Park Stories

Sparing parks and open spaces from the worst of the damage caused by wildfires By Cassie Olgren Monument, Colo., is a small, historic town sitting in the shadow of the eastern-most edge of the Rocky Mountains. Locals refer to this area as the Front Range. Living along the Front Range affords residents spectacular views and sunsets, proximity to countless outdoor amenities, and an easy commute betw...

Investing in campers builds a bridge to create leaders  By Katie Ridinger The Counselors in Training (CIT) program—a camp-leadership initiative for 7th and 8th graders that began in summer 2023—was the beginning of a program that will last for years. Younger campers began asking where the CITs were every day and expressing their dream to someday be one themselves. Teenagers were using their phones...

Although a powerful conservation tool, maintenance and funding limit widespread installation By Jefferey Spivey For more than a decade, green roofs have taken hold in various North American cities, with some serving a purely ecological purpose, while others have grown into major tourist attractions. Despite this track record, many park departments are simply testing them out in lieu of larger plan...

The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library is a destination for conservation education By Patrick Thibaudeau The need for transformation is more urgent than ever. The threat is no longer invisible; we can feel it and see it. Record temperatures and weather events are killing many people and sickening others, damaging property, crops, and treasured, abundant natural resources. Unless we change, we...

Striking just the right balance makes for happy visitors and habitats By Jane Peterson Parks and recreation is all about balance. While there is a desire to provide guests with access to an abundance of recreational opportunities, Michigan’s Oakland County Parks staff members also recognize it’s important to care for the land to which the public entrusts them, making natural-resources efforts a to...

Weighing the Benefits of Organic Management of Natural-Grass Fields By Jefferey Spivey When it comes to improving natural-grass fields—be it bare spots, pooling, or other problems—many park departments turn to tried-and-true solutions. “One way is to use a chemical-intensive system and have the lawn people come every few weeks and lay down chemicals and fertilizer,” says Liz Harriman, Deputy Direc...

Getting It Right Before Anything Goes Wrong By Danielle Spence In an age of increasing threats to student safety, collaboration between school districts and park districts has become a vital part of emergency preparedness. Natural disasters, unforeseen security threats, and shootings are only a few of the possible situations. Over the past 5 years, school shootings have skyrocketed. In 2023 throug...

Active Shooter Preparedness in Parks By Josh Campbell  Imagine a holiday weekend at a park bustling with visitors when you hear what sounds like fireworks. After all, it's summer and fireworks complaints have been non-stop for a week. But these fireworks are different; they are not the usual bottle rockets or lady fingers. Something must have gone wrong because people are running from the are...

In 2024, effective park management will require balancing staff and visitors’ evolving needs By Jefferey Spivey Change management is crucial for leaders in any field. Whether it’s adopting innovative technology, navigating employee turnover, or launching new programs, successful leaders are often those who handle curveballs with ease and expertly guide their teams through unfamiliar territory. 

Creating a program to show that every employee matters By Annie Olson No matter the size of a park agency, all of them struggle with resource needs. However, what some people often don’t recognize is that the most valuable resource of any organization is its employees. At the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB), a 2015 assessment of employee satisfaction resulted in the formation of a ded...

All I know I learned from my horses By Shannon Coates I’ve never heard an effective leader say that leadership is easy—it’s not. In fact, it can be incredibly difficult at times. Not only does an individual in charge have to make sure the day-to-day needs of an organization are met, but he or she is also responsible for helping each person become the best contributor possible—all while continuing...

How to evaluate (and justify) potential revenue streams By Mark Nagel  As one final project before I retired from the city of Elko New Market, Minn., I was asked to scan the nation for potential revenue sources for evaluation, and make recommendations to diversify our current revenue base for future park projects.  

Tips to create simple marketing messages that work By Ryan Wille It takes a lot of effort and planning to stand out in today’s world full of people constantly being treated as potential customers. Studies show the average person is exposed to roughly 4,000 marketing messages every day, and the number is growing.

By any other word would be a logo re-design By Sara Green, Shannon Palmer, and Stephanie McDermott Since 2020, state parks have seen massive upticks in visitors. The pandemic forced people to self-reflect and find new ways and places to interact. As a result, the outdoors became a safe haven for many, and state parks became an avenue for those looking to reconnect with nature. Washington State Par...

ADA requirements for digital parks and recreation communications By Brian Stapleton In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, technology holds a paramount position in the functioning of local governments, influencing every facet of their operations. From streamlining administrative tasks to enhancing civic engagement, technology assists in modernizing and serving communities more efficie...

A framework for implementing these principles in today’s park design By Troy Houtman With many changes in programming, ADA-access, and opportunities to inclusively serve all members of a diverse community, a paradigm shift has occurred, and it’s time that it is recognized in the way parks are designed. 

A Chaska redevelopment project pays tribute to its industrial past while embracing a favorite local sport By Tom Betti and Tracy Nicholson  “Chess on Ice” has come a long way from the frozen ponds of Scotland.   While the sport of curling rewards great skill and precision, Chaska, Minn., wanted to reward the community with a great place to play, practice, compete, and celebrate. With a design led...

How do you know when you’re ready to lead? By Bill Plessinger I had been at my previous parks and rec position for more than a decade when I landed a great job in central Ohio for a Gold Medal-winning agency, with more responsibility and many more employees to lead. It was tough saying goodbye. The position and the people had been good to me. Before the move, I kept asking myself, “How do I know i...

Take a step back and look at what players need to aspire to be great By John Engh When I run into people from my youth-sports days, they tell me what a great coach my dad was and how they still remember some of the ways he motivated them to work harder and be better.  

Reach out to the elderly and children with messages of kindness and caring By Ron Ciancutti

Universal locker rooms evolve to offer more utility, accessibility, and privacy By Jefferey Spivey Much about fitness has changed over the last few years, including the advent of virtual classes and the meteoric rise of pickleball. However, in gym facilities across the country, one of the more noticeable changes has little to do with exercise.

Drawing the line for optimal playability By Mary Helen Sprecher  The only thing more prevalent than pickleball these days is this question: “Should we line our tennis courts for pickleball, too, or just have separate pickleball courts?”

Score a victory by incorporating infrastructure to mitigate flooding By Thomas P. Shay Many parks, recreation, and athletic facilities serve as community hubs where residents gather to compete, play, socialize, and enjoy the outdoors. These prized community assets can play an even bigger role by incorporating infrastructure to manage stormwater, mitigate flooding, and achieve water-quality goals....

Using data and partnerships to determine sports-field placement By Clement Lau Park planning has become increasingly data-driven in recent years. For instance, the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) collects and analyzes a high volume and variety of data to prepare major plans and studies, with key examples including the 2016 Parks Needs Assessment (PNA), Community Parks a...

Understanding all components of a project budget By Thomas Betti Envisioning the possibilities of a new community center or sports facility is exciting, but when the costs of a project add up, the last thing anyone wants to see is a surprise. To bypass aggressive finger-pointing, the best advice is to avoid any comparison with similar facilities and to invest in information-gathering that will hel...