Parks & Recreation - June 2015

The Parks of San Antone | Changing it Up for Better Health | Op-ed With Rep. Raul Grijalva JUNE 2015 W W W. N R PA . O R G

The City that Health Built

Impactful changes in city planning encourage healthy behaviors and fight chronic disease Page 40

THE HEALTH & WELLNESS ISSUE

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contents june 2015 volume 50 | number 6 | www.nrpa.org

This is the vision planners have for Miami’s Underline. The 10-mile linear park runs under the city’s existing Metrorail tracks and will soon serve as an attractive artery for active transportation.

COVER STORY

FEATURES

40 The City that Health Built

46 Changing it Up for Better Health

Changing ideas about the intended purpose of the built environment leads to better health outcomes for residents

Walmart and nutrition literacy create broader awareness of NRPA’s Commit to Health initiative

Samantha Bartram

Dr. Danielle Hollar

50 The Parks of San Antone Recent cultural shifts in the health and wellness of San Antonio, Texas, citizens has positioned the city’s parks as valuable assets for enhanced quality of life Samantha Bartram

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contents june 2015

departments

columns

6 Web Exclusives

8 Perspectives Health and Wellness: Lives Depend On It Detrick L. Stanford, CPRP

11 Letters 13 50th Anniversary Archive Throwback: December 1986

14 Community Center Recreational Therapy: Helping Soldiers Cope with PTSD 14 Agency Spotlight: Syracuse Parks and Recreation, New York 16 Notable News 18 NRPA Connect Hot Topics 18

20 By the Numbers Stressed Out

22 People for Parks The Doctor is Out(side in Her Local Park) Samantha Bartram

24 Member to Member Welcome to Nature: Portland’s First Nature-Based Play Area Opens at Westmoreland Park

By Sandra Burtzos, RLA, and Ben Johnson, PLA, CPSI

54 NRPA Update Preparing the Troops for Battle 54

10 Editor’s Letter Walking the Walk of Park Talk Gina Mullins-Cohen

26 Advocacy Stamping Out Childhood Hunger Oliver Spurgeon III

28 Law Review Public Trust Challenge to Private Park Museum James C. Kozlowski, J.D., Ph.D.

34 Future Leaders Five Great Reasons to Invest in a Student NRPA Membership Anna Pechenik Mausolf, CPRP

36 Conservation Why Going Green Makes Cents James Politte

38 Social Equity Healthy Communities of Opportunity: An Interview with Mildred Thompson and Victor Rubin Zarnaaz Bashir, MPH

Meeting of the Minds: Parks and Health 56 Test Your Park and Recreation Knowledge 58 Member Benefits: Camp Programming on a Budget 58 Nurturing Nature Play 58 Member Spotlight: Sandra MacDiarmid 60 Staff Spotlight: Zarnaaz Bashir, MPH 61 Professional Development Calendar 62

64 Operations Sites and Sounds Jennifer Graves

66 Products 67 Marketplace 71 Reader Service and Advertiser Index 72 Park Bench Literary Expeditions Catrina Belt

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Page 26

Web Exclusives

ParksandRecreation.org If you’re looking for some inspiration from various areas of the parks and recreation field, check out NRPA’s Success Stories Database. You can filter stories by topic or by state, and it’s the easiest way to access impactful tales of accomplishment and triumph from within our industry.

We’ve done all the hard work collecting these intriguing narratives — and we’re gathering more every day — so you can relax and enjoy our compilation. Catch up on your reading at www.nrpa.org/success-stories.

Can’t get enough of Parks & Recreation magazine? You can flip through our current issue or look back at previous months via our interactive ezine at http://ezine.parksandrecreation.org.

For bite-size content, follow us on Twitter @ParksRecMag and enjoy exclusive behind-the-scenes content and thought-provoking discussions on all the latest news. Also, don’t forget to check out NRPA’s Open Space blog at www.nrpa.org/blog for fresh stories from the park and recreation field!

Check out our digital edition at http://ezine.parks andrecreation .org

Parks and recreation are the essence of a healthy, vibrant community, and as such, it is an important goal that everyone be able to easily walk to their neighborhood parks. Are the areas surrounding your community parks safe, accessible places to walk? To help answer that question and get all the resources you need to design, maintain, advocate and promote walking and walkable communities, visit NRPA’s new online resource center, www.nrpa. org/walking. Walking benefits every system in our body, increases our energy, improves our mood and even creates stronger relationships among residents. As our nation continues to embrace a more sedentary lifestyle, it is our responsibility as parks and recreation professionals to ensure that every community encourages and promotes walking. Research has found that individuals who live within a 10-minute walking distance from a park more often meet the recommended amount of daily physical activity. So get up, get out and take a walk to your park today!

Stay in touch!

NRPA website: www.nrpa.org Parks & Recreation website: www.parksandrecreation.org Digital edition: http://ezine.parksandrecreation.org NRPA Connect: www.nrpaconnect.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/NationalRecreationandParkAssociation Twitter: www.twitter.com/NRPA_news, www.twitter.com/ParksRecMag Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/nrpa Instagram: www.instagram.com/nrpa 6

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P E R S P E C T I V E S A M E S S A G E F R O M N R PA’ S L E A D E R S

Health and Wellness: Lives Depend On It Fortunately, in recent years health and wellness awareness and initiatives have begun to take center stage in communities throughout our nation. We, in the park and recreation profession, are fortunate to have within our inventories and reach an incredible number of resources to provide opportunities for health and wellness at any age. This greater access to resources means we also have a larger responsibility to emphasize the impacts of healthy choices related to our Health and Wellness Pillar as if lives depend up on it — because they do!

We all know about the many studies that prove, time and time again, the value that active play, exercise and outdoor activities have in curbing a long list of chronic diseases that impair both physical and mental health. In addition, we have proof that parks and recreation activities and facilities build connections among residents, help strengthen the economy of a community, and ultimately lead to a better quality of life for all. As we continue to nurture and develop future generations, we must understand the opportunities and challenges of health issues facing our youth. Throughout the nation young people are facing an obesity crisis. Today we are seeing too many diseases that were, not too long ago, rarely linked to young people (e.g. high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.). It appears to me that today’s rapid advancements, whether in the field of technology or environmental changes in our communities, are inherently linked to and encourage sedentary lifestyles.

So, what can we do to advocate for change? How do we, as leisure professionals, become agitators for advancing an enhanced, healthier direction for future generations?

• Tell better stories about the concrete benefits in the relationship among health, wellness and leisure activities.

• Be creative in programming and providing outdoor recreation areas specifically designed to promote healthy outcomes.

• Work toward making sure all communities have equal access to services based on established national standards.

Through the concerted efforts outlined above, we can be the difference makers within our respective communities. And, when we are asked the question, “What is your profession,” we can respond with a resounding, “We save lives for a living.”

D E T R I CK L . S TAN FO R D, CPR P Chair of the Board of Directors

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2377 Belmont Ridge Rd. | Ashburn, VA 20148 2 703.858.0784 | www.nrpa.org

NRPA’S MISSION: To advance parks, recreation and environmental conservation efforts that enhance the quality of life for all people.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Jack Kardys

Chair of the Board of Directors Detrick L. Stanford, CPRP

Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department Miami, Florida

Clayton County Parks and Recreation Jonesboro, Georgia

Michael Kelly

Chair-Elect Susan Trautman, CPRP

Chicago Park District Chicago, Illinois

Great Rivers Greenway District St. Louis, Missouri

Brian Knapp

Past Chair Robert F. Ashcraft, Ph.D. ASU Lodestar Center Phoenix, Arizona

Treasurer Neelay Bhatt PROS Consulting Indianapolis, Indiana

Secretary Stephen Eckelberry

NOVA Parks Fairfax, Virginia

Molly Stevens Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center Austin, Texas

William “Joe” Turner Houston Parks and Recreation Houston, Texas

LIFE TRUSTEES

Bartlett Park District Bartlett, Illinois

Beverly D. Chrisman

President and CEO Barbara Tulipane, CAE

Anne S. Close

National Recreation and Park Association Ashburn, Virginia

Lexington, South Carolina

Fort Mill, South Carolina

James H. Evans BOARD OF DIRECTORS

New York, New York

Leon T. Andrews

Rosemary Hall Evans

National League of Cities Washington, D.C.

Sugar Hill, New Hampshire

Barbara Baca

Cullman, Alabama

Albuquerque Parks and Recreation Department Albuquerque, New Mexico

Earl T. Groves

Rebecca Benná, CPRP

Charles E. Hartsoe, Ph.D.

Five River Metro Parks Dayton, Ohio

Kevin Coyle National Wildlife Federation Washington, D.C.

Jennifer Harnish Streams and Valleys Fort Worth, Texas

Roslyn Johnson Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Greenbelt, Maryland

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Harry G. Haskell Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania

Kathryn A. Porter Mendham, New Jersey

Perry J. Segura New Iberia, Louisiana

R. Dean Tice Round Hill, Virginia

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EDITOR’S LET TER

Walking the Walk of Park Talk I just returned from Parks & Recreation magazine’s launch meeting of our new Advisory Board. The board consists of a worthy mix of leaders from our field including agency directors, program directors, educators, communications strategists and corporate partners.

This group opened up the meeting with a lively discussion on some of the most complex topics and challenges our park and recreation agencies face on a daily basis.

One challenge being the constant effort to make our parks and recreation centers equitable places for everyone in the community. Our expectation is that the ongoing dialogues will bring new voices and solutions to our pages as we integrate these ideas and the reservoir of experience in case studies, columns and feature articles.

This issue, Parks & Recreation magazine’s second annual Health and Wellness issue, delves into programs, operating across the entire country, that teach kids and their families the importance of healthy eating and the overall impact exercise and healthy diets provide. The feature story by Dr. Danielle Hollar, “Changing it Up for Better Health,” starting on page 46, details the Commit to Health initiative, a joint effort of NRPA and the Walmart Foundation. The program is currently underway in many towns and cities in the U.S., and provides park agencies with the tools and the voice to be leaders in the fight to make our kids healthy today, so tomorrow will be brighter for everyone.

The cover feature, “The City that Health Built,” beginning on page 40, by newly appointed Executive Editor Samantha Bartram, examines health and wellness through the lens of the built environment. Many cities and smaller communities are beginning to look at their surroundings with a more holistic view, integrating bike lanes, safe sidewalks, trees and other park-like amenities that improve the quality of life for residents and visitors. These additions also encourage healthy behaviors like active transportation, offering yet another solution to mitigate our sedentary lifestyles.

Finally, on page 50, Bartram takes a look at San Antonio, Texas’ Parks and Recreation Department in the article titled, “The Parks of San Antone.” Here is an example of great alliance among park and recreation professionals, municipal leaders and the community at large to get residents up, outside and engaged with their community parks. This journey has not been without its challenges, however, as Director Xavier Urrutia candidly shares.

The idea that parks and recreation are essential components of a healthy community — not just bonus attractions that play a passive role — is catching on across the country.

We’ll be watching to determine what impact this shift has on our country’s overall health and wellness, and, with the help of our colleagues and members, will keep you informed of the latest developments.

GINA MULLINS-COHEN Vice President of Marketing, Communications and Publishing Editorial Director 10 Parks & Recreation

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PRESIDENT AND CEO

Barbara Tulipane, CAE VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING, COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLISHING, AND EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

Gina Mullins-Cohen gcohen@nrpa.org EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Samantha Bartram sbartram@nrpa.org EDITORIAL INTERNS

Marissa Bracamonte mbracamonte@nrpa.org

Catrina Belt cbelt@nrpa.org PUBLICATION DESIGN

Creative By Design www.creativebydesign.net SENIOR MANAGER OF ADVERTISING

Dana Storm

703.858.2174 dstorm@nrpa.org (ISSN 0031-2215) is published monthly by the National Recreation and Park Association, 22377 Belmont Ridge Rd., Ashburn, VA 20148, a service organization supported by membership dues and voluntary contributions. Copyright ©2015 by the National Recreation and Park Association.

Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Opinions expressed in signed articles are those of the writers and not necessarily those of NRPA. Issued to members at the annual subscription price of $30, included in dues. Subscription: $36 a year in the U.S.; $46 elsewhere. Single copy price: $4.50. Library rate: $48 a year in the U.S.; $58 elsewhere. Periodical postage paid at Ashburn, Virginia, and at additional mailing offices. Editorial and advertising offices at 22377 Belmont Ridge Rd., Ashburn, VA 20148.

703.858.0784. Postmaster, send address changes to Parks & Recreation, 22377 Belmont Ridge Rd., Ashburn, VA 20148.

Letters We hope the articles you read in Parks & Recreation are thought-provoking and engaging, and we want to hear your opinions on what you read in these pages. Through social media posts, website comments, emails to staff or posts on NRPA Connect, let us know how the magazine’s articles apply to your job and your agency. To submit feedback for this section, email Executive Editor Samantha Bartram at sbartram@nrpa.org.

LWCF is clear in our unwavering support for a permanent and fully funded LWCF with no less than 40 percent guaranteed funding for the State Assistance Program. To learn more about the LWCF State Assistance Program, and how to get involved in the reauthorization effort, visit www.nrpa.org/advocacy.]

[Ed. Note: In our May issue, Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT), of the House Natural Resources Committee, penned an article titled, “The Case for LWCF Reform” (www.parksandrecreation. org/2015/May/The-Case-for-LWCFReform). In response, the committee’s Ranking Member, Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), has provided the letter found below. Both messages have been lightly edited for grammar and punctuation, but are otherwise published as submitted by the members of Congress.

As we approach LWCF’s scheduled expiration on September 30th, the debate on the reauthorization and possible reform of the law is intensifying. NRPA’s position on the reauthorization of the

Readers of the May issue of Parks & Recreation magazine were likely surprised to read, in an op-ed by House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT), that the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) allegedly played a role in the death of a Colorado woman hiking in Utah in 2008.

The Editor’s Note preceding this remarkable essay failed to provide context for Chairman Bishop’s LWCF “reform” plans and appeared to endorse his call for the sale or outright giveaway of our public lands.

Parks & Recreation readers deserve the full story.

The death of Rosalie Backhaus in 2008 while hiking in Utah was a tragedy, but it had nothing to do with the LWCF. To suggest otherwise is wrong.

The Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 is based on a simple idea: If we are going to allow

Big Oil to reap massive profits from drilling for oil and gas on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), which contains energy resources owned by all Americans, then a small percentage of those profits should be set aside for conserving open space and recreational opportunities on shore.

Fifty years later, the program has been a whopping success. More than $36 billion has accrued to the fund, millions of acres have been conserved, projects have been funded in every state in the Union, and the companies drilling in the OCS have become some of the most profitable multinational conglomerates in human history.

Over the same five decades, states with large amounts of public land have developed robust tourism and recreation economies, with job and economic opportunities and a quali-

Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ)

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Letters ty of life attractive enough to make them among the fastest growing communities in the country.

So why does Chairman Bishop claim LWCF needs to be “reformed?”

As is often the case in politics, there is the public answer and the real answer. In this instance, the public justifications just don’t hold water.

The fact that the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service and Fish and Wildlife Service have unmet mainte-

have been inadequate but once again, the solution is for Congress to do its job, not raid LWCF. Although Chairman Bishop and some of his colleagues like to argue the federal government owns too much land, the number of acres under federal ownership in a given state is not really the figure that matters.

When calculated on a per-capita basis, western states have some of the highest rates of non-federal land in the lower 48 due to lower population

The solution is for Congress to reorder its spending priorities and adequately fund these agencies, not divert more funding from the LWCF. nance needs is not a reason to raid the LWCF. The maintenance budgets of our federal land management agencies are funded through the annual budget and appropriations process.

Sequestration, government shutdowns, borrowing to fund the war in Iraq and other short-sighted budget decisions have left them broke. The solution is for Congress to reorder its spending priorities and adequately fund these agencies, not divert more funding from the LWCF. Chairman Bishop and his allies want to raid the college fund to pay for groceries. It’s not exactly the fiscally responsible position.

Attacking the LWCF on the grounds that states and localities do not collect taxes from public lands also fails. Congress created the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) Program to reimburse local governments for that lost revenue. Of course, funding for PILT is also subject to appropriation — recent spending levels 12 Parks & Recreation

numbers. If public education in Utah or elsewhere is struggling, the presence of federal land is not the cause.

Chairman Bishop is correct in saying the LWCF has two parts — one for federal land conservation and acquisition, and another for state matching grants. However, he wrongly suggests that the LWCF needs to change because the federal side has usurped stateside matching-grant funds. In fact, the law that created the LWCF states that the federal program shall receive “not less than 40 percent” of the funding, meaning Congress already has the authority to allocate a majority of LWCF funding to the state-side program if it chooses to do so.

Given the weakness of Chairman Bishop’s claims, one must ask: what is really going on here? This attack on LWCF is part of a larger campaign to hand over our federal public lands to profiteering. Much federal land is owned by Uncle Sam because the

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government couldn’t give it away in the 18th and early 19th centuries, but things have changed. Oil and gas companies, mining conglomerates, timber companies, real-estate developers, and large-scale agribusinesses would love to get their hands on open space in the west. Some in Congress want to help them.

Chairman Bishop recently formed a Federal Land Action Group to study legislation to sell or give away federal lands to the highest bidder.

He launched this assault on LWCF because it is a powerful tool for land conservation. Pointing to unrelated issues, and even claiming the LWCF led to a woman’s death, conceal his true goal: Helping for-profit companies profit more from resources that belong to the American people.

Rather than trying to weaken or destroy the LWCF, Congress should renew and strengthen the program.

We face more habitat fragmentation, greater urban sprawl and more advanced climate change than ever before. Of the $36 billion that has flowed into the fund, less than half has actually been appropriated for the purposes identified in the 1965 Act. It is time to double down on the promise of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, not fold so developers can cash out.

NRPA’s mission statement is: “To advance parks, recreation and environmental conservation efforts that enhance the quality of life for all people.” The aims of those seeking to undermine the Land and Water Conservation Fund and seize and sell our public lands could not be more at odds with that mission.

Rep. Raul Grijalva is the U.S. Congressional Representative for Arizona’s 3rd district.

He has served in that post since 2003.

Archive Throwback: December 1986

By Catrina Belt

T

he December 1986 issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is akin to this month’s Health and Wellness Pillar. The “Special Fitness” issue illustrates the trends of the 1980s, with a focus on agencies that were proactive in the fitness movement. These “Agency Spotlights” served as examples of health and wellness programming at a time when declining general health and physical activity were capturing the park and recreation industry’s attention.

Editor Pamela Leigh sets the scene for readers in her editorial, “Fitness: The Antidote to an Ailing America,” writing, “In an age when labor-saving devices contribute to a sedentary lifestyle, western societies have discovered that ‘the good life,’ regrettably, is killing us. Obesity, heart ailments, lung cancer and other diseases are on a rise at a time when attention to the importance of fitness is gaining rapid attention. Recreation agencies are in a position to provide an antidote to these symptoms by offering programs and facilities to all Americans, rich or poor, old or young, able-bodied or not, who deserve an opportunity to improve or maintain their fitness levels…The recreation profession represents a ‘sleeping giant’ slowly awakening to its role in fulfilling the needs of people to be functionally fit (sweat equity) rather than just visually fit (halo effect).” Leigh continues on, writing of a materialistic society and the universal need to enrich the quality of life — words that still ring true almost 30 years later.

Leveraging Community Programming Every day, professionals in our in

dustry are developing innovative programming that encourages people from all walks of life to participate. In the article, “Senior Games, Getting Better with Age,” authors Beth Wilson and Margot Raynor describe a nonprofit created to motivate senior adults to get active.

“North Carolina Senior Games (NCSG) is a year-round health and wellness promotion for adults 55 and older. In 1986, over 5,000 participants competed in 213 sanctioned local games, with the medal winners qualifying for the annual state finals,” they write. The games included more than 40 events for participants to choose from including basketball shooting, cycling, bowling and swimming. To this day

and throughout the year, NCSG holds training classes for the events, fitness and wellness workshops, socials and other engaging activities for the adults. Today, NCSG is considered to be the largest health promotion organization of its type in the country with more than 60,000 participants in 53 local games programs that serve all 100 counties across the state.

The Cincinnati Recreation Commission’s (CRC) Healthline Fitness Course served as another example of what wellness programming could be. In the article, “Cincinnati’s Healthline Fitness Course Takes It to the Streets,” author Diann Viox describes the course thusly: “The fitness course contains easily identifiable walking and jogging routes and exercise clusters in open spaces along downtown sidewalks…The routes and activities vary in distance and intensity to meet an individual’s current fitness capacity and provide a challenge to improve performance.”

The course was part of a program developed by Healthline to serve all 47 community neighborhoods in Cincinnati at that time, and target citizens and visitors alike. Three decades later, the number of esteemed promotions like these has grown exponentially as health and wellness remain at the forefront of recreational programming.

Catrina Belt is an Editorial Intern for Parks & Recreation magazine (cbelt@nrpa.org).

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Community Center Recreational Therapy: Helping Soldiers Cope With PTSD

By Allison Colman

M

ore than 1 million U.S. citizens serve as active-duty military personnel. According to U.S. Census Bureau estimates, almost 22 million Americans are veterans of U.S. Armed Forces service.

These men and women — whether serving in the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps or Navy — are supported by millions more family members whose letters, phone calls and care packages are essential to buoy spirits and boost morale throughout a serviceperson’s career.

Often, however, that need for support extends long after the battlefield quiets. Many men and women have experienced direct combat exposure or other highly stressful situations during their service. With such a large number of people serving in active combat zones, the prevalence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a serious concern.

PTSD is defined as “an anxiety disorder that may develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which severe physical harm occurred or was threatened.” While PTSD more commonly affects those who have direct experience with high-stress situations, it can also impact people who have witnessed or observed traumatic events — both directly and indirectly. It is estimated that almost 8 percent of Americans will be affected by PTSD at some point in their lives. Within the U.S. Armed Forces, that percentage is even higher. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the number of veterans with PTSD varies by service era. For those serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Enduring Freedom (OEF), about 11-20 out of every 100 veterans has PTSD in a given year. From the

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Gulf War (Desert Storm), about 12 out of every 100 veterans is affected each year. And, it is estimated that 30 out of every 100 veterans who served in the Vietnam War have experienced PTSD in their lifetime.

Prescribing Recreation With so many armed forces servicemen and women experiencing PTSD in combat and upon returning home, the military has developed effective treatment tools and methods to help individuals struggling with the disorder. Increasingly, recreational activities are being folded into treatment plans, as they can be an effective prescription to enhance physical, mental, social and emotional health through structured activities. Recreational therapy provides additional coping mechanisms related to stress and intense emotions by lowering levels of anxiety, providing social opportunities and creating a sense of community, cohesion and engagement among veterans.

The Marine Corps offers a variety of programs aimed at coping with PTSD. Capt. Robert Alonso is the executive officer of the Naval Health Clinic at Marine Corps Base Quanti-

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co, which often serves as the first step in a patient’s treatment plan, providing outpatient counseling and medication management. Alonso believes that Marines experiencing PTSD can benefit from other treatments including recreational programming. “Often times there is more to be gained in recovery through sources outside of behavioral health,” he says. “We have been pleased with the positive feedback that many of our patients [involved in outreach programs provided by Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) and Semper Fit] are reporting.” The Marine Corps Semper Fit program facilitates recreation programs that strengthen resilience and contribute to military effectiveness. Other active recreation programs that are available through MCCS can be tailored specifically for units, such as alternative physical training (PT), high-intensity tactical training (HITT), aquatics maximum power intense training (AMP-IT) and functional fitness.

For U.S. Army personnel and their families, the Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Programs (MWR) is the hub of supportive wellness programming. It offers activities like fun runs, triathlons, bike races, hiking, whitewater rafting, swimming, rock/ice climbing, skiing and other activities to encourage physical activity and improve mental health.

The Army’s MWR program also utilizes art therapy as a mechanism

for managing PTSD symptoms. Art therapy can provide emotional relief by encouraging free expression, and has been shown to relieve depression and anxiety. The U.S. Army formed partnerships with the Exceptional Family Member Program and MEDCOM facilities, as well as the American Art Therapy Program (AATP), to develop its Resiliency through Art program. Josh Gwinn, Army IMCOM-G9, believes the initiative is an effective tool for supporting service members with PTSD. “Art therapy offers activities that provide a calming, stress-free environment in which soldiers often strengthen relationships with their family as well as discovering new strengths and building life skills.”

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Preventative Measures The Marine Corps has also developed recreational programs that are aimed at preventing PTSD symptoms from developing. Operation Adrenaline Rush (OAR) is a high-adventure outdoor recreation activity in which Marines returning from deployment participate as a unit to garner cohesion, resiliency and maintain combat readiness.

OAR was developed in 2011 as part of the Office of the Secretary of Defense initiative known as “Return and Recreate.” “Everyone is changed by their deployment experiences and some transition easier than others,” says Cathy Ficadenti, Semper Fit and Recreation Branch Head for the Marine and Family Programs Division. “OAR is a tool to assist Marines in finding a new level of normal and bringing that level down from the peak response to a stressful situation. The program provides recreational activities that can recreate an adrenaline rush such

as zip lining, paintball and white water rafting, or provide low adrenaline level activities such as deep sea fishing, and biking.” Since the program’s inception, more than 24,000 Marines and Sailors have participated in the OAR program.

An Ongoing Role for Parks and Recreation When developing recreational therapies for service members, both the Marine Corps and the Army stress the importance of looking to park and recreation agencies for guidance. “The [park and recreation] industry informs our programs as we monitor trends and technical advancements, as well as striving to provide comparable services to those outside the gates of Marine Corps bases,” says Ficadenti.

In addition, as the leaders of health and wellness in communities across the nation, park and recreation agencies must be aware

of the large amount of active duty, reserve forces and veterans in their communities. Agencies can offer recreational programming that encourages physical and mental health and well-being, while simultaneously providing a support system for veterans as they transfer out of active duty and back into civilian life. Park and recreation professionals are particularly attuned to the needs of the communities they serve, and are well-suited to partner with local Veterans Affairs departments to enhance current offerings or develop specialized programs. And, says Ficadenti, such partnerships can benefit both parties. “Working with specialists in the field who have the experience and knowledge of this diagnosis will strengthen programs within the parks and recreation field.”

Allison Colman is a Program Manager at NRPA (acolman@nrpa.org).

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Community Center

Agency Spotlight: Syracuse Parks and Recreation, New York

By Catrina Belt Municipality: Syracuse, New York Population: 144,669 Year Agency Founded: 1919 Annual Operating Budget: $7.6 million Director: Commissioner Lazarus Sims Full-time Employees: 104 Seasonal Employees: 750

Essential Information 1,000 acres of park land, 175 park properties, eight major community-wide parks including three listed on the National Register of Historic Places, 12 neighborhood parks, 50 playgrounds, 20 downtown parks, two golf courses, three ice rinks, two indoor and eight outdoor pools, two amphitheaters, four cemeteries, four natural-forested areas, two artificial turf fields, one running track and numerous courts and ball fields.

Community Wellness The City of Syracuse Department of Parks, Recreation and Youth Programs reflects the rich history and diversity of the city of Syracuse. “Syracuse is large enough to have the capacity of a city yet small enough to have a town-like interaction with our public,” says Glen Lewis, director of planning for Syracuse Parks and Recreation. “As a city, Syracuse developed incrementally so our park system is knitted into the city fabric, neighborhood by neighborhood. There are major parks in every section of the city as well as smaller parks that serve micro-neighborhoods.”

Syracuse Parks and Recreation incorporates a wealth of offerings to promote a healthy and active lifestyle to residents throughout the city. The agency operates a num-

Syracuse Parks and Recreation engages its younger patrons with sports leagues and clinics, summer day camps and other activities throughout the year.

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ber of facilities including walkable golf courses, ice-skating rinks, swimming pools and a recently opened skate plaza for boards and bikes. Beyond facilities, Syracuse offers a wide range of clubs, classes and activities in which community members may take part throughout the year. Syracuse has a strong running community that is supported through annual road races in area parks and neighborhoods. Syracuse Parks and Recreation also works with local fitness providers to offer free outdoor fitness, yoga and other wellness-themed classes in downtown parks during the workday in the summer. In addition to all of the adult programming, Syracuse serves hundreds of youth each year through organized basketball leagues, instructional sport clinics and robust summer day camps. The agency works closely with several community organizations to provide fields of play for a variety of youth sport programs throughout the year.

“A healthy citizenry contributes to a more vibrant community and a greater quality of life in our cities,” says Chris Abbott, program director for Syracuse Parks and Recreation.

“Few things are more pleasing to parks staff than to see a neighborhood park brimming with patrons on a fair weather day — in all four seasons — enjoying active pursuits…running or walking a trail, engaging in team sports, using the playgrounds, swimming or snowshoeing! We’re a city that truly em-

braces its four distinct seasons, and our extensive network of parks and park facilities brings out the best in each of those seasons.”

Out-of-School-Time Programming In addition to the community facilities and programs, Syracuse Parks and Recreation promotes health and wellness to the youngest citizens of the community through out-ofschool-time programming. “Outof-school-time programs at city recreation centers have long been a source for active recreation opportunities for youth, from field games to team sports, indoor games, field trips and fun outdoor adventures close to home,” says Abbott. “In fact, many of our more senior staff spent a great deal of time during their youth in the centers and on the courts of neighborhood parks before choosing to make recreation a career. Active recreation, in a variety of forms, continues to be foundational element of park programming” Out-of-school-time participants benefit from a number of daily offerings including homework help, the Kid’s Cafe hot meal program, active recreation, table games, recreational sports, mentorship activities, environmental education, arts and crafts, field trips, outdoor winter recreation and an array of special events. Beyond these exciting activities, the out-of-school-time program offers a safe haven for the city youth — many of whom are at-risk.

“City parks programs and those of other local youth-serving agencies serve a key function in the city, as they provide a safe place for youth to go when school is not in session,” explains Abbott. “After school and during the long summer days youth are known to be at greatest risk for

engaging in high-risk, negative behaviors. Instead, these programs help develop or reinforce positive, healthful behaviors.”

A significant part of Syracuse’s outof-school-time programming focuses on providing nutrition education to youth. “Youth who adopt healthy behaviors early on in life…by developing a love for active recreation and of nutritious foods, are more likely to maintain those helpful habits into adulthood,” says Abbott. In partnership with Cornell Cooperative extension, Syracuse is helping both youth and staff become more aware of healthful nutrition practices. “For more than a decade, Cornell Cooperative Extension has delivered award-winning nutrition education to youth at out-ofschool-time sites throughout the city.

Their educators have truly become part of the fabric of our recreation division, through consistent messaging, ongoing classes and their presence at several key events, including our annual summer Olympics and Family Fitness Night. Cornell educators also provide regular staff training and have become part of new/summer staff orientation.”

“We have a common vision and mission when it comes to working with youth, especially lower-income youth in the city, and some of the challenges to eating well and being physically active especially in neighborhoods that may not be as safe as we would like them to be,” explains Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Kathy Dischner.

“I think our collaboration — for us to bring in the healthy eating part and them to bring in the active living part — helps to address national goals related to obesity prevention for youth.”

Last year, Syracuse Parks and Recreation was one of the 50 agencies to receive an Out-of-School Time Pro-

grams grant through a partnership between NRPA and the Walmart Foundation. With this grant, Syracuse was able to extend the reach of its health and wellness programming and build more partnerships in the community.

“Fit Kids is a program that’s been offered each spring and fall for more than six years, where trained fitness or dance instructors are on hand to lead active sessions twice per week after school,” says Abbot. “Most recently, however, we have joined the Commit to Health initiative, and our out-ofschool-time programs are working to achieve HEPA (Healthy Eating and Physical Activity) standards. This past year, staff members were trained in the Coordinated Approach to Child Health (CATCH) curriculum, and were provided valuable CATCH resources. With CATCH, staff can easily incorporate a wide variety of fun, enjoyable games that assist children in getting 30-60 minutes of moderate to vigorous play,” he continues.

The impact of the out-of-schooltime program on the city and citizens of Syracuse has been very encouraging. “Months later, even though they haven’t been in the program all year, [youth participants] are still remembering it,” Dischner says. “I think when you engage youth with all of their senses and give them the opportunity to go beyond, they really rise to the occasion and you can see the growth and excitement in them. “[Moreover], not only is there a behavioral change in youth, but a system change within the city parks and recreation environment to be able to support healthy eating and activing living moving forward.”

Catrina Belt is an Editorial Intern for Parks & Recreation magazine (cbelt@nrpa.org).

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Community Center

Notable News n In late April, Arkansas resident Susie Clark discovered a 3.69 carat diamond in the search field of Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, Arkansas. Clark named the pinto-bean sized diamond the Hallelujah Diamond because of the prayer she said before she went looking for a diamond.

Out of the 122 diamonds found at Crater of Diamonds so far this year, the Hallelujah Diamond is the largest. According to Park Interpreter Waymon Cox, weather conditions are currently ideal to locate a diamond in the park. n The park and recreation field mourns the loss of Dave Rodda, who passed away April 3rd in Long Beach, California. Rodda dedicated 45 years to the youth of the City of Lakewood, California, before retiring in 2002 as the director of Recreation and Community Services Department. During his time as director, Rodda saw more than $16 million spent on new facilities and capital improvements, such as the revitalization of Mayfair Park, the Lisa Fernandez Softball Field and West San Gabriel River Parkway nature trail. Rodda was a champion for gender equality in sports long before there were state requirements to let girls participate and might be remembered most for his coaching of female track and field athletes. He coached 12 Olympic athletes and was an assistant coach for women’s track and field for the 1980 and 1988 U.S. Olympic teams.

He was also a coach at his alma mater Cal State Long Beach. In 1996, Rodda earned the title of Master Coach — the highest recognition in coaching given

by USA Track and Field. n After six years of planning and nine months of building, the city of Palo 18 Parks & Recreation

Alto, California, has opened one of the few parks in the nation that offers all-inclusive features to accommodate children and parents of all abilities.

Opened April 18, the Magical Bridge Playground includes giant slides, a jungle gym, musical instruments, swings and a custom playhouse. All of the surfaces are completely flat, and are made from rubbery, spongy soft materials. The playground was dreamed up

by Palo Alto resident Olenka Villarreal after recognizing that her special-needs child could not comfortably navigate and play in any of the 34 playgrounds in her community. After speaking with the city of Palo Alto, Villarreal was approved for a space and ultimately raised $4 million for the park. n On May 19, the White House unveiled a plan aimed at stopping the rapid decline in bee and butterfly populations. Pollinators are responsible for $15 billion in agricultural value each year and their disappearance has become a major concern for farmers. The White House’s plan aims to reduce the death rate of honey bees while stimulating the growth of monarchs by restoring 7 million acres of federal and private land for the insects to use as a habitat. To save the bees, the White House said it will make sure that the government’s landscaping plans, methods of restoring forests after fires and other land management actions keep the insect’s health in mind. President Obama’s budget for the 2016 fiscal year asks for about $82.5 million for the effort, an increase of almost $34 million from last year’s budget.

For more news from around the industry, visit www.parksandrecreation. org/2015/June/Notable-News.

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NRPA Connect Hot Topics

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t’s almost officially summer and that means the weather is heating up — and so are the conversations on NRPA Connect! Below is a preview of some of the latest trends in parks and recreation that your colleagues are discussing: 1. Little Free Library: Local parks are being approached by Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops about installing free library boxes. Professionals share their experiences, including maintenance, usage and vandalism.

2. Policy on Inflatables in Parks: With increasing requests to bring in bounce houses and other inflatables to special events, it is important to make sure you are equipped to handle your community’s wishes. Visit this discussion for ideas on implementing your own policy.

3. Food Truck Thursdays: Participants in this discussion share their ideas regarding food truck events.

How much do you charge vendors?

Do you keep a consistent vendor list or change it weekly? Read this post to have these and other questions answered.

4. Inclement Weather Notifications: Looking for new and innovative procedures to put in place for inclement weather notifications? Your colleagues discuss their current processes, including a calling system, social media, apps and website updates.

It’s easy to join the conversation! Visit www.nrpaconnect.org to learn more about the latest hot topics in parks and recreation. Don’t forget you can connect anywhere! NRPA Connect is 100 percent responsive on all devices.

— Hayley MacDonell, NRPA’s Membership Programs Manager

Three Ways to Save

ON NRPA ANNUAL CONFERENCE REGISTRATION REGISTER B Y JULY 31 TO GET TH E EARLY-BIR D RATE! PREMIER ONLY: MEMBERS full 4 Purchase s, ion registrat th get the 5 FREE! ER VOLUNTE P YOUR HEL count for a dis ration on regist

The NRPA Annual Conference is where more than 7,000 park and recreation professionals come each year for energetic networking activities, inspirational education sessions and an inside look at the latest products for the field.

www.nrpa.org/Conference2015

By the Numbers

Stressed Out We know stress and anxiety can take a major toll in our personal and professional lives. And although many of us may lack the time or means to enjoy a long vacation each year, we can find nearby respite in community parks and green spaces. Exposure to nature, building connections with neighbors and vigorous exercise are all reliable ways to combat the harmful effects of stress, and according to the American Psychological Association’s latest Stress in America report, we certainly need the relief. Below, take a look at some of the report’s findings on how stress impacts our physical and mental health and what we’re doing to manage it.

32:

Percentage of Americans who say that their financial state keeps them from living a healthy lifestyle.

2:

The number of times people in lower-income households are more likely to say that concerns about money keep them from living a healthy lifestyle compared to those in higher-income households.

25:

Percentage of people who report a sense of loneliness and isolation due to stress.

5.7:

The level at which most parents rank their stress intensity on a 10-point scale.

20: Percentage of Americans who say they have no emotional support.

14: Percentage of Americans who say they could have used a lot more emo-

tional support in the past year.

20:

Percentage of Americans who say they never engage in an activity to help manage or relieve their stress.

43:

Percentage of Americans who use exercising or walking as a stress management tool.

75:

Percentage of Americans who report experiencing at least one symptom of stress in a given month.

Source: American Psychological Association: Stress in America 20 Parks & Recreation

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Toolkit Now Available!

People for Parks The Doctor is Out(side in Her Local Park)

By Samantha Bartram

D

r. Lillian Rivera isn’t a park and recreation professional. She doesn’t run an aquatics center, create programming or plot where to install next year’s community garden. But she is the administrator of the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County (DOH-Miami-Dade) — as well as an ardent evangelist for the power of parks to transform lives and health outcomes.

Making the Connection This writer witnessed firsthand Rivera’s advocacy for the idea that parks, when viewed as tools to facilitate better health, are an effective medicine for a number of ailments. At NRPA’s Innovation Lab, held in Miami, Florida, Rivera spoke passionately about the Florida Department of Health’s partnership with Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department (PROS). “Parks are part of my tool chest to help improve my community,” she said in March. In a more recent discussion with Rivera, she elaborated on her earlier statement.

“My advice as a public health official is to select activities that require minimal facilities or equipment, such as walking, jogging, jumping rope or calisthenics, and to identify inexpensive, convenient resources available in a resident’s local community. Examples are park and recreation programs, worksite programs, etc.”

At DOH-Miami-Dade, Rivera says there’s always been an atmosphere encouraging cooperation among municipal entities. “DOH-Miami-Dade for years has supported a culture of collaboration and inter-professional practice,” she says. “The work to improve

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the health of the population cannot be done alone.” But, instead of looking to private gyms to help her patients lose weight or improve cardiovascular health, Rivera looked to her colleagues at PROS and more than 160 other organizations to form the Consortium for a Healthier Miami-Dade. Rivera says the consortium is “united by the common belief that through collaboration and prevention-focused initiatives, Miami-Dade County residents can live longer, happier and healthier. [Its vision is] ‘Healthy Environment, Healthy Lifestyles and Healthy Community.’”

Exercise Equity There are many reasons a person may live a less-healthy lifestyle, and many barriers that prevent people from accessing their local parks for fun or fitness. These can include proximity, income level, safety and distraction through technology. “Many technological advances and conveniences have made our lives easier and less active, and many personal variables, including physiological, behavioral and psychological factors, may affect our plans to become more physically active,” Rivera says. She identifies the top three reasons as a lack of time, inconvenience

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and a lack of self-motivation. “It is very important to understand that where we live, work and play makes a difference on your health status and that our social conditions also make a difference,” Rivera continues. “The causes of health inequality are complex but they do not arise by chance. The social, economic and environmental conditions in which we live strongly influence health. These conditions are known as the social determinants of health, and are largely the results of public policy.”

In her position at DOH-MiamiDade, and as part of the Consortium for a Healthier Miami-Dade, Rivera’s suggestions carry significant weight when she discusses what such public policies should look like. “We as community leaders need to play a role in reducing or mitigating existing social and economic inequities and conditions that lead to inequities in the distribution of disease, premature death and illness,” Rivera says. “As such, a need to advocate for comprehensive policies that improve physical, environmental, social and economic conditions in the community is vital.

In addition, promoting public investments in community infrastructure that sustain and improve community

health, such as education, childhood development, parks, mass transit, employment, healthy design in the built environment, and neighborhood grocery stores are important to improve the health of our community. Health inequalities are preventable.”

Fit Outcomes The concept of parks as partners in fitness is becoming more ingrained in the Miami-Dade population with each visit to one of Rivera’s public health staff members. “We deliver the message every day that parks play a critical role in improving health,” she says. “The reality is that [PROS] is helping residents be more physically active, feel a connection with their neighbors and enjoy the benefits of a healthy environment.”

And how does that help manifest, exactly? “There are several key points to keep in mind,” Rivera says. “Parks provide people with a way to contact with nature, which is known to confer certain health benefits and enhance well-being. Physical activity opportunities in parks help to increase fitness and reduce obesity. Parks resources can mitigate climate, air and water pollution impacts on public health. Cities need to provide all types of parks, to provide their various citizen groups with a range of health benefits.”

Rivera identifies “Fit2Play” as a particularly successful collaborative health program created through a DOH-Miami-Dade/PROS partnership. “It has been proven that [Fit2Play] makes kids healthier,” she says. “The initial results of a study that Sarah Messiah, Ph.D., research associate professor of pediatrics [at the University of Miami], is conducting in partnership with [PROS] have found that the Fit2Play after-school program offered in many county parks is ‘highly effective’ in im

proving the health of kids, reducing and preventing childhood obesity, and other health risk factors” (http://bit. ly/1FfhPMO). [PROS] established the program in response to startling statistics that showed the rate of obesity and overweight adults in Miami-Dade County was even higher than the national average.”

For Rivera, partnerships that facilitate programs like Fit2Play are a no-brainer. “DOH-Miami-Dade and [PROS] are logical partners in local efforts to build healthy communities, as they both focus on improving community livability and promoting healthy lifestyles,” she says. “Miami-Dade health officials implement

“It is very important to understand that where we live, work and play makes a difference on your health status and that our social conditions also make a difference.”

Indeed, according to an article published by the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, “Messiah found that Fit2Play participants maintained healthy weight and BMI throughout the school year, and those who started the program with high blood pressure lowered it.

The school children also improved their physical health, fitness levels, and knowledge about nutrition and healthy lifestyle behavior.”

Parks were essential to the success of Fit2Play. The cost to participate in the program was minimal — with sliding payment scales — and it was offered at 34 parks across the county where kids would engage in exercise and nutrition education through fun activities like obstacle courses and relay challenges. Daily Fit2Play sessions include homework help and SPARK (Sports, Play and Active Recreation for Kids) activities, which are designed to develop and improve motor skills, movement and social skills. The American Heart Association and Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s empowerME4Life curriculum was used to impart nutritional education.

local prevention and wellness initiatives and park and recreation officials promote community use of recreational facilities and involvement in healthy lifestyle programming.”

We Don’t All Live in Miami Rivera acknowledges the weather in her locale plays a major role in the success of promoting outdoor exercise in local parks, as well as the allure of its world-class parks system. However, she assures that even those of us who don’t live in 80-degree weather yearround can also make ready use of community parks. “Add physical activity to your daily routine. For example, walk or ride your bike to work or shopping, organize school activities around physical activity, walk the dog and park farther away from your destination,” she advises. “Exercise with the kids, or other family members or friends! Go for a walk in our parks and open spaces.

You can spend time together and still get your exercise.”

Samantha Bartram is the Executive Editor of Parks & Recreation magazine (sbartram@ nrpa.org).

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Member to Member Welcome to Nature

Portland’s first nature-based play area opens at Westmoreland Park

By Sandra Burtzos, RLA and Ben Johnson, PLA, CPSI

I

n a city known for innovation and residents’ love of the outdoors, Portland, Oregon, recently opened its first nature-based play area at Westmoreland Park. On any given day, the park’s new nature-based play area may be filled with hundreds of children playing in the sand and water, climbing on massive boulders and log features and building forts with branches. Adults watch the imaginative play inspired by the natural elements, and also participate with children in exploring the play area’s unique features.

Portland Parks and Recreation saw a great opportunity to target this site as a nature-based play pilot project in the Portland parks system, and to replace the park’s outdated play area. and Recreation and engaging in extensive public outreach that revealed tremendous community support for nature-based play. The design team collaborated with environmental artist Adam Kuby on the play ar-

GreenWorks, P.C.

Design Process Nothing is traditional about Westmoreland Park’s nature-based play project. The Portland-based firm GreenWorks, P.C. led a design team, working closely with Portland Parks

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ea’s overall conceptual design. The theme behind the design tells the story of the restored Crystal Springs Creek flowing through the park. The designers developed a sequence to the spaces that metaphorically follows the path of rainwater from the forests of the Cascades to Crystal Springs, accentuated by interpretive poetic messages carved into basalt columns that march along the pathway from the park’s Sequoia grove to the creek channel.

The team developed play-feature details and adhered to national safety guidelines where applicable. While visually engaging, the park is also

Massive log and boulder features offer endless challenges for visiting kids.

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Natural Materials Community and staff input informed the selection of mostly natural materials rather than artificial rocks or logs. That choice demanded innovative solutions for design and maintenance.

Sand. The sand-water combination is higher maintenance, but ultimately very rewarding for fueling imaginative play. Sand migrates a lot, and therefore, requires daily maintenance. To minimize maintenance, surfaces adjacent to the sand should be designed to handle sand piling up (like gravel, landscape or lawn areas). Except for access points, walkways adjacent to the sand areas should be limited.

Logs. Eventually, wood rots. Log carpenters were consulted for the massive logs that add a sculptural element to the play area. The team identified three criteria for log detailing: safety, longevity and replaceability.

The logs were then detailed such that each log independently “floats” on a metal bracket, secured to concrete footings. This reduces the contact with moisture, ensures logs will not move and allows for each log to be easily replaced in the future.

Boulders. They last forever, but there are safety considerations when build

GreenWorks, P.C.

intended to be safe, secure and maintenance friendly. This meant that a lot of the design process took place in the field. The team labored long in fabricators’ workshops and onsite to determine the acceptable level of risk for each play element, evaluating each boulder and log while still providing beneficial challenges important to childhood development. Team members logged (no pun intended), more time on the construction phase than a traditional playground project.

Sand and water provide hands-on, creative, imaginative and social play value.

ing things for children to climb on.

Boulders were beautifully composed to fit together without sharp edges and mortared in place for safety.

Inspection and Maintenance The long-term success of a nature-based play area is dependent upon maintenance and operations staff buy-in. Innovative play areas require equally innovative approaches to maintenance, including a custom inspection and maintenance schedule to address natural materials. To get staff on board, the team held an all-day staff nature-play workshop before design work even started. This included a cross-section of staff, from the bureau director to maintenance and board members. The result of the workshop was staff buy-in, a list of criteria defining what nature-based play means within the park system and clear project goals.

Everybody Plays The project team knew that the play area would engage a broad

age range, but the nature-based approach has exceeded expectations for attracting both the young and the young at heart. On busy days, adults and older children help build sand castles and forts with younger children, or climb on logs and boulders.

People come from all over the region for social play dates, and children are entertained for hours. Neighbors stroll through the play area to be a part of the social activity. The play area has become a nucleus of outdoor enjoyment, not only for the neighborhood, but for the city. Within a few short months of opening, Westmoreland has become a success story for what is possible, and what nature play can provide to enhance a community and reconnect people with nature.

Sandra Burtzos, RLA, is a Capital Project Manager for Portland Parks and Recreation’s Design and Construction Services (sandra. burtzos@portlandoregon.gov). Ben Johnson, PLA, CPSI, is an Associate and Project Manager at GreenWorks P.C. (benj@ greenworkspc.com).

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ADVOCACY

Stamping Out Childhood Hunger

By Oliver Spurgeon III

A

s the summer break quickly approaches, millions of American kids will fill their days with trips to local parks, swim endless laps around community pools, and spend countless hours laughing with their friends and families. For most children, this well-deserved break means no more homework to complete, no more heavy backpacks to carry, and no more tests. What’s not to love about summer? Sadly, for millions of low-income kids who live in poverty, the summer break also means no more steady meals. For them, this break poses a daily test with just one question: What will I eat?

For these kids, the federally funded breakfasts, lunches and snacks served in schools are often the only source of a guaranteed meal, and the only safe haven from rumbling stomachs and agonizing hunger. These meals are paid for by the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act (Child Nutrition Reauthorization) — a federally backed effort to provide healthy, nutritious meals for low-income children before, during 26 Parks & Recreation

and after school. More importantly, the Child Nutrition Reauthorization funds summer meal programs that feed millions of children, who would otherwise go hungry when the last bell rings and schools close their doors for the summer.

Filling the Void Each year, with crucial funding from the Child Nutrition Reauthorization, parks and recreation

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agencies across the nation open their doors, gymnasiums, community rooms and hearts to serve more than 560 million meals — enough to feed every American almost twice.

In fact, aside from schools, park and recreation agencies feed more people than any other public agency.

While this is good news, there are still 16 million kids who participate in free and reduced-cost meal programs during the school year who have no access to healthy summer meals. To bridge this gap during the summer, NRPA members are doing their part by creating innovative ways to feed hungry children. From block parties and “Playstreets” in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to mobile meal deliveries and food trucks in Gary, Indiana, our members have stepped in to fill the void, reaching these 16 million children and defeating childhood hunger.

By all accounts, these summer meal programs are wildly successful. Even during the height of the Great Recession, they helped put food in the hands of hungry children across the country and spawned new innovations like text-messaging services, hunger hotlines and mobile deliveries — all without bankrupting states and municipalities. Unfortunately, funding for school and summer meals will soon run out unless Congress passes the Child Nutrition Reauthorization before the end of September.

Failure to pass this bill means more kids with rumbling stomachs, more innocent children with hunger headaches and more young people too hungry to lead active and healthy lifestyles. In short, we’d be turning our backs on hungry children when they need us the most.

The good news is we have champions in Congress who are committed to making it easier for park and recreation agencies to feed hungry children. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Lisa Mur

kowski (R-AK) have introduced the Summer Meals Act of 2015, which cuts red tape for park and recreation agencies, as well as other service providers, allowing them to serve hungry kids more food each

summer meals. We’re storming Capitol Hill, talking with members of Congress, dialing the phones, sending emails and telling anyone who will listen about the importance of summer meals — all to stamp out

Unfortunately, funding for school and summer meals will soon run out unless Congress passes the Child Nutrition Reauthorization before the end of September. day. Passing the Summer Meals Act of 2015 will go a long way toward preventing hunger in the summer months and will help NRPA members to better meet the needs of our communities in innovative ways.

NRPA’s public policy team is also working hard to make sure that no child ever goes hungry and is urging Congress to increase funding for

the scourge of childhood hunger in America. You can join in the fight to end hunger by visiting www.nrpa. org/advocacy and telling your representatives in Congress to get serious about supporting the Summer Meals Act of 2015.

Oliver Spurgeon III is NRPA’s Manager of Government Affairs (ospurgeon@nrpa.org).

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L AW R E V I E W

Public Trust Challenge to Private Park Museum

By James C. Kozlowski, J.D., Ph.D.

P

ublic-private partnerships in parks and recreation administration are commonplace, providing a generally beneficial and cost-effective means for increasing the range of available recreational opportunities in public parks. In so doing, however, as illustrated by the case described herein, the terms of any such public-private agreement must not effectively relinquish complete control of public parkland held in public trust to a private entity.

In many locales, users of a particular public park have organized themselves into what are popularly known as “Friends of the Park” groups to bring legal challenges to proposed governmental projects that would divert parkland to other allegedly inappropriate uses. In the reported case law, these groups have played a very significant role as “citizen watchdog” organizations, ensuring local government complies with applicable law designed to preserve and protect parkland and open space held in public trust for the entire community.

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Under traditional common law, the state owns submerged lands up to the mean high-tide watermark. These lands, including reclaimed submerged land, are generally held in public trust for all citizens, most notably public beaches. Accordingly, without specific legislative authorization from the state that protects the public interest, a local governmental entity authorized to operate by the state, such as a park district, cannot divert or convey such public-trust lands in a manner that could conceivably relinquish public control and access to a private party.

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Star Wars In the case of Friends of the Parks v.

Chicago Park District, 2015 U.S. Dist.

LEXIS 30291 (N.D. Ill. 3/12/1915), the federal district court considered whether construction of a proposed museum on public parkland reclaimed from Lake Michigan violated the “public trust doctrine.” The federal court also considered whether the Chicago Park District (CPD) lacked the legal authority to enter into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with a private nonprofit group to authorize construction of the proposed museum.

Plaintiff Friends of the Parks (FOTP) is a nonprofit park advocacy organization, dedicated to preserving, protecting and improving Chicago’s parks and forest preserves. The case involved plaintiffs Sylvia Mann and John

Buenz, residents of Illinois; defendant Chicago Park District (CPD), “a body politic and corporate” established by state law 70 Ill. Comp. Stat. § 1505/3; and defendant City of Chicago, a body politic and municipal corporation.

In May 2014, a task force appointed

by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel issued a report recommending the parking lots south of Soldier Field as the site for constructing a museum, to be known as the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. The museum is to be operated by a nonprofit corporation also called the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art (LMNA), and will be dedicated to the exhibition of “narrative art” selected by the LMNA. The mayor has publicly endorsed the proposed location.

The terms of any...publicprivate agreement must not effectively relinquish complete control of public parkland held in public trust to a private entity.

On or about September 8, 2014, CPD entered into a MOU with the LMNA. The MOU formalized the terms discussed between CPD and LMNA, including the construction, use and operation of the museum. It provides that the museum will be located on the plot of land recommended by the task force and endorsed by the mayor. The LMNA would be located on the museum campus in the area situated between East Waldren Drive on the north and the McCormick Place

Lakeside Center (East Building) on the south (the “Project Area”).

The “Project Area” is located within Burnham Park and consists entirely of land recovered from the navigable waters of Lake Michigan, most of it during the 1920s. Under the MOU, LMNA “will have the exclusive right to occupy, use, maintain, manage and control the museum building and the museum site.” The MOU does not specify whether the museum will be owned by LMNA, the city or CPD. In its complaint, FOTP alleged CPD had acted ultra vires (i.e., without legal authority) and in violation of the public trust doctrine. CPD asked the federal district court to dismiss FOTP’s claims. In so doing, CPD contended FOTP lacked legal standing to bring its claims and argued that its lawsuit was premature, i.e., lacked “ripeness,” because the project was a mere proposal subject to further approvals. In addition to standing and ripeness procedural issues, the federal district court would also consider whether FOTP had alleged sufficient facts, which would support their claims and avoid a pretrial dismissal for failure to state a legal basis for their lawsuit.

Standing for “Ripe” Lawsuit?

Accordingly, the initial issue before the federal district court was whether FOTP had established legal standing to bring its lawsuit. As noted by the court, legal standing exists to bring a lawsuit where a plaintiff can show: (1) A concrete and particularized injury that is actual or imminent; (2) a causal connection between the injury and the defendant’s action; and (3) a likelihood that the injury can be redressed if the court finds in the plaintiff’s favor.

Applying these principles to this particular case, the court found legal

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L AW R E V I E W

standing existed for FOTP to pursue a lawsuit in federal court, because FOTP had indeed “identified a concrete injury; i.e., the lands held in the public trust are imminently in danger of being altered by the actions” of CPD. Moreover, the court found “this injury can be redressed by a fa-

any meaning or vitality at all, the members of the public, at least taxpayers who are the beneficiaries of that trust, must have the right and standing to enforce it.

To tell them that they must wait upon governmental action is often an effectual denial of the right for all time.

The federal district court then con-

“If the ‘public trust’ doctrine is to have any meaning or vitality at all, the members of the public, at least taxpayers who are the beneficiaries of that trust, must have the right and standing to enforce it.” vorable court decision.”

In so doing, the court cited earlier legal precedent to provide standing to local taxpayers who had “sued to prevent the implementation of plans to construct facilities on public parks,” because these citizens are “beneficiaries of lands held in the public trust:” If the “public trust” doctrine is to have

30 Parks & Recreation

sidered whether the claims in the FOTP lawsuit were “ripe for adjudication.” As noted by the court, in determining whether a case is ripe, courts will consider: (1) the fitness of the issues for judicial decision, and (2) the hardship to the parties of withholding court consideration. In this particular instance, the court found claims based

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on “transfer of control of public trust land to a private entity” were certainly fit for a judicial decision. The alleged hardship to FOTP was more than mere conjecture and speculation.

Here, the Park District has signed an agreement, the MOU, with the LMNA regarding the terms of the construction of the museum. Although defendants argue that the museum will need additional approvals before it is constructed, the MOU makes clear that the Park District has already committed to transferring control of public parkland to the LMNA. As a result, the federal district court denied CPD’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit on the basis of legal standing and ripeness.

Public Trust Claim In its complaint, FOTP alleged CPD had “engaged in a breach of trust” against FOTP and other members of the public with respect to the subject property. The federal district court, under the public trust doctrine, cited that “the state holds title to submerged land, as is involved here, in trust for the people, and in general, the governmental powers over these lands will not be relinquished.”

Under the public trust doctrine, the state cannot abdicate its trust over property in which the whole people are interested so as to leave them entirely under the use and control of private parties.

State control over public lands cannot be relinquished except as to such parcels as are used in promoting the interests of the public therein, or can be disposed of without any substantial impairment of the public interest in the lands and waters remaining. (Emphasis of the court.)

As characterized by the federal district court, this case illustrated “the classic struggle between those members of the public who would preserve

our parks and open lands in their pristine purity” and the role of local government to respond to “the pressures of the changing needs of an increasingly complex society.” Specifically, the court acknowledged that local government may “find it necessary, in good faith and for the public good, to encroach to some extent upon lands heretofore considered inviolate to change.” That being said, the federal district court found “the resolution of this conflict in any given case is for the legislature and not the courts.” In so doing, however, the court recognized “the purpose of the public trust doctrine is to police the legislature’s disposition of public lands.”

If courts were to rubber stamp legislative decisions, the doctrine would

er over a public resource should be invalidated under the doctrine.

Moreover, consistent with the public trust doctrine, the court acknowledged that “the legislature can alienate the state’s interest in public trust

land if the primary purpose is not to satisfy a private interest and does not impair the interest of the public in the remaining lands and waters.”

In its complaint, FOTP claimed “the construction of the LMNA will

If courts were to rubber stamp legislative decisions, the doctrine would have no teeth. have no teeth. The legislature would have unfettered discretion to breach the public trust, as long as it was able to articulate some gain to the public.

As cited by the federal district court, the following “three basic principles” should characterize judicial review of an alleged “public trust” violation by a governmental entity: First, courts should be critical of attempts by the state to surrender valuable public resources to a private entity. Second, the public trust is violated when the primary purpose of a legislative grant is to benefit a private interest. Finally, any attempt by the state to relinquish its pow

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L AW R E V I E W

unduly encroach on open space.”

As noted by the court, the operating agreement in the MOU between the LMNA and CPD provided that LMNA would have “the exclusive right to occupy, use, maintain, manage and control the museum building and the museum site,” subject to the rules and regulations of the Park District: In furtherance of the foregoing, it is understood that notwithstanding the Park District’s ownership of the museum site, so long as LMNA is operating the museum for the museum purpose, LMNA shall have full and exclusive operational control of the museum building and any other improvements located on the museum site…

CPD maintained that the MOU was not intended to “create any binding contractual obligations on any party.” On the contrary, CPD claimed the MOU was merely intended to “provide a general framework for the

equal control.” On the contrary, the court found the MOU would provide LMNA with “the exclusive right to occupy, use, maintain, manage and control the museum building and the museum site.” (Emphasis of the court.) In particular, the court found the language in the MOU “could be reasonably construed that the parties intend any future operating agreement will give LMNA exclusive control over public land.”

As a result, the federal district court agreed with FOTP that the MOU “could cause an abdication of control of the property to the LMNA.” Further, the court found no indication in the MOU that “the Park District will remain the owner of the property or would remain as a landlord under a lease agreement.”

(Under a lease, the landowner maintains ownership and only relinquishes limited control for a period of

While CPD would maintain ownership of the land, the court noted that “ownership does not necessarily equal control.” subsequent negotiation of definitive agreements regarding the development and operation of the museum.”

In so doing, CPD referred to the provision that the MOU would terminate if the CPD and LMNA did not execute a development agreement and an operating agreement within 12 months of entering into the MOU. As a result, CPD argued that the MOU “does not grant or convey anything — it merely provides the general framework for subsequent negotiations.”

The federal district court disagreed.

While CPD would maintain ownership of the land, the court noted that “ownership does not necessarily 32 Parks & Recreation

time and to the degree specified in the terms of the lease agreement.)

Accordingly, the court found FOTP had alleged sufficient facts to establish that CPD intended to “transfer the exclusive right to use and control the museum site to a private entity.” Under the public trust doctrine, the federal district court held “the Park District cannot abdicate its trust over public land so as to leave it entirely under the use and control of private parties.”

As a result, the federal district court found the Friends complaint “plausibly states a claim that the agreement violates the public trust doctrine.”

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“Ultra Vires” Lack of Authority?

FOTP had also alleged the CPD was acting ultra vires (i.e., without legal authority), because the MOU between CPD and LMNA lacked “a specific authorization from the General Assembly.”

CPD, however, claimed the state legislature had indeed enacted sufficient general authorizing legislation, which gave “the Park District control over public parks within Chicago.”

Moreover, CPD claimed the Park District Aquarium and Museum Act provided it with the legal power to “convey park lands for the proposed museum.” Specifically, the Park District Aquarium and Museum Act empowered park districts in Illinois to erect and maintain a museum in a public park and enter into contracts for the erection and maintenance of the museum with the directors and trustees of the museum. In response, FOTP contended this statutory authorization did not give “the Park District such broad authority” to effectively ignore the public trust doctrine.

The federal district court acknowledged that “Park Districts act as delegates of the legislature in holding the parks in trust for the public.”

Moreover, absent a specific legislative enactment from the Illinois General Assembly authorizing a particular transfer of public trust land to a private party, the federal district court found a local governmental entity, like a park district, could not do so on its own under its general legal authority to control and maintain public parks.

Further, the federal district court noted that “the state cannot abdicate its trust over property in which the whole people are interested.” In so doing, the court acknowledged a significant legal “difference between public lands owned by the state and

public lands subject to the public trust doctrine.” Specifically, in the case of public parkland reclaimed from Lake Michigan, the court found “the state holds title to submerged land, as is involved here, in trust for the people, and that in general, the governmental powers over these lands will not be relinquished.” (Emphasis of the court.)

The federal district court acknowledged

ings to consider the issues discussed herein. In the alternative, the Illinois General Assembly could conceivably enact specific legislation authorizing the proposed museum project between CPD and the LMNA.

James C. Kozlowski, J.D., Ph.D., is an attorney and Associate Professor in the School of Recreation, Health and Tourism at George Mason University (jkozlows@gmu. edu). Webpage with link to law review articles archive (1982 to present): http:// mason.gmu.edu/~jkozlows.

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that “Park Districts act as delegates of the

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parks in trust for the public.

The state has the authority to relinquish control over public trust lands, but it is a limited ability compared to public lands not held within the public trust…Whether the use of land protected by the public trust doctrine is permissible has been determined in light of authorizing legislation of the Illinois General Assembly. Land in the public trust is held by the whole people for purposes in which the whole people are interested. The case law suggests action by the Illinois General Assembly is required to initiate the transfer of public land held in trust for all the citizens of Illinois. (Emphasis of the court.)

As a result, absent such specific state authorizing legislation, the federal district court found FOTP had “plausibly stated a claim that conveyance of park lands by the Park District is ultra vires for the purposes of a motion to dismiss.” Accordingly, the FOTP lawsuit would be allowed to proceed to trial for further proceed

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FUTURE LEADERS

Five Great Reasons to Invest in a Student NRPA Membership

By Anna Pechenik Mausolf, CPRP

T

wo important questions frequently arise in the college classroom: Why should students join NRPA, and, is it “worth it” for undergrads to pay the student rate in order to start their memberships before graduation?

Parks & Recreation decided to ask the experts: four undergraduate student members of NRPA. These future leaders may seem familiar to those of you who attended the 2014 NRPA Congress in Charlotte, North Carolina, because these young ladies represented Texas A&M University as the defending national champions of the Student Quiz Bowl. Fresh from defeat to the new champions, Cal Poly San Louis Obispo, the four competitors reflected on their experiences as NRPA members and offered the following advice to their fellow 34 Parks & Recreation

recreation students nationwide.

The Texas A&M University team includes: • Team captain Morgan Davidson, from Grapevine, Texas. She will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences (RPTS) in May 2015.

• Callie Hobbs, from Denton, Texas, recently graduated with her bachelor’s degree in RPTS. • Leah Hudspeth, from Denton, Texas, will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in RPTS in May 2015.

• Amy Wagner, from Sugar Land,

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Texas, is a junior RPTS major at Texas A&M University.

The 2014 Fighting Aggies quiz bowl members outline their top five reasons to join NPRA: 5) Access to Networking Davidson: It is important for students to join NRPA because it is one of the largest networking sources you will encounter in your time as a student studying parks and recreation.

Wagner: The national organization certainly allows you to network with professionals in the field.

4) Preparing for a Career Hudspeth: I think it’s great to have access to the NRPA Career Center

— there are so many cool jobs on the website. It gets you dreaming.

Davidson: Building connections can only jump-start a career for someone nearing graduation!

Wagner: NRPA definitely provides the proper resources for students to excel after graduation. I look forward to seeing where my relationship with the national organization takes me.

3) Attending the NRPA Annual Conference Hobbs: Attending the 2014 NRPA Congress was one of the most educational and fun experiences of my college career. Walking onto the exposition floor for the first time, I was immediately greeted by the friendliest vendors, schools and working professionals.

Davidson: At the NRPA Congress in Charlotte, I really enjoyed that I was able to connect and share a meal with a professional in the industry.

Hudspeth: It was an honor to learn from some of the most educated, wise and passionate people in this field at the 2014 NRPA Congress.

Every parks and recreation student should have a chance to do this, too!

2) Gaining Personal, Professional and School Pride Hobbs: Through NRPA, I’ve met a few Texas A&M alumni, all of whom gave me quality advice, as I will be entering the professional world soon.

Hudspeth: I really enjoyed representing my school on a national stage in the student quiz bowl. We studied a lot, and it was pretty nerve-racking, but it was super fun to have our pro

The Texas A&M University Student Quiz Bowl team fields questions during the 2014 NRPA Congress. From left: Callie Hobbs, Captain Morgan Davidson and Leah Hudspeth.

“By joining [NRPA], you are becoming a part of something that is bigger than yourself.” fessors cheer us on and meet other students from across the country.

Davidson: As students, we are the best advocates for NRPA. My peers will be impacting the field! By joining, you are becoming a part of something that is bigger than yourself.

And the No. 1 reason — the learning opportunities!

Hobbs: NRPA has provided so many educational opportunities to learn about programs, strategies and other services like events and marketing.

Wagner: I have learned and refined skills that I will be able to carry with me for the rest of my life. I’ve learned about major happenings and research being conducted, and NRPA provides a chance to apply what I’ve learned in the classroom to real-life situations.

So, fellow recreation educators and students, the next time one of those two frequently asked questions comes up in your classroom, you have five very good reasons to respond, “The best time to join NRPA is now!” Our field’s future leaders will benefit from the networking, career preparation, conference participation, school pride and learning opportunities that student membership provides.

Anna Pechenik Mausolf, CPRP, is a Ph.D. student at Texas A&M University and coach of the 2014 Fighting Aggies student quiz bowl team (annapechenik@gmail.com).

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Why Going Green Makes Cents

By James Politte

M

any park departments have created environmental sustainability plans in an effort to conserve resources for future generations. Plans serve as education tools for park staff, as well as the public, and provide a roadmap for the future. Goals can be oriented toward such focus areas as energy conservation, water use reduction, air emission reduction, waste management, land use, transportation and fleet management, procurement and more.

Plans, strategies and goals are typically unique to the communities that parks serve. Allowances for incremental improvements may need to be accepted by governing municipal bodies before you implement changes, such as buying newer, more efficient traditional vehicles, versus moving to hybrid or zero-emission vehicles. When making a purchasing decision, in addition to considerations such as cost, you may need to weigh the fuel mix for electricity generation in your region.

36 Parks & Recreation

It’s All in the Details What is the environmental footprint of your agency? How many people live in your community? Is your area impacted by a significant number of tourists? How many parks do you have? These are a handful of examples of questions you may consider as you take a scan of your agency and the community it serves. You may find, using NRPA’s PRORAGISTM database (www.nrpa.org/PRORAGIS) or scanning NRPA’s 2015 Field Report (www.nrpa.org/PRORAGIS/

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Reports), that your agency may not have enough parkland as compared to agencies that serve communities of similar size. Luckily, there are a lot of tools out there to help you evaluate your agency’s operations from a green perspective — saving natural resources and money!

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Power Profiler tool (http://oaspub.epa.gov/ powpro/ept_pack.charts) indicates that the mix of fuels used for electricity generation in the area where NRPA is located (Ashburn, Virginia), includes 46 percent coal, 38 percent nuclear, 11 percent gas, 2 percent non-hydroelectric renewables, 1 percent hydroelectric and less than 1 percent oil. In comparison, the fuel mix in Los Angeles, California, includes 50 percent gas, 15 percent nuclear,

15 percent hydroelectric, 10 percent non-hydroelectric renewables, 7 percent coal and 1 percent oil. Non-hydroelectric renewable energy sources can include solar, wind and geothermal. These sources are sustainable, as they aren’t limited resources (at least in terms of the next few billion years).

Nationally, 67 percent of electricity is made from fossil-based fuels like coal, and natural gas.

How much energy or water is being used at your facilities? Start saving resources — including money — by using the EPA’s Energy Star Portfolio Manager (http://1.usa. gov/1PKM2hL) to establish a baseline for resources you’ve used in the past. Data on consumption, cost information and operational use can be entered for each building your agency would like to evaluate. You can also compare scores for similarly sized structures. The Portfolio Manager reporting will display your current building performance level in comparison to buildings across the country, but won’t provide specifics as to why your building may score well or poorly. It will allow you to compare any two 12-month periods to measure trends over time. By using this tool, you will also be able to evaluate savings realized from energy-conserving projects you might implement as part of your sustainability plan. To get started, you’ll just need copies of your energy bills on hand and some information about the specific building you’d like to analyze.

Add a Green Team Consider establishing a green team at your agency. Team members should represent various departments and job functions in an effort to capture ideas and implement projects that will help you achieve your environ

Luckily, there are a lot of tools out there to help you evaluate your agency’s operations from a green perspective. mentally focused goals. The green team will help initiate more collaboration within your organization as well as create an environment that supports education and innovation.

Green teams can identify areas where quick changes could be made that could have a positive impact on your bottom line, such as: • Energy Conservation (commercial buildings): • Lighting: Responsible for almost 35 percent of the electricity used. Save energy by employing occupancy sensors, upgrade from T12 fluorescent lamps to T8 systems with electronic ballasts, or switch to LEDs. • HVAC: Systems are typically responsible for more than 52 percent of annual energy consumption.

Adding or making adjustments to programmable thermostats is a great first step in optimizing an existing system. Consider installing a demand-controlled ventilation system to save up to $1 per square foot per year.

• Water Conservation: • Faucets: Install touchless or self-closing faucets. Add new faucet aerators to reduce water use by up to 60 percent.

• Toilets: Install high-efficiency toilets (HET) or waterless or noflush urinals.

• Landscaping: Water-efficient landscaping can reduce the need

for fertilizers and pesticides, as well as decrease maintenance requirements. Develop a landscape plan and use native plants where possible, grouping them based on water needs. Plant turfgrass in areas only where it serves a practical function.

Recycle fallen trees into medium-sized wood chips that can be used in perennial beds, around the drip line of trees and as pathway material between raised planting beds in a community garden. Organic mulch helps reduce evaporation and has the added benefit of improving the condition of the underlying soil as it decomposes.

Network and Learn From Peers Developing a sustainability plan doesn’t have to occur in a vacuum.

Reach out to other public agencies, private business and environmental groups nearby and around the country to glean best practices when it comes to sustainability. Learn from their experience. Use other resources like the Open Forum in NRPA Connect (www.nrpaconnect.org/home) to bounce ideas off your peers in the park and rec field.

Staff tasked with managing an agency’s conservation efforts would also do well to attend NRPA’s 2015 Annual Conference, held September 15-17 in Las Vegas, Nevada, to explore sessions geared toward greening your agency. Visit www. nrpa.org/Conference2015 for current sustainability and conservation-based education offerings, and check back often as new courses are added to the schedule.

James Politte is NRPA’s Webmaster (jpolitte@nrpa.org).

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Healthy Communities of Opportunity: An Interview with Mildred Thompson and Victor Rubin

By Zarnaaz Bashir, MPH

H

ealth equity is achieved when every person has the opportunity to attain his or her full health potential and no one is disadvantaged from achieving this potential because of social position or other socially determined circumstances. Availability and accessibility to safe, vibrant parks are social determinants that can influence an individual’s health. Still, disparities exist in distribution of and access to public parks and recreation facilities, and these inequities are negatively impacting the health of many Americans.

NRPA recently connected with Mildred Thompson and Victor Rubin, director of the Center for Health Equity and Place and vice president of research for PolicyLink, respectively. PolicyLink is a national research and action institute focused on creating environments and conditions that benefit everyone, especially people in low-income communities and communities of color. We asked them to draw on their experiences regarding ways in which park and recreation agencies can work to achieve health equity.

Parks & Recreation magazine: Tell us about the work you do at PolicyLink to promote health equity in communities and why park and recreation agencies are critical to this.

38 Parks & Recreation

Mildred Thompson: As director for the Center for Health Equity and Place at PolicyLink, we focus on improving the environment to promote health, and improving community

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health outcomes by addressing health equity. When addressing health equity, it is important to look closely at what is happening in the environment and what needs to change in order to achieve health equity. The ability to have access to parks is part of that strategy. Primarily in low-income communities, there is often a lack of access to thriving, vibrant parks. Everything about parks and recreation is important to us because it has both direct and indirect health consequences.

We believe in the importance of having thriving, accessible parks because they have multiple purposes for families and community infrastructure. At PolicyLink, we are trying to identify places that have a need for parks, or better parks, and how to make sure

that we keep these parks open so that their communities can benefit.

Victor Rubin: Our goal is to promote “healthy communities of opportunity.” We often see very high-quality parks and environmental amenities in upper-income communities that people take for granted and are a basic part of life, but are often missing in low-income communities and communities of color. These disparities in park quality, safety and access prevent people from exercising the healthy choice for active living and other aspects of a healthy lifestyle.

P&R: When looking at social and environmental conditions that cause health inequities, it is important to examine community “assets” and the relationship of those assets with the community. How does parks and recreation fit into that analysis?

Thompson: When a community is addressing health equity, it must look at the role that various community factors play. An essential part of being healthy is having access to safe places for play, recreation and connecting with neighbors. Parks are unique in that they are not just places for recreation and physical activity, they also provide a way of building social capital and a sense of community.

When we look at parks as safe and lively forces in a community, we call these “anchor institutions.” Churches, community centers and parks can be viewed as anchors, or places that the community views as central to its health and well-being. Parks have long served their purpose as providing a safe haven for communities. When addressing the root causes of health inequities, one has to closely examine the structures in the environment that are either health-promoting or creating a barrier for good health.

Rubin: The “healthy communities of opportunity” concept reminds us that this is not only about creating environments for people to exercise a healthy lifestyle. This is about creating community-wide assets that generate healthy environments. People are trying to rebuild their communities so that they are safe, vibrant and healthy.

Parks play a huge role in that, as they are the most important way that social cohesion and social capital are built in a community through public spaces.

P&R: What have been some successful examples of parks and recreation addressing access equity?

Thompson: We worked with a community in Santa Ana, California, where there were no parks. Kids were playing in dumpsters and could not run on the grass. It was a tragic thing to see. This was a primarily Latino area in one of richest counties in California — the county that includes Disneyland. Unfortunately, our country is filled with communities like this, where one side of the county might be thriving and the other side is neglected. Thanks to a lot of strong advocacy from a local group called Latino Health Access, and support from the California Endowment and a few other resources, they were able to get a park in place. It took a lot of consistent advocacy and outreach to local government officials about the neglect in that community, and as a result, they were able to secure the funding and support needed to build a place in which kids could play in a safe environment.

In the city of Los Angeles, we saw a great example with the “Parks After Dark” program at a park that was a site for a lot of criminal activity. Community members decided to take a stand and try to reclaim that park as a site for

family gatherings and recreation. Over a period of years, they transformed the park into a national model with all kinds of recreational activities happening during the day and at night. They partnered with the police department and vendors to participate in activities.

It’s a really vibrant, thriving park now that’s such a story of transformation, and a shining example of how a community can take a stand and work with their local parks.

P&R: What advice would you give a park and recreation agency that is beginning to address health disparities in its community?

Thompson: Strengthen your role as an anchor in the community. Park and recreation agencies could be a place for co-location of public and social services. Health screenings, health fairs, job postings and food pantries are some of the activities that position parks as a place for civic engagement.

Rubin: Park advocates and officials should not assume that other community leaders are aware of the health benefits of parks and the ways in which parks can help in addressing health inequities. Some leaders may not recognize the community focus that parks have. Park and recreation agencies should be ready to make the case when the opportunity arises. Better yet, they should educate groups even before they convene for planning. Parks should be highly visible and vocal when promoting the need for health equity to key decision makers. It is also critical for park officials to be actively involved in the community planning process, even if the planning department is taking the lead, as there is always a need for a health focus.

Zarnaaz Bashir is NRPA’s Director of Strategic Health Initiatives (zbashir@nrpa.org).

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The City that

Health Built Changing ideas about the intended purpose of the built environment leads to better health outcomes for residents

By Samantha Bartram

P

erspectives in the built environment have changed dramatically during the past decade.

Not just in terms of architectural lines or viewshed, the very purpose of the cities and towns that surround us is being questioned and reevaluated through a lens that asks how the streets, sidewalks and buildings can better serve the people relying on those features every day. Architects, planners, political leaders and residents all are asking themselves, how can the structural makeup of a city contribute to a healthier population, and where do parks and open green spaces fit into that landscape?

40 Parks & Recreation

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Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department

Planners in Florida’s Miami-Dade County worked with municipal leaders, health professionals and residents to revitalize Bird Road, a portion of which is seen here. Initially, the thoroughfare lacked identity, was unfriendly to pedestrians and posed safety concerns (inset). Now, improved crosswalks, a network of public plazas and mixed-use development encourages residents to leave the car at home and bike or walk to their destination.

BEFORE

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C I T Y T H AT H E A LT H B U I LT

results can be seen in the extensive system devoted to single uses, such as highways, single-use zoning and all the elements of sprawl that we now understand contribute to ill-health, and mitigate against well-being.”

Then, starting in the early 1980s, researchers began to talk more about nature’s positive impacts, the benefits of exposure to natural daylight and regular social interaction. “[These] had been lost as priorities in architecture and planning, but architects began to increasingly consider issues of health with respect to the environment, as well as the interiors and materials of buildings,” Lombard continues. “Parallel to this movement, public health professionals examined the role of the built environment in health and in particular, chronic disease, and planners began to reevaluate the role of mixed-use and walkability.”

The convergence of all these shifting perspectives created the perfect environment for experimental cross-departmental collaborations, and, sure

BNIM

Changing Priorities “Nearly every aspect of planning and engineering impacts health and well-being,” says Joanna Lombard, professor at the University of Miami School of Architecture. But, priority has not always been put on this perspective. The idea of engineering a city in terms of the health of its residents has been around since approximately the third century B.C., in literature that first outlined the proper purpose and layout of population centers. Interestingly, Lombard adds, the field of planning as separate from architecture began in response to growing concern about public health issues. “By the mid-twentieth century, both professions had massively diverged from considerations of healthy places as human experience became less significant than theories of form, flow and rather linear interpretations of efficiency,” Lombard says. “In architecture this was exemplified by the focus on buildings as isolated objects, and in planning the

When the time came to rebuild Greensburg, Kansas’ Main Streeet, planners looked for ways to build features that encourage healthy behaviors — like walking and socializing with neighbors — right into the landscape.

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enough, architecture and planning researchers and practitioners now commonly work across boundaries to find innovative solutions for the built environment.

This evolution was not (and still is not) without its hiccups. In America, the car is still king and convincing public and private funders of the essentiality of bike lanes can still be quite a heavy lift. “Jane Jacobs in 1961 faced down Robert Moses in his campaign to bring the Lower Manhattan Expressway (LOMEX) through Washington Square Park and the West Village [in New York], advising her readers to bring a healthy dose of skepticism to ‘experts,’” Lombard says. “This is important, because Jacobs was decried in schools of architecture and planning and by the leading theorists of the era.

She wasn’t a professional; she applied common-sense observations of the realities of human life, and she found the grand theories of the day to be severely lacking, if not dangerous. And now we know quite clearly that she was right.

The professionals destroyed the hearts of American cities with highway and ‘urban renewal projects,’ and we are still dealing with the legacy of the idea that life can be neatly separated into uses and purposes without the ‘messy’ overlap of housing above shops, or streets that accommodate cars, bikes, elders, joggers, children and dogs, and correspondingly, methods of evaluation measured in numbers of cars, or miles per hour, and not in terms of lives lived well.”

Lombard distills the shift from engineering the built environment with an emphasis on its structural makeup — what it is — to one prioritizing who it’s intended to serve. “I think we need to put people first, understanding the need to accommodate and nurture the complexity of life, and the responsibility we share to provide an environment that enables and enhances the multi-

tude of daily interactions essential to human, environmental and economic health and well-being,” she says.

It is this standard, of “people-first,” that is increasingly informing how our cities and urban spaces are planned and revitalized. “Providing for the fullness of life gives us a standard to apply when we evaluate whether a particular initiative will be beneficial or harmful to the life of a city, and it can be applied to decisions that range from something as seemingly small as the width of sidewalk, and as large as a regional park system,” Lombard says.

Multiple Uses for Multiple Reasons “I think the fundamental barrier [to including parks, green spaces and active transportation options in planning and engineering cities] is our tendency to specialize into single-purpose professions focused on single-purpose outcomes,” Bill Anderson, FAICP, principal and vice-president at AECOM, says. He, like Lombard, acknowledges collaboration among planners, architects, landscape architects, municipal leaders and park and recreation professionals is not a wholly new concept. But, similar to the medical profession that in recent decades has splintered into a collection of specialists with few general practitioners, fields dealing with the built environment have likewise become siloed as they grapple with multiple concerns, including health, environmental quality, value creation, economic development and aesthetics. “Now is the time to come back together — the objectives of health and sustainability are just too important to think otherwise,” Anderson says.

If these related groups all can cooperate in the interest of planning the healthiest, most sustainable communities possible, the next question is, what would those communities

look like? How can we, as Lombard asks, put people first? Anderson suggests acknowledging that our towns and cities host a multitude of ages and ability levels, all of whom look for convenience and comfort in their day-to-day activities. “Last year the APA [American Planning Association] conducted a national survey of millennials and baby-boomers,” he explains. “A high percentage said they anticipate moving within the next five years, and of them, a high percentage said they wanted to move to a place that is different from where they currently live — one that is more walkable. Other research indicates that the millennial generation likes to live in more walkable, bikeable, mixed-use, compact urban communities…The baby boomers will want access to services and, as they age, not have to drive for every trip.

I think more and more people prefer to live in multi-generational communities with a variety of housing types so that if they do move-down, they can stay within the same community.

Homes and buildings will have to be more accommodating to people with disabilities as they age as well.”

The thread connecting the scenarios Anderson describes is active transportation, one of the most visible and well-used aspects of a health-conscious built environment.

Anderson considers bike lanes and adequate sidewalks as some of the most important and simple additions to improve a city’s health quotient.

“I’m amazed how many commercial districts, including higher density mixed-use districts, planned and built in the 70s and 80s have sidewalks that are no wider than in a single-family neighborhood,” Anderson says.

“Even if an area is not yet ready for higher density, at least plan and require the right-of-way for wide sidewalks because the developed portion

of a parcel will eventually evolve over time. Bike streets that are more than a stripe on the side of a road, as part of a complete street design, will encourage more people to bike. By linking these networks to transit, and making sure they connect to the most important destinations, especially employment centers, schools and commercial districts, communities and cities will become naturally healthy.”

Active transportation’s obvious partner is mixed-use spaces, that is, buildings or economic centers with more than one purpose — shops with residential apartments above them, for example. “The presence of mixed-use destinations is associated with higher levels of walking,” Lombard says.

“Living within two minutes’ walking distance of a park increases the likelihood of meeting or exceeding the 10 minutes of walking a day that is considered a health baseline. Connectivity matters. Sidewalks, safe streets, safety in itself, are essential. Conversely, places with few sidewalks, limited access to green space and parks, that require car trips for every destination outside the home, are associated with higher incidences of disease.”

Finally, says David Rouse, AICP, ASLA, managing director of Research and Advisory Services for APA, enhanced connectivity between active transportation nodes and mixed-use development is the cherry on the healthy city sundae. “Walking paths and bike lanes are important, but more important is how these features connect,” he says. “Creating additional parks, bike lanes and sidewalks increases opportunities to engage in health-promoting activities, but it is more important that these features connect to each other or other types of transportation. I would add creating a safe, attractive environment for pedestrians and bicyclists as another important factor.”

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C I T Y T H AT H E A LT H B U I LT

With each revitalization effort and land acquisition, city leaders, planners and experts in health and well-being — including the medical community and park and recreation professionals — are bringing this new/old perspective to the table. The places we live, work and play today must encourage healthy behaviors, be attractive and facilitate deeper connections among residents. What follows are two examples of built environments that have embraced healthy living through creative planning solutions, collaboration and innovation.

Los Angeles, California In 2009, the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks (LADRP) completed its citywide Community Needs Assessment, which highlighted some startling deficits within its boundaries. “One of the key findings was that, even though [Los Angeles] had more than 420 parks and facilities and over 16,000 acres of parkland, the city’s park lands and facilities were not equitably distributed and many communities did not have parks located within a reasonable distance,” Darryl Ford, of LADRP’s Planning, Construction and Maintenance Branch, says. “Additionally, the Needs Assessment identified walking and biking trails, small neighborhood parks and fitness facilities as the three most-needed amenities.”

Los Angeles is about as built-out as an American city can be, so Ford and his colleagues had to find a creative way to increase park access and offer additional modes of active transportation for citizens to reach them. Thus, the 50 Parks Initiative was created with the goal of establishing 50 new parks in underserved areas of Los Angeles. When 50 Parks launched, Los Angeles, like many American cities, was in the midst of 44 Parks & Recreation

a severe economic downturn. Ford says city leaders saw the increasing number of abandoned lots and blighted space popping up across the city as opportunities to acquire land and expand park holdings. Not only would this approach increase residents’ exposure to nature and spaces for exercise, it would also help mitigate environmental concerns and raise property values of houses and businesses nearby the new parks.

Because planners and designers were working with small parcels in many cases, Ford said collaboration with neighborhood residents was essential to make sure each park, regardless of its size, would serve their needs. “For each new park site, the city and/or its community partner organizations engaged in a collaborative planning and design process with area stakeholders in order to customize each park to the needs of local residents,” Ford says.

The 50 Parks Initiative serves as a case study for those municipal leaders who might believe their city is too dense to add new parkland. There are always opportunities to increase green space and encourage healthier lifestyles in residents, he says. “The key to identifying those opportunities is to work closely with local stakeholders and residents, as generally they will be most familiar with the needs and challenges in their individual communities.”

Greensburg, Kansas It’s not just urban spaces that can benefit from training a health-concerned eye on the built environment. Greensburg, Kansas, a very small town of 777 residents, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s most recent estimates, recently underwent a revitalization project that saw a number of health-related improvements. It should be noted this initiative was made possible in the wake of a devastating 2007 tornado

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that destroyed some 90 percent of the town. Greensburg had already been struggling in the lead-up to the 2008 economic downturn, losing residents at a fast clip and, thus, working with a diminished tax base. Still, planners, city leaders and residents endeavored to capitalize on the tornado’s devastation by making several health-related improvements to Greensburg’s quaint downtown. Stakeholders established a Sustainable Comprehensive Master Plan that has informed Greensburg’s continued revitalization. “Early in the process, the design team created a maps atlas that documented the existing conditions and opportunities,” says Jim Schuessler, ASLA, director of landscape architecture services for BNIM, which worked on the project. “Within the atlas were city-wide diagrams showing opportunities for connection, road hierarchy, green infrastructure and parks and open space. The Master Plan documented opportunities for future projects [including the goal of creating] a loop trail around the city connecting many of the natural environments, lake and stream corridor to the school, city park and other key community assets.”

BNIM worked with the Greensburg community to develop 12 goals oriented toward making the city socially, economically and environmentally sustainable. “The goals included water, wind, health, built environment and community,” Schuessler says. “Within the built environment goal, the design team was tasked with building a community that encourages interactions between residents, welcomes guests and serves as a model. Thus, there were many health- and wellness-related components to each and every project.”

Greensburg’s Main Street was the logical hub of this process, and Schuessler said particular attention was paid to making sure connectivi-

Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department

AFTER

Here, a rural streetscape is improved to encourage walking by adding sidewalks and attractive pathways to a nearby park.

BEFORE ty was enhanced throughout the new space. Because the town’s layout centered around a tight core, Schuessler said planners had to be particularly creative regarding the streetscape, as well as attuned to the daily movements of life in Greensburg. Those visiting downtown today will see wide sidewalks, landscaped bumpouts at each corner with seating, mid-block crossings, trees and buildings “built to the sidewalks,” to encourage walkability.

For a larger dose of green space, residents need only mosey down to the nearby Kiowa County High School — naturally, it’s within easy walking distance — where a newly designed central courtyard provides respite for the entire community.

Smarter Living As the saying goes, “A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.”

Substitute sugar, in this instance, with “thoughtful engineering,” and you’ve perhaps hit on a fine weapon

in our ongoing fight against chronic disease. If our cities are engineered with active transportation and green infrastructure in mind — if the tools for improving our health and well-being are built right into the landscape — won’t that make it easier to adopt healthy behaviors?

Anderson believes it just might, with an ecological benefit to boot.

“Planning has had a long relationship with the environmental movement, but we’re now talking about something more fundamental than clean air and clean water,” he says.

“Many people are rethinking how we plan our cities and communities to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions through more mobility options, technology, building and community design, and the relationship between land use and transportation. Communities and planners are also responding to the aging of the baby boom generation…It’s not just a tremendous increase in the

number of people of retirement age, people are living longer. How we plan our communities so people can age in place, if not their homes, at least their neighborhoods that are familiar with friends and families is an important objective.

“Related, but broader, is planning for healthy communities — designing our communities so people exercise by living their daily lives. Planning communities and destinations that are more accessible by walking and biking, safely and efficiently, along routes that are interesting and enjoyable, is a growing urban design objective. Planning communities where people breathe clean air, drink clean water and have access to healthy food is a growing consideration. Planning and the public health community, as well as allied advocacy organizations, are coming together to create these types of places for the people, not just seniors, but all ages, for healthier outcomes.”

Samantha Bartram is the Executive Editor of Parks & Recreation magazine (sbartram@ nrpa.org).

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Changing it Up for

Better Health

Walmart and nutrition literacy create broader awareness of NRPA’s Commit to Health initiative

By Dr. Danielle Hollar

S

ince the launch of NRPA’s five-year Commit to Health initiative, kicked off in 2014 in Miami with First Lady Michelle Obama, millions of children in low-income communities nationwide have been provided nutritious summer and after-school meals during out-of-school time (OST), and hundreds of thousands have been educated about healthy eating and physical activity habits in parks and recreation sites that provide healthy environments in accordance with Healthy Eating and Physical Activity (HEPA) standards. Through initiatives such as Commit to Health, parks and recreation agencies are playing a critical role in obesity prevention efforts by providing access to nutritious foods and opportunities for physical activity in healthy environments aligned with standards that support such efforts.

In articles featured in the February 2015 and April 2014 issues of Parks & Recreation, Kellie May (www.parksandrecreation.org/2015/February/ Commit-to-Health-A-Review-of-YearOne) and Maureen Hannan (www. parksandrecreation.org/2014/April/ Setting-The-Standard) described the aims of Commit to Health, including its key components (summer and afterschool meals, nutrition literacy, HEPA standards) and supportive network of

nationwide partners (Alliance for a Healthier Generation, National Afterschool Alliance, United States Department of Agriculture [USDA], Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), among others) that are critical to its success. This month, we’re revealing some of the exciting, behavior-changing results of Commit to Health experienced by kids attending park and recreation programs, as well as their parents and parks and recreation staff.

The Walmart Effect Thanks to generous funding from the Walmart Foundation, more than three-quarters of a million previously underserved kids received nutritious meals and nutrition literacy as part of Commit to Health grant activities during 2014. In fact, in just one year, NRPA’s 50 Commit to Health grantees served an astonishing 13,030,166 meals to almost 875,000 children attending park and recreation programs — a 1,639,749 increase over the number of meals served during 2013. On top of this great achievement, 257,411 children at 557 sites across the country were part of evidence-based, age-appropriate nutrition literacy programming, and 45,000 children experienced healthy changes in their OST environment thanks to implementation of HEPA standards.

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B E T T E R H E A LT H

Nutrition Literacy Leads to Healthier Eating During just a short summer camp period (averaging approximately six weeks), Commit to Health nutrition literacy programming resulted in significant improvements in nutrition knowledge and healthy eating behaviors for all groups involved — kids, parents and park and recreation staff!

While the full results of these great successes will be presented in October at the 2015 Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, here are some of the key findings:

questions at the beginning and end of camp to assess their change in nutrition knowledge and eating behaviors.

The evaluation included quantitative (pre- and post-surveys) and qualitative (collection of success stories, lessons learned, etc.) activities, and the results were impressive!

1

Learning specifics about nutrient-rich foods and their bodies leads to impressive changes in kids’ eating behaviors. Children learned a lot about nutritious foods, their bodily organs and how to become healthier overall thanks to the nutrition literacy program provided by NRPA. Through fun, engaging, cartoon-based programming called The OrganWise Guys (which includes cute characters such as Hardy Heart, Peter Pancreas and Peristolic the Large Intestine), the importance of good nutrition and daily physical activity was understood by Commit to Health kids. These lessons were complemented by USDA MyPlate activities, Foods of the Month programming that included focusing on specific nutrient-rich foods each week during the summer months, and an emphasis on daily physical activity. In 2014, as part of a nationwide evaluation by Healthy Networks Design and Research, more than 400 children in select summer camps who had just finished grades four and five were asked

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es from Peter Pancreas and Peristolic!

Kids also were asked at the beginning and end of summer camp about their consumption of foods that were part of the Foods of the Month educational efforts. Children reported eating more fruits and vegetables generally, as well as bell peppers and spinach specifically and low-fat dairy items (skim milk, reduced fat cheese) by the end of summer. Slight decreases in consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages were reported, which mirror the reported increases in consumption of water found in qualitative components of the evaluation.

Finally, although not nutrition-related, significantly more children reported higher levels of physical activity at the end of the summer camp.

2

Specifically, very large increases in the number of correct responses from children regarding nutrition knowledge were found for topics such as; “Pretend you are getting ready to choose which cereal you would like to have for breakfast. Which of the following would be the best choice?” (options included varying levels of fat and fiber), “Which food is a protein?” (egg, whole wheat bread or broccoli), and “Which organ of the body helps regulate sugar in our bodies?”

Children also reported learning more about the types of protein and dairy items that are low in fat, as well as the role of their intestines and pancreas in healthy living — likely due to messag-

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Parents learn about healthy eating and their organs, and change their behaviors. Parents of summer campers were asked a number of questions at the beginning and the end of summer, just like their children. We really wanted to know if the things children learned at summer camp had an impact on parents’ eating habits, foods consumed in the home and home gardening. What we found was exciting — parents did learn about, and then make changes to improve, eating habits due to their children having been campers in locations where nutrition literacy programming was implemented. Significantly more parents reported having heard about the educational programs called The OrganWise Guys, and/or the USDA MyPlate program, at the end of summer as compared to the beginning.

Nutrition lessons from these pro-

grams seemed to have resonated with the campers since improvements in the level of knowledge regarding targeted nutrition and healthy living behaviors were reported by parents.

Specifically, more parents indicated at the end of the summer (as compared to the beginning) that they “know which foods have the most antioxidants in them,” “know what foods have lots of fiber in them,” “know how to cook/prepare healthy foods” and “know how to plant a

were asked about each Food of the Month, “Does your child like and eat [name of the Food of the Month]?” In the end, parents reported that by the end of summer more of their children were “liking and eating” bell peppers, berries and summer squash.

3

Park and recreation staff change up their eating behaviors. Similar to the exciting improvements in knowledge and healthy eating behaviors of campers and

At the city of Portsmouth, Virginia, nutrition literacy increased consumption of fruits and vegetables — more children ate fruits and vegetables instead of putting them in the share box like they did previously. garden,” among several other takeaways. In fact, the number of parents reporting having planted a garden rose by the end of the summer!

Regarding their own eating behaviors, although parents did not participate directly in Foods of the Month programming, it is apparent that the important nutrition messages about the health benefits of nutrient-rich foods were taken home by children.

Parents reported some increases in consumption of vegetables generally, and bell peppers, spinach, summer squash, tropical fruits, stone fruits (peaches, nectarines, etc.) specifically.

Additionally, they reported consuming more fish and low-fat dairy at the end of the summer, as compared to the time before their children attended summer camp.

In order to confirm some of the reports by kids who said they were eating more nutrient-rich foods by the end of the summer, parents were asked some questions at the beginning and end of the summer. They

parents mentioned above, parks and recreation staff changed their eating and physical activity behaviors due to learning through teaching nutrition literacy during summer camps.

Staff knowledge of nutrition and healthy living behaviors increased tremendously by the end of summer. Specifically, staff learned about “which foods have the most antioxidants in them,” “what the large intestines do in your body,” “what proteins are low in fat,” and more.

This increase in knowledge had a strong influence on foods they consumed. Specifically, fewer staff reported never consuming targeted nutritious foods at the end of the summer as compared to the beginning — they were trying new foods! And because of teaching the Foods of the Month program (including experiential food tasting activities in many instances), staff reported increases in consumption of bell peppers, spinach, tropical fruits, stone fruits, summer squash and lean proteins. A large number of staff reported at the end of sum-

mer, as compared to the beginning, that they also planted a garden at home.

Just like the parents, parks and recreation staff were asked about any changes they saw in nutrition knowledge and eating behaviors of kids in their camps during the course of the summer. More staff reported that they felt “children who attend your camp know what kinds of foods are the best” at the end of camp as compared to the beginning. Staff also reported seeing improvements in eating behaviors for all of the foods targeted in the Foods of the Month programming. Specifically, staff reported many more children “liking and eating” fruits, eggs, bell peppers, berries, tropical fruits, stone fruits, summer squash and vegetables.

Responses to the qualitative survey questions echoed these findings.

Healthy Results — A Call for Expansion As you can see above, kids in Commit to Health summer camps really learned a lot and changed their eating habits thanks to the fun nutrition literacy programming taught by parks and recreation staff. The impressive gains in nutrition knowledge and associated changes in healthy eating behaviors, along with their potential to improve the health of children and their parents throughout our nation, give much support for expansion of similar OST efforts. NRPA’s dedication to expanding Commit to Health and its components (providing nutritious meals, ensuring healthy environment standards, and teaching nutrition literacy) has great potential to improve obesity rates among young children throughout our nation in a fun, engaging way that uses parks and recreation agencies as leaders of such efforts.

Dr. Danielle Hollar is the President of Healthy Networks Design and Research (daniellehollar@gmail.com).

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The

Parks T

exas is known for good music, addictive barbecue, tall hats and fierce independence. It’s also known for hosting a rather unhealthy population. Of the four Texas cities included in the 2015 American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) American Fitness Index, Houston, Dallas and San Antonio rank 35th or worse. Austin is the only outlier, ranking 14th in its level of fitness, health and quality of life as compared with America’s 50 most populous metropolitan areas.

Where many might find cause for discouragement in such data, San Antonio’s Parks and Recreation Department (SAPRD) saw opportunity. Texas’ second most populous city, with more than 63 percent of its approximately 1.4 million residents identifying as Hispanic or Latino, was up for a major challenge: How to coax its residents into embracing healthier behaviors with parks as a central component?

A New Perspective “San Antonians, like all Texans, value the outdoors, but what has changed is how we see and use the outdoors,” says Xavier Urrutia, director of San Antonio Parks and Recreation. “The city has always cherished

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its parks, but saw them more as passive green spaces to be loved and protected. Now San Antonio also sees parks as an untapped opportunity and resource.”

That updated view has at least two distinct vantages: economic and health. Happily, both are advantageous to municipal leaders, residents and park and recreation professionals. Urrutia says, although San Antonio has experienced economic challenges for decades, legislators and their constituents both tend to see the benefits of a robust parks system. “San Antonio residents want to do things in our parks and we have seen a move to making our parks active green spaces,” he says. “In recent years, greater resources through the passage of

of San Antone

sales tax propositions and bond programs have been dedicated to the park system as our residents and city leaders have recognized what an important role parks play in the quality of life for our community. We in the parks and recreation profession know that a quality park system and aesthetically pleasing green spaces are important factors in the city’s economic development efforts because a city with quality parks has a healthier, happier workforce.”

The Serving Curve The 2010 U.S. Census ranked San Antonio as the nation’s seventh-most populous state, and it’s still growing fast. Urrutia says part of his challenge was finding a way to communicate with and satisfy a sprawling, demographically diverse population facing numerous health challenges. “It takes a multi-pronged approach,” he says. “San Antonio is geographically wide

Recent cultural shifts regarding health and wellness in San Antonio, Texas, have positioned the city’s parks as valuable assets for enhanced quality of life

By Samantha Bartram

spread, which makes it a challenge to serve citizens in all quadrants of the community.”

To address availability concerns, Urrutia’s team finds creative ways to improve smaller, already-established neighborhood parks, while simultaneously looking for opportunities to construct new parks. This approach was facilitated largely through the passage of bonds repeatedly, and overwhelmingly, approved by San Antonio voters, as well as public-private partnerships. “[Such bonds were] approved by voters four times since 1999,” Urrutia says. “The voters of San Antonio again recently approved the continuation of a dedicated sales tax that has funded a trail system along our river and creekways that currently consists of 40-plus miles and another 40 under design and construction even before this renewal was passed.”

Urrutia’s team also came up with effective ways to communicate what’s available to

Innovative programming is a hallmark of San Antonio Parks and Recreation — its Fitness in the Park classes are free or low-cost and range from Zumba sessions to strength training.

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SAN ANTONIO

San Antonio residents take part in free circuit training classes at their communitiy park.

all residents, no matter their primary language. “San Antonio is made up of diverse cultural and ethnic influences, including strong Hispanic roots,” Urrutia says. “Many residents of all ages speak Spanish as their primary language. As such, it is critical that we are able to effectively communicate all that we have to offer. We actively seek and utilize both English and Spanish media. We place advertisements and conduct newspaper, radio and television interviews in both languages. We also frequently produce marketing materials for major programs and public service announcements in both English and Spanish, and ensure that bilingual staff is available to assist with registrations, reservations or simply answering questions.”

Urrutia even involves smaller, neighborhood-based media outlets like blogs and newsletters to reach the widest audience possible. “Recently, we have used grassroots, bilingual marketing to reach out to individuals who may not rely on traditional media for their information,” he continues. “We view our unique culture as a benefit, thus bilingual communication is the norm. We work to maximize information sharing, program 52 Parks & Recreation

participation and the overall parks experience for the entire community and truly believe that our efforts have been successful.”

Howdy, Partner While Urrutia and his team embrace multiple municipal and community-based modes of communication and fundraising, he acknowledges partnerships with private entities are important to elevating SAPRD’s facilities and programs. “Our biggest corporate partner has been the Coca-Cola Company,” Urrutia explains.

“We’ve been fortunate to partner with them on several initiatives in recent years, including their generous funding of fitness initiatives such as the Ride to Own bicycle program, our state-of-the-art Mobile Fitness vehicle, and the Coca-Cola Troops for Fitness Program which we have integrated into out Fitness in the Park offerings.

Most recently, Coca-Cola made available a grant through NRPA that allowed us to renovate a new piece of parkland by adding fitness equipment and refurbishing a basketball court and a multipurpose ball field so that programming, also funded through the grant, can be offered.”

SAPRD’s FitPass program, now

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in its third year, boasts a tremendous amount of local partnerships, including businesses, nonprofits and municipal leadership like the Mayor’s Fitness Council. “Collaboration is the key to make a program like [FitPass] work and we’re fortunate to have a number of great partners participating,” Michael Baldwin, SAPRD special projects manager, says. “I credit the creation of the Mayor’s Fitness Council with helping us develop many of these relationships over the past several years that you now see play such a big part in what we do.”

Program and Incentivize Most integral to SAPRD’s successes, however, was recognition of the need for innovative, free or low-cost programming, coupled with enticing incentives. This approach has significantly boosted awareness of San Antonio’s parks system and coaxed hundreds of thousands of San Antonians to the nearest trail, playground or rec center. “Our priority is our mission to provide quality parks and recreational programming, accessible to all,” Urrutia says. “That can be a tall order, but I’m proud of the strong commitment of the department and the City of San Antonio to do exactly that.”

Topping the list of SAPRD’s most successful programs is FitPass. First known as FitPass SA, then FitPass 2.0, and now FitPass 2015, the initiative combines exercise, fun and friendly competition with creative incentives. “The initial idea behind the FitPass program was to create a citywide initiative that highlighted many of the free and low-cost fitness, wellness and nutritional opportunities that were available to citizens here in San Antonio,” Baldwin explains. “We didn’t necessarily want to recreate the wheel, but rather find a way to incorporate programs imple-

mented by a variety of local organizations, offered under one umbrella.

We asked ourselves, ‘How can we encourage our residents to become more active, while engaging them in a fun way?’ and ‘How can we influence real behavior change toward healthier lifestyles?’”

The answer was to create an interactive challenge anchored by enjoyable activities designed to improve mental and physical health and facilitate greater community connections.

Baldwin and his team at SAPRD designed a points-based system, where participants would receive a paper “passport” in which to gather stamps upon completing a given task. Such activities included swimming at a local pool, engaging with SAPRD social media through sharing pictures or tweets, visiting a museum, eating healthy foods, committing to a race or fitness challenge, and many others. “Providing a point system and the opportunity to earn prizes for engaging in healthy behaviors is a great incentive for some people, whether you’re aiming to win something, setting goals for yourself, or just competitive by nature,” Baldwin says.

“The thought was that, through this program, people would discover new ways to be healthy, and hopefully make participating in these activities a permanent part of their lifestyle.”

With each iteration of the FitPass program, Baldwin says they’re making tweaks and changes to improve its draw and efficacy, including telescoping its initial nine-month participation span to three months and, this year, developing an interactive mobile app to keep track of points, rather than continuing to use the printed passport. The risks and adjustments of the past two years certainly paid off — “In all, we’ve distributed almost 25,000 FitPass passports over the last two sessions,” Baldwin says.

Additionally, SAPRD’s Ride to Own bicycle and Mobile Fit San Antonio programs have proven incredibly popular. “Over a 10-week [Ride to Own] session we teach participants the fundamentals of riding and maintaining a bicycle, which includes a combination of classroom-style teaching and group bike rides,” Baldwin says. “Upon completion of the program, each participant receives a brand new bike. Did I mention that participation in this program is free?”

Mobile Fit was revealed in June 2014 and made possible through a corporate grant from Coca-Cola.

The tricked out “wellness vehicle” travels to neighborhoods that may lack a park or open space for socialization or exercise, and brings those amenities right to residents’ front doors. “It’s equipped with portable fitness and health screening equipment and travels to parks, schools, churches and community events, providing free fitness classes and free health screenings,” Baldwin explains. “It’s available to the community at no charge for reservation.

We really wanted to be able to reach people who may not be in our parks or have access to our services. Again, it’s an attempt at breaking barriers in order to get more people in the community active.”

And, beyond programmatic highlights, both Urrutia and Baldwin cite San Antonio’s Howard W. Peak Greenway Trail System as an essential amenity. “[The system is] a series of paved trails that meander along the creekways here in San Antonio,” Urrutia explains. “These trails offer great opportunities for physical fitness for citizens who enjoy the outdoors, and wish to reduce their stress and improve their health by spending time on the trails. It also serves as an alternative form of transportation.”

The trail is currently under expansion

across the city, and, Baldwin says, outdoor fitness equipment has been installed at more than 40 locations along the trail, offering additional options for exercise.

Wide Horizons Urrutia says SAPRD plans to continue honing its current programs and community outreach, as well as position its parks as economic drivers. “[Our initiatives range from] ‘Parks as the Centerpiece to Neighborhood Revitalization,’ where parks can be the catalyst to other investments, to Fitness in the Park and all the other programs that have been created to get San Antonio active and fit, and the continued development of our Linear Creekway Trail System,” he says. “At the end of the day, [SAPRD] will continue to protect our public green space as a place for all people to come together as a community, it’s just that now people are walking, running and biking to get there, which means we have made a difference.”

For Baldwin, that last part is most notable for its service as a reminder that his agency is making a real difference in the health and wellness of the citizens it serves. “Because we’ve made such a strategic and concentrated effort in integrating wellness into our parks system over the past several years, you can really see a change in how people see and use our parks,” he says. “There’s a noticeable change in the air…you see more people exercising outdoors, biking on our trails, walking their dogs and taking advantage of what have become very active spaces. I really believe that the public perception of parks’ role in healthy living has changed.”

Samantha Bartram is the Executive Editor of Parks & Recreation magazine (sbartram@ nrpa.org).

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NRPA Update Preparing the Troops for Battle

By Roxanne Sutton

I

t looked like an average professional development gathering. Attendees checked in, received folders stuffed with materials and meandered off for coffee and networking with other park and recreation pros.

Despite the look, however, this gathering was a strategic and tactical briefing to prepare park and recreation professionals with the tools and knowledge they’ll need to lead Commit to Health sites during their summer and after-school programming.

In its second year, the Walmart Foundation’s Healthy Out-ofSchool-Time Grant Program allowed 80 park and recreation agencies to receive grants that will support their USDA Summer Food Service Programs (SFSP) and Child and Adult Food Care Programs (CAFCP). On May 12 in Reston, Virginia, representatives from these agencies gathered to learn how to use their grants to help combat countless health issues facing today’s youth. Each agency is tasked with increasing the number of healthy meals served, providing nutrition literacy to children, implementing Healthy Eating and Physical Activity (HEPA) standards at their program sites as part of NRPA’s Commit to Health, and adopting policies to reduce food waste.

To prepare them for their task, NRPA’s partnerships team set up a full day of training with expert advice from the USDA, Alliance for a Healthier Generation, the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), National League of Cities, Afterschool Alliance, past grantees and others. They shared some great tips and advice from which all agencies with summer and after-school programs can benefit.

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Marketing Marketing summer and after-school programs is not only important for informing those populations who need these services the most, it’s also important for managing the perception that these programs are only for “poor kids.” Clarissa Hayes, child nutrition policy analyst with FRAC, pointed out that it’s important to keep “needy” language out of marketing materials in order to help combat the “poor kid” stigma that may prevent those who actually need these resources from attending.

Align Priorities with Elected Officials Jamie Nash, National League of Cities’ senior associate of benefit outreach, gave advice on how to reign in support from local elected officials.

First, agencies need to do their research and understand what the key priorities are for their mayor and/or council members. Then, they need to align their summer and after-school programs with these priorities. For example, if safety is a priority for the town council, agencies should show how their programs contribute to youth safety as well as feed hungry kids nutritious meals, provide places for physical activity and more.

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Data is also important to rally support from local officials. Agencies should show the impact they already make through number of sites, meals served and children impacted, but they also need to show where the gap is — who isn’t being served and what are the consequences of that? Nash also recommends having a very specific ask. People are often surprised what their elected officials may be able to do for them.

Train Staff (and Train Again) Veteran grant recipient Katie Yandell, aquatic and special programs coordinator from Lubbock, Texas, shared that it’s important for agencies adopting new healthy standards to train their staff appropriately. Staff may be used to doing things a certain way and may even push back a little. Providing hands-on training and following up with staff throughout the program can help make healthy changes easier.

After a successful and sunny day in Reston, our latest grant recipients are prepared to create healthier summer and after-school programs at their agencies. You can help combat childhood health issues, too, by signing on to Commit to Health at www.nrpa. org/committohealth.

Roxanne Sutton is NRPA’s Senior Marketing and Communications Specialist (rsutton@ nrpa.org).

NRPA Update

Meeting of the Minds: Parks and Health

By Travis Smith, Ph.D.

W

hat do we conclusively know about the relationship between parks and the improved health of a community? Where does our knowledge fall short, and where do we need more research to determine a link between parks and healthier living? How do we effectively communicate what we know about the links between parks and health to elected and appointed officials as we make the case for park agency funding or program support?

NRPA and Active Living Research (www.activelivingresearch.org) convened a blue-ribbon group of academic researchers, park and recreation professionals, and policy experts to discuss these questions on February 26 in San Diego. The goal of this day-long workshop was to provide the foundation for new tools and strategies for park and recreation professionals and advocates to communicate with the public and their elected officials about the health-related benefits of parks. A recent Active Living Research paper, titled “Co-benefits of designing communities for active living: an exploration of literature” (www.ijbnpa.org/ content/12/1/30), offers a thorough review of existing research about the many co-benefits of parks, and this

helped to frame the day’s discussions.

Based on existing research, it’s clear that living close to parks and trails can provide health benefits. We also know that what’s in a park impacts how it’s used by the public, and that parks provide many social benefits that positively affect citizens and their mental well-being. However, it’s clear that there are many areas that require more research, and defining how the research community can effectively address these gaps in our knowledge will be the focus of meetings NRPA will convene in the coming months.

For example, those in attendance at the San Diego event agreed we need more in-depth research that describes how different demographics use parks as well as research about how effective

Academic researchers, park and recreation professionals and policy experts gathered to discuss the role of parks in improving the health of communities.

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programming can drive park use and improved health outcomes.

One of the critical areas where the research community will rely on park and recreation professionals is in evaluating the outcomes of master planning processes and capital improvements that aim to improve citizen health.

While more and more local plans incorporate such improvements, effective evaluation of these strategies and resulting investments is less consistent, and it represents an enormous opportunity lost for understanding how changes in design and the built environment impact the health of the individual.

Kanat Tibet from The California Center for Public Health Advocacy said, “This event and other events like it are important for linking those doing research about the health impacts of parks and recreation with park and recreation professionals and advocates. The sharing of ideas among these groups gives us all important insight into what works and what we need to learn more about — or what we need to rethink entirely.”

Moving forward, NRPA will work on turning the outcomes of this workshop into communications tools and products for our members to use as they work with the public and their elected officials. Be on the lookout for news about these tools, as well as chances to participate in their development — we’ll need your help to produce easy-to-use and convincing messaging that you can put to use to make your community healthier.

Travis Smith, Ph.D., is NRPA’s former Vice President of Research.

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NRPA Update

With mySidewalk, Online Engagement is a Walk in the Park

Y

our park is the heart of your community, with a pulse that infuses neighborhoods with life and activity. As much as local residents love their parks, it’s often challenging to gather relevant feedback from them — even when their responses could inform a decision about the future of their parks.

With mySidewalk, powered by MindMixer, you have the opportunity to start a conversation for free and get feedback from a passionate and engaged network of local community members.

NRPA has partnered with mySidewalk to provide members with a dedicated space to address the needs and concerns of their parks, recreation fa-

cilities and community park and recreation agencies. mySidewalk’s unique platform allows users to engage a broader audience and meet changing communication needs for free.

NRPA members can also take advantage of a 15 percent discount on mySidewalk’s robust data platform, which will help you make sense of the local feedback you receive. You’ll join communities around the country who are helping citizens preserve and improve where they live, work and play.

Visit www.nrpa.org/MindMixer to learn more about mySidewalk. Questions? Email Hayley MacDonell at hmacdonell@nrpa.org or call 703.858.2148.

— Hayley MacDonell, NRPA’s Membership Programs Manager

Nurturing Nature Play

O

n April 25, NRPA joined American Water Charitable Foundation (AWCF) and almost 100 volunteers in a joint dedication-workday for a new natural playground in Belleville, Illinois. Made possible through a $109,000 grant from AWCF, Bellevue Park now boasts a

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tree fort with climbing net and log shimmy, rock slide, climbing wall and sand box with water sluice. The city also installed a pollinator slope with interpretive signage. These are just a few of the aspects that make this new natural play area unique in the region and one of few like it nationwide.

If your agency is thinking about developing a natural playground, consider talking with the city of Belleville. If you are planning to join the 2016 NRPA Annual Conference in St. Louis, Bellevue Park is only 45 minutes outside the city.

This project was made possible through a partnership between NRPA and AWCF. For more information, visit www.nrpa.org/buildingbettercommunities.

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Test Your Park and Recreation Knowledge The following question is a sample Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) examination question.

An individual with an emotional disability would experience the LEAST amount of inclusion in a: A) Basketball game B) Drawing class C) Soccer game D) Dance class Calling all beginning to mid-level professionals! The Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) is the national standard for all park and recreation professionals who want to be at the forefront of their profession.

For more information on the CPRP certification program, please visit www.nrpa.org/cprp.

Invest in Your Career It’s the professional thing to do

Are you looking for a way to demonstrate your commitment to the field, lead your employees by example, gain greater respect and advance the profession? The Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) program is your answer.

Are there multiple people in your agency who want to get certified?

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Get CPRP Certified Today! www.nrpa.org/CPRP

NRPA Update

Member Spotlight: Sandra MacDiarmid

S

andra MacDiarmid began her career in park and recreation as many do — as a nature and park enthusiast. The Illinois native grew up in her local park system and ultimately began her professional career as a nature, wildlife and portrait artist. After relocating to Jackson, Tennessee, almost 30 years ago, MacDiarmid dove into the world of park and recreation after seeking a position as an instructor for children’s and adult art classes in the City of Jackson Park and Recreation Department (JPRD). Over the years, her role has evolved into a number of positions including contract instructor, summer camp arts and crafts director, special events coordinator, set and costume designer for JPRD’s theater productions, program administrator, community education director and even director of the Nature Park and Raptor Sanctuary. Today, MacDiarmid is the superintendent of recreation for the city of Jackson where she is a champion for health and wellness in her community. We spoke with MacDiarmid about her role as superintendent and enjoyed a deeper look at one of Jackson’s most successful wellness programs — the JumpStart Jackson initiative.

Parks & Recreation magazine: Give us some detail about your role as JRPD superintendent Sandra MacDiarmid: As superintendent, my official duties are mainly administrative and supervisory, but I still manage to keep an active hand in my first love: programming and working with children. On any given day, you may find me at a city council meeting or speaking at a Kiwanis luncheon in the morning, and then out at my Nature Park, trimming eagle talons or doing after-school nature programs. I’ve learned to keep the trunk of my car fully stocked with a selection of what I call my “grownup” clothes and my “play clothes” for days when I’m playing multiple roles.

P&R: When did the JumpStart Jackson initiative begin and what sort of community response have you seen to date?

MacDiarmid: The JumpStart Jackson initiative began in 2007 in response to a City Council directive to create a taskforce addressing the burgeoning childhood obesity prob-

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lem in Jackson, and Tennessee as a whole. At first, we anticipated negative push-back from the community — or at least antipathy with the community facing many more immediate, serious issues of crime, poverty and unemployment. We kicked off the initiative with a community-wide Wellness Walk and were amazed that more than 1,000 people and school children came out to march for health and wellness. Our annual walks have continued to grow to where we now have more than 2,000 participating.

We just recently received news from the 2014 Gallup National Obesity Report that the obesity rate is declining, and that we are the only state with such a significant decline, so it’s good to know our efforts are paying off.

P&R: How did you get such robust community support behind JumpStart Jackson, from both the municipal end and businesses like farm markets?

MacDiarmid: We are extremely fortunate here in Jackson that Mayor

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Jerry Gist is fully supportive and is our driving force behind the community health and wellness initiative.

Before becoming mayor, Gist served for many years as [JRPD] executive director, and past president of the Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association, so he is deeply committed to NRPA’s Three Pillars of Conservation, Health and Wellness, and Social Equity for the improvement of our city. We are also fortunate in that our hugely successful farmer’s market is owned and operated by JRPD. P&R: What advice would you offer to agencies that may wish to implement a health and wellness initiative like JumpStart Jackson?

MacDiarmid: Community partnerships are key. When we first began our JumpStart Jackson community health and wellness initiative, we found many groups and agencies concerned with improving health and wellness opportunities in our community, but everyone was working within their own small “silos.”

JumpStart Jackson provided a coming-together and common ground for all to achieve more together. Two of our most critical early partnerships were with the local school system’s Coordinated School Health Department and with the local Chamber of Commerce. The schools were able to reach the children and parents of our city; and the chamber realized the importance of a healthy, wellness-motivated city with resultant lower healthcare costs [that helped attract] new businesses and industries to Jackson.

— Catrina Belt, Editorial Intern for Parks & Recreation magazine

Staff Spotlight: Zarnaaz Bashir, MPH

T

his month’s Parks & Recreation magazine is our Health and Wellness Pillar issue, and as such, it behooves us to highlight NRPA’s Director of Strategic Health Initiatives, Zarnaaz Bashir, MPH. Among her colleagues, friends and family, Bashir is known as smart, capable, kind and passionate about eating healthfully and exercising. First in the public health realm and now in the park and recreation industry, Bashir translated that passion into a career of advocating for policies and programs that make it easier for children, adults and seniors to adopt healthy lifestyles. We recently caught up with the cycling and Zumba aficionado to learn more about what drives her commitment to health and wellness.

Parks & Recreation magazine: What initially sparked your interest in public health?

Zarnaaz Bashir: I was always a science-oriented kid. My father was a physician and a huge role model for me. I thought I would follow his footsteps with a medical career, but then I took a medical sociology class in college that blew me away. It introduced me to the field of public health. What I loved about it is its focus on prevention and the impact public health has community-wide, not just with individuals.

P&R: How did you then make the connection to parks and recreation?

Bashir: I became very interested in community health and helping communities adopt healthy behaviors. A colleague of mine had recommended that I join NRPA’s health team, which was very intriguing to me because I had not considered parks and recreation as a traditional health provider. I was used to working with health departments and hospitals.

P&R: Give an example of one of the most inspiring/effective health and wellness programs you’ve seen during your time at NRPA.

Bashir: ACHIEVE (Action Communities for Health, Innovation, and EnVironmental changE) really put parks and recreation on the map in the public health world. It was a program funded by the CDC to build local coalitions, led by the park and recreation agency, and create healthier communities through changes to policies and the built environment. We had grantees implementing smoking bans in parks, impacting thousands of residents. We had communities replacing vending machines in schools with healthier options, and parks improving trails to better connect to underserved communities. It was an amazing model that focused on making changes that were sustainable and institutionalized. The program completed in 2012, yet we still hear from grantees on their continued successes.

P&R: What do you see as the largest barriers preventing people from adopting healthier lifestyles?

Bashir: I knew someone who had progressively gained a lot of weight over a period of a few years. Everyone was telling her to go to the gym, reduce the junk food, etc. It’s so easy to say that. And it didn’t work.

After years of living an unhealthy lifestyle, we came to realize that she was dealing with some very serious personal issues at home and was severely depressed. I think a number of barriers exist that inhibit people from making healthier choices, such as being low-income and living in a food desert. But one that we don’t talk about much is mental health and well-being. We talk a lot about getting healthy by eating right and incorporating physical activity into our everyday routines, and we assume that it’s easy for everyone….

We need to pay more attention to the factors in people’s lives that are preventing them from being healthy — depression and anxiety being among them.

P&R: Why do you feel parks so integral to the health and wellness of individuals and communities?

Bashir: This is what’s so great about parks and recreation. Getting healthy outdoors is known to improve people’s mental health and overall well-being. Connecting to nature just makes people feel good.

We don’t talk enough about the mental health benefits of parks and green space enough, but it’s so critical and obvious.

— Samantha Bartram, Executive Editor of Parks & Recreation magazine

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NRPA Update NRPA is dedicated to providing learning opportunities to advance the development of best practices and resources that make parks and recreation indispensable elements of American communities.

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SCHOOLS AND CONFERENCES NRPA Conferences and Schools are forums where the park and recreation community comes together to exchange ideas and information. Register now for these upcoming events. All NRPA Schools are held at Oglebay Resort in Wheeling, West Virginia, unless otherwise indicated.

Athletic Field Maintenance Member: $50 Nonmember: $65

Learn the proper techniques and best practices needed to keep your agency’s athletic fields safe, usable and attractive this summer. This course is an excellent resource for maintenance staff, landscapers and facility managers. CEUs: 0.2

Connecting Children with Nature Member: $75 Nonmember: $94

Trouble getting kids outside this summer? This course is designed to educate professionals working with youth in educational or recreational settings, as well as concerned citizens, on the root causes of “nature-deficit disorder,” the health and social risks of this problem, the best practices for helping children to bond with nature and enjoy unstructured outdoor play, and the current organizations involved in reversing this unhealthy trend. CEUs: 0.3

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Operations Sites and Sounds

How to achieve a unique and impressive gathering place for your community

By Jennifer Graves

M

ost parks have a common goal, to bring their community together. They are designed as a place to gather and a place to have fun. But what if you want to make your site unique and more impressive? How do you draw in a large crowd? How do you revamp a park that is losing appeal? What if you want to generate revenue back?

One structure can answer all of these questions and redefine how a park is used and recognized by your community: amphitheaters.

Amphitheaters date back to the ancient Greeks and while the look has continuously evolved, their function remains the same. They are a stage for bands, plays, festivals, fairs and special events — all of which will draw a crowd and bring people together for entertainment. They provide a visually interesting backdrop that will frame a perfor-

mance and create a central focal point.

They can assist with acoustics and better project sound toward the audience.

Amphitheaters provide necessary protection from the elements and can be enhanced by adding lighting and sound equipment. They can also be designed to accommodate room additions or to attach to other structures.

Amphitheaters are as unique as your creativity allows and vary greatly in size and shape. There is no typical design, which makes them an

Poligon’s attractive constellation amphitheater provides a comfortable, shaded area for outdoor concerts, family picnics and community gatherings.

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eye-catching and impressive piece for your site. They can be small, fitting perfectly into a downtown city park drawing attention from passersby — or a large focal centerpiece at the base of a hill, allowing large seating areas for visitors to stay awhile. Many different materials can also be used to better fit a structure into its surroundings. A steel design can be created for sleek lines and curves, wood will portray a more classic look, and fabrics are perfect for a more artistic and whimsical feel.

What Structure Works Best?

When deciding on a design that best fits your site, look to a shade company that can take your ideas and combine them with their experience to create the perfect fit. There are several different factors to consider when choosing the type of amphitheater that works best for your location. Evaluate the surroundings — do you want the structure to blend in or stand out?

Evaluate how it will be used — does your community have programs that need large or small venues? Will this shelter need to be usable year-round?

All structures will be engineered for the weather in your area to ensure longevity and safety. Also consider what steps are taken to protect the structure from the elements such as factory powder coating, factory wood staining and fabric warranties. Choose a company that is known for its quality and long-lasting product.

Once the basic structure design has been chosen, other details can be added such as signage and ornamen-

tation. By adding these to the gable of an amphitheater, you can identify a site sponsor or the name of your facility to promote further branding and site recognition. This can be done with a high-performance laser cutter or additional graphics can be printed and displayed in the steel ornamentation. Other features that can be added include handrails, gutters, column wraps/covers, lightning protection and windscreens. Amphitheaters can also be engineered to have additional structures added, including changing rooms, restrooms or storage space.

You can choose from many available frame colors and roof options.

If you want to create a high-end look to your park, consider creating a total park package. Coordinate additional shelters, trellises and signs to comple-

ment your new amphitheater and draw visitors toward it. Use similar details, colors or shapes to pull each structure together. Design elements can be incorporated into each structure to display unique detail and create architectural conversation when visitors notice the small details that were considered. A common theme throughout a park gives strong visual interest and will attract lots of attention.

The Ideal Venue Amphitheaters go beyond just bringing your community together — they can also give back to the community.

Because of their ability to accommodate ongoing entertainment and large audiences, they are the perfect place to host events for fundraising and charities. Money can also be brought in for

park maintenance or other projects by charging rental and admission fees for events and facility usage. Amphitheaters also create a platform for new talent.

Whether it is a musical artist, speaker or a person looking to show off a talent, a stage gives them opportunity to showcase their abilities in hopes of reaching new heights and gaining recognition.

Amphitheaters can offer a high return on investment, not just financially but also in building a community.

Jennifer Graves is a Marketing Specialist with Porter Corp. (jengra@portercorp.com).

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Products Equipment and Surface Cleaner The Athletix Products™ line now features a spray solution for your gym cleaning and maintenance needs. The snip-and-pour packets take the guesswork out of measuring and mixing.

There is no need for harsh chemicals in your facility; the Athletix Equipment & Surface Cleaner/ Deodorizer’s formula is safe and easy to use. Protect your facility and its patrons with the patented nano-polymer technology found in Athletix Equipment & Surface Cleaner/Deodorizer.

This technology enables the product to leave a protective, invisible barrier on surfaces, keeping them cleaner longer while reducing odor-causing elements. ATHLETIX PRODUCTS, 800.289.5762, WWW.ATHLETIXPRODUCTS.COM

LED Solar Lighting SEPCO’s™ SolarViper offers powerful solar-powered, pole-mounted LED area lighting for parking lots, roadways and walkway lights. Units provide crisp white, ultra long-lasting light precisely where needed at motorist and pedestrian levels, without dependence on any electrical-utility grid system. SEPCO™ SolarViper is 100 percent solar powered at all times, “off the grid,” self-storing and self-recharging. SEPCO™ solar-power assemblies are sized according to customer requirements, installation location and local conditions. SEPCO, 800.974.9918, WWW.SEPCO-SOLARLIGHTING.COM

Outdoor Ping Pong Tables Kay Park Pong Table is newly designed for outdoor use with polished fiber-reinforced concrete table top, coated metal legs and metal net. The heavy-duty steel frame and net have a textured powder coat finish. Kay Park Pong Tables are built to withstand all weather conditions and are virtually maintenance free. They make a great addition to the amenities of many types of facilities’ grounds including parks, playgrounds and camps. The metal net can be customized to display your facility name. KAY PARK, 800.553.2476, WWW.KAYPARK.COM

Sun Shades Shade Systems Sail shade structures are a clever way to cover odd-shaped areas where post locations are limited or where a unique aesthetic appearance is desired. Sails are tension shade canopies engineered to attach at each point with a single stainless steel connection. All cables and hardware are also stainless steel for maximum corrosion resistance and longevity. Shade Systems Sails are pre-engineered in a variety of shapes and sizes to add visual interest to your facility’s structure while protecting patrons from UV rays. Sail shade designs can be configured to accommodate any public space where shade is needed. SHADE SYSTEMS, 800.609.6066, WWW.SHADESYSTEMSINC.COM

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ation ith all the inform Providing you w , ed e educat you need to mak ses for your park ha rc well-informed pu ency. and recreation ag e by category or Browse the websit g, or search alphabetical listin r! you’re looking fo for exactly what

AQUATICS

SPORT EQUIPM S ENT

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Request free information from the manufacturers of the products found in this issue.

I prefer to receive the information via

Mail

Phone

Email______________________________________________

Name________________________________________________________________ Phone__________________________ Address______________________________________________________________________________________________ City_________________________________________________State________________Zip_________________________ What is your most popular health and wellness program?

reader service

YES! I would like free product information!

____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Please email your answers to gcohen@nrpa.org.

Check the product(s)/company(ies) that you would like information from: ATHLETIC/EXERCISE EQUIPMENT Greenfields Outdoor Fitness...................3 888.315.9037 www.greenfieldsfitness.com Go Ape...........................................................67 415.553.0769 www.goape.com TriActive America.........................................33 800.587.4228 www.triactiveamerica.com COMMUNICATIONS Anchor Audio/markertek® Professional.....69 800.522.2025 www.markertek.com MAINTENANCE PRODUCTS/SERVICES Rent National................................................69 800.352.5675 www.rentnational.com Tree Stabilizer...............................................70 800.691.1148 www.treestabilizer.com PARK PRODUCTS/SERVICES Dogipot...................................................29, 67 800.364.7681 www.dogipot.com Livin The Dog Life™.......................................68 800.931.1562 www.livinthedoglife.com Lockers.com....................................................9 800.562.5377 www.lockers.com

Polly Products..............................................69 877.609.2243 www.pollyproducts.com

Poligon®.........................................................65 616.399.1963 www.poligon.com

The Tire Plugger!...........................................70 815.455.9080 www.stopngo.com

Shade Systems, Inc.........................................1 800.609.6066 www.shadesystemsinc.com

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SURFACING

Berliner Seilfabrik...........................................9 864.627.1092 www.berliner-playequipment.com

RubbeRecycle.................................................7 888.436.6846 www.rubberecycle.com

Cre8play........................................................15 612.670.8195 www.cre8play.com Gametime®....................................................C4 800.235.2440 www.gametime.com Landscape Structures®.................................C3 888.438.6574 www.playlsi.com SIGNS/SCOREBOARDS Berntsen International.................................67 877.686.8565 www.berntsen.com iZone® Imaging.............................................68 888.464.9663 www.izoneimaging.com/NRPA15 Scoremaster..................................................69 888.726.7627 www.scoremaster.com

Sof SURFACES.................................................5 800.263.2363 www.sofsurfaces.com GROUNDS MAINTENANCE Bishop Enterprises, Inc.................................67 615.233.5173 www.turf-aire.com PLAYGROUNDS SPECIAL SECTION Gametime®....................................................C4 800.235.2440 www.gametime.com Greenfields Outdoor Fitness........................C2 888.315.9037 www.greenfieldsfitness.com Kay Park Recreation.......................................3 800.553.2476 www.kaypark.com

STRUCTURES/SHELTERS

Landscape Structures®.................................C3 888.438.6574 www.playlsi.com

Most Dependable Fountains.......................C2 800.552.6331 www.mostdependable.com

Classic Recreation Systems..........................27 800.697.2195 www.classicrecreation.com

Playtime Playground Equipment..................2 866.784.9400 www.playtimeus.com

Pilot Rock......................................................31 800.762.5002 www.pilotrock.com

Easi-Set Buildings.........................................68 866.252.8210 www.EasiSetBuildings.com

Playworld®......................................................5 800.233.8404 www.playworldsystems.com

Mail the completed form to Gina Mullins-Cohen at NRPA, 22377 Belmont Ridge Road, Ashburn, VA 20148-4501 or email to gcohen@nrpa.org.

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Park Bench

ns o i t i d change e p x E y orking hard to r w a re r a y e tr t n i u L breathing life cross the co activities and on agencies a

citeati g new Park and recr t is fun and ex a ming, creatin th m g ra g in ro m p m r nio rogra f Raleigh, the face of se hopeful result is senior p by the City o ed er ff e o h T m . ent. gra into the old rces Departm u d and Go Pro o ea es R R l lt ra u u d lt creA u ing, like the and travel to reation and C g ec in R d s, a rk re a s P e , bin na ach residents. E North Caroli and Go com h d a ig e le R a , 9 R 0 r 0 2 traveling ce for olde Launched in books and lub experien g c in k d o a o b re e n u ee er set in ate a uniq s — all eith lternate betw k a o o ts b n a e h ip T ic ted t.

— are selec month, part st read abou te a ju st y e e th th t m a s th re, Quail meone fro to the place ned book sto ritten by so w w o r y o tl a n n e li d n ro e idea by p North Ca and ran the a local, inde ] y b re o d e st il k p o o m b o he lt Profrom a list c yfield, Adu hed out to [t a c R a re n e e rm W a “ s. r,” says C aff would Ridge Book ork togethe on. “Our st ti w a to re c y e a R w d a n come sa them as e books and aleigh Park th R f r o fo s n r e o g ti a p ort descri gram Man st and the sh all types of readers.” li e th r e v o than 24 h read totaling more t would reac r, a a e th y st a li s a ip tr h SI lab ht up wit ars, from a C rs at least eig e e y ff e o th r m e ra v g o The pro Cape Hatave varied County and estinations h D n . o te st a n d h to Jo s in 009 was trip ountry farm cursions in 2 c a ex t to rs fi h e ig th le usan of in Ra p, both by S Banks. One m r a w te S u l O el e H th d teras in t up the is Beach an with. She se books Genes rk e o th w n to o l d u rf se a caba nde er] and have san was wo [h u t S e “ e . m ld e to fi . it lina Wh says Rayfield ,” North Caro k o e, o o b h n e a th Iv with trip to featured in participation at the house le b h c ra n e d lu si d n re o c te veryo has seen ailing list. “E ] G m d e n a th r d a fo e p R ned u articipants 00 adults sig r trips and [p u o n o more than 4 t is es that . It puts a tw see the plac to g in o g one loves it r mers o ow when so g the autho N n “ ti e s. e y m sa e ld v lo ayfie us to add ad about,” R to us and ask it g n ri they have re b l il book they w uthor.” one reads a ation mmend an a o c re r o arks & Recre ne st P li r fo rn te In it to our magazi elt, Editorial — Catrina B

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Insta

Fun-Packed Play Plenty of activities means plenty of fun for developing toddlers and preschoolers! Smart Play: Cube 2-5 packs 14 activities into its modern design and compact size. From the activity table with bench and magnet stack to the arch climber and slide, Smart Play: Cube 2-5 delivers plenty of developmentally appropriate challenges along with an efficient use of materials. Learn more at playlsi.com, or call 888.438.6574 or 763.972.5200.

Š2014 Landscape Structures Inc.

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PARKS&RECREATION JUNE 2015 ◆ THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS ISSUE: HEALTH AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT ◆ 2015 PLAYGROUND GUIDE