NACPRO News

June 11, 2024

NACPRO Award Recipients
Ask the membership
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News & Resources
Training
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The annual NACPRO awards banquet recognizes and honors excellence in parks and recreation at the county, regional and special park district level. This year the awards committee received 90 amazing award nominations. On June 2, NACPRO presented 25 awards to very deserving group of distinguished recipients at our annual meeting in San Diego, California. 

Watch the awards presentation: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7r16zlLc_2c&t=8s

The awards committee recognizes that all the nominations provide inspiration and innovation. We encourage you to contact them to learn more: 
https://www.nacpro.org/assets/Awards/2024-Awards-recipients.pdf

What limit does your organization set for gifts/donations of cash before legislation is required? 

St. Louis County (MO) set a limit of $1,000/year per person for acceptance of small cash gifts or grants back in 1979.  I am researching what limits other counties have on gifts/donations to see if we should raise our limit beyond $1,000/year per person.
 
303.200 - Acceptance of Small Cash Gifts.
1. The Director of a Department may accept cash gifts or grants of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) or less for the support of activities or projects performed by that Department. Any such gift shall be deposited with the County Treasurer and shall be deemed appropriated for the purpose expressed by the donor without further legislative action. For the purpose of this section, all donations or grants by one person within one calendar year for one program or activity shall be considered one gift.
 
2. The Department Director shall promptly notify the Accounting Officer upon the completion or expiration of the project or activity for which such gift was intended, and thereupon any funds remaining shall be transferred by the Accounting Officer from the appropriation accounts to the unappropriated balance of the County fund from which the usual activities of the department are primarily funded.
 
3. Each calendar quarter, and within thirty (30) days thereafter, each department receiving gifts or grants under the procedure of this section shall report the amounts, donors, and purposes of all such gifts received to the County Executive and County Council.
(O. No. 9241, 6-8-79)
 
Please respond to: 
Brian Schaffer, CPRP
Director, Parks and Recreation
St. Louis County, Missouri
314-615-7840
[email protected]

Survey on Policies and Procedures for setting resident and non-resident fees

Johnson County Park & Recreation District (JCPRD) presents its fees and charges to the JCPRD board annually for review and approval. Upon further discussion with the JCPRD Board, JCPRD is interested in learning what policies and procedures park and recreation agencies have in place to assist staff in making adjustments to fees and more specifically setting rates for residents and nonresidents. Your participation in this short survey is appreciated. JCPRD will be happy to share the results of this survey once the data has been gathered.

Survey: 
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GDH96GW

Tap into our collective experience. Send your question and some background to the editor and we will include it in the next NACPRO News.

Which Bear Resistant Food Locker is right for you?
Courtesy of Pilot Rock

Bear Resistant Food Lockers from Pilot Rock have been designed... and tested... to keep bears out of food and supplies, protecting both bears and campers. The BPFL series of lockers feature 5 models to fit the needs of any size outing. All models are made with heavy-duty 12-gauge steel plate with durable welded construction. Click below to watch our video and see for yourself the great features and benefits of each model.

Watch here:
https://youtu.be/pItl-kRJ8aA

Springfield-Greene County Park Board names new director
Courtesy of Springfield Daily Citizen

By Jack McGee

MISSOURI - The Park Board named Ron Schneider as the department’s new leader in a May 28 news release. Schneider will replace Bob Belote, who retired from the Park Board in January. Schneider will begin work on July 8. Jim Fisher has served as interim director during the nationwide search for a new director, led by the Park Board and Springfield city management.

Read more:
https://sgfcitizen.org/government/springfield-greene-county/springfield-greene-county-park-board-names-new-director/


As L.A. County nighttime recreation program expands scope, success largely continues
Courtesy of UCLA Newsroom

CALIFORNIA - Parks After Dark, the free Los Angeles County program that provides a safe space for people primarily during evening hours, fosters stronger feelings of community and closer connections among neighbors, according to a report from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.

Ninety-six percent of people surveyed said that Parks After Dark provides a sense of belonging within their communities, and 94% said the program helped them get to know their neighbors better.

Overall, the program had more than 405,000 unique visits throughout its eight-week run in summer 2023. The most popular activities were movie nights, concerts, and sports clinics and games.

Read more:
https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/la-county-parks-after-dark-2023-evaluation


Voters approve new levy for Tualatin Hills Parks & Recreation District
Courtesy of Oregon Live

By Jaime Hale

OREGON - Washington County voters approved a five-year levy Tuesday for the Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District, filling a budget shortfall that district officials said could have led to facility closures and a reduction in services.

Current property taxes already fund the district’s operations, but officials said its costs have increased more quickly than current taxes can pay for, especially since 2020.

The levy is expected to bring in $15 million to $17 million per year, almost all of which would be used to maintain the current level of services, as opposed to providing increased services, district spokesperson Holly Thompson said ahead of the election.

Read more:
https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2024/05/voters-passing-new-levy-for-tualatin-hills-parks-recreation-district.html


The Healing Power of Parks: Regenerating Landscapes and Communities
Courtesy of NRPA

By Clement Lau, DPPD, FAICP

CALIFORNIA - As part of its Earth Day celebrations in April, the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) hosted screenings of the film Common Ground at two regional parks. The subject of this documentary is “regenerative agriculture,” which is essentially a conservation and rehabilitation approach to land management and food production. Unlike industrial agriculture, the regenerative version focuses on topsoil regeneration, enhancing ecosystem services, improving the water cycle, increasing biodiversity and resilience to climate change, supporting bio-sequestration, and strengthening soil health and vitality.

While Common Ground is primarily about food production and farming systems, the movie should also prompt and inspire viewers to think and act more broadly and globally about our relationship with the land and the need to heal it. For example, the idea of land regeneration aligns with the need and urgency to transform additional degraded lands such as brownfields and oilfields into parks, open space, community gardens, and other land uses that generate multiple benefits to communities, especially those that are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change.  

Read more:
https://www.nrpa.org/blog/the-healing-power-of-parks-regenerating-landscapes-and-communities/

Outdoor recreation shows viability in public lands counties
Courtesy of NACo

By Charlie Ban

There was no money at stake driving negotiations, and nobody was trying to bend anyone else to their will, but counties, towns, the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service put their heads together and came up with a partnership agreement that led to sustainable recreation being identified as one of the top three priorities of the Inyo National Forest’s new management plan in 2019. 

“Instead of the state coming in and saying, ‘We think we know what you should be doing at this level,’ we are investing in these regional communities to let them explore, ‘What are their local assets? What are their local capacities? What are their local industries that they want to start to build upon?’” said Danna Stroud, Central California’s community-based solutions manager from the governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development.

Each region received $5 million to fund planning efforts, which includes identifying emerging industry sectors, and $14 million per region for environmental review, project design or engineering, permitting or feasibility studies.

Read more:
https://www.naco.org/news/outdoor-recreation-shows-viability-public-lands-counties


ORR Releases New Recreation Funding Report

Today the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) released a new report, "Recreation Funding in America: Current Results and Future Insights.” This first-of-its-kind comprehensive study conducted by Southwick Associates, Inc. on behalf of ORR aggregates and analyzes current federal funding streams for outdoor recreation and identifies potential future threats to these funding sources including changing energy demands, evolving participation, inflation, weather events and climate change, and stagnant appropriations trends.

Stand-out stat: Outdoor recreation contributes 2.2% to U.S. GDP, yet only receives 0.16% of federal funding, a nearly 14x difference in scale.

The report highlights the pressing need for innovative solutions to ensure sustainable funding for the $1.1 trillion recreation economy and the millions of Americans and communities who rely on it in the face of these potential funding gaps. 

Read more:
https://recreationroundtable.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/ORR030_RecFunding_Jun24_Rd2.pdf


The Role Tribes Need for Protecting Sacred Lands
Courtesy of Governing

By Judith LeBlanc, Native Organizers Alliance

Every national monument and national park, every acre of public land, is native land. Many national parks and national monuments were created by violently removing native people from our homelands, where our ancestors lived for thousands of years. This land theft is part of the U.S. history of systemic racism, but it has been erased from the national narrative. Instead, parks and monuments are portrayed as pristine and untouched. We’ve got to change this narrative and recognize that all public lands are on Indigenous homelands. And it is the tribes’ right to make decisions about their homelands.

Co-governing with Indigenous people isn’t just good policy that gets votes in the short term, it’s a long-term solution that ensures that the public lands we enjoy for culture, ceremony, recreation and resources continue to thrive well after we are gone.

Read more:
https://www.governing.com/workforce/skills-based-hiring-is-hot-but-dropping-degree-requirements-is-just-the-first-step


2023 Recreational Boating Incident Statistics
Courtesy of River Management Society

U.S Coast Guard statistics for 2023 reveal that there were 564 boating fatalities reported nationwide in 2023, an 11.3% decrease vs. 2022 … Alcohol continued to be the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating incidents, accounting for 79 deaths, or 17% of total fatalities. Operator inattention, improper lookout, operator inexperience, excessive speed, and machinery failure ranked as the top five primary contributing factors in incidents. 

Download: 
https://uscgboating.org/library/accident-statistics/Recreational-Boating-Statistics-2023.pdf


Cool Pavements Show Promise as Part of Urban Climate Resilience Strategy
Courtesy of Planetizen

By Dr. Haider Taha

As temperatures rise to high and harmful levels, human health and overall livability are negatively affected, especially for people residing in urban areas. Today, nearly 80 percent of the U.S. population lives in cities, where the urban heat island effect can worsen heat extremes because of dense concentrations of pavement, buildings, and other surfaces that absorb and retain heat and a lack of trees and vegetation. 

In July 2022, the community coalition spearheading the project applied GAF Road’s DuraShield-SR, a solar-reflective pavement coating, to more than 700,000 square feet of neighborhood streets and GAF StreetBond SR coatings to basketball courts, parking lots, a school playground, and a colorful community mural by a local artist. This was the largest contiguous application of cool pavement coatings known to date. Uniquely, the project involved a robust community engagement process to drive local involvement in the effort, measure qualitative and quantitative impact on how community cooling improves livability throughout the neighborhood, and ensure the success of the project.

Read more:
https://www.planetizen.com/features/129208-cool-pavements-show-promise-part-urban-climate-resilience-strategy


How to Responsibly Visit Tribal Nations and Alaska Native Villages
Courtesy of the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association

The voice and lived experiences described in this resource come from a 25-member group of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian community members approaching education solutions for guests spending time in Indigenous communities across America.

Read more:
https://www.aianta.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/AIANTA_LNT-Guide-2024_How-to-Responsibly-Visit-Tribal-Nations-and-Alaska-Native-Villages.pdf


Kayaks, paddle boards from $50K grant provide outlet for those dealing with disabilities
Courtesy of The Post and Courier

By Tom Corwin 

SOUTH CAROLINA - On a lake in James Island County Park, Wyatt Carr, 7, slowly glided past Jonathan Torres, 30. Carr, who lost half of his left leg in a lawn mower accident, had his metal blade prosthetic propped on a paddleboard as he cruised past Torres, who is paralyzed from a bullet that pierced his spine, paddling a kayak. Both were just enjoying being out on the water thanks to adaptive sports efforts locally and nationally.

The event was courtesy of Adaptive Expeditions, a Charleston-based group that helps those with special needs find customized equipment and hosts events that can accommodate them, as well as providing education and training as part of Move United. Most of the equipment spread across the shores of the lake that day came from a $50,000 grant from The Hartford insurance and financial services company. Its Adaptive Sports program sponsors a number of events and donations of sports equipment through Move United, which pushes for equal access to sports.

Read more:
https://www.postandcourier.com/health/charleston-adaptive-sports-grant/article_81d3a186-17b1-11ef-814a-b31e4b0673df.html


Polluter Pay Laws: An Update, 95% of Michiganders support legislation holding polluters accountable
Courtesy of River Management Society

In October 2023, a seven-bill legislative package was introduced in the Michigan State House and State Senate that would increase transparency for contaminated site cleanup and make corporations that pollute pay for the clean-up. 

Read more:
https://www.hrwc.org/wp-content/uploads/Huron-River-Report-Summer-2024.pdf


Skills-Based Hiring Is Hot, but Dropping Degree Requirements Is Just the First Step
Courtesy of Governing

By Steven Taylor and Taylor McLemore

Last year was a watershed moment in the history of the bachelor’s degree. Against a backdrop of tight labor markets and rising skepticism of the value of higher education, numerous state governments and major corporations dropped college degree requirements for many of their jobs.

In a surprising twist, state governments have led the charge toward hiring based on skills and aptitudes rather than relying solely on a college degree as a signal of a person’s ability to contribute. 

Read more:
https://www.governing.com/workforce/skills-based-hiring-is-hot-but-dropping-degree-requirements-is-just-the-first-step


The Robots Are Coming For Your Rental Business
Courtesy of River Management Society

KAYAKOMAT, a subsidiary of Swedish kayak maker Point 65, has already dispensed 75,000 kayak and SUP rentals from automated kiosks this year, making it the biggest paddling livery on the planet.

KAYAKOMAT is unique in that it supplies everything—the kiosks, phone app and technical support, plus boats and gear—to affiliate partners. The company’s Canadian affiliates pay a one-time fee of $4,500 and purchase the kiosk for $2,700. Operating costs come to about $11,300 per year, including access to the smart lock system and smartphone enabled booking app, a quiver of 12 Point 65 kayaks or SUPs, and insurance purchased from a third-party provider.

Read more: 
https://paddlingmag.com/paddling-business/kayakomat/


Finding balance between ATV use and nature conservation
Courtesy of Parks and Recreation Business Plus

By Jefferey Spivey

ATV riding continues to be a popular American pastime—one that is often of tremendous value for many states. But the prevalence of ATVs and other off-highway vehicles (OHVs) creates some tension between the permitting of fun outdoor activity and preserving nature. Various park systems across the country are managing these competing priorities in different ways.

Read more:
https://www.prbplus.com/respect-over-recklessness/


Study: Bike Lane Prompts Reduced Traffic Speeds
Courtesy of Planetizen

By Diana Ionescu

A new study from Rutgers University-New Brunswick reveals that a new bike lane at a high-traffic New Jersey intersection led to lower traffic speeds when cars approached. Delineating a bike lane with cones led to a 28 percent reduction in maximum speeds, a significant improvement over the presence of just a painted bike lane (which led to an 11 to 15 percent reduction in speeds only for drivers turning right). “Younes hypothesized that drivers slow down when they see a bike lane marked with the cones because the driving lane is narrower and requires more concentration, and it’s easier to notice cones or planters or some other space delineator than it is to spot painted lines on the road surface.

Read more:
https://www.rutgers.edu/news/traffic-speeds-decrease-when-bike-lane-present


Colorado Parks and Wildlife unveils mobile app to help visually impaired park-goers
Courtesy of Craig Press

By Ashley Dishman

In a move aimed at advancing Gov. Jared Polis’ goal of “A Colorado for All,” Colorado Parks and Wildlife has announced the expansion of the Aira digital tool for use within the state parks system. Among other uses, the app can be utilized to help blind visitors navigate trails, experience interpretive signage, and share their visit with friends and family. 

Read more:
https://www.craigdailypress.com/news/cpw-unveils-mobile-app-to-help-visually-impaired-park-goers/


River Management Training Symposium - Call for Presentations
Courtesy of RMS

April 8-10, 2025 - Ashland, Oregon

Join us for a week of technical training and peer learning in the immediate aftermath of the largest dam removal in US history at our Restoring Rivers for a Resilient Future River Management Symposium.

Professionals from across the country—river managers, rangers, outfitters, planners, water trail coordinators, advocates, community leaders, scientists, and students alike—will share how they are applying multidisciplinary approaches to practices supporting visitor use, flood prevention and recovery, fire and forest resilience, water quality, responsible recreation, and cultural tradition. We are confident that you will gain new insights and tools you can apply to support your rivers’ ecological integrity and biodiversity, human communities and ecosystems, and long-term vitality.

Registration will open Fall 2024. Until then, we invite you to save the date, submit a presentation proposal, and make plans to join us a sponsor.

For more information:  
https://www.river-management.org/2025-rms-symposium

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Training
Courtesy of NICP

June 17 - June 21, 2024
Basic Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design
Elk Grove, CA

July 29 - August 2, 2024 
Basic Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design
Phoenix, AZ

September 9 - September 13, 2024 
Basic Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design 
Henderson, NV

September 16 - September 20, 2024
Basic Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design 
Tampa, FL

October 7 - October 9, 2024
Advanced Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design 
Phoenix, AZ

October 7 - October 11, 2024
Basic Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design
San Diego, CA

October 10 - October 11, 2024
CPD Certification Renewal Course 
Phoenix, AZ

October 14 - October 16, 2024
Advanced Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design
Tampa, FL

October 17- October 18, 2024
CPD Certification Renewal Course (Schools) 
Tampa, FL

October 21 - October 23, 2024 
Advanced Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design  
Henderson, NV

October 24 - October 25, 2024
CPD Certification Renewal Course (Topic TBD)
Henderson, NV

For more information:  https://thenicp.com/events/

Agricultural & Education Manager
Great Parks
Cincinnati, Ohio
$60,611 - $75,774 Annually
Application Deadline: Jun 30, 2024

Trails Specialist
Great Parks
Cincinnati, OH
$19.25 - $24.05 Hourly
Application Deadline: Jun 30, 2024

Golf Director
LA County Department of Parks and Recreation
Alhambra, California
$127,854 - $198,840 Annually
Application Deadline: Open until filled

Supervising Park Ranger
City of San Jose Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services, California
$103,325 - $125,886 Annually
Application Deadline: Open until filled

Senior Land Management and Monitoring Specialist
Santa Clara Valley Habitat Agency
Morgan Hill, California
$125,000 - $140,000 Annually
Application Deadline: Open until filled

For more information:
https://nacpro.mcjobboard.net/jobs

Got a vacancy to fill? 
NACPRO will post your vacancy on our website and email a copy to our mailing list of over 1100 parks and recreation professionals for a fee of $100 for NACPRO members and $200 for non-members.