SCRPA Spring 2017

SOUTH CAROLINA

SPRING 2017

RECREATION & PARKS ASSOCIATION

Forging partnerships in south carolina central-clemson • charleston • charleston county greenville county • florence • north charleston RICHLAND COUNTY • rOCK HILL

MOST DEPENDABLE FOUNTAINS, INC.™ www.MostDependable.com

Contact: Beachum Recreation • RBeachum@comcast.net • 800.542.8269

The one water source trusted for over 25 years.

2 SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks • www.scrpa.org Bottle Fillers • Drinking Fountains • Pet Fountains • Outdoor Showers • & More

SOUTH CAROLINA

TABLE OF CONTENTS Association Report........................................................................................... 4 Forging Parnterships in South Carolina.................................................... 6-17 Reflections from a Park Bench........................................................................18 SCRPA Corporate Member Directory...........................................................19

RECREATION & PARKS ASSOCIATION

ADVERTISER INDEX

2017 Board of Directors

Barrs Recreation...............................................................................Back Cover Carolina Parks and Play...................................................................................11

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Churchich Recreation & Design.....................................................................14

President Lawanda Curry

Treasurer Randy Woodard

Eastern VP Bridget Elvington

Cunningham Recreation.................................................................................12

President Elect T.J. Rostin

Past President Eric Stewart

Southern VP Love Ishie

John Deere Commercial.................................................................................. 9

Vice President Doyle Best

Central VP John Alexander

Western VP Ray Dunham

Secretary Amy Evans

Most Dependable Fountain.............................................. Inside Front Cover Pilot Rock..........................................................................................................19 sofSURFACES.................................................................................................... 5 Vortex................................................................................................................14 Wood + Partners............................................................................................... 3

Thank you to our advertisers for your help in supporting SOUTH CAROLINA 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.

BRANCHES - 1 YEAR COMMITMENTS CBM Branch Open

SCAP Branch Jeremy Murphy

ELM Branch Don Shuman

Student Branch Cole Thomas

PRM Branch Eric Russo

SC PRT Representative Matt Elswick

RAP Branch Buddy Faile

Gyms for Dogs.................................................................................................. 4

SCRPA• P.O. Box 1046 • Lexington, SC 29071-1046 (p) 803-808-7753 (f) 803-808-7754 www.scrpa.org, info@scrpa.org

SCRPA EXECUTIVE STAFF Executive Director: James E. Headley jim@scrpa.org

Membership Services Coordinator: Melissa Williams melissa@scrpa.org

SCRPA MAGAZINE/MARKETING COMMITTEE Laurie Helms City of Rock Hill Chris Pounder Charleston County PRC

Kathy Kackley City of North Charleston Sarah Reynolds Charleston County PRC

Dena Long Irmo Chapin Joshua Singleton City of Loris

Creating Great Places! Crea www.woodandpartners.com

On the cover: Top photo: Charleston County’s Wheel to Surf program

n

843-681-6618

Park Planning & Design n Greenways & Trails Recreation Needs Assessments n Sports Complexes

Park Pla Recreation

Bottom photo: City of North Charleston’s Kaleidoscope program

Florida

n

Georgia

n

South Carolina

Spring 2017 • SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks 3

by Lawanda Curry and Jim Headley

THE ASSOCIATION REPORT Happy 2017 TO THE MEMBERS OF SCRPA! I can’t believe that just a few short months ago at the annual conference in Greenville, I was installed as President of SCRPA. And now, we are off and running.

During our Board of Directors retreat in December at Pleasant Ridge Camp and Retreat Center, we went “Back to Basics” and reviewed many policies and procedures as a refresher for our returning Board members and as training for new members. We were able to set some exciting goals for the year and participate in the world famous “activity circle” (inside joke – ask me later).

By the time you read this article, the first quarter of the year will have come to an end and we should be well on our way to accomplishing several of our goals.

Our primary goals for 2017 are 1) approve a communications policy, 2) propose a naming rights policy to the membership, and 3) promote branch and committee guidelines to increase involvement throughout the Association. The Board hopes that members will see the value in these goals and support them as we continue to seek input during our year of service.

DOG PARK OUTFITTERS

The first professional development trainings and workshops of 2017 have been a success. The Parks Maintenance Institute, The Southern Leisure Management and Trends Institute, and The Programming Summit were well attended with more than 200 people in attendance collectively. As the year progresses, I encourage you to take advantage of upcoming trainings, specifically district and branch meetings. Our District Vice Presidents and Branch Chairs have been working hard to prepare and provide more local trainings to your area. I encourage you to visit the website and/or contact your District VP or Branch Rep. for upcoming dates and events and stay informed on our profession and our state.

As you all are well aware, 2017 is going to be an interesting political year (to say the least). With the 2016 elections, we now have new legislators in the State House. The Board, the Executive Level Management Branch, the Past Presidents Committee, and SCRPA Executive Director Jim Headley will work diligently to ensure that our issues continue to be heard and addressed.

Again, I encourage everyone to stay informed and educated on our issues.

Many of our agencies, departments, and organizations depend on public funding from the local, state and federal levels. I like to think of our legislators as partners in connecting people, parks and programs. Even with this funding, we may still need additional assistance. Many of us have found partnerships to be one of our most valuable resources. In this issue, you’ll find great highlights and stories of how partnerships are so valuable in the implementation of recreational services throughout South Carolina. We are fortunate to live in a state where many large and small businesses, community service organizations, faithbased organizations and other groups promote giving through financial contributions and volunteerism. Thanks to those who contributed to this issue, and I encourage others to participate in the future.

I am excited to see the positive impact that we will have on our profession and in our State for 2017. Thank you all for your support of the Board, and if we can be of service to you, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Lawanda & Jim

Sales@GymsForDogs.com

www.GymsForDogs.com

Phone: 800-931-1562 4 SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks • www.scrpa.org

We are fortunate to live in a state where many large and small businesses, community service organizations, faithbased organizations and other groups promote giving through financial contributions and volunteerism.

Ensuring SAFETY from the ground up.

Playgrounds should be a place where only happy memories are made. So trust duraSAFETM rubber playground tiles by sofSURFACES to ensure the children who use your space are protected, from the ground up. For nearly three decades, we have been pioneers in developing, testing and installing the world’s safest playground tiles. Our proprietary fifth generation duraSAFE design exceeds all industry safety standards. And we offer an industryleading Limited Lifetime Warranty to ensure safe landings, anytime.

sofSURFACES.com 1.800.263.2363

Š 2017 sofSURFACES Inc.

Forging partnerships

6 SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks • www.scrpa.org

in south carolina North Charleston’s Kaleidoscope

By Kathy Kackley, Program Director, City of North Charleston Recreation Department; Katrina Page, Program Manager, City of North Charleston Recreation Department; Ralph Hayes, Program Officer, North Charleston Kaleidoscope The City of North Charleston and North Charleston Kaleidoscope afterschool program have a mutually beneficial partnership to better serve our children and community. In 2012, Mayor Keith Summey and City Council created a memorandum of understanding with the Charleston County School District - North Charleston Kaleidoscope afterschool programs. The North Charleston Recreation Department (NCRD) provides thirty five recreational leaders to maintain lower staff to student ratios serving over eight hundred students daily in thirteen sites throughout the City of North Charleston. The Cultural Arts department also provides rotating art infusion in the afterschool programs.

NCRD and Kaleidoscope teams from the schools work together daily to support the afterschool program goals and objectives. Three of the afterschool sites also host 21st Community Learning Centers and receive federal funding to include academic tutors and bussing.

During the state audit for 2016, these sites received exemplary compliance for communication, program goals and

objectives and ensuring sustainability in relationship to community partnership.

“NCRD is a very strong, dependable and effective partner. NCRD provides daily staff, bi-weekly enrichment, staff training as well as family involvement opportunities to the students/families of the 21stCCLC program. The partner communicates daily with the Program Officer, Ralph Hayes, and feels supported by the 21stCCLC leadership and staff.

The program is successful,” states Amy Bosch, SC State Department of Education Monitoring Grant Manager.

The partners from the recreation department and the Coordinator for North Charleston Kaleidoscope meet bimonthly to plan programs, training and incentives for the teams at the schools.

This partnership has grown the last four years to now include children’s events and outreach throughout the city. We have worked together with Pedals4Peanuts, Boeing and Oblique magazine to give away over five hundred bikes and helmets to students. NCRD, North Charleston Kaleidoscope, Boeing, Pedals4Peanuts, Oblique magazine and Public Works were

able to put together three hundred bikes in less than seven hours.

North Charleston Kaleidoscope and NCRD teams work together to support additional events such as Children’s Festival, Winter Wonderland, Breakfast with Santa, Boeing Community Day, Santa visits, Reading on the Circle, Author book signings and Wellness events. Taking “the team that works together also plays together” to heart, we have incentives and team building activities integrated into our regular staff training throughout the year. At the end of the school year we host a dinner and appreciation party for the school teams.

The party is a chance for the sites to show off things they’ve accomplished throughout the year and to encourage and praise other sites. This partnership between the city, recreation department and school district afterschool programs is unmatched by any other local municipality or recreation department, and we are eager to continue to grow together to support each other and our community.

Spring 2017 • SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks 7

Forging partnerships in south carolina Richland County Recreation Foundation CELEBRATES AN EXCITING YEAR

By Lisa Lewis, Executive Director Richland County Recreation Foundation This has been an exciting year for the Richland County Recreation Foundation (RCRF). We welcomed new grants, partnerships, donations, and created a scholarship program. During the 20152016 fiscal year, we received grants from Richland County and the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation for the Wheelchair Basketball Development League. We also received again this year the Carolina Panthers Challenger Flag Football Grant for Adaptive Recreation and an International Paper Grant for Crossroads Community Center.

RCRF was fortunate to be the recipient of donations from the Ray Tanner Foundation for youth in the Southeast area to participate in Richland County Recreation Commission (RCRC) sports programs. Also, the donation from the Ray Tanner Foundation provided scholarships for RCRC Camp Sunshine participants. A Richland County resident donated her property to the Foundation to provide overflow parking for the New Castle-Trenholm Acres Community Center. Also, RCRF was the beneficiary of the 44th Annual Governor’s Cup Road Race. The Governor’s Cup Road Race will assist with scholarships for youth who participate in RCRC sports programs.

For the second year in a row, the RCRF participated in annual fundraisers such as the Belk Charity Sale and Midlands Gives. This year Amazon Smiles was added to our fundraising efforts.

RCRF solidified partnerships with new agencies and foundations such as

Wellcare, Edventure and Chappell, Smith & Arden Attorneys at Law. These partnerships were able to provide the Richland County community great events at no cost to them. These events included the following: Health and Wellness Fair, Medicaid Informational, Afterschool Program field trip and book distribution and The Free Legal Clinic. These events were vital to the community and will continue to be held annually.

RCRF plays a vital role in contributing to the economic and environmental wellbeing of our community. The RCRF is proud to announce the creation of the Afterschool Program Scholarship. The purpose of this scholarship is to provide financial assistance to one male and

8 SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks • www.scrpa.org

one female participant whose family may be experiencing an unexpected hardship. With this scholarship, we are continuing our “Community First” efforts by covering half the cost of the RCRC Afterschool Program.

In the last year, RCRF received contributions totaling approximately $45,000. These contributions enable RCRF to continue enriching lives and connecting communities through partnerships, donations, grants and scholarships. We look forward to future endeavors, supporting RCRC, and keeping our promise to put the community first.

Order On Demand from your office now.

Order and buy the easy way.

With your John Deere Contract, you have an On Demand Guide, a remote control and access to great contract pricing at your finger tips. It’s how to order and buy the easy way. Select tough and rugged Gator™Utility Vehicles, fast reliable ZTrak™ zero-turn mowers and efficient wide area roadside mowers. There’s always something on you need to see. Go to your local John Deere Dealer for a look beyond your regularly scheduled programming, or visit JohnDeere.com/Local today.

The object is simplicity.

67170

Forging partnerships in south carolina Empowering Kids Through Recreation

By Zeynep Gedikoglu, Graduate Assistant/PhD Candidate Clemson University, Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management Dept.

We all know that kids are our future, and we do our best to raise them and provide a quality education for them. Studies show that engaging in recreational activities empowers us to seek a healthy, active lifestyle for all family members. In the Central-Clemson SC area, there are great programs for our kids developed by community and business partnerships.

environment. The team offers the option for competition or simply an outlet for those who just love to swim. Legacy Athletic Academy is an official partner with USA Swimming & Make a Splash.

During the 2016 season, they taught hundreds of lessons at several upstate locations, both public and private, and will be expanding this coming season.

The Upstate Torpedoes Swim Team is a local youth swim team managed by the Legacy Athletic Academy. The team was first started as the brainchild of Joseph Crosby and Rebekah Craig at the Central-Clemson Recreation Center. Then in 2016, the Academy took over team management while continuing to rent space for them at the Recreation Center.

Another fitness program available in South Carolina actually started in Colorado. Kellie Walters, now a graduate assistant at Clemson University, and Dr. Chrissy Chard put their passions and educations to work with the successful launch of Smart Fit Chicks while working on their masters programs at Colorado State University (CSU). Their mission was to use research-proven techniques to empower others to create healthy lifestyles – both in body and mind.

The Torpedoes offers the perfect environment for young aspiring swimmers, where they can hone existing skills and learn new ones all under the direction of dedicated coaches in a family

Through the Venture Accelerator Program and Charge!, CSU’s crowd funding site,

10 SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks • www.scrpa.org

the two women were able to raise enough money to start Smart Fit Girls – a sister organization – in Colorado, Wyoming and South Carolina. Smart Fit Girls is a non-profit after school program that teaches adolescent girls how to love their bodies by embracing their own strength.

During the program, girls participate in exciting activities aimed at improving selfesteem and body image, and they are introduced to resistance training exercises in a fun, group environment.

Both of these programs aim to improve self-esteem through physical activities.

Empowering kids through recreation is a great way to keep them healthy, happy and social. Thanks to programs like Upstate Torpedoes Swim Team and Smart Fit Girls, our kids have the opportunity to exercise and grow up to be strong individuals in mind and body.

Sterling Faith in Greenville County

By Paulett Brooks, Sterling Community Center Manager Greenville County Parks Recreation & Tourism In a world of chaos and uncertainty, one thing remains constant – the ability to connect like-minded individuals with a common goal.

The Sterling Community Center sits in the heart of the community.

Its historical background of being the first African American High School in Greenville, SC is the pride of the community. After a tragic fire, the school was purchased by Greenville County and became the Sterling Community Center.

Faith isn’t in the four walls of the church. It’s in the ability to see a need and provide for it. Faith is not only connecting the community, but it’s also breaking race barriers. Need doesn’t see black or white. Hunger doesn’t see Christian or non-Christian. People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. That is what our faith based partnerships show.

Our faith based partnerships with two churches have been a beacon of light. Christ Church and Fourth Presbyterian Church have assisted by contributing funds to less fortunate children to attend the afterschool program. They also donate school supplies, food assistance and provide overall support to the community.

Being able to connect the community with a strong faith based partnership has proven to be essential to the people of Sterling.

SO Modular

Insta Insta

Transform any playground with the abstract, geometric designs of the patent-pending GeoPlex™ system. GeoPlex panels come together in so many different ways—creating endless patterns of visual and physical texture—to promote physical activity through a variety of fun and challenging climbing experiences. Go configure with GeoPlex! Learn more at playlsi.com/geoplex. ©2017 Landscape Structures Inc.

Insta

Insta Insta

Contact your local playground consultant:

877.686.9188 919.469.9188 carolinaparksandplay.com Carolina Parks and Play, LLC Cary, NC 27512 (877) 686-9188 • (919) 469-9188 Fax (919) 469-9166 info@carolinaparksandplay.com www.carolinaparksandplay.com

155

Spring 2017 • SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks 11

PLAY HAS NO LIMIT.

TM

GameTime designs innovative,

inclusive play spaces that empower children and adults of all abilities to experience the joy of play together. For fifty years, Cunningham Recreation has shared that commitment to inclusion and to enriching childhood through play.

800.438.2780 | cunninghamrec.com

Forging partnerships in south carolina Partners Bring Surfing Accessibility to the South Carolina Coast

By Dana Rasmussen, Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission Providing programming to everyone in the community is a top priority for the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission (CCPRC). Often this involves working with others to generate and implement new ideas.

In 2015, CCPRC teamed up with Coastal Adaptive Sports and Ocean Cure to bring an adaptive surf program called Wheel to Surf to Charleston County for residents with physical disabilities.

Coastal Adaptive Sports is a non-profit organization that offers physical activity opportunities for people with disabilities, and the Wilmington, NC-based Ocean Cure is a non-profit offering surfing opportunities to those with disabilities.

Wheel to Surf started in North Myrtle Beach when Brock Johnson – a board member with Coastal Adaptive Sports and an avid surfer with a physical disability – wanted to find a way to be out on the water. The program was such a success that Johnson wanted to bring the opportunity to others along South Carolina’s coast.

Johnson reached out to Melinda Chappell at the City of North Myrtle Beach, who then contacted Susie

Goudy, CCPRC’s assistant Director of Recreation, to see if the adaptive program would work in Charleston.

Goudy was excited to bring the opportunity to Charleston but realized it would require a lot of coordination and cooperation. “The biggest key to success for a program like this to work is to have everyone cooperating with one another so that we can offer the best opportunities to the community,” Goudy said. Everyone came together with an eager willingness to learn from or rely upon subject matter experts, and Wheel to Surf became a successful offering in Charleston.

“What works in one community might not work as well or the same in another community,” Goudy said. “You have to build a lot of trust when you work with other organizations, and then you can determine what works best for you.”

For the Wheel to Surf program to be successful, it requires the involvement of nonprofit organizations - including Ocean Cure, Coastal Adaptive Sports, as well as Coastal Adaptive Expeditions - along with experienced surfers, around 40 volunteers in the water, a variety of

surf equipment and beach wheelchairs, tents, food and beverages, and many individuals willing to donate their time and energy to the event.

“Anytime you can work with a broad spectrum of people it only enhances the programs you offer, increases awareness of the people you serve and fosters positive relationships,” Chappell said.

Since bringing the program to Charleston, it has grown each year and continues to draw individuals who might not otherwise have the opportunity to get out on the water. “I’m glad we were able to do this and spread the program down the coast,” Johnson said. “It’s taken a lot of work from a number of people and we’re just happy to be able to do this for people.”

Spring 2017 • SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks 13

BRING COMMUNITIES TOGETHER

E X T R E M E G E N E R AT I O N

Engage people of all ages with fun aquatic play. All through the wonder of water.

World leader in aquatic play solutions with over 6,500 installations worldwide 1.866.586.7839 (USA/CA) | info@vortex-intl.com

E X T R E M E G E N E R AT I O N

VORTEX-INTL.COM

E X T R E M E G E N E R AT I O N

®

E X T R E M E G E N E R AT I O N

CONTACT US FOR ALL YOUR RECREATION NEEDS! ChurchichRecreation.com 2 0 To w n e D r i v e P M B 1 8 6 - B l u f f t o n , S C 2 9 9 1 0 (o) 843-757-3156 (m) 843-368-8170 Miracle Recreation Equipment Company® is a Division of PlayPower, Inc® Copyright ©2017 by PlayPower, Inc.® All rights reserved.

14 SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks • www.scrpa.org

Forging partnerships in south carolina Carolina Studios Partnership Puts Charleston Youth “On Track for Success“

By Bethany Doman, City of Charleston Dept. of Recreation Since its inception in 2001, Carolina Studios has lived out its mission of providing at-risk youth in Charleston a safe environment to express themselves by creating, arranging, and recording music through technology and media arts. This musical program is a creative opportunity that fosters learning and builds confidence, ultimately encouraging growth towards future careers.

In 2002, Carolina Studios attracted Mark Bryan, the lead guitarist and founding member of Hootie and the Blowfish, and he later became the Board Chairman.

The program established its home at Shaw Community Center on Mary Street in downtown Charleston in 2007 and has since fostered strong relationships with the local children in that community. Carolina Studios provides an afterschool program Tuesdays through Thursdays and a fullday program during the summer months.

“The greatest impact I’ve seen is the growth and strength of the relationships with the kids at Shaw,” said Kiona Williams, a three-year Carolina Studios staff member pursuing her Audio Production Certification. “When they come to the studio, they look for me. We build relationships with all of these kids and they become attached to us, the musical programs, and the career appeal.

Sometimes they don’t even want to leave to go home.”

The whole multi-media experience starts with writing lyrics and creating beats, either preset or from scratch, using a midi controlled keyboard and the Apple software Logic X. The beat will then be transferred to the digital recording equipment in the studio, where the artist can add vocals or other instruments to create the full track. The final touches could include producing a music video, creating artwork, or taking photographs.

In addition to the after school and summer program, Carolina Studios has a mobile studio that travels all over the area to schools and camps. They are able to reach over 40 kids per week, developing relationships with schools and children along the way.

Carolina Studios gives Charleston youth the opportunity to pursue a passion they wouldn’t have otherwise had the resources to pursue. Through creative, educational, and career-focused initiatives, Carolina Studios is putting youth on track for success.

“As funding for music education decreases in our schools, our recreation centers are recognizing the demand to fulfill this large need and provide quality music outlets for our youth,” said Crystal Reed, the City of Charleston Recreation Programs Superintendent. “Carolina Studios’ approach makes music fun and accessible for all children.”

Spring 2017 • SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks 15

Forging partnerships in south carolina A Rock Hill Business Supports River Fun

By Hope Matthews, Outdoor Education Coordinator Rock Hill Parks, Recreation and Tourism In Rock Hill, we are fortunate to have easy access to a beautiful, scenic stretch of the Catawba River. Historically, our river has been used to transport cotton, to generate electricity, and as a source of water for local industry. People have crossed the Catawba using fords, ferries, bridges, and interstates. For decades, a large portion of riverfront property was occupied by an industrial plant, with no access for the public. Therefore, most people only knew the river as something they passed over on the I-77 bridge.

Now, with the development of a mixeduse community including land donated for public recreation facilities, things are changing. People in our area are enjoying the river for its beauty and recreational opportunities.

One local Rock Hill business that takes advantage of the beauty of the Catawba

River is the Pump House Restaurant. The restaurant is named for the building it occupies—a building that housed the water intake pumps from the former industrial plant. The three-story building is perched on the riverbank overlooking the river. The views overlooking the river from the rooftop bar are spectacular.

The owners of the Pump House Restaurant wanted to do more to bring attention to the Catawba River. So they approached the City of Rock Hill Parks, Recreation & Tourism (PRT) department with an idea for an “adventure race” utilizing City trails and parks. One of the City’s canoe/ kayak launches is next to the restaurant, so naturally the race would include paddling.

Next to the canoe/kayak launch is the trailhead for the Piedmont Medical Center Trail that winds alongside the river and connects to the trail system in neighboring

16 SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks • www.scrpa.org

River Park and its canoe/kayak launch downstream. And so the Pump House River Run was born!

Participants paddle from the Pump House to River Park (about three miles), then run from River Park back to the start line near the Pump House (a 5K run). In addition to committing to a title sponsorship, the Pump House Restaurant also provided post-race festivities. PRT staff were responsible for coordinating race logistics, registration and additional sponsors. Proceeds from the race benefitted our Rock Hill Parks Foundation.

Last year’s inaugural race was so successful that PRT and the Pump House are already planning the 2nd Annual Pump House River Run! Partnering with the Pump House Restaurant has helped Rock Hill PRT increase awareness of the river and the recreational opportunities it offers.

Forging partnerships in south carolina State Games South Carolina Collaboration is key Comes to the Upstate at the City of Florence

By Jeff Poole, CPRP, Sports Tourism Manager Greenville County Parks Recreation & Tourism Greenville County Parks Recreation & Tourism is partnering with the Greenville Sports Council to bring a brand-new sports festival to the growing Upstate of South Carolina.

The inaugural State Games South Carolina will kick off Memorial Day weekend and run through the middle of June with competitions taking place at a variety of facilities in the Greenville and Spartanburg areas. Some Games will be hosted at private facilities, but thanks to Jeff Poole, many will also utilize Greenville County facilities.

As the Sports Tourism Manager for Greenville County Parks, Recreation and Tourism, Poole works hard to attract sporting events, activities and festivals to Greenville, SC. He knows how to bring high impact events to the area and the Games should prove to be one of the best.

“We are really excited to bring this annual event to Greenville,” says Poole. “We’re confident that we will draw competitors from all over the state of South Carolina. We anticipate over 3,000 athletes will compete in our first year, which should generate over $500,000 in local spending during the State Games.”

State Games South Carolina will be the largest annual multisport, Olympic-style event in South Carolina. The Games embody the values of participation, sportsmanship and healthy living among residents of the state of South Carolina.

Gold, silver and bronze medalists from the Games qualify to participate in the State Games of America, a biennial multisport event, representing the state of South Carolina.

The 2017 State Games South Carolina will include baseball, basketball, soccer, volleyball, ultimate, track and field and a 5k road race. “We’ll start with these core sports and add events as we develop the Games in the future,” says Poole.

“We have the capacity to grow as we expand to additional County facilities.”

To learn more about State Games South Carolina, visit stategamessouthcarolina.com.

By Darlene Buchanan, Recreation Manager City of Florence The City of Florence is blessed to have many great partners. When we attempt to narrow the list to the one that stands tallest, it becomes clear that they are all great in their own selfless ways. Yet, as we pondered the question, it came to us: there exists such a partnership that is the very epitome of what partnering is all about – a collaboration that makes for a dynamic connection between the City of Florence and one of its best resources. It causes us to think – what can be accomplished when you put a municipal recreation department and a local health care provider together? The answer is – great things!

Just how far back the city’s relationship with McLeod Health goes is debatable. Some say McLeod has always been there for the youth programs as a sponsor and supporter. We can affirmatively say that our relationship has withstood the test of time, and today our bond is as strong as ever. From sponsoring youth football, softball and baseball state tournaments over the years to the current title sponsorship of the United States Tennis Association’s Women’s Pro Circuit Tournament (The McLeod for Health Florence Open), the partnership lives on.

The uniqueness of this partnership is the fact that the activities are planned by city staff, and McLeod Health finds creative ways to underwrite them as financial sponsors or by the assignment of their qualified athletic trainers to be on hand to attend to the usual and typical injuries that accompany sporting events. As a bonus, their highly skilled media and public relations team develops promotional materials and assists with getting the word out to the community about these special projects. They are always willing to lend a hand to improve and expand the event.

Most recently, this partnership took on a different meaning.

In 2016, the Florence Parks and Recreation Department received a gift of 18 AED units from the McLeod Foundation.

This gift was literally the gift of life. As a result, all city recreation facilities have now been outfitted with an AED, and staff have been trained to use them. While we hope to never have to activate them, it is good to know that our partners at McLeod have made it possible for us to respond and to potentially save a life one day. So, thank you McLeod Health for being our partner. The quality of life in Florence is greater because of you!

Spring 2017 • SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks 17

Reflections from a Park Bench …

A Changing USA Society Impacts Parks and Recreation

By Paul B. Ellis, III It’s a beautiful day that I enjoy from my seat on the park bench. Being a Saturday, park use and users vary. The playground is active: runners, walkers and cyclists pass on the trail; a coed group practices on the softball field; the basketball and tennis courts are in play and several adults decorate and prepare a picnic shelter for a birthday party. The park users are primarily white, male and 20-40 years old except on the playground. These users reflect the general national results from most park surveys, and if the data holds true, most earn a medium income. The rich may use the public trails but utilize private country club-style facilities with tennis courts, golf courses and swimming pools. The poorest citizens are the rarest users of public parks due to the lack of income, transportation and awareness.

The recent demographics of our national parks users are even more depressing with well over 60% being white baby boomers.

Young adults of color are rarely seen.

Pondering this information, I wonder if parks and recreation (P&R) professionals are gearing parks for the bottom 75% of the public on the educational and economic scales. Is this a political reflection of the division that plagues our society and nation?

It is doubtful that a clear-cut answer can be derived, but the factors that are known should be considered in the approach of providing public P&R services now and in the future.

There is one major realization - and its many related aspects - that troubles me.

Economic inequity will continue to grow, causing an increase in the percentage of poverty-level citizens. The rich will separate themselves even more from the masses.

The “post truth era” named by Thomas L. Friedman or the “post fact era” defined by David Brooks will continue to expand. This is evident in the general distrust of the under-

educated toward skilled professionals, public institutions and the so called “urban elite.”

Additionally, this is reinforced by news media outlets that provide biased information, which keeps the sides of the societal split harnessed to one version or the other suiting their perspective.

Growth in technology, globalization, the information age economy and future global warming will continue to make the split between the “well-educated” and “undereducated” even greater. Those who can ride the wave of these dividing social changes will prosper and those who cannot will be left further behind. The latter will face a growing chasm of poor education, financial insecurity, fraying family structures, a lack of capital resources, a sense of institutional distrust and perceived political dysfunction.

Public P&R agencies can only be part of the solution. These trends will be reflected in park use and therefore will require P&R professionals to reconsider all aspects of their service delivery.

The philosophy of “public parks for all citizens” is noble on a philosophical level, but false in reality considering the lack of use by both extremes of the income scale. Do we adjust our provisions to the likely users, not concerning ourselves with the 1%? Do we receive them if they become users and press harder to build awareness among the poorest citizens? Although not my publicly announced position, it definitely reflects my suggested operating mode.

To make adjustments for these difficult times I recommend an increased effort to build public awareness of the benefits of P&R, especially focused on our poorest citizens.

This effort will also reach the well-informed and well-connected citizens. It will be a difficult task for P&R agencies to distinguish themselves from the barrage of both true and false information that engulfs our public.

The full spectrum of the digital age and traditional marketing tools will be required.

With the huge variety of ways the public can utilize their leisure time, on what should the agency concentrate? An assessment of the agencies’ offerings will reveal an emphasis on their greatest successes, and what

18 SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks • www.scrpa.org

is realistic, economically viable and takes priority. Addressing the secondary public needs, like wellness, should be considered for the agency to be successful. Innovations to achieve this secondary level, for instance public-private partnerships, may provide the missing element to a plan for success.

It’s nice to think that P&R agencies can offer something for everyone but it’s always not true. Other agencies can provide leisure services for needs we cannot address, which reduces our burden and should be encouraged.

Considering the limitations and challenging societal issues, parks especially are a public institution that can provide a forum for positive experiences for all users. Regardless of age, income, education, race, sex, religion, sexual preference and political affiliation, parks are open to all. A park provides a melting pot for equal use. It is the responsibility of the P&R professional and agency to keep these forums open.

There is an obstacle that infringes on this altruistic position. Due to “freedom of speech,” parks can be used by groups and individuals as a forum for separatist propaganda. How we balance this conflict is challenging. The P&R professional and agency must stand for freedom of use for all, verbally and by public policy rejecting those that would divide us, thus hindering use by all. De-escalation of conflicts by showing dignity and respect shows positive leadership in this public forum.

It is our moral obligation to so.

The future holds many complications and will require regular changes to address the evolving public discourse and its leisure needs. The best way for a P&R agency to stay viable is to become CAPRA certified. The structure required for certification will ensure that the agency is practicing contemporary agency management and making an honest attempt to address rapidly changing societal needs.

SCRPA Corporate Member Directory Thank you to our Corporate Members who continually help support our organization.

Barrs Recreation Carolynne Barrs carolynneb@barrsrec.com www.barrsrec.com 919-781-4870

Musco Sports Lighting Barry Jones barry.jones@musco.com www.musco.com 877-807-8980

Berliner Seilfabrik Play Equipment Corporation Diana Dean diana@berliner-playequipment.com www.berliner-playequipment.com 864-627-1092

Playground Safety Services, Inc Greg Taylor greg@playgroundsafetyservices.com www.playgroundsafetyservices.com 704-477-6457

Carolina Recreation & Design Donald Hemingway don@carolina-recreation.com www.carolina-recreation.com 704-664-1833

Playworld Preferred Geoff Eastman geoff@playworldpreferred.com www.playworldpreferred.com 800-459-7241

Cunningham Recreation Jimmy Burke jimmy@cunninghamrec.com www.cunninghamrec.com 800-438-2780 ext. 123

Pro Sports Thomas Postell scott@prosportsdirect.net www.prosportsdirect.net 770-943-9691

Franklin Sports Inc. Joshua Simmons jsimmons@franklinsports.com 781-573-2465 Clifford Savage csavage@franklinsports.com 781-573-2334 www.franklinsports.com

Ready Fitness Lance Gauntt lance@readyfitness.com www.readyfitness.com 404-5765670

INNOVA Disc Golf Russell Schwarz russell@innovadiscgolf.com www.innovadiscgolf.com 803-366-5028

sofSURFACES Christopher Chartrand c.chartrand@sofsurfaces.com www.sofsurfaces.com 800-263-2363

If your company would like to become a member, please contact Melissa Williams, Membership Services Coordinator at 803.808.7753 or melissa@scrpa.org, or visit our website at www.scrpa.org for more details.

Corporate Member rates: One member: $300 All sales team: $550

Spring 2017 • SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks 19

SOUTH CAROLINA RECREATION & PARKS ASSOCIATION

P.O. Box 1046 Lexington, SC 29071-1046