Virginia Parks & Recreation Official Publication of the Virginia Recreation & Park Society
Fall 2012
Also in this issue: n Hampton University’s Unique International Experience n Orange County’s Inaugural Liberty Ride n Norfolk’s Winning Boxing Team
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Unwrap a Christmas gift for the entire family.
Nov. 23 - Dec. 31*
24
$
*
single-evening ticket
33
$
*
3-day Discovery ticket
Ticket savings available at the VRPS Central Office or your local parks and recreation department.
*Select evenings and hours. See website for operating schedule. Member savings not available at park’s front gate. Savings are based on Busch Gardens regular single-evening admission. Christmas Town is a separate-ticketed event, not included with Pass Membership or Here’s To The Heroes. Offer expires Dec. 31, 2012. Prices and products are subject to change without notice. Restrictions apply. ©2012 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Official Publication of the Virginia Recreation & Park Society
Volume 58 Fall 2012
Virginia Recreation & Park Society 6372 Mechanicsville Turnpike Suite 109 Mechanicsville, VA 23111 Phone: 804-730-9447 Fax: 804-730-9455 vrps@vrps.com www.vrps.com
Executive Director James C. Stutts, CAE, CPRP Part-Time Assistants Karen Florey Nancy Turnage Office Manager Marlene Bresee Editor Amy-Jo Hendrix, CPRP Send Articles to:ahendrix@viennava.gov or AmyJo Hendrix, CPRP, Town of Vienna Parks and Recreation, 120 Cherry St. SE, Vienna, VA 22180 Virginia Parks and Recreation is published three times per year by the Virginia Recreation & Park Society, Inc. VRPS is a non-profit professional organization supported by membership dues and contributions. VRPS is affiliated with the National Recreation & Park Association. Subscription Information. Members receive the magazine as part of their annual membership dues. The magazine is available by subscription for $25 per year. Requests for subscription should be directed to VRPS, 6372 Mechanicsville Turnpike, Suite 109, Mechanicsville, VA 23111. Editorial Statement: Statements of fact and opinions are the responsibility of the authors alone and do not imply an opinion on the part of the officers, members or staff of the Virginia Recreation and Park Society or the Foundation of the Virginia Recreation and Park Society.
Contents Features
Departments
6 News from the City of Hopewell
4 Message from the President
Mathis Pirate Playground Opens
5 2012 VRPS Board, Key Leaders and Staff
9 News from Norfolk Team Norfolk Boxing
7 VRPS 2012/13 Calendar of Events
10 News from the City of Norfolk Over 1,700 Celebrate Play
8 News from Louisa County VRPS Profile - Tommy Runnett
12 News from Henrico 2012 Fellow Recipient
Cindy Jo Daniels
17 News from Goochland VRPS Profile - Jessica Hewitt
14 News from Newport News Fall Festival of Folklife
22 VRPS Management Conference 2013
15 News from the City of Franklin Fun Day Still Going Strong! 16 News from Blacksburg Youth Football Helmet Study 18 News from Orange County Inaugural Liberty Ride
19 News from Playground Guardian
New iPad Playground Inspection
Mission The mission of the Virginia Recreation and Park Society is to unite all professionals, students, and interested lay persons engaged in the field of recreation, parks, and other leisure services in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
20 News from Hampton University
A Unique International Experience
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A message from the president
Hearing Our Members’ Voices is the Key to VRPS Growth
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n September we had an excellent conference at Wintergreen. The conference team took advantage of the mountain’s assets and provided a unique, educational and entertaining experience. Education was ranked our number one priority by those responding to the Board’s recent survey*. Comments ranged from revamping the annual conference and offering more local and regional workshops, to developing on line training. This is the kind of information we hoped to receive, and it affirms the Board’s perception that supporting our member’s professional development is a critical function. What we also heard were requests for training in subject matter that hasn’t been adequately covered recently - therapeutic recreation, planning, park management, aquatics and many openended requests for new topics. The Board has started in this direction-the field maintenance workshops held regionally the last two years, the NPSI certification class offered in two parts of the state this year, the Mandatory Child Abuse Reporting on line seminar in December. Your input is critical and we appreciate your candor. Please keep the thoughts and ideas coming. Remember though, we are a volunteer organization. That means we need your help to deliver on your requests. The best way to provide local workshops is through our service areas. If you can’t get involved on the state level in the annual conference for example, offer a little time to your service area. We know spare time is limited, but a few hours from you can result in a great benefit to many others. The Board can offer you help in organizing a workshop-get in touch
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and we can provide what you need to get started. Several of you spoke to accelerating our capital campaign to reduce the building loan and move towards creating an endowment for scholarships and other professional development activities. The VRPS Foundation launched a formal effort to fundraise for that purpose, and have successfully reduced our building loan to $54,000 and change! That is an incredible achievement and I hope you realize how beneficial it will be to all of us when the loan is retired and VRPS is able to redirect our monthly mortgage payment to other member services. You also talked about membership and leadership - finding ways to bring new leaders forward into the Society (a not so subtle message that it’s time for us long-timers to move on?), encouraging students into our profession, preparing for the dirge of historical knowledge as those long heralded retirements of the Baby Boomers finally gets rolling, and again, educating and preparing new professionals for the challenges they will face. Our Leadership Training Institute and our Management conference were designed for similar purposes and perhaps this is where we can look to serve those needs. In 2014 we have the opportunity to introduce a fresh new perspective into the delivery of our premiere educational and leadership development program. More feedback from you will be valuable in understanding how to structure these programs to be engaging, relevant and of value to you, your colleagues or your staff. Again, your recommendations are welcome.
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Cindy Roeder
President, Virginia Recreation & Park Society
Some of you mentioned that the Society needs to be responsive to the real needs of our members and not the Board’s perceptions of member needs. We agree unanimously. However, we need you to continue to communicate what those needs are. We surmise what you want from what you do and don’t attend, what you do and don’t respond to, and how emphatically you do so. But the Board understands those are conclusions reached without all the information we need to really know what you want. We need to hear your voice - contact a Board or staff member, interact with us on facebook, submit an entry to the VRPS blog, attend a service area meeting. Whatever venue you choose, share your ideas and concerns. You have an elected Board who is passionately committed to the Society and who wants to keep it as vital and relevant 10 years from now as it was 50+ years ago when VRPS was founded. We know that means evolving, embracing new people and opportunities, and facing change openly. Our incoming president, Katey Legg, is extremely engaged in this effort, and has the insight, energy and professionalism to see the organization through whatever changes are needed. While this won’t be the last time you hear from me this year, I do thank you for the opportunity to serve as President. With our wonderful and generous membership and our extraordinary staff, it has been a great experience. You ought to try it sometime!
*A complete summary of the survey is available on the VRPS website.
VRPS Staff
Enterprise Group Chairs
Resource Group Chairs
Service Area Chairs
Board of Directors
Executive Board
2012 vrps boards key leaders & staff President Vice President Treasurer Lay Member Executive Director President Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Board Member Lay Member Executive Director Central Eastern Northern Southwestern Western
Cindy Roeder Katey Legg, CPRP Art Thatcher, CPRP Ed Hamilton Jim Stutts, CPRP, CAE Cindy Roeder Lakita Frazier, CPRP Cindy Messinger,CPRP Pamela Sheets, CPRP,CPSI Lisa Cooke, CPRP, AFO Keith Rotzoll, CPRP Kathy Williams, CTRS Katey Legg, CPRP Art Thatcher, CPRP Ed Hamilton, Ph.D Jim Stutts, CPRP, CAE Lizz Billings, CTRS Tamara Brown Blythe Russian Kevin Dye Jered Hoover
Herndon Parks & Recreation Gloucester Co. Parks, Rec & Tourism City of Norfolk Rec. & Open Space Roanoke College Virginia Rec. & Park Society Herndon Parks & Recreation Suffolk Parks & Recreation Fairfax County Park Authority Shenandoah Co. Parks & Recreation Clarke Co. Parks & Recreation Prince George Co. Parks & Rec Virginia Beach Parks & Rec Gloucester Co. Parks, Rec & Tourism City of Norfolk Rec. & Open Space Roanoke College Virginia Rec. & Park Society Henrico Division of Rec & Parks Suffolk Parks & Recreation No Virginia Regional Park Authority Bristol Parks & Recreation Shenandoah Co. Parks & Rec
703-435-6800 x 2123 cindy.roeder@herndon-va.gov 804-693-1270 klegg@gloucesterva.info 757-441-2400 x 263 art.thatcher@norfolk.gov 540-375-2409 hamilton@roanoke.edu 804-730-9447 jim@vrps.com 703-435-6800 x 2123 cindy.roeder@herndon-va.gov 757-514-7251 lfrazier@suffolkva.us 703-969-2026 cynthia.messinger@fairfaxcounty.gov 540-459-6777 psheets@shenandoahcountyva.us 540-955-5140 lcooke@clarkecounty.gov 804-733-2646 krotzoll@princegeorgeva.org 757-474-8877 kdwillia@vbgov.com 804-693-1270 klegg@gloucesterva.info 757-441-2400 x 263 art.thatcher@norfolk.gov 540-375-2409 hamilton@roanoke.edu 804-730-9447 jim@vrps.com 804-501-7489 bil02@co.henrico.va.us 757-514-4501 tbrown@suffolkva.us 703-359-4624x221 brussian@nvrpa.org 276-645-7275 bpr@bristolva.org 540-459-6777 jhoover@shenandoahcounty.va.us
Aquatics Cultural Diversity Athletics Seniors Outdoors Therapeutic Recreation
Kerstin Severin
Herndon Parks & Recreation
703-435-6800x2128 kerstin.severin@herndon-va.gov
Judy Jones Catharine Yuseuf
Chesterfield Co. Parks & Recreation Newport News Parks, Rec. & Tourism
804-751-4135 jonesj@chesterfield.gov 757-926-1400x1446 cyusuf@nngov.com
Annual Conference Foundation Foundation Awards & Citations Hershey Track & Field LTI 2012 Management Conference Professional Education Virginia Senior Games Legislative CEO Office Manager Part-time Assistant Part-time Assistant
Arlana Fauntleroy, CPRP Marcy Durrer, CPRP Katey Legg, CPRP Greg Sager Dean Crane, CPRP Melida McKee, CPRP, AFO Paul W. Berryman Margaret Thorne Bob Antozzi, Ed. D., CPRP Wendy Stone, CPRP Shannon Moore, CPRP Susan Lineberry Monica Christiansen Jim Spengler Art Thatcher, CPRP Jim Stutts, CPRP, CAE Jim Stutts, CPRP, CAE Marlene P. Bresee Karen Florey Nancy Turnage
James City Co. Parks & Recreation Hanover County Parks & Recreation Gloucester Co. Parks & Tourism Hanover County Parks & Rec Blacksburg Parks & Recreation Roanoke Parks & Recreation Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation Portsmouth Parks, Rec & Leisure Services Fredericksburg Parks, Rec & Pub Facilities Fredericksburg Parks, Rec & Pub Facilities Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation Newport News Parks, Rec & Tourism Newport News Parks, Rec & Tourism Alexandria Rec, Parks & Cultural Activities City of Norfolk Rec. & Open Space Virginia Rec & Park Society Virginia Rec & Park Society Virginia Rec & Park Society Virginia Rec & Park Society Virginia Rec & Park Society
757- 259-5377 804-365-4697 804-693-1270 804-365-4690 540-961-1135 x132 540-853-6865 757-496-6766 757-393-8481 x4107 540-372-1086 x209 540-372-1086 x203 757-385-0420 757-926-1400 757-926-1400 703-746-4343 757-441-2400 x 263 804-730-9447 804-730-9447 804-730-9447 804-730-9447 804-730-9447
afauntleroy@james-city.va.us mgdurrer@co.hanover.va.us klegg@gloucesterva.info rysager@co.hanover.va.us dcrane@blacksburg.gov melida.mckee@roanokeva.gov pberryma@vbgov.com thornem@portsmouthva.gov rkantozzi@fredericksburgva.gov wkstone@fredericksburgva.gov smoore@vbgov.com slineberry@nngov.com mchristiansen@nngov.com james.spengler@alexandreava.gov athatcher1@verizon.net jim@vrps.com jim@vrps.com marlene@vrps.com karen@vrps.com nancy@vrps.com
Board Liaisons Central Service Area Eastern Service Area Northern Service Area Southwestern Service Area Western Service Area Aquatics Athletics Cultural Diversty Outdoors Seniors Therapeutic Recreation
Keith Rotzoll, Jim Stutts Katey Legg, Lakita Frazier Cindy, Messinger, Cindy Roeder Pam Sheets Pam Sheets, Lisa Cooke Art Thatcher Lakita Frazier Jim Stutts, Art Thatcher Lisa Cooke, Kathy Williams Kathy Williams
LTI Professional Education Virginia Senior Games Hershey Track & Field Legislation Awards & Citations Annual Conference ‘12 Foundation Management Conference ’13 Southern Region Rep
Jim Stutts, Katey Legg Kathy Williams, Jim Stutts Jim Stutts Lakita Frazier Art Thatcher, Jim Stutts Cindy Roeder Katey Legg, Jim Stutts Jim Stutts Katey Legg Lisa Cooke
Revised11/19/12 FALL 2012
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news from the city of hopewell
Mathis Pirate Playground Opens!
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n Saturday, October 13th the City of Hopewell was proud to open Mathis Pirate Playground. Nearly 100 volunteers helped to build the ship like playground. The City of Hopewell began a Playground Campaign in April of 2012 and began raising dollars for the site. With help from the community raising $ 10,045.00, a grant with KaBoom and Dr. Pepper/ Snapple for $20,000, a match from the John Randolph Foundation of $15,000 and a match of another $15,000 through the City of Hopewell we were able to build the playground. Also, a big thanks to our
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a three station adult piece will be added in the upcoming month. Our Civitan Club will donate a swing to accommodate those in wheelchairs and have committed to do this for all our future upgrades at our playground sites.
local Rotary Club as they took this project on to help us with our campaign. We have added a kiosk that will highlight information dealing with health and wellness and
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We plan to continue the Playground Campaign as our Recreation Commission will be selecting the next two sites for 2013 later this month! Thanks to our community, volunteers, and our staff for all the work on this project. It was a very exciting time for us and we are looking forward to future projects!
Newport News Newport News Fredericksburg Henrico
12/4/12 10am 12/6/12 10am 12/7/12 12/12/12 12-2pm 12/19/12 11:30am
2013 Annual Conference Meeting Senior Resource Group Meeting Eastern Service Area Holiday Social Northern Service Area Holiday Social Management Conference Committee Meeting
Williamsburg VRPS Central Office TBA Fairfax Fredericksburg
mAY march feb 2013 2013 2013
2/25-2/26/2013
2013 Management Conference
Fredericksburg
3/13-3/15/2013
Natl Playground Safety Inspector Course & Exam
Leesburg
5/15-5/18/2013
2013 Virginia Senior Games
Newport News
JULY 2013
7/21-8/1/2013
2013 National Senior Games
Cleveland, Ohio
SEPT 2013
9/7-9/10/2013 9/11-9/13/2013
2013 VRPS Annual Conference Natl Playground Safety Inspector Course & Exam
Williamsburg Williamsburg
10/8-10/10/2013
2013 NRPA Congress and Exposition
Houston, Texas
dec 2012
nov 2012
2013 Annual Conference Exhibits Meeting 2013 Virginia Senior Games Committee Meeting Management Conference Committee Meeting Leadership Orientation Meeting
OCT 2013
VRPS Calendar of events 11/20/12 11/20/12 11/21/12 11/29/12
10am 1pm 11:30am 10am-2pm
Virginia Senior Games wishes to Thank the 2012 Gold medal Sponsors
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News from louisa county V R P S m e m b e r pr o f i l e
Tommy Runnett Place of work : Louisa County Parks and Recreation Position: Parks and Maintenance Coordinator Education: 3 years of College Professional memberships: VRPS Hometown: Mineral, VA Family: Two Labrador “daughters” Abby and Maddie that were rescues. Favorite experience on the job: When a plan works out and everything comes together as it did for our two Civil War Re-enactments. Toughest part of the job: Remaining effective while dealing with major budget cutbacks. Favorite recreational activity: Still Hunting Favorite book: To Kill a Mockingbird If you could go anywhere in the world where would it be: Back to Germany. I’ve been there once, but there was so much I didn’t get to see, I would love to go back.
Civil War enthusiasts enjoys visits to Trevilian Station Battlefield in Louisa County.
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News from Norfolk
Team Norfolk Boxing Produces Champions at Home and Abroad
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eam Norfolk Boxing traveled to Kansas City, Missouri recently with 12 boxers to compete in the 2012 Ringside World Tournament. For the first time, they went without head coach Gloria Peek, who was in London coaching the 2012 U.S. Olympic Boxing Team. Coach Gloria Peek, Head Coach of the Norfolk Recreation, Parks & Open Space’s Team Norfolk Boxing Club was selected by USA Boxing in June as a member of the coaching staff for the 2012 US Olympic Boxing team. She participated in preparation and acclimation camps throughout the month of July before heading to London for the Olympic Games. Coach Peek was the first female to ever serve on the US
Olympic Boxing coaching staff. Her addition to the staff came during another historical year for OlymTeam Norfolk’s Coach Peek pic boxing as it was the first time women Not only do Coach Peek and Team Norfolk were able to compete in the produce champions at home, just a few days boxing event. after Nick and KeyShawn’s victories, Team
Coach Gloria Peek, Head Coach of the Norfolk Recreation, Parks & Open Space’s Team Norfolk Boxing Club was selected by USA Boxing in June as a member of the coaching staff for the 2012 US Olympic Boxing team.
Being without the head coach did not stop Team Norfolk’s determination to win. Under the direction of Coach Peek’s assistant, Shaun Wilson, two boxers advanced to the finals. In the Boys Open 13-14 yr old Division, KeyShawn Davis (85lbs) and Nicholas Sullivan (95lbs) both dominated in their divisions and took home the championship belts.
USA Boxing took home the first women’s gold medal ever. Coach Peek was sent an email and picture of the boys after their victories and had this to say, “I am so proud of my boys, they are my Olympians and I wish I had been there to share in the moment. I have one more thing to accomplish to make my dreams come true and that is to put one or more of my boys/girls on the Olympic Team. Nick and Keyshawn may be the ones.” Keep your eye on Team Norfolk and for Coach Peek’s dream of having a Team Norfolk member in the Olympics to come true! 2016?
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News from the city of norfolk
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n September 15th, more than 1,700 community members stopped by the Tarrallton Community Center and Park in Norfolk with one item on their agenda—play. Families filled he park for the Sixth Annual Norfolk Play Day, taking part in football games, bounce houses, corn hole, basketball, obstacle courses, hula hooping, pony rides, tug of war, and kickball. The event also provided free food, and entertainment by local artists such as the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters Marching Band and the Sam Roundtree Dance Company and the Team Norfolk Boxing Club.
Over 1,700 Celebrate Play with the City of Norfolk
Play Day celebrates Norfolk’s sixth consecutive designation as a Playful City USA! by Kaboom!, a non-profit organization dedicated to saving play. A Kaboom! press release stated, “Today’s children spend less time playing out-
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side than any previous generation, but 213 cities and towns, including Norfolk, earned recognition from KaBOOM! as 2012 Playful City USA communities for their efforts to increase play opportunities for children. KaBOOM! selected Norfolk for its outstanding dedication to play. Norfolk’s play day continues to grow and serve as a way to bring communities together in a fun and rewarding atmosphere. The play day engages citizens to come together and play, while residents have the opportunity to discuss and learn about the benefits of play, physical activity and parks.” The goal of Play Day is not only to promote play throughout the City of Norfolk, but to build camaraderie among neighbors, and develop healthy and prosperous residents. Numerous city agencies and local businesses assisted in making the
Play Day celebrates Norfolk’s sixth consecutive designation as a Playful City USA! by Kaboom!, a non-profit organization dedicated to saving play.
event a success by providing resources and giveaways to include, the Norfolk Police Department, Norfolk Public Libraries, Norfolk Public Schools, Norfolk Sheriff’s Department, Norfolk Health Department, Norfolk PTA Council, Fun for All event rentals, Navy Federal Credit Union, JenCare, Norfolk Master Gardeners, Girl Scouts and more. Norfolk City Manager
Marcus Jones states “Play is critical to the overall well-being of children. Their quality of life is enhanced by their ability to use their imaginations and develop positive social skills. Frankly, play is good for grown-ups too. This event provides opportunities for children and adults alike to play and interact with one another in a friendly, fun atmosphere.”
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News from henrico
2012 Fellow Award Recipient
Cindy Jo Daniels T
his year’s Fellow Award was presented to Cindy Jo Daniels. CJ has worked for Henrico County Parks and Recreation for 31 years. During those years she has provided professional service to her agency and to the profession. Although Cindy Jo’s position as a Management Specialist had her working in the administrative side of recreation for the past 20 or so years, she has always stayed true to her recreation roots. Her passion has always been to work hands on, working directly with the citizens of Henrico County. She has worked countless special events over the years, assisted with The Playmakers productions for 12 years, worked the Henrico Two Ball Golf Tournament and has worked the playground and preschool programs. Also, she has helped to feed the police horses at Meadow Farm. She has served as a direct report to every Director her department has had, and is the only employee to have that distinction. She has been an avid supporter of the Virginia Recreation and Park Society, serving as chairman, treasurer and secretary of her service area on multiple occasions. She has been
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She has worked countless special events over the years, assisted with The Playmakers productions for 12 years, worked the Henrico Two Ball Golf Tournament and worked the playground and preschool programs. Also, she has helped to feed the police horses at Meadow Farm.
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a member of the annual conference committee each year the event rotated through Richmond, and often served on statewide conference committees, including serving as Activities Chair for 2012. She has contributed numerous articles to the Central Service Area newsletter, The Horn. One of her most notable attributes is the time and effort she has spent serving as a mentor to numerous new professionals. She is well known for her desire to encourage and promote new employees to become engaged not only in their job duties, but also in the Society. She can be counted on to assist in any task VRPS needs and does so thoroughly and with outstanding results. While she has decided to retire from her position at Henrico County, she has agreed to stay active with the Central Service Area. The VRPS Board voted unanimously to recognize Cindy Jo Daniels as the 2012 Fellow recipient. Few people have dedicated themselves to our profession like Cindy Jo has. If she was going to work a program, you knew it would be done well…no detail was too small. CJ has recently reitired and her passion and dedication will be sorely missed!
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39th Newport News Fall
News from Newport news
Festival of Folklife
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October 6 & 7, 2012 Newport News Park • Newport News, VA
ewport News Parks, Recreation and Tourism presented the 39th Newport News Fall Festival of Folklife on Saturday, October 6 and Sunday, 7, 2012 at Newport News Park. In case you’ve never attended, the Fall Festival of Folklife is southeastern Virginia’s largest traditional craft show with over two-hundred exhibitors. The festival features a crafts competition for the highest skilled craftspeople and a demonstration area where you can see the creation of items from raw natural materials to the finished craft product. However, the festival is more than just a craft show--it is a celebration of folklife traditions that have been passed down from one generation to the next. Multiple entertainment stages
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are filled with folk dancing as well as bluegrass, country, and folk music. Children make-and-take their own crafts and have an opportunity to see farm animals up close and personal. Of course no one can resist stopping for snack when the air is filled the scent of kettle corn, freshly cooked pork rinds, barbeque, seafood, and roasted corn on the cob. This year’s event was no different and saw record crowds-in the tens of thousands—on Saturday. Sunday, unfortunately, proved to be a little more challenging with a cold front that moved through the area, bringing rain, cold temperatures and overcast skies. Despite the bad weather, several thousand dedicated “festival fans” still braved the rain to attend the second day of the event.
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Perhaps what makes the Newport News Fall Festival one of the most unique festivals in Virginia—as well as throughout the Southeast--is its setting. everything takes place in a beautiful wooded area adjacent to the lake in the 8,000 acre Newport News Park. Over the years, the Festival has become a “signature event” for the City and is an annual tradition for families from throughout southeastern Virginia— and beyond. Building on almost four decades of success, the staff of Newport News Parks, Recreation & Tourism is already working on the 2013 Festival with plans for special activities and entertainment to celebrate the Festival’s 40th anniversary.
News from the city of franklin
Fun Day Still Going Strong!
Water Balloon Toss – Franklin youth watch as their team try’s to win the contest. If you could see the conclusion of this photo you would see the water splash as the balloon explodes in the hands of the catcher. For this hot day in July, it seems that the losers were the winners as the cold water splashed all over their bodies.
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he Surry County Recreation Center was the scene on 18 July for the annual Youth Fun Day that is jointly sponsored each year by recreation departments from Charles City, Surry and cities of Franklin & Petersburg. This activity was started in 1983 and has continued to be conducted and enjoyed by youth of the participating departments. The purpose of the annual program is to allow youth to have a fun day of friendly completion in various activities but without the pressure of winning and receiving awards. Ervin Jones, director of Surry County Parks & Recreation served as the host of the activity and greeted all participants at the start of the day to explain the agenda for the day. Topping the fun events of this year in games of the old days was the water balloon toss. Track & field events, tug of war rope pulling contest were only a few of the many activities of the day.
Staff representing their departments pose for a photo opportunity – left to right, front row, Frank Davis, Director, Franklin Parks & Recreation; Will Berryman, Athletic Coordinator, Surry County P & R; Wesley Gravely, Program Coordinator, Petersburg Department of Parks & Leisure Services; Wilson Darden, Recreation Aide, Franklin P & R.Second row, left to right, Alfred Crump, Director, Charles City County P & R; Tabitha Martinez, Director, Office on Youth, Charles City County; Junious Joyner, Site Director, Franklin P & R; Tami Yerby, Director, Petersburg Department of Parks & Leisure Services; Brenner Carter, Program Coordinator,Charles City County P&R; Ervin Jones, Director, Surry County P & R FALL 2012
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News from blacksburg Virginia Tech (VT)/Blacksburg Parks and Recreation
Youth Football Helmet Study Article and Pictures submitted by: Adam Lloyd Athletics Supervisor Town of Blacksburg
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his fall Virginia Tech and Blacksburg Parks and Recreation are working together to make youth football safer for its participants. A junior team of 9-11 year olds from Blacksburg are wearing the helmets equipped with sensors (see pictures below) to gather information for Virginia Tech to utilize for their study. The study will take place from mid August through the end of October with VT graduate students on hand at all practices and games to collect the data. The goal of the study is to characterize the impact distribution of youth football players. Currently, there have been few studies documenting how hard, how frequent, and various other population measurements made for this particular age group. Without some of this information, a lot of helmet manufacturers tend to just “scale back” helmet designs (ex: softer foams, different padding patterns, etc). By doing this research and publishing the results in a peer-reviewed journal, different organizations including helmet manufacturers and league administrators (ex: pop warner, rec leagues) can make adjustments to better protect the youth football players specifically.
This paper led to the direct result of Pop Warner limiting contact drills during practices. New River Valley Youth Football League also has been proactive with these findings and has limited contact in their practices, as well. So in order to determine some of these variables that will assist the various organizations to make the sport safer for youth players, VT utilizes a wireless accelerometer array.
This is the second year that this study has been performed at Virginia Tech. Basic questions and answers can be found in a paper that was published last year: http://www.springerlink.com/content/ r1w055654612u47j/fulltext.pdf .
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This sensor allows the calculation of linear accelerations and direction of impact to be calculated for every impact experienced by a helmeted player during practices and games. Much of the sensor information is documented in the above link as well. Also, this year, VT is implementing a new pediatric ImPACT neuropsych test to evaluate players’ memory and reaction speed after a concussive event (should one occur). The test is simply a set of computer games that the player sits down and completes. Post-concussive results are then compared to baseline results noted prior to the beginning of the season. Blacksburg Parks and Recreation is excited to be working with Virginia Tech on this endeavor and hopes it will lead to more joint partnerships in the future. As one parent stated, “I think that it is wonderful for Virginia Tech and the local recreation departments to work in cooperated roles to enhance the safety of equipment for these young athletes. With the new technology and research that is available through this study, it enables the future of youth football for many years to be a much safer environment an atmosphere for these young athletes and their coaches to participate in. Ultimately, besides helping to develop the premier helmet for these children it also provides an educational awareness, develops proactive practice sessions and demonstrates proper reactive measures when dealing with concussion related issues for the players, coaches and parents.”
News from Goochland V R P S m e m b e r pr o f i l e
Jessica Hewitt Place of work: Goochland County Parks, Recreation, and Facilities Management Position: P r o g r a m C o o r d i n a t o r – Community Recreation Education: Goochland High School. I am currently taking classes towards my degree in Education. Professional memberships: None. Hometown: Goochland, VA Family: Recently engaged. Favorite experience on the job: I would have to say that my favorite experience has been creating lesson plans
and teaching youth art programs for the Goochland community. A few years ago we were studying Jackson Pollock and after the lesson, students were able to create their own version of his work. My Director liked their art so much, that he allowed the campers to splatter paint an entire wall in our building. Toughest part of the job: The toughest part for me is waiting for people to register for newly implemented programs. In our county, people tend to wait until the last minute to register. I’m really excited about the types of classes that we offer and seeing low registration can be very discouraging. Favorite recreational activity: Kayaking and painting.
Favorite book: I enjoy a lot of different books. I would have to say that my favorite author so far, has been Ted Dekker. If you could go anywhere in the world where would it be: There are too many places to just choose one. I have a friend from high school who lives in Sweden that I would love to visit. I would also love to go to Italy and Germany.
IllumInatIng Generations You’re not just buying lights. You’re buying a system designed to keep light on the excitement of the game and out of your neighbors’ yard. That means players and residents will benefit from the lights for generations to come.
To learn more visit: www.musco.com/generations Local area representatives: Steve Wiley 800/825-6030 (toll free) 804/836-6785 (mobile) steve.wiley@musco.com
Joe Forche 800/825-6030 (toll free) 804/385-8950 (mobile) joe.forche@musco.com
For Your Budget For The Environment ©2012 Musco Sports Lighting, LLC · ADVA12-3
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News from orange County
I n a u g u r a l Li b e r t y Ri d e
A Big Success O
range County Parks and Recreation hosted the Inaugural Liberty Ride on Saturday, September 22. The event was co-sponsored by the County of Orange, Montpelier, Oakland Heights Farms, and the Virginia Horse Industry Orange County Parks and Recreation Director, Tim Moubray and Miss Rodeo Virginia, Lindsey Harper Board, as well as outstandDelegate Ed Scott, Orange County Supering support from local individuals and busivisor Jim White, and longtime Orange nesses. The Liberty Ride was a horseback resident and equestrian, Diana Dodge. ride and wagon drive from Oakland Heights The riders were treated to magnificent Farm to Montpelier for lunch and back, and views as they traveled over Chicken benefits the newly-formed Orange County Mountain and into James Madison’s Parks and Recreation Foundation. The Montpelier. Much of this trail was travevent was also part of Montpelier’s Constieled by Madison and Jefferson many tution Day festivities. years ago in their commutes between Montpelier and Monticello. James and There were 66 participants with 70 horses Dolly Madison joined the ride for the from all over Virginia, West Virginia, and trip to the mansion and addressed the North Carolina. Special guests included crowd upon arrival. The event was made possible by a grant from the Virginia Horse Industry Board and the collaboration of many others. Piedmont Power supplied ATV’s for transporting supplies and a camera crew. When organizers ran into issues regarding closing roads, the adjoining land owners all gladly gave permis-
Raymond Tuckwiler of Lewisburg, WV
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sion for The Ride to go across pasture land instead. Many local businesses also supported the event by purchasing Welcome and Thank You signs. The Orange County Parks and Recreation Founda-
Leaving Montpelier
tion is a 501c3, non-profit that will help fund the future of Parks and Recreation in Orange County. The Foundation will start operation on January 1, 2013, and will be an avenue for individuals and businesses to donate for specific projects in the County. For more info or to donate, please contact Orange County Parks and Recreation at 540-672-5435.
News from playground guardian
PLAYGROUND GUARDIAN RELEASES
NEW iPad Playground Inspection
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our property’s playground represents not only a long-term investment, but also a safe haven for children of all ages. If properly maintained, it can provide fun and exploration for decades. Keeping your investment in peak condition can provide many benefits. Research shows a well maintained playground could lower the risk of costly litigation, increase the life expectancy of your playground equipment, reduce complaints, and most importantly – keep your children safe! Playground Guardian is a national playground inspection and maintenance company with 3 generations of industry experience. For over 45 years their staff has designed, installed, and maintained over 5,000 playgrounds. They have also performed safety audits, low frequency inspections, and ADA assessments on over 500 sites. In an effort to make inspecting and maintaining your own playgrounds easier than ever, Playground Guardian has just released an iPad and Android playground inspection application to be used in conjunction with their “Cloud Based” Park Protector Playground Management software. This allows you to use your iPad or Android wireless device and inspect your own play-
ground in the field including taking photographs for digital inventory and identifying safety issues. Once inspections are scheduled and downloaded to your device, you can complete an inspection without an internet connection and upload the data once you are back online. The APP can perform ADA assessments and high or low frequency inspections by asking the user easy questions requiring a simple “yes” or “no” response. No more paper forms or CDs of pictures to carry back to the office! Park Protector is a web-based, password protected application that helps you monitor your entire playground system. This exclusive software ensures records are secure and easy to access from any computer with an internet connection. Park Protector, purchased on a subscrip-
tion basis, provides you with an eco-friendly paperless record and reporting system, as well as a full list of printable reports that include: n Listing of all playground sites n Full inventory of playground equipment complete with photographs n Playground hazard identification and playground risk analysis n Playground inspection records and reports n Automated “To-Do List” and work orders for playground maintenance n Playground accident and playground compliant records In addition to this exclusive web-based software and the newly released iPad inspection application, Playground Guardian provides a number of on-site services which include routine maintenance, high and low frequency inspections, comprehensive audits, surfacing impact testing and playground maintenance training. Running low on budget? Don’t forget to ask about their exclusive RENEW program where they can refinish old, worn equipment to look like new for a fraction of the cost of replacement. For more information, please call at 800-438-2780 ext. 200 or email michele@playgroundguardian.com. Make sure to visit the website at www. playgroundguardian.com and become a fan on Facebook.
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News from hampton university The Hampton University American Culture and Tourism Management Program:
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A Unique International Recreation/Tourism Learning Experience
By Dr. William A. Becker tory and culture of America. ACTM ampton University has been Associate Professor & students take on-line classes in both welcoming international Academic Coordinator American Culture and Tourism. The students through its AmeriAmerican Culture & Tourism Management Program American Culture class covers topics can Culture and Tourism Managesuch as American History, Ameriment Program (ACTM) for the past Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation Hampton University can Politics, American Business and five years. The University has hosted Hampton, VA American Sports and Leisure. The Tourism and Hospitality students Tourism class includes content in from both Singapore and China. InAccommodations, Transportation, Attracternational students arrive at Dulles airport non-degree seeking student, visa. This visa tions and Tourism marketing. Students are and spend three days touring Washington, allows them to do an internship in Amerialso required to take a three credit course D.C. and Colonial Williamsburg and then ca and gives them three weeks after the end through the Disney Education Program. a one day orientation on the Hampton of their program to tour the country. The student’s internship work experience University campus. The students then deis at Walt Disney World with the Disney part for Walt Disney World where they Hampton University strongly believes that College Program. spend a semester doing their internship international students should not only with the Disney College Program. have a positive work experience for their The Disney College Program is a paid ininternship, but also learn about the histernship offering both American and interHampton University has participated on national college students the opportunity the domestic Disney College Program for to advance their strengths and interests, many years. Scores of Hampton students Hampton University has meet guests and cast members from around have spent a semester at Walt Disney World participated on the domestic the world and take part in educational opin both the basic College Program and ProDisney College Program for portunities students cannot get anywhere fessional Internships. Five years ago, the else. This truly unique program allows parUniversity was given the opportunity to many years. Scores of ticipants to network with leaders, take part participate with the International Disney Hampton students have in personal and career development classes, College Program. The ACTM program spent a semester at Walt Disney and build transferable skills such as probis housed in the HU College of Educalem-solving, teamwork, guest service and tion and Continuing Studies. The College World in both the basic effective communication. (disneycareers. contains, besides Education, the DepartCollege Program and com) The semester long program features ment of Health, Physical Education and Professional Internships. three key components; Living, Learning Recreation (HPER) and the office of Inand Earning. Students work in a Disney ternational Programs. The Department of Five years ago, the University role, job, such as; recreation, guest servicHPER provides the faculty that conducts was given the opportunity to es, hotel front desk, lifeguard, attractions, the tours, provides the on-line educational and others. They can take classes such as content and supervises the student’s internparticipate with the Organizational Leadership, Experiential ship. The office of International Programs International Disney Learning or Corporate Communications issues the J-1 visas, facilitates enrollment College Program. through the Disney Education Program. and collects the fee. The international stuSome of the classes are recommended for dents come to the United States on a J-1,
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ers. These positions pay more credit by the Amerithan the basic program, offer can Council on Eduhousing in the student houscation (ACE). As part ing complex and give students of the Disney College real world experience in their Program, participants major. These positions are very live in one of four *ACTM students from Nanyang Polytechnic and Tamasak Polytechnic in Singapore on the competitive and students need housing complexes Hampton University campus with their HU student guides. to have completed most or all located near the Walt *Michelle Tay, Nanyang Polytechnic student, is Chef Mickey. of their studies. Students who Disney World Resort. complete the Professional Internship proAmerican students who are interested in Each complex features a variety of offerings gram may be eligible to move into a Disney participating in the Disney College Proto make participants feel right at home. Manager Trainee position. gram can visit their web-site at disneyUnits are fully furnished and even include careers.com. The program is open to all dishes and pots and pans. Each complex The American Culture and Tourism Manpart-time and full-time college students. has pools, club houses and other amenities. agement program has yielded additional Students must be currently enrolled and Bus transportation to work, shopping and benefits for the University. We have had taking classes in an accredited college or recreation is provided. The apartment rent, student exchanges with Nanyang Polytechuniversity in the United States and have which is payroll deducted each week, covnic each year. Nanyang Sport Management completed at least one semester. Students ers all utilities and amenities. students have come to HU for the semester must be at least eighteen years of age to and we have sent HU students to Singaparticipate. Students can either attend a Hampton University currently has signed pore to study. The Department of HPER live presentation by a Disney recruiter at agreements with Nanyang Polytechnic and at HU will be hosting a Nanyang Sport a college in their area or do an on-line eTemasak Polytechnic in Singapore. The Management professor this academic year presentation. Interviews are conducted by HU ACTM program hosts students who and we are planning to send one of our HU phone. As part of the interview process, are majoring in Tourism and Hospitality Sport Management faculty to Singapore applicants have the opportunity to express Management. HU was particularly pleased to teach and conduct research. Hampton interest in the specific roles for which they to partner with these schools because the University is looking to expand the ACTM would like to be considered. Students who official language of Singapore is English program in the near future. We will be are recreation majors may want to pick poand we knew that there would not be any including other academic areas from the sitions such as recreation, attractions, or language issues. Students who are interestschools in Singapore and possibly adding lifeguard. ed in coming to American to do the Disney other schools to the program. This program College program are interviewed by Disney is just one example of how Hampton UniOnce American students complete the baand must be accepted into the HU ACTM versity is reaching out to the world. sic Disney College Program, they can apply program. Students who are accepted into for the Disney Professional Internship Prothe program pay a fee that covers the five For more information on the Disney Colgram. These positions are six month long day tour/on campus orientation, flight to lege program and the presentation schedule advanced internships in the student’s area Orlando, twelve credits though HU Conat Colleges in Virginia, please visit disneyof study. These positions include Human tinuing Studies, on-line classes and interncareers.com. Resources, Park Operations, Engineership supervision. ing, Finance, Marketing and many othFALL 2012
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news from vrps
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ave you ever felt “Unique”, or as my friend Jane from Louisa P&R says “like a unicorn”? You know the feeling - somehow the typical methods of management, or planning, or even ‘doing’ just don’t seem to fit in your organization. Do you ever wonder how these things are done outside of Parks & Recreation? Well, in just a few short months the Management Conference 2013: Unique Practices & Principles will be held in Fredericksburg. This year we hope to touch on some of the areas where many can’t seem to find a good fit. Utilizing speakers from private industry, the federal government, and the non-profit sectors, we will breathe new life, and new ideas, into familiar topics such as: Strategic Planning, Crisis Management, Communicating with Stakeholders, Collaboration, and Human Capital Management. All are
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Utilizing speakers from private industry, the federal government, and the non-profit sectors, we will breathe new life, and new ideas, into familiar topics such as: Strategic Planning, Crisis Management, Communicating with Stakeholders, Collaboration, and Human Capital Management. going to be discussed from a fresh perspective. However, keeping with our unique theme, we will be introducing new topics like Managing Internships, Balancing Life and Work, and Relating to your Hospital System this year in effort to expand on an already outstanding conference. Additionally, this year’s conference features include a dinner
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session and social on Monday night featuring John Hennessey, Chief Historian for the National Park Service. John’s presentation Managing War: Death or Glory will provide insight into the management styles used on the battlefields and in the trenches, and the results they produced. This is a great opportunity to bring new or future managers to a conference focused on the many facets of professional growth within the field. As we all know, management is not a one-size-fits-all (or even three-sizesfit-all) application. The successful approach is tailored to the people, skills, talents, weaknesses, environment, and tasks before us. The successful approach is as unique as you are. We hope that you will sign up and join us for Management Conference 2013: Unique Practices & Principles on Monday and Tuesday, February 25th and 26th, 2013 in Fredericksburg!
GOOD-ANY-DAY TICKETS ONLY $30
Valid Any Regular Operating Day in 2012
SPECIAL INDEPENDENCE DAYS TICKETS ONLY $26 Valid July 1 – 31, 2012
DISCOUNT PARKING VOUCHERS
ONLY $10
Valid Any Regular Operating Day in 2012 DISCOUNT TICKETS Available at the VRPS Central Office or at your local park and recreation department. HURRICANE HARBOR WATER PARK FREE with your paid admission
sixflags.com/america
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Virginia Recreation & Park Society 6372 Mechanicsville Turnpike Suite 109 Mechanicsville, VA 23111
Prsrtd Std U.S. POSTAGE PAID Richmond, VA Permit #3022
KD13-036 © 2012 Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Intimidator™ 305 takes its name from Dale Earnhardt, “the Intimidator” © 2012 Cedar Fair, L.P. Cedar Fair Entertainment Company® © 2012 Peanuts Worldwide LLC, Peanuts.com
Thank you VRPS www.vrps.com
For all your support in making 2012 another terrific year.
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See you this spring! • kingsdominion.com
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