Innovation in Parks and Recreation: The Winning 2020 NRPA Innovation Award Projects and Programs

media provided information that staff will use in the planning of future HomeRECed events throughout the duration of COVID-19 related restrictions and beyond.

Innovation in Equity — Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, Pennsylvania

Restoring Pittsburgh Parks: The Parks Plan

Restoring Pittsburgh Parks: The Parks Plan was created by the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy, in partnership with the city of Pittsburgh and community members, to establish a more equitable parks system for all Pittsburghers, while also addressing a $400 million shortfall of deferred capital repairs and an annual $13 million maintenance shortfall. The plan calls for enough annual resources to prevent future backlogs, and a new ballot initiative was proposed to raise enough annual funds to address the ongoing need. The ballot initiative aimed to establish a dedicated Parks Trust Fund to invest in high-quality parks for every citizen of Pittsburgh.

The initiative received nearly 30,000 petition signatures, which was nearly 18,000 more than the needed number to be placed on the November 2019 ballot. The ballot question was approved by the citizens of Pittsburgh on November 5, 2019, who voted ‘yes’ to increased funding for Pittsburgh’s parks system. This initiative will now guarantee an additional $10 million per year to Pittsburgh’s parks, in perpetuity, funded by a 0.5 mill property tax levy ($50 for every $100,000 of assessed real estate value). “The Parks Plan has furthered our dedication to improving the lives of the people of Pittsburgh by restoring our parks system to excellence. This is a positive first step in creating a more equitable parks system for all Pittsburghers to enjoy for many years to come,” says Catherine Qureshi, chief operating officer for Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy.

Innovation

The Conservancy engaged Interface Studios, a planning and urban design practice, as a key contributor for data collection, processing and plan development. Interface helped outline individual park need and provided a clear narrative on the investment plan should the ballot initiative pass.

The plan outlines funding to sites in order of their Investment Need Ranking — a data-driven scoring process that considers a range of equity factors, including race, poverty, level of disinvestment in the surrounding neighborhood and existing park conditions. Parks in communities with the greatest need and that haven’t seen significant site investment in years are considered the highest priorities. Each park’s total need is summed up in a single Investment Priority Score, which combines two key measures: local community level of need and the condition of the park itself.

Community Engagement and Partnerships

The Parks Conservancy and the city of Pittsburgh engaged nearly 15,000 residents in more than 220 events from nearly 80 neighborhoods from December 2018 to October 2019 through a Parks Listening Tour.

The Conservancy decided early on that this referendum effort would truly be grassroots in nature. Even so, the Parks Conservancy did call on aligned nonprofits, such as Nine Mile Run Watershed Association and PUMP, for support.

Looking Ahead

The Parks Conservancy stands behind the belief that the equitable investment strategy laid out in Restoring Pittsburgh Parks: The Parks Plan will be sustainable by: investing in traditionally underserved neighborhoods; increasing property values, particularly those properties in proximity to parkland; preserving economic and cultural diversity; creating new jobs; supporting healthier communities; and providing sustainably to the environment.

PHOTO COURTESY OF PITTSBURGH (PENNSYLVANIA) PARKS CONSERVANCY

Restoring Pittsburgh Parks: The Parks Plan was created to establish a more equitable parks system.

Innovation in Conservation — The Woodlands Township, Texas

The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department The Woodlands Township operates as a singular 27,000-acre biosphere, in which 42,000 homes, businesses, schools and churches function as integrated parts of a whole. Greenbelts, preserves, waterways and 148 parks are omnipresent, weaving continuously through the community. The challenge of development is managed through minimizing fragmentation by embracing native vegetation, backyard habitats, tree preservation, wildlife management, pollinator support, water conservation design and practice, 220 miles of pathway and more. “Our founder, George Mitchell, envisioned a community ‘in harmony with nature,’” says Chris Nunes, director of parks and recreation for the Woodlands Township. “We honor that vision through innovative open space design and management, combatting the challenge of urban disassociation from nature.” Shepherding these conservation practices is the Township’s Environmental Services Department.

Innovation

The Township’s innovative approach to open space design/ management combats the challenge of urban disassociation from nature. All households are within a 10 minute walk from a park, preserve or pathway regardless of socioeconomic status, equating to 38.3 acres of open space per 1,000 residents — 279 percent above the national average.

The department’s budget allocates dollars for pollinator health, and roadways are managed to maximize habitat value. Addressing drought and groundwaterlevel concerns as the population increases, the department converted 270,000 square feet of grass to artificial turf, saving 16.4 million gallons of water annually, moved to native/low-water use plants, removed unnecessary irrigation zones and expanded drip irrigation. To maximize landfill diversion, unlimited amounts of residential yard trimmings are collected weekly and the department implemented free curbside textile recycling.

Community Engagement and Partnerships

The Township annually engages residents through public meetings, environmental outreach programs and a scientifically valid resident survey every two years. To address the challenge of invasive plants, the Township formed a Volunteer Invasives Task Force in 2019. To support the Board of Directors’ 2017 proclamation in support of monarchs, the department coordinates with schools, businesses, churches and homeowners associations (HOAs) to develop habitat gardens. When native milkweed, essential for monarch reproduction, was found in short supply, residents were engaged to propagate 14,000 seedlings for habitat gardens throughout the community.

In 2001, the Township collaborated with Montgomery County Precinct 3 on an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program for mosquito abatement. In addition, through partnerships with the Howard Hughes Corporation, Texas Master Gardeners and The Woodlands Garden Club, the Township has provided more than 1 million native tree seedlings to residents for planting.

Looking Ahead

The Township bases its long-term planning on its Pillars of Sustainability, ensuring the community will continue “living, working, playing and learning in harmony with nature.” To that end, 29 percent of The Woodlands (7,700 acres) is held in perpetuity as green space. A 2011 study found the preservation of green space increased home values by 16 percent. The resulting property tax revenue feeds back to the management of those spaces, bolstering long-term sustainability. In addition, 600 acres of ponds/lakes provide ecological and recreational value while upholding stormwater management. Their positive impact on property values ensures maintenance and preservation. And, the Township solidified its commitment to waste minimization/diversion through the 2020 Solid Waste Contract.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE WOODLANDS TOWNSHIP

The Woodlands Township operates as a singular 27,000-acre biosphere in which homes, businesses, schools and churches function as a whole.

Innovation in Park Design — Spokane Parks and Recreation, Washington

Riverfront Spokane, U.S. Pavilion and Howard Street Promenade

At the heart of Eastern Washington, Spokane Falls is a sacred tribal gathering space. A forwardlooking vision transformed the site into the home of Expo ’74, the 1974 World’s Fair, and today’s Riverfront Park.

More than 40 years after Expo, citizens overwhelmingly approved a $64 million bond to redevelop Riverfront. “It’s the reimagining of a 40-year-old urban space — built to be temporary — into the most incredible opportunity for river views, illumination and gatherings,” says Garrett Jones, director of Spokane Parks and Recreation.

The main goal of the project, as identified in the master plan, is that Riverfront Park should bring community together at the river and provide places that celebrate the region’s history, bioregion and people. One of the key projects focused on bringing the pavilion back to life as the community’s central gathering place. The pavilion’s iconic power is heightened by being a public place, where all are welcome at no charge to bask in its glow!

Innovation

Being the site of a former rail yard, the Spokane Parks and Recreation department encountered thousands of tons of contaminated soil. Rather than hauling ‘dirty dirt’ off-site, the department reused tons of it in the pavilion to build up amphitheater seating, while mitigating it with a protective barrier, capped with two feet of clean soil and planted grass.

The department also needed to find a unique way to illuminate the pavilion — no easy task, given the engineering required for a lightweight, safe, wind- and snow-compatible solution for aging cables. NAC Architecture created a template of a “light blade” — lightweight Plexiglas lined with LED nodes. The Pavilion features 479 blades of varied lengths, providing 2,262 feet of illumination that has radically changed the Spokane skyline.

Community Engagement and Partnerships

A robust project scoping and master planning initiative helped “right size” the project budget and prioritized programming that led to the overwhelming passage of the funding park bond with more than 68 percent approval. Engagement continued as bond priorities were translated to actionable design, including outreach to the general public, citizen advisory groups and targeted stakeholder groups.

Engagement with the Spokane Tribe created Snxw Mene (sinhoo-men-huh): Salmon People Island as part of the city’s concerted effort to forge a more rich and genuine relationship with the Spokane Tribe. In addition, a wide variety of citizen advisory groups launched this project, including a Citizens Advisory Committee, Design Steering Committee, Public Art Committee, Park Board and Accessibility Workgroup.

Looking Ahead

To ensure frequent investment into the park, the Spokane Parks and Recreation department created three new ventures: The Fund for Riverfront Spokane, an ongoing campaign to fund capital improvements beyond those covered by the bond; Friends of Riverfront, a volunteer base with ambassador and fundraising roles; and a Community Engagement department, with dedicated staff who program the pavilion with free and low-cost activities.

The Best in Innovation

Congratulations to Spokane Parks and Recreation for winning the overall 2020 Best in Innovation Award for its project, Riverfront Spokane, U.S. Pavilion and Howard Street Promenade.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SPOKANE PARKS AND RECREATION

Leading the Way in Water Activities

Sun and water go together like kids and play, creating the perfect spot where friends can gather, cool off and experience the wonders of playing in water. Aquatix by Landscape Structures leads the way. Pioneering experiential activities around the interactive properties of water, we invite kids and family members of all ages and abilities to immerse themselves in the brilliance of an Aquatix water experience.

With more than 30 years of experience, Aquatix, based in Delano, Minnesota, is a leader in water feature and spray park design, fabrication and construction. The company designs and manufactures products and systems for easy maintenance and long-lasting value. But, it’s innovative concepts and groundbreaking design that truly set Aquatix apart. Our dynamic aqua play products engage kids’ imaginations, encourage exploration and deliver surprising new experiences with water.

Aquatix continues to advance the world of dynamic aqua play with imaginative designs — achieving new levels of chilling thrills, challenging interactive games and inventive water-based activities. The HydraHub1 and HydraHub2 inspire active play among children of all ages. A combination of dynamic play, interactive play and ground sprays deliver fluid fun that’s full of surprises.

The AquaGather Station is an interactive water table that encourages kids of all ages and abilities to socialize while they discover the many possibilities of cause and effect. The AquaGather Station is fun and functional for all individuals.

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Oh, the endless days!

Gathered together Reveling in the joy of play. Where watery wonders excite us Unite us And invite us to set our imaginations free.

To learn more and inspire your outdoors, visit aquatix.playlsi.com.