Letter from the Editor

You took the right courses and workshops, you read all the DIRECTION magazines from cover to cover to learn the latest information and trends in the recreation and parks field, completed your research and viola, you have developed the perfect operations and/or program plans. But wait, what’s that? A giant wrench is thrown into your plans and you are left standing there saying, what now? Has this ever happened to you?

This is where you are rolling your eyes and saying, ‘Of course, this is happening right now!’ No amount of forecasting could fully prepare us for the pandemic that has arrived and changed our lives as we know it. With facilities shut down, playgrounds surrounded by caution tape and programs either ground to a halt or undergone drastic modifications, we are all longing for a return to ‘normal’. The words ‘self-isolation’ and ‘physical distancing’ have become a part of our daily vocabulary…yikes! But we choose to adapt, something recreation and parks professionals are familiar with, but this one might even be stretching us beyond our comfort zones. Sigh. I look forward to putting this all behind us.

So as I prepared to write DIRECTION, I was confronted with a similar dilemma. I had gathered the best articles for you featuring best practices from our Provincial Recreation Associations and our Commercial members and information to prepare you for the upcoming spring and summer season. But wait, as with all of you, COVID-19 has thrown that wrench into our plans…now what? Do we go forward with these articles featuring the a variety of pre-covid experiences and stories on the greatness that recreation and parks provide, or do we shift and produce a magazine focussed on COVID-19? Well, we decided to go forward with a blend of both, a collection of stories to educate, connect and inspire you, along with a small dose of tips for dealing with the current pandemic realities.

As you read through the stories within, we hope you are able to focus on the positive opportunities ahead of us and the recognition of the increased importance being placed on parks and recreation services. Having worked in this industry for the past 16 years, I am well aware that recreation and parks professionals are able to adapt on short notice! As such, we encourage you all to share your best practices. Share what you are doing to continue to deliver recreation and parks programs and services during the ‘social distancing’ era. And always remember that SPRA is here to help, as we venture into the unknown future. I also encourage all of you to ask us questions, and although we may not have all the answers, we are committed to figuring Don Crowe - Parks and Facilities Manager for them out together. the City of Martensville, workshop participant I would like to point out one more important thing. You know the saying, ‘You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone.’ Well, as I perused social media channels and talked to my friends, what do you think was the top things they wanted back? The top was obviously hairdressers - I know you will not question me on this (seriously you should have seen my brother’s hair…), the others were parks, recreation facilities and the gym (let me lift weights, please!). As social, active beings we all need parks and recreation now more than ever. We are grateful for all that it provides to us, physically and mentally. I miss you and Saskatchewan is missing you. See you soon…

Lori Ross

SPRA Consultant - Communciations Editor - DiRECTION magazine