|
News from NACPRO
NACPRO Accepting Award Nominations through March 5
Nominations are now being accepted for the National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials (NACPRO) 2021 awards program. The annual NACPRO Awards program recognizes and honors excellence in parks and recreation at the county, regional, and special district level throughout the nation.
For more information: https://www.nacpro.org/awards
Welcome New Members
Ms. Cheryl Cayer, Business Manager
Broward County Parks and Recreation
Oakland Park, FL
Mr. Jeffrey Craver, Director
Rock Island County Forest Preserve District
Illinois City, IL
Mr. Loren Dieck, Director
Outagamie County Parks
Appleton, Wisconsin
Ms. Amanda Creque, Park Manager
Cleveland Metroparks
Cleveland, Ohio
Best Practices Forum
Got an issue you need advice on? Or a best practice you want to share? Send us the details and we will publish it in the next NACPRO News.
A Word from Our Sponsors
Why choose Pilot Rock? Our wide selection!
Pilot Rock offers more options per product line than almost anyone else in the site product industry.
- 36 bench designs
- 23 picnic table designs
- 17 charcoal grill designs
- 12 fire ring designs
We not only have a vast product catalog, but we have material & finish options for thousands of product combinations. Lumber, aluminum, recycled plastic and steel options ensure that you get your personalized stamp on your purchase.
When you consider our designs, materials, colors, features, options and installation choices, you literally have THOUSANDS of product combinations.
For more information:
https://www.pilotrock.com/
Research and Resources
GP RED Presents: Highlights from Sylvie Rokab’s Keynote Presentation on Love Thy Nature
“Nature connection is completely wired in us.” In this episode, Emmy nominated and award-winning film maker Sylvie Rokab highlights key points from her documentary, Love Thy Nature, which was presented at the 2020 GP RED Think Tank. She discusses the importance of connecting to nature and how to incorporate nature connection into our everyday lives. She explains the practice of forest bathing, awakening senses, being mindful, and daily practices that integrate nature connection into a mostly urban, digital world.
This video is part of the Highlights from the 2020 GP RED Think Tank Series. More highlight videos will be uploaded onto the GP RED YouTube channel, so be sure to subscribe!
Watch here:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6g5XUXsEYUllwJYwE-OhAQ
Researchers develop a new way to forecast beach-water quality
Courtesy of River Management Society
By Michelle Horton
Less than two days of water quality sampling at local beaches may be all that’s needed to reduce illnesses among millions of beachgoers every year due to contaminated water, according to new Stanford research.
The study, published in Environmental Science & Technology, presents a modeling framework that dependably predicts water quality at beaches after only a day or two of frequent water sampling. The approach, tested in California, could be used to keep tabs on otherwise unmonitored coastal areas, which is key to protecting the well-being of beachgoers and thriving ocean economies worldwide.
Read more:
https://engineering.stanford.edu/magazine/article/researchers-develop-new-way-forecast-beach-water-quality
Zombie Survival Camp
Courtesy of Parks and Recreation Business
By Chad Fincher and Mark Freidline
Each summer in the northwest corner of Montana, a strange and horrifying occurrence repeats itself for one week—the Zombie Apocalypse. Zombies descend on the small town of Kalispell—only 45 minutes from Glacier Park—at the peak of the tourist season. And what keeps these unsuspecting residents and tourists safe during this invasion of the undead? The fearless and well-trained campers from Kalispell Parks and Recreation’s Zombie Survival Camp.
The three-day camp focuses on the preparation of participants for a zombie apocalypse. The premise is to teach real survival skills in a fun and entertaining way, including developing emergency plans, fire building, first aid, orienteering, archery, and marksmanship. Campers even go into the “laboratory” to synthesize a cure. There are zombie sightings throughout the week, culminating with a legendary Nerf-gun and water-balloon battle between campers and zombies. During the attack on Camp Woodland, campers use all of the survival skills they learned.
Read more:
https://www.parksandrecbusiness.com/articles/zombie-survival-camp
Using Juniper provides purpose for an invasive species
Courtesy of Parks and Recreation Business
By Mark Johnson
What can be done about a building resource growing abundantly in a region but is not being used? When creating the Cottonwood Canyon Experience Center, part of the Cottonwood Canyon State Park in eastern Oregon, designers felt a need to ask this question. Juniper, an invasive species, can be found all over Oregon, but is often merely cut and burned. It is prone to warping, driven by the presence of knots, the taper of the grain, and the pitch. The beautiful wood is related to cedar, and has both a distinct aesthetic as well as an aromatic quality. Sourcing, milling, and applying the wood, however, poses several challenges. Together, the partners on this project decided to tackle the issue, setting a market example for how the wood could be both useful and beautiful.
Read more:
https://www.parksandrecbusiness.com/articles/a-challenging-but-abundant-resource
Rent.Fun Seeking Park Partners
We are proud to introduce Rent.Fun, a new way to add recreational equipment rentals without having to add additional staff or overhead.
The co-founders of Rent.Fun are looking for 10 innovative partners for our Customer Partner Program.
Toledo Metroparks partnered with Rent.Fun to offer their Kayak Share program, which received a 2020 NACPRO Park & Recreation Facility Award.
Partners will receive early access to our technology, influence over product development, discounts on the service, and of course, very cool Rent.Fun branded swag!
Rent.Fun works with: Kayaks, SUPS/Surfboards, Bikes--and eventually any fun rental that can be locked!
For more information:
https://www.rent.fun/
In the News
Interior Announces Plans to Strengthen LWCF
Courtesy of the US Interior Department
The Interior Department today took steps to strengthen the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) by rescinding Trump administration policies that significantly undermined the landmark conservation program. Secretarial Order 3396 revokes an order signed on November 9, 2020 (Secretarial Order 3388) that unilaterally imposed new restrictions to inhibit the availability of LWCF funding for federal land and water acquisitions.
In addition to rescinding the November 2020 Bernhardt policy, Secretarial Order 3396 instructs the National Park Service to revise the Land and Water Conservation Fund Assistance Manual to remove the restrictive policies implemented in the previous order, and to reinstate pre-existing implementation of the LWCF state assistance program and Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) program. The ORLP program is the only LWCF competitive grant program dedicated to addressing the recreational gap in underserved urban areas.
Read more:
https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/interior-announces-plans-strengthen-lwcf
Voters Overwhelmingly Supported Park Funding Ballot Initiatives in 2020
Courtesy of NRPA
By Elvis Cordova
Voters in 48 jurisdictions throughout the country had the opportunity to determine the future and purpose of their local outdoor spaces. Collectively, voters across the country approved approximately $3.7 billion in new public funding measures for projects that encompassed land conservation, outdoor recreation expansion, wildlife habitat protection, improvement of water-quality initiatives, climate-resiliency measures and park enhancements designed to expand local access. What’s really captivating about these funding measures is that they increased taxes. While most mechanisms for these tax increases were forward-looking, the results all reverberated with the same message: People are willing to pay more taxes to deliberately improve the value of local outdoor spaces that enhance their quality of life. NRPA research supports this sentiment, finding that more than 4 in 5 people agree that parks and recreation is an essential local government service.
Read more:
https://www.nrpa.org/parks-recreation-magazine/2021/february/voters-overwhelmingly-supported-park-funding-ballot-initiatives-in-2020/
Park and Recreation Department Assets Are Valuable to Potential Partners
Courtesy of NRPA
By John L. Crompton, Ph.D.
Nearly all park and recreation departments have a list of desired capital projects that far exceed their available capital resources. The only way some of them will ever come to fruition is if outside capital can be attracted. Private capital can be made available relatively quickly once it is clear there is a reasonable probability there will be a return on the investment (ROI). So, the challenge for a department becomes: What can we offer to make this project a viable opportunity to attract outside investment?
Park and recreation agencies have four major assets that are potentially powerful incentives that can be used as a foundation upon which to build partnerships and attract investment from businesses: (1) a substantial land bank, (2) the ability to access low-cost capital and to raise funds from the tax base, (3) the capacity to convey tax incentives, and (4) control of zoning and permit applications.
Read more:
https://www.nrpa.org/parks-recreation-magazine/2021/february/park-and-recreation-department-assets-are-valuable-to-potential-partners/
How Parks and Recreation Plays a Role in COVID-Impacted Youth Sports
Courtesy of NRPA
By Jon Solomon
The impact of COVID-19 on youth sports is only just starting to crystalize. While the long-term consequences will likely take years to fully understand, it’s already clear many youth are at greater risk of being left behind without physical activity – a major problem since research shows physically active children are less likely to be obese, report lower levels of depression, perform better academically, have reduced health risks as adults and become active parents with their own children.
“There’s a unique opportunity to establish what youth sports can be. It’s probably an opportunity many park and rec departments have not had before. I think there will be a gravitation back to community-based leagues, and they (park and rec departments) need to seize on that opportunity,” said Nate Baldwin, former youth sports programmer for the Appleton (Wisconsin) Parks and Recreation Department, which increased its youth sports participation by 70% between 2014 and 2020.
Read more:
https://www.nrpa.org/blog/how-parks-and-recreation-plays-a-role-in-covid-impacted-youth-sports/
Training
Webinar: Getting Involved in Trail Advocacy
Courtesy of the Rails to Trails Conservancy
Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021; 1 p.m. EST
Presenters: Patrick Wojahn, director of government relations, RTC; Drew Dupuy, director of state-level policy, RTC; and Brian Housh, Midwest policy manager, RTC.
With so many opportunities to advocate for infrastructure that contributes to healthy, safe and equitable communities, there are many ways to make your voice heard. This webinar will highlight the opportunities and challenges of advocating for trail and active transportation infrastructure during the pandemic, providing you with strategies and resources to effectively engage with your elected officials.
For more information:
https://railstotrails-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YVl8-SudTHa7ra9JBANH1g
GP RED Invites You to Sylvie Rokab's "Creating a Powerful Video" Course
March 5, 2021 at 11am PT / 2pm ET
Trying to tell your story in better ways? As part of our AccessNature tactics, GP RED is proud to support the work of Sylvie Rokab, Emmy-nominated and Award-winning Filmmaker and Director of the inspiring film, Love Thy Nature, as she teaches a 90-minute course specifically for professionals in our allied fields on:
5 TOP TIPS TO CREATE A POWERFUL VIDEO
Learn to make films & videos that captivate, inspire, and transform!
GP RED allied professionals and colleagues can receive a 40% discount using the code NATURE40 during registration. Participants may have the option to receive 0.1 CEU (pending) for an additional $10 fee.
For more information:
https://sylvierokab.com/course/
SORP Webinar Series: Recovery and Resilience
Courtesy of the Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals
Rural Economic Development - Tools for Recovery
March 10, 2021, 10am - 11am Pacific
Register:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_j8VRkBm2RgeuDZGI2q60eA
Visitor Retention: New and Repeat Visitors: Using Data to Inform Decisions for 2021
March 17, 2021, 10am - 11am Pacific
Register:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_8KyHF5IMTUuasLW1BRgALw
Stewardship Corps Case Studies - Pandemic Response and Future Role
March 24, 2021, 10am - 11am Pacific
Register:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_GoobpGutTAmvOg5V2Zy6Og
Visitor Use - Data Review from the pandemic. What to anticipate for 2021.
March 31, 2021, 10am - 11am Pacific
Register:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_SDmCAAMgTauEFip6jfu5LQ
Responsible Recreation - Social Science and Best Practices for On-The-Ground Implementation
April 7, 2021, 10am - 11am Pacific
Register:
https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_oOQnmeYeTSaBRh998j89Iw
Upcoming Webinars from PlayCore
Courtesy of PlayCore
We invite you to participate in one of these great complimentary events, and don't forget to complete the assessment to earn your CEU. Registration Code: COMMUNITY
Designing School Grounds to Integrate Nature, Learning and Health Promotion
Live webinar: Tuesday, February 16, 2:00 to 3:15 p.m. EST
Unleashed: Off-leash Dog Park Design Trends & Planning Tips
Prerecorded webinar available from Monday, February 22, 2021, 8:00am - Friday, February 26, 2021 at 11:59pm
Creating Conditions of Possibility: Diverse, equitable, and inclusive recreation spaces for individuals with disabilities
Live webinar: Wednesday, March 3, 2:00 to 3:15 p.m. EST
Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs
Prerecorded webinar available from Monday, March 15, 2021, 8:00am - Friday, March 19, 2021 at 11:59pm
Register here:
https://www.playcore.com/webinars
2021 River Management Symposium: From Mountain Creeks to Metro Canals
April 12-15, 2021
Presented by the River Management Society, in partnership with Virginia Commonwealth University and Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Virginia State Scenic Rivers Program.
RMS welcomes you as a river manager, scientist, planner, legal expert, student, professor or river conservation and recreation advocate to brush up your skills as you grow your network!
For more information:
https://www.river-management.org/symposium
City Parks Alliance Summer Series 2021
June 14–25, 2021
The COVID pandemic and resulting economic recession have challenged park and recreation staff and city budgets at a time when the need for equitable access to healthy outdoor spaces has never been greater.
Programming over the two weeks includes one or two sessions per day with recordings available to registrants. Conversations will focus on how cities are reckoning with racial justice, building an inclusive workforce, driving an equitable economic recovery, and leveraging parks and public spaces to connect people and create stronger, more resilient communities.
For more information:
https://cityparksalliance.org/summer-series/
|
