SCRPA Magazine - Spring 2023

SOUTH CAROLINA RECREATION & PARKS ASSOCIATION

A Spring in Their Step

A LOOK AT ACTIVE AGING IN SOUTH CAROLINA

INSIDE: 2022

RECREATION & PARKS ASSOCIATION

2023 Board of Directors

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

President

Jessica Campbell

City of Aiken

President Elect

Katherine Jones

Lancaster County

Vice President

Jon Woodsby

Spartanburg County

Secretary

Megan Young

City of Greenville

Treasurer

Michael Bradley

Charleston County

Past President

Dustin Jordan

City of Myrtle Beach

Central VP

Brian Jones

City of Rock Hill

ELM

Kim Moultrie

Blackstone Charleston County

Programming Open SCAP Branch

Eastern VP

Ryan Caputo

City of Myrtle Beach

Southern VP

Nicole Murray

City of Goose Creek

Western VP

Daniel Halliman

City of Spartanburg

of Rock Hill

SCRPA EXECUTIVE STAFF

Executive Director

James E. Headley

jim@scrpa.org

Membership Services Coordinator

Melissa Williams

melissa@scrpa.org

MAGAZINE/MARKETING COMMITTEE

CHAIR

Kristen Guilfoos

Spartanburg County

VICE CHAIR

Alison Cribb

City of Aiken

CENTRAL REPS

Randy Duteau

City of North Augusta

Gretchen Haskett

City of Newberry

Samantha Green

City of Clover

EASTERN REPS

Erin O’Hagan

City of Myrtle Beach

Lauren Wolf

City of Myrtle Beach

Samantha Green

City of Clover

SOUTHERN REPS

Megan Boisvert

City of North Charleston

Pam Zanowski

Dorchester County

South Carolina Recreation & Parks Association

P.O. Box 1046, Lexington, SC 29071

(p) 803-808-7753

www.scrpa.org • info@scrpa.org

Creating Great Places www.woodandpartners.com + 843-681-6618 On the cover: Seniors Take Charge, Spartanburg County Parks Department

Jessica Campbell Jim Headley

THE ASSOCIATION REPORT

by Jessica Campbell, SCRPA President & Jim Headley, SCRPA Executive Director

The Year is Off to a Great Start!

The year 2023 has kicked off to a great start! We have a busy and exciting year ahead. Our Board of Directors Retreat was held in January, and the winter months brought about multiple educational institutes, district workshops and branch meetings. The ELM Branch has put together a strong legislative platform to continue advocacy for our profession. The Executive Committee has worked through a strategic planning process that will allow us to make meaningful progress towards the Association’s goals, positioning us for continued success in years to come.

Our focus for this issue is active aging. You will read the many ways agencies celebrate seniors and showcase their capabilities as fully participating members of their community. Many of you are role models that lead the way! Our profession is essential in providing the means to experience wellness activities and exercise in a safe, supportive environment. With more than 37 percent of the state’s

The Programming Summit 2023

population over the age of 50, we can make a big impact on the quality of life of aging adults across South Carolina.

As you continue to fill your calendar with excellent programs and events this year, be sure to stay tuned to hear about the many professional development opportunities offered each month. Read through the bi-weekly SC Snapshot e-updates, the Scrap Paper e-newsletters, and the SCRPA website to stay informed. We will be joining North Carolina Recreation and Park Association for our first joint-conference post-pandemic. Held Dec. 11-13 in Wilmington, NC it’s sure to be an excellent opportunity to stay connected across the Carolinas!

As always, we welcome feedback, ideas and solutions. Please let us know if you have any questions concerning your Association. We look forward to hearing from you!

- Jessica & Jim

Upcoming 2023 Events

Virtual Education Sessions - Visit www.scrpa.org for details.

Carolinas Joint Conference

December 11-13, 2023, Wilmington, NC

For more details and to register for upcoming SCRPA events, visit www.scrpa.org/events.

to see you next year.

SCRPA Magazine Deadlines

Summer 2023

Fall 2023

Winter 2023

Deadline: April 16, 2023

Deadline: June 18, 2023

Deadline: September 15, 2023

To advertise, contact Todd Pernsteiner at todd@pernsteiner.com or 952-841-1111.

The annual Programming Summit Conference was held in Hilton Head February 24-24, 2023. The three-day event, chaired by Shelli Davis and Tamika Pollard, included committee members Rebekah Parker, Adarius Williams, Leah Arnold, Allyson All, Imelda Golden, Louis Wright III, and Abby Ansley. Thank you to attendees, speakers, and conference organizers for an amazing event! We hope

# HeresWhatsHappening

Snapshots from SCRPA amember agencies

“Smart Drivers” in Aiken County

Charleston County Parks hosted a sold-out Fairy House Festival in January. Children made their “homes” from items they found around the park. Other entertainment included costumed fairies, face-painting, a food truck, and a special story time with help from our friends at the Charleston County Public Library.

St. Andrew’s Parks and Playground has tapped into the world of Esports! Our program consists of up to two teams of 6 practicing twice a week for 10 weeks.We compete against other recreational esports teams in games such as Overwatch 2, Valorant, and more! St. Andrew’s offers state of the art gaming equipment and experienced coaching right here at our administration building.

Florence County Equestrian Facilities

Florence County Parks & Recreation has begun a project to construct equestrian facilities that include an arena and trails. In addition, the existing campground will be redesigned to specifically accommodate equestrian visitors. A new campground will be constructed comprised of 20 pull through sites with water and electrical hookups. Completion is expected by August 2023.

The City of Myrtle Beach’s E-Z Garden Club members are out and about in local greenspaces. This free club has a blast improving our recreational gardening community, meeting new friends and sharing gardening techniques. The club meets monthly, donating one hour of time to add to our communities’ beautiful parks and gardens.

The senior group in Aiken County has been learning to be “Smart Drivers” with AARP!

Myrtle Beach’s E-Z Garden Club

Fairy House Festival in Charleston County

Esports in St. Andrews

Service Breakfast in Charleston

“On January 26, the City of Charleston held a Service Breakfast to honor service years, retiring staff, customer service nominations, and Employee(s) of the Year awards. Our Recreation and Parks staff brought home some amazing awards! Larry Potts, Custodian/ Maintenance Worker at Bees Landing Recreation Center was rewarded with a customer service award for keeping the center spotless and maintained, no matter what program is happening or how old the building is. Ieashya Duncan, St. Julian Devine Facility Manager and Mark Laskowski, Tennis Specialist, volunteered to be on call during the holiday break (December 23-26) to help transport individuals to warming shelters and was awarded a customer service award. Shameka Hicks, Recreation Leader at St. Julian Devine, and Troy Williams, Playgrounds Recreation Coordinator, were dubbed Employees of the Year for recently assisting a man who had fallen off the sidewalk and was unable to move. They acted quickly and flagged down a policeman, called EMS, and stayed with the man until he was given help. Congrats to our amazing, selfless employees!”

Skills and Drills Clinic in Richland County

On Sunday, January 22, nominees for Richland County High School Player of the Year-Girls Basketball facilitated a free Skills and Drills Clinic at St. Andrews Park for more than 80 children, ages 5-14. The nominees ran drills and games, and coached the kids to improve their basketball abilities. Richland County High School Player of the Year-Girls Basketball celebrates the top senior girl’s basketball athletes from the county high schools as nominated by their coaches.

Greer Monarch Butterfly Education Stations

Monarch caterpillar eggs were collected from Milkweed plants from butterfly gardens in various City of Greer parks. An Education Station was set up in the office to provide a safe place for the caterpillars to hatch. The entire office was invested in the journey of the caterpillars.

Chrysalis Phase- The caterpillar undergoes metamorphosis to emerge as a butterfly. Several staff members were present to witness the beautiful butterflies emerge.

Release Day- A pop-up exhibit and butterfly release took place at Benson Automotive Kids Planet. A total of 14 butterflies were released.

North Myrtle Beach Daycations

Members of the community get to explore neighboring cities in the Carolinas with the “Daycations with North Myrtle Beach,” program. Trips are offered monthly and focus on different attractions and historical sites in various cities. Our Fall trips included Georgetown, Wilmington, and Florence.

AGENCIES: SUBMIT YOUR UPDATES! Submit a brief for a future issue of SCRPA magazine. Send your text (70 words or less) plus up to three high resolution photos to: Kristen Guilfoos at kguilfoos@spartanburgcounty.org.

Shameka Hicks (left) and Troy Wiliams (right)

Mark Laskowski (left) and Ieashya Duncan (center)

Larry Potts (left)

Grow Your Passion for Communication

CSU’s Communications for Conservation Graduate Certificate Program

Environmental professionals face increasingly complex problems, including climate change, land and energy development, recreation pressure, biodiversity loss, natural disasters, and human health impacts. Tackling these issues requires a wide range of skill sets. Social science and communications knowledge is a noticeable gap for many conservation practitioners. As the various avenues for communication continue to evolve, environmental professionals require more tools and tactics to convey information and change constituents’ behaviors to better our planet. Considerations for equity, inclusion, and environmental justice are also essential skill sets so that all people can participate in stewarding our natural resources.

Colorado State University’s online graduate degree in Communications for Conservation is an accelerated learning platform that offers budding conservation communicators the tools, information, and skills to engage with diverse constituents through various media outlets. The program pairs the context and language of conservation with communications best practices. From interpretation to policy influence and social

media strategy, students gain experience analyzing and mastering communications tactics applied to real-world problems. Interactive discussions with university faculty and peers foster a robust learning environment where students gain exposure to different professional backgrounds.

Many of our students are working in natural resources but seeking additional tools in social science and communications or looking to make a career shift toward conservation. This flexible asynchronous program allows individuals to balance work and education while gaining conservation communication skills. Our alumni have found positions in state and federal agencies, non-profit organizations, private firms, educational institutions, and some have started their own communication firms.

As Dean Smith, the Wildlife Liaison for the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, shared, current conservation efforts “require people that can communicate with their peers, and to ...public stakeholders and all the people that are involved in the broad set of responsibilities in managing our natural resources.”

Check out the program! Learn more about CSU’s Communications for Conservation Graduate Certificate at https://col.st.qMb4r or scan the QR code below.

AN ACCELERATED LEARNING PLATFORM THAT OFFERS BUDDING CONSERVATION COMMUNICATORS THE TOOLS, INFORMATION, AND SKILLS TO ENGAGE WITH DIVERSE CONSTITUENTS THROUGH VARIOUS MEDIA OUTLETS.

2022 SCRPA AWARDS

The South Carolina Recreation and Parks Association (SCRPA) recognizes people, parks, and programs for outstanding contributions to the park and recreation profession in South Carolina. These awards are judged by our SCRPA Awards and Citations Committee. Throughout the year SCRPA Branches and Districts also present other awards. Thank you to all winners for helping families Celebrate Community through People, Parks and Programs!

2022 COMMUNITY CHAMPION

The Community Champion Award recognizes individuals and organizations from each of the SCRPA districts. These awards are given to individuals who support our membership’s vision of creating Community through people, parks, and programs.

Richard Abney

Richard Abney has been coaching with Aiken since 1976. Richard knows how to teach baseball and make it fun. He possesses the uncanny ability to teach each player on his team to be the best they can be. In recreation baseball, Richard often did not draft the best team, but by the end of the season his teams would be competitive and well-coached. He has unselfishly volunteered his time teaching youth to play sports and be a better person. His leadership and character are contagious, and his knowledge of the game is invaluable. There is not a better person to nominate for this award than Richard Abney.

Richard Abney is a true Community Champion!

At Landscape Structures, a lot of thought goes into designing our Smart Play® playstructures. Each must include a ton of activities, an equal ton of play value, yet offer a compact footprint. With a variety of innovative themes and concepts to choose from, these preconfigured playstructures are smart, whimsical and easy to order. Easiest of all: Order a themed pair to entertain kids of all ages. playlsi.com/smart-play

Community Champion Award-winner Richard Abney (third from left).

2022 SCRPA AGENCY AWARDS

Agency awards for Parks Excellence are awarded in two categories, for population under 30,000 and population over 30,000. The awards are given to the agencies whose new, renovated or revitalized park has shown through as being the best in the state for this population category.

2022 Parks Excellence under 30,000: Newberry Recreation Complex, City of Newberry

“We don’t want a sports facility…we want to create an outdoor recreation experience.” This was the constant phrase that led to the Newberry Recreation Complex becoming more than just a place for ballgames. The concept of an outdoor recreation experience gave PRT Staff and City Council the vision to think beyond their current facilities and set goals of providing truly unique elements to Newberry residents and visitors alike. The Newberry Recreation Complex is a $7.7 million project built

on 128 acres from 2018-2020. The cost was offset by $4.1 million from the 2016 Capital Project Sales Tax (CPST) vote and $500,000 from a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant. The site includes a five-acre pond with a cabin and nature trail, two multi- purpose fields, three baseball/softball fields, outdoor ping pong tables, pickleball court, an accessible playground, an outdoor fitness rig and a 6,000 squarefoot accessible splash park known as Gully Washer Splash Park.

2022 Parks Excellence over 30,000: Unity Park, City of Greenville

A century in the making, Unity Park is a new 60-acre park that merges what were once two segregated parks and pays homage to the legacies of two historic neighborhoods where residents describe a painful history of neglect, environmental abuse and racial inequity. Unity Park features four state-of-the-art playgrounds, including a 5,000-square-foot splash pad, two expansive green spaces, a 10,000-square-foot welcome center, basketball courts and a historic baseball field located on the site of the former Mayberry Park, which was built in 1925. One of the many things that set Unity Park apart is the fact that nearly nine acres of prime land owned by the city adjacent to the park have been set aside for affordable housing, serving as a bulwark against the pressures of gentrification already impacting this area.

2022 Programming Excellence over 30,000: Lifelong Learning, Rock Hill

Lifelong Learning @ Rock Hill –Where Curiosity Never Retires –is a diverse community of adults, age 50+, who share knowledge through unique classroom opportunities and local excursions. Since the program’s inception in January 2020, outstanding volunteer facilitators have offered programs that cover a range of engaging topics, experiences and skills related to personal growth and enrichment to the 50+ adult community in Rock Hill. Since coming out of pandemic restrictions in the fall of 2021, the data from each semester proves that the 50+ adult community in Rock Hill is eager to participate and to continue to learn.

2022 Parks Excellence over 30,000 - City of Greenville

2022 Parks Excellence under 30,000 - City of Newberry

City of Rock Hill, Programming Excellence Award, Over 30,000

SCRPA INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

2022 Professional of the Year: TJ Rostin

The SCRPA Professional of the Year nominee must be in the parks and recreation profession at least 15 years and a member of SCRPA for at least five years and professionally certified. This award considers service, leadership, and character.

TJ Rostin started his career with the Isle of Palms Recreation Department then moved to the City of North Charleston in 2004 to be their athletic director. In 2018, he had the opportunity to broaden his career and become a director with the City of Goose Creek. He served there for 3 years and was able to go back “home” to the City of North Charleston where he serves as Director.

TJ has served the South Carolina Recreation and Parks Association in multiple capacities over the last 21 years, including the SC Athletic Programs Branch Chair and the Southern District Vice President. He graduated from the SC LEAD class in 2004 and was elected to be the 73rd president of SCRPA in 2018. TJ has not stopped giving back to our great profession. He continues to serve SCRPA in a very important role as the chair of the SC Leadership and Development (SC LEAD) program and has done so since 2018.

TJ is a team player, through and through. While he has risen through the ranks in our profession, he never forgot where he came from. He never asks someone to do anything he wouldn’t do. TJ is community minded. He’ll work with the community centers, bag sand for hurricanes, help feed volunteers and even help with the quilting program! No job is too large or small for him. TJ is married and has 2 awesome children that he adores.

2022 Young Professional of the Year: Willie Stewart

The SCRPA Young Professional of the Year nominee must be in the parks and recreation profession for at least 3 years and no more than 15 years and a member in good standing of SCRPA and professionally certified. This award considers service, leadership, and character.

Willie Stewart has been with the City of Mauldin for 10 years, currently serving as Assistant Director. He’s also served as Athletic Director, and prior to coming to Mauldin, he worked for Greenville County Parks and Recreation. Willie is currently certified through the National Parks &

Recreation Association as a Parks and Recreation Professional (CPRP). Willie is a “homegrown” product and understands Mauldin and the upstate. He cares and programs for all the youth in his community. He recruits, trains and oversees all the coaches for Mauldin’s Recreation program, even coaching when needed. Willie also coaches high school football for Mauldin High School.

Willie has been very involved within SCRPA. He is a graduate of the SC LEAD Program in 2020. Willie served on the SC Athletic Programs Branch for 8 years and was elected chair in 2019-2020. Willie is a Certified Youth Sports Administrator from the National Alliance for Youth Sports and has served on various SCRPA committees in his “short” tenure.

According to his director, Willie has been a great asset to the City of Mauldin. “His hard work and dedication to the city is outstanding! There is no job that Willie cannot, or will not do! The sky is the limit for this young man.”

Robert L. Reid Lifetime Achievement & Hall of Fame Award: David Bennett

The SCRPA Robert L. Reid Lifetime Achievement and Hall of Fame Award recognizes an individual’s achievement in the parks and recreation community. It can be awarded to a professional or citizen. The individual should have at least twenty years of overall commitment to the parks and recreation community and have made a lasting impression on our great profession.

David Bennett exemplifies the perseverance that is necessary to be a success in the field of parks and recreation and has made significant contributions to CCPRC.

He has been an inspiration to staff and is a cornerstone of the building process. As CCPRC’s Executive Director, he has provided the agency with a successful and manageable growth plan that provides a solid foundation for the future of the agency. Whether in sports, dedication to family, service to community, or professional conduct, David exudes passion and determination. His ability to commit to a plan, willingness to work hard, and positive attitude make him an inspiration to his staff and members of the community. David’s journey through SCRPA has always been based on service and mentoring. He’s been involved in many committees and branches at SCRPA over the past 35 years, and he earned the Young Professional Award and Professional of the Year Award. Like many of SCRPA’s past and current leaders, David has left a valuable imprint on the Association. His involvement in the creation of the SC LEAD program has provided our state with an exceptional program for the future leaders of the Association. In 2004, David served the Association as President, providing valuable leadership and guidance during his tenure.

With all of his professional and civic accomplishments, David’s greatest pride is for his family. He’s supported by his wife Cheryl and his three grown children Austin, Cydney and Dale. David consistently speaks to his CCPRC team about the value of family and encouraged his staff to strike a balance between hard work and time with family and friends.

TJ Rostin Willie Stewart David Bennett

A Spring in Their Step

A LOOK AT ACTIVE AGING IN SOUTH CAROLINA

HOW SENIORS CONTRIBUTE TO PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENTS AND WHAT AGENCIES ARE DOING FOR THEIR ACTIVE 50+ COMMUNITY

SPARTANBURG COUNTY WE’VE GOT THE BEAT

By Bates McKinney, Spartanburg County Parks Department

In his song “Sir Duke” Stevie Wonder sings that “Music is a world within itself, with a language we all understand.” Whether or not you consider yourself or musician, or can hear the nuance in songs, music has played a major role in your life. You learned lessons as a child through music: “Alphabet Song,” “The Clean Up Song,” and “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes.” We celebrate important events with songs (i.e. graduations and weddings). Music is used to regulate moods. To energize people, use something with a faster beat. To relax oneself, find a song that starts out faster but then gradually slows the beat down. Numerous research studies have shown the strong connection between music and memory. For 2022, the education series Seniors Take Charge focused on that connection as we celebrated the Jukebox Time Machine. We kicked off the year’s festivities with music bingo—think Name That Tune meets Bingo. All one needs to play this is a playlist from their favorite music streaming service and a custom bingo card generator site like myfreebingocards.com.

The decades of music we featured were the 1920s through 2000s. Each month we sought to create an experience that allowed attendees to take a trip down memory lane. We explored how music, politics, and pop culture heavily influenced one another. Snacks provided were treats that either were released during that decade or saw a resurgence (e.g., Bazooka gum, Cracker Jacks, and Dunk-A-Roos) during that time period. Attendees also received fun decade appropriate swag (e.g., mirrored round sunglasses, disco ball keychains, Rubik’s Cubes, and Silly Putty). Finally, attendees were encouraged to dress for the decade/ party theme.

We listened to Hot Jazz (i.e., Dixieland Jazz) as we tried lingo from the roaring 1920s. For the 1930s, we created a Speakeasy, complete with signature cocktails and candy cigarettes. The 1940s brought a patriotic USO dance as we looked at the impact of WWII. Rock’n’roll was featured with the 1950s sock hop. The 1960s was a flower fest as we looked at how hippies wanted to find peace and understanding through music while fighting for civil rights. The

1970s did bring the Disco Fever, but we also saw the rise of folk music. For the 1980s we had a totally 80s skate party. The 1990s saw the rise of graffiti art and hip hop and pop music started to merge. Attendees for the 2000s did listen to Blink 182, amongst others. However, they also had the opportunity to get a freehand temporary tattoo provided by a local tattoo artist. Why? Because tattooing became legal in

South Carolina in 2004. We wrapped up the series in December by enjoying Holiday Hits. Pictures were taken each month and compiled into a keepsake 2023 calendar. Each month brought a new experience for attendees. No single genre defined a decade. Rather, they either existed separately or came together, reflecting the sentiments of the decade as a whole. Attendees were able to rediscover favorite

songs or sample some genres they never had and probably wouldn’t again (especially once we reached the 1990s and 2000s). They reminisced about good and bad times associated with each decade while looking at iconic pictures posted around the room. Seniors Take Charge: Jukebox Time Machine was a hit because music is an integral part of all our lives. That’s why our hearts have beats.

BRING NEW LIFE TO YOUR SPORTS SURFACES

• Restore old, damaged courts to make them like-new again.

• Sport Courts offer a longer life/warranty than acrylic paint surfaces.

• Convert unused tennis courts into multi-sport courts to attract new users.

• Help keep residents safe - Sport Court technology absorbs shock, lessening impact and risk of injuries.

To learn more visit sportcourtcarolina.com or call 704-239-4900.

Carolina

TOWN OF MOUNT PLEASANT SENIORS TAKE ONE STEP CLOSER

By Jon Whitbeck, Mount Pleasant Recreation Department

The Town of Mount Pleasant Senior Center for ages 50+ offers many opportunities for members to stay active. A unique program provided by the center, the 2023 Step Challenge encourages folks of all ages and abilities to reach their goals one step at a time. The One Step Closer program promotes physical activity and builds community. A straightforward way to keep people moving, walking is a lowimpact form of exercise that is a safe and accessible option for people of all ages and fitness levels.

Walking has many scientifically proven benefits for physical and mental health. Regular walking can help to lower the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke. The activity also helps to improve cardiovascular fitness, lower blood pressure, and improve muscle tone and strength. In addition, walking has been shown to have positive effects on mental health including reducing stress and anxiety, improving mood, and boosting overall cognitive function. It also helps to increase creativity and problem-solving abilities.

Participants in the One Step Closer program pick up a center-provided pedometer (or use their own), measure their steps and track them in a personal chart created for the challenge. Throughout the program, participants see progress made toward their goal, and strive to achieve it through outdoor walks, indoor exercise classes, or gym cardio equipment. At the end of the program, all participants are recognized and rewarded at a special event where prizes are awarded. The finale brings everyone together to share and appreciate their accomplishments.

Since it’s relatively simple to do, many members choose to participate, and some are encouraged to try other types of exercise. One Senior Center member found that walking benefited him significantly, improving his physical strength and stamina along with elevating his mood. Walking also inspired him to try other physical activities, including yoga, cardio drumming, and other

THE ONE STEP CLOSER PROGRAM PROVIDES A POPULAR WAY FOR MEMBERS TO REACH THEIR PERSONAL FITNESS GOALS. INDIVIDUALS SET REALISTIC GOALS BASED ON THEIR ABILITIES AND MEET THEM THROUGH A STRUCTURED AND ENCOURAGING ENVIRONMENT.

classes. He says joining the Senior Center keeps him active, offers social support and provides emotional connections, boosting his overall health and happiness.

The Town of Mount Pleasant Senior Center, dedicated to Thomasena Stokes-Marshall who originally spearheaded development of the facility, offers many opportunities for seniors ages 50+ to improve their lives.

The One Step Closer program provides a popular way for members to reach their personal fitness goals. Individuals set realistic goals based on their abilities and meet them through a structured and encouraging environment. Seniors’ physical and mental health improves through physical activity, and the center supports healthy lifestyles. n

CITY OF NORTH CHARLESTON REACHING OUR SENIOR COMMUNITY

By Megan Boisvert, City of North Charleston Parks and Recreation

The City of North Charleston Recreation Department has a variety of activities designed to meet the programming needs of our senior community members. The Recreation Department hosts activities at four different Community Centers, the Athletic Center, and the Aquatic Center. These programs include Bingo, Men’s Coffee Club, Exercise Classes, Arts & Craft Programs, Water Aerobics, Educational Seminars, various special events, and more. “I’ve learned so much by coming to the center and I have met the most beautiful and wonderful people. The Center Director, Ms. Murphy, schedules classes which range from health and nutrition to games and crafts. She makes the center and us seniors feel so special.” said program participant, Terry Vinson. This sentiment of having dedicated staff who support and care for our senior community is shared by participants of programs at all our facilities.

In 2022, a unique partnership developed between our senior program participants and the Annual City of North Charleston Veterans Day Event. In March, the

department hosted its first handknit blanket making class. Seniors from all locations were invited to join recreation staff member, LoAnn Blanchette, and learn how to make chunky blanket throws. From this class, an idea was born that we could partner with our seniors and have them create throws to be distributed at the City’s Annual Veterans Day Event.

Each year on Veterans Day, the City of North Charleston Recreation Department hosts an event to honor all those who have served in any branch of the US Military. This event typically has 300+ veterans and their families in attendance. In preparation for this year’s event, a group of seniors from all walks of life joined together to hand make twenty patriotic blankets. “We think this is a nice way to have the community come together to honor the people who have served. The seniors get to fellowship, have lunch and at the end of the day, we have these great red, white and blue blankets to share with a veteran who served our country.” says Deputy Director, Kathy Kackley.

During the event, these blankets were displayed on stage and awarded to the oldest and youngest veterans and the remaining blankets were raffled off to all the other veterans in attendance. As the blankets were awarded to their respective winners, the seniors who created the blankets helped distribute them. “Veterans need to be remembered, respected, and loved and this is one way we can show them that we do respect, love, and thank them for their service.” said one of our blanket-making seniors. The department looks forward to making this partnership an annual part of the Veterans Day event.

RICHLAND COUNTY FIT AND COMPETITIVE: RICHLAND COUNTY ACTIVE ADULTS COMPETE AND COLLABORATE

By Quincy Oxendine, Richland County Recreation Commission

“We ain’t scared!” chanted active adults from Parklane Adult Activity Center as they challenged the staff and any takers to a game of chair volleyball, guaranteeing they would be victorious over anyone who chose to take them on. Competitive games like chair volleyball and cornhole join arthritis exercise, arts and crafts, and more to provide the active adults of Richland County with opportunities to socialize, compete, and keep moving!

Richland County Recreation Commission (RCRC) hosts a variety of programs and activities to keep active adults of Richland County engaged. Chair volleyball offers a competitive, fun and friendly activity great for upper body mobility and joint flexibility. It enhances muscle tone, hones reflex, sharpens hand-to-eye coordination, and increases endurance. The game originated in the Netherlands in 1956 as a combination of volleyball and Sitz ball, a German sport with no net but seated players. In this popular game players can hit the ball as often as they want or need to get it over the net. Chair volleyball uses a beach ball or volleyball, chairs, and a five-foot-high net. Seniors from Caughman Road Park, Ballentine Community Center, Parklane AAC and Meadowlake Park have taken up chair volleyball, and RCRC even has multiple tournaments coming up this spring.

RCRC offers many health and wellness programs, such as the green thumb garden, scrapbooking and journaling, line dancing, arts and crafts, and tennis. Our team designs programs to help active adults reduce health risks, improve memory and brain function, lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety and depression, and increase life span. In addition to weekly and monthly programs, RCRC offers community health and wellness fairs, recently at Ballentine

Community Center, St. Andrews Park, North Springs Park, and Bluff Road Park.

Special events spice up our calendar for active adults. This spring, Garners Ferry Adult Activity Center offers two trips for their active adults: the Big M Casino Cruise and the Savannah Riverboat Cruise. From dances and Easter egg hunts to tournaments and field days, we encourage adults of all ages to gather, socialize and keep moving!

OUR TEAM DESIGNS PROGRAMS TO HELP ACTIVE ADULTS REDUCE HEALTH RISKS, IMPROVE MEMORY AND BRAIN

FUNCTION, LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE, REDUCE ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION, AND INCREASE LIFE SPAN.

CITY OF GREER WALKING CADDIES

By Lindsey Shaffer, City of Greer

The City of Greer Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department organizes weekly activities for the “Seniors Out and Around Program” (SOAR). Activities include BINGO, line dancing, day trips, and more. The newest addition to the program includes two walking caddies utilized for the SOAR walking program. The walking group meets monthly at a City of Greer park and uses the caddie for music, charging phones, and carrying essential items.

In addition, the caddies are available to seniors free of charge for walking while playing at Greer Golf, an 18-hole public

golf course owned and operated by the City of Greer.

The Tempo Walk™ is an autonomous caddie that provides a hands-free method to carry bags, golf clubs, coolers for hydration and snacks, and other necessary supplies. The caddie operates via a sensor that clips to a belt loop and follows the participant as they walk the course.

The purchase of the first caddie was made possible by a grant from the Greenville County Redevelopment Authority (GCRA). Upon receiving the first grant, the City of

Greer was awarded a second grant for the purchase of an additional caddie.

“The caddie has been a great addition to the senior walking program and Greer Golf. It allows participants to stay active and enjoy walking around the course or park without having to carry and pull their own bags,” Recreation Supervisor Justin Miller said.

The walking caddies have provided a great resource for seniors as they continue to maintain an active lifestyle.

CITY OF ROCK HILL OUR CURIOSITIES NEVER RETIRE

By Krista Hayes, Rock Hill Parks, Recreation & Tourism

“You don’t grow old,” claimed missionary Eli Stanley Jones. “You get old by not growing,” he said. Just like many agencies in the state, the City of Rock Hill Parks, Recreation and Tourism (PRT) Department strives to provide multiple opportunities for the 50+ population to experience growth socially and intellectually and to enrich the aging process.

Lifelong Learning

Lifelong Learning @ Rock Hill (LL@RH) is one of the newest programs for the 50+ crowd, and the interest in this thriving program continues to expand. Following the model of other lifelong learning programs around the southeast, LL@RH provides two annual semesters (spring and fall) filled with a plethora of programs that cover the gamut of topics. These programs include

multi-week courses, which usually last for four weeks; one-session workshops and art classes; Coffee & Conversation programs and Lunch & Learn events.

Local tours and excursions are also scheduled around York County, allowing participants to get to know their community in new ways. Such excursions also introduce new residents to many of the opportunities that exist in the area. Growth abounds with each semester as participants are eager to learn from the experienced and passionate volunteer facilitators while also meeting new people and strengthening friendships.

Additional Active Aging

The OWLS Club (Older, Wiser, Loving Seniors) offers monthly social outings, ranging from attending local sporting

events together, sharing meals for breakfast and dinner, catching the latest release at the movie theater, or gathering for games, sports, art or dance at any of the multiple recreation centers.

Rock Hill PRT also offers the opportunity to travel near and far. Local, domestic and even international trips are scheduled two to three times a year, allowing travelers to grow in friendship and experiences. A June 2023 trip to Utah to see the beauty of our country’s national parks is already full.

By offering these programs and opportunities, our department hopes to provide active ways for those 50+ to age and engage. And the more active they can be—mentally or physically—the more spring they may find in their step!

Lifelong Learners gather with Carlo L. Dawson, author, motivational speaker and dramatist for a Lunch & Learn event, fall 2022.

CITY OF AIKEN LIVING, LOVING, & LIFELONG LEARNING

By Brian Loging, City of Aiken

Over 8,400 individuals in the City of Aiken are 65 years of age and older. For this segment of our community, growing older depends on various factors, such as living a healthy and wellnesscentered lifestyle, financial security, a community of friends, and access to quality medical care.

The City of Aiken Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Department partnered with Trinity on Laurens and DayBreak Adult Care Services to offer a “4L’s Series” (Living, Loving, & Lifelong Learning) program that helps the senior adults of our community live their best lives for many years to come! The monthly seminars are held at the Lessie B. Price Aiken Senior & Youth Center and each session on average, has 50 participants. Speakers are chosen according to their

experience and qualifications to present on topics. Speakers include physicians, nutritionists, certified fitness instructors, and law enforcement personnel. They provide easily understood information and specific steps for seniors to put into action what they have learned. Some of the popular topics are The Changing Brain: “Aging Vs. Dementia,” Fraud: “How to Keep The Bad Guys From Winning,” and Healthy Lifestyle: “Move Is NOT A 4 Letter Word.”

We provide each participant with a healthy lunch and nutritious snacks as well. The City of Aiken is always excited to partner with organizations and sponsors to provide this meaningful program each month and ensure we meet the needs of our senior community.

GREENWAYS CAN BENEFIT THE OVER 50 CROWD IN ANY COMMUNITY

By Tripp Barrineau, PLA, Associate Vice President, Keck & Wood

Greenways are “year around” amenities that provide physical and mental benefits for all ages, fitness levels, and cultural backgrounds. They are particularly attractive due to the ease of use and access, connections to nature, and community building potential. So, in addition to parks and active recreation places, why should South Carolina (and the nation) invest more in greenways?

An important consideration should be to serve the rising population of residents over 50. According to SeniorLiving.org, almost 2 million residents in the state of South Carolina are eligible for senior discounts. In other words, more than 37% of the state’s population is over 50. Since people over the age of 65 in the U.S. have been traditionally underserved regarding recreation options, a way to improve this statistic today is to create a park experience that appeals to the active 50+ crowd. More greenways can be an integral part of the solution.

How can greenway design attract the active and nonactive adult?

Greenways are different than traditional community parks in the sense they provide a connection between points of interest, which promotes pedestrian travel. They can weave and meander to tie a community together, or provide a direct, non-vehicular access to nature. This fundamental design is a great fitness benefit for the active middle-aged.

“The Lindsay Pettus Greenway has been a well-received amenity for the City of Lancaster, SC. The 10’ wide paved trail along the Gills creek provides a walkable amenity for our community that connects numerous residential areas to downtown. The gentle grades of the trail allow individuals of all ages and fitness levels to enjoy the outdoors and numerous ecosystems,” said Sherri Gregory, Lindsay Pettus Greenway Executive Director.

Another benefit of greenway design is the incorporation of park-like elements along the route for those who are a little more subdued in their wellness regimen. By designing elements such as fitness trail loops, plaza areas, nature pavilions, seating/rest areas along the route,

playgrounds, kayak launches, trailheads with parking and restroom amenities, the greenway can promote social interaction, volunteer opportunities, places to gather, places for exploration. Providing areas of social interaction can help individuals who are at risk from social isolation, which promotes a potentially dangerous sedentary lifestyle.

“The South Tyger River Greenway will provide outdoor recreational opportunities for both residents and visitors within the City of Greer, SC. The proposed greenway will allow individuals of all ages to experience nature and the natural beauty of the South Tyger River corridor. The South Tyger River Greenway will provide accessible parking, restrooms, seating areas, kayak launches,

and a river overlook to allowing for an enjoyable passive experience,” explained Ann Cunningham, City of Greer Director of Parks, Recreation, & Tourism.

Why should communities consider more greenways?

Greenway designs blend important aspects of fitness design with a community’s needs for traditional park amenities in a natural setting. For active middle-aged adults, greenways can provide a myriad of opportunities to get or stay fit, commune with nature, and spend quality time with friends and family. For a community, implementing a greenway can be a life-long amenity that would be cherished by citizens for generations to come.

SINCE PEOPLE OVER THE AGE OF 65 IN THE U.S. HAVE BEEN TRADITIONALLY UNDERSERVED REGARDING RECREATION OPTIONS, A WAY TO IMPROVE THIS STATISTIC TODAY IS TO CREATE A PARK EXPERIENCE THAT APPEALS TO THE ACTIVE 50+ CROWD.