missouri parks & recreation winter 2016

MISSOURIMISSOURIMISSOURIParks & RecreationParks & RecreationParks & Recreation

WINTER 2016WINTER 2016WINTER 2016WINTER 2016WINTER 2016WINTER 2016WINTER 2016WINTER 2016

Official publication of the Missouri Park & Recreation Association






Challenge Accepted: Kids Spend their Summer on the Playground

Have You Ever Noticed The Guy That Cleans Up Your Trash?





2016 ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Keynote, Sessions, Special Events

General Asssembly Gears Up, Hoping

for Productive Session









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TABLE OF CONTENTS President’s Letter ............................................................................... 5 Announcements ............................................................................ 6-10 2016 MPRA Conference & Expo .................................................11-13 Challenge Accepted: Columbia ......................................................14 2016 Calendar ....................................................................................15 Touring Mizzou from Another Perspective ....................................16 2016 General Assembly Gears Up ...................................................17 St. Joseph, Missouri Western Partner on Pool Programs ............ 18 Brentwood Community Enjoys Remodeled Complex ..................19 Have You Ever Noticed the Guy that Cleans Trash? ..................... 20 2015 MPRA Student Workshop a Success ..................................... 22

ADVERTISER INDEX2016 Directory & Buyer’s Guide ....................................................... 5All Inclusive Rec ..................................................... Inside Back Cover BagSpot .............................................................................Back CoverCertified Playground Safe Inspector Course .................................. 7Cunningham Recreation .................................................................... 4Most Dependable Fountains ............................. Inside Front CoverMPRA Aquatic Facility Operator Course ........................................15MRPA Ticket Consignment ..............................................................15NRPA is Coming to St. Louis ........................................................... 21R.J Thomas/Pilot Rock ....................................................................... 9 Thank you to Musco Lighting, our Corporate Sponsor.

On the cover:Brentwood Recreation Complex

The Musco Lighting Building 2018 William Street Jefferson City, MO 65109-1186

Phone: 573-636-3828 Fax: 573-635-7988 www.mopark.org

MANAGING EDITORS Jan Neitzert, CPRP, CAE Executive Director [email protected]

Gary Gates, CPRP Assistant Executive Director [email protected]

Sarah Veile Membership and Marketing Specialist [email protected]

ADVERTISING/DESIGN/PRODUCTIONPernsteiner Creative Group (952) 841-1111 [email protected]

Missouri Parks & Recreation ©2016. The official publication of the Missouri Park & Recreation Association, an affiliate of the National Recreation & Park Association. The magazine is included in annual membership dues.

We need your contributions!

Missouri Parks & Recreation magazine is composed, in large part, from submitted articles and photos. We rely on your input to produce a successful publication. Please send articles, news and high-resolution photos to Sarah Veile at [email protected].

Advertise in MISSOURI magazine.

For advertising information, email Todd Pernsteiner at [email protected] or call (952) 841-1111.

Deadlines:

Deadlines for articles, photos and advertisements are:

2016 Directory & Buyer’s Guide - January 14, 2016 Spring 2016 – February 15, 2016 Fall 2016 – July 15, 2016 Winter 2017 – November 15, 2016

MISSOURIParks & Recreation

The Missouri Park & Recreation Association will comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by providing reasonable accommodations for our meetings, events and in our services when they are requested. Please make your accommodation request at least 72 hours in advance by calling our office at (573) 636-3828.

Winter 2016 • Missouri Parks & Recreation 3

There’s still time to advertise in the 2016 MPRA Directory & Buyer’s Guide!

Contact Todd Pernsteiner at (952) 841-1111 or email [email protected] by January 14, 2016.

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We’re celebrating...

thanks to you!

You keep imagining it,

we’ll keep building it!

CunninghamRec.com | 800-438-2780

Celebrating a half century of sharing our creative clients’ dedication to unique and meaningful play.

Our Founder,

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of Cunninghams


This sentiment from Brad Paisley has been on my mind for a while now, and I can’t help but think about how it applies to us today. We have ahead of us an opportunity to make a lasting impression, and it’s up to us to take pen in hand and write our story.

The table of contents in our books as parks and recreation professionals is easy to imagine:

Chapter 1: Lifelong Bonds – Johnny Makes a Friend at Camp

Chapter 2: The Making of a Future CEO – Cindy Enrolls for Youth Soccer

Chapter 3: Old Man Wilson Looks Younger Every Day – The Power of Senior Volunteers

Chapter 4: The Grass is Always Greener – Golf Course Improvements Yield Positive Environmental Impact

Chapter 5: The Incredible Shrinking Woman – How a Community Lost 1500 Pounds with Local Fitness Program

Chapter 6: Business is Booming – Beautiful Parks Improve Economy by Attracting New Businesses

Chapter 7: The Giving Tree – Residents Come Together to Repair Playground

But I believe 2016 isn’t just a new book waiting to be written. It’s a volume that is part of a long history of great works started in each of our communities many years ago. 2016 is a story “building on a solid foundation” created by our predecessors who were seen as “just” activity leaders and sports coordinators and helped build our role to professional status. Over the years, our stories have been edited by our communities and society, by technology, by our successes and failures, and by the support we receive from MPRA, bringing us to this point.

Most importantly, 2016 is about building our profession and our role in our communities on the solid foundation that already exists. It is about recognizing that there are still pages to be written, and that what we write continues to change with the world around us. We will build on our past successes and our strengths and continue to provide amazing opportunities. We will evaluate how our industry is evolving and change with it to ensure that our profession continues to grow and remains at the forefront of the discussion about what community means. And we will stand tall and share how we are strengthening the fabric of our communities and why we are an integral part of their future.

So, take a minute to look back and reflect on the past year or more, and then grab your pen and start writing – because we have a story to tell!

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

By Kirsten Barnes, MPRA Board President

Tomorrow is the first page of a blank 365 page book. Write a good one.

Don’t miss your 2016 Directory and Buyer’s Guide from the Missouri Park and Recreation Association!Look for the Directory in your mailbox at the beginning of March.

If you need changes made your agency listing (pages 7-22) please email [email protected].

Any changes to your individual data should been made when you renew your membership.

2016 Directory & Buyer’s Guide

She’ll soon need new playground equipment. Stay top of mind!

For as little as $300 per issue, Missouri Parks & Recreation

magazine gets you in front of key purchasing decision-makers.

No other publication is so targeted and gets you directly in

front of your audience.

Download the advertising rate card at pernsteiner.com/MPRA2016.pdf

or call Todd Pernsteiner at

(952) 841-1111.

Hannibal Announces New Employee

Jenna McDonald has joined the Hannibal Parks & Recreation Department as Aquatic Director/Recreation Supervisor. She is overseeing the renovation of the 50-year-old

Hannibal Aquatic Center and has started a pickleball league at the recreation center. Jenna graduated from Eastern Illinois University and received a master’s degree from Lindenwood University. She has nine years of experience in pool management, including scheduling, maintenance, and staff supervision. She has also been involved in Special Olympics, Relay for Life, and intramural sports.

Michael Sorth and Tom Schweiss Join Great Rivers GreenwayThe Great Rivers Greenway District is pleased to announce the addition of Michael Sorth and Tom Schweiss to its growing team. Sorth has joined as Director of Conservation and Community, while Schweiss is serving as Greenway Operations Supervisor.

As the new Director of Conservation and Community, Sorth oversees community service and public outreach efforts and manages trail maintenance, volunteer coordination, and

special events. Prior to joining Great Rivers Greenway, he served as executive director of Gateway Greening. Sorth also spent fifteen years as a public finance investment banker, received a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration from Missouri State University, and holds multiple industry specific licenses and registrations.

As Greenway Operations Supervisor, Schweiss oversees greenway maintenance and conservation efforts and helps develop and implement conservation management plans.

He also leads maintenance and conservation-based training and education programs for staff, partners, and volunteers. Schweiss’s background includes serving two years with St. Louis County parks and conservation work with Americorps St. Louis, the Washington Department of Ecology and the Washington Conservation Corps. Schweiss holds a variety of professional certificates, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Parks, Recreation and Tourism from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

MPRA Announces 2016 InternZach Hanson will be interning with the Missouri Park & Recreation Association through the end of March 2016. He will be receiving his Bachelor of Science in Sport Management

from the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg this May.

He has six years of experience with the Sedalia Parks and Recreation Department which includes lifeguarding for three years, assistant pool manager, youth baseball coordinator, site supervisor, and assisting with special events. During this internship he hopes to gain experience to further his career goals of directing a parks and recreation department one day. Zach says, “I will be dedicated to completing tasks expected of me and utilizing my experiences to contribute to the operations of MPRA.”

New Director of Parks, Recreation & Civic Facilities Department in St. Joseph

Chuck Kempf has been promoted to Director of Parks, Recreation & Civic Facilities. Chuck has five years of experience in the field of parks and recreation as a recreation programs

and facilities manager.

Previously, he was Special Projects Manager for the City of St. Joseph where he oversaw various city projects, including parks department facility construction and renovations: the Remington Nature Center, Phil Welch Stadium, Heritage Park Softball Complex, and the REC Center. He has served as the city’s ADA Coordinator

for the past ten years, beginning with the development and implementation of the city’s ADA Compliance Plan in 2005/2006. He has also served as Interim Director of Human Resources for the City of St. Joseph.

Chuck was appointed Interim Director of Parks Recreation & Civic Facilities in March 2015. He has a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, and holds the Certified Parks & Recreation Professional (CPRP) designation from the National Recreation & Parks Association.

Maryville Parks & Recreation Names New Director

The Maryville Parks & Recreation Board has announced that Aaron Dobson has been selected as their new director.

Dobson will be the seventh director since

the Parks & Recreation Board was founded in 1972 and will succeed Rod Auxier, who is retiring Feb. 1 after 30 years of service.

Dobson holds a bachelor’s degree in corporate wellness and recreation from Northwest Missouri State University and currently serves as Parks Superintendent for the City of Rockwall, Texas, where he previously worked as Recreation Superintendent. He will begin his duties in Maryville on Feb. 2.

In Rockwall, a Dallas suburb with a population of around 37,000, Dobson oversees a system comprised of about 20 park facilities designed for both general and specific recreational and athletic activities.

ANNOUNCEMENTS


DID YOU KNOW?Children who regularly spend unstructured time outside: play more creatively, have lower stress levels, have more active imaginations, become fitter and leaner, develop stronger immune systems, experience fewer symptoms of ADHD, have greater respect for themselves, others and the environment.-Godbey & Mowen, 2010

ANNOUNCEMENTS

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Missouri Park and Recreation Association Offers CPSI Course

The CPSC estimates that over 205,000 injuries occur on playgrounds each year, with approximately 15 resulting in death. This course is the most comprehensive training program on playground hazard identification and risk management methods anywhere. Two playground safety experts present 15 hours of training, which includes an on-site playground visit.

Certified Playground Safety Inspector

Online registration is available at www.mopark.org/cpsifall.html

March 22-24, 2016St. Charles, MO

Westerhold Retires after 28 Years of Service to Sunset Hills

Evelyn Westerhold started her career with the City of Sunset Hills Parks & Recreation Department in the winter of 1988. The department was just beginning, with 40 acres of parkland, one full-time and three part-time employees, including Evelyn. Responsibilities were

limited to park and tennis court reservations and a few special events. As the department grew so did her responsibilities: Evelyn was made a full-time employee in 1996 and became more involved with the special events, especially the Halloween program and fishing derbies!

Evelyn saw the direction of the department change with new leadership and welcomed the challenge. She took on reservation bookings using new computer software programs, new park amenities (athletic fields, aquatic facility and the community center), plus hundreds of new programs and new employees. Today the department maintains 167 acres of parkland, employs 13 full-time staff and more than 125 seasonal employees. With all these changes, Evelyn has been the face of the parks and recreation department for the past 28 years. We would like to thank her for her years of service, dedication, and wish her well throughout her retirement!

Clayton Announces Staffing ChangesPatrick Magee was recently promoted to Athletic and Facilities Supervisor with Clayton Parks and Recreation and will oversee youth and adult leagues as well as climbing wall programming and the operations of Shaw Park Ice Rink and Tennis Center. He spent the last six years as an Assistant Aquatic Supervisor for Clayton collecting experience in facility operations and concessions. He came to Clayton from the YMCA of Greater St. Louis after receiving a bachelor’s degree in general studies from Southeast Missouri State University.

David Willey has been promoted to the position of Assistant Athletic and Facilities Supervisor to assist with Clayton’s growing athletic programming. He graduated from Fontbonne University with a degree in business administration. While at Fontbonne, he was a pitcher for the university’s baseball team. He began working for Clayton as an umpire 10 years ago when he was still in high school and has steadily climbed the department ranks, most recently holding the league coordinator position.

Sally Geniec joins Clayton Parks and Recreation as the new Assistant Membership Supervisor for The Center of Clayton. She graduated from the University of Missouri - Columbia with a degree in parks, recreation and tourism. She has held customer service and programming positions around the St. Louis region including the Kemper Art Museum, Missouri State Parks, and most recently St. Louis County Parks.


ANNOUNCEMENTS

City of Ballwin Welcomes New Communications Specialist

The City of Ballwin is pleased to announce Kirsten Hochstetler as Communication Specialist for the Parks & Recreation Department. Before coming to Ballwin, Kirsten worked for The Larrabee Center, Inc. as the Development and Community Relations Coordinator. In her new position, she is responsible for enhancing the visibility and promoting the mission of the department and its services through

the development and implementation of communication and marketing programs. Kirsten will be directly responsible for seasonal brochures, flyers, press releases, social media, other promotional materials and creating community partnerships. This is a hands-on position responsible for some supervision of facilities and overall customer relations. Kirsten graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications Arts with a public relations emphasis from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa.

The Springfield-Greene County Park Board has received the James Farrell Award of Excellence from the Amateur Softball Association, after hosting the ASA’s Girls’ 18 and under Northern National Fast Pitch Championship in July.

The award indicates a 95% or greater overall rating from ASA officials. Springfield has hosted 34 ASA national championships over the years, winning the James Farrell Award 24 times. However, this year’s award reflects the first time the Park Board has ever received a 100% rating!

Athletics Coordinator Mark Nelson accepted the award in Louisville in November.

“I want to thank all of our divisions within the Park Board for all their hard work during this tournament in order to make it the success it was,” said Nelson. “Without their work, expertise and professionalism, we would not have received this 100% overall rating.”

The Springfield-Greene County Park Board congrat-ulates Community Recreation

Administrator Susan Provance, one of three recent inductees to the elite Springfield Public Schools Hall of Fame.

“Coach P,” as her students know her, is a 1971 graduate of Springfield’s Glendale High School. At the time, there were no official girls’ high school sports opportunities, but she made the most of intramural basketball, volleyball and track, and marched in the girls’ drum and bugle corps.

She attended the University of Tulsa, where she continued to play sports while studying K-12 health, physical education, and recreation.

After graduation, she briefly taught PE and coached for four years at Willard schools. Provance then spent the next 26 years at Springfield’s Parkview High School, teaching PE and health while coaching girls’ basketball,

volleyball, softball, and boys’ and girls’ tennis. Provance left Springfield to avoid coaching Parkview’s teams against her own daughter’s teams at Glendale, briefly taking a position with Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar.

She has worked for the Park Board since 2006, overseeing sports programming and bringing sports to neighborhood associations, day camps, and after-school programs.

Provance’s October 2015 induction to the SPS Hall of Fame brought dozens of Facebook greetings from former students from around the country. “The students and their comments mean more to me than the trophy,” she said.

Bob Belote, Director of Parks, attended the induction ceremony, along with Provance’s family and colleagues. “Susan’s enthusiasm and encouragement have benefitted and inspired thousands of students and athletes over the years,” said Belote.

“A hearty congrats to our Hall of Famer – Susan Provance!”

Susan Provance Enters Springfield Public Schools Hall of Fame

Springfield Earns James Farrell Award

L-R, Joey Rich, Rolla, Mark Nelson, Springfield, and Ken Kwantes, Rolla, each accepted the James Farrell Award of Excellence Nov. 4 at the ASA Annual Meeting in Louisville.

City of Chesterfield Announces New Employees

The Chesterfield Parks, Recreation & Art Department is pleased to announce that Sukanya Mani and Cara Wagner have been hired as Recreation Specialists. Sukanya is responsible for multiple art programs and projects, outreach into the art community, art installation at City Hall exhibits and outdoor public sculptures, art tours and assisting with the events at Chesterfield Amphitheater.

Cara will be in charge of creating and executing numerous recreation programs and events for all parks and assisting with concession management and organization at all facilities.


ANNOUNCEMENTS

Did You Know … What We Were Up to During 2015?

As 2015 came to a close, we were able to take a breath and look back at another very busy year for “Did You Know/Friends of the Park.” We have been all over the place training professionals, educators, students and volunteer to “tell the story,” making sure that parks and recreation is recognized and appropriately funded

based on the hundreds of measurable benefits for every citizen and every community.

With training delivered in Minnesota, Kentucky, Indiana and Alaska, the nationwide outreach continues. We then committed to share all the improvements of the past 3 years with our original partners, our members in Missouri. By February, we will have provided “reboot” sessions to all four regions, plus a few public agencies that are now ready to take their campaign to the next level.

At NRPA in September, we were also approached by several other states who are interested in talking about the DYK/FOP training - we’ll see what 2016 brings! With all the education sessions focused on marketing, advocacy, grass-roots support, metric-based benefit messaging - it appears we were indeed ahead of the curve a bit, and it’s been a great outreach initiative!

Our training team has grown, too, with 10 MPRA leaders equipped to deliver all or part of the DYK/FOP content. Many thanks to these individuals and their employers for recognizing the value of getting this message out.

In late November of 2015, NRPA released the results of a study done by George Mason University. This study gave even more solid, current numbers quantifying the economic value of parks and recreation in the United States. This should be required content for all our agencies, and especially useful in a DYK/FOP-type campaign. While this data is extremely valuable, it is up to us - and you - to make the connection between this “big data” and the local equivalencies. This goes beyond just applying the formulas (PRORAGIS has a start on this with their “calculators”). You and your “friends” (the local professionals and the citizens you educate and motivate) have to know why it matters to the particular audience - and to articulate it clearly, quickly and in such a way that they understand what they should DO! That’s where the MPRA Did You Know/Friends of the Park is different.

Want to know more? Contact Missouri Park & Recreation’s office at (573) 636-3828.


Submitted by David R. Vaught, University of Missouri - Columbia

The University of Missouri’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism (PRT) began in the School of Social and Community Services in 1966. In 1967, a Bachelor of Science in Park and Recreation Administration was approved and in 1968 the department added a Master of Science. In 1969, the department was selected as one of three pilot programs for National Recreation and Park Association accreditation and in 1977 the department received full accreditation. The Mizzou PRT department has been continuously accredited since 1977.

Please contact Mizzou for more information with regard to our April 7, 2016 celebration on campus. Our program is built on you: our alumni, faculty, and staff that have been a part of our rich history. Parks, Recreation, and Tourism is also co-sponsoring the Missouri Park and Recreation Association annual conference in Columbia, MO in February 2016 along with the Columbia Parks and Recreation Department.

Beginning with two graduates in 1968, 2015 saw 150 graduates receive their parks, recreation and tourism degree. Nearly 3,000 students have graduated and our alumni span the globe with incredible contributions to the field of parks, recreation, therapeutic recreation, tourism, and sport management. Hundreds of MPRA members and leaders call Mizzou their Alma Mater and we congratulate PRT on their golden anniversary. Let’s aim for 50 more years of excellence!

Hope to see you!

David R. Vaught: [email protected] Tanya Anderson: [email protected] Phone: 573-882-7086 Facebook: www.facebook.com/mizzousprt

Mizzou Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Celebrates 50th Year

Submitted by Steph Diedrick, Missouri State Parks

In October, Missouri State Parks held a ribbon cutting ceremony at Harry S. Truman State Park to open their 1,000th mile of trail. The 1-mile loop trail, open to day-use hikers, was built primarily by park staff and features the interpretation of ongoing glade restoration. The trail includes a scenic overlook with a spectacular view of Truman Lake.

With the trail’s opening, the state park system officially includes 1,000 miles of trail. In 2013, Missouri was named the Best Trails State by American Trails, a national, nonprofit organization working on behalf of the nation’s hiking, biking and riding trails. To celebrate the award, Governor Jay Nixon and First Lady Georganne Nixon established the 100 Missouri Miles Challenge, which encourages Missourians to complete 100 miles of outdoor physical activity. For more information and to take the Challenge, visit www.100MissouriMiles.com.

Harry S. Truman State Park is located at 28761 State Park Road West in Warsaw. For information about state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Missouri State Parks Marks 1,000th Mile of Trail

In the spring of 2015, the City of O’Fallon renovated three tennis courts at Paul A. Westhoff Memorial Park to improve recreational opportunities for people of all ages. Westhoff Park is designated as a metropolitan park in their Parks and Recreation Master Plan and is a previous Land, Water, Conservation Fund Park. The renovation included replacing all the tennis courts and installing new lights. Seventy-five thousand dollars of this project was funded through the LWCF. The new courts also have blended lines for participants in the under 10 age group. The city received additional grant money from the United States Tennis Association to cover the cost of striping for that age group.

These improvements enhance recreation opportunities at Westhoff Park for the citizens of O’Fallon. The recreation department continues to offer tennis lessons through Beginner’s Tennis World and plans to add new programs in 2016.

O’Fallon “Loves” its New Tennis FacilitySubmitted by Alyssa Groeteke, O’Fallon Parks & Recreation

ANNOUNCEMENTS

AFTER

BEFORE BEFORE

February 23-26, 2016 Columbia, MO Early Registration Deadline:January 22, 2016 Register online at:www.mopark.org

KEYNOTE: DR. RICK MCGUIRE Wednesday, February 24

Dr. Rick McGuire is the Director of Sport Psychology for Intercollegiate Athletics at the University of Missouri, and Graduate Professor of Sport Psychology in the Department of Educational, School and Counseling Psychology. For 27 years he was Missouri’s Head Track and Field Coach. Under his tutelage, Missouri athletes can boast 143 All American recognitions, 110 conference champions, 29 USA National Team members, 7 NCAA Champions, 3 collegiate records, and 5 Olympians, including two Olympic Silver medalists. Rick is the founder of the USA Track and Field Sport Psychology program and

was the chairman for 27 years. He served on staff for 11 USATF National Track and Field Teams, including the ‘92 and ‘96 Olympic Games in Barcelona and Atlanta and the IAAF World Championships in Goteberg, Sweden. Rick also served as a member of the NCAA Track and Field Committee, and was President of the NCAA Division 1 Track and Field Coaches in the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

As a professor, Rick established Missouri’s graduate master’s and doctoral programs in sport psychology, which he continues to teach, along with providing a sports psychology class to undergraduates. For these efforts he has been recognized with the Missouri Students Association Award for Outstanding Teaching, and the College of Education’s High Flyers Award and Pillar of Excellence Award.

Rick has been a significant contributor to the cause of coaches’ education, has written extensively, and is a prominent speaker at coaches’ organizations’ meetings, clinics and seminars. He has recently established the “Missouri Institute for Positive Coaching” to support, study, research, teach, promote and in all ways encourage the importance and the impact of highly effective positive coaching.

Rick earned his Ph.D. in Sport Psychology from the University of Virginia in 1983, studying with world renowned golf sport psychologist, Dr. Bob Rotella.

THANK YOU TO OUR 2016 SPONSORS!• 2nd Wind Exercise Equipment• All Inclusive Rec• Allstate Consulting• BagSpot Pet Waste Solutions• Ballard*King & Associates• BBN Architects, Inc.• Byrne & Jones Construction• Columbia Parks & Recreation• Confluence• Counsilman Hunsaker & Associates• Crockett Engineering Consultants • Cunningham Recreation

Delegate gift sponsor• Erb Turf Equipment, Inc.• Fry & Associates• Jacobs• Joe Machens of Columbia• Landscape Structures

Keynote sponsor• Lighting Associates, Inc.• M&M Golf Carts• Miracle Recreation• Musco Lighting• Planning Design Studio• Professional Turf Products• Push Pedal Pull• SSCI - Operation TLC2• SWT Design• TNT Golf Car & Motorsports• University of Missouri Parks,

Recreation & Tourism Department• Vermont Systems, Inc.• Wallace Architects



2016 CONFERENCE SESSIONS10 Reasons Why Anyone and Everyone Should Play ASA Softball

90 Days to Daylight: A KC Parks & Rec Marketing Case Study

A Cost Effective Renovation Guide

ACA’s Crisis Hotline - Case Studies and Lessons Learned

Aging Swimming Pools - Repair, Renovate or Replace

Balancing Act: Operations in a multi-use aquatic center

Canada Geese In Your Parks

Changing Opinions and Creating a Positive Reputation

Columbia’s Cycling Revolution: Programs That Will Move You

Cost of Nutrition

Creating Outdoor Environments That Promote Physical Activity and Multigenerational Use

Creative Breakdown (without a meltdown!)

Don’t Worry, Be Appy

Embracing the Digital Age in Camp Programs

Energy Efficiency and Facility Improvement for Recreation Centers, Park Buildings and Pools

Engineering 251: Model Aquatic Health Code - Design and Construction Section

Ethical Dilemmas: Don’t Become a Headline!

Facility Design and Retro Fitting Your Current Fitness Center for 2016 and Beyond!

From Generation Y to the Greatest Generation: Demographics and Recreation

Healthy Concessions Success Stories

Hiring and Contracting for Professional Design Services

How to Win: Creating Rewarding Experiences between Agencies and Students

Influencing Up!

Insurance Subsidized Health Club Memberships

It’s Not Broke, But Can We Fix It Anyway?

Leading “The Way” for Your Team: Creating a Winning Culture

Life in Uganda, Africa and its Orphans

Lifeguards: The Person Behind the Whistle

Making and Keeping Good First Impressions So Your Career Potential Is At Its Best

MLB Pitch, Hit and Run - Make It a Hit in Your Community!

Motivating Youth to Explore the Outdoors

MPRA 2015 Salary and Wage Survey Results

Musical Moments and Youth Sports Connections

New Ideas for Managing Athletic Fields in the Transition Zone

NRPA is Coming to MISSOURI!

Off the Wall Sports and Games

Opportunities for Collaboration: Parks, Recreation, and Public Health

Overseeding Strategies for High Use Areas: Being Green, Not Lean

Parks for All Users

Participation Trophies vs. Competition in Youth Sports

Plugging into Network Fitness Trends

Programming New Trends in Aquatics

Promotional Items: What Do People Want?

Recreation and Risk - It’s All Fun and Games Until…

Recycling in the Heartland

Regenerative Media Filtration - More Effective, More Efficient

Revitalization of Functional Fitness

Roping in the Seniors of Your Community: Classes that work!

Sand Volleyball Courts - How to build them. How to fill them.

Severe Weather and Lightning Safety: What You Don’t Know May Shock You!

Social Media Outreach

Sports Concussions Facts and Fallacies

Streamlining Your Aquatics Operations

The “L” Word - Practical Leadership Concepts You Can Use Now

The Approach to Developing a Cost Revocery Plan and Pricing Goals

The Business Side of Retirement

The Immediate Impact of EAB and the Management of ALL Park Trees

The RIGHT Exercise for Busy Professionals

Third Party Audits - How they can benefit your facility

This Old Park

Time to Think “Outside” the Box on Your Fitness Space

Top Fitness Trends: Pros and Cons

Trends in Play Space Design: Maximizing Activity, Engagement and Community Support

True Colors: What your personality style says about you

User Groups - Are They Putting You At Risk?

Using Social Media to Grow Your Leagues, Tournaments and Special Events

Volunteer Management 101

Walker Lake: A Case Study for Re-Examining Water Features as Green Infrastructure

Ways to Save Energy in Your Swimming Pool Filter Room

Weather 101: Fundamental Meteorology for Parks and Grounds Maintenance

Wellness Puzzle

What’s Happening! Energize your writing with dynamic verbs

Yes We Can Stop the Spread of Invasives


TUESDAY SOCIAL Tuesday, February 23 Faurot Field Columns Club 6:00 – 9:00 pm

Join us at the Faurot Field Columns Club in a room with a view for the Tuesday evening welcome social. Guests will enjoy light fare, drinks and live music while overlooking the MU football stadium. The evening will be hosted by the MU Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department. MIZ-ZOU!

WEDNESDAY EXPO Wednesday, February 24 Columbia Expo Center 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Ohh, the excitement in store at this year’s expo! Nearly 100 companies will be on display with the latest and greatest products and services in the park and recreation industry. Every delegate will receive a special gift as they enter the expo hall courtesy of M&M Golf Carts. Lunch will be served 11:30 am - 1:00 pm (ticket required) with dessert/refreshments served 2:00 - 3:00 pm.

WEDNESDAY SOCIAL Wednesday, February 24 Riechmann Pavilion at Stephens Lake Park 6:30 – 11:30 pm

Let’s party in the park! The Wednesday evening social will be at the Riechmann Pavilion at Stephens Lake Park. We will fill up on local BBQ and enjoy some beverages as we dance the night away! There will be plenty of time to look over the auction items and get your bids in. Shuttles will be available to and from the Holiday Inn Executive Center. Dress warmly for the evening as we will be dining and dancing in a large heated tent. (ticket required)

THURSDAY LUNCHEON Thursday, February 25 Columbia Expo Center 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

New this year! Enjoy a lovely meal and share stories with other parks and recreation professionals from around the state. This will be the site of Take a Student to Lunch and the Past Presidents Lunch. Additional information will be available! Plated meal served 12:00 - 1:00 pm. (ticket required)

THURSDAY AWARDS BANQUET & SOCIAL Thursday, February 25 Columbia Expo Center 6:00 – 11:30 pm

Help us celebrate as we pay tribute to the newest member of the Missouri Recreation and Parks Hall of Fame and all the other MPRA Citation and Awards winners on Thursday evening. Wrap up the MPRA experience with a downtown CoMo pub crawl from 8:30pm-11:30pm. Following the Closing Banquet and Awards Ceremony, join us to enjoy libations at a few of Columbia’s favorite nighttime spots. Food and drink specials will be offered at partnering bars and breweries. MPRA will shuttle pub crawlers to and from downtown.

SPECIAL CONFERENCE EVENTS


As a parks and recreation department, we focus on getting kids outdoors and keeping them active. We spend numerous hours creating special events and programming sports leagues to offer enough activities, but sometimes it just takes a mom with three kids to give us a great idea to achieve our goal.

During the summer of 2014, Stephanie Rosskopf decided she would take her three children to every playground in Columbia. The objective was to “get us out of the house,” but it turned into much more than that. She did indeed visit all 40 playgrounds in Columbia that summer, and in her email to our director, she stated that “my kids grew their physical abilities” and “it will always be remembered as a big part of my growth as a mother.” She chronicled her kids’ adventures through social media and received numerous comments from friends including inquiries about which playgrounds to visit!

As a former marketing professional, Rosskopf used her experience and created the “park playground challenge” for other families in the community. In the spring of 2015, she reached out to our director to ask for support: fine-tuning the playground list, potential prizes, and promotion. Staff discussed her idea, and it didn’t take long for us to introduce the “Visit Your Park Playgrounds Challenge” program to Columbia citizens. Rosskopf’s idea was extremely beneficial, promoting the use of our park system, introducing families to new park destinations, getting kids outdoors, and increasing the physical activity of every participant.

Our first “Visit your Park Playgrounds Challenge” ran from Memorial Day to Labor Day this past summer and was promoted through our website and social media outlets. Parents completed a contest form for

each child, including a checklist of 40 park playgrounds in our system. As each child visited a park playground, they checked it off their list! In an effort to increase participation and get kids excited about the challenge, we offered prizes based on the number of parks visited at the end of the summer. If a child visited 10 parks during the summer, they received a youth pass

to the Activity & Recreation Center (ARC); and if they made it to 20 playgrounds, they received an ARC youth pass, plus an entry into the grand prize drawing. The grand prize for the contest was a $100 Columbia Parks and Recreation gift certificate for one lucky child. If a child visited 30 or more parks, they received their ARC pass, as well as additional entries into the grand prize drawing. We chose prizes to promote our recreation center as a place for families to visit during the winter months!

As the summer ended, we were excited to see contest forms being returned to us, so we could gauge our citizens’ response, and gain valuable data about our playgrounds. In total, 131 youth participated in the challenge with over 58% visiting at least 20 parks throughout the system. We felt this was a huge success, increasing exposure for families to new playgrounds throughout Columbia. The “Visit Your Park Playgrounds Challenge” motivated families to visit parks during the summer and gave us the opportunity to showcase the amenities at each site.

And what did our citizens say? “We had no idea so many parks were so close,” “[We are] so lucky to live in a city with such great parks.”

Staff was able to track which parks were most popular and what the favorite play feature was in each, offering insight for future renovation and building. This challenge was a great example of why we strive to listen to our citizens and work to implement ideas and suggestions in our parks and recreation programs.

Challenge AcceptedColumbia Kids Spend Their Summer on the Playground!

Submitted by: Gabe Huffington, Columbia Parks & Recreation

3


Missouri Park and Recreation Association Offers AFO Course

The aquatics industry provides safe and enjoyable opportunities for people of all ages to engage in recreation, increase their fitness and health, learn sportsmanship, and spend time with family and friends. Get state-of-the-art educational training for pool operations and management staff. This program is designed to meet the needs of those working in public, semi-public, and municipal pool or waterpark facilities.

Aquatic Facility Operator Course

Online registration is available at www.mopark.org/afocourse.html

October 3-4, 2016Pavilion at Lemay, St. Louis, MO

Then, we have a great opportunity for you! Missouri Park & Recreation Association’s Ticket Consignment Program has been in place for over 20 years, presenting agencies like yours with an opportunity for a little extra cash while providing a service to your citizens that no one else can.

MPRA can provide you with tickets to Big Surf, Six Flags, Worlds of Fun, Oceans of Fun, Silver Dollar City, White Water, and/or Schlitterbahn to sell to your citizens for a reduced rate while your agency receives a commission on each ticket sold.

For more information, contact Sarah Veile at 573-636-3828 or [email protected].

Need a Little Extra Money?

Did You Know? Member Ticket Agencies sold over 10,000 tickets in 2015. Last year, the almost $5,000 in commissions from ticket sales paid for 22 MPRA memberships and 17 conference registrations!

MPRA Ticket Consignment Program

January 20, 2016 Legislative Action Day Jefferson City, MO

January 27, 2016 Did You Know Reboot Jefferson City, MO

February 3, 2016 Did You Know Reboot St. Charles, MO

February 4, 2016 Did You Know Reboot Ballwin, MO

February 23-26, 2016 MPRA Annual Conference & Expo Columbia, MO

March 22-24, 2016 CPSI Course St. Charles, MO

October 3-4, 2016 Aquatic Facility Operator Course St. Louis, MO

October 5-7, 2016 NRPA Conference & Expo St. Louis, MO

2016 CALENDAR

Challenge AcceptedColumbia Kids Spend Their Summer on the Playground!


The late University of Missouri President Eldon Floyd became the first president to attempt navigating the campus in a wheelchair. In the summer of 2015, as a memorial tribute to Dr. Floyd, University leaders decided to repeat his gesture.

On October 13, 2015 former system President Tim Wolfe and former Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin began their day from the viewpoint of those confined to wheelchairs at Mizzou. Accompanied by Disability and Inclusion and ADA Compliance Manger

Amber Cheek, the administrators began on the south side of Jesse Hall. The route was arranged by MU Disability Center Director Barbara Hammer and Gerald Hitzhusen, Associate Professor Emeritus.

This activity kicked off “MU Celebrates Diversity” week, and all three of the administrators acknowledged the need to ensure accessibility for all students, staff and faculty. After experiencing mobility challenges during the tour, Cheek spoke for the group in commenting, “Disability

is really just another kind of diversity. It is estimated the 20% of the U.S. population has some sort of disability - awareness is the first step to addressing the challenges.”

Hitzhusen, who recently retired from the School of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, noted that Columbia is fortunate to have the Great Plains ADA Technical Center nearby. He hopes that future events will include Accessibility Coordinators from all University of Missouri campuses to facilitate a unified approach toward full access for all.

Touring Mizzou from Another Perspective

“Disability is really just

another kind of

diversity.”

Submitted by Jerry Hitzhusen, University of Missouri - Columbia


The 2015 Legislative Session was a turbulent one, full of scandal, resignations and tragedy. It’s enough to derail even the most logical decisions - and could have enabled the passage of some illogical ones!

Typically, 10% of all filed bills eventually become law; in 2015, that percentage was even lower. Elected officials hope to turn that around in 2016, but with more elections looming, it’s difficult to predict what will actually be accomplished.

What is clear (always) is that we need to be vigilant about what might (or might not) be included in bills, which began being filed December 1st.

We need YOU to also watch and listen as issues arise locally. Make sure you are forging relationships with your elected officials, and bringing them in contact with your patrons and programs. Invite them to events of all kinds and make sure they are recognized for their interest and support.

Legislative Action Day 2016 - New and Improved!It’s almost always good to change things up, so we’re doing just that with our annual Legislative Day. Scheduled for Wednesday, January 20, we are meeting in a new, convenient location - the Millbottom Event Center. The schedule will be similar to past years, but there will be a fresh plan! By the printing of this magazine, all the details will be out, so we hope you’ve already signed up - for yourself AND for another person who could benefit from this experience.

Be part of the good news out of Jefferson City in 2016!

2016 General Assembly Gears Up, Hoping for Productive SessionSubmitted by Jan Neitzert, Missouri Park & Recreation Association

Top: John Shelton, Lebanon Parks & Recreation with Senator Mike Parson

Middle: Clark Allen, Poplar Bluff Parks & Recreation, Senator Will Kraus, Representative Todd Richardson, and Jan Neitzert, Missouri Park & Recreation Association.

Bottom: Jim Kent, retired from St. Charles County Parks, speaks with an individual from the state capitol at the 2015 MPRA Legislative Action Day.


Missouri Western State University is one step closer to getting a partner – or partners – for its indoor pool. The St. Joseph City Council held a work session Tuesday to discuss the future of the city’s aquatic facilities. Part of that conversation included details surrounding a partnership with Missouri Western State University, an endeavor that’s been in the works for well over a year.

City Manager Bruce Woody proposed the city contribute $61,400 a year to the university’s indoor pool. The agreement also outlines a yearly contribution of $80,000 from Missouri Western and $22,000 from the St. Joseph School District for renting the facility.

“The additional thing we would bring to the table is staffing assistance for programming,” Mr. Woody said. “Remember that one of our ongoing concerns is lifeguards and we often get concerns, complaints from the public about having enough time for swim lessons.”

Mr. Woody said the agreement could alleviate some of these concerns because classes could be held during the off season.

The agreement would be an annual contribution but Mr. Woody said any legally binding document would allow the groups to revisit and possibly adjust the partnership after the first year.

Councilmember Gary Roach agreed with the proposal, but added he would like to lower the amount the city contributes to $50,000. The city also is exploring other partners, including Buchanan County and the 139th Airlift Wing.

The council also discussed repairing and maybe replacing Hyde Pool. While the council won’t be replacing it soon, they want to reserve the land for a future development.

Kelly Nancy, a St. Joseph resident, expressed concerns at the meeting about transferring money to the golf course fund – which the council did at its last meeting – when recreational water facilities need repairing.

“I’m up to $105,000 (that went to the golf course in the past two years) that could have went to the pool,” she said.

She argued the patrons at Fairview Golf Course can afford to pay extra while patrons of the city’s pools cannot. Interim Parks Director Chuck Kempf previously said the transfer of funds was necessary due to inclement weather forcing the cancellation of several events.

Mayor Bill Falkner said the city subsidizes many recreational activities and the money allocated to the golf fund wouldn’t make a dent in pool repairs.

“Hyde Pool’s just at an age that it needs to be replaced,” Mr. Falkner said.

Their current plan doesn’t rule out a pool, but Mr. Falkner said they are exploring all options.

St. Joseph, Missouri Western Partner to Expand Pool ProgramsBy Dave HonPublished in the St. Joseph News-Press Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Missouri Western State University’s swimming pool located inside of the Looney Complex. Photo courtesy of the St. Joseph News-Press

Part of that conversation included details surrounding a partnership with Missouri Western State University, an endeavor that’s been in the works for well over a year.


The Brentwood Recreation Complex recently re-opened after a major renovation. Built in 1975, the building houses an indoor ice rink, several multi-purpose rooms, and administrative offices. Leaving only the exterior walls standing, every interior wall and amenity was demolished to give the building a slightly reconfigured layout and entirely updated features.

Chiodini Architects and S.M. Wilson were hired for the design and construction management services for this project. The renovation process began in late 2014 when the roof to the Brentwood Recreation Complex was replaced while the building was still in operation. Then the complex closed on April 1, 2015 to begin the aggressive five month renovation.

Included in the $7.6 million renovation were:

• Reconfigured multipurpose rooms with new counters, cabinets and furniture.

• A state-of-the-art demonstration kitchen facility for cooking classes or banquet dinners.

• A new, more efficient ammonia refrigeration system for the ice rink.

• New spectator seating in the ice rink, including overhead heating elements, improved lighting, a wheelchair lift and nylon safety netting.

• Larger, accessible restroom and locker room facilities.

• Installation of an accessible dasher board system in the ice rink, including players’ benches which can be converted for sled hockey.

• Historic pictures of the City of Brentwood lining the lobby and hallways.

• LED lighting throughout the entire facility, including the new rink scoreboard.

• Updated HVAC system, providing higher efficiency and control.

• Greater performance from electrical and mechanical equipment, earning the city over $45,000 in energy efficiency incentives from Ameren UE.

• Updated, accessible entryways to both the community center and ice rink, including curbless, flat transitions from parking lot to sidewalk.

Brentwood hosted a grand re-opening celebration on Saturday, September 5th, 2015. After the ribbon cutting ceremony, over 800 attendees enjoyed 15-minute skating lessons, a public skating session, face painting, a hockey puck scavenger hunt, pictures with Louie the St. Louis Blues mascot, yoga class previews, a balloon artist and the Bubble Bus. The department handed out multiple giveaways celebrating the grand re-opening.

Response has been tremendous to the renovation. Local news outlets featured the renovation and usage has already increased 10% since re-opening. This project not only has given the department a new state of the art facility, but has also brought increased attention, awareness and participation to the Brentwood Parks & Recreation Department.

Brentwood Community Enjoys Remodeled Recreation Complex

Submitted by: Stephanie Hopp, Brentwood Parks & Recreation


There is a new show on CNN with Mike Rowe called “Somebody’s Gotta Do It.” I haven’t watched a single episode but I can gather from the previews it’s about jobs that are necessary, but not glamourous.

One such job would be cleaning up other peoples’ garbage. The only thing that could possibly be worse would be cleaning out portable toilets. I should know, as I happen to be very experienced in this area because of a job I had as a teenager working for a rental company. It’s gross. Really, really gross. In fact, I have had several jobs that would probably qualify for Mr. Rowe’s show. Maybe that’s why I have such a deep appreciation for the people that do the work that no one else wants to do.

Have you ever noticed the guy that cleans up your trash? I mean really noticed him? I have, and his name is Joe.

On my daughter’s second birthday we were enjoying a beautiful April morning at one of the local city parks. It was a Monday, and there was still some trash blowing around from the weekend and the garbage barrels were overflowing. The sight of the trash bothered me. So much so that it became difficult for me to concentrate on having fun with my family thinking about the incon-siderate litter bugs soiling my little girl’s birthday!

Just as my annoyance was about to reach the point where I started picking up the trash myself, a middle-aged man in a neon yellow shirt and mesh-back cap appeared. He worked quickly, silently, and alone. I’m not sure if he noticed us, but I couldn’t take my eyes off him as he gathered up all the garbage that was blowing about the grass. Then, just as quickly and silently, he emptied all the garbage barrels. I wanted so badly to thank him for his service but, all of a sudden, he was gone, leaving a clean park and happy family behind.

Why did I think this was so remarkable? Was it the efficiency and pride of how he went about doing a job that no one else wants to do? Definitely. But more importantly I felt that this man had played a part in making my princess’ birthday a little more special. Providing a clean, attractive, safe place for her to play and enjoy her birthday meant something to me.

I found out later that man’s name is Joe and he has been cleaning the parks in my community for almost 40 years. Joe is a public employee that performs a much needed service for the citizens of his town. While there are many others like him, Joe provides a shining example of the value of the public sector worker to our communities.

Why has he done his job so well for so long? We decided to talk to Joe, and in so many words his response was, “Somebody’s gotta do it.”

By Jeff Kempker, Missouri Local Government Employees Retirement System

Originally published on www.lagersbloggers.org, Nov. 11, 2014

Have You Ever Noticed the Guy that Cleans Up Your Trash?

“Somebody’s gotta do it.”


NRPA is Coming to St. Louis! YOU can get involved!

Tuesday, October 4 - Saturday, October 8, 2016

The 2016 Local Host Committee (a group of St. Louis area parks and recreation professionals)

is charged with organizing events (Off-Site Education Tours, 5k Run/Walk, Golf Tournament and more)

and they need 100+ helpers! The Local Host Committee needs volunteers for efforts before, during and after conference:

-Greeting attendees and answering questions at the airport and conference -Providing resources at the Accessibility booth near registration -Assisting with various aspects of running the Golf Tournament

-Staffing Hospitality booth with local restaurant info and packet pickup for 5k -Stuffing packets for volunteers and Golf Tournament/5k participants

-Assisting with various aspects of running the 5k Fun Run/Walk -Helping conference attendees with directions to different rooms and events

-Chaperoning and providing directions for Off-Site Educational Tours -Assisting with various aspects of running the Parks Build Community event

Also Needed: DONATIONS (coupons, food, etc.) to thank these volunteers!

Interested in Volunteering? Fill out a quick online form at:

http://bit.ly/NRPAin2016

Visit http://www.nrpa.org/volunteer for more information about volunteering directly with NRPA (room hosting, ticket taking, conference

registration desk, etc.) for discounted conference registration fees.

Questions? Michael Biedenstein - St. Louis County

[email protected] (for Volunteer Questions)

Tyler Landreth - O’Fallon [email protected]

(for Volunteer Questions)

Kyra Kaltenbronn - St. Louis County [email protected]

(for other Local Host Questions)


2015 MPRA Student Workshop a Success2015 MPRA Student Workshop a SuccessSnapshots from the MPRA Student Workshop at Lake Ozark State Park September 27-28, 2015.Snapshots from the MPRA Student Workshop at Lake Ozark State Park September 27-28, 2015.


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