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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 Member
Mr. Zachary White
Parks and Recreation Supervisor
Pender County Parks and Recreation, North Carolina
Member News
Congratulations Charlotte County Community Services
2022 NACo Achievement Award Winner: Best in Parks and Recreation category for "Sam and Charlotte’s Super Safari"
FLORIDA - Charlotte County Community Services Recreation Division created a special event called Sam and Charlotte’s Super Safari which was a free, family-friendly event for families with persons with disabilities. At the event, families could meet and gather information from local agencies and organizations from across the county so they could learn more about different types of opportunities and resources available in the area. The event included presentations, games and crafts.
For more information:
https://www.naco.org/resources/award-programs/sam-and-charlotte%E2%80%99s-super-safari
County fights flooding by purchasing property, creating more open space
Courtesy of NACo
By Stephenie Overman
NEW JERSEY - Hurricane Irene inundated Morris County, N.J. 11 years ago, leading to record-breaking crests on three main rivers. The county now marks the 10th anniversary of the Flood Mitigation Program it launched to convert vulnerable properties to open space.
The county’s very successful program has allocated $9.6 million to obtain 84 flood-prone properties in eight Morris County towns.
The Flood Mitigation Program operates through the Morris County Open Space, Farmland and Historic Preservation Trust. Using what Shaw called “a sliver of our taxpayer-approved open-space dollars” the board decided to supplement state and federal programs by helping towns obtain flood-prone lots. The county funds go directly to the municipalities, which purchase the properties from willing sellers and are required to retain the land as public open space.
Read more:
https://www.naco.org/articles/county-fights-flooding-purchasing-property-creating-more-open-space
Award-Winning Earvin “Magic” Johnson Park Opens Phase 1B
Courtesy of Parks and Recreation Business
CALIFORNIA—As the winner of Project of the Year from the United States Green Building Council’s Los Angeles Chapter, along with five other prestigious awards, Earvin “Magic” Johnson Park, the largest park in South Los Angeles, is putting the finishing touches on its revitalization of Phase 1B and will be re-opening to the public this February.
Hailed as the gold star in sustainable park design, the project not only offers a hub for the community to gather and recreate but demonstrates how urban environments can be models of water conservation. This next phase will include ¾ mile of walking trails, an off-leash dog park, educational California native habitat gardens, an informal natural amphitheater, a ¼ mile fitness loop with exercise equipment, and a community flexible lawn space. With the opening of Phase 1B, it will be the first off-leash dog park in South Los Angeles. The first phase of the renovation, which officially opened to the public in January 2021, is a world-class urban park for the community while also serving as a model for sustainability and conservation for the County of Los Angeles.
Read more
Research and Resources
US Tennis Association - Resources for Park Managers
The USTA has prioritized collaborating and strengthening relationships with local parks and recreation departments nationwide to help attract, retain, and engage with diverse members of the local community in order to further support the USTA's mission of promoting and developing the growth of tennis across America and beyond.
The Park Agency Tennis Assessment is a complimentary USTA consultation service that aims to produce actionable deliverables to park agencies. Through discussions with the city director of facilities, city director of tennis, local partners, USTA Section/District, city/park programming director and other entities, the park agency will receive personalized recommendations and action items that will improve the delivery of tennis within the community.
For more information:
https://www.usta.com/en/home/coach-organize/organization-facilities/parks-recreation.html
The Economic Potential of the Great American Rail-Trail
Courtesy of Headwaters Economics
As the nation’s first cross-country multiuse trail, the Great American Rail-Trail will be entirely bikeable and walkable, connecting travelers of all ages and abilities with America’s diverse landscapes and communities. It will be hosted primarily by rail-trails—public paths created from former railroad corridors—as well as other multiuse trails, offering a route across the nation that is completely separated from vehicle traffic. The Great American Rail-Trail is currently 53% complete, with more than 150 existing trails hosting the route and approximately 88 gaps yet to be connected.
Headwaters Economics partnered with Rails-to-Trails Conservancy to conduct an independent economic impact analysis of the Great American Rail-Trail. We find that when fully complete, the trail will attract 25.6 million trips and generate more than $229.4 million in visitor spending each year. It could generate more than $104 million in labor income, 2,500 new jobs, $22.8 million in new tax revenue, and contribute more than $161 million to the gross domestic product each year.
Read more:
https://headwaterseconomics.org/outdoor-recreation/great-american-rail-trail/
The American Community Survey in our Data Tools
Courtesy of Headwaters Economics
Unlike the decennial census that counts every person every 10 years, the ACS is an ongoing survey sent monthly to a sample of households. The survey collects information about topics that aren’t included in the census, such as educational attainment, housing, language, commuting distance, and employment. The Census Bureau then uses the surveys to estimate average characteristics over a five-year period. The ACS is the most comprehensive resource for understanding socioeconomic characteristics in the nation.
The latest ACS data comprise statistics from 2016 to 2020. They were released by the Census Bureau in March of 2022 and added to Headwaters Economics’ tools in May of 2022.
For more information:
https://headwaterseconomics.org/equity/the-american-community-survey-in-our-data-tools/
Future Flood Risk: Historic Sites in New Jersey
Courtesy of Climate Central
Using our proprietary Portfolio Analysis Tool (PAT), Climate Central determined the current and future flood risk at six locations in NJ that hold historical and cultural significance. Read the Future Flood Risk: Historic Sites in NJ report to see how coastal flooding is already affecting these sites.
Download the report
In the News
NYC wants to take 25% of its street space away from cars in favor of a walkable/bikeable city
Courtesy of electrek
By Micah Toll
NEW YORK - Back when COVID-19 ravaged New York City and turned the city’s transportation needs upside down, significant portions of the road space were repurposed for non-car use. From bike lanes to public seating and urban parks, roads that previously saw gridlocked traffic were nearly instantly transformed into public spaces that benefitted a wider group of residents.
After being forced to realize the benefits of such repurposing of streets, the city is now asking, “Why shouldn’t it just stay that way?”
It’s all part of a new plan known as NYC 25×25, which is backed by NYC mayor Eric Adams.
The proposal calls for 25% of NYC’s street space to be converted into walkable pedestrian plazas, bike lanes, green space, and bus lanes by 2025.
Read more:
https://electrek.co/2022/05/12/nyc-wants-to-take-25-of-its-street-space-away-from-cars-in-favor-of-a-walkable-bikeable-city/
No more s’mores: Is this the end of campfires in Colorado?
Courtesy of the Denver Post
By Conrad Swanson
COLORADO - The days of explorers ambling into Colorado’s backcountry, gathering kindling and sparking a fire for some supper and perhaps a s’more or two are gone.
The state’s too dry. Too warm. Wildfire risk is too high and the season lasts all year now. The danger of a camper accidentally sparking a devastating wildfire is too serious.
Fire restrictions vary between counties and federal lands but generally they dictate whether campers are allowed to strike a fire and, if so, where. Certain restriction stages might prohibit campfires in the backcountry but allow them in designated metal or concrete fire pits and picnic areas.
Read more:
https://www.denverpost.com/2022/05/05/colorado-fire-restrictions-wildfire-campfire-bans/
Excess money from Harris County toll roads to fund hikes, bike trails
Courtesy of khou.com
TEXAS - The money helps to maintain toll roads but when there's a surplus, state code allows for extra toll money to cover transportation, highway or air quality projects within the region.
Harris County's "Tollways to Trailways" project is aimed at creating 236 miles of bikeways and sidewalks, connecting neighborhoods separated by tollways at a time when gas prices, population and traffic are rising.
The first leg of the project costs $53 million.
Read more
Training
Parks and Recreation Emerging Professionals Program (PREPP)
Courtesy of GP RED
PREPP Cohort #2 to begin October 27, 2022
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.
GP RED, the University of Colorado (CU) Denver School of Public Affairs Institute, Colorado Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA), are happy to announce Cohort #2 of the Parks and Recreation Emerging Professionals Program (PREPP), which kicks off in October. PREPP is an accelerated online learning program designed for anyone in the U.S. 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.
For more information:
https://www.gpred.org/parks-and-recreation-emerging-professional-program-prepp/
Crime Prevention through Environmental Design - Online training now available
Courtesy of NICP
Cities and Counties throughout the country are adopting Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) ordinances requiring site plan reviews with crime prevention in mind. Law enforcement officers who are specially trained in CPTED are now working closely with Planners, Architects, City Officials, and Educators to ensure the proper design of structures, schools, and neighborhoods. Participants will learn how the design and use of the environment can control human / criminal behavior and reduce the fear of crime. They will learn crime prevention through natural means. How natural access control and natural surveillance decrease the opportunity for crime. Participants will learn the different aspects of lighting and its effects on human behavior. Participants will work together on a site survey and provide a group presentation of their results using CPTED strategies. They will learn the advantages of having a CPTED ordinance and how to construct and present one to lawmakers.
For more information:
https://online.cptedtraining.net/
Webinar: Slow and Say Hello
Courtesy of American Trails
Date: May 26, 2022
Time: 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm ET
Cost: Free
Organization: American Trails
"Slow & Say Hello" engages park visitors at popular trailheads to promote trail safety and resource protection. The program has successfully reduced conflict and fostered a friendlier trail community in a San Francisco area County by putting visitors in the other person's shoes. The program, developed over several years, is a collaboration of mountain bike, equestrian, and environmental groups called Trail Partners. The mission of the Trail Partners Foundation is to encourage the creation of similar collaborations wherever trail conflicts exist, and to offer others the benefit of the Foundation’s years of experience and the tools that have been created. The "Slow & Say Hello" logo is trademarked to ensure its use in an education based program open to all trail user groups.
For more information:
https://www.americantrails.org/training/slow-and-say-hello#eventDetails
Webinars from NRPA
Billions of Dollars! Communicating the Economic Value of Parks
June 2 at 2 p.m. EDT
Join this discussion about communicating the economic value of parks, which is billions of dollars nationwide. Anyone responsible for delivering positive news about the economic impact of parks and recreation, or who needs advocacy tools for getting funding and buy-in from the government and other supporters, should participate.
How to Receive Critical Feedback About Inequity
June 7 at 2 p.m. EDT
Participate in this clinic to explore how to engage with feedback around inequity issues through a hands-on, interactive workshop. Come to this event prepared to engage readily in dialogue and activities via breakout rooms and virtual chat. This learning event is live attendance only and will not be recorded for on-demand.
Peer-to-Peer: How We Can Increase Gender Equity in Youth Sports
June 9 at 2 p.m. EDT
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Title IX — which paved the way for equity and inclusion in sports — sign up for this interactive, free-to-premier learning event on gender equity in youth sports. You and your peers will explore challenges and brainstorm solutions around how to ensure all youth have access to high-quality sports opportunities.
For more information:
https://learning.nrpa.org/upcoming-featured
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