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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.
Welcome New Members
Ms. Kami Rankin
Deputy Director
Polk County Conservation Board
Granger, Iowa
Ms. Darcie Crew
Director
Jackson County Board of Supervisors
Pascagoula, Mississippi
Mr. Joseph Mack
Senior Director
Knox County Parks & Recreation
Knoxville, Tennessee
Mr. David Ellis
Executive Director
Chemung County Youth Bureau
Elmira, New York
Mr. Dennis Merkel
Parks Administrator
St Croix County Parks
Hudson, Wisconsin
Member News
Public Art Master Plan
Courtesy of Johnson County Park and Recreation District
KANSAS - In fall 2021, the Johnson County Park and Recreation District (JCPRD) Board of Park and Recreation Commissioners approved a Public Art Master Plan to guide the vision for public art in JCPRD parks, greenways and facilities for the next five years.
JCPRD worked with Via Partnership and SWT Design to guide the planning process, as well as a 15-member Core Team, comprised of residents of Johnson County and local stakeholders, including members the JRPRD Public Art Committee, local artists, arts administrators, and community leaders. Via Partnership is a public art consulting firm with more than 20 years of experience working with communities across North America to develop innovative and successful public art plans and strategies. SWT Design is an integrated landscape architecture based and recently worked with JCPRD to develop its forward-looking Legacy Plan. Additionally, the planning process relied on broad community input, which was gained through county-wide questionnaires, roundtable discussions, community events, and more.
Read more:
https://www.jcprd.com/1623/Public-Art-Master-Plan
Announcing the Newly Accredited and Reaccredited CAPRA Agencies
Courtesy of NRPA
NRPA and the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) are proud to announce the accreditation of 10 agencies and the reaccreditation of 27 agencies. CAPRA accreditation is the only national accreditation for park and recreation agencies and is a measure of an agency’s overall quality of operation, management and service to the community. This mark of distinction indicates that an agency has met rigorous standards related to the management and administration of lands, facilities, resources, programs, safety and services.
Congratulations to these NACPRO member agencies:
Newly Accredited Agencies
- Calvert County Parks and Recreation, Maryland
- Cherokee Recreation and Parks, Georgia
- Loudoun County Parks, Recreation and Community Services, Virginia
Reaccredited Agencies
- Baltimore City Recreation and Parks Department, Maryland
- Five Rivers MetroParks, Ohio
- Mohave County Parks, Arizona
- San Diego County Parks and Recreation, California
- Springfield-Greene County Park Board, Missouri
Read more:
https://www.nrpa.org/parks-recreation-magazine/2021/december/announcing-the-newly-accredited-and-reaccredited-capra-agencies/
Research and Resources
Trail Accessibility Hub
Courtesy of American Trails
Our brand new accessibility hub brings information together so you can easily find everything you need to know about planning, building, and maintaining accessible trails.
Read more:
https://www.americantrails.org/resources/accessibility-hug
Want Equity and Prosperity? Invest in Urban Public Spaces.
Courtesy of Governing.com
In Detroit and Memphis, two ongoing public-space efforts that look very different on the surface point to a very similar conclusion: The public realm — the parks, streetscapes, community centers, trails and libraries we all share — is a critical policy tool for achieving greater equity and prosperity.
Residents in Detroit’s Fitzgerald neighborhood and near downtown Memphis face the same seemingly intractable problems we see in most American cities: segregation and concentrated poverty; chronic disinvestment in low-income and Black-majority communities; health disparities; growing distrust in institutions and in other people; and entrenched, systemic racism that is reflected in the built environment. The long-term lack of investment in the public realm has resulted in unhealthy, stigmatized and dangerous neighborhoods along with significant racial disparities in wealth.
The good news is that a growing body of research shows the myriad economic and social benefits of a robust, nature-rich and welcoming public realm.
Read more:
https://www.governing.com/community/want-equity-and-prosperity-invest-in-urban-public-spaces
New economic report showcases outdoor recreation economy’s strength & resiliency during a difficult year
Courtesy of American Trails
The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) released economic data for 2020 on outdoor recreation’s powerful and positive economic impact on the U.S. economy today. These new numbers show outdoor recreation generates $689 billion in economic output and creates 4.3 million jobs. The report, a snapshot in time of a challenging and uncertain year, includes national and state-level data.
This is the fourth consecutive year that BEA, an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, has released government data on this critical industry sector. Today’s release shows how the outdoor industry, despite the impact of widespread public lands and business closures, suspended trips and travel, gathering restrictions, supply chain issues and more, continued to support communities across the country during the pandemic. Prior to 2020, the outdoor recreation economy was growing faster than the economy in every indicator and served as a resilient economic growth engine and job creator.
Read more:
https://recreationroundtable.org/bea-2020-orsa-release/
Denmark Is Cleverly Repurposing Old Wind Turbine Blades as Bike Shelters
Courtesy of the PBIC Messenger
By Andy Corbley
Looking to combine their passion for cycling and environmentalism, the always eco-thinking Danes are taking their old wind turbine blades and upcycling them into bike shelters.
Turbine blades must endure serious forces contending with the wind, and the first and second-generation turbines featured blades made of advanced composite materials like fiberglass, foams, and resins. This makes them impossible to recycle, and for some years as early wind turbines are gradually having more and more blades decommissioned, warnings about the impending waste have been growing.
This advocacy group has published papers in several journals looking at how the rigid blades can successfully be deployed in a wide variety of construction and infrastructure projects, from the aforementioned bike shelters which they constructed in Aalborg, to structural reinforcement, pedestrian footbridges, and traffic guard rails.
Read more:
https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/in-denmark-wind-turbine-blades-are-turned-into-bike-shelters/
Bicycling Benefits Business
Courtesy of the PBIC Messenger
By Raven Wells
“Bicycling Benefits Business” highlights the positive impact bicycling has on small businesses, neighborhoods, and regional and local economies. When governments and businesses invest in bicycling infrastructure and the bicycle industry, the economic benefits are felt at every level.
"Time and time again we see a significant link between people who bike and strong, resilient economies," said Bill Nesper, executive director of the League of American Bicyclists. "When local communities invest in making bicycling safer and more accessible to more people, the return on investment is clear for individuals and society at large from cost-savings on public health, to job creation, to small businesses' growth, and more. We hope that by continuing to highlight the real economic benefits experienced in places across the U.S., we will inspire more communities and businesses to plan, design, and build destinations that empower more Americans to choose bicycling as a means of transportation and recreation."
Read more:
https://bikeleague.org/content/bicycling-benefits-business
Tennessee Tourism installs 13th colorblind viewfinder at state park
Courtesy of the Johnson City Press
Tennessee is known for its stunning fall foliage with bright oranges, vibrant yellows and deep reds. Now, there’s beauty for all to see as the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development this week unveiled its 13th colorblind viewfinder at Radnor Lake State Park and Natural Area in Nashville.
In 2017, Tennessee Tourism installed EnChroma lenses in viewfinders at 12 scenic locations across the state, including Ober Gatlinburg, Ruby Falls and Chickasaw State Park. Tennessee Tourism and its ad agency, VMLY&R, won three Cannes Lions Awards for the campaign.
Read more:
https://www.johnsoncitypress.com/news/watch-beauty-for-all-to-see-tennessee-tourism-installs-13th-colorblind-viewfinder-at-state-park/article_ce4c360c-3831-11ec-adb1-8fc5c02b2c27.html
In the News
Breaking Down the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
Courtesy of NRPA
By Kyle Simpson
On Friday, November 5, Congress passed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. President Biden intends to sign the legislation in the coming days. This bipartisan legislation is a truly historic investment in our infrastructure. The legislation includes money for roads, bridges, rail, public transit, broadband, environmental remediation and many other provisions, and is a significant win for local parks and recreation.
NRPA has supported this legislation and has been advocating for the inclusion of some important provisions that will benefit the field of parks and recreation. While implementation of the legislation is still being developed, the provisions below are potentially of interest to NRPA members.
Read more:
https://www.nrpa.org/blog/breaking-down-the-infrastructure-investment-and-jobs-act/
As E-Bikes Speed Up, a Policy Dilemma Looms
Courtesy of City Lab
By David Zipper
Earlier this month Dutch e-bike maker VanMoof unveiled its powerful new V model, which comes with two motors, a 700-watt engine, and a top speed of 37 miles per hour. With an expected price of $3,598 in the United States, the V is scheduled to hit the streets at the end of 2022.
VanMoof is not the only company pushing the envelope on a bike’s speed and power. A New Zealand company called Speedi offers a device that can supposedly hack an e-bike’s sensors to boost speed by 50%. Meanwhile, the Vintage Electric Roadster already goes 40 mph, and a vehicle called the Revolution X is advertised as reaching 60 mph. (Such bikes typically have a setting that can restrict speed.) These machines are blurring the already murky distinctions between electric bikes and faster, more powerful mopeds, motor scooters, and motorcycles.
Read more:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-10-29/super-fast-e-bikes-could-risk-a-regulatory-backlash
Public Schools to allow use of facilities to non-students after hours
Courtesy of wkbw.com
By Ryan Arbogast
NEW YORK - 7 Public School playgrounds will be open very soon to non-students - part of a new initiative from the City of Buffalo and the Buffalo Public School System.
"It's all about accessibility, we want children to be able to go to parks, playgrounds, and whatever they need to play - and we want them to be able to walk there," said Andy Rabb, the Deputy Director of Public Works and the Parks & Rec Department.
Read more:
https://www.wkbw.com/news/local-news/public-schools-to-allow-use-of-facilities-to-non-students-after-hours
Parks and green spaces are vital for neighborhoods, so why aren’t there more?
Courtesy of the LA Times
By Rachel Schnalzer
On a macroscopic level, they can help purify air, cool down neighborhoods and capture much-needed stormwater — all necessary to address the environmental havoc we’ve wreaked on our landscape.
On a personal level, they’re where we teach our kids to ride bikes and play basketball with friends. They’re inexpensive — and beautiful — places to go on dates and celebrate birthdays, loved ones gathered around wooden picnic tables.
“The pandemic really illustrated how crucial parks are for our communities,” said Jon Christensen, an adjunct assistant professor at the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability. “People are using them more than ever — and they are also providing places for COVID tests, places for food distribution, places for kids to play when they didn’t have school.”
Parks are nice to have near your home — but why are they so important?
“There’s a very substantial relationship between having a park within walking distance of your home and good health outcomes,” Christensen said. “This is clearly a public health benefit issue and an issue of environmental justice.”
Read more:
https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2021-11-15/la-parks-are-not-equitably-distributed-how-to-fix
NOAA seeks input on the administration’s goal to conserve 30 percent of lands and waters by 2030
Courtesy of NACo
By Adam Pugh, Aaliyah Nedd
On October 29, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced it is accepting public comments on how the agency can help achieve the goals and recommendations in a report titled Conserving and Restoring America the Beautiful 2021. The “America the Beautiful” initiative is the Biden administration’s goal of conserving 30 percent of our nation’s lands and waters by 2030, also known as 30 by 2030. Public comments are due on December 28.
Read more:
https://www.naco.org/blog/noaa-seeks-input-administrations-goal-conserve-30-percent-lands-and-waters-2030
Woodland Aquatic Center offers high-school credit for lifeguard skills
Courtesy of the Pikes Peak Courier
By Pat Hill
COLORADO - Dance classes, swim lessons, academic credits and a staff with experience and a go-go attitude, the Woodland Aquatic Center is an amenity that distinguishes the city of Woodland Park.
“For the population we have in the city and the county, in general, this facility is stunning,” said Brady Warner, who manages the center. “I don’t think there’s anywhere else in the country with a facility of this caliber, given our population base.”
Part of the city’s parks and recreation department, under the direction of Cindy Keating, the Woodland Aquatic Center offers physical education accreditation for swimming. “We’re partnering with the high school to offer credit for the lifeguard classes,” Warner said.
Read more:
https://gazette.com/pikespeakcourier/woodland-aquatic-center-offers-high-school-credit-for-lifeguard-skills/article_128d9c36-4320-11ec-8866-ffa2ee7c49ac.html
Construction tops out at Aurora's new $41M marijuana-funded rec center
Courtesy of 9news.com
By Alexander Kirk
COLORADO - Features of the center will include an indoor pool with waterslide, pool party rooms, a fitness area that includes a 1,000 square foot fitness turf zone, group exercise rooms, multi-purpose community rooms, a gymnasium, a “figure 8” running track with various elevations and a 20,000-square-foot indoor fieldhouse.
Construction of the new 76,000-square-foot recreation center is expected to be completed in early 2023.
Read more:
https://www.9news.com/article/life/style/colorado-guide/aurora-rec-center/73-86c02c60-e00a-4213-8309-0c388ab4612f
Training
GP RED PREPP Program with the University of Colorado Denver
Courtesy of GP RED
As more people recognize the value of parks and recreation (P&R), and related public spaces for the health and vibrancy of community, there is a need for more P&R professionals trained in both public management and parks and recreation planning. Colorado Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA), GP RED, and the University of Colorado (CU) Denver School of Public Affairs Institute are happy to announce the launch of the Parks and Recreation Emerging Professionals Program (PREPP), a leadership program designed for those who want to move into upper levels of administration, need a strong basis and competencies in management and planning, and are interested in a flexible program for working professionals.
PREPP is an accelerated 15-month online learning program. Course topics include foundational skills and competencies needed in public agency management in parks and recreation, including parks and recreation philosophy, value and impact; organizational structure and governance; diversity, equity and inclusion; finance and cost recovery; program planning and evaluation; collaboration and community engagement; facilities/parks planning and management; human resources, and communication.
Participants will be grouped into cohorts starting in January 2022.
For more information:
https://ucdenverdata.formstack.com/forms/prepp_app
Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) Certificate Program
Courtesy of NRPA
The Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) Certificate provides a comprehensive step-by-step learning forum online in nine-course modules and a review course module. This certificate program provides participants the assurance and foundation to successfully oversee a GSI project or program — from planning to evaluation and every step in between. Each course is about 30 to 60 minutes in length, provides real case studies and knowledge checks for successful knowledge advancement. The online courses have been designed for the working professional in mind and can be completed in small parts, whether you have 10 minutes or an hour.
This program is designed for park and recreation professionals, community partners, public works and planners who are seeking to build resilience in their community through Green Stormwater Infrastructure in parks.
For more information:
https://learning.nrpa.org/products/green-stormwater-infrastructure-gsi-certificate-program
Programming for Hybrid Nature Experiences
Courtesy of Let's Talk Parks
Did your agency pivot to virtual programs during the height of the pandemic? Are you still using those programs today? On this episode, Nate Bibat, Senior Naturalist at the Dunes Nature Center, comes on the Let’s Talk Parks show to share how his organization was able to quickly pivot to online environmental education programs. He shares the various tools and methods they used for the hundreds of students in their programs – including making videos on YouTube, launching a podcast, creating virtual tours on Google Earth, and so much more! He also talks about how he and his team made those online programs more accessible for those with hearing or visual impairments. Tune in to learn how these programs continue to evolve into hybrid learning experiences, where online pre-visits serve as a helpful way to introduce students and teachers to the content before they travel on-site.
Listen here:
https://letstalkparks.com/podcast/
Webinar: Mechanized Trailbuilding, A Primer
Courtesy of American Trails
Date: December 2, 2021
Time: 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm ET
Cost: Free
Organization: American Trails
Mechanized trailbuilding has revolutionized the trail industry over the last 25 years. From specialized dozers to mini-excavators to crawler carriers, the advantages of small earthmovers include faster rates of production and the ability to sculpt a more consistent trail tread. Through a combination of field footage and expert speakers, this webinar will provide a primer on mechanized trailbuilding equipment including Mini-Excavators, Trail Dozers, Tracked Dumpers and Haulers, Skid Steers/Mini Skid Steers, and Compactors. The speakers will discuss: pros/cons; matching mechanized equipment to your environment, budget, and trail specifications; workforce, experience and training; modifications/attachments; and repairs/maintenance. The session will conclude with Q+A.
For more information:
https://www.americantrails.org/training/mechanized-trailbuilding-a-primer#eventDetails
Webinar: Wheels and Legs - Reducing Nonmotorized Trails Conflicts
Courtesy of American Trails
Date: December 9, 2021
Time: 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm ET
Cost: Free
Organization: American Trails
“Share-the trail" has been a mantra for decades. In many cases, particularly for urban trails and greenways, the shared use (multiple uses) concept has offered an efficient and affordable way to build and manage trails. However, with the explosive growth of trail visitation and the growth the types of uses, the question of conflicts among users, has arisen—particularly between mechanized (bikes) and foot (including people with mobility devices) traffic.
Considering both “backcountry" and urban trails, what are some of the emerging potential conflicts types and trends and how do they affect the trail experience, safety and resource sustainability? Is it a problem? And, if so, how significant is it? Are we at a tipping point where we need to rethink shared use? What are the characteristics of the most common and disruptive conflicts? What are the perceptions of the different types of trail users? And, what are trail managers’ perspectives? Are there practical solutions?
For more information:
https://www.americantrails.org/training/wheels-and-legs-reducing-nonmotorized-trails-conflicts#eventDetails
Webinar: Adaptive Mountain Biking
Courtesy of American Trails
Date: December 16, 2021
Time: 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm ET
Cost: Free
Organization: American Trails
This webinar will provide an introduction to the topic, including general definitions, trail signage opportunities, as well as trails managed use, class, designated use, etc. and how there is overlap in sustainable trail building tactics (methodologies) and usability for all.
This webinar will also speak about adaptive mountain biking specifically and the HOW (how to get trail crews involved, their buy-in/support, making change, being inclusive. This will also include work that has been done to create guidelines (no standards until a Natl Agency adopts them) for trails and a general categorization of devices and capabilities.
Lastly, the webinar will cover the design and technical aspects of adaptive mountain biking trails.
For more information:
https://www.americantrails.org/training/adaptive-mountain-biking#eventDetails
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