NACPRO News

January 17, 2023

Conservation Reimagined: Los Angeles County’s 30x30 Plan
Courtesy of NRPA

By Clement Lau, DPPD, FAICP 

CALIFORNIA - On December 6, 2022, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted the 2022 Parks Needs Assessment Plus (PNA+) Final Report as the county’s 30x30 plan. 30x30 refers to the goal of conserving 30 percent of lands and coastal waters by 2030 to address climate change and protect biodiversity. The federal government and various states, including California, have committed to achieving this goal.

“Black and brown communities often have the highest environmental burdens, with people of color accounting for 84% of the residents living in areas prioritized for restoration. The traditional conservation framework has left these communities out of the policy and funding equation which makes the stakes higher for advancing climate resiliency in these communities,” said Norma Edith García-Gonzalez, Director of DPR and the Los Angeles County Regional Parks and Open Space District (RPOSD). “DPR is committed to walking hand in hand with our community-based organizations and the Board of Supervisors to advance the PNA+ priorities. The PNA+ is a critical step towards environmental justice.”  

Read more:
https://www.nrpa.org/blog/conservation-reimagined-los-angeles-countys-30x30-plan/

Incorporating Equity into Cost Recover
Courtesy of NRPA

By Seth Hendler-Voss and Sara Smith

VIRGINIA - From its inception in 1972 as a quasi-independent authority and carrying through a merger with the county government, the Prince William County Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism (DPRT) has subscribed to an assertive cost-recovery model in which virtually all programming and indoor facility use require a fee. Today, DPRT is expected to generate 30 to 40 percent of its annual revenue from fees.

To some recreation professionals, cost-recovery policies conflict with their intrinsic beliefs in public recreation, creating a moral dissonance between honoring our industry creed of dismantling access barriers and delivering new recreation opportunities that our governing bodies may not otherwise agree to subsidize. DPRT, like many agencies, walks this tight rope daily, but we now use equity as our balancing pole.

Read more:
https://www.nrpa.org/parks-recreation-magazine/2023/january/incorporating-equity-into-cost-recovery/

Youth Mentoring Resources
Courtesy of NRPA

NRPA supports efforts to expand mentoring opportunities through parks and recreation by providing training, guidance, resources and professional development opportunities, which include in-person and virtual learning events, to the field. These opportunities help advance an agency and community-wide “mentoring mindset.” Park and recreation professionals are regularly interacting with youth in a variety of roles — youth sports coaches, afterschool and summer program leaders, employers of youth, environmental educators, etc. Applying a mentoring mindset and equipping park and recreation professionals with additional skills, competencies and confidence to serve as mentors in these roles provides another opportunity to advance social-emotional learning and positive youth development.

For more information:  
https://www.nrpa.org/our-work/partnerships/initiatives/mentoring-in-parks-and-rec/nrpas-mentoring-resources/

NOHVCC Great Trails Field Guide Now Available Online
Courtesy of the National Off Highway Vehicle Conservation Council

Those familiar with NOHVCC’s Great Trails: Providing Quality OHV Trails and Experiences know that the resource provides great information, but is unwieldy to use in field settings. So NOHVCC staff consulted agencies, conference attendees and trail organizations to develop a PDF field guide to support the full Great Trails printed guidebook. 

For more information: 
https://nohvcc.org/nohvcc-great-trails-field-guide-now-available-online/

Wonder Kids Triathlon expands activities for younger age groups
Courtesy of Parks and Recreation Business

By Tina Boysha 

As the fifth-largest city in Tennessee, Clarksville has had a growing need for more local sports and activities for younger age groups. To meet this need, the Clarksville Parks and Recreation Department athletics staff created the Wonder Kids Triathlon. This swim, bike, and run event promotes an active lifestyle for today’s youth and strives to teach good sportsmanship, while providing a fun and non-competitive environment.

Read more:
https://www.parksandrecbusiness.com/articles/a-trifecta-of-fun

Find outside-the-box, teen-leadership development in a film festival
Courtesy of Parks and Recreation Business

By Jason Lang 

PENNSYLVANIA - In 2018, East Goshen Township hosted an event called “Awesome FEST,” which gave area teenagers an opportunity to jump on stage and simply perform. There were musicians, dancers, and even comedians! At the end of the night, one teenager ran up to the department director and said, “The event was lit, but it was missing something; you need to add a film festival.” The proverbial light bulb went off. So many high schools now have film and multimedia clubs and, coupled with the fact that video editing software can be used cheaply and intuitively, it was a no-brainer. 

Read more:
https://www.parksandrecbusiness.com/articles/inside-the-silver-screen

Is it OK for Riders to Make Trail Edits?
Courtesy of Singletracks

By Richard Shoop

It's OK for mountain bikers to address safety risks and make small changes to trails, such as trimming vegetation and unclogging drains, but they should leave larger edits to organized groups and departments responsible for maintenance, says Nat Lopes of Hilride Progression Development Group. "It is a huge liability to have random people build, add or change trails or features without permission or a plan," Lopes notes.

Read more:
https://www.singletracks.com/mtb-trails/is-it-ok-to-make-trail-edits/

County parks departments double as outreach to homeless campers
Courtesy of NACo

By Charlie Ban

Out of sight but not out of mind for Adams County, Colo. parks and open space staff, encampments were ticking time bombs.

Behind screens of trees and vegetation, the communities of illegal campers were becoming a hazard. And every now and then, some would take a weapon and stop hikers in the park, demanding money to let them pass.

Others were vulnerable themselves to the elements and too far away from anyone who could render aid.

But as counties work to clear encampments in their parks and open spaces, they are trying to offer dignity and respect in the process, treating the interaction as a way to introduce people living outdoors to human services offerings. This takes on added importance as temperatures drop into the winter, posing both a threat to the health of people living outdoors and a rising risk of campfires spreading.

Read more:
https://www.naco.org/articles/county-parks-departments-double-outreach-homeless-campers

NWACC Foundation to use grant to establish a trails trade school
Courtesy of American Trails

ARKANSAS - NorthWest Arkansas Community College was recently awarded an $8,000,000 grant from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation to establish a trails trade school with a state-of-the-art lab. 

Students will be able to gain certification in trail building and maintenance and build upon these credentials by earning a bike technician certification and an associate degree in construction technology or general technology.  

Read more:
https://www.5newsonline.com/article/money/nwacc-foundation-use-grant-establish-trails-trade-school/527-5616d2fb-7fa4-4891-8a0f-9910404594ee?blm_aid=24243

Mask requirements back at Dayton, MetroParks
Courtesy of Dayton Daily News

By Cornelius Frolik

OHIO - Dayton once again has been requiring its employees to wear masks at work due to elevated local COVID levels, joining Five Rivers MetroParks and Public Health to try to limit the risk of infection.

Dayton’s updated policy says that city employees must wear a mask when they are on duty, except if they are alone in a vehicle or a closed office or they are outdoors and can keep six feet from others.

Read more:
https://www.daytondailynews.com/local/mask-mandates-are-back-at-dayton-metroparks-public-health/GVPWSTDG5ZB7DJUUWMNVYUNHRY/

Get Recognized with an NRPA Award 

Applications are now open for the 2023 NRPA Awards! Each year, NRPA honors agencies with the Innovation Awards, and individuals with Spotlight Awards, Scholarships and Fellowships. The work you and your agency do every day makes a positive impact on the communities you serve. Apply for an NRPA award today and be recognized for your hard work and innovative ideas! 

The deadline to apply is March 24.

Read more:
https://www.nrpa.org/our-work/awards/

Upcoming Webinars from American Trails
Courtesy of American Trails

January 26: Introduction to Marketing for Non-Marketers and Small Agencies

February 2: Mainstreet to Mountaintop: The Economic Impact of the Continental Divide Trail in the Rocky Mountain West

February 9: Best Practice Trail Auditing Using Digital Platforms

February 16: Cultural Landscape Training Framework

February 23: The Trails Safe Passing Plan: Stop, Speak, and Stand Back (registration available soon)

March 16: Using a Digital Platform to Connect Trails to Tourism

March 23: Activating the Trail Community in Conservation Issues

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

Active Living Conference

Date: March 13-16, 2023
Location: Bethesda, MD
Organization: GP RED - Research, Education, and Development for Health, Recreation, and Land Agencies 

The Active Living Conference is a venue for both cutting-edge research and for making findings usable by non-scientists. The conference brings together a diverse audience and provides networking and engagement opportunities for active living researchers and practitioners from many fields. Presentations and discussions focus on the importance of creating healthier communities for all people. The 2023 Active Living Conference will take place at the Natcher Conference Center on the NIH Campus in Bethesda, MD. Come join this diverse group of researchers, practitioners, and policy makers to advance knowledge and action on how to evaluate, create and sustain active living environments.

For more information: 
https://www.gpred.org/activelivingconference/

International Trails Summit

Date: April 17-20, 2023
Location: Reno, NV
Organization: American Trails, Professional Trail Builders Association (PTBA) 

American Trails and the Professional TrailBuilders Association (PTBA) have joined forces to co-host the International Trails Summit (ITS). ITS is a collaborative effort of the 25th International Trails Symposium and Training Institute and the Sustainable Trails Conference. This combined, high-impact event will convene a diverse trail and outdoor community to learn, build relationships, and find solutions to the challenges of developing and elevating outdoor recreation opportunities for all. The joint conference will also feature the World Trails Network - Hub for the Americas.

This exciting new collaboration is a gathering of trail and outdoor recreation enthusiasts and professionals representing all corners of the professional trails and outdoor recreation industry. The Summit will include more than 60 educational sessions covering a broad range of issues including nationally and internationally prominent presenters, informative and interactive workshops, a state-of-the-art Exhibit Hall, and a wide array of national training leaders. 

For more information: 
https://web.cvent.com/event/24d42cc6-9b01-4aad-8cb7-425826bc429c/summary?blm_aid=54253

NEW – Seasonal Park Manager
County of Alpena, Michigan
Permanent seasonal position
$7,000 - $7,500 season
Closing date: Open until filled

Executive Director
Homewood-Flossmoor Park District, Illinois
$145,000 - $190,000 Annually
Closing date: Feb 17, 2023

Senior Park Ranger
Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation
San Jose, California
$94,529 - $114,396 Annually
Closing date: Jan 19, 2023

Executive Director
Ridgeville Park District
Evanston, Illinois
$80,000 - $105,000 Annually
Closing date: Feb 15, 2023

Chief Executive Officer
Five Rivers MetroParks
Dayton, Ohio
$139,000+ DOQ
Closing date: Feb 28, 2023

Numerous Full-time Professional Openings
Sarasota County Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources
Sarasota, Florida
$35,000 - $92,000 Annually
Closing date: 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.

National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials
PO Box 74, Marienville PA 16239
(814) 927-8212
www.NACPRO.org