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Creating superior athletic facilities through an interactive workshop environment with agency staff and user groups
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| It is good to know that you are reading P&R Weekly! We thank you for that. An "eagle eye" reader caught our conference location mistake! We inadvertently published that the 2014 conference will be in Ontario, Canada. As much as we like Canadians, we will hold the 2014 conference here in California! To our Local Host team working right now on the Ontario, California conference, we apologize. |
Maintenance Management School Regents invite you to register
CPRS
Curriculum planning has begun for our first year, second year and grad forum focusing on personal development. The school takes place the second week in November at Lake Arrowhead. Registration is open for the 2013 Maintenance School. Click here for more information on the Maintenance Management School!
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First conference registrant received
CPRS
Congratulations to Rosa Pinuelas, City of San Marino, for being the first person to register for the 2014 CPRS Conference & Expo, March 4-7, 2014, in Ontario, Calif. She was the first to take advantage of the lowest rate available: $379
Get empowered at the 100+ top-notch education sessions, engage with park and recreation professionals from California and other west coast states, and explore the largest west coast Expo Show. This lowest price is only good through October 31, 2013, so don't wait to register.
Click here to download the early bird registration form.
Agencies across California are proclaiming July is Parks Make Life Better!® month
CPRS
Assembly Concurrent Resolution (ACR 50) declares July is Parks Make Life Better!® Month which recognizes the importance of access to local parks, trails, open space, and facilities for the health and development of all Californians.
Click here to download a sample resolution for your agency. You may also go to the Parks Make Life Better!® page on the CPRS website to get ideas for your agency and see what others are doing!
Two local parks are offering discounted tickets for July is Parks Make Life Better!® month.
 Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom is offering reduced tickets for July is Parks Make Life Better!® month. For discount coupons, click here.
 California's Great America
For discount coupons, click here. To download instructions on how to order your tickets online, click here.
PRODUCT SHOWCASE
| CPRS DISTRICT/SECTION HIGHLIGHTS |
New York adds solar-powered charging stations to parks
Athletic Business
Parks in New York will soon have a new amenity to draw users: solar-powered charging stations. Tested out last year in Brooklyn, a total of 25 locations are planned to open throughout the city this summer. The project is a partnership between the city and AT&T. The stations are constructed with a canopy of solar panels and feature three small tables to rest phones or other devices on. Built-in regular and mini USB ports, iPhone (4 and 5) plugs and charging instructions mean just about an device can be charged.
ASLA commends reintroduction of community parks revitalization act
Fort Mill Times
The American Society of Landscape Architects commends Congressman Albio Sires (N.J.) for reintroducing today the Community Parks Revitalization Act, which would help communities to rehabilitate existing and develop new community parks and outdoor recreational facilities. The Community Parks Revitalization Act will stimulate neighborhood economic growth by leveraging limited public resources to generate community reinvestment. Specifically, the bill will authorize grants for park and recreation agencies, which must be matched with local funds.
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FEATURED COMPANIES
Creates unique outdoor environments for the future generation, assists public agencies with landscape architecture and park design MORE
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Providing landscape architecture and park design services to public agencies for over 20 years. MORE
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Lifeguards from Stanislaus County, region refresh summer safety skills
The Modesto Bee
As many Central Valley residents start taking refuge from the hot sun with a cool dip, area lifeguards were brushing up on their skills to keep them safe. Some 100 certified lifeguards from across Stanislaus County and the region took part in a California Parks and Recreation Society-sponsored intensive training course to kick off the summer swimming season. The lifeguards work for parks and recreation departments in Modesto, Turlock, Ceres, Riverbank, Patterson, Manteca and Empire and came together for a rescue and first aid refresher.
PRODUCT SHOWCASE
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We have been providing a cost effective alternative method of providing security and maintenance services in city and county parks for over 30 years. Current and past clients include a wide variety of local, state and Federal agencies, private companies and non profit land trusts. For information call 6500-322-1181 or email clm@clm-services.com. MORE
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The Cove Waterpark not yet breaking even
The Press-Enterprise
The Cove Waterpark has been a success, judging by the crowds that have jammed the Jurupa Valley facility over the past two summers. But those crowds haven't translated into enough revenue for the waterpark to break even. In its first two years, The Cove ran a deficit of hundreds of thousands of dollars and is expected to miss the break even point again this year, said Kyla Brown, recreation chief for the Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District, which operates the facility.
PRODUCT SHOWCASE
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Playgrounds are designed to meet age appropriate challenges. Playground safety is paramount and ReadyPlay can be part of your safety program. Installation services available.
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NRPA's '10 Million Kids Outdoors' campaign
NRPA
NRPA is supporting the National Wildlife Federation's 10 Million Kids Outdoors campaign. This three-year initiative seeks a future in which all children spend time outside each day — creating a generation of happier and healthier children with more awareness and connection to the natural world. The nature of childhood has changed ... there's not much nature in it. Young people today spend less time outdoors in nature than ever before.
| BRANDING CAMPAIGN IMPLEMENTATION |
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 Kudos to the City of San Mateo for employing one of their community advisory committees to help promote Parks Make Life Better!® The Parks & Recreation Department is studying the feasibility of converting some of their athletic fields to artificial turf. As a token of San Mateo's appreciation for their efforts, San Mateo provided each CAC member with a hat with the Parks Make Life Better logo on the front- their very own walking billboards!
 Kudos also goes to Marie Knight, Director, Orange Community Services Department, for promoting Parks Make Life Better!® during the presentation of their proclamation that July is Parks Make Life Better!® Month and honoring citizens who have volunteered for the department during the year!
Please read the blog from the City of Lodi about their council's proclamation of July is Parks Make Life Better!® Month.
Send us your photos of how you are promoting the brand throughout the summer!
Send any samples of how you or your agency is incorporating the brand promise and key messages in your summer programming — We want photos! Send to Jane H. Adams, jane@cprs.org.
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FEATURED COMPANIES
Are you looking for a quality week long soccer camp during spring or summer vacation, and/or an ongoing soccer training program during your spring or fall season? MORE
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To find out how to feature your company in the CPRS P&R Weekly and other advertising opportunities, Contact James DeBois at 469-420-2618.
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For some Royal Palm Beach residents, Commons Park anything but royal
The Palm Beach Post
For four years, John Knoblock, a 20-year village resident, put up with noise, dirt and seemingly unending construction while Commons Park was being built right outside his backyard. "I was patient because I felt like when it was finished, I'd have something pleasant to look at," said Knoblock, a retired New Jersey police commissioner whose home on Heron Parkway borders the north section of the park. "But it looks like I'm on a landfill, not a parkland."
Missed last week's issue? See which articles your colleagues read most.
Is it time to give up the 'no cellphones' rule in health clubs?
Athletic Business
The Serenity Prayer, as it is known, has been adopted by Alcoholics Anonymous and can be a comfort to anyone coping with life's many challenges. For example, we think of it when we're dealing with cellphone usage by our health club members. Like other club managers attempting to control this pesky issue at facilities all over the world, we're losing the fight, and we're about ready to throw in the towel.
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The CPRS Forums are the place for members to exchange ideas and to ask questions. The forums area currently has 200-plus threads. The value of forums increases when you share your knowledge and resources. Increase the value of your membership by answering or posting a question in the forums. Visit CPRS Forums. You can also pose your own question.
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Mandatory Reporting Policies
Leslie Fritz, asks "Do you have a policy on mandatory reporting? I'm looking for anything that dictates the reporting process for child abuse, inappropriate internet or phone use, abuse of elderly or someone with a disability or even confidentiality. Even the hiring of sex offenders, or reporting of rape, etc. Thank you so much—would a session like this be something we should add to the annual conference or is this handled by your law enforcement provider?"
Please answer her question here.
Delineation for median island maintenance?
Darin Budak, City of Bakersfield, asks "I am getting pushed by our Risk Manager to provide delineation every time staff does maintenance on a street island. What are other cities doing? If you have any plans or direction please send them to me here. Thanks."
You can also post your answers here.
Affordable Care Act
Keri Smith, City of Palmdale, asks, "Is your agency reducing work hours for part-time employees this summer in anticipation to the Affordable Care Act? Is your agency holding part time un-benefited employees to a firm 29 hours or less per week? Is your agency considering a 12-month measurement period to determine their weekly average (for example, some weeks an employee would work more than 29 hours, some weeks less)? Is your agency working with an advisor or consultant regarding the Affordable Care Act?"
Please answer her question here.
Field use policy and fees for club sports, traveling teams
Randy Davis, City of Dixon, asks, "Many cities and districts reduce or eliminate field use fees for sports organizations that are open to all children in the community. However, I would like to know how your city or district deals with club sports organizations or traveling teams that limit participation to only the very skilled athletes. Do these types of organizations or teams pay reduced fees to use fields or do they pay the regular rate?"
Please answer his question here.
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The data you need to support the programs you run
Reports to councils, supervisors, or administrators can "pack a punch" if you add relevant statistics. Are you familiar with Kids Data? kidsdata.org is a website from the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health, that puts data about the health and well-being of California's children at your fingertips. The site provides data by county, city, school district and legislative district, making it easy to monitor trends and pinpoint disparities. Relevant policy and program ideas, along with links to additional research and information, are provided. Use this data to make the case for policies and initiatives that seek to improve kids' health and well-being in their communities. Kidsdata.org offers specific data on physical health, as well as many other indicators related to child and youth safety. These data can be downloaded into well-designed charts and graphs and embedded on your website and in reports, fact sheets, and PowerPoint presentations.
What's a healthy neighborhood?
East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation, an Oakland, California-based nonprofit agency, impressed CPRS with its vision of a Healthy Neighborhood:
A neighborhood with housing options, quality schools, thriving businesses, reliable public transit and markets full of fresh food. It's where parents have access to good jobs, children have parks to play in, and grandparents can age in place. It's where we look out for each other and know we are safe. Most importantly, healthy neighborhoods provide access to the resources we need to lead stable, fulfilling lives.
The health brief of The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Commission on Health, Where We Live Matters for Our Health: Neighborhoods and Health, gives a good overview of how neighborhoods shape our behaviors and influence our health.
New DOJ ADA website
The US Department of Justice has renovated the ADA website. The site still prominently lists new settlement agreements for communities that have not mastered compliance. In fact, see the settlement agreement in South Carolina for a reminder of parks and recreation obligations.
Help is here to make your case for trails, biking & hiking
The ability to convince leaders and lawmakers of the economic justification for investing in trails, biking and walking has become a critical part of trail building in these fiscally-challenging times. Fortunately for those of us working toward more options for active transportation, investments in this infrastructure produce remarkable returns and have transformative effects on communities large and small, impressively out of proportion to the comparatively small budgets involved. Rails to Trails Conservancy offers ideas on this blog. Also, RTC and the Partnership for Active Transportation have created a handy two-page fact sheet on the economic impact of trails.
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