at 763-694-2001.
Winter 2014 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 13
Edible Playgrounds By Bethani Gerhard, Minnesota Recreation and Park Association
C
ombining a community garden with children’s playground programming = an edible playground. The goal is to teach children how food is produced in order to have a better understanding of how food choices affect their health and the environment.
EDEN PRAIRIE The City of Eden Prairie created their edible playground at Prairie View Park in June of 2012, thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor with a mission to educate children about healthy food and sustainability. The Minnesota Recreation and Park Foundation also provided an $800 grant. The 20’ x 30’ fenced garden at Prairie View Park, consists of a garden shed, and 11 raised cedar beds. Two of the 11 beds are themed and represent ingredients associated with those foods: pizza and salsa. The other nine cedar beds have a variety of vegetables. “Nicole Weedman and Beth Witt with our park and recreation department have partnered with nearby elementary school teachers,” states Jay Lotthammer, director of Eden Prairie Parks and
Recreation. “The teachers have incorporated the gardens into their curriculum and have enlisted their students to help tend the gardens. During the summer, our summer playground staff and participants continue to care for the garden and reap the rewards of the harvest during snack-time.” A typical summer park camp includes crafts and games, but kids at the Prairie View camp got to enjoy activities such as pulling weeds and picking the cherry tomatoes. They also did the planting, weeding, watering, and harvesting of the vegetables. Campers also became nutrition detectives and learned how to read food labels to create healthy snacks. A nutritionist visited the camp garden and taught the value of eating fresh produce instead of processed foods. Parents were
14 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org
informed on what their youth learned throughout the week and the importance to carry those healthy habits into their homes. “The Edible Playground at Prairie View Park has been so well received that we’ve secured an additional anonymous donation to fund a second one at our Outdoor Center,” states Lotthammer. “We’ve been fortunate to receive the donated funds, but this program would not be nearly as successful without the efforts and enthusiasm of Nicole and Beth.” Eden Prairie Parks and Recreation received a Minnesota Recreation and Park Association awards of excellence in 2013 in the programming and events category for their edible playground program.
EDINA The City of Edina started an edible playground at Lewis Park to serve as an interactive community classroom in 2013. Kristin Aarsvold, recreation supervisor for Edina Parks and Recreation, got the idea for an edible playground at the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association’s Annual Conference. “I was hearing about these gardens in Bloomington and Eden Prairie, and wondered if it were something we could do in Edina,” says Aarsvold. Aarsvold is also a task force member of the Minnesota Department of Health’s Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP). SHIP works to create environments and systems to support healthy eating and create change in how people think about food. Nearly 80 percent of school children do not get the recommended daily allowance of fruits and vegetables, and childhood obesity has been on the rise for the past 10 years. “It was obvious to me that an edible playground supports city and state goals to promote healthy living,” states Aarsvold. “My passion for the project fueled the effort to gather community support and organize volunteers.” Funding for the edible playground came from Dow Water Process Solutions, Edina Resource Center, Fairview Foundation and SHIP. The community around Lewis Park is home to many apartment residents without yards for personal gardening. The summer edible playground programs include gardening activities, gardenrelated craft projects and nutrition education. Children learn to identify plants and pollinators, participate in planting, weeding and harvesting, and learn to connect fresh produce to healthy eating. The vegetables in the garden are squash, beans, cucumbers, as well as tomatoes, peppers, basil and oregano to create foods that kids enjoy. Edible playgrounds give children hands-on gardening opportunities that strengthen their understanding of the natural world, encourage physical activity and provide healthy food to fuel their growing bodies.
By Marcia Larson, Bemidji Parks and Recreation
Bemidji Parks and Recreation Department is striving to offer programs that focus on health or active living. One of the programs we have found success with is Kid’s Kitchen. The goal is to introduce youth to healthy foods and teaching them how to prepare and cook different foods. We started the program in 2010, and it is offered on a monthly basis. We worked with the Cabin, a locally owned coffee shop that provides a menu which includes gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian and traditional (meat) dishes. We have all the recipes, and hope to create a Kid’s Kitchen cookbook in the future. Kids who attend the program also get a craft item relating to the Kid’s Kitchen recipes. We have a great relationship with our current sponsor Lueken’s Village Foods – they provide staff and all the ingredients at no cost. ■■
Worked with Harmony Food Co-Op 2010
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Worked with Cabin Café 2011
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Currently working with Lueken’s Village Foods since 2012
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270 youth have participated in this program
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Lueken’s Village Foods provides: – Kitchen utensils – Ingredients for each participant – Menu ideas and recipes – Staff City provides – Marketing – Staff person on-site – Registration – Cooking related craft (apron, hot pad, recipe cards) Goal is to introduce youth to healthy eating and cooking Menu items have included: home-made pasta and soups, stuffed vegetables, smoothies, fruit nachos and fresh salsa Geared towards youth ages 7-14
Winter 2014 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 15
More than a
Concession Stand Subway in Community Centers
our fitness members, meeting users, library patrons and residents.” Breuer adds the term of the lease is three years. The tenant has the option of extending the lease for three consecutive period(s) of three years each, and they shall provide the landlord with written notice of its intention to renew the lease at least 90 days prior to the expiration of the then current term. Breuer explains the tenant paid for all improvements needed for initial construction and installation of internet access, telephone access, and the water and sewer access related specifically to the tenant’s build out and remodeling. “We provide, at no charge to the tenant, electricity, water, internet access, phone access, trash removal and recycling service,” says Breuer.
By Bethani Gerhard, Minnesota Recreation and Park Association
Three community centers - NEW BRIGHTON, ANDOVER and MAPLEWOOD – serve more than your typical concession stand options of popcorn, hot dogs, and nachos. They offer Subway sandwiches to their visitors.
“Subway wanted to be on the community center’s outdoor monument signs,” says Breuer. “They agreed to pay for the replacement of the signs. As a result, Subway was able to update these two signs and add the parks and recreation logo and the Ramsey County Library logo.” “We are very proud to state that we have a Subway restaurant in the New Brighton Community Center,” says Breuer. “People are enjoying the convenience and service.”
ANDOVER COMMUNITY CENTER
N
EW BRIGHTON opened a Subway
shop in their community center on September 10, 2013. Sandy Breuer, New Brighton Parks and Recreation director, attended a national conference in Atlanta in 2011 where she learned that Subway was beginning to enter into agreements with recreation and amusement locations. After doing some research, Breuer contacted Corporate Subway in March of 2012 to see if they would be interested in establishing a restaurant within the New Brighton Community Center, feeling it would be a great fit for the nearly 500,000 visitors. “The local Subway franchisee owners, Dan and Joy O’Bresky, were very interested because of the high user numbers and the variety of users in our facility,” states
Breuer. “We learned that the Maplewood Community Center had a Subway that recently opened. The director there was very willing to share information regarding their opening and their experience.” The first meeting between the City of New Brighton and Subway took place in April of 2012. Breuer says that the lease agreement had several drafts created until both parties agreed. It went to city council on December 12, 2012 and was executed on February 12, 2013. Construction began on July 9, 2013. “We are excited to have entered into this partnership,” states Breuer. “Both agencies have benefited; our citizens have a food choice that is healthy and convenient and Subway has a built-in client base. Our goal was to find a healthy food option for the youth who play at the Eagles Nest and for
16 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org
Andover YMCA/ Community Center visitors can also stop by Subway, which is located in a remodeled concession area. Subway franchise owner Mike DeWeese is leasing the concession stand from the City of Andover. Subway began serving its food in February, 2013 and offers the full menu customers would find at any other Subway. “This has been an amazing experience and a positive partnership between the City and Subway,” says Erick Sutherland, facility manager of the Andover Community Center. “From what we’ve heard from our users, everyone is excited about the change and looking forward to a nice future with them.” According to Sutherland, DeWeese approached him about the possibility of leasing the concession stand space at the community center in August of 2012. DeWeese already has a Subway in the
Maplewood Community Center and was doing some advertising at Andover Community Center’s ice rink. He then approached Sutherland about leasing the space. Final lease terms were completed and then voted on by the council at the October 2, 2012 meeting. DeWeese also opened Subway’s Mama DeLuca’s Pizza in the community center in January 2013. This restaurant serves pizza, breadsticks, calzones and boneless wings and is the first in Minnesota. “A Subway and the Mama DeLuca’s in the community center is all about convenience,” states Sutherland. “Customers can pick up a sub after they work out, swing by for a pizza that could be baked on-site or they can take one home to bake it.” Although thousands of people come to the Andover Community Center each month, the city had been losing money on the concession stand, explains Sutherland. With Subway coming in, the City no longer has to operate the concession stand and instead gets revenue from leasing it. The Subway menu also offers healthy options previously not available. Staff at the community center now have more time to focus on bringing in more activities to the fieldhouse and ice arena during off-peak times.
MAPLEWOOD COMMUNITY CENTER Maplewood also has a Subway shop in their community center. The Subway franchise, owned by Mike DeWeese, opened in October of 2011. “Community center employees put out proposals to the City in December of 2010 to see if local businesses were interested in collaborating to increase revenues,” according to Parks and Recreation Director DuWayne Konewko. “The community center reached a deal in the summer of 2011 with Subway and the City to open a franchise in their concession stand area.” Under a lease agreement for the Maplewood Community Center’s former 226-square-foot concession stand, DeWeese gives the city $900 a month or 7-percent of sales revenue, whichever is greater. “This is the first Subway in the country to be in a fitness club,” Konewko adds. “The city thinks this will be a good compliment to both the fitness and community aspects of the center. The vast majority of the business is from people already at the center. And if we can get a few people in for a sandwich and then they buy a fitness membership, that’s great.” Community centers have a fair amount of traffic coming through on a daily basis, so this is a good opportunity to capture some more sales, according to Konewko. Maplewood sees Subway as a small revenue generator, and an attraction and service for the community centers. According to Subway’s website, Subway has the most locations among fast-food chains, about 38,200 stores in 100 countries, in part because of its ability to open “satellite shops” in places often considered by other restaurants to be too small.
Managing Food Safety Reprinted from the Minnesota Department of Health
The State of Minnesota requires a Minnesota certified food manager in most food establishments. Food manager certification is administered by the Minnesota Department of Health. Did you know if you serve food to participants in a park it can’t be on grass? Is your department knowledgeable on proper food handling techniques? Even though you may not run a concession stand, if there are snacks served, safe food handling precautions must be taken. AN OWNER OR OPERATOR, THROUGH THE CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER, IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THAT: ■■ Hazards in the day-to-day operation of the food establishment are identified; ■■ Policies and procedures to prevent foodborne illness are developed and implemented; ■■ Employees are trained to ensure that there is at least one trained individual present at all times food preparation activities are conducted who can demonstrate the knowledge required in the Code; ■■ Food preparation activities are directed and corrective action is taken, as needed, to protect the health of the consumer; and ■■ In-house self-inspections of daily operations are conducted on a periodic basis to ensure that food safety policies and procedures are followed. MOST FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS, WITH SOME EXCEPTIONS LISTED BELOW, ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER. ESTABLISHMENTS THAT DO NOT HAVE TO EMPLOY A CERTIFIED FOOD MANAGER ARE: ■■ Food establishments where food preparation activities are only one or more of these: 1. Heating or serving precooked hot dogs or sausages, popcorn, nachos, pretzels or frozen pizza. 2. Preparing or serving continental breakfast. 3. Preparing or serving beverages or ice. 4. Grinding coffee beans. 5. Packaging non-potentially hazardous foods. 6. Serving bulk foods. 7. Processing raw meat, poultry, fish or wild game intended for further cooking after sale. ■■ Heating as the only preparation for a bakery product.
Providing prepackaged food in its original package. ■■ Cleaning or sanitizing eating, drinking or cooking utensils. ■■ Boarding establishments, bed and breakfast facilities, child care or adult day care facilities that serve 18 or fewer meals per mealtime. ■■ Food carts, mobile food units, seasonal permanent or temporary food stands, special event food stands, retail food vehicles, portable structures, carts or vending machines. ■■ An establishment that provides no more than one meal per week and its main purpose is not food service. ■■ A nursing home, hospital, boarding care home or supervised living facility, if only patients and staff are served. ■■
HOW TO OBTAIN FOOD MANAGER CERTIFICATION: ■■ Attend a food manager course, available from some local agencies, community and technical colleges, University of Minnesota, University of Minnesota Extension offices, and private companies. Minnesota Department of Health does NOT offer courses. Obtain proof of having attended a food manager course. ■■ Take one of the State recognized food manager exams: 1. The Serve Safe Examination of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation 2. The Certified Professional Food Managers Examination of Prometric 3. The Food Protection Certification Examination of Professional Testing, Inc. 4. Food Safety Manager Exam by 360 Training/Learn2Serv.com. Please Note: All online exams must be taken at a proctored location. Please contact 360 Training/ Learn2Serv.com for the proctored locations near you. The exam must have been taken within the last three years before applying for a food manager certificate. Obtain proof of having successfully completed the exam. A Minnesota food manager certificate has to be renewed every three years. The expiration date is displayed on the certificate. For more information, visit the Minnesota Department of Health website at: http://www. health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/food/fmc/
Winter 2014 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 17
CONTRACTS TO
RUN OPE By Bethani Gerhard, Minnesota Recreation and Park Association
Contracting with independent contractors to run restaurants at parks, athletic facilities or golf courses, not only provides expertise in the field, but revenue for agencies.
MINNEAPOLIS PARK AND RECREATION BOARD Contracting out concessions has had a positive outcome for Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. “The biggest outcome has been the additional revenue and the ease in managing the facilities,” says Shane Stenzel, special services permits manager for Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB). “Another positive outcome is the investment that goes along with some of the contracts. We have facilities that are both aged, and not equipped to handle the changeover in service. We have found concessionaires that are willing to invest in both infrastructure and equipment on top of paying to operate at the facilities.” The biggest concession operations are in the regional parks: Tin Fish at Lake Calhoun, Bread & Pickle at Lake Harriet, Sand Castle at Lake Nokomis, and Sea Salt at Minnehaha Falls. There are a few smaller operators and mobile vending
18 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org
ERATIONS
Sea Salt at Minnehaha Falls
Winter 2014 â&#x20AC;˘ MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 19
CONTRACTS TO RUN OPERATIONS
OUR CONTRACTS ARE ALL PERCENTAGE BASED CONTRACTS WITH SOME LEVEL OF INVESTMENT. THEY RANGE FROM THREE YEARS TO 10 YEARS, BASED ON THE LEVEL OF INVESTMENT INTO THE FACILITY. Shane Stenzel, special services permits manager, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
at the water parks and athletic complexes in Minneapolis. MPRB also contracts out their grill operations with their golf operations and winter recreation programs.
Calhoun and Lake Harriet in 2004. “We have added new facilities each year,” he says. “Our last big concession area to open was Lake Nokomis in 2013.”
“Our contracts are all percentage based contracts with some level of investment,” explains Stenzel. “They range from three years to 10 years, based on the level of investment into the facility.”
The enterprise businesses with MPRB have been extremely positive. “Our annual revenue projections for the four concession areas in the regional parks is around $600,000,” Stenzel states.
Stenzel adds that Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board started with their first large scale operation at both Lake
Tin Fish at Lake Calhoun
20 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org
The revenue isn’t the only positive thing about contracting with restaurants to handle concessions. Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board has received positive feedback from their park patrons. And according to Stenzel, all of their concessionaires have been great to work with.
RAMSEY COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION
Ramsey County Parks and Recreation used to have concession stands at most of its beach locations, but changing recreation patterns at the beaches, customer expectations and fewer concessionaires interested in seasonal operations have eroded these opportunities. “Most beach related food and beverage services can be accommodated with vending machines,” says Greg Mack, director of Ramsey County Parks and Recreation. “However, Ramsey County has a long history of using private contractors to support its golf operations. The County owns five golf courses and a golf dome, each having private contractors providing some services.”
Winter 2014 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 21
CONTRACTS TO RUN OPERATIONS
For example, Ramsey County Parks and Recreation has a 10year contract with Lancer Hospitality, Inc. to provide food and beverage at Keller Golf Course. “Lancer manages the clubhouse, is responsible for half of the utility costs and pays 12-percent of the gross receipts to Ramsey County,” says Mack. “We have a long-term contract with Lancer because we believe they have expertise to market the facility and provide an outstanding product, and we expect them to provide exceptional customer service.” Three of their golf courses – Goodrich, The Ponds at Battle Creek, and Keller – have pro managers who handle the pro shop and golf programming. Ramsey County is responsible for maintenance at these golf courses. “We pay the golf professionals a percent of the gross,” says Mack. “We feel that since the golf professionals who are handling all the reservations, programming and pro shop services will be highly motivated by a percentage of the golf revenue. Some of the County’s contracts with golf professionals have been in place over 25 years. Long-term contracts have helped us establish loyal customers built on positive personal relationships.” Manitou Ridge Golf Course is handled slightly different. “An independent contractor manages all the day-to-day operations,
including golf course operations and maintenance, and Ramsey County takes care of major capital improvements,” states Mack. “They pay Ramsey County 27.5-percent of gross golf income, 10-percent of food and beverage and five-percent of pro shop sales. This contract has been in place for about 20 years.” An independent contractor built and manages Island Lake Golf Center. “We issued a request for proposals for a private party to design, build and operate a golf course on 40 acres of undeveloped park land,” Mack says. “The successful contractor spent about 3.5 million dollars to develop the golf course, driving range, maintenance shop and clubhouse. They have a 31-year contract with a right to manage. They pay Ramsey County an annual percentage of gross receipts with a stated minimum.” At the end of the contract the County owns the golf course improvements. Mack explains that this also is the case for the Goodrich Golf Dome. “We issued a request for proposals and the contractor built the dome and has an 18-year contract to manage it and pay the County a progressive percentage of gross receipts,” states Mack. “The reason we decided to have such long-term contracts is because they provided the capital investment to construct these specialized recreational facilities.”
She’ll soon need new playground equipment. Stay top of mind. For as little as $350 per issue, MRPA gets you in front of key recreation and park decision-makers. No other form of advertising gets you so targeted.
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Go to www.pernsteiner.com/MRPAmagazine2013.pdf to download the advertising rate card or call Todd at (952) 841-1111.
22 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org
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Celebrating 75 Years
This photo was taken during the 1997 Minnesota Recreation and Park Association’s State Boot Hockey Tournaments. There were 22 men’s teams that participated in the tournaments at Andrews Park in Champlin, January 18 - 19, 1997. Boot Hockey was one of the recreational sports offered through MRPA from the 1980s – 2008.