creative programming

Creative Programming in the

Recreation, Creation, Station

Wyatt Richardson Jr., CPRPOperational Manager I

Sarasota County Parks and Recreation

• Develop a plan to implement more diverse offerings to your department and users

• List common barriers with programming,

events, or activities

• Better predict obstacles

Course Goals

The program process

Identifying the need

Developing your plan for more diverse offerings

Artists Chefs Nature Guides

Athletes Scientists Teachers

GardenersAnimal Lovers Game Masters Musicians

The many hats we wear as programmers

Brainstorming (ideas should reflect your departments mission or vision)

Outline Determine program goals Program design/plan *(should include

participant input) Implementation Evaluation*

Stages of Programming

Should align with your departments mission and vision

• Our Mission-Sarasota County Parks and Recreation will provide safe accessible and welcoming parks, programs and facilities that build and engage the community while promoting health, wellness, quality of life, and economic and environmental sustainability.

Identifying the need

Should align with your departments mission and vision

• Our Vision- connecting people to play

Identifying the need

I like to categorize the areas of need…

• Games• Activities• Events• Festivals• Seasonally

Identifying the need cont.

I like to categorize the areas of need…

• Therapeutic Rec• Aquatics• Pre/after school• Sports• Health/fitness

Identifying the need cont.

I like to categorize who the need is for…

• Seniors• Specials Populations/Inclusion• Adults• Youth• Camps

Identifying the need cont.

More specific target groups?

• Homeless• Hispanic females• Stay at home moms• Home school kids• Inner city youth

Identifying the need cont.

How else could we categorize the need?…

Identifying the need cont.

• Budget• Staff• Resources/Materials• Time• Space

Common Barriers

Parks and recreation specific barriers

• Locations of facilities

• Changing or evolving neighborhoods

• How to reach specific groups

Barriers

Parks and recreation specific barriers

• Lack of amenities?

• Competition-YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs, Churches

• Others?

Barriers

Internal VS External Programming Partnerships Marketing Retaining existing customers Getting staff/participants to buy in on the

idea

Obstacles

Surveying before/during/after event or program

Collaborate with others that will be involved in the event or program

Plan for the unexpected• Plan A, Plan B, Plan C

How to overcome obstacles

Identify the specific marketing technique that is going to reach your target group

Build levels of programs

How to overcome obstacles

How else might we over come obstacles?

How to overcome obstacles

Given the target group…

Group Exercise…

Brainstorming (ideas should reflect your departments mission or vision)

Outline Determine program goals Program design/plan *(should include

participant input) Implementation Evaluation*

Stages of Programming

Given the program name…

Group Exercise…

Brainstorming (ideas should reflect your departments mission or vision)

Outline Determine program goals Program design/plan *(should include

participant input) Implementation Evaluation*

Stages of Programming

Creative Examples

5k Events/ Themed fun runs Cornhole MMA

What's the next wave?• Pickleball?• Stand up paddleboarding (SUP)?

Look for the next wave

SFIA- Sports and Fitness Industry Association• Statistical data for participation /marketing $$$

NSGA- National Sporting Goods Association• Statistical data of sales in sporting goods $$$

Look for the next wave

West coast to east cost movement

www.outdoorfoundation.org

Look for the next wave

Hillbilly Hike

Woof Stock

Pooch Plunge

Food Truck Rodeo

Events

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=i_gfAEMLyWQ

Food Fight Festival

Activities

Activities

Helium Stick

Jigsaw Puzzle

Tarp Flip

Team Building

Bocce Ball

Super Sized Scrabble

Giant Jenga

Human Fooseball

Human Fooseball

Events?Programs?Activities?Sports?Target groups?Marketing techniques?

Any Ideas you would like to share?

Any Questions or Comments?