Wednesday, May 2
Theme: Parks, Environment, and Sustainability
Meydenbauer Convention Center
- 8:00am-9:00am Section meetings - to be announced
- 9:00am-10:30am Opening Keynote
- 10:45am-12noon Breakout Sessions
- 12n-2:00pm Trade Show Opening
- 2:15pm-3:30pm Breakout Sessions
- 3:45pm-5:00pm Breakout Sessions
- 5:00pm-6:30pm All Conference Social at the Amazon Grill
Contracting Services in Park Operations • 10:45am-Noon
Presented by: Dan Acker, Contract Administrator, City of Bellevue
Contracting for maintenance services is playing an increasingly important role in the delivery of public services. For good reason - contracts provide a cost competitive alternative to full-time staff and help many agencies manage a growing workload. But, contracts are not without their challenges. This session will cover the do’s and don’ts of contract management including contract development, establishing maintenance standards, communication, inspections, and tips to ensure the most efficient delivery of services. Return to top
Youth and Community Through Theatre • 10:45am-Noon
Presented by: James McClain, Community Services Supervisor, Bellevue Youth Theatre, City of Bellevue Parks & Community Services Dept.
What if you could create a perfect model for inclusion - persons with disabilities, youth development, special events and education - all in one program? This program exists in the Bellevue Youth Theatre. It's 100% inclusion model creates a one of a kind community building tool, much different than community theater of the past. The founding director of the 20-year old program will share his tips for building this type of program in your community, the value of assessment, and the real effects it can have on all youth. Return to top
A Toolkit for Successful Partnerships • 10:45am-Noon
Presented by: Nancy Kartes, Bellevue Botanical Garden Manager, City of Bellevue & Geoff Bradley, Environmental Programs Supervisor, City of Bellevue
Engaging our communities through partnerships and advocacy groups is a great idea in the best of times. In the worst of times, those relationships can be essential to the continuing success of programs and operations. Our panel of speakers will present a Partnerships Toolkit to help guide you through the process of identifying potential partner groups, defining shared objectives, formalizing agreements, tracking partner group support and successfully managing partnerships over time. Return to top
Play Again: Implementation and Curricular Materials • 10:45am-Noon
Presented by: Dr. Barb J. Brock, Professor, Eastern Washington University
At a time when children spend more hours in the virtual world than the natural world, “Play Again” unplugs a group of media savvy teens and takes them on their first wilderness adventure documenting the wonder that comes from time spent in nature and inspiring action for a sustainable future. After reviewing a few film clips, learn several ways community leaders can take action by designing outstanding outdoor leisure experiences. Ten activities and exercises will be presented and discussed and will focus on connections with good leisure, future trends, and solid solutions to our nature deficit disorder. Return to top
Taming the Angry Customer • 3:45-5pm
Presented by: Sylvia Allen, Principal, Sylvia Allen Consulting Services
Money is tight, operating hours are reduced, staffing is held to a minimum, and maintenance is deferred all of which can diminish the customer service experience and in some cases make customers downright angry. Studies have shown that the number of angry customers and the intensity of their anger has significantly increased in the last few years. This session explores what causes people to become angry, describes the three different types of angry customers, and suggests proactive actions to keep customers from getting angry when things do go wrong. Learn step-by-step strategies for diffusing anger, resolving the issue, and not allowing an angry customer to disrupt the rest of the operation. Return to top
Bel-Red Corridor Redevelopment: Planning for People, Plants, Wildlife & Places • 10:45am-Noon
Presented by: Dan Stroh, Planning Director, City of Bellevue Planning & Community Development, Glenn Kost, Manager, Planning, Design, & Project Management, Bellevue Parks & Community Services & Kevin O'Neill, AICP, Assistant Director, City of Bellevue Transportation Department
In late 2005, the City of Bellevue began working with businesses and residents to determine future land uses in the Bel-Red Corridor, an 816 acre area largely comprised of commercial and light industrial use. The result was a subarea plan for Bel-Red that created a new long-term park development, land use, and transportation vision for the area. The presenters will discuss the role environmental sustainability, stewardship, and improving public parks and open spaces played in developing the plan in addition to the steps that are being take to implement the plan. Return to top
From Eyesores to Assets: Interim Use and Management Plans • 10:45am-Noon
Presented by: Jonathon Turlove, Associate Planner, Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation
Do you have an undeveloped park that is growing weeds and is a magnet for unwanted behavior but no funds for development? With a budget of $25,000 and a little help from your park maintenance staff, you can implement an Interim Use and Management Plan (IUMP). An IUMP will help you transform an eyesore into an asset, bring positive uses to the park, and engage the local community in the process. This session will provide strategies for successfully implementing IUMPs to meet a variety of park needs. Return to top
Tree Fruit in Parks - Sustainable Bounty or Impossible Dream? • 3:45-5pm
Presented by: Bob Baines, SC District Parks Resource Crew Chief, Seattle Parks and Recreation
For the past 50 years, park planners and administrators have discouraged or banned fruit growing in parks citing high maintenance costs, pest management issues and legal liability. All of these issues have validity, but with careful site selection, knowledgeable variety selection, a community willing to commit to sustainable stewardship, and a skillfully crafted comprehensive plan, it is very possible to grow fruit successfully on park owned land. The speaker will describe the transition that has occurred in the Seattle Parks Department and the key components of a program that accepts and promotes fruit growing on park land. Return to top
Art in Parks - Mixing It Up • 2-3:15pm
Presented by: Mary Pat Byrne, Arts Specialist, City of Bellevue
Every city has a statue in at least one of their parks. But, if you're looking for fresh ideas there are many other ways to incorporate art into your outdoor spaces. Temporary installations and ephemeral art focusing on the environment and sustainability are growing more popular, as are short-term displays built onsite by artists. Often these displays can be organized to support park values and goals. This session will introduce you to some interesting examples and discuss the how-to's and potential pitfalls of temporary installations and ephemeral art projects in parks. Return to top
Effective Workshops: Engage, Build Consensus, Build Support • 2-3:15pm
Presented by: Robert J. Mueting, Principal, RJM Design Group, Inc. & Timothy Gallagher, Senior Associate, RJM Design Group, Inc.
Many parks and recreation agencies plan their systems based on inadequate or inaccurate information. Often, these agencies confuse comments received at workshops or public meetings as evidence of need. Holding one or more workshops, or documenting unsolicited comments from community activists does not define need. This session will walk the audience through the strengths and weaknesses of workshops and public meetings and present tips on how these tools can be used more effectively to build consensus, build support and identify true community need. Return to top
More than Just Games: Icebreakers and Portable Elements for Teambuilding • 2-3:15pm
Presented by: Ken Turner, Challenge Course Manager, Seattle Parks and Recreation, Sebastian Wilson, assistant coordinator, Seattle Parks and Recreation, and Carl Bergquist, assistant coordinator, Seattle Parks and Recreation
We’ve all been there, leading name games and mixers for our staff groups and teams. But, what is the point? And what are we learning? In this experiential workshop, we’ll go beyond the basics of group facilitation and focus on strategies to grow and shape our teams. Topics will include facilitation tips, framing the problem, establishing ground rules and providing closure for the activity. Each participant will take away a list of new activities that focus on trust building, improving group dynamics, and yes, even learning names! Return to top
Revenue Philosophy and Management: A Systematic Approach • 2-3:15pm
Presented by: Chris Nunes, Director of Parks and Recreation, The Woodlands Township
Parks and Recreation agencies are one of the few public entities that have the ability to generate revenue. Yet many agencies haven't established a consistent system or method for fee collection. This session will provide information on developing a revenue management system for programs and services that meets your community goals, while also being mindful of the bottom line. Return to top
Maintaining Synthetic Sports Fields - Offsite Session - 2-3:30pm. Transportation provided.
Presented by: Justin Wilkinson, Crew Leader, City of Bellevue
New synthetic turf field and trying to get a handle on maintenance? Old synthetic turf field and trying to extend the life of your turf? Join us for an off-site session at one of Bellevue’s premier athletic facilities for a comprehensive look at synthetic turf maintenance. This session will explore maintenance costs, best practices, strategies to extend the life of your field, safety and other maintenance challenges. Bring your questions and your experiences to contribute to the group discussion. Return to top
Leveraging Community Support for Environmental Restoration - The Green Cities Model • 2-3:15pm
Presented by: Victoria Andrews, Special Programs Manager, City of Kent Parks, Recreation & Community Services, Mark Mead, Senior Urban Forester, Seattle Parks & Recreation, Sharon Rodman, Education & Outreach Specialist, Kirkland Parks & Recreation, and Teresa Kluver, Park Operations Supervisor, City of Redmond
Five Puget Sound cities are now undertaking ambitious 20-year plans to restore and actively manage their urban forests and natural areas. Critical to each city's success is the use of trained citizen stewards, who recruit and lead volunteer work parties to remove invasive species, replant native conifers and shrubs, and monitor and maintain park sites. In partnership with the Cascade Land Conservancy, each city's approach to managing the program is having different results, problems and successes. Join a panel discussion to learn more about this program and how you can implement something similar in your community. Return to top
Parks & Recreation: The Better Business Model • 2-3:15pm
Presented by: Jeff Price, Parks Program Business Manager, City of Everett Parks and Recreation Department
Yes, you can meet the needs of your community and generate revenue too! Let's face it, the world of subsidies is long gone and in its place is the cold hard reality of market-driven operations. But never fear, you have the business savvy and the creativity to make it work! This session will explore the new model of parks and recreation business planning while also highlighting some recent success stories. Learn how agencies have used solicitations, instructor incentives, differentiated pricing and business partnerships to make it work. It’s time to get creative about funding your operations! Return to top
BYOB: Bring Your Own Blueprint – Reading and Understanding Construction Drawings • 2-3:15pm
Presented by: David A. Clark, Principal Architect, Clark Architects
Reading and understanding construction drawings is an important skill for project managers, maintenance staff and others in the parks and recreation field. This hands-on session will provide an introduction to architectural, electrical, civil and landscape architecture drawings. You’ll learn about how these plan sets work together and learn to navigate the complex detail of a plan set. This is a great session for folks interested in learning more about project management and seasoned veterans as well! Participants are encouraged to bring a set of plans from their own agency for use during the session. Return to top
Skills or the Hills: Teambuilding for the Mid-Level Manager • 3:45-5pm
Presented by: Scott Andrews, Principal, NW Teambuilding
While there are a variety of ways to build and improve your teams, there are some common themes and strategies to consider. Working in large and small groups with materials drawn from 25 years of team development experience, this interactive session will provide mid-level managers with practical tools to implement teambuilding strategies. Participants will learn about team design, the phases of team development and practical tools to put the design and development into practice. Return to top
Strategic Planning to Achieve Economic Stability and Long-Term Sustainability • 3:45-5pm
Presented by: Timothy A. Gallagher, Senior Associate, RJM Design Group, Inc. and Robert J. Mueting, Principal, RJM Design Group, Inc.
The current economy has altered funding assumptions for parks and recreation operations. Agencies now have an opportunity to rethink their maintenance and capital improvement funding strategies. The session will explore a new dimension of sustainability, marrying an existing planning tool - the strategic plan - to the concept of economic sustainability. Return to top
Everyone Swims! Increasing access to swimming and water recreation • 3:45-5pm
Presented by: Elizabeth Bennett, Director, Advocacy Partnerships and Guest Services, Seattle Children's Hospital
Learning to swim is a critical life skill and yet many people in our communities face financial, cultural, social and logistical barriers that prevent them from accessing these critical services. In fact, children from low-income households or communities of color are much more likely to have little or no swimming opportunities. Seattle Children's Hospital, in partnership with local aquatic providers, has developed the "Everyone Swims" program to address these very issues. This session will introduce the program and provide information on increasing water recreation opportunties for children and families who are typically unable to participate. Return to top
Fail to Plan, Plan to Fail: Operational Planning • 3:45-5pm
Presented by: Chris Nunes, Director of Parks and Recreation, The Woodlands Township
Operational planning is essential in developing a results driven organization. Participants will gain knowledge in the various types of operational plans for parks and recreation agencies, the elements of a plan and the keys to ensuring your plan is successul. Most importantly, participants will have the ability to sell their plan knowing that it was developed based on logical and rational information. Return to top
PRORAGIS: The Next Level of Analysis • 3:45-5pm
Presented by: Hayley Jackson, Knowledge & Learning, National Recreation and Park Association, and Kit Ledbetter, Director, City of SeaTac
PRORAGIS, short for Park and Recreation Operating Ratio and Geographic Information System, is NRPA’s cutting-edge, online management tool, designed specifically for public park and recreation agencies. And it's free to all NRPA members! PRORAGIS will allow you to benchmark against other departments, share best practices, streamline business operations and answer critical budget questions. PRORAGIS is only as good as the number of agencies that enter their information and we need your help! Join us for an interactive presentation to learn more about this new technology and strategies to help you get started. Return to top
Sustainable Volunteerism: The Tools on Wheels Program • 3:45-5pm
Presented by: Bonnie Rerecich, Neighborhood, Resource and Event Manager, Community Services Department, City of Renton, and Jeff Nasset, Park Maintenance Lead, Parks Department, City of Renton
We’re fortunate in the parks and recreation field to have dedicated volunteers that help with programs, park maintenance and virtually anything we need. And in recent years we know these volunteers have been the lifeblood of our organizations. But, if volunteer labor is the new way of doing business we need to be thinking about sustainability – keeping the volunteers we have and giving them the tools they need to be successful with minimal staff supervision. This session will introduce you to the “Tools on Wheels Program” – a sustainable approach to volunteerism. You’ll come away with an understanding of the program and a toolkit to help you get a Tools on Wheels program started in your own community. Return to top