Views from the Park Bench

The next few issues of SCRPA magazine will feature Views from a Park Bench. This feature will highlight retired directors or recreation professionals that have been in the field for 10+ years and have them share advice, compare agencies then to now, or simply tell their story. We hope you enjoy reading and perhaps learn some things from these well-versed perspectives.

Ken Ayoub

Q: What was your job title and responsibilities?

A: I was fortunate to have worked in the recreation profession in numerous part time positions and 5 full time positions for nearly 42 years. My first position was as Recreation Coordinator at 2 state prisons in South Carolina for 18 ½ years, where I provided extensive recreation programs for not only the inmate population, but also provided opportunities for the employees as well. These programs ranged from athletic activities to arts and crafts programs to fine arts with dance and music. In 1996, I joined the Mount Pleasant Recreation Department (MPRD) as Athletic Division Chief, responsible for the planning, organizing, implementing and supervising a comprehensive athletic program for youth and adults. I was promoted in 2002 to Deputy Director and then promoted in 2008 to Recreation Director, where I remained until my retirement in 2017. As Director, I was responsible for the overall management and supervision of one of the largest recreation programs in SC, based on participation numbers. Face to face interaction with not only the public, but the elected officials and other department heads was a primary duty as well as formulating annual budgets to operate the department.

What is your favorite part about working in recreation?

I mostly enjoyed being able to go out to the various facilities and programs and watch participants enjoy the results of the hard work and dedication that the employees, both full and part time, and the volunteers provided on a daily basis. To look over a recreation complex with 15 different activities, with hundreds of participants enjoying themselves, going on at the same time, is a feeling that only those of us who work in recreation can really appreciate.

Q: What is one challenge you faced in your position and how did you overcome it?

In recreation, we are faced with numerous challenges every day and many we can anticipate and plan for and it seems that just as many occur out of the blue. No one could’ve anticipated the events of 2020, yet somehow, someway, the recreation professionals managed to stay optimistic and delivered quality services and programs. My hats off to them. The greatest challenge that I faced as Director, was when it was discovered that an individual was arrested for numerous child abuse charges. It turned out that this individual was not only a very active and dependable volunteer coach for us, but for many other organizations throughout the Charleston area, even reaching into local colleges summer camps. The thought that even one of our precious children/youth could have been affected by that monster, kept me up at night many times. The moment we found out about this, I gathered staff together and shared with them what current information that I had received from the police department. Although, I knew in general what we needed to do, I solicited the opinions from staff and gathered more information as to the extent in which this individual was involved in our program. Because our staff had received previous training on child abuse which enabled us to be proactive, they were prepared to react appropriately. This individual had been involved in our program for a number of years, coached many sports and volunteered for many programs. He was a highly respected coach/volunteer and many parents had requested him over the years to coach their child. This enabled him to come in contact with hundreds of our youth over that time. Staff conducted a records search for all of the youth that he had come in contact with over the years he was with us and contacted each and every parent to communicate to them the current information on the situation. Because this story was getting extensive news coverage, it was imperative for us to not only communicate with the parents, but for them to communicate with us any bit of information or concerns that they may have. No information was withheld from the parents.

While it was eventually discovered that none of our youth were affected by this individual, we continued to keep the lines of communication open with the parents. Staff met with their respective teams and coaches and continued to emphasize the importance of staying alert and aware. Information was shared on the signs of potential abuse, what to do and how to avoid putting their child in a compromising situation.

Q: What is one piece of advice you would give to people looking to enter the world of parks and recreation?

Be prepared to work hard, long hours. Recreation is not a 40 hour Monday – Friday work week. You will consider yourself lucky, if you do put in only a 40 hour week. Be prepared for weekend work, holiday work and 12 hour days at times. Be prepared to feel unappreciated at times. Be prepared to be yelled at, hung up on and complained about. Be prepared to question why did you choose public recreation as your life profession. Be prepared to realize that it was all worth while when you see a child smile and laugh at what you provided and that one act alone will give you all the motivation you need to do it all over again the next day. You will soon realize that you influence people in a positive manner more than you can imagine.

Q: How did you define success in your role or department?

My primary responsibility was to provide the necessary tools to ensure staff’s ability to provide quality, comprehensive and innovative recreational programming and opportunities for individuals of all ages and abilities. An inventory of the high number of programs offered for all ages confirmed the success that we had attained. The ratio of individual participation in a recreation program compared to the number of people living in Mount Pleasant was one of the highest, if not the highest in the state of SC. This meant that people were involved and enjoying the recreational opportunities that was provided to them. The positive and supportive results of the participant, parent and volunteer surveys at the end of each and every program left no doubt that we were successful in our team effort to satisfy our citizens.

Q: What is your favorite quote or motto?

Treat people fairly as you yourself would want to be fairly treated.

Q: Share a favorite experience with us when you were working with Mount Pleasant Recreation Department.

I had only been Athletic Division Chief at MPRD for about 6 months, when I was approached by an individual who wanted to start a program, that at the time was unheard of. This program was called Buddy Baseball and was designed to provide a recreation opportunity for youth with disabilities by pairing each child with a disability with a child who did not. At first, this presented several obstacles, such as no funds, no equipment, no specifically designed facility, no participants and no coaches. Before long, though, we had everything we needed to start the program. We had about 15 youth with disabilities with a partner, each having a replica Major League Baseball uniform! When the first game was held, on a field that our baseball league played on, with umpires in uniform, working scoreboard and everything that our other leagues enjoyed, there was guarded anticipation amongst all of us. Within 5 minutes, there was not a dry eye in the place. Parents whose children were left out in the cold before, were watching their child play a baseball game for the first time in their life! Whether or not they got a hit, or caught a ball, the children were having the experience of a lifetime. From that moment on, MPRD had a program for children with disabilities that not only continues today, but expanded to include not only athletics, but social events and other programs. What stands out for me is that one of the original participants on that day in 1996, passed away a few years later due to complications with his disability. His parents honored his wishes and he was buried in his baseball uniform (a replica of the Atlanta Braves) that he wore when he played in the Buddy Baseball program. A simple recreation game of baseball for most, but the most cherished memory for one so young.

Q: What is the coolest thing you’ve done in retirement (from recreation)?

Being invited to come back and be part of the team selected to present The Town of Mount Pleasant as an All America City in June, 2018, in Denver, Colorado. The team performed a skit that presented the qualities and character of Mount Pleasant to a panel of judges. Out of over 100 cities that applied for the award, 20 were selected to be a finalist and travel to Denver to present their case in person. From the 20 finalists, 10 were selected with Mount Pleasant among the 10 winners. I got to be around many people that I had worked with over the years as well as some new faces during the 2 months of practice and preparation that we put in to win the award. I had the coolest part – I sat in a rocking chair, drinking sweet ice tea, while narrating the skit. It was a wild rush when Mount Pleasant was named one of the 10 National All America Cities for 2018. The satisfied feeling of winning that honor is one that I’ll never forget. Afterwards, when my wife flew out to meet me in Denver, we traveled for 1 week through Colorado (Golden and Boulder), The Rocky Mountains, Mount Rushmore, The Badlands, Kansas City/St. Louis, Nashville and Ashville, before coming home, tired, but with a lot of wonderful memories.

Carolyn Leake, Recreation Director for the City of York, has retired after 33 years of service. She was instrumental in the planning and organizing of numerous events and programs. She will be missed!!