NACPRO News

March 12, 2024

In this issue

 

Welcome to our community

Mr. Taurus Lewis, Executive Director
Richland County Recreation Commission
Columbia, South Carolina

Mrs. Diana McCoy, HR Director
Richland County Recreation Commission
Columbia, South Carolina

 

Ask the membership

Transitioning from Entry Kiosks to Pay Stations

Has your district transitioned from entry kiosks to pay stations? How are you addressing traffic control, and a point of entry for wayfinding and greeting? What lessons have you learned during the process? 

Respond to: 
Lisa Goorjian 
Assistant General Manager, Operations 
East Bay Regional Park District 
T: 510-544-2501| M: 510-461-1435 
[email protected]

Got an issue you need advice on? Tap into our collective experience. Send your question and some background to the editor and we will include it in the next NACPRO News 

 

Member News

How AI is helping Lake County Forest Preserves engage with the public
Courtesy of Lake County Forest Preserves

ILLINOIS - The Lake County Forest Preserves is using artificial intelligence to enhance the user experience for visitors to its website. A computer program known as a chatbot that launched recently simulates conversations with human users through text-based interactions The intent is to enhance communication and accessibility for all users, including by bridging language barriers. 

Read more: 
https://www.lcfpd.org/enhance-communication/

 

LA County Is Looking At Another Lifeguard Shortage This Summer. Its Answer: Pay More
Courtesy of LAist.com

By Aaricka Washington

CALIFORNIA - Facing the third year in a row of staff shortages, the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation increased hourly wages for lifeguards working at public pools and county lakes in hopes of incentivizing more applicants.

For public pools, the hourly wage for certified lifeguards now hovers between $23.87 to $25.87, a 20% increase from last year, while those working on lakes could make up to $30.50 per hour.

Also, the swim test for aspiring pool lifeguards is less challenging. Applicants now only have to swim 300 yards in 6 minutes and 30 seconds, or less, versus swimming 500 yards in that time. The age requirement for a lifeguard has also been lowered to 16.

Read more:
https://laist.com/news/kpcc-archive/how-to-la/la-county-lifeguard-recruitment

 

News & Resources

Results from the NACPRO Point of Sale Survey

Thanks to everyone who shared their experience with their point-of-sale systems! There’s still time contribute. Click on the link, add your information and return to [email protected]

Download: 
https://nacpro.memberclicks.net/assets/docs/NACPRO-POS-Systems-Survey-2024-30-12.xlsx

 

2024 NACo Achievement Awards 

Since 1970, the NACo Achievement Awards have recognized outstanding county government programs and services. Through a non-competitive application process, noteworthy programs receive awards in 18 categories that cover a vast range of county responsibilities. 

There are several categories that could apply in your department: 

  • Arts, culture and historic preservation
  • Children and youth
  • Community and economic development
  • Parks and recreation
  • Planning
  • Volunteers

Apply by March 30 for a chance to earn national recognition.

For more information:  
https://www.naco.org/page/apply-2024-naco-achievement-awards

 

Special Districts Grant Accessibility Act Introduced
Courtesy of Karr Advocacy

Bipartisan legislation was introduced Tuesday to define “special district” in federal law to enhance federal understanding of the nation’s special purpose governments and reduce barriers for special districts’ access to federally-sourced funding opportunities.

The Special Districts Grant Accessibility Act, H.R. 7525, is sponsored by Congressman Pat Fallon, R-Texas, alongside Democratic co-lead Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen, D-Colo. The legislation is on a fast track with a markup scheduled in the House Oversight and Accountability Committee on Thursday.

Read more:
https://nacpro.memberclicks.net/assets/docs/Special-Districts-Grant-Accessibility-Act-2024-03-07.pdf

 

America’s Ecosystem Restoration Initiative: America the Beautiful Challenge 2024 Request for Proposals
Courtesy of NRPA

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, through anticipated cooperative agreements from many federal agencies, is releasing the America the Beautiful Challenge (ATBC) 2024 Request for Proposals. The ATBC vision is to streamline grant funding opportunities for new voluntary conservation and restoration projects throughout the United States. This RFP consolidates funding from multiple federal agencies and the private sector to enable applicants to conceive and develop large-scale, locally led projects that address shared funder priorities spanning public, Tribal, and private lands.

In year three of the ATBC, approximately $119 million will be awarded in nationwide funding to conserve, connect, and restore the lands, waters, and wildlife upon which we all depend.

For more information:  
https://www.nfwf.org/programs/america-beautiful-challenge/americas-ecosystem-restoration-initiative-america-beautiful-challenge-2024-request-proposals

 

Federal Earmarks Process — How to Win Funding for Local Park Initiatives
Courtesy of NRPA

As Congress wraps up its long-delayed negotiations on the appropriations process for the federal fiscal year (FY) 2024 in early March, they will very quickly pivot to kicking off the FY 2025 appropriations process. Your NRPA Public Policy and Advocacy team is here to help you make sense of it all. Whether you submitted a request for funding last year or you’re reading about this opportunity for the first time, here’s all the information you’ll need to successfully submit a project request with your congressional representatives.

Read more:
https://www.nrpa.org/blog/federal-earmarks-process-how-to-win-funding-for-local-park-initiatives/

 

Wayfinding signage project cleans up safety and navigation concerns
Courtesy of Parks and Recreation Business Plus

By Colleen McCarty

ILLINOIS - Signage in Saw Wee Kee Park once consisted of an inaccurate map on a kiosk in the parking lot, and painted stripes on trees along the 11 miles of mountain-biking trails. This not only made the trails difficult to navigate, but local authorities expressed concerns if there was an emergency in the 134-acre park.

The Sign Master Plan Project was part of larger improvements that included trail clean-up, updated emergency procedures, new signage, and new maintenance equipment. The park district partnered with the Oswego Fire Protection District (OFPD), Kendall County Sheriff’s Department, and Chicago Area Mountain Bikers (CAMBr) to create a new path-labeling system, location maps, and wayfinding signs.

Read more:
https://www.prbplus.com/wayfinding-signage-project-cleans-up-safety-and-navigation-concerns/

 

Firewise Landscaping
Courtesy of Parks and Recreation Business Plus

By Cassie Olgren

COLORADO - Park planners and landscape designers have long followed these tenets: conserve water, include native plant selections, design for long-term sustainable maintenance, and follow Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies. Now, another tenet has been added to the list—design for fire. In this part of the country, the emerging understanding of wildfire events is that it is not a matter of “if” but “when.” This is not an approach born out of anxiety or paranoid thinking. On the contrary, this allows the landscape planner to look objectively at the flammability of their landscapes. The term “firewise” can be slippery to define. This is why some prefer the term “ignition-resistant.”

What follows are some recommendations for the most firewise plants and materials, and those that are better to avoid. 

Read more:
https://www.prbplus.com/sparing-parks-and-open-spaces-from-the-worst-of-the-damage-caused-by-wildfires/

 

Former Georgia Mall Revived by Pickleball
Courtesy of Planetizen

By Diana Ionescu

GEORGIA - A defunct mall in Macon, Georgia will get a new life as a civic center complete with government offices and an outdoor amphitheater. Now, the county is transforming the space. A two-story sports complex with pickleball courts —potentially the world’s largest indoor pickleball facility — has already been built. “Some local government departments and offices have already moved into the mall, and the others will have relocated by the end of April.” 

Read more:
https://www.planetizen.com/news/2024/03/127751-former-georgia-mall-revived-pickleball

 

Los Angeles County Moves to Open Schoolyards to Public Uses
Courtesy of Planetizen

By Clement Lau

CALIFORNIA - Increasing access to recreational facilities that already exist at schools is one of the oldest and most effective ways to provide more opportunities for physical activity and play in neighborhoods.  After all, even the most under-served areas have schools.  At a time of budget cuts and shortfalls, maximizing access to existing facilities is an efficient and economical use of public resources.  

Read more:
https://www.planetizen.com/news/2024/03/127709-los-angeles-county-moves-open-schoolyards-public-uses

 

Clean Drain Dry Initiative Releases Annual Accomplishment Report
Courtesy of River Management Society

The 2023 Report showcases national efforts to coordinate communications and prevention marketing by delivering on-the-ground strategies that empower the public and prevent spread.

Read more:
https://www.wildlifeforever.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/CD2_2023AnnualReport.pdf

 

St. Paul City Council passes $45.1 million in street, park improvements through new sales tax
Courtesy of CBSnews.com

By Riley Moser

MINNESOTA - The St. Paul City Council passed more than $45 million in funds Wednesday to improve streets and parks infrastructure thanks to the city's new 1% sales tax increase.

The city projects the increase will raise a billion dollars for road construction projects over the next 15 to 20 years. Of those funds, $738 million must go to improving streets and $246 million are intended for parks.

"I am thrilled to finally transform this long-awaited investment into reality," Mayor Melvin Carter said.

Read more:
https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/st-paul-city-council-funds-45-1-million-in-street-park-improvements-through-new-sales-tax/

 

NAAEE 2024: The Call for Presentations is open

The North American Association for Environmental Education seeks compelling proposals for our 53rd Annual Conference (November 6–9) and 21st Research Symposium (November 5–6), taking place in Pittsburgh, PA. Proposals Due: April 26, 2024

For more information:  
https://conference.naaee.org/

 

Training

Upcoming Webinars from American Trails

March 21: Celebrate Trails Day: An Overview of the Celebration + Ways to Engage

March 28: Six Steps to Build a TrailNation™

April 4: Grand Canyon Greenway: From Vision to Reality

April 11: Adaptive Trail Mobility Equipment and Programming 101

April 25: Community Driven: How Engagement Guides the Vision and Planning of a Community Wide Trail Network

May 23: Building Adaptive Trail Programming: Lessons from the Field

May 30: Communicate, Educate, and Inform Where Visitors are Planning Their Adventures

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

 

Webinar: How (and Why) to Build Great Bike Parking
Courtesy of the Federal Lands Transportation Institute Training Newsletter

Date: March 21, 2024
Time: 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm ET
Cost: Free 
Organization: Local Motion

Bike parking is an essential, and often overlooked component of a bike infrastructure network. When done poorly, bike parking can be totally absent, leave bikes susceptible to theft and damage, and even create hazards for people and the environment. When done well, bike parking encourages more biking by ensuring that bikes are secure, that arriving at a destination by bike is convenient, and that people biking feel like they are treated with dignity. 

This webinar will explore key components of good bike parking, including design of short- and long-term bike parking, accommodating cargo and electric bikes, amenities, and more. We'll also talk about bike parking retrofits, the importance of bike parking provisions in land use regulations, funding opportunities for bike parking, and what entities are responsible for ensuring adequate bike parking facilities.

For more information: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xIzYgwcnTKe2ryxrnGLS1A#/registration

 

Webinar: Beyond the Minimums
Courtesy of PlayCore

May 8, 2024 at 2:00 PM (EDT)

Expanding on the resource, we proudly offer “Beyond the Minimums,” a yearlong Accessibility Webinar Series. Led by Bill Botten, an accessibility and inclusion expert, these live virtual sessions will provide valuable insight into creating inclusive and welcoming experiences in play, recreation, and outdoor environments. Join us as we explore best practices to ensure that community parks and amenities are more usable by more people to the greatest extent possible. REGISTRATION CODE: COMMUNITY

For more information:  
https://education.playcore.com/

 

2024 NACo Annual Conference - Registration Open
 
Hillsborough County (Tampa), Florida - July 12-15, 2024

Join county elected and appointed officials from across the country in Hillsborough County, Fla. for the National Association of Counties (NACo) 2024 Annual Conference & Exposition.
NACo's Annual Conference is the premier national opportunity for counties to exchange cutting-edge practices, elect the association's leadership and shape our federal policy agenda for the year ahead. 

For more information:  
https://www.naco.org/event/2024-naco-annual-conference-exposition

 

Job openings

Regional Recreation Director (D8853)
Los Angeles County - Parks And Recreation
Alhambra, California
$7,796 - $10,506 Monthly
Application Deadline: Mar 20, 2024

Assistant Director, Aquatics and Lakes
Los Angeles County - Parks And Recreation
Alhambra, California
$147,754 - $229,787 Annually
Application Deadline: Open until filled

Park Heavy Equipment Operator
Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation
Los Gatos, California
$83,767 - $101,231 Annually
Application Deadline: Apr 5, 2024

Park Ranger I
Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation 
Los Gatos, California
$72,716 - $87,946 Annually
Application Deadline: Jun 4, 2024

Assistant Director of Parks
Travis County Parks
Austin, Texas
$90,000 - $115,000 Annually
Application Deadline: Mar 29, 2024

Director of Parks and Recreation
Springfield-Greene County Park Board
Springfield, Missouri
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.

How to contribute

The next issue of NACPRO News will be delivered on March 26, 2024.

If you have news or an article to share, please send it to the editor by March 25. 

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