NACPRO News

December 18, 2019

In This Issue...

Welcome New Member
A Word from our Sponsors
Best Practices Forum
Member News
Research and Resources
In the News
News from NRPA
News from NACo
Training
Job Announcements


About NACPRO

The National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials is a non-profit professional organization that advances official policies that promote county and regional park and recreation issues while providing members with opportunities to network, exchange ideas and best practices, and enhance professional development.

Learn more about us at: www.nacpro.org


DEADLINE FOR NEXT ISSUE

The next issue of NACPRO News will be delivered on January 7, 2020.

If you have news or an article to share, please send it to the editor by January 6.

EDITOR
Brenda Adams-Weyant
(814) 927-8212
[email protected]


NACPRO's Sponsors

Pilot Rock logo

Taylor Studios Logo

 oncell logo


Job Announcements

Park & Recreation Director
City of Dallas, Park and Recreation Department
Dallas, TX
Salary: Depends on qualifications
Closing Date: Open until filled

Chief of Guest Experiences
Great Parks of Hamilton County
Cincinnati, OH
Salary: $85,629 - $128,444 Annually
Closing Date: Jan 8, 2020

Park Ranger III
County of San Bernardino
San Bernardino, CA
Salary: $44,636 - $61,380 Annually
Closing Date: Jan 3, 2020

Director of Parks and Recreation
City of Charlottesville, Virginia
Salary: $89,247 - $178,495 Annually
Closing Date: Dec 27, 2019

District Superintendent II
California State Parks
Sacramento, California
Salary: $13,867 monthly
Closing Date: Dec 23, 2019

Chief Operating Officer
Great Parks of Hamilton County
Cincinnati, Ohio
Salary: $96,214 - $144,321 Annually
Closing Date: Dec 21, 2019

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

Greetings NACPRO Community,

This will be our last newsletter for the year. Looking ahead to 2020, we plan on opening award nominations in early January with the deadline at the end of February.

Our summer meeting will be in Cincinnati, Ohio, in conjunction with the Special Park District Forum, from May 17-20. The 2020 Forum is being hosted by Great Parks of Hamilton County. Visit https://www.greatparks.org/special-park-district-forum for more information.

We would like to express our sincerest appreciation for the trust you have placed in us and best wishes for the holidays.

Brenda Adams-Weyant
Executive Director

 

2019 NACPRO Camping Survey Results

Thank you for responding to our November survey about the kinds of camping facilities your agency operates and what changes you’ve made in these facilities within the last 5 years. Here are the survey results.

Read more:
https://nacpro.memberclicks.net/assets/docs/2019-NACPRO-Camping-Survey-Results.pdf

 

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion issues in the Outdoors Survey

Kampgrounds of America (KOA) is committed to providing the industry with information on the camping sector, which covers all types of camping and not just the private campground sector. KOA has conducted the North American Camping Report annually for the last 5 years. The free download covers the camping market, trends, demographics, behavior, attitudes, etc.

Currently, KOA is surveying park and campground managers on their views toward inclusiveness and the challenges they might face, how they might be addressing these issues, and how these issues impact their parks. The survey takes about 7 minutes to complete.

NACPRO will share the results when the report is published.

Complete the survey:
https://www.snapsurveys.com/wh/s.asp?k=157611577791


Welcome New Member

Wanda Ramos, Acting Deputy Director
MNCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation
Riverdale, Maryland


A Word from our Sponsors

Making the Ask for Funding
Courtesy of PlayCore

Fundraising isn't just about soliciting gifts, it is about building and sustaining relationships. It is easy to become overwhelmed with fundraising techniques, donor prospecting, and events. Instead, focus on building trust and confidence, combining your compelling and emotional story, and defining clear calls to action. Your goal is to inspire a greater number of stakeholders so that your prospects can take immediate action. People DO want to help, they may just need some coaching about your project goals and how they can be of greatest support.

A well-organized plan that helps communicate your message more effectively is critical, as in an organized team of fundraisers that understands their role so they can execute their part of the mission flawlessly. Everyone should know and be able to easily state the value proposition. They need to be able to do it in just a couple of sentences so it is concise, succinct, and convincingly describes why you are raising funds. Writing a clear mission statement is a great way to achieve this, and also helps you to align to the mission of potential funders.

Laura Fredrick's (2006) book, The Ask: How to Ask Anyone for Any Amount for Any Purpose, presents the following"10 Guiding Principles for Any Ask"...

Read more:
https://www.playcore.com/news/making-the-ask-for-funding


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.


Member News

Kyla Brown named new director named for RivCo Parks
Courtesy of Riverside County

CALIFORNIA - The Board of Supervisors today appointed Kyla Brown as the new director for the Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District (RivCo Parks). Brown has been the RivCo Parks Assistant Director for the past nine years, overseeing a workforce of more than 100 employees.

Brown will replace longtime RivCo Parks Director Scott Bangle, who will retire on Dec. 19. Bangle has served as the RivCo Parks Director for 10 years, with numerous accomplishments, including guiding the department to achieve two accreditations with the National Recreation and Park Association.

Read more:
https://countyofriverside.us/NewsHighlights/TabId/96/ArtMID/487/ArticleID/434/New-director-named-for-RivCo-Parks.aspx

 

Let there be Light
Courtesy of the Bay Area Monitor

By Robin Meadows

CALIFORNIA - Stroll through just about any of the cities ringing the San Francisco Bay and you’re likely walking on water. Not literally, of course. Rather, chances are that somewhere along your way, there’s a stream running beneath your feet. As land around the Bay was developed, creeks were rerouted underground through pipes called culverts for flood protection. But in some spots, these hidden waterways can be brought back up to the surface to provide habitat for wildlife and respite for people.

The Bay Area is a national leader in this type of restoration, which is aptly called daylighting. And now we’re undertaking our most ambitious such project yet. The East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) is about to daylight more than half a mile of Alder Creek in Robert Sibley Volcanic Regional Preserve, near Pinehurst Road in the Oakland hills.

Read more:
https://bayareamonitor.org/article/let-there-be-light-creeks-gain-visibility-through-restoration/


Research and Resources

How Can Cities Adapt to Rising Temperatures? Change the Weather
Courtesy of Planetizen

In the age of climate change, can trees and reflective roofing save lives? This question lies at the heart of a forthcoming study on urban heat management and heat-related mortality in Louisville, Kentucky. Found to rank among the most rapidly warming cities in the United States, Louisville has been heating up at a rate five times greater than that of the planet as a whole over the last several decades.

As detailed in the study, we found heat management strategies to have a significant cooling effect across Louisville. A combination of urban greening and cool roofing strategies yielded reductions in average summer afternoon temperatures of more than 2°F in many neighborhoods.

Read more:
https://www.planetizen.com/node/107364

 

The Youth Outdoor Policy Playbook
Courtesy of the Youth Outdoor Policy Partnership

Regular time outdoors is critical for children’s healthy development. But today’s kids average less than 10 minutes playing and learning outside per day — and more than 40 hours per week in front of a screen. This trend has serious implications for our kids, and our planet.

Lawmakers across the U.S. are passionate about connecting children to the benefits of time spent in nature–and their states’ outdoor economies and natural resources. The Youth Outdoor Policy Playbook highlights successful bipartisan policy initiatives and provides resources to support new statewide efforts to increase environmental education and youth engagement in the outdoors.

For more information:
https://youthoutdoorpolicy.org

 

New Idaho Economic Impact Study Added To NOHVCC’s Website
Courtesy of the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council

ldaho’s motorized recreation industry is big business, contributing nearly $1 billion combined in equipment, fuel, food, lodging, and more. There is an additional $543 million value added through employment. Local taxes, benefits, and labor income see a contribution of well over $250 million. The outdoor recreation industry is among the nation’s largest economic sectors from the smallest rural town to the largest city. This economic powerhouse creates billions in spending and millions of good paying jobs.

Read more:
https://www.nohvcc.org/new-idaho-economic-impact-study-added-to-nohvccs-list-of-studies/

 

Best Practices: Five Vision Zero Tips for Suburbs
Courtesy of Streetsblog USA

By Aaron Short

MARYLAND - The suburbs have a harder job than their urban counterparts to make streets safer, but one county outside Washington D.C. is showing that it is possible to cater to cyclists and pedestrians in a place built around the car.

Officials in Montgomery County are unabashedly embracing innovative traffic safety policies that you might recognize in urban areas where Vision Zero first caught on in the late 1990s.

Read more:
https://usa.streetsblog.org/2019/12/03/best-practices-five-vision-zero-tips-for-suburbs/

 

Scotts Field Refurbishment Program Grant
Courtesy of NRPA

In 2020, the Scotts® Field Refurbishment Program will provide grants of products and services, with a value of up to $50,000, to four youth-serving organizations that need renovations to existing ballfields. This program focuses on improving fields of play and encouraging youth to get outside, get active and develop skills that will last a lifetime. Applications are due January 31, 2020, with project work to take place in the spring of 2020.

For more information:
https://www.mlb.com/sponsorship/scotts-field-refurbishment-program-grant-application

 

2018 Real GDP for all Counties
Courtesy of NACo

For the first time, the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) released county-level Gross Domestic Product (GDP) estimates from 2001 to 2018. GDP is the value of final goods and services produced by the county's economy within a given year—and provides insight into the vibrance of each county economy.

For more information:
https://ce.naco.org/?dset=Gross%20Domestic%20Product%20(GDP)&ind=Gross%20Domestic%20Product

 

When Wheelchairs Failed Him, He Invented A New Way To Hike
Courtesy of opb.org

By Emily Cureton

OREGON - Even though stroke is the leading cause of serious disability in the nation, Geoff Babb found existing all-terrain wheelchairs didn’t suit his needs — some are too frail, others require upper body strength, and motorized options aren’t allowed on many trails.

Babb began envisioning a new design to help himself and other outdoor enthusiasts with serious disabilities. The AdvenChair was born.

It’s a mountain bike-inspired product, with treaded tires, handlebars and disc brakes, but it’s also a team sport. Between one and six people can help push, pull and steer the rider.

Read more:
https://www.opb.org/news/article/bend-oregon-inventor-advenchair-equity-mobility-outdoor-adventure/

 

Summit Metro Parks Focuses on Inclusivity
Courtesy of NRPA

By Meghan Doran

OHIO - Connecting all individuals in Summit County to meaningful nature experiences is a central theme of our mission. Summit Metro Parks (SMP) strives to create a safe, accepting and inclusive environment through events and programs designed with special populations in mind. In 2017, SMP partnered with the Autism Society of Greater Akron (ASGA) to become the first Autism Friendly community location in Summit County.

Throughout the process, we worked closely with ASGA to execute our autism-friendly initiative and make our designation as impactful as possible. We developed signage, designated a web page showcasing our offerings and dedicated a staff member as our “Autism Ambassador.” In coordination with ASGA, we created a pre-visit booklet for individuals with autism that is designed to help reduce anxiety and prepare them for a visit to our visitors center. We also offer modifications to naturalist programs when possible to support this special population.

Read more:
https://www.nrpa.org/success-stories/summit-metro-parks-focuses-on-inclusivity/

 

State OHV Action Plan Process to Move Forward in Colorado
Courtesy of the National Off-Highway Vehicle Conservation Council

NOHVCC is working in partnership with the US Forest Service, the US Bureau of Land Management, the Colorado Department of Parks and Wildlife, and the Colorado Off-Highway Vehicle Coalition to improve and enhance the motorized recreation opportunities on public lands in the State of Colorado. In order to accomplish this, NOHVCC will conduct a series of listening sessions and invite Off-Highway Vehicle enthusiasts who recreate on public land in Colorado.

Read more:
https://www.nohvcc.org/state-ohv-action-plan-process-to-move-forward-in-colorado/

 

Designing Flexible Spaces for Increased Revenue
Courtesy of Parks and Recreation Business

By Stephanie Fujimura

Increasing demand for services presents community park and recreation districts with challenges when already faced with aging facilities and limited budgets. Smart and thoughtful design can help make the best use of budgets by making spaces rentable, efficient, and flexible to staff and to operate.

Read more:
https://www.parksandrecbusiness.com/articles/2019/11/for-rent


In the News

Public Space Philanthropy is having a Moment
Courtesy of Barrons.com

By Mareesa Nicosia

Parks, libraries, universities, museums, and concert halls have long relied on generous philanthropic underwriters to benefit a public seeking education, entertainment, and recreation. But in the past few years, wealthy donors have homed in on urban public parks and other “placemaking” projects with greater zeal—perhaps responding to cities struggling with shrinking parks, recreation, and infrastructure budgets, as well as growing inequality.

We found three such projects in the U.S., where land is being purchased or otherwise underwritten with philanthropic dollars. In each, donors are working closely with public officials and residents to turn dead space into thriving new ecosystems. From a thoughtfully designed and flood-mitigating citywide trail system in Houston to an immersive art exhibition showcasing Puerto Rico’s rich cultural history and revival after Hurricane Maria, here are some of the most notable public-private partnerships to look out for in 2020.

Read more:
https://www.barrons.com/articles/public-space-philanthropy-is-having-a-moment-51576245600

 

Supreme Court Declines to Consider Homeless Camping Ban Case
Courtesy of Route Fifty

By Andrea Noble

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday said it will let stand a case that protects homeless people from being prosecuted for sleeping on the streets.

Concerned with the growth of homeless encampments, and the health and safety issues they pose, dozens of cities and states had asked the high court to hear the case in the hopes it would clarify, if not overturn, a lower court ruling.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in 2018 ruled that a Boise, Idaho law banning people from sleeping outdoors on public property was unconstitutional. The court found that when there is no option of sleeping indoors, “the government cannot criminalize indigent, homeless people for sleeping outdoors, on public property, on the false premise they had a choice in the matter.”

Read more:
https://www.routefifty.com/health-human-services/2019/12/supreme-court-will-not-hear-boise-homeless-camping-ban-case/161917/

 

Sen. Alexander pushes for passage of Restore Our Parks Act in what will likely be his final major piece of conservation legislation
Courtesy of Chattanooga Times Free Press

By Mark Pace

As his conservation swan song, U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., has staunchly pushed for legislation to address the more than $12 billion in deferred maintenance at national parks in what will likely be his final major piece of legislation to protect the outdoors before he retires from public office in 2020.

The act comes on the heels of the National Park Restoration Act and the National Park Service Legacy Act. Both bills were proposed separately last year by Alexander and Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., respectively, but were trying to accomplish the same thing. The two joined forces and introduced the Restore Our Parks Act in 2019. It passed committee in the House earlier this year, where it has more than 330 co-sponsors. However, the bill has so far been slow-moving in the Senate committee due to the large funding amount included in it, according to Alexander's office.

Read more:
https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/local/story/2019/nov/16/sen-alexander-pushes-passage-restore-our-park/508348/ 

 

Air Pollution, Visualized
Courtesy of the New York Times

By Nadja Popovich, Blacki Migliozzi, Karthik Patanjali, Anjali Singhvi and Jon Huang

We visualized the damaging, tiny particles that wreak havoc on human health. From the Bay Area to New Delhi, see how the world’s worst pollution compares with your local air.

Outdoor particulate pollution was responsible for an estimated 4.2 million deaths worldwide in 2015, with a majority concentrated in east and south Asia. Millions more fell ill from breathing dirty air.

This fine pollution mainly comes from burning things: Coal in power plants, gasoline in cars, chemicals in industrial processes, or woody materials and whatever else ignites during wildfires. The particles are too small for the eye to see — each about 35 times smaller than a grain of fine beach sand — but in high concentrations they cast a haze in the sky. And, when breathed in, they wreak havoc on human health.

Read more: 
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/12/02/climate/air-pollution-compare-ar-ul.html

 

Despite Resident’s Concerns, Geese Culling Likely To Continue In Denver
Courtesy of Denver.cbslocal.com

By Jamie Leary

COLORADO - The city of Denver will likely continue with culling as part of its three year plan to manage the Canada goose population in the metro area. It was the main topic of discussion Tuesday night at a meeting hosted by the City Park Friends and Neighbors.

Over the summer, more than 1,600 geese were killed and processed to be given away as food. Gilmore says the identities of the processing facilities as well as which shelters the meat went to were kept under wraps to prevent protests.

Read more:
https://denver.cbslocal.com/2019/12/03/geese-culling-denver-concerns/

 

PEER Sues to Overturn Expanded E-Bike Access In National Parks
Courtesy of National Parks Traveler

By Kurt Repanshek 

A lawsuit filed to overturn the Interior Department's move to expand e-Bike access in the National Park System also takes aim at the Trump administration's preference for appointing "acting" officials rather than submitting nominees for Senate confirmation.

The 31-page filing, made by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility with three other conservation groups, also charges that an advisory committee comprised of industry friendly representatives met regularly with Interior officials to lobby for the increased access and helped develop the new policy.

The Federal Advisory Committee Act requires the committee meetings to be publicized in the Federal Register and open to the public, neither of which occurred, the lawsuit alleges. Additionally, the committee "was not fairly representative of the range of private or public interests affected by e-Bike use on NPS land," the lawsuit said.

Read more:
https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2019/12/peer-sues-overturn-expanded-e-bike-access-national-parks

 

Jeff Brandes introduces e-bike micro-mobility bill
Courtesy of FloridaPolitics.com

By Janelle Irwin Taylor 

FLORIDA - Sen. Jeff Brandes filed another bill last week to update the state’s laws to accommodate the growing trend of micro-mobility.

Brandes’ bill (SB 1148) would legalize the use of electric scooters in the same manner that regular bicycles are regulated.

“Electric bikes have been around, but they’ve never been around at this scale,” Brandes said. “We need to make sure that we outline the framework for their use in state law.”

Similar to electric scooters, electric bikes serve as a micro-mobility option for people who live in urban areas where driving to and from a location might not necessarily be needed.

Read more:
https://floridapolitics.com/archives/312818-jeff-brandes-introduces-e-bike-micro-mobility-bill

 

Judge Shuts Down Right Wing Group's Extra-Governmental Border Wall Construction
Courtesy of Planetizen

TEXAS - A ruling by Texas District Judge Keno Vasquez, of Hidalgo County, will stop We Build the Wall from continuing on its unpermitted work on a wall on the banks of the Rio Grande.

Vasquez "ruled that the National Butterfly Center, a 100-acre riverfront preserve in Mission, Tex., could face 'imminent and irreparable harm' if We Build the Wall continues with plans to erect a 'water wall' between the nature refuge and a state park," according to an article by Teo Armus.

We Build the Wall, led by former White House staffer Steve Bannon, had been proceeding without any kind of permitting or permission for a planned three-mile stretch of 18-foot steel fencing.

Read more:
https://www.planetizen.com/node/107511


News from NRPA

Substance Use in Parks and Recreation: We Can't Do Nothing

The misuse of and addiction to opioids is a national public health crisis that is costing the U.S. billions of dollars in healthcare, criminal justice and lost productivity. More importantly, it's a crisis that is costing us human lives. With so many factors shaping this crisis, a multi-faceted approach is needed to address it, including comprehensive methods from local government and community-based institutions, like parks and recreation.

To learn more about parks and recreation's role in responding to this crisis, check out the first blog post of our series, Substance Use in Parks and Recreation: We Can't Do Nothing, where we'll be sharing a new post each month outlining ways that our industry can be part of the solution.

Read more:
https://www.nrpa.org/blog/substance-use-in-parks-and-recreation-we-cant-do-nothing/


News from NACo

NACo Board approves national policy priorities

By Charlie Ban

During its fall 2019 meeting Dec.6-7 in Douglas County, Neb., the National Association of Counties Board of Directors approved national policy priorities that the organization will target in 2020, along with 36 policies identified by NACo's 10 policy steering committees.

- Restore the balance of Federalism and optimize intergovernmental partnerships

- Promote county infrastructure priorities

- Promote mental health and substance use treatment and address essential criminal justice reforms

- Boost advanced broadband deployment and accessibility while preserving local decision making

- Support full funding for Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) and the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) programs

- Establish a more effective definition of "Waters of the U.S."

- Promote workforce opportunities and supportive services for county residents in changing economies

- Strengthen election integrity and safety

- Enhance community resilience through regional and local disaster preparedness

- Fully repeal the Cadillac Tax

Read more:
https://www.naco.org/articles/naco-board-approves-national-policy-priorities


 Training

Webinar: From Trail Maps to Trail Apps – Connecting with Visitors via Mobile Devices
Courtesy of American Trails

DATE: January 23, 2020
TIME: 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM (Pacific Time)
COST: $19 for members (Trail Professional level or higher), $39 for nonmembers

Most organizations actively communicate with their visitors through traditional channels such as newsletters, websites, and social media, but most are missing out on increasing visitor engagement and safety where most visitors already are, mobile devices!

For more information:
https://www.americantrails.org/training/connect-with-visitors-where-they-are-via-mobile-devices

 

2020 National Planning Conference
Courtesy of the Federal Lands Transportation Institute Training Newsletter

April 25 to 28 - Houston, Texas

Join the American Planning Association in Houston, the fourth largest city in America, boasting a diverse population, intriguing street art, and four designated Great Places in America. Looking for an idea of what the program will look like? Browse the 2019 program to get inspired.

For more information:
https://www.planning.org/conference/

 

2020 National Outdoor Recreation Conference
Courtesy of the Federal Lands Transportation Institute Training Newsletter

April 27 to 30 - Knoxville, Tennessee

The Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals (SORP) hosts the annual National Outdoor Recreation Conference (NORC). This premier event showcases creative and innovative approaches to outdoor recreation research, planning, policy development, and management. The conference offers participants the opportunity to LEARN best practices, NETWORK with other outdoor recreation professionals, CELEBRATE excellence in outdoor recreation, and MENTOR the next generation of outdoor recreation professionals.

For more information:
https://www.2020norc.org/

 

2020 River Management Symposium
Courtesy of the River Management Society

May 12 to 15 - Richmond, Virginia

The River Management Society, in partnership with Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) invites you to attend Mountain Creeks to Metro Canals, the 2020 River Management Training Symposium. Early registration is open through March 31, 2020.

Our program, keynote speakers and field trips are posted, and registration is open. Learn about the programs, speakers, field trips and options for planning your trip to Richmond.

For more information:
https://rms.memberclicks.net/symposium

NACPRO | PO Box 74, Marienville, PA 16239 | (814) 927-8212