NACPRO News

October 29, 2024

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Remembering Larry Blackstad

Larry Blackstad, Former NACPRO (2012 - 2020) & NRPA (2010 - 2013) Board Member, passed away on September 24, 2024. Larry served on the Three Rivers Park District Board of Commissioners (Minnesota) for 11 years, including six years as Board Chair (2007 – 2012). During his time leading Three Rivers, Larry championed the development of the Dakota Rail and Luce Line Regional Trails, construction of the Elm Creek Chalet and expansion of the Elm Creek Operations Center, and development of singletrack mountain bike trails at Murphy-Hanrehan and Elm Creek Park Reserves. Larry also was instrumental in leading development of a joint powers agreement establishing the Scott County/Three Rivers Park District Partnership to operate regional parks and trails in Scott County. In addition to his work with parks at the national and local levels, Larry’s legacy of public service includes his career in community development with Hennepin County. Blackstad received the 2010 Outstanding Public Official Award from the National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials (NACPRO).

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

Mr. Jeff Baxter, Superintendent
Allen County Parks & Recreation
Fort Wayne, Indiana

Ms. Angelia Miller, Assistant Director of Recreation
Goochland County Parks & Recreation
Goochland, Virginia

Mr. Joe Razzano, Facility Manager
Goochland County Parks & Recreation
Goochland, Virginia

The Next Generation of Leaders
Courtesy of NRPA

By Jennifer Munoz

MARYLAND - The 2016 election sparked a global movement, bringing millions of women together to advocate for women’s and human rights. At the Women’s March in Washington, D.C., Emily Lawrence and Veronica Burke, two recreation programmers with the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County, were among the crowd. Inspired by the energy and unity, they created She the People, a non-partisan summer camp for teen girls, aiming to empower future female leaders.

She the People camp launches in the summer of 2017. During the camp, the girls delved into civics, engaged in hands-on activities and interactive debates, took field trips to the U.S. Capitol and the U.S. Supreme Court, and heard from inspiring guest speakers, such as Angela Alsobrooks, Prince George’s County’s first female county executive. For many of these girls, this was their first exposure to politics and government.

Read more:
https://www.nrpa.org/parks-recreation-magazine/2024/november/the-next-generation-of-leaders/

Connecting With Communities
Courtesy of NRPA

By Clement Lau, DPPD, FAICP

CALIFORNIA - Los Angeles County's Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is dedicated to involving the community and incorporating public input in decision-making to improve parks, recreational programming, and quality of life across the county. DPR employs a range of methods to gather public input and ensure transparency in its planning processes. As an agency managing a wide variety of parks and recreational facilities, DPR recognizes the importance of community input in shaping park projects and recreation programs that reflect local needs and priorities.

Read more:
https://www.planetizen.com/news/2024/10/132239-how-la-county-parks-are-fostering-equity

New analysis shows targeted park investments can substantially boost outdoor access
Courtesy of Wilderness.org

Last year, researchers Jon Christensen, UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, and Dan Rademacher, GreenInfo Network, set out to explore gaps in equitable access to neighborhood and regional public lands in six states. Working with a team at GreenInfo, they used open data and open-source tools to produce detailed, statewide analyses of park access based on every park and every person in each state. 

The bedrock for equitable access to nature is having a park within a half-mile walking distance from your home. In the literature, there is a ton of corroboration on the health benefits of close-to-home parks, and yet, many people go without access. One question we wanted to ask: for people who don’t have access to nearby nature, what do they have access to within driving distance? The Wilderness Society was also interested in this question to help understand how regional parks and public lands may be part of the solution to close the access gap.

Read more:
https://www.wilderness.org/articles/blog/how-local-parks-can-help-close-nature-gap#

Trees in cities are beyond shady
Courtesy of USGS

According to newly published U.S. Geological Survey research conducted in 8 large cities coast to coast, urban trees in hot and dry cities can amplify the cooling of local air temperature. 

The multi-year study was conducted in Baltimore, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Portland, Miami, Tucson, Denver and Las Vegas. Scientists placed 80-100 sensors on trees in each city and measured hourly air temperatures for three months during the summers of 2016-2019. 

“All trees have a cooling effect, but trees in hot, dry areas can have a greater impact than in humid cities,” said Peter Ibsen, USGS research ecologist. “Trees in areas like Las Vegas, Phoenix and Tucson are particularly effective at reducing heat.” 

Read more:
https://www.usgs.gov/news/national-news-release/trees-cities-are-beyond-shady

Perspectives on Automated Counting Technologies
Courtesy of NRPA

By Dianne K. Palladino

NRPA’s recently released report, Perspectives on Automated Counting Technologies in Parks and Recreation, publishes findings from focus groups with 14 park and recreation professionals, a brief survey of the U.S. public about public surveillance in park and recreation spaces, and a relevant literature and statute review. Surrounded by rich stories and quotations from participants, the report summarizes ways agencies use (or intend to use) the data, considerations for selecting the appropriate tool, challenges and lessons learned, communications with the public, and public support.

Read more:
https://www.nrpa.org/parks-recreation-magazine/2024/november/perspectives-on-automated-counting-technologies/

The 2024 Search for Mussels
Courtesy of the River Management Society

MICHIGAN - This summer, the Huron River Watershed Council and the City of Ypsilanti searched for mussels in the Huron River below Peninsular Dam. Before the dam can be removed, the team needs to identify, count and locate mussels so they can be relocated before demolition. See what lies below the surface of the Huron River in Ypsilanti in this fun video.

Check it out:
https://vimeo.com/1013620575?share=copy

Baltimore Bans Gas Leafblowers
Courtesy of Planetizen

By Diana Ionescu 

MARYLAND - The Baltimore city council voted to outlaw gas-powered leaf blowers in the city, citing pollution concerns, reports Alyssa Ochs for The Cool Down. City contractors will stop using gas blowers after December 15 of this year, while residents and landscaping companies have until 2025 and 2026, respectively, to end their use.

According to council member Lisa Rodvien, leaf blowers and other gas-powered lawn care equipment account for 4 to 5 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States.

Ochs notes that over 100 other cities around the country have banned the devices to reduce localized air pollution and noise. The devices release four times as much air pollution as lawnmowers and are linked to health problems including cancer, reproductive harm, and asthma.

Read more:
https://www.thecooldown.com/green-business/baltimore-leaf-blower-ban-city-council/

These twin sisters are teaching Philly kids of color about the great outdoors
Courtesy of the Philadelphia Inquirer

By Nate File

When twin sisters Keisha and Tarsha Scovens were preparing to drive cross-country to Utah for an AmeriCorps program, they found that the only way they could afford the journey would be to spend their nights sleeping in tents on park campgrounds. The only problem was, they were “street kids” from urban Connecticut who’d never been camping before, Tarsha Scovens said.

“We didn’t grow up hiking, camping, fishing. We didn’t do any of that,” she said. “It was like overnight learning.”

The Scovens sisters are the cofounders of Let’s Go Outdoors. They created the Philly-based nonprofit in 2012 with a focus on engaging communities of color in outdoor experiences, including family-friendly programs, school-based learning, and diversity initiatives.

Read more:
https://www.inquirer.com/life/outdoors/lets-go-outdoors-wissahickon-award-20241010.html

Upcoming Webinars from American Trails

Basic Soil Mechanics for Trailbuilding
November 07, 2024

Building a Trail-Friendly Community: Three Things You Can Start Today
November 14, 2024

Fundamentals of Aggregate Surface Trails
December 05, 2024

Innovative Development of a Year-Round, Destination Trail System in a Rural Area
December 12, 2024

OpenStreetMap Trail Mapping for Responsible Recreation
December 19, 2024

Trail Bumps: Lessons Learned from Removing 1,000 Bumps
January 02, 2025

For more information: 
https://www.americantrails.org/training/webinars

Webinar: Urban Park Grant Opportunity (ORLP) Technical Assistance
Courtesy of City Parks Alliance

November 20, 2024 - 1:00 to 2:30 pm Eastern

Transform your city’s communities and close the park equity gap with funding from the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) program. Grants can be used for land acquisition, new park development, or the substantial renovation of existing parks. 

Join our upcoming webinar, presented in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS) and National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA), to learn how to maximize your chances of success in the 8th application round. NPS staff will walk you through applicant and project eligibility, explain the application and selection process, and share expert tips on writing a strong proposal.

For more information:
https://cityparksalliance.org/event/urban-park-grant-opportunity-orlp-technical-assistance-nov-2024/

Webinar: Essential Tips for Accessing the Land and Water Conservation Fund
Courtesy of PlayCore

November 21, 2024 - 2:00 to 3:15 pm Eastern
Registration Code: COMMUNITY

The National Association of State Outdoor Recreation Liaison Officers has developed a roadmap to help navigate the process, understand the requirements, and create a successful project application. Every project starts with a great idea! This session will provide a program overview, offer helpful tips to submit a standout application, and review a variety of resources to arm you for success.

For more information:
https://education.playcore.com/products/live-a-roadmap-to-successfully-accessing-funding-through-the-land-and-water-conservation-fund-2

NEW – Associate Division Director - Community Engagement Parks & Recreation
Salt Lake County, Utah
$100,250 - $150,376 Annually
Application Deadline: Nov 17, 2024

NEW - Parks & Recreation Superintendent (Division Head- Programming)
City of Fairfield, California
$136,594 - $166,026 Annually
Application Deadline: Nov 12, 2024

Director of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities
City of Alexandria, Virginia 
Salary: Negotiable
Application Deadline: Open until filled

Assistant Superintendent – Recreation Programs & Facilities
Recreation and Park Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge (BREC)
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Salary: Negotiable
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.