Parks & Recreation Magazine July 2018

J U LY 2 0 1 8 W W W. N R PA . O R G

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contents july 2018

PHOTO COURTESY OF KANSAS CITY MISSOURI PARKS AND RECREATION

volume 53 | number 7 | www.parksandrecreation.org

FEATURES

40 Parks and Recreation: A Lifetime of Discovery

This July, we are celebrating A Lifetime of Discovery, and we want to explore everything your local park and recreation centers have to offer.

Cort Jones

54 Bringing Riverside Regional Park into the 21st Century

In November 2017, Indy Parks and Recreation completed a master plan for Riverside Regional Park in Indianapolis. Learn how the 20-year implementation strategy will propel the park into the future.

John D. Jackson, PLA, LEED AP

44 Detroit’s Rebirth

See how community activists, nonprofits, crowdfunding partners, and state and city park and recreation agencies are reinvigorating their city.

2018 NRPA ANNUAL CONFERENCE SECTION

60 A Conversation with Peter Kageyama

Vitisia Paynich

50 10-Minute Walk Campaign: Celebrating Mayors and Cities Leading the Way

Read updates from the first 12 cities to participate in technical assistance for the 10-Minute Walk campaign and see why nearly 200 mayors have signed on to improving park access and quality in their cities.

Jared Mummert

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62 ‘The Year of the Woman’ Tom Crosley

64 2018 NRPA Annual Conference Exhibit Hall Highlights Ted Mattingly

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contents july

columns 8

departments

10 Editor’s Letter Unplug and Play Gina Mullins-Cohen

12 Research What Park Metrics Tells Us About Urban Agencies Kevin Roth, Ph.D.

24 Advocacy Keep Pressuring Congress About LWCF Reauthorization Kyle Simpson

14 Park Pulse Bridging Technology and Nature Connects Children to Parks

16 Member to Member Leadership Changes at NRPA 16 NRPA Hosts Oklahoma City Innovation Lab 20

66 NRPA Update Congratulations! to the 2018 Innovation and Spotlight Awards Recipients 66 #Parks4Pollinators Photo Contest Winners 68 The Passing of Two Trailblazers in Parks and Recreation 69 $2 Million for Green Stormwater Infrastructure Projects 70 Building Healthy Communities with Family Health & Fitness Day 70 August: The Best Month to Champion Your Park 71 Connect Hot Topics 72 Member Benefit: How to Get the Most Value for Your Park & Recreation Spend 72 Member Spotlight: Max Madalinski 73 Parks & Recreation Crossword 74 Professional Development Calendar 75

Perspectives It’s Park and Recreation Month — Let’s Celebrate Barbara Tulipane

26 Law Review Governmental Immunity for Park Security Policy James C. Kozlowski, J.D., Ph.D.

32 Conservation Conservation Education and Recreational Opportunities in Lenexa, Kansas Jenny Doty and Allysha Walmann

36 Health & Wellness Pathways to Play Marla Collum

38 Social Equity Social Equity, Parks and Gentrification David Rouse, FAICP, ASLA

76 Operations

80 Products 81 Park Essentials 87 Advertiser Index 88 Park Bench Water Safety Suzanne Nathan Cover Image: Shawn Cimonetti for Essex Junction Recreation and Parks 6

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PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CITY OF CHATTANOOGA DIVISION OF OPEN SPACES.

‘LEDucation’: Helping Municipalities Make the Switch to LED Lighting 76 Doug Drotman The EPA-Compliant Way to Dispose of Fluorescent Lamps 78 Bobby Farris

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P E RS 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 RS

It’s Park and Recreation Month — Let’s Celebrate Sometimes we get so serious about the business of parks and recreation that we forget to celebrate the many joys that parks bring to our lives. Yes, we must fight every day against the threats to parks, and we know them all too well — lack of funding, social equity disparities, environmental threats and more. But, we can’t let fighting the good fight for parks cause us to lose sight of why we love our parks and appreciate them so deeply.

There is no question that the public shares our strong feelings about parks. Consider statistics from NRPA research and other sources: 9 in 10 Americans agree that parks and recreation is an important local government service (comparable to public safety, schools, transportation) and 3 in 4 Americans support increasing local government spending on parks and recreation. A recent study of mayoral speeches, conducted by the National League of Cities, shows that mayors of cities with up to 300,000 residents cited parks and recreation as one of the top three priorities and for cities with more than 300,000, parks and recreation was the sixth-highest mentioned priority.

There is also no better time than during the month of our nation’s Independence celebration that we also celebrate the rich heritage of our parks. A place where all Americans can gather without fear of repression, without concern for race or ethnicity and without question of religion or beliefs. Parks embody the inalienable rights expressed in the Declaration of Independence — Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. What better place than in parks to engage in the Pursuit of Happiness?

NRPA’s celebration of July as Park and Recreation Month began more than 30 years ago in 1985. In the early days, it was little more than a proclamation and a news release, but in recent years, Park and Recreation Month has become a full-fledged national celebration, carried out in hundreds, if not thousands, of communities across the nation.

Consider some of the metrics — more than 17 million media impressions; tens of thousands of views of the Park and Recreation Month web resources; thousands of downloads of Park and Rec month information, contest entries, poster downloads and more. NRPA’s Marketing and Communications team annually puts together a rich collection of free resources for agencies that want to celebrate Park and Recreation Month in their community.

So, let’s take the month of July and celebrate our parks. We love them for reasons too many to count. Check out the NRPA resources at www.nrpa.org/events/july to help you take the celebration to your community, and take some time yourself to get out to parks with friends and family. There is no doubt your time spent in parks will contribute to your own lifetime of discovery.

BAR BAR A T ULIPAN E, C AE President and CEO

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2 2377 Belmont Ridge Rd. | Ashburn, VA 20148 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 Chair of the Board of Directors Leon T. Andrews, Jr. National League of Cities Washington, D.C.

Chair-Elect Jack Kardys J. Kardys Strategies Miami, Florida

Past Chair Stephen Eckelberry Bartlett Park District Carol Stream, Illinois

Treasurer Michael Kelly Chicago Park District Chicago, Illinois

Secretary Jesús Aguirre Tower Steel Services, Inc. Seattle, Washington

President and CEO Barbara Tulipane, CAE National Recreation and Park Association Ashburn, Virginia

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Michael Abbaté, FASLA Formerly of Portland Parks & Recreation Portland, Oregon

Jesús Aguirre Tower Steel Services, Inc. Seattle, Washington

Leon T. Andrews, Jr. National League of Cities Washington, D.C.

Neelay Bhatt

Jack Kardys J. Kardys Strategies Miami, Florida

Michael Kelly Chicago Park District Chicago, Illinois

Karen Bates Kress Park Advocate Emigrant, Montana

Carolyn McKnight, CPRP Recreation and Park Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge East Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Herman Parker City of San Diego, California, Park and Recreation Department San Diego, California

Ian Proud Playworld Systems Williamsport, Pennsylvania

Molly Stevens Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center Austin, Texas

Nonet T. Sykes Atlanta Beltline, Inc. Atlanta, Georgia

Xavier D. Urrutia City of San Antonio Parks and Recreation San Antonio, Texas

Dr. Howell Wechsler Alliance for a Healthier Generation New York, New York

LIFE TRUSTEES Beverly D. Chrisman Lexington, South Carolina

PROS Consulting Indianapolis, Indiana

Anne S. Close

Hayden Brooks

James H. Evans

American Realty Corporation Austin, Texas

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Rosemary Hall Evans Sugar Hill, New Hampshire

Fort Mill, South Carolina

City of Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Saint Paul, Minnesota

Earl T. Groves

Kevin Coyle

Charles E. Hartsoe, Ph.D.

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Stephen Eckelberry Bartlett Park District Carol Stream, Illinois

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W W W. PA R K S A N D R E C R E AT I O N . O R G | J U LY 2 0 1 8 |

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EDITOR’S LETTER

Unplug and Play We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing. — George Bernard Shaw

VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING, COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLISHING, AND EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Gina Mullins-Cohen gcohen@nrpa.org

Given today’s tech-obsessed world, we often find ourselves glued to our small screens, while forgetting that there’s a whole world outside waiting to be discovered. How many times have we heard parents pleading with their children to put down their mobile devices and go outside and play? The problem is, they’re saying it while holding a smartphone in their hand! To truly lead by example, we too must learn to unplug and play — and just be present in the moment.

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Sonia Myrick smyrick@nrpa.org

We’re observing Park & Recreation Month by celebrating A Lifetime of Discovery. In this month’s cover story on page 40, NRPA Communications Manager Cort Jones offers new ways park professionals can showcase their programs by highlighting the “undiscovered” roles of local park and recreation centers. Jones also explains why offering STEM programming teaches youth problem-solving and empowers them to make their own discoveries.

As part of our ongoing series on parks transforming cities, towns and communities, contributor Vitisia Paynich explores how the city of Detroit, Michigan, is gradually bouncing back after years of economic decline in the feature, “Detroit’s Rebirth,” on page 44. What’s more, she profiles some of Detroit’s most anticipated riverfront projects and reveals how smaller nonprofits are using crowdfunding partners to get their projects off the ground.

Has your city’s mayor signed the 10-Minute Walk campaign pledge? It’s not too late! On page 50, NRPA Program Specialist Jared Mummert presents the first 12 cities to participate in technical assistance for the 10-Minute Walk campaign in “10-Minute Walk Campaign: Celebrating Mayors and Cities Leading the Way.” These are grant recipients who have illustrated an understanding about the importance of improving park access and quality of life in their cities.

Next, contributor John D. Jackson, PLA, LEED AP, takes a closer look at Indy Parks and Recreation’s master plan for Indianapolis-based Riverside Regional Park in the article, “Bringing Riverside Regional Park into the 21st Century,” on page 54. Jackson also reveals why the project’s design and planning team believed a public engagement strategy was key to implementing the park plan.

Also, starting with our August issue, Sonia Myrick, Parks & Recreation’s executive editor, will begin sharing this column with me, every other month.

This month, as you’re celebrating the July Fourth holiday with family and friends, do yourself a favor: take a few quick selfies, then put away your device and just enjoy being with your loved ones. Our Founding Fathers will thank you for it.

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

Parks & Recreation

PRESIDENT AND CEO Barbara Tulipane, CAE

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RESEARCH What Park Metrics Tells Us About Urban Agencies

By Kevin Roth, Ph.D.

E

ach year, NRPA publishes its NRPA Agency Performance Review (www.nrpa.org/APR), a summary of key findings from NRPA Park Metrics (www.nrpa.org/metrics). The data provided by these benchmarking tools assist park and recreation professionals in the effective managing of their operating resources and capital facilities. The April issue of Parks & Recreation included a copy of the 2018 NRPA Agency Performance Review.

One of the key messages we relay in the Agency Performance Review is that no two park and recreation agencies are alike, reflecting the diversity of the populations they serve.

Different agencies serve different constituencies with unique needs, desires and challenges. While that report presents many of its findings using medians — thus highlighting the “typical” agency — it also encourages park and recreation professionals to use the Park Metrics interactive report tools to customize the data to the peer group of their choosing.

To further highlight the great diversity of agencies across our nation, we recently published a white paper that reviews Park Metrics data from park and recreation agencies based in urban locales serving populations of at least 250,000 residents.

Because of their size, these agencies deliver a broader set of services, offerings and amenities but also face some unique challenges.

One of the white paper’s first findings is that the number of people served per park rises as the population of the town, city, county or region served by the agency increases.

While there is one park for every 2,114 residents at the typical agency, parks managed by urban and larger park and recreation agencies typically serve far more people. Agencies in

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jurisdictions of at least 250,000 people serve a median of 5,107 people per park, rising to one park for every 6,159 residents at agencies serving more than 500,000 residents.

While more residents living in urban and larger jurisdictions may have to “share” each park with a larger number of their neighbors, they live in areas that typically have more park acreage to enjoy.

The median park acreage per 1,000 residents rises to 12.7 acres at agencies that serve at least 250,000 people. This compares favorably to the 10.1-acre median for all agencies.

Staffing Park and recreation agencies serving populations of at least 250,000 typically have 250 full-time equivalent employees (FTEs) on their payrolls. The median count of FTEs rises to nearly 300 at agencies that serve at least half-a-million residents. However, those figures only tell a part of the story.

It is often more meaningful to look at staffing in relative terms to the population of the area that the agency serves. Agencies located in more populated areas tend to have fewer per capita staffing. Agencies serving jurisdictions with at least 250,000 people have 4.8 FTEs on staff for every 10,000 residents served, falling

to 3.8 FTEs at agencies serving more than 500,000 residents. The typical park and recreation agency, by comparison, has 7.9 FTEs on staff for every 10,000 residents in the jurisdiction served by the agency.

Finances Whereas the median annual operating expenditure for agencies serving at least 250,000 residents is $25.0 million, it can be more useful to look at budgets in terms of the population served.

Per capita operations spending is inversely correlated to the population of the area served, reflecting in part greater scale and efficiency among urban and larger agencies. The typical park and recreation agency has annual operating expenses of $78.26 on a per capita basis. Median per capita operations expenditures fall to $44.01 per resident at agencies serving jurisdictions with at least 250,000 people, and even further $39.73 at agencies in areas with populations of at least half a million.

Generating revenue through registration and admission fees, concessions and sponsorships can be a critical funding source for park and recreation agencies. The typical park and recreation agency generates just over $5 million in non-tax revenues on an annual basis, translating into a median of $19.36 in generated revenue for every resident living in the agency’s jurisdiction.

However, per capita revenue generation is typically much smaller at larger agencies. Urban and larger park and recreation agencies typically generate $7.16 in revenue annually

for each resident living in the jurisdictions he or she serves. Larger agencies generate even less — agencies serving at least 500,000 residents generate just $5.84 in revenue, per capita.

Another way to look at the impact of agency-generated revenue is to examine cost recovery as a percentage of operating expenditures. While the typical park and recreation agency recovers 28 percent of its operating expenditures from non-tax revenues, the percentage is significantly lower at urban and larger agencies. Agencies serving populations of at least 250,000 recover nearly 21 percent of their operating expenditures from revenues, while even larger agencies (serving a population of at least 500,000) have a median cost recovery of just 17 percent.

Offerings Programming is a key method of engagement that drives the use of park and recreation facilities. The typical urban and larger agency offers 620 programs each year; 297 of those programs are fee-based events. The program and activity offerings at urban and larger park and recreation agencies can be as diverse as the needs and desires of the residents they serve. Urban agencies are more likely than other agencies to offer their residents programming and activities for: • Health and wellness education • Natural and cultural history activities • Visual arts • Cultural crafts • Performing arts Urban and larger park and recreation agencies also are leaders in their communities in offering out-of-school time (OST) services. OST programs are critical providers of child care, affording parents and caregivers the opportunity to earn a living. These programs include education about nature and nutrition, tutoring, mentoring and enrichment opportunities that improve the mental, physical and emotional health of youth.

Eighty-seven percent of urban and larger park and recreation agencies offer summer camp programs for their communities’ children, with more than 7 in 10 of these agencies also delivering programs for teens and afterschool care as part of their OST offerings. Urban and larger agencies also are more likely to offer before-school pro

grams (31 percent) and full daycare (16 percent).

The white paper shows that urban and larger park and recreation agencies have more park acreage per resident and deliver a more extensive menu of service offerings and programming than do other agencies. They likely are also delivering these amenities with fewer human and financial resources on a per capita basis than are other agencies.

The only way to truly understand how your park and recreation agency compares to its peers, however, is to interact with the NRPA Park Metrics and report resources. The data from these resources help inform park and recreation professionals. The wealth of insights gleaned from NRPA Park Metrics will be even stronger when all park and recreation agencies — including those in urban settings — enter and update their data. You can start the process today by going to www.nrpa.org/metrics. If you need help getting started, drop us a line.

Kevin Roth, Ph.D., is NRPA’s Vice President of Research (kroth@nrpa.org).

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Each month, through a poll of Americans that is focused on park and recreation issues, NRPA Park Pulse will help to tell the park and recreation story. Questions span from the serious to the more lighthearted, and with this month’s poll, we asked Americans:

NRPA Park Pulse How strongly do you agree or disagree with the following statement: merging tech and nature will increase children’s desire to go to parks. For example, having free Wi-Fi, interactive digital displays and games, or map-based apps for parks.

Bridging Technology and Nature Connects Children to Parks Nearly 70 percent of Americans agree that merging technology and nature will increase children’s desire to go to parks.

Tech-savvy millennials are even more likely than Gen Xers and baby boomers to feel this way.

Millennials

77%

Gen Xers

71%

Baby Boomers

61% This includes having free Wi-Fi, interactive digital displays and games, or map-based apps for parks.

www.nrpa.org/Park-Pulse The National Recreation and Park Association Survey was conducted by Wakefield Research (www.wakefieldresearch.com) among 1,000 adult Americans, ages 18+, between May 21st and May 25th, 2018, using an email invitation and an online survey.

Quotas have been set to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the U.S. adult population 18 and older.

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MEMBER TO MEMBER Leadership Changes at NRPA

O

ver the course of the past decade, NRPA has become a strong voice and sought-out resource in the park and recreation space, particularly on the Pillar issues of conservation, health and wellness, and social equity. These developments are in large part due to the passionate leadership of our president and CEO, Barbara Tulipane, CAE, who recently announced her retirement.

“I want to take this time to thank NRPA leaders, members and staff for allowing me to be part of these worthy efforts.

I’ve truly enjoyed the last 10 years leading this remarkable organization.”

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“Barbara has been an influential leader and a powerful voice for NRPA,” says Leon T. Andrews, Jr., chair of the NRPA Board of Directors. “Under her leadership, NRPA has become a compelling force that has helped influence public policy and legislation nationally. She has brought a razor-sharp focus to the many ways parks and recreation build communities. Perhaps most importantly, she has challenged us to ensure inclusiveness and equity in all that parks and recreation does.”

“Barbara is dedicated to carrying out the association’s goals and mission over the next several months, until her replacement is found,” says Steve Eckelberry, past chair of NRPA’s Board of Directors. “She has been instrumental in successfully guiding the association, and she has brought recognition to the hard-working men and women in our field.”

“I want to take this time to thank NRPA leaders, members and staff for allowing me to be part of these worthy efforts,” says Tulipane. “I’ve truly enjoyed the last 10 years leading this remarkable organization.

The time I have spent at NRPA has shown me how vital parks and recreation is to all Americans. I’m proud to have led NRPA in the fight to protect parks everywhere, to make communities more equitable and to

bring the health benefits of parks and recreation to every community.”

During Tulipane’s tenure, NRPA’s revenue doubled, membership increased from 17,000 to more than 60,000, the communications department, including Parks & Recreation magazine, consistently garnered top honors and awards, and NRPA adopted the three strategic Pillars of Conservation, Health & Wellness and Social Equity. The organization also has been selected by The Washington Post as a “Top 100 Workplace” for the past five consecutive years.

The Board of Directors has appointed a transition committee to retain a firm to conduct a national search for Tulipane’s replacement.

“We are in good hands knowing that Barbara will be at the helm during this transition period,” says Jack Kardys, NRPA’s incoming Chairman of the Board. “Barbara’s knowledge and experience will be essential in the board’s effort to find NRPA’s next CEO.” The 2018–2019 NRPA Board of Directors At the 2018 NRPA Annual Conference, September 25–27, in Indianapolis, Indiana, NRPA will welcome its new chair along with three new board members to the 2018–2019 Board of Directors. Jack Kardys, longtime NRPA board member and former director of the award-winning Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation & Open Spaces (MDPROS) Department, will begin his tenure as the organization’s chair.

Continued on page 18

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Jack Kardys

President, J. Kardys Strategies Kardys, who currently serves as president of J. Kardys Strategies and as an associate with PROS Consulting, also serves on the board of the Park Foundation of Miami-Dade and is the past president of the Florida Recreation and Park Association (FRPA). He is highly respected in the field of parks and recreation, and has received several notable accolades, including the NRPA R.O.S.E., FRPA Distinguished Service and American Society for Public Administration Administrator of the Year awards. Kardys also led MDPROS to earn two Florida Governor’s Sterling Awards and the FRPA Agency Excellence Award.

At this year’s conference, the 2018–2019 NRPA Board of Directors will also welcome three new members, who will each serve a three-year term:

Carol Coletta

President & CEO, Memphis River Parks Partnership Carol Coletta is a senior fellow with The Kresge Foundation’s American Cities Practice and is currently on loan to the Memphis River Parks Partnership as the organization’s president and CEO. Prior to her service to Kresge, she was vice president of Community and National Initiatives for the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and served as president and CEO of CEOs for Cities for seven years. Coletta also served as executive director of the Mayors’ Institute on City Design and was host and producer of Smart City, a nationally syndicated weekly public radio show.

Joshua Medeiros

Director of Recreation, Town of Cheshire, Connecticut Joshua Medeiros has been involved in the field of parks and recreation for 15 years, the past 10 in leadership positions across several municipalities. Dr. Medeiros specializes in recreation programming, aquatics, capital project management, leadership and organizational change and has developed hundreds of programs and events throughout his career, generated millions of dollars in department revenues, and overseen numerous major park projects. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor at Southern Connecticut State University in the Department of Recreation, Tourism and Sport Management, and his most recent scholarly work included a qualitative study examining reports of Connecticut recreation professionals on best practices for aquatics management.

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Greg Weitzel

Director, Department of Parks and Recreation, Idaho Falls, Idaho Greg Weitzel has 20-plus years of experience in the field, having served as department director of parks and recreation for three cities of various population sizes on the East Coast and Pacific Northwest. He has served on numerous nonprofit and community boards and currently serves as IPRA CEU coordinator in Idaho, which recently was the host city for the Idaho and Montana annual conference. Weitzel also serves as an ambassador and lead playground installer for Kids Around the World. He served for more than 10 years on the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society Governmental Affairs Committee and ended his tenure as chairman and was instrumental in helping to save more than $600 million in key funding from elimination in the state budget.

“We are proud to have so many talented individuals with strong leadership skills serving on our board,” says Tulipane.

“Their combined expertise and passion for parks and recreation will help us achieve our goals — moving the association forward.”

NRPA’s Board of Directors is composed of 15–30 individuals, who are representative of the membership, which includes leaders in the park, recreation and conservation movement, park and recreation professionals and individuals from corporations, industry suppliers, commercial businesses, and volunteer and civic groups.

To learn more about NRPA’s leadership team, visit www. nrpa.org/leadership.

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MEMBER TO MEMBER

NRPA Hosts Oklahoma City Innovation Lab

By Jayni Rasmussen

D

uring the mid-20th century, Oklahoma City was heralded as an oil-producing boomtown. However, the city’s once-thriving economy suffered the impact of the 1970s’ energy crisis, which caused an oil surplus during the 1980s. It was an era that NRPA Innovation Lab speaker and former Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett, describes as “the Great Depression in Oklahoma.” Not only did the oil bust force the closure of 200 banks, but it also left the commercial real estate market in turmoil.

Fast-forward to today, and OKC, as it’s affectionately known, is experiencing a rebirth. It was here, back in May, that NRPA — together with the Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation Department — convened its 10th Innovation Lab, which brought together leaders inside and outside of parks and recreation to explore how the field impacts regional economic competitiveness and quality of life. On the first day of this three-day event, Cornett and Jim Couch, the current city manager, shared the story

of that rebirth, which includes the creation of the Metropolitan Area Projects (MAPS) (https://www. okc.gov/government/maps-3/ maps-history). Couch, the longest-serving city manager, worked behind the scenes to make sure projects got done.

What Is MAPS? MAPS was a $350 million sales tax initiative to fund the revitalization of Oklahoma City’s downtown area, which included improving the city’s national image, developing

an area of empty warehouses, as well as providing new and upgraded cultural, sports, entertainment, convention and park and recreation facilities. The original MAPS project, a massive urban redevelopment initiative of then-Mayor Ron Norick, passed in December 1993.

As a voter-approved penny tax, MAPS was a gamble — albeit a relatively conservatively funded one. It adhered to a debt-free financing structure, prohibiting projects from starting until they were paid for by generated tax revenue.

“We weren’t going to borrow any money, because that’s what we promised the voters,” says Couch.

This structure, however, meant that an already economically depressed community had to foot the bill for a series of projects that weren’t to be tangible for several years. According to Couch, the city “oversold it, and there was angst.”

Then, on April 19, 1995, terror struck the Midwest with the Oklahoma City bombing. “The same generation that had been through such economic wear, had the largest incident of domestic terrorism in the country’s history at that time,” recalls Cornett. As devastating as the attack was, it had a unifying effect on the city. As he describes it, “The citizens of the city wrapped hands and dared the world to pull them apart. And then, the MAPS projects started opening and there was a huge emotional surge.”

Oklahoma City Innovation Lab participants take a tour of the city’s Bricktown Canal.

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Former Oklahoma City Mayor Michael Earl Cornett Sr. talks about the city’s history during the Innovation Lab.

Throughout the late 1990s and 2000s, the first generation of MAPS projects, or MAPS-1, began and included an Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation-managed canal in the Bricktown neighborhood, renovation of the Civic Center Music Hall, a waterway restoration of the Oklahoma River and the expansion of the convention center. Among MAPS’ earlier achievements was the unveiling of a new ballpark for the Minor League Oklahoma City Dodgers in April 1998. Thus, the city’s economy began turning around.

MAPS-1 was eventually followed by an education-focused MAPS for Kids, or MAPS-2, that passed in 2001. This $700 million project served as a catalyst for the city by refurbishing the inner-city school system and investing in the revitalization of 75 neighborhoods.

In 2003, MAPS-3 passed, focusing on quality-of-life improvements, such as parks and recreation.

Sustainability Is Key Innovation Lab attendees had an opportunity to explore the city, where the success of MAPS is evident throughout. They took a water-taxi tour of the Bricktown 22 Parks & Recreation

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Canal and a boat tour of the Oklahoma River. Even on a quiet spring day, tourists and locals alike filled the pathways and restaurants along the canal in an area that used to be completely abandoned.

The second day of the Innovation Lab wrapped up with a panel discussion of Oklahoma business leaders appropriately set in the stunning Hall of Mirrors in the MAPS-revitalized Civic Center Music Hall.

The panelists — Nancy Anthony, executive director, Oklahoma City Community Foundation; David Rainbolt, executive chairman, Bancfirst; Roy Williams, CEO, Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce; and Tom McDaniel, president, American Fidelity Foundation — agreed that the business community has a vested interest in the Oklahoma City community and a vision for what the city should be.

When they support the city’s work in tax initiatives, they, according to Roy Williams, ask, “You can find a lot of ways to spend your money, but will the project transform the community? And, will the voters vote for it?”

Sustainability is also key to Oklahoma City business leaders. With

the sales tax being the primary means of supporting the city’s general fund, and, therefore, the operating budget of city agencies such as Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation, initiatives, like MAPS, that increase the sales tax and create new projects, can seem unsustainable.

“We’re not the healthiest place in the world here in OKC — we need to provide more places for community members to get healthier. We can pass bond issues, but operating money is tough. How do we get people into the parks?” asks Oklahoma City Community Foundation’s Anthony.

She contends that when parks are not nice, people don’t want to pay for them. Furthermore, parks must sustain themselves.

The Role of Parks & Recreation The next morning of the Innovation Lab, attendees gathered at the MAPS-3-funded Riversport Center, a world-class rowing, kayaking and whitewater rafting facility located along the Oklahoma River in the Boathouse District. First, they heard from Terry Clower, Ph.D., deputy director of the Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University in Virginia, who shared how parks can make the case for quality of life. Dr. Clower and Dr. Mark White, who collaborated with NRPA on its 2015 and 2018 studies on the economic impact of local parks, stressed the following for park and recreation agencies: “Don’t be afraid to shamelessly promote yourself!

Find metrics and anecdotes to back your agency’s story.”

The event’s final panel focused on community perspectives on business retention and attraction and featured Jessica Heer, senior vice president of talent attraction for “Say Yes to Dallas”; Michael Clark, director of Roanoke Parks and Recreation; Pete Eshelmen, director of outdoor branding for the Roanoke Regional Partnership; and Andy Shapiro, corporate location advisory expert and managing director for Biggins Lacy Shapiro & Co. During this engaging discussion, they revealed what motivates people and businesses to move to a city, and how park and recreation agencies can play a part in attracting talent and economic opportunity.

Eshelman and Clark of Roanoke, Virginia, shared their experiences

in drawing businesses to a city that, as they admitted, many had never heard of or thought was the abandoned North Carolina settlement from colonial days. In Roanoke, a city in the Blue Ridge Mountains of southwestern Virginia, parks and recreation plays a vital role in the economic development of the city and is an asset for business attraction and retention for outdoor-minded businesses. “Rivers and trails are more than just water and dirt — when you give them a little bit of support, they can be economic drivers,” says Eshelman. He adds that it’s about more than just tourism; it’s about changing the way every citizen views Roanoke.

Heer of “Say Yes to Dallas,” a campaign to bring businesses and

new residents to Dallas, and Shapiro, a corporate location advisory expert, brought a perspective from outside parks and recreation: factors like affordability, family and schools do play a more important role in drawing businesses and new residents.

However, as Shapiro points out: “Parks and recreation are among the few location variables that local or regional government can control.”

To access some of the insights shared during the Oklahoma City Innovation Lab on “How Communities Can Attract Businesses: Parks Making the Case for Quality of Life,” go online to www.nrpa.org/events/in novation-labs/innovation-labs-okla homa-city-oklahoma/.

Jayni Rasmussen is NRPA’s Advocacy and Outreach Manager (jrasmussen@nrpa.org).

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ADVOCACY

Keep Pressuring Congress About LWCF Reauthorization

By Kyle Simpson

F

rom green space to boat ramps, splashpads, playgrounds and urban gardens, the Land and Water Conservation Fund has helped park departments across the country purchase and improve outdoor recreation space in every congressional district in every state. Now is the time to learn more about the Land and Water Conservation Fund and about some easy steps to ensure that this program continues.

What Is the Land and Water Conservation Fund?

The Land and Water Conservation Fund, or LWCF as it is commonly called, provides financial resources for both federal and local recreation projects from the revenue generated from oil and gas leases on federal land. On the federal side, this money is used for land acquisition and is

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largely responsible for the expansion of trails, parks and other recreation spaces. The portion of the fund that is most important to NRPA members, however, is the State and Local Assistance Grants, or stateside grants, which have provided $3.6 billion in federal funds to every state, territory and the District of Columbia.

The stateside grants begin with

states engaging both their residents and state leaders to determine their outdoor recreation assets and needs, and to determine, as a state, the priorities and goals for increasing outdoor recreation. Based on these goals, states allocate the money received each year from the federal government to state projects, as well as to funding projects at the local park and recreation level. The allocation that a state receives is based on a formula that uses state population as the largest determining factor.

Deadlines, criteria and selection vary slightly from state to state, but one major requirement for projects is that the funding must be matched at a 1:1 level by local funding. This funding requirement has been a core component of the program and is often met by using private and public funds.

Within LWCF, there is also a grant program that specifically targets more urban areas. The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP), created in 2014, is a fund that is distributed through a nationally competitive program to cities with more than 50,000 people. ORLP grants are larger in size than the standard stateside grants and are designed to go to economically disadvantaged urban areas where opportunities for outdoor recreation are limited, but they also require the local dollar-for-dollar funding match. This program has been successful in connecting underserved communities to nature in our most urban areas.

What Is Happening with LWCF? LWCF is politically popular, doesn’t use taxpayer money and is distributed to every state in the country, so it appears to be a no-brainer of a program, and, to some extent, it is. In the past several years, the program has seen increased federal appropriations due, in no small part, to the advocacy work of NRPA members. It was authorized in 1964, and, during the more than 50 years of its existence, has received broad bipartisan support. NRPA supports its permanent reauthorization, but, recently, Congress has insisted on more short-term reauthorization bills. Three years ago, Congress passed the current program authorization, but it expires September 30, 2018, the end of this federal fiscal year. While both the House and Senate have made progress toward reauthorization, that deadline will soon be here.

The House of Representatives has a piece of legislation (H.R. 502) that currently has 227 cosponsors, more than half of the House of Representatives. While it’s encouraging that so many members have gone on record in support of the LWCF, it hasn’t been given a vote in either the House Natural Resources Committee or before the full House of Representatives.

Compromise legislation, contained in the Energy and Natural Resources Act of 2017 (S. 1460), cleared the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources but hasn’t received time for consideration by the full Senate. The Senate has been toying with the idea of bringing an energy bill to the Senate floor for consideration, and this is a great opportunity to extend LWCF for years to come. While it becomes more challenging to get money for the program from Congress, anyone who relies on LWCF funding can take some comfort in knowing that if its authorization expires, the program does not cease to exist when the authorization expires, come October 1.

know about the parks in your community that have been funded through the LWCF. NRPA’s public policy team can work with you to invite those members of Congress out to visit your park over the summer. In fact, we would love to put together an “LWCF Road Show” that would make a stop in your community with your members of Congress. Our Park Champion program (www.nrpa. org/our-work/advocacy/Park-Champions/) makes it easy to invite your local legislators. If you have received funding over the past few years for a park that’s hosting a groundbreaking, ribbon cutting or other event, let us help you bring it to the attention of your members of Congress.

The Land and Water Conservation Fund is an exciting program that ensures land for recreation will be around for future generations to enjoy. The public policy team looks forward to working with you to ensure its continued success.

PARKS & RECREAT Salsbury Indus

Kyle Simpson is an NRPA Senior Government Affairs Manager (ksimpson@nrpa.org).

What Can You Do? It is imperative that Congress hear from the users of the LWCF about the importance of this program, specifically of the stateside grants. Public pressure needs to be applied to get the LWCF considered by both the House and Senate. One of the easiest ways to do that is by letting your member of Congress

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LAW REVIEW

Governmental Immunity for Park Security Policy James C. Kozlowski, J.D., Ph.D.

A

bsolute governmental immunity (i.e., sovereign immunity) has been abolished in most jurisdictions and replaced by a state tort claims act or similar statutory framework. An applicable tort claims act defines the limited scope and types of claims that can be brought against the government.

Many of these state statutes have retained governmental immunity from any liability for negligence under a “discretionary function” exception. In general, these immune discretionary functions involve the powers inherent in government to exercise independent judgment in policy and planning decision making without fear of liability and being second guessed by the courts.

One such immune discretionary function generally includes policy decisions by governmental officials

26 Parks & Recreation

on the manner in which to deploy available law enforcement resources. In the case described herein, the issue was whether the county was immune from any liability for alleged negligent security in failing to deploy police to a public park where a shooting occurred. In resolving this issue, the appeals court had to determine whether the county had exercised judgment and discretion in establishing a park rental policy, which stipulated the county was not responsible for security during an event in a public park.

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911 Shots Fired In the case of Sanchez v. Miami-Dade County, 2018 Fla. App. LEXIS 5600 (Fla.App. 3 Dist.

4/25/2018), plaintiff Christopher Sanchez was shot in Miami-Dade County’s Benito Juarez Park while attending Eli Salgado’s birthday party. The specific issue before the court was whether the county was immune from any liability for alleged negligence in failing to “allocate off-duty police officers as security to protect [shooting victim Sanchez and] the partygoers” at Salgado’s event.

On August 24, 2012, Eli Salgado purchased a Miami-Dade County Park Foundation membership for $149. This membership included a coupon book containing several

promotional items, including a coupon for the use of a park shelter without payment of the requisite rental fee.

Along with Salgado’s membership and the coupon booklet, Salgado was given a copy of the park’s rules and regulations to be followed when renting a park facility. These rules contained a section regarding when permits and off-duty officers are required and provided notice to Salgado that it was his responsibility to obtain the correct permit(s) and to hire off-duty police officers under certain circumstances.

When Salgado rented a shelter at the park for his September 22, 2012, birthday party, he simply asked to rent the shelter and used the free rental coupon contained in his membership coupon booklet. Salgado did not obtain any permits or hire any off-duty police officers. Instead, he procured two private security officers to provide security at the party.

The only park employee present for this after-hours private party was Diogenes Martin, a part-time park service aide, whose responsibilities were to clean the restrooms and the park before and after an event, keep the area clean and change the trash bags during the event. Also present was a teenage volunteer who was helping Martin that night.

Martin testified in his deposition that he performed his duties as required on the night of the party. He made sure the restrooms and area were clean, the trash was properly disposed of and the trash bags were changed when the cans became full. He explained that Salgado was celebrating his 18th birthday, and the party consisted of mostly 16- to 18-year-olds who were eating, dancing and just having a good time.

Salgado’s parents were present at the party.

There were also two large men present, wearing “Security” T-shirts, who appeared to be patrolling the area and providing security for the party. Martin did not see anyone using drugs, fighting or having a confrontation with anyone. Everything was calm and everyone seemed to be having a good time when, suddenly, at around 10:00 or 10:30 p.m., he heard shots fired. As soon as he realized that some of the kids had been shot, he called 911 and then called his supervisor.

Park service personnel do not provide security, do not check to see if the renter has obtained the required permits, are not trained in crime prevention and are not authorized to “police” the area.

Inga Portilla, a park manager, confirmed that park service aides are only responsible for maintenance within the park. Park service personnel do not provide security, do not check to see if the renter has obtained the required permits, are not trained in crime prevention and are not authorized to “police” the area. Portilla explained that “once we rent the facility, we don’t have anything to do with direct involvement of the parties,” and “we are not responsible for the party.” According to Portilla, it was Salgado’s responsibility to follow the rules,

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LAW REVIEW

obtain the necessary permits and hire off-duty police officers if he was having a party that required off-duty police officers.

Negligent Security Claim Sanchez brought a claim of negligent security against the county.

In so doing, Sanchez alleged the standard of care for the county was established by county procedures, which required “at least one off-duty police officer” at the party. Sanchez claimed the county had effectively admitted that

Sanchez alleged the standard of care for the county was established by county procedures, which required “at least one off-duty police officer” at the party.

28 Parks & Recreation

“there should have been at least one off-duty police officer to provide security at the park,” because “the County park zone manager testified that off-duty police were required to deter crime and for safety and to be proactive.”

In addition, Sanchez’s “security expert” had testified “about the need for police at the event and the deterrent effect that police have”: At least two off-duty officers should have been providing security according to the security expert. The record shows that the attack was both foreseeable and preventable...The county’s park manager admits that this event required at least one off-duty police officer to provide security...However, there were no off-duty police officers providing security at the party. Off-duty police officers pro-

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vide much more effective security than private security guards who have no more authority than any ordinary citizen.

Accordingly, Sanchez’s security expert opined it was “foreseeable that there would be criminal activity at the party, but it could have been avoided had the county provided the off-duty officers.”

In response, under applicable state law, the county argued it was immune from any liability for negligent security. The trial court agreed and entered summary judgment in favor of the county. Sanchez appealed. On appeal, the issue was whether governmental immunity barred Sanchez’s negligence claims against the county.

Policy/Planning Immunity According to the appeals court, the

test for determining when a governmental entity enjoys immunity from liability would depend on whether the alleged negligence involved a policy/planning decision: Certain quasi-legislative policy-making, planning or judgmental governmental functions cannot be the subject of traditional tort [i.e., negligence] liability...[On the other hand,] decisions or actions implementing policy, planning, or judgmental governmental functions — generally do not enjoy sovereign immunity...

While nearly every endeavor involves some level of discretion, it is the governmental quasi-legislative discretion exercised at the policy-making or planning level which is protected from tort liability.

In this instance, the appeals court found “the unrefuted evidence supports the legal conclusion that the County made a discretionary policy/planning decision to allow patrons of its parks to rent its facilities for private parties or events”: Relying on its legislative/permitting/licensing authority, the County enacted certain rules and regulations governing the rental and use of its parks and the park’s facilities.

Based on the County’s limited resources, it exercised its discretion to assign only twenty-seven officers to the Parks and Recreation Department to service all of the parks, beaches, and County-owned recreational areas located throughout the county and to direct those officers to primarily patrol the public beaches and marinas on the weekends, rather than directing them to patrol and monitor private parties being held in public parks.

As noted by the court, the county had “included certain restrictions

and requirements within its enacted rules and regulations and rental agreements, which the party or event host was required to follow”: Among other things, these rules

and regulations required the renter to go to the police department and (1) obtain a broadcast permit if using a D.J., live music, or sound equipment; (2) obtain a special

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LAW REVIEW

event permit if over 200 guests were expected to attend; and (3) hire off-duty police officers under each of these scenarios.

Further, the appeals court found that “the rules and regulations and the rental agreement specified that the County’s park employees would not be responsible for the failure to meet any of these requirements.”

Moreover, the court noted Salgado did not abide by these rules and regulations when he used his free coupon to rent a pavilion for his birthday party: Although Salgado had a D.J. and sound equipment at the party, he did not obtain a broadcast permit or hire off-duty police officers from the police department.

Contrary to the County’s rules and regulations, Salgado had hired two private-duty security officers instead of obtaining the necessary permit(s) and hiring off-duty police officers.

Having found “the County’s decisions were quasi-legislative discretionary policy or planning decisions,” the appeals court determined governmental immunity would apply.

The county required those who rented its park facilities to obtain permits and hire off-duty officers for certain types of events.

Police Deployment Discretion In reaching this conclusion, the appeals court acknowledged the county’s power to govern was protected under the doctrine of sovereign (i.e., governmental) immunity whenever it “exercises discretion30 Parks & Recreation

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ary authority to enforce compliance with the laws and protect the public safety.” In particular, the appeals court noted “[t]he decisions of the County regarding where and how to deploy its available manpower (sworn police officers) is a discretionary or planning function”: It was a governmental decision made in the exercise of its discretionary authority regarding the manner in which compliance and enforcement of the law and the protection of the public would be effectuated.

As characterized by the appeals court, the county had decided not to assign officers to patrol or be present at private parties or events held in its public parks. Instead, the county required those who rented its park facilities to obtain permits and hire off-duty officers for certain types of events. Similarly, the appeals court found it was also a “planning/policy discretionary governmental decision” on the part of the county to determine how those who rented its park facilities would be notified of their obligations and responsibilities.

Law Enforcement Priorities As cited by the appeals court, “the Florida Supreme Court and intermediate appellate courts have long held that a municipality’s decision on where to allocate its police resources is a planning level decision that is not subject to civil liability”: The city has the right to set its priorities in reference to law enforcement. Inherent in the right to exercise police powers is the right to determine strategy and tactics for the deployment of those powers. The sovereign authorities ought to be left free to exercise

their discretion and choose the tactics deemed appropriate without worry over possible allegations of negligence.

A government must have the flexibility to set enforcement priorities on its police power ordinances in line with its budgetary constraints. Without the ability to make such choices, a government must either pay the high cost of total enforcement or forego the exercise of its police power. Neither option serves the public interest.

Allocating Police Resources Applying these principles to the undisputed facts in this particular case, the appeals court found that “the county had allocated only twenty-seven officers to the parks department, and of those twenty-seven, they were assigned primarily to patrol the public beaches and marinas”: [T]he county made a strategic decision in allocating its law enforcement personnel to dedicate only a few dozen officers to its parks, rather than other high crime areas in the county, and to prioritize beach-and-marina parks over other ones.

In the opinion of the appeals court, “the county’s decision to allocate its scarce law enforcement resources to one area of the county over another is the kind of discretionary, planning and policy decision that is protected by sovereign immunity”: To hold otherwise would be to require the county to allocate police officers to park birthday parties, to the exclusion of other high-crime or high-priority areas, or face millions of dollars in potential liability. Such a decision would violate

the constitutional principle that policy-making, planning, and judgment calls by the government are reserved to the executive and legislative branches, and cannot be second-guessed and picked-over by the courts through traditional tort liability.

Given the need to allocate scarce law-enforcement resources, the appeals court recognized the county had made a conscious policy decision to require the person throwing a party in a county park to provide security, not the county. As a result, the appeals court determined the county’s alleged negligence in failing to allocate off-duty officers to the party was a planning decision, immune from any claims of negligence.

The appeals court, therefore, held “the county is shielded from liability for not allocating off-duty police officers” because sovereign immunity “protects its policy and planning decisions about where to allocate its limited police resources.”

Conclusion The appeals court, therefore, held “the county is shielded from liability for not allocating off-duty police officers,” because sovereign immunity “protects its policy and planning decisions about where to allocate its limited police resources.” Having found the trial court had “correctly concluded the county was entitled to sovereign immunity,” the appeals court affirmed the summary judgment in favor of the county.

In reaching this conclusion, the appeals court acknowledged that this was a “tragic case” in which “two young men were shot while attending a party.” In finding the county was immune from any liability, the appeals court, however,

noted the shooting victims were not left without a legal remedy.

On the contrary, the appeals court indicated the “shooters, the party organizer, the security guards and some others may be responsible for their negligent and willful actions,” in separate lawsuits not involving the county.

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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PHOTO BY BILL HARRISON

CONSERVATION

A child plays on the nature playground in Black Hoof Park in Lenexa, Kansas.

Conservation Education and Recreational Opportunities in Lenexa, Kansas

By Jenny Doty and Allysha Walmann

F

rom the Rain to Recreation program, to the development of the I Like Lenexa app, the city of Lenexa, Kansas, has capitalized on an interdepartmental approach to provide recreational opportunities, while also connecting its residents to conservation education.

Lenexa’s Rain to Recreation program was developed in 2000 and is a nationally recognized infrastructure and community education initiative.

The program calls for building stormwater management systems that incorporate high-quality natural habitats and recreational water features within city parks. These projects also present many opportunities to educate residents about conservation and water quality, while providing valuable recreational amenities.

Interpretive signage throughout the park educates visitors about native plants and wildlife, as well as the park’s innovative stormwater treatment and water-quality functions.

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Lake Lenexa One such project, a community favorite, is Lake Lenexa at Black Hoof Park, which officially opened in 2009. The initiative required the close work of many departments, such as municipal services and parks and recreation, to make the public’s experience with the pro-

gram informative and seamless.

A 35-acre lake, dam and spillway control flooding around Coon Creek by temporarily holding back rainwater and slowly releasing it after a storm. Visitors flock to the lake for fishing and boating, and the unique architecture of the dam and spillway provides a stunning backdrop for family gatherings and photos.

About 3 miles of trails for hiking and biking wind through the 160-acre park surrounding the lake, immersing visitors in a woodland habitat and offering the occasional glimpse of deer, red foxes and birds. Interpretive signage throughout the park educates visitors about native plants and wildlife, as well as the park’s

The I Like Lenexa app has helped Lenexa Parks & Recreation staff connect with hard-to-reach audiences, like teenagers.

‘I Like Lenexa’ App In 2013, the city’s park and recreation department developed an innovative program, called Playground Passport, which encourages residents to visit as many of the city parks as possible and enjoy the new structures and features. Soon after this program was introduced, parks staff had a new idea: What if Playground Passport went digital?

A collaboration between Lenexa Parks and Recreation, Enterprise System Technology and the city’s communications department to create a mobile-app version of the Playground Passport evolved into an even more robust and inventive I Like Lenexa app. It integrates a digital Playground Passport, community news, information about parks and pools, and community games and challenges all in one dynamic, exciting program.

The digital version of Playground Passport uses an in-app QR code reader to scan signs at each location and users receive credit for visiting the park. Since the app links to maps and directions, each park is easy to find, and descriptions and photos accompanying each passport desti

PHOTO COURTESY OF CITY OF LENEXA

innovative stormwater treatment and water-quality functions.

Shortly after the construction of Lake Lenexa, voters passed a local sales tax in 2008 to be used for park and recreation infrastructure, including the replacement of many playground structures. By the end of this year, 24 out of 27 playgrounds across the city will either be installed or replaced. City leaders knew that throughout this process showing residents the value of their tax dollars was important. nation help parkgoers plan their visit by highlighting notable park features and amenities.

The I Like Lenexa app allows residents to further connect not only to their playgrounds, but also

to special events, parks, pools and trails, while competing against their friends and neighbors to win prizes.

The “Achievements” feature allows app users to complete challenges to win points, which they can redeem

Creating Fun Ways to Spray & Play!

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CONSERVATION

Two boys climb Osage Orange Trees in Sar Ko Par Trails Park.

for prizes at Lenexa Parks & Recreation facilities.

Some challenges encourage residents to regularly use the parks, trails and playgrounds. Visiting 15

Using data compiled by municipal services, parks and GIS staff, detailed, user-friendly park maps will help visitors quickly find the location of amenities.

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different trails in a year will earn users 15 points through the “I Love Trails” achievement. Those points can then be redeemed for an “I Like Lenexa” sticker or a Frisbee, or saved up for high-point items, such as a piggy bank or a fleece blanket.

Other achievements help visitors get ideas for outdoor plans, explore park features they did not know existed or learn about nature conservation. The “Trail Ranger” achievement encourages participants to explore a trail looking for specific items in nature, pick up litter along the way and learn more about local wildlife.

The app has been a big hit with residents, with more than 3,700 ac-

tive accounts as of June 2018. Staff from across the Lenexa organization are preparing to launch a new version of the Lenexa app that will provide even more opportunities for Lenexans to connect with their parks, including countless opportunities for community engagement and education.

Using data compiled by municipal services, parks and GIS staff, detailed, user-friendly park maps will help visitors quickly find the location of amenities at each Lenexa park once the new version launches in late July. One of the most exciting features is the ability to do walking tours, like a stormwater education walk that’s sched-

The dam and spillway at Black Hoof Park provide vital flood control and a stunning location for picnics.

uled to launch in late August. The app will use GPS technology to tell when users have reached a certain spot on the walk, like a rain garden or riparian corridor. Once the user has reached these locations, the app can launch a slideshow of native plants or a video of water flowing through the streamway, along with text or audio that educates the user about key water-quality topics.

Integrating existing functionality from smartphone health apps will allow residents to achieve fitness goals in our parks system through walking challenges on our trails and specialized workouts that utilize park amenities.

Augmented reality offers exciting opportunities for wildlife conservation education. Using this technolo-

gy (remember the popular Pokemon Go app?), a family can gather around a smartphone to see a digitally created red fox strolling along the empty trail. Clicking on the animal will tell the visitor more about this interesting creature and its habitat.

As with most municipal governments, projects such as these

are typically â&#x20AC;&#x153;ownedâ&#x20AC;? by one department. But when all departments recognize the value of collaboration, and the benefit to the residents, only positive things will happen.

Jenny Doty is Recreation Supervisor for the City of Lenexa (jdoty@lenexa.com). Allysha Walmann is Communication Specialist for the City of Lenexa (awalmann@lenexa.com).

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H E A LT H A N D W E L L N E S S

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CITY OF CHATTANOOGA DIVISION OF OPEN SPACES

Children scramble over one of several challenging obstacles along a new adventure section directly off the multiuse path near the Sterchi Farm Park and Trailhead in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Pathways to Play

By Marla Collum

A

s the creators of park experiences, how can we better engage with children and families and encourage greater use when designing paths and trails? For the second year, NRPA and Disney issued that challenge to park and recreation agencies across the country and sought innovative ways to introduce fun and play to help children and families be more active.

Through the Meet Me at the Park play spaces grant program, now a total of 50 communities have been selected to receive grants to support projects that are increasing access to play and physical activity in local parks for children and families.

This program is part of NRPA and Disney’s commitment to provide 1 million kids and families with greater access to play, and some of these innovative spaces are using paths and trails as the backdrop.

Blazing Trails for Nature Play In Baltimore, Maryland, home to

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the third-largest urban wilderness park in the United States, the Carrie Murray Nature Center, Friends of Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park and many volunteers have created a fun way for families to feel safe hiking along an urban wilderness trail. The wilderness park is surrounded by 22 neighborhoods within walking distance, but unfortunately, many young families are reluctant to enter the forest because of safety concerns.

The answer to helping people feel comfortable was a simple, but exciting idea. Stretch a nature

play space along an easy loop trail with a “bread crumb” method of enticing families to try out a new experience with hands-on nature activities. The intention was to cause as little disturbance to wildlife habitat as possible and create play areas from natural materials.

Dangling wooden logs become a xylophone, blending into the surrounding environment.

In a less “urban” forest, Kitsap County Parks in Washington has created an adventure trail for kids and families to discover and explore the forest around them. This new trail experience provides opportunities for kids and families to learn about native plants, tree species and wildlife habitats and to develop outdoor adventure skills, while offering insights on the workings of a forest environment.

A woodland character, trail narrator — “Boomer” (a mountain beaver) — introduces parts of a forest experience. Simple activities for exercise, balance and observation skills are introduced, such as a long timber beam walk, a zig-zag balance beam, a hole climb, stepping stones and boardwalk to view a forest ravine.

There’s a stone, in-ground compass and sundial to orient outdoor adventurers. Travis Buell, assistant park director, notes: “This is a new venture for our county parks and it is proving to be a destination play facility.”

Clamber, Scramble, Traverse The city of Chattanooga, Tennessee, is welcoming adventure seekers to a new trail at Sterchi Farm Park and Trailhead, the city’s first environmental art piece. The new adventure section is directly off the multiuse path near the Sterchi Farm trailhead and features several ramps users can walk, climb, ride or run across. Several of the obstacles feature challenging objects spanning two ramps to traverse, such as repurposed logs.

“The South Chickamauga Creek Greenway is one of the most vital elements in a growing network of trails and paths in our city,” says Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke. “The new project at Sterchi Farm will enhance the experience for everyone and is another terrific example of how public art and public land can work together to create a safer, stronger and healthier Chattanooga.”

Dinosaur Hunt!

Life-sized dinosaur replicas are the focus of a healthy initiative project at Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation in Georgia. The dinosaurs are finding new homes in county parks and along greenways to encourage kids and families to get outdoors and explore public lands. Educational signage providing interesting facts about each dinosaur and programs, such as scavenger hunts and guided walks, will be a great incentive to search for and discover the creatures, particularly for families with young children. After the first year, the county will assess the program and decide if the statues

should be moved to different park locations to create new attractions for dinosaur enthusiasts.

A path or trail can provide a perfect setting for people to be active and connect with nature. When helping to inspire kids and families to get outdoors, trails and paths can also be the location where they explore, learn and play. Through the Meet Me at the Park play space program, new opportunities for kids and families to experience the benefits of play are being created across the country. Play space projects that focus on making trails and paths more fun and engaging are encouraging greater use of those places for play, physical activity and so much more.

Marla Collum is NRPA’s Senior Manager of Programs (mcollum@nrpa.org).

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POND/MATTHEW WILDER, PLA, ASLA

SOCIAL EQUITY

Social Equity, Parks and Gentrification

By David Rouse, FAICP, ASLA

I

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n a 2010 article in the Boston College Environmental Affairs Law Review, environmental lawyer and current Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator for Region 1 (New England) Alexandra Dapolita Dunn listed the “exceptional benefits for the urban poor” that green infrastructure (including parks) can provide as better air and water quality, improved public health, enhanced aesthetics and safety, green job opportunities, increased food security and more. Recent research by NRPA and George Mason University highlights the important role that parks also play as economic infrastructure by attracting businesses, residents and visitors to a community. There is a concern, however, that park investments can lead to displacement of existing residents by attracting new, wealthier residents and increasing property values, a process called gentrification.

Research also shows that investment in parks can lead to substantially increased property values and housing prices. Between 2003 and 2011, property values near the High Line in New York City increased 103 percent, despite the deep recession, and $2 billion had been invested in related development. Housing prices along a portion of the 606 Trail in Chicago rose 48 percent from 2013 (when construction began) to 2016.

The evidence shows that residents of low-income and minority communities have less access than their more affluent neighbors to parks and other forms of green infrastructure.

In a 2016 survey of 49 studies on this issue, Alessandro Rigolon, an assistant professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, found that ethnic minorities and

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low-income people have slightly better access to parks in terms of proximity (walking distance), but striking inequities exist in terms of park acreage, quality, maintenance and safety. A study in Oakland, California, found that tree-canopy coverage ranged from 47 percent in a high-income council district to 12 percent in a low-income council district.

New York City’s High Line and Chicago’s 606 Trail are examples of signature park investments, designed as regional attractions that draw visitors from well beyond their adjacent neighborhoods. What, then, can be done to improve social equity and prevent gentrification through local park investments?

Atlanta’s Lindsay Street Park, developed through a grassroots partnership with the process of identifying improvements led by residents, is an example of a small park that had a big impact on the surrounding community.

Based on field work in the Greenpoint area of Brooklyn, New York, researchers Winifred Curran and Trina Curran coined the term “just green enough” to describe a strategy, led by the local community, to achieve environmental remediation without gentrification. This strategy targeted clean-up of a severely contaminated creek in a working-class neighborhood and development of local-serving greenspace along the creek while maintaining industrial uses and jobs.

Regardless of terminology (and I’d suggest “community-driven green” as an alternative to “just green enough”), an approach to achieving social equity through local parks should begin with the premise that low-income and minority residents have as much equal right to access quality parks and green spaces as more advantaged populations — perhaps even more so, given the legacy of underinvestment and environmental injustice that’s all too common in their neighborhoods. The approach includes three key principles: • First, residents must be engaged in a robust, community-driven process to identify local priorities and needs for parks and green spaces.

• Second, the resulting investment should leverage the environmental, economic and social co-benefits parks can provide in meeting community priorities. These might include improving environmental conditions, creating local jobs and providing a place for community gathering and recreation.

• Third, the park investment should be coordinated with planning strategies to address broader community needs, such as housing, economic development and trans

portation. The latter is particularly important to address the potential for gentrification through actions to preserve and expand affordable housing stock, relieve pressures on low-income tenants and homeowners, and increase economic opportunity for residents.

Park investments following this model are smaller in scale than civic green space projects, like the High Line and 606 Trail, and may occur on scattered sites and/or in diverse forms, such as neighborhood parks, community gardens, greening of vacant lots and green alleys.

Lindsay Street Park in Atlanta is an example of a small (1.5 acre) park that had a big impact on the surrounding community. Opened in 2015, it was the first park in the English Avenue neighborhood, which has a history of crime, vacancy, and unemployment. The park was developed through a grassroots partnership involving The Conservation Fund, Park Pride, the city of Atlanta and others, with the process of identifying improvements led by residents.

The project uses green stormwater infrastructure to reduce flooding and improve water quality.

Co-benefits include reclamation of vacant lots once filled with weeds and trash, training and jobs for local youths, and providing a safe place for kids to play and the community to gather.

Is Gentrification Inevitable?

As research director for the American Planning Association (APA), I was privileged to partner with NRPA on the Great Urban Parks Campaign, an initiative to explore the benefits that green stormwater infrastructure

To maximize the benefits of park investments for residents while preventing gentrification, park professionals should engage the local community in identifying needs and priorities. in parks can bring to underserved communities. APA’s role included preparing a series of briefing papers (available through the NRPA and APA websites) to help public officials, planners and park professionals make decisions and formulate local policies around parks and green infrastructure. These briefing papers provide more information on the connections between parks, equity and green infrastructure, including references for studies cited in this article.

Parks have a key role to play in social equity by ensuring that all people have access to the recreational and other benefits they provide (one of NRPA’s three pillars). However, park improvements can lead to gentrification and displacement of residents by causing higher property values and rising housing costs. This process is not inevitable. To maximize the benefits of park investments for residents while preventing gentrification, park professionals should engage the local community in identifying needs and priorities, be aware of the effects larger projects can have on surrounding neighborhoods and work with planners to coordinate park investments with strategies to address housing, economic development and other community needs.

David Rouse, FAICP, ASLA, is Managing Director of Research and Advisory Services for the American Planning Association (drouse@planning.org).

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PARKS AND RECREATION

A LIFETIME E R V Y O O F DISC ONTH • JULY 2018 M N O I CREAT E R D N A NRPA’S PARK

By Cort Jones

P

ark and Recreation Month is upon us, and we’re as excited as ever! A month dedicated to celebrating the field that you put your heart and soul into day in and day out. This July, we’re celebrating A Lifetime of Discovery, and we want to explore all the amazing programs and services your local park and recreation centers offer.

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Since 1985, America has observed July as the nation’s official Park and Recreation Month.

While we celebrate all the fun and exciting programs that are offered, we also celebrate the critical role that parks and recreation plays in the communities it serves every single day. Sometimes, some of the offerings and efforts aren’t recognized — due, in part, to the fact that they are “undiscovered” by members of the community. This July, we want to make sure that changes.

For the most part, when people think of parks and recreation, they envision playgrounds, swimming pools, sports leagues

and summer camps, but parks and recreation is so much more.

Park and recreation centers are our home base, our refuge, our places to gather with friends and family. Park and recreation centers are feeding our kids, keeping our parents and grandparents healthy and active, and doing remarkable things to help the environment. Today, parks and recreation offers more than it ever has — and more than you may realize. That’s why this year, we want to highlight the sometimes “undiscovered” roles of local park and recreation centers.

The joy of discovering something new in one’s own backyard

The joy of discovering something new in one’s own backyard — that also has lifelong benefits — is priceless, and Park and Recreation Month is the perfect opportunity to showcase everything your agency has to offer your community.

— that also has lifelong benefits — is priceless, and Park and Recreation Month is the perfect opportunity to showcase everything your agency has to offer your community.

THE WI N N ER

2018 Park and Recreation Month Cover Contest Thanks to everyone who submitted photos for this year’s cover contest.

The winner of the coveted cover spot is from an event hosted by Essex Junction Recreation and Parks in Vermont. The event takes place at the Maple Street Pool, and community members are encouraged to bring their dogs and let them swim! Mimzy, the star of this month’s cover, looks like she’s having a blast jumping off the diving board!

NERS-UP N U R T HE Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation in Carmel, Indiana

Three Rivers Park District in Plymouth, Minnesota

St. Charles Park District in Saint Charles, Illinois

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PA R K & R E C M O N T H

Nearly 33 percent of park and rec agencies across the country are offering STEM programs, and that number is continuing to grow.

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Does your agency offer STEM programming to your community?

STEM has been getting lots of attention lately, and it’s not hard to see why. Nearly 33 percent of park and rec agencies across the country are offering STEM programs, and that number is continuing to grow. STEM programming empowers youth and teaches them valuable skills they can put toward a future career.

STEM teaches problem-solving, improves creativity, initiates curiosity and promotes critical thinking — all of which are vital tools for our next generation. If your agency is providing STEM education in your afterschool programs, encourage your community to come see the benefits for themselves! (Tip: You can show off your STEM programs by inviting your community to the Park and Recreation Month Open House Day on July 21!)

When it comes to getting kids active — and making sure they stay active — one of the best ways to engage them is to make the activities fun. Kids are more likely to participate and enjoy the activities if they are having a great time.

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Innovative Health and Wellness Opportunities Has your agency implemented creative ways to foster a healthy environment for members of your community? Perhaps you offer healthy meals to kids in out-ofschool time programs, healthy cooking classes or unique programs to help older adults stay healthy and active. These are all great opportunities for your community. Make sure they’re aware of these offerings so they can take full advantage of them!

When it comes to getting kids active — and making sure they stay active — one of the best ways to engage them is to make the activities fun. Kids are more likely to participate and enjoy the activities if they are having a great time. (Tip: Implement the Park and Recreation Month Summer Camp Dance into your summer camp programming! You can find the training video at www.nrpa. org/events/july/summer-campdance/.)

Conservation Efforts Does your agency have green stormwater infrastructure in or around your facilities? Things like bioswales, permeable parking lots and rain gardens are all efficient ways not only to reduce flooding and improve water quality, but also to provide an opportunity to educate your community about the conservation efforts your agency has undertaken and to show how those efforts impact them.

You may have even done something as simple as plant a pollinator garden. Pollinator species have declined in numbers, become endangered or even gone extinct due to the loss of natural food supplies and habitat. A pollinator garden

can help tremendously in the fight to save these species, and you can share the importance of pollinators with your community in the hopes that they may plant their own gardens! (Tip: Take a photo or video of your conservation efforts and share it on social media using the hashtag #NRPADiscoveryChallenge to enter our weekly photo contest!)

Special Events Many of your community members may not be aware that some of their favorite events are either hosted or sponsored by their local park and recreation agency. Concerts, festivals and so many other familyfriendly events take place in local parks or at recreation centers. Park and Recreation Month is a great time to highlight the special events going on throughout the year. (Tip: Be sure to promote these events on your webpage or social media sites.)

Now It’s Time to Celebrate!

Now that you’ve thought about some of the things you want to highlight to your community during Park and Recreation Month, there’s only one thing left to do — celebrate! If you haven’t already taken advantage of the materials and resources we provide to ensure you have everything you need to celebrate Park and Recreation Month, you can find them at www.nrpa.org/july.

Be sure to keep us posted on everything you’re doing throughout the month by using the hashtag #DiscoverJuly on social media.

Let’s make this the best Park and Recreation Month yet, and let the world know that all the great work you do really does uncover A Lifetime of Discovery!

Cort Jones is NRPA’s Communications Manager (cjones@nrpa.org).

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PHOTO COURTESY OF DETROIT RIVERFRONT CONSERVANCY

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DETROIT’S

Rebirth

How community activists, nonprofits, crowdfunding partners, and state and city park and recreation agencies are taking back their city

By Vitisia Paynich

I

n June 2011, Michigan Radio asked its listeners to sum up Detroit in one sentence.

One listener, Mohammed Fahad, described the city as “a book that has a battered cover but pages full of great words,” a sentiment likely shared by his fellow Detroiters. These are people who have remained loyal to the city despite years of economic turmoil triggered by residential foreclosures, commercial disinvestment, severe unemployment, a declining population and subsequent bankruptcy.

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DETROIT REBIRTH

industrial complex and then sold it to the developer for $1.

Olson explains that the DNR committed funds to the project with the plan to “buy the land from the developer as a turnkey [property] to create the vision” of an “Up North, Downtown” experience for Detroit residents and visitors.

During its first year of operation, OAC welcomed 100,000 visitors.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHIGAN DNR

The Detroit Riverfront

This 36-foot indoor waterfall is one of the outdoor features in the experiential Outdoor Adventure Center.

It’s that unwavering devotion and genuine love for their hometown that have inspired neighborhood activists, corporations and nonprofits to collaborate with state and city park and recreation agencies, as well as crowdfunding partners to not only help restore and preserve Detroit’s history, but to breathe new life into this riverfront metropolis.

As part of its ongoing series on parks transforming cities, towns and communities, Parks & Recreation highlights some of the projects that are helping to revitalize Detroit and stimulate its economy.

Outdoor Adventure Center On July 20, 2015, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) opened the Outdoor Adventure Center (OAC) to the public as part of the Detroit riverfront’s ongoing restoration efforts. Located along the East Riverfront across 46 Parks & Recreation

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from the William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor, the Outdoor Adventure Center encompasses a three-story, 41,000-square-foot facility that was converted from the historic Globe Building.

The experiential center boasts a 36-foot indoor waterfall, 3,000-gallon freshwater aquarium, 40-foottall interactive tree, as well as all-terrain vehicle, bicycle, kayak, canoe and fishing-boat simulators. OAC also offers programs for school group activities.

The OAC project totaled $17.8 million, with $12.8 million in renovation costs and $5 million for exhibits. According to Ron Olson, chief of parks and recreation at the DNR, the redevelopment process was made possible by grant funding from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund — along with assistance from the Detroit Economic Growth Development Corporation, which purchased the old

The Detroit RiverFront Conservancy (DRFC) is just one of many nonprofits to partner with the DNR on various projects along the waterfront. “We have seen a significant amount of economic development that has been stimulated by the transformation of the riverfront and the construction of the Detroit RiverWalk. And, that is a part of Detroit’s comeback,” notes Mark Wallace, president and CEO of the DRFC. “The tax base and the jobs created are very important to supporting the sustainability of our city as an ongoing enterprise.”

Accessibility is key to these projects both on the east and west side of the river. Wallace describes the East Riverfront as a 3.5-mile promenade punctuated by a series of parks, which are great places for community members of all ages to gather and enjoy the outdoors.

About a half-mile walkway separates these parks, which translates to a 5- to 10-minute walk from one park plaza to another.

“One of the gaps remaining along our 3.5-mile stretch of East Riverfront is a project we are currently working on called Atwater Beach,” says Wallace. “Atwater Beach came out of a community engagement process with residents and stakeholders.” In 2017, The Gannett | USA Today Network’s program,

called “A Community Thrives,” awarded a $50,000 grant to help the Conservancy transform the former buoy storage site into a beach and playground. That grant led the way for other philanthropic support from the Knight Cities Challenge, the William C. Davidson, Jr. Foundation and others. Atwater Beach is slated to open in spring 2019. Near Atwater Beach, the Conservancy is working with the city of Detroit to provide a bike and pedestrian path to the riverfront called the Joseph Campau Greenway.

On the West Riverfront, construction is nearly underway on another project. “We have recently announced the winner of an international design competition for the 22-acre site, which is called West Riverfront Park,” notes Wallace.

Michael Van Valkenburgh Asso-

ciates will design West Riverfront Park. What’s more, the DRFC is close to constructing a boardwalk through an existing marina that connects the current RiverWalk to West Riverfront Park. Wallace adds: “This is going to be a really important place for the local community and for the city of Detroit.

Those residents can walk and bike to the park and folks throughout southeast Michigan can come to explore Detroit.”

Given the myriad projects under construction around the riverfront, partnerships are crucial to the DRFC’s funding. “The Conservancy has been blessed to have remarkable partners — from the execution end and from the funding side,” Wallace says. “The state DNR Trust Fund has been very generous to us and very supportive of our

work. All told, we’ve raised $170 million, and almost all of that is through individuals’ philanthropic efforts and corporate giving.”

Log Cabin in Palmer Park Palmer Park is a 296-acre park that was designed by landscape architects Frederick Law Olmsted and Charles Eliot during the late 1800s and donated to the city in the 1890s

by U.S. Senator Thomas Palmer and his wife, Lizzie.

During the 2000s, however, Detroit was saddled with mounting debt and constricted budgets, forcing the city to announce the closure of the historic Palmer Park in 2009. This didn’t sit well with the neighborhood.

“There was protest and a group of people got together and said, ‘You can’t close our park! It’s too im-

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DETROIT REBIRTH

On October 30, 2016, PFPP achieved its $25,000 goal, and since then, all the stained glass windows in the structure have been repaired.

Neighborhood Parks In January 2017, the Detroit City Council approved the 2017 Parks and Recreation Improvement Plan — something community members had waited years to see. “As part of the first phase of our plan, we had a strategy for making full-capital renovations to 40 neighborhood parks,” says Meagan Elliott, chief parks planner for the Detroit Parks & Recreation Department.

“We wanted to start off by doing some meaningful implementation where residents could see a big impact quickly, focusing on neighborhood parks with acreage between 1 and 5.5 acres for all those 40 parks.”

According to Elliott, this was an effort to rebuild trust among residents, who had been the stewards of many of these parks for such a long time. To make this happen, Detroit Mayor Mike

PHOTO BY BARBARA BAREFIELD

portant!’’ recalls Barbara Barefield, board member of People for Palmer Park. “We realized that you can’t just have protests; you have to have a sustainable organization to pull the community together, to get volunteers and funding, and to work with the city to make the park work.”

This prompted a group of community activists to form the People for Palmer Park (PFPP), a nonprofit entity with a mission “to further the preservation, revitalization and viability of Palmer Park.”

In June 2016, the city committed $400,000 to stabilize and restore Palmer Park’s Log Cabin, with its rustic exterior and unique Victorian-style interior that was built in 1887 as the Palmers’ summer retreat. Some of the repair work included abatement, interior cleanup, foundation repairs, along with a new porch and cedar-shingle roof. People for Palmer Park then turned to Patronicity, a crowdfunding platform, to launch the “Light Up the Cabin” campaign to raise $25,000 in matching funds to repair all the stained-glass windows in the log cabin.

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Duggan dedicated $12 million in unspent bond funds toward the 40 parks initiative. Elliott says, “That was significant because it was really the first time, in a very long time, that we had a significant amount of city capital going toward quality-of-life improvements in neighborhoods all over the city.”

In addition, Detroit Parks & Recreation has a $67 million budget spread out over the next three years that will go toward the park capital improvement strategy, as specified in the Parks and Recreation Improvement Plan, and toward 10 catalytic parks, which is part of a coordinated strategy called the Strategic Neighborhood Fund.

This initiative emphasizes neighborhood growth and inclusion in 10 large areas of Detroit.

As Elliott points out: “The breakdown of funding is different for the entire Strategic Neighborhood Fund strategy, but for parks purposes, it’s a $24 million commitment over three years from the city.” She adds that, although it’s not confirmed, the park agency will apply for $8.5 million in state funding, with an additional $34.5 million in philanthropic fundraising. “It amounts to a very complicated spreadsheet, but we are getting creative when it comes to finding resources to make great public spaces for our city,” she explains.

One park revitalization project that just finished is Ella Fitzgerald Park, which features a basketball court, green space and greenway path, picnic/barbecue area, playground and a bike repair station. The new 2.5-acre park also boasts a multipurpose field. The vision for the project was “to transform a quarter-square-mile area by removing blighted structures, beautifying vacant lots and creating homes for new residents, which will contribute to stabilization, increased property values, and improved quality of life.”

Log Cabin Day square dancing at Palmer Park.

Elliott is particularly fond of the Gateway Parks Project.

“Anytime a park is up for a full-capital renovation, we evaluate the edges of the park thoroughly,” she says. “And oftentimes, there will be an abandoned house or a vacant lot adjacent to the park. Part of the park improvement process is to work with our land bank to take ownership of those lots. That way, rather than vacant areas being something that keeps residents from using the park, it is transformed into a new point of access that enhances the space and the neighborhood around it.”

Sustainable Thinking As the city continues to rebound, some Detroiters are doing their part to give back to the community. Such is the case with the Veterans Green Village, a sustainable housing and business incubator.

Gordon Soderberg, the program’s director and founder, partnered with Blight Busters Detroit to start an urban farm on the corner of Burgess and Orchard Street. He says the veteran component is geared toward veterans who want “to learn how to produce their own food on a commercial scale,” but to create a farm small enough that one person can maintain it. The Veterans Green Village relies on Research Detroit as a crowdfunding source to raise donations online.

Brightmoor Artisans Collective (BAC) is another grassroots organization that partners with local farmers to provide residents in underserved communities access to healthy, affordable food.

“We try to provide a lot of opportunities for distribution [and] accessibility to community members to come in and learn about all the produce that is available here, as well as how to grow it, how to prospect it and how to start businesses around it,” explains Brittany Bradd, director and kitchen manager, Brightmoor Artisans Collective. There are four components to the organization’s mission: (1) Artisans Café & Farmers’ Market, (2) a commercial kitchen, (3) kitchen classroom and (4) community creation space. To solicit donations, BAC has partnered with Patronicity to spearhead crowdfunding efforts.

Inclusion and Accessibility Anyone who’s visited Detroit in the past few years no doubt has seen its resurgence. Through their community activism and philanthropic endeavors, Detroiters are not just helping to preserve their city’s proud history, they are also helping to create more natural, inclusive and accessible public spaces that tell a more powerful story that says: We are Detroit and we welcome you!

Vitisia Paynich is a California-based Freelance Writer for Parks and Recreation magazine.

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10-Minute Walk Campaign:

Celebrating Mayors and Cities Leading the Way

By Jared Mummert

E

veryone deserves a great park close to home. It was that belief that led the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), The Trust for Public Land (TPL) and the Urban Land Institute (ULI) to launch the 10-Minute Walk campaign in October 2017.

Since the campaign’s launch, nearly 200 mayors have signed on, committing to improving park access and quality in their cities.

Since October, cities have been acting on this bold vision. In April 2018, NRPA announced the first 12 cities to participate in technical assistance for the 10-Minute Walk campaign. Led by their mayor’s commitment, these cities demonstrate innovation and ingenuity through their approaches to create, connect, enhance and activate parks and open spaces. The first cohort of grantees represents a range of geographic diversity, city size, bipartisan municipal leadership and local partnership support. They are as follows:

Mayor Ethan Berkowitz (D), Anchorage, Alaska

(Population 300,000; 74 percent within a 10-minute walk) In collaboration with the Anchorage Park Foundation, National Park Service and the Alaska Native Heritage Center, the Municipality of Anchorage is working to engage new and indigenous Alaskans in local parks. Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz says, “Parks improve our quality of life and community well-being. We are fortunate that Anchorage has 223 parks, and we’re making sure that all residents can enjoy them.” The city will focus its efforts on connecting residents to parks via trails and developing park programs that represent the community.

Patrons of a lunchtime outdoor concert sit on the grass in a downtown Anc horage park.

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Mayor Steve Alder (D), Austin, Texas

(Population 964,000; 60 percent within a 10-minute walk) The Texas capital is working to ensure that all residents have access to high-quality parks within a 5-minute walk inside the urban core of the city and a 10-minute walk Butler Park in Austin, Texas outside the urban core. The city has incorporated the campaign’s goals through its comprehensive plan, Imagine Austin, and will capitalize on this momentum to have publicly accessible, child-friendly parks close to home. “Parks help make our community healthier and improve the quality of life of our residents.” says Mayor Steve Alder. “Austin is proud to continue our work to increase park access and quality for all in our city.”

Mayor Francisco “Frank” Moran (D), Camden, New Jersey

(Population 77,000; 94 percent within a 10-minute walk) As a post-industrial powerhouse subjected to decades of economic decline and an accompanying disinvestment in its park system, Camden is focusing its efforts on reinvigorating and growing its park system. The city is dedicated to investing in its existing parks through community-led design processes, unlocking its expansive waterfronts through the creation of riverfront parks and trails, activating its parks and closing the gap on park access.

Mayor Francisco “Frank” Moran explains: “High-quality parks are a critical component of the social, environmental and economic health of Camden’s neighborhoods. Through a dynamic collaboration of dedicated governmental, nonprofit, private-sector and community-based partners, Camden continues to build the park system that our residents deserve.”

Mayor Ted Terry (D), Clarkston, Georgia

(Population 12,500; 71 percent within a 10-minute walk) Clarkston Mayor Ted Terry states: “Clarkston is a diverse and vibrant small town that is home for residents from all corners of the world. Creating a park system that provides a welcoming environment for all residents is a key cornerstone of our goals of equity and inclusion.” A small city known as “the most diverse square mile in America,” Clarkston aims to connect community residents to local parks. By creating parks, enhancing existing trail networks, and strengthening walking and biking connections, the city will work to create a park system that is welcoming for all residents.

Mayor Andy Berke (D) Chattanooga, Tennessee

(Population 175,000; 36 percent within a 10-minute walk) A city surrounded by natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities, Chattanooga is focusing its efforts on residents who do not have access to these great amenities. The city will be enhancing connections to parks through infrastructure improvements, such as improved sidewalks and bike lanes, along with new trails and greenways, and will develop a new Parks and Greenways Master Plan that highlights access and park equity.

“Chattanooga is proud to be connecting all of our residents to local parks,” says Mayor Andy Berke.

“From greenways, playgrounds and splashpads, to hiking and biking trails, Chattanoogans should possess options for activities and community gatherings.”

Mayor Bill Wells (R), El Cajon, California

(Population 102,000; 45 percent within a 10-minute walk) In “The Valley of Opportunity,” the city of El Cajon is dedicated to ensuring every citizen is within a 10-minute walk of a park. A city with a large immigrant and refugee population, El Cajon plans to acquire land and develop a financing plan to create pocket parks throughout the city and enhance connections to parks for all communities.

Mayor Bill Wells says, “The city of El Cajon recognizes that parks make life better, and we are honored to be one of the first cities selected for such an invaluable grant that will set in motion plans to create parks within a 10-minute walk for all residents.”

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10-MINUTE WALK

Mayor Lovely Warren (D), Rochester, New York

(Population 208,000; 78 percent within a 10-minute walk) A grand city on the shores of a great lake, Rochester is committed to equitable park access. The city will focus on identifying barriers and gaps in connections to parks while enhancing public awareness and engaging communities in park programming. “Parks make neighborhoods more beautiful and offer wonderful recreational opportunities for children and families. Investing in recreation and fitness opportunities is important to foster healthy children and citizens of all ages. This grant will also help us in our efforts to create overall safer, more vibrant neighborhoods, more jobs and better educational opportunities for our residents,” says Mayor Lovely Warren.

Mayor Rudy Durham (NP), Lewisville, Texas

(Population 104,780; 61 percent within a 10-minute walk) A suburb of Dallas, Lewisville is making strides to have equitable 10-minute walk access to parks. “Ensuring each of our residents has easy access to our green centerpiece and park system via trails and pedestrian connections is identified as Big Moves in Lewisville 2025,” says Mayor Rudy Durham. “We are proud to be a leader in the 10-Minute Walk to a Park campaign and look forward to working with NRPA, TPL, ULI and our community partners to bridge gaps of access for everyone.” The city, which has a large population of immigrants and refugees, will be partnering with Chin Community Ministries, the Youth Action Council, Keep Lewisville Beautiful and neighborhoods to engage community members in assessing walkability and access to parks. It will also integrate 10-Minute Walk campaign goals into development guidelines, creating a lasting impact on the future of Lewisville.

Mayor Buddy Dyer (D), Orlando, Florida

(Population 259,000; 60 percent within a 10-minute walk) Orlando is committed to a parks system grounded in inclusivity and equitable access. The fast growth of Orlando provides the opportunity to expand its network of multiuse trails, enhance connections to parks, and update development codes and policies to ensure park equity and quality.

“Studies show city parks are good for health, social connection and the economy,” explains Mayor Buddy Dyer. “As Orlando continues to grow, it’s important for us to make a critical investment in parks and maintain quality green space for everyone. This grant will help us provide great parks within a 10-minute walk from home to more of our residents, no matter where they live,” Dyer adds.

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Mayor Rosalynn Bliss (D), Grand Rapids, Michigan

(Population 193,000; 72 percent within a 10-minute walk) In the growing city of Grand Rapids, local officials and community partners are working to erase disparities in historically underserved parts of the city, while creating new public spaces that keep pace with current development. Mayor Rosalynn Bliss shares: “Parks play a critically important role in our community. This campaign complements the goal we have set as a community to ensure there is a park within walking distance of every child who lives in our city.” By developing an equity-based prioritization plan for park acquisitions, maximizing public land, and identifying public and private funding mechanisms, Grand Rapids aims to have equitable park access for all residents.

Mayor Noam Bramson (D), New Rochelle, New York

(Population 78,000; 91 percent within a 10-minute walk) Located on the border of the most populous city in the United States, New Rochelle aims to build on its current walkability and recreation goals. “Our project goal will focus on reducing barriers to park access in underserved communities, improving environmental conditions and community health, and expanding access to nature,” says Mayor Noam Bramson. The city is working to increase walking connections to parks and to create new parks and open space, making the city “ideally yours.”

Mayor Allan Ekberg (I), Tukwila, Washington

(Population 20,000; 80 percent within a 10-minute walk) A diverse and growing suburb of Seattle, Tukwila centers its 10-minute walk plans around engaging the community. “Parks play a critical role in the health and well-being of our communities,” says Mayor Allan Ekberg. “In Tukwila, we are proud to engage with our diverse communities in connecting all our residents to quality local parks within a 10-minute walk from home.” Through innovative community outreach with underrepresented and historically marginalized communities, the city aims to create new parks, enhance park programming and make lasting change in the well-being of its residents.

Each of these mayors has shown an understanding that parks and open space are essential components of healthy, resilient communities, economic development and thriving neighborhoods. At a time when parks are the penultimate budget priority, these mayors are championing investment in parks.

Under the leadership of the mayors and through dedicated city staff and

partners, these 12 cities and all 200 cities that have joined the campaign, will be making a difference in their communities by nurturing the bonds that connect everyone in the city. It’s not too late to join this group of city leaders. Contact 10minutewalk@ nrpa.org to join the campaign.

In addition, on October 10, 2018, these 12 cities will announce a specific and measurable commitment

to the campaign, and we are inviting all cities that have signed on to submit their own commitment to be announced in October. Visit the 10-Minute Walk campaign website at www.10minutewalk.org to learn how and to be recognized as a national leader in park access, equity and quality.

Jared Mummert is an NRPA Program Specialist (jmummert@nrpa.org).

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21 Bringing Riverside Regional Park into the

UM: EVAN FINCH

COLLECTION

THE INDIANA ALBUM: EVAN

FINCH COLLECTION

ianapolis, e White River in Ind An outing down th 5. len Gould, c. 190 Indiana, on the He

THE INDIANA ALB

30th Street Bridge, Riv erside Park, Indianapolis, Indiana, c. 1920.

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1

st Century

By John D. Jackson, PLA, LEED AP

I

n November 2017, Indy Parks and Recreation completed a master plan for Riverside Regional Park in Indianapolis. At 862 acres, the park is larger than New York City’s Central Park and second only to local Eagle Creek Park in size. But size is only one reason the project is newsworthy.

Riverside Regional Park was established by Mayor Thomas Taggart in 1898. Originally 953 acres straddling the White River, the park’s development was initially overseen by parks superintendent J. Clyde Power. Power’s work was informed by prior comprehensive park planning efforts in Indianapolis by Olmsted, Olmsted and Elliot, George Kessler and Lawrence Sheridan. In 1913, Kessler created the only prior master plan known to exist, but this plan was only partly realized. The White River flooded in that year,

resulting in loss of life and massive damage to downtown Indianapolis and the surrounding areas.

Kessler’s plan included a series of lagoons that would serve to naturally manage flood waters. However, in a short-sighted reaction to the flooding, the city elected in-

RATIO/BONDY STUDIO

The Indianapolis Parks System’s Historic Crown Jewel

stead to build levees that created protection from future flooding but that cut off the river visually and physically from adjacent land uses within the park. Despite this, Riverside Park was a major destination for Indianapolis residents for many decades, and news reports of the time indicated it was not unusual for the park to be filled with thousands of people on a beautiful summer afternoon in the early 1900s.

The park was filled with magnificent structures typical of the City

Rendering of a boardwalk through the proposed Wetland Adventure Park in Riverside Park.

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RATIO/BONDY STUDIO

R I V E RS I D E R E G I O N A L PA R K

Above: An architectural rendering of the Taggart Memorial Performance Venue in Riverside Park. At left: Yard signs were part of the planning team’s community engagement strategy.

RATIO

Beautiful Era. Canoe clubs flourished and created opportunities to engage the river. Commercial recreational boats plied the river, taking passengers from Riverside to Fairbanks Park 3 miles upriver (now the campus of Butler University). Visitors enjoyed concerts, golf, tennis, picnicking, dances and trips to the city’s zoo, which was first located in the park. Unfortunately, Riverside Park experienced disinvestment over time — the level of and reasons for the disinvestment, and the social toll of these decisions, are too numerous to mention. In short, while the once

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grand park continued to serve the city, play an important role in the cultural life of the neighborhoods it served and was a cherished asset — by the turn of the 21st century, it lost much of the luster for which it was originally known.

A Vision for the Future Fast-forward to 2016 when Indy Parks determined it was time for a master plan for Riverside Regional Park. The need for a plan sprung from input received through the 2016 Indy Parks Comprehensive Master Plan, as well as other related planning efforts, like the Northwest Area Quality of Life Plan. Indy Parks selected a design and planning team that set to work designing not only a park, but also a process — one that was intended to be as engaging, inclusive and collaborative as possible. Engage-

ment was identified as a priority due to the amount of uncertainty within the community about the city’s intentions. Prior planning efforts and initiatives had resulted in distrust and suspicion on the part of residents that the city might be interested in selling portions of the park to private interests to fund improvements within the park and elsewhere.

A strong economic argument could be made for this approach, and many national precedents exist that could support this funding strategy. However, Indy Parks Director Linda Broadfoot made it clear from the beginning that the master plan would not include consideration of selling public land. Much of the public engagement process was designed

to build trust, but also to create a vision compelling enough to gain the attention of entities with the ability to become partners in implementing the plan.

The input process proved to be extraordinarily successful and resulted in the plan’s rapid approval at each level of regulatory review.

Dozens of community members and stakeholders were represented on Citizen’s and Technical Steering Committees, as well as participated in extensive interviews. A project website, studio and survey allowed for information sharing and input gathering across multiple platforms. The Groundwork Indy team conducted a door-to-door survey that engaged 1,400 households and resulted in input from more than 3,000 residents. Pop-up

workshops and public meetings also welcomed ideas that shaped the outcome of the plan.

The result of the engagement strategy was a master plan so supported by a broad cross section of the public that it received unanimous approval upon first hearing by the Indy Parks Board and the Metropolitan Development Commission.

To Golf or not to Golf Three of Indy Parks’ 13 golf facilities — South Grove, Riverside and Coffin — are in Riverside Regional Park. In addition, a fourth par-3 9-hole instructional course is part of the Riverside Golf Academy. The recent national decline in participation in golf meant that the team needed to take a hard look at

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RATIO

R I V E RS I D E R E G I O N A L PA R K

Feedback from the community, gathered through a variety of ways, helped inform the planning team’s discussions (above) and build a publicly supported vision for Riverside Park.

Join us for the Mobile Workshop, “Connecting People to the White River Through Riverside Park,” Tuesday, September 25 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the 2018 NRPA Annual Conference. Preregistration is required for each Mobile Workshop, and these opportunities fill up fast. Check out the full list of workshops at www.nrpa.org/conference-training, today.

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whether golf should continue to occupy such a large portion of the park’s land-use program. Research into the revenue generated by golf — versus the cost of course maintenance and operations — also suggested that changing the golf courses to other uses could present an opportunity for more significant revenue generation. For example, one of Indy Parks’ dog parks generated $60,000 in revenue one year compared to the net revenue of $14,000 generated that same year from one of the golf courses at Riverside Park.

Two of the courses were also located in floodplains and experienced frequent damage from flooding. The design team explored more than 10 different land-use concepts that evaluated the benefits and liabilities of changing 18-hole courses to 9 holes, transitioning entire courses to other uses and connecting existing separate courses into one golf experience. Each of the concepts was generated with the input from the Steering Committees, and the public was given

the opportunity to express its preferences for the various ideas.

Feedback gleaned through the online survey, stakeholder interviews and open houses, ultimately, led to the decision to transition the South Grove and Riverside golf courses to other uses. South Grove’s new uses included a pedestrian promenade, new baseball facility, tennis center, unprogrammed green space and multiuse playfields. Riverside’s new uses include an ecology-based adventure park, featuring constructed wetlands and a canopy walk, cyclocross and mountain bike courses, and a bike park, urban farm, disc golf course and nature center. The plan proposed that Coffin Golf Course remain an 18-hole course that would be improved to include a new clubhouse and other amenities, and Riverside Golf Academy remain and be improved as an instructional venue and potential home for the Indiana Golf Association.

A Long-Term Implementation Strategy The master plan identifies a 20-

year implementation strategy, consisting of four major phases of five years each, starting in 2018 and extending to 2038. The estimated value of the plan’s program of improvements, $118 million, can seem staggering given that Indy Parks’ capital budget is typically $4 million–$5 million a year. One way to consider the investment is to calculate it as a cost per acre, which equates to about $137,000 for Riverside.

The planning process included a review of precedents like the 1,300acre Forest Park in St. Louis. A master plan for Forest Park, completed in 1995 and updated several times since, served as the basis for a $100 million restoration. Adjusted for 2017, it equates to about $114,000 per acre. The capital campaign for Forest Park secured the funding in about six years, giving hope that Riverside’s funding challenges might not be as mountainous as they seem. Clearly, creative and strategic partnerships will need to be developed to meet the needs of the plan, and several of those conversations have already started. The Indianapolis Parks Foundation, a local nonprofit that identifies and manages resources for parks and public spaces and has secured more than $60 million for Indy Parks projects and programs over the past 26 years, has identified Riverside Park as a priority.

Fortunately, the plan that resulted from the engagement process is a compelling, publicly supported vision that builds on the past while embracing ecology and recreational trends of the future.

This makes it far more interesting

LASHAWNDA CROWE STORM

Community engagement extended to the youth of the community. Here, kids help create some colorful decor for Riverside Park.

to potential partners than a plan that appears to be more a product of a designer’s rather than the community’s imagination.

Together with NRPA, the Indianapolis Parks Foundation will host a Mobile Workshop at Riverside Park during the 2018 NRPA Annual Conference this September.

Thanks to partners from Nine13 and Friends of the White River, attendees will have the opportunity

to experience Riverside Park and envision its transformational future on a leisurely bike tour and paddle down the river. Each of these unique experiences will highlight catalytic elements of the master plan and its role in a larger effort to restore the White River.

John D. Jackson, PLA, LEED AP, is the Partner in charge of Landscape, Architecture, Planning and Urban Design for RATIO (jjackson@ratioarchitects.com).

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CELEBRATING AMERICA’S BACKYARD A Conversation with Peter Kageyama One of the 2018 NRPA Annual Conference keynote speakers

P

repare to be inspired and amazed by this year’s keynote speakers — Peter Kageyama, author of For the Love of Cities: The Love Affair Between People and Their Places (recognized by Planetizen in 2012 as a Top 10 Book in urban planning, design and development) and Love Where You Live: Creating Emotionally Engaging Places; and SaulPaul, an award-winning recording artist and author, whose album, “Dream in 3D,” (also the name of his book) was nominated for a Grammy Award.

Parks & Recreation recently sat down with Kageyama, “an internationally sought-after community development consultant and grassroots engagement strategist” who

We commissioned some research, put on conferences and just started to change the conversation around community and economic development.

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is passionate about “bottom-up community development and the people who are making change happen.” In addition to writing and speaking around the world, Kageyama is a Senior Fellow with the Alliance for Innovation, a national network of city leaders that is dedicated to improving the practice of local government. He’s also the co-founder of the Creative Cities Summit, an interdisciplinary conference that brings citizens

and practitioners together around the big idea of “the city.”

Following is an excerpt of the conversation NRPA’s communication manager Cort Jones had with Kageyama. Tune in to Open Space Radio later this month for a podcast of the entire conversation and look for a similar conversation with SaulPaul in the August issue of Parks & Recreation magazine.

Parks & Recreation: Taking it back to the very beginning, what got you into this field? What sparked your love for cities and spaces and all this?

Peter Kageyama: In 2003, I first heard Richard Florida speak. Many of you may know, Richard is the author of The Rise of the Creative Class and several other books. The Rise of the Creative Class really put him on the map, and it got people excited about their cities, because he was talking about the role creative people play in their places and the economy of their places. He came to Tampa Bay (I live in St. Petersburg), and he spoke and got folks really excited about this concept. Following that, there was an organization created here to continue the conversation called Creative Tampa Bay. I, eventually, became president of that organization, and we started doing some really cool stuff. We commissioned some research, put on conferences and just started to change

the conversation around community and economic development. And that’s how I kind of morphed from what I was doing before, which was internet-based marketing consulting, into this whole idea of cities and community.

P&R: What do you feel is the role of parks in creating community in cities?

Kageyama: I love parks. I think parks are integral to our relationships with our places. For most urbanists, we kind of think of parks as the thing that was added to cities, you know 18th/19th century, to literally make them livable. We created these cities that were all about industry and building stuff, which was great, but at the same time, those cities were literally poisoning themselves with the outputs of that. They had to create parks to make these cities livable.

But, I think in the 20th century, we had to take that even further; we realized that parks become sort of the amenity that becomes the choice that makes cities not just livable, but desirable — that makes them the place where you want to be. And parks are one of the most egalitarian places in a city. You don’t have to be rich to enjoy a park. Across class, across age — parks are the great equalizer in our places. So, parks play a central role in the relationship that we have with our places.

And, the other thing that I love to say about parks, especially the folks who do the parks and recreation side, is that parks and rec are the fun department. They literally bring the fun to cities. And fun is an incredibly important aspect in that relationship we have with our cities.

You guys are the fun department. I think that’s a unique role that you play and, hopefully, you can help teach some of the other departments in your cities how to have a little bit more fun and how to bring the fun to what they do and, ultimately, to your citizens as well.

P&R: In your book, For the Love of Cities, you said innovative urban design should connect people to their places. What do you mean by that?

Kageyama: Well, we tend to think of places as buildings or constructs, but places are actually the interconnectedness of that. There’s a great Danish architect, named Jan Gehl, who talked about what he called “the secret life between buildings.” We tend to notice the buildings, and we think that that is the city, but the experience of the city, the experience of the community is the walk sometimes between building to building or the building to your neighborhood. The whole idea behind this is the interconnectedness, is all the stuff — even the stuff we don’t necessarily overtly think about — sidewalks, trees,

The whole idea behind this is the interconnectedness, is all the stuff — even the stuff we don’t necessarily overtly think about — sidewalks, trees, parks. parks. We tend to think, ‘I’ll go have lunch at the park or I’ll walk through the park,’ and you think that that is a passageway between two destination points. Well, no. The park itself is integral to the relationship that you have, not only with those two end points, but also to the overall feel of the city. It is, again…that connective tissue that is, oftentimes, not fully appreciated for the role that it plays.

A friend of mine says we have this Oedipus complex in the sense that we look at buildings, and we look at big structures and we think that that’s the city, not realizing that the city is also lots of little stuff. And, it’s also the moments in between the big stuff that make up the totality of our experience with places.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Kageyama provides some examples of how to activate public spaces on a large and small scale, explains what he means by “the garden hose solution,” and shares some innovative urban designs that can apply to parks. Go online to www.parks andrecreation.org/2018/July/a-con versation-with-Peter-Kageyama to read the full interview or listen to the Open Space podcast later this month.

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CELEBRATING AMERICA’S BACKYARD ‘The Year of the Woman’

By Tom Crosley

2018

has been dubbed by some as the “Year of the Woman.” It kicked off with a massive Women’s March on Washington on January 20, which also saw millions of women around the country and the world joining in, in solidarity.

And, as we approach midterm elections this October, an unprecedented number of women have thrown their hats into the political ring.

Among the hundreds of sessions being offered at this year’s conference in Indianapolis are several aimed at increasing our understanding of the role of women, past and present, in parks and recreation, the challenges they have faced and continue to stand against, and how they’re continuing to impact the field. Following are highlights of some of the opportunities being offered:

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Lessons from the Legends: Shattering Stereotypes and Glass Ceilings Alike Approximately 1 in 5 of all the AAPRA Legends are women. Considered together, their stories shatter stereotypes of women’s work and glass ceilings alike. This “Lessons from the Legends” session illustrates the contributions of many women in parks and recreation, through a discussion with Legends and a video montage of many of

those contributions. Speakers: Keri Schwab and Kelly Bricker, with special guests Jane Adams, Karla Henderson and Fran Mainella Being a Woman in the Field: Conversations About Confidence and Courage This fast-paced, highly interactive session will engage the audience in critical conversations about being a woman in the workplace. In today’s environment of heightened awareness of harassment, it’s more important than ever to have conversations that provide shared experiences and solutions to allow women to succeed. Statistics show us women are less confident in the workplace, even though they may be more qual-

ified than their male counterparts.

Through intimate small-group discussions and conversations around common themes, we will learn lessons in courage and confidence, and how to support others and ask for support ourselves. We will work together to change the conversation and improve confidence. Not a session for only women! Speakers: Jacqueline O’Connell and Denise Driehaus Alaskan Outdoor Adventure for Women: Empowerment Through Recreation Would an event called “Hatchets and Heels” catch your eye? Military families assigned to Alaska can find life in the “Land of the Midnight Sun” unfamiliar or even scary. This session demonstrates how outdoor adventure is helping women and families adapt to and embrace life at Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson. Concerns over family resiliency and marital disconnect led to the development of the “Women in the Wilderness” program. It’s designed to provide women (active duty and spouses) with an introduction to outdoor life in Alaska and help them to build new social and support networks through shared adventures. This program serves as a case study in using outdoor adventure to address real-world issues facing women and families in settings beyond Alaska. Speakers: Erica McDaniel and Donald Heeg All of Us: How Empowerment and Equity for Women Can Help All Genders The “Me Too Movement” (#MeToo) is believed to have gone viral in

October 2017 as a hashtag on social media to help demonstrate the widespread prevalence of sexual assault and harassment, especially in the workplace. The phrase, long used by social activist Tarana Burke to help survivors realize they are not alone, encouraged women to tweet and post to “give people a sense of the magnitude of the problem.” Since then, the phrase has been posted online millions of times, often with an accompanying personal story of sexual harassment or assault. To help address this topic, specifically for parks and recreation, NRPA will host this workshop-style session, moderated by Dr. Teresa Penbrooke, CPRE, with a variety of panelists from differing backgrounds and experiences, invited to have an open discussion about how we can help move forward, heal and encourage the strengths that all genders can bring to our workplaces. Speakers: Teresa Penbrooke, Lisa Paradis, Rick Atkins, Deb Jordan and Ryan Sallans Pardon the Interruption: Parks and Rec Edition Live!

Like the ESPN show, our session will be an interactive, exciting time of sharing and learning, as we’ve assembled a diverse panel of park and recreation executives to discuss and debate the top “stories” impacting park and recreation leaders today. Our prepared list includes Referendums – When and Why, What Can Be Done to Boost Women in Parks and Recreation Leadership roles, Diverse Communities Need Diverse Staffs and Programming, Accessibility – Enhancing PwD Participation, Agen-

cy Advocacy with Your Governing Board, Cross Agency Collaboration, Community Immersion-Techniques, and Tips and Agency Transformation vs. Process Improvement. And, we want YOU to bring your hot topics for our panel to discuss on the spot.

Speakers: Denise Baretto, Boe Carlson, Roslyn Johnson, Michael McCarty and Lawrence Hemingway Fantastic Female Recreation Leaders and Where to Find Them In our country, women’s contributions to recreation, parks and open spaces are far-reaching and often underrepresented in the national conversation about the future of our park and recreation spaces. This session will highlight women who have influenced land conservation, social equity, and health and wellness in our communities; for example, Dorothy Enderis, who in the early 20th century advocated for leisure as a necessary element of mental and physical well-being, and Cora Masters Barry, who founded Recreation Wish List, geared toward teaching urban youth how to play tennis and engage them in team sports. The session is meant to provoke meaningful discussion that highlights strong women devoted to positive impact on their communities. Speaker: Rhiannon Sinclair As you make your plans to attend the 2018 NRPA Annual Conference, we encourage you to go online to www.nrpa.org/conference/ and explore the full schedule of events and educational offerings.

— Tom Crosley, NRPA’s Senior Manager of Education

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CELEBRATING AMERICA’S BACKYARD 2018 NRPA Annual Conference Exhibit Hall Highlights

By Ted Mattingly

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he 2018 NRPA Exhibit Hall provides a spectacular display of more than 450 exhibitors that is sure to provide you with awesome ideas and solutions for all your needs. It is a one-stop-shop for all the latest and greatest products and services, playground equipment, cutting-edge park and recreation technology solutions, and athletic and aquatics gear. Over the course of two days and with more than 6.5 hours of exclusive exhibit hall time, park and recreation professionals at every level will have the opportunity to network with potential service providers and fellow attendees, participate in education sessions, win cash and prizes, complete the EXPOdition scavenger hunt and have a great time!

Following the NRPA General Session, Tuesday, September 25, the exhibit hall will open at 10:30 a.m. and remain open until 5 p.m. Wednesday’s exhibit hall hours are from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the first 1,500 people to arrive each day will receive a giveaway item. Tuesday’s prize is sponsored by Background Investigation Bureau (704) and Burke Playgrounds (1031) is the sponsor of Wednesday’s prize.

Networking Fun Several great networking opportunities exist in the exhibit hall. Make sure to check out the Learning Playground (135) for exciting interactive education sessions, visit with the NRPA team at the NRPA member area — America’s Back Yard booth — (2854), enjoy lunch on Wednesday, September 26 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Take advantage of the opportunity to participate in the EXPOdition exhibit hall scavenger hunt, one of our longtime favorite

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activities. Prizes include three free registrations for the 2019 NRPA Annual Conference in Baltimore, iPads, FitBits, T-shirts and gift cards, but they’ll only be available to a select few who get all their squares stamped and turn in their scavenger hunt card by 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 26 at the Burke booth (1031).

Make sure to visit our gift card-drawing sponsors to be eligible for a chance to win $100–$200 American Express gift cards every hour on the show floor, and all attendees have a chance to win $1,000 in cash, a giveaway that’s sponsored

by Toro. One drawing will be held each day, so make sure to register at the Toro booth (1801). Don’t forget to pick up your limited-edition, 2018 NRPA Annual Conference-branded mini-basketball, but you must visit the NRPA Member area – America’s Back Yard booth (2854) for details.

You will also see vendor equipment demonstrations, have a chance to try out new equipment and technology,

see cute four-legged friends at several dog-park displays, take a chance at winning prizes from the Playcore treasure chest (1401), get a cool hat from Gametime (1501), participate in a fitness challenge at the Greenfields booth (1417) for a chance to win fitness equipment, as well as many other opportunities to pick up cool trinkets to take home for yourself (and maybe the family).

The Learning Playground Get the juices flowing on the Learning Playground, site of our most popular interactive education sessions. Here are two sessions you won’t want to miss: “YAY! The Not-So-Subtle Art of Being Childlike Not Childish” on Tuesday from 1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m., and “From Shawn Mendes to the Beatles – Connecting the Generations” on Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.

Meet the NRPA Team Your dedicated NRPA Team will be on hand to network, provide details about our ongoing projects and initiatives related to our Pillars – Health & Wellness, Conservation and Social Equity and of course answer any questions you may have about our member benefits, certifications and online learning (2854).

You can engage with colleagues and NRPA staff, play games and relax in America’s Back Yard.

Visit www.nrpa.org/conference2018 for details and updates. We can’t wait to see you in Indianapolis!

— Ted Mattingly, NRPA’s Director of Facilities and Administrative Services

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION

ENDS AUGUST 1

SEPTEMBER 25â&#x20AC;&#x201C;27, 2018 | INDIANAPOLIS

Register by August 1 To save up to $240 on the Full Package Registration

W W W. N R PA . O R G / C O N F E R E N C E

NRPA UPDATE Congratulations! to the 2018 Innovation and Spotlight Awards Recipients

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he NRPA Spotlight Awards and inaugural Innovation Awards will be presented at this year’s NRPA Annual Conference, September 25–27, 2018, in Indianapolis, Indiana.

New this year, the NRPA Innovation Awards recognize park and recreation agencies nationwide that have improved and empowered their communities through innovative practices in park design, health and wellness, conservation and social equity. The recipients of this year’s awards are as follows:

Innovation in Health Award Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, Alhambra, California

Innovation in Conservation Award Forest Preserves of Cook County, River Forest, Illinois

Innovation in Social Equity Award Chicago Park District, Chicago, Illinois

Innovation in Park Design Award Town of Glastonbury, Glastonbury, Connecticut

Through online voting at the end of June, NRPA members and the public chose from these categories the agency that exemplified the best of the best in park and recreation innovation to receive the Best in Innovation Award. That agency will be revealed during the Best of the Best Awards ceremony.

NRPA Spotlight Awards are presented to individuals to honor their efforts — both professional and personal — in the field of parks and recreation. NRPA is proud to recognize these individuals with the following awards:

Robert M. Artz Advocate Award Nixon Adams, chair, board of commissioners, Recreation District #1, Pelican Park, St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana

Robert W. Crawford Young Professional Award Jeff Ozimek, outdoor adventure programming manager, Bainbridge Island Metro Park & Recreation District, Bainbridge Island, Washington

RWJF-NRPA Award for Health Equity Becky Tuttle, director of community development/chair, Greater 66 Parks & Recreation

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Wichita YMCA/Health & Wellness Coalition of Wichita, Wichita, Kansas

National Distinguished Professional Award Michael Klitzing, chief operating officer, Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation, Carmel, Indiana

Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt Award for Excellence in Recreation and Park Research Andrew Mowen, professor, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania “On behalf of the entire awards committee, I want to congratulate this year’s award winners,” says Cindi Wight, chair of the NRPA Awards Committee. “Their positive contributions to the field of parks and recreation will make a difference in the communities they serve and beyond.”

We hope you’ll join us, Wednesday, September 26, 6:30–7:30 p.m., to help us congratulate this year’s winners.

Their safety is your priority.

It’s ours too.

Meet the Turf Cushion Fall Pad. This added level of high-tech cushioning may help to minimize the chance for injuries.

Most injuries on playgrounds occur as the result of a fall on surfaces that are abrasive, hard or just plain unsafe. That’s where the SYNLawn® Playground System comes in. We’ve developed the safest, most consistent playground surface anywhere.

Our system is designed for all types of playground equipment and protects children from falls as high as 10-feet under the accordance with IPEMA standards and CSA approved fall attenuation.

Up to 20% cooler with patented heatblock technology

NO GRASS STAINS

NON-ALLERGENIC

RAIN OR SHINE

NON-ABRASIVE

SUPERIOR DRAINAGE

EASILY REPLACE HIGH TRAFFIC AREAS

For ordering and questions, contact SYNLawn at 866-796-5296 or visit SYNLawn.com

NRPA UPDATE

Parks for Pollinators

To celebrate NRPA’s Parks for Pollinators initiative, the #Parks4 Pollinators Photo contest was held during the month of June. You were asked to submit pollinators photos and you didn’t disappoint — amazing photography poured in from all over the country! Each winner received a Miracle-Gro Nature’s Care prize pack for their amazing photo. We received so many incredible photos that it would be a shame not to share them all. You can check out the gallery of submissions at www.nrpa.org/parks 4pollinators-photo-contest, and the winners of the contest are as follows:

Week 1 winner: Butterfly on sunflowers with a purple sky by Tina Morrison

Week 3 winner: Dragonfly on twig by Tiffany Soukup

Week 2 winner: Monarchs by Park Ranger Francis Mendoza of the East Bay Regional Park District

Week 4 winner: Bee on a gallardia flower

by Angela Altomare

GET

YOUR DOG ON THE

COVER

Submit your best photo of YOUR DOG IN A PARK between August 2–17

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The Passing of Two Trailblazers in Parks and Recreation

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llen Evrett Doby, Jr., a former member of the NRPA Board of Trustees (1993–1998) and a fearless civil rights leader who dedicated his life to community service, passed away, June 2 at the age of 83.

Among his many achievements, Doby became the first African-American department head in Orange County when he was named director of parks and recreation for the city of Santa Ana in 1980, and went on to become the executive director of the Community Service Agency for Santa Ana.

Doby was born in Hollandale, Mississippi, in 1934 and 12 years later, moved with his family to Los Angeles near the historic Watts Towers. In 1959, he graduated from Compton College, and then obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from California State University, Northridge.

During the early 1960s, Doby embarked on what would be a 19-year tenure with the Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation Department, where he would become the district director. He retired from LA County in 1975 and became the director of parks and recreation for the city of Compton. In addition to working full time in parks and recreation, Doby also volunteered as a reserve police officer, starting in 1977 and retiring in 2000 as a Lieutenant.

Doby’s responsibilities as the executive director of Santa Ana’s Community Service Agency included parks and the Santa Ana Zoo, the senior citizen center, the Bowers Museum and the cable TV station, where he hosted his own show. But, even with his wide-ranging duties and involvement in numerous professional and service organizations, Doby’s passion was around mentoring and helping inner city youth. In each of his park locations, he implemented his sig

nature project, the Catalina Island camping trip for inner city kids.

After a stellar 40-year career, which saw him involved in numerous organizatons, such as the National Recreation and Park Ethnic Minority Society, of which he a charter member and president; the Parks and Recreation Committees of Newport Beach and Laguna Beach, California; National Forum of Black Public Administrators; NRPA’s Board of Trustees; and collecting countless awards, including the NRPA Professional of the Year Award, Doby retired in 1996. In 2016, he completed his autobiography, titled The Parks & Recreation Rebel of the Inner City, in which he recorded the events of his very remarkable life — a journey that began during the height of the Civil Rights Movement and saw him adroitly navigate to highest level of his profession.

Shinshiro Ebashi Professor Shinshiro Ebashi, one of the founders of the National Recreation Association of Japan (NRAJ), passed away on April 8 at the age of 97. A memorial service was held for him in Tokyo on June 23. Ebashi was truly a pioneer in the field of recreation and leisure and his accomplishments are widely lauded in Japan. While serving on the leadership of the NRAJ, Ebashi

Doby

Ebashi

also founded the Japan Korfball Association, and he is recognized as the first president of the National Institute of Sports Science located in the city of Kanoya, Japan.

Barry S. Tindall, former NRPA director of public policy and international liaison who coordinated NRPA international activities for many years, shared that Ebashi’s original interest and study of U.S. recreation science and policy started with his graduate work at Columbia University soon after World War II, with an analysis of the state of New Jersey’s educational requirement for fifth graders to learn about the environment and conservation.

Ebashi was instrumental in establishing a Protocol agreement between NRAJ and NRPA and fostering the ongoing exchange of professionals between the two countries for more than 20 years.

“Ebashi was truly a giant in the parks and recreation field,” says Robert J. Hall, longtime director of parks and recreation in St. Louis County, Missouri, former board member of NRPA and president of the American Academy for Parks and Recreation Administration.

“He was committed to ‘lifelong recreation in Japan,’ and was also a world-class walker, having walked on almost every continent.”

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NRPA UPDATE

$2 Million for Green Stormwater Infrastructure Projects Funding available through the Great Urban Parks Campaign

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pplications are now being accepted for grant funding that will support green stormwater infrastructure projects in 10–12 U.S. communities. As part of the Great Urban Parks Campaign, NRPA is awarding these grants for a second time — expanding on lessons learned from our 2016 grant funding to support green stormwater infrastructure projects.

This grant funding will support green stormwater infrastructure projects that improve environmental quality, increase access to high-quality park and recreation space within underserved communities, and engage the local community.

The goal of the grant opportunity is to create replicable model projects

that provide strategies and lessons learned to other park and recreation agencies. The projects should help advance the implementation of green stormwater infrastructure projects in parks, as a resiliency strategy for communities across the country.

Unlike traditional “gray” stormwater infrastructure that uses pipes and cement to mitigate water left behind

after heavy rainfall, green stormwater infrastructure uses techniques, such as bioswales, permeable pavement, rain gardens, protected habitat and more, to naturally filter and mitigate water from heavy rainfall. Parks are ideally suited for green stormwater infrastructure projects because they offer a multitude of benefits beyond climate resiliency, especially in underserved communities. These projects provide healthy greenspace for recreation, environmental education and green job opportunities.

You can learn more about this grant opportunity and apply at www.nrpa. org/water-conservation/funding.

Building Healthy Communities with Family Health & Fitness Day

T

hank you to everyone — especially our member agencies and partners — who participated in this year’s Family Health & Fitness Day. Together, we are bringing awareness to the important role of parks and recreation in building healthy, active communities. You can view event photos and more by searching for the hashtag #NRPAFamilyFitDay on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and don’t forget to SAVE THE DATE for next year’s Family Health & Fitness Day, June 8, 2019.

June 9 at 12:20 p.m.

Happy #NRPA FamilyFitDay and #NationalGet OutdoorsDay! Get Fit & outdoors at #pbcparks. There’s plenty for you to do (& indoors at some of our facilities too!) www. pbcparks.com

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NRPA’s Family Health & Fitness Day — celebrated on the second Saturday in June each year — promotes the importance of parks and recreation in keeping communities healthy. Agencies everywhere are encouraged to participate by inviting families to get active at their local park or recreation center, or by hosting an event, such as a health fair or family fun run. Members | J U LY 2 0 1 8 | W W W. PA R K S A N D R E C R E AT I O N . O R G

of the healthcare community are encouraged to participate, as well, even as sponsors.

Sponsorship opportunities for Family Health & Fitness Day are available.

To secure a sponsorship, please contact Heather Williams at hwilliams@ nrpa.org or 703.858.4743.

To learn more about Family Health & Fitness Day, visit www. nrpa.org/FamilyFitness.

August: The Best Month to Champion Your Park

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n August 3, members of Congress will head home for the summer to connect with constituents for an entire month — a huge opportunity for your agency. With a calendar packed with exciting events and activities, you’ve got tons of opportunities to invite your members of Congress to join in on the fun. Let them see for themselves how park and recreation agencies are making their home districts and states happier, healthier, more economically vibrant places to live and play.

NRPA’s Park Champion initiative makes it easy to turn your summer events into Park Champion events, simply by inviting your members of Congress! Our step-by-step Park Champion Advocacy Toolkit (www.nrpa.org/our-work/advoca cy/Park-Champions/park-champi on-advocacy-toolkit/) has draft invitations, contact information for all members of Congress’ office schedulers and helpful tips on how to plan a successful site visit.

If you have an exciting summer program, ribbon cutting, park dedication or special summer event, don’t forget to invite your members of Congress!

Head on over to www.nrpa.org/ park-champions to get started!

Reach out to Jayni Rasmussen, advocacy and outreach manager, at jrasmussen@nrpa.org for help with invitations and event coordination.

This summer, you can make a huge difference in the fight for the future of parks and rec! Invite your mem-

bers of Congress out for a visit and show them what parks and recreation means to your community.

SHOW CONGRESS

WHY PARKS MATTER

INVITE YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO YOUR PARKS to show them the impact you make on your community.

NRPA has all the advice and resources you need to be a Park Champion at www.nrpa.org/Park-Champions

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NRPA UPDATE

How to Get the Most Value for Your Park & Recreation Spend Hot Topics Have you posted on NRPA Connect? NRPA Connect allows you to network, share resources, ideas and inspirations with your peers in the park and recreation field.

Here’s a preview of what you’re missing:

W

ith more than 80 percent of adults and children in the United States visiting parks each year, public parks are vitally important to ensuring the health of families and youth and to contributing to the economic and environmental well-being of a community. Local park and recreation agencies provide a wealth of benefits, such as outdoor recreation and physical activity, social gatherings, community engagement and improved quality of life.

1

Social Media Best-Practice Questions – How does a department with multiple divisions handle its social media site(s)?

Is having one Facebook/Instagram page the best practice? Do you create separate pages for events? These are some of the social media best-practice questions your colleagues are asking. Chime in about how your agency’s social media.

2

No Parking Signs – Parking issues are common for park departments. Your colleagues are seeking creative signs or ways to stop patrons from parking outside designated lots. In this discussion see examples of innovative and funny signs from across the country, as well as alternative ideas, such as using parking attendants or large boulders to block spaces.

3

Splashpad Hours of Operations – It’s the middle of splashpad season and fellow professionals are discussing hours of operation. Do your hours differ on the weekend? Do you keep your hours consistent daily? Share your thoughts today!

4

Bird Deterrent – Do you have a birddeterrent method you would recommend? A colleague is looking to build a seating area with a custom trellis with vines and hoping to discourage the pigeons in the area from perching on the trellis. What would you suggest to keep the local birds at bay, while patrons enjoy this outdoor space?

It’s easy to stay in touch. Connect is 100 percent responsive on all devices! Don’t get left behind. Visit www.nrpaconnect.org today to join these and other conversations.

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Despite many benefits, one of the top challenges park and recreation districts face is the lack of adequate funding and the expense of facility maintenance.

Tight budgets make it difficult to keep up with maintenance or to plan and fund revitalization projects or address community needs.

By aggregating the purchasing power of public agencies nationwide, a government purchasing cooperative,

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like U.S. Communities, can help reduce costs and provide access to top-quality suppliers through competitively solicited contracts. Park and recreation departments can utilize a cooperative contract to purchase the best products at the most competitive prices. And, without the need to go out for bids, project timeline can also be shortened.

U.S. Communities can provide your agency with savings on your park and recreation needs, from playground, athletic and P.E. equipment; to utility work vehicles; facility, custom signs and maintenance supplies; and roofing and waterproofing solutions.

Check out the list of suppliers, including GameTime, The Home Depot PRO, TAPCO and more, at www.uscommunities.org/ solutions/park-recreation-solutions.

For additional information on how to save and get the most value for your park spending, visit www.uscommunities.org.

Member Spotlight: Max Madalinski

By Vitisia Paynich

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ax Madalinski didn’t anticipate a career in parks and recreation. After earning his master’s degree in ecological design in 2016, from The Conway School of Landscape Design in Conway, Massachusetts, Madalinski only knew that he wanted to work in a planning and design environment. However, an opening for an associate parks project coordinator for City of Burlington Parks, Recreation & Waterfront in Vermont, eventually, led him to the field. Now more than a year-and-half later at the agency, Madalinski is still enjoying the best of both worlds: planning and designing projects and working outdoors.

Parks & Recreation magazine recently caught up with Madalinski to discuss the most challenging part of his job, why playgrounds are vital to communities and what he deems the best part of being in the parks and recreation field.

Parks & Recreation: What’s the most challenging part about your job?

Max Madalinski: There are a lot of different projects taking place within our department that I manage, as well as projects that my teammates have to manage. On top of that, right now in the city, there are all these other construction projects being built that influence what we’re doing. The biggest challenge is time management and ensuring that everything that needs to get done is getting done. As an example, we’ve got some environmental projects going on as a result of soil contaminants. In Burlington, we have a big waterfront where there used to be a lot of petroleum-based businesses. The city has slowly taken control of these sites and converted them into parks. But any time we want to work on a new project along the waterfront, it means that we’re going to encounter soil with a history of contamination.

It requires a lot of dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s on these projects to make sure that we won’t get in trouble

with the state or the EPA for managing these hazardous materials incorrectly.

P&R: Why are playgrounds so important to communities?

Madalinski: I have a 3-year-old son and we spend so much time at the playground; it’s one of his favorite things to do. Playgrounds give kids the opportunity to be independent, have fun, really get them outside and moving their bodies. We are just starting to renovate a number of our playgrounds now, and we have some really exciting concepts that we’re working on, along with some new equipment that’s compelling and interesting.

P&R: How do you see playgrounds changing in the future?

Madalinski: A project that we’re working on right now is a universally accessible playground, in which everything in it is designed for children of all abilities. I think that’s been a general trend in playground design over the past decade or so.

On another note, it’s obvious that park agencies must ensure that their equipment is not going to break down, fall apart or cause unnecessary lawsuits as a result of kids getting hurt, but we also need to balance [safety and] maintenance with keeping the equipment exciting and

making sure that there’s a [captivating] reason for kids to get on that equipment. Playgrounds need to be more interactive and allow kids to have some independence. Doing research on playgrounds, I’ve found myself very compelled by the adventure playground concept. While there are very few in the U.S., adventure playgrounds have been around for a while — but they have gone out of style over the past three decades in the U.S. due to liability reasons.

They are really popular in Europe, and I think it’s an interesting idea that I personally would like to see more of here in the United States.

P&R: What do you appreciate most about working in parks and recreation?

Madalinski: I love that, as part of my job, I get to interact frequently with the outdoors. Even though I’m mostly a desk-based person at my job, I still get to be outside and go on site visits. On any given day, my job can involve going on a lakefront bike ride just to get from one site to the other to examine construction projects that are going on. That’s definitely one of the biggest perks of being in parks and recreation.

— Vitisia Paynich, Freelance Writer for Parks & Recreation magazine

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©Myles Mellor

Parks & Recreation Crossword

Across 1 Subject of an NRPA pilot regarding walks to parks and schools, 2 words 8 Bring a historic site back to its original condition, say 10 Gung-ho 11 Sun protection 12 Gets exercise in the pool 14 Trees that grow in an awesome Northern California National Park 16 Logical 17 Succulents for parks in desert areas 18 “___ Wiedersehen” 20 NRPA initiative that saves lives, goes with 24 across, 3 words 21 Judge 22 Promotion 24 See 20 across 28 Much-hunted items at Easter 29 Eastern philosophy 30 Honor 31 Vital pollinators

Down 1 Parks help this mental strain 2 Angling 3 Tree sections 4 Capitalize on 5 Watch closely 6 Coined word for educating kids on gardening programs and where their food comes from 7 They provide natural shady canopies in city areas, 2 words 9 Docile, like donkeys 13 Apple state 14 Potato container 15 Tranquil 17 Weather 19 List for the day, 2 words 20 Bring the meal 23 Acidity measurement 25 Owns 26 Lake, in Quebec 27 Add up 28 Decline gradually

Check the answers to the crossword at www.nrpa.org/crossword. As an added bonus for completing the crossword, you can enter a drawing to receive a Build-A-Bear. The winner will be randomly selected July 31, 2018.

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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.

Find out more at www.nrpa.org/education.

SCHOOLS AND CONFERENCES NRPA LIVE! September 25-27, 2018, Indiana Convention Center

November 4-8, 2018 Oglebay Resort and Conference Center, Wheeling, West Virginia

January 13-18, 2019 Oglebay Resort and Conference Center, Wheeling, West Virginia

www.nrpa.org/education

JUNE

AFO PROGRAM

AUG

7-9 21-23 27-29

Irvine, California Livermore, California Wheat Ridge, Colorado

12-14 12-14 12-14 17-19 19-21 22-24

Roanoke, Virginia Novi, Michigan Syracuse, New York Griffin, Georgia Dublin, Ohio Indianapolis, Indiana

www.nrpa.org/CPSI

AUG

Raleigh, North Carolina San Mateo, California

SEP

JUL

17-19 17-19

SEP

CPSI PROGRAM

August 26-31, 2018 Hyatt Lodge, Oak Brook, Illinois

JULY

If you cannot make it this year to the 2018 NRPA Annual Conference in Indianapolis, or would like to extend the opportunity of the conference experience for those at your agency, NRPA Online Learning will be hosting a virtual conference experience streamed straight from the event. This year, we will be streaming nine sessions and three speed sessions, along with other bonus material. This curated set of sessions will be combined with unique virtual networking opportunities to extend the conference experience to wherever you may be.

Registrants have the option of attending single sessions, a single day or the entire conference. This year, if you sign up for the entire NRPA Live virtual conference, we will also include a second set of recorded sessions that will be released following the event. Signing up for this full package will allow you to gain up to 2.0 CEUs! For more information and a list of streamed sessions, please visit www.nrpa.org/NRPALive.

25-26

Troy, Michigan

02-03

Fremont, California

23-24

Bellingham, Washington

10-11 12-13 23-24 27-28

Gainesville, Florida Orefield, Pennsylvania Indianapolis, Indiana Ceres, California

AFOI WORKSHOP The Aquatic Facility Operator Instructor Workshop is an exclusive professional development opportunity designed to prepare new instructors to teach the AFO certification course.

October 21-22 Las Vegas, Nevada

www.nrpa.org/AFO

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OPERATIONS ‘LEDucation’: Helping Municipalities Make the Switch to LED Lighting

By Doug Drotman

O

ne of the most important innovations for municipalities over the past five years has been the advent of LED sports lighting.

A functional product that had not changed for 50 years was revolutionized with unimaginable controllability and functionality. Unfortunately, most people, from operators and architects to electricians and specifiers, were unprepared to understand the differences between high intensity discharge (HID) and LED lighting.

As operators and owners of municipal sports facilities of all sizes consider switching from legacy lighting to energy-efficient and controllable state-of-the-art LED

sports lighting, it’s important that they begin the process with a clean slate — an “LEDucation” if you will. Even though LED lights serve the same purpose as legacy lighting

products, the technological advances have made old design requirements as antiquated as the metal halide fixtures.

“Very often, we are asked to respond to an RFP that was developed by a third party or even another lighting company that ignores the nuances and advantages solid-state LED lighting has over legacy lighting,” says Mike Lorenz, president of Eaton’s Ephesus Lighting. “It’s important that fa-

EPHESUS LIGHTING

The refractive light illuminating this sports field helps control glare, cutoff and light spill.

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cility owners and operators learn how to design their lighting requirements to accommodate these new technologies. For example, if you used specs for installing a new phone system that was developed before the advent of wireless telephones, the clause specifying the optimum length of the phone cord would immediately disqualify your wireless solution. Some of the requirements we see in RFPs are just as ridiculous.”

Here are four misconceptions for sports facility design LED lighting requirements: Remote Not Required For more than 50 years, sports lighting had been powered by a remote power supply, referred to as a ballast or driver. The belief was that a remote ballast at ground level was more convenient for necessary maintenance, and the added weight of ballasts mounted high on the pole would negatively impact the infrastructure. Those concerns are no longer valid. LED sports lighting is virtually maintenance-free and LED fixtures with a built-in driver are commonplace. Since many operators make the move to LED to help save on energy costs, a remote ballast is counterproductive as extra power is needed to compensate for the distance between the ballast and light source.

LEDucation Lesson #1: A remote power source/ballast adds operational costs to a solid-state LED lighting system and prevents functionality, such as full dimming ranges and enabling entertainment scenes.

Direct Versus Reflective Legacy sports lighting products are easily recognizable by the big hoods that help redirect light, via reflection, to the playing surface and control glare. Due to the technological limitations, the hood was an important tool to reflect the light to the playing surface. With digital LED lighting, engineers can now direct the light through internal refractive optics. Whereas reflective lighting redirects the light to the playing surface after it emanates from the fixture, refractive light is precisely modulated internally, to consistently control glare, cutoff and light spill while being delivered directly and efficiently to the playing surface.

LEDucation Lesson #2: Reflectors limit the efficiency of the fixtures by generating unnecessary light that gets redirected. Well-designed LED lighting solutions can control the light internally and deliver it precisely, with no need for external reflectors.

Maytag Repairman Syndrome The precision and reliability of LED sports lighting has made 25-year extended warranties as obsolete as the technology they replace. Extended warranties add unnecessary costs since LED technology practically eliminates the need for “routine maintenance.”

And, as many consumers have experienced with extended warranties for an automobile or appliance, there are many exclusions that protect the manufacturer more than the customer.

LEDucation Lesson #3: Be wary of LED sports lighting manufacturers that exaggerate the importance of purchasing an extended warranty.

The Bottom Line Despite the obvious performancequality advantages of LED lighting, for most municipalities, the decision is driven by the bottom line, return on investment (ROI) and a cost-benefit analysis. Unfortunately, many facility operators get sticker-shock when they see the initial investment and subsequently don’t do the additional research to understand the numbers. When you combine state grants, power company rebates, reduced maintenance and slashed electrical bills, the initial investment seems less daunting and a fast ROI, especially for indoor facilities that have much greater usage, becomes a reality. Two great resources to help guide you through the process are your lighting salesperson or a third-party energy services company (ESCO).

LEDucation Lesson #4: Do your research to understand the numerous costsavings associated with LED sports lighting beyond your electric bill. When you run the numbers, you end up with a much better performing product that eventually pays for itself.

Doug Drotman is a New York-based Contributor to Parks and Recreation (drotmanpr@gmail.com).

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OPERATIONS

The EPA-Compliant Way to Dispose of Fluorescent Lamps

By Bobby Farris

P

ark and recreation facilities provide a safe space for people to interact in a wide variety of activities. And with the arrival of the warmer summer months, more people are staying out later to take full advantage of recreational areas, such as tennis courts, playgrounds and running trails. During the summer, public spaces must be illuminated for longer hours to provide increased visibility and safety for patrons, and park and recreation facilities must manage their operating expenses responsibly while providing pleasant programs and opportunities to their communities.

Park and recreation facilities use many more bulbs than the average home, and by federal law, non-residential fluorescent bulb users are required to follow specific guidelines to dispose of their spent lamps.

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Fluorescent lamps are the backbone of efficient lighting for many recreation complexes. Fluorescent lamps, HIDs and sodium lighting provide strong, consistent illumination for several applications. Used in outdoor lighting for basketball courts, sports fields and parking lots, the familiar lamps are an important part of operations. While park supervisors have started to

make the move to higher efficiency, long-life LED lighting, most non-residential, high-output lamps still contain mercury. So, what is the proper way to dispose of these lamps when they have come to the end of their practical life?

Improper Disposal For households, the EPA recommends boxing up fluorescent lamps and waiting for proper waste collection services to pick them up or dropping them off at a household hazardous waste facility. Park and recreation facilities use many more bulbs than the average home, and by federal law, non-residential fluorescent bulb users are required to follow specific guidelines to dispose of their spent lamps. However, recently, several state and national parks have been cited for improper handling of their spent fluorescent lamps. Whether tossing the bulbs in the solid municipal waste dumpster or burying the lamps on location, the improper disposal of used bulbs has become an environmental problem.

The mercury contained within the lamps is the issue. While perfectly safe when the lamp is in operation, mercury is a dangerous toxin if it comes into contact with people, animals, air and water. The amount of mercury contained in a small, household thermometer is enough to completely contaminate two Olympic-size swimming pools.

A few broken fluorescent lamps on park grounds can contaminate the

soil or natural water features, and ruin a facility’s reputation.

The public looks to its parks as the model of environmental stewardship. Many people actually learn much of their best environmental habits from park leadership, so it becomes all the more important to set the example and properly handle fluorescent waste, not to mention it is an integral part of remaining EPA compliant.

Proper Disposal Single parks and facilities using a limited number of lamps might consider boxing and storing them until it is worthwhile to ship them off for recycling. There are services, like Lighting Resources, that sell specially lined boxes that protect the environment, should a lamp be accidentally broken. The agency simply stores the used lamps in the box, until it’s full and then return it, using prepaid postage.

For towns and communities, lamp recycling can be consolidated. Using a system like a BulbEater® drum-top crusher can make recycling efficient and easy. According to Jake Vest, trades manager at the Village of Northbrook, Illinois Park District, “We recycle all of the bulbs from our facility as well as the Village facilities. Residents can also drop bulbs off at the Village of Northbrook and we recycle those as well.”

Once a 55-gallon drum is filled with crushed bulbs, the user sets up a hazardous-waste pickup with a licensed handler, and in return, gets a certificate of recycling that fulfills EPA recordkeeping requirements. Bulbs are recycled at certified processing facilities where the mercury from the bulb,

as well as the aluminum fixtures, glass tubing and other materials are reclaimed for reuse.

The city of Naperville, Illinois, has filled two drums of lamps (approximately 1,350 bulbs, each) since purchasing a BulbEater® two years ago and hopes to change out all its fluorescent lamps with LED replacements, as the older lamps burn out. Using the bulb crusher has given the city the ability to safely coordinate the retrofit and keep its storage space footprint well-managed.

When considering the disposal of large lamps, like high-pressure sodium lamps used to illuminate sports fields, PalletPak Recycling Kit programs offer a safe way to recycle bulkier fixtures and reflector lamps.

With environmentally sound practices on so many people’s mind, it is important for park systems to be aware of the safe, proper way to dispose of their lamps.

Box and store, shipping or crush-

Box and store, shipping or crushing bulbs are three options for disposing of used CFLs, linear bulbs and highdensity lamps. ing bulbs are three options for disposing of used CFLs, linear bulbs and high-density lamps. Choosing to work with a reputable hazardous-waste handling partner, like TerraCycle® that can provide documented proof of responsible recycling will give your organization the peace of mind that comes with operating professionally.

For more information, check out https://www. epa.gov/cfl/recycling-and-disposal-cfls-andother-bulbs-contain-mercury#important and https://www.aircycle.com/bulb-eater-3/.

Bobby Farris is the General Manager for TerraCycle Regulated Waste (bobby.farris@terracycle.com).

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PRODUCTS Fountains Fountain People introduces a unique, all-in-one fountain design that integrates a pump, light and nozzle into a self-contained deck jet. This highly versatile modular design is cost-effective, prevents downtime and reduces installation and operation costs.

Smartphone technology allows guests to control the fountain for an interactive experience by park users while creating advertising opportunities for local businesses. Fountain People a Playcore Company, 512.393.5263, www.fountainpeople.com

Defense Alert Device

Fitness Equipment

Summer trips, daily runs and hikes in the great outdoors can be fun and refreshing but can also pose safety risks. When considering how best to protect against predatory mammals or even strangers that pose a threat, there is no better nonlethal self-defense tool than this military-grade pepper spray defense alert device with integrated GPS and crowd alert technology. Tigerlight, 888.701.4500, www.tigerlight.net

Brigadoon Fitness announces the launch of the Sport Series Variable Motion Trainer (VMT).

The VMT elliptical is the first of five new products being offered under Brigadoon’s new Sport Series family of commercial fitness equipment. The display provides real-time user feedback, including time, distance, speed, calories and watts.

Designed for full commercial applications, the self-powered VMT is easy to transport and service, and offers a smaller footprint, making it ideal for use in all commercial settings. Brigadoon Fitness, 800.269.7130, www.brigadoonfitness.com

Storage Containers TuffBoxx Grizzly lockable, animal-resistant secure storage containers are ideal for storing sports equipment, such as bases, pitching rubbers, field-lining equipment and tools, goals, balls, nets and more.

Constructed of galvanized steel for strength and rust resistance, the Grizzly features gas shocks on all top lid access containers for easy lid control with “no pinched fingers” safety. The lockable lid ensures security in all environments. With a 20-cubic foot capacity, the Grizzly is ideal for storage at all sorts of parks and recreational facilities.

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Tower Lights Banner Engineering announces TL50 Pro Tower Lights with IO-Link. The multisegment indicators provide the capacity for custom indication and greater clarity in communicating status. TL50 Pro Tower Lights with IO-Link utilize bright, multicolor RGB LED lights, enabling millions of color options in each light segment. These selfcontained tower lights support up to 10 light segments, as well as an additional audible segment, for a total of 11 segments possible in each tower light. Banner Engineering, 1.888.3.SENSOR (736767), www.bannerengineering.com

Drinking Fountain Equipped with marine-grade Type 316 stainless steel, Outdoor Tubular provides superior resistance to corrosion and rust, and withstands even the toughest outdoor elements for peace of mind. Outdoor Tubularâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s multiple shapes and colors allow for dozens of customizable options. In addition, all of Elkayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Outdoor Tubular products are proudly manufactured domestically, and sustainably save thousands of plastic water bottles a year. Elkay Drinking Solutions, 800.476.4106, www.elkay.com

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Bright Idea Shops, LLC Akron, Ohio 800-886-8990 fax 330-258-0167 www.brightideashops.com www.park-signs.net

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IMC Outdoor Living....................................................................................37 Kay Park Recreation Company.............................................................. 85 Kompan...........................................................................................................9 Landscape Structures Inc....................................................................... 15 Lincoln Aquatics........................................................................................ 35 MoistureShield....................................................................................... 7, 59 Most Dependable Fountains.................................................................. C2 Musco Sports Lighting............................................................................. 21 Pilot Rock.................................................................................................... 29 Playcraft Systems..................................................................................... C4 Romtec......................................................................................................... 53 Salsbury Industries.................................................................................. 25 Scoremaster............................................................................................... 85 Shade Systems..............................................................................................1 SofSurfaces..................................................................................................47 SYNLawn.......................................................................................................67 Uline.................................................................................................................9 Victor Stanley.............................................................................................. 19 Vortex........................................................................................................... C3 Waterloo Tent & Tarp................................................................................ 13 Waterplay Solutions.................................................................................. 31 Willoughby Industries............................................................................. 86 The Wood Carver, Inc./Goldenteak....................................................... 86

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American Swing/Playground Services................................................ 82 Amerilux....................................................................................................... 82 Amish Country Gazebos.......................................................................... 83 Aquatix............................................................................................................5 AquaWorx.................................................................................................... 49 BCI Burke..................................................................................................... 82 Brigadoon Fitness..................................................................................... 81 Bright Idea Shops..................................................................................... 82 Cre8Play........................................................................................................43 Daktronics....................................................................................................27 Dock Blocks................................................................................................ 83 Dri-Dek.......................................................................................................... 83 DuMor Inc.....................................................................................................57 Easi-Set Building....................................................................................... 84 Eaton..............................................................................................................17 Eco Chemical................................................................................................ 11 Fountain People-Water Odyssey.......................................................... 33 Gared............................................................................................................ 84 Go Ape.......................................................................................................... 84 Gothic Arch Greenhouses....................................................................... 85 Greenfields .............................................................................................. 2, 3 Gyms for Dogs........................................................................................... 85 Hustler Turf Equipment........................................................................... 23

(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 Š2018 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: $46 a year in the U.S.; $56 elsewhere. Single copy price: $7. Library rate: $58 a year in the U.S.; $68 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.

The Latest Park and Recreation News and Trends

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Available on iTunes and Google Play

www.openspaceradio.org

The Official Podcast of NRPA

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Park Bench

PHOENIX PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT

Water Safety It’s been said swimming is the only sport that can save your life. With the help of essential partners, the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department is making sure its residents have the opportunity to learn how to swim. From Memorial Day through the end of August, the community will be offering more than 18,000 swimming lessons, for children through adults, at 29 pools.

Standard swimming lessons consist of eight classes over a two-week period for $15. However, thanks in part to a partnership with Salt River Project (SRP), a utility company that provides electric and water services in the Phoenix metropolitan area, some lessons offered during June and July are just $3. SRP, which maintains 131 canals in the area, funds the remaining $12.

Juana Hernandez, community outreach representative for SRP, states: “We work closely with Phoenix Parks and Rec on ways to communicate all kinds of water safety, including swimming lessons, hosting educational events at pools and providing lifejackets.” The partnership with City of Phoenix began nearly 15 years ago and continues to evolve to meet the needs of educating the community about the importance of water safety.

Becky Hulett, aquatics supervisor for the City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation, agrees: “Teaching a respect and understanding of water is key to educating water safety. Lessons begin with children having to ask to get into the pool so they learn to wait for an adult.”

Discounted swimming lessons are determined by location, not participant. Phoenix Parks and Recreation looks at areas serviced by SRP where the need is high. When school begins the first week of August, discounted lessons will continue to be offered at 11 pools through the end of the month, thanks to funding provided by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

“Water-safety education is working, kids are learning to swim,” says Hulett. “We would like to make learning to swim as much a part of growing up as learning to ride a bike. We will never know the number of lives the program saves: we can just continue to educate.”

– Suzanne Nathan, NRPA’s Media Specialist

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A LIFETIME OF DISCOVERY THROUGH THE WONDER OF WATER Splashpads have forever changed the way children play in parks and urban spaces and Vortex is proud to have been a driving force behind this revolution in play.

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PARKS & RECREATION JULY 2018 ◆ PARK AND REC MONTH ◆ 2018 NRPA ANNUAL CONFERENCE EDUCATION ◆ 10-MINUTE WALK UPDATE