Open Space Radio

From Newcomer to Seasoned Professional: Navigating the NRPA Annual Conference — Episode 162 Oct 01, 2024

We are getting very excited to travel to Atlanta (in just one week!) to connect with thousands of our closest park and recreation friends at the 2024 NRPA Annual Conference. And on today’s episode, we’re talking with someone who is local to the Atlanta area and might have some insider tips if you’ll be joining us next week.

Jamiah Flagg, CPRP, is the operations coordinator at Douglasville Parks and Recreation in Georgia, and after sharing a blog post with us about her 2023 conference experience, we knew we wanted to chat with her further since this year’s conference is right in her backyard.

We discussed what receiving NRPA’s Diversity Scholarship in 2023 meant to her, how her conference experience motivated her to become a Certified Park and Recreation Professional, and the boost in confidence she feels with another year of experience under her belt.

Tune in below to learn more about Jamiah, her conference tips and more. You’ll also learn:

What inspired Jamiah to get into the field of parks and recreation
What Jamiah’s 2023 NRPA Annual Conference experience meant to her
What she’s looking forward to at the 2024 NRPA Annual Conference
Tips for conference attendees and recommendations for first-time Atlanta visitors
Why Jamiah feels like parks and recreation is where she belongs
And much more!

If you enjoyed this episode or learned something that might help you make a positive impact in your community, please consider donating to NRPA to not only support our storytelling efforts, but also our mission to advance parks, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance the quality of life for all at nrpa.org/donate.

Roving Leaders: Decades of Empowering Youth in D.C. — Episode 161 Sep 24, 2024

On today’s episode, we welcome a superstar of out-of-school time programming! The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is making a huge impact on youth in the DC area through its weekly after-school group mentoring program, Roving Leaders. Among countless initiatives and opportunities that are part of the program, top of mind this time of year is the fact that Roving Leaders visit with students in schools outside of program times. They are truly going the extra mile.

DPR’s Roving Leaders program has been around since the 1950s, building relationships of trust with teens, youth, professionals, community leaders, and public and private sector organizations.

The mission of the program is to prevent, neutralize, and control hostile behavior in youth and youth groups through the development of positive relationships between teens/youth and outreach workers. Roving Leaders utilize recreation and leisure time activities as the intervening vehicles for redirecting antisocial and aggressive behaviors.

At the center of the program is Danielle Hunter, chief of the Roving Leaders. Danielle has been with DPR for more than 24 years, and her impact has certainly been felt across the city.

Tune in below to learn more about Danielle and this impactful program. You’ll also learn:

Ways the Roving Leaders are engaging youth in the community and the types of activities involved
How the program is impacting youth in DC
What qualifications or training Roving Leaders undergo to effectively mentor and support youth
How the program and DPR are providing safe, culturally relevant and effective resources
How NRPA’s Out-of-School Time Youth Mentoring Grant helped to expand access to this program
What the future holds for the Roving Leaders Program and much more!

Related Links:

NRPA Annual Conference Tips for First-Time Attendees — Episode 160 Sep 03, 2024

In less than 40 days, thousands of park and recreation professionals from across the country will gather in Atlanta for the 2024 NRPA Annual Conference. This is, without a doubt, the best park and recreation conference you can attend — it’s filled with tons of amazing opportunities to learn, build your network, and of course, have a little fun with your peers.

As we get closer to the conference, we know there are probably some professionals out there who are attending for the first time and have a lot of questions. Cort recently posted on LinkedIn asking for previous attendees to share their best tips for first-timers, and the comments did not disappoint. So, we decided to turn them into today’s episode of Open Space Radio!

Every single tip shared was super valuable, and if you’re attending the 2024 NRPA Annual Conference this October 8-10 for the first time, we encourage you to listen and keep some of these nuggets in mind while you’re in Atlanta — and while you’re packing!

Tune in to the full episode below to hear all the tips and our reactions to each of them. If you prefer to read instead of listen, we’ve listed them below, as well.

And, if you haven’t already registered, there’s still time. Visit conference.nrpa.org to register today and we hope to see you in Atlanta!

Nichole Bohner, Aquatics Division Manager, City of Round Rock, Texas

“Talk to everyone! When you’re seated in the conference sessions, get to know those around you and exchange contacts.”

Nichole went on to say, “If you’re lucky enough to travel to conference with coworkers, don’t be afraid to broaden your horizons. Take every opportunity to broaden your network. You never know who you’ll meet who is struggling with the same issues or has ideas that would help your operation.”

Sarah Olson, CPRP, Public Works Deputy Director of Engineering, Planning, and Development Servies, City of Kirkland, Washington

“Go to a pre-conference event. It’s a smaller crowd, a great way to get through registration when things are way less busy and a great way to start making new friends.

Eric Lopez, CPRE, District Superintendent of Parks and Recreation, City of Fort Worth, Texas

“Don’t underestimate the power of night socials and lunchtime. A lot of great connections happen over informal conversations.”

“Take notes, review them later and plan to execute the things that resonated more. Going back to your leadership with actionable things you learned and takeaways will aid in enhancing their commitment in sending staff in future years.”

Lisa Shore, CPRP, CPSI, Anne Arundel County, Maryland

“Leave room in your suitcase for all the cool stuff you’ll bring home!”

Jeanette Aiello, CPRE, Project and Operations Supervisor, Charter Township of Canton, Michigan

“Attend at least one session in a topic area that is different than what you regularly work in. It can spark some interesting thoughts or possibly open you up to a new aspect of the field. Also, be willing to talk to the person sitting next to you. You'll likely want to get into your session 15 minutes prior and that opens you up to meeting some incredible professionals.”

Trista Taylor, CPRP, CPO, Deputy Parks and Recreation Director, Village of Cottage Grove, Wisconsin

“Check out the schedule and try to have a backup plan for the sessions you want in case the room is full! If you arrive early, visit the app to get an idea of the layout. Last year was my first time and the experience was a shock to my system in a great way but can be overwhelming!”

Anthony Iracki, MS, CPRP, CORE Professional Development Manager, PlayCore

“Ask for business cards and take ownership of the connection. Send a LinkedIn request or a friendly email within a week of getting back from the conference.”

“Take advantage of the network meetings.”

Tom Venniro, CPRP, Director of Hilton-Parma Parks and Recreation, New York, and co-host of RecLess Podcast

“Just show up. A lot of times, the introvert in me (and the fact that I feel I’m always go, go, go at home), tells me to go to conference and then get to that room and relax. Instead, seek out the social or if you are asked to join people at one or for a meal, say yes. You never know how any connection or conversation can impact you/others.”

“Don’t sleep on the exhibit hall. For starters, it is huge! Plan in at least 4-5 hours over two days if you want to cover it all. The vendors are amazing and want to talk to you, but be intentional on stopping with limited times. Another fun tip, they all have swag and some years back I started looking for items my team back home might like and I bring them all back a swag care package and some candy as a thank you for holding it all down while I was away. I have also borrowed many ideas for our own swag.”

CivicPlus® Recreation Management is a proud sponsor of Open Space Radio. Join thousands of other local governments as you empower your staff and enable residents to self-service their needs through your department with our industry-leading software. With more time to focus on community activity programming and park and facility maintenance, staff can foster more significant resident engagement and improve the civic experience. Learn more at https://www.civicplus.com/recreation-management-software/.

From Access to Action: How We Can Thrive Like a Meadow — Episode 159 Aug 20, 2024

On today’s episode of Open Space Radio, we’re excited to chat with someone very influential in the outdoor recreation industry who is doing a ton of good work to raise awareness about protecting our environment. Not only that, but he is also a leader when it comes to making the outdoors more equitable and accessible.

José Gonzáles is the founder of Latino Outdoors, an organization working to bridge the gap and create more inclusive and accessible outdoor experiences and opportunities for Latino Communities. He also currently serves as the equity officer at East Bay Regional Park District in Oakland, California.

And, if you’re not following him on Instagram, José makes some of the best memes and social media content around.

Tune in to our full conversation below to learn more about José and all the good work he and his organizations are contributing to. You’ll also learn:

How we can learn a lot about leadership from mycelium networks (the way trees communicate with each other via an underground network of fungi)
What inspired José to start Latino Outdoors and how the organization is working to bridge the gap and support Latino communities
What cultural relevance means in parks and recreation and how it’s being incorporated into programs
What current challenges and opportunities exist when it comes to making the outdoors more equitable, inclusive and accessible
What exactly it means to be a part of a "thriving meadow"
And a whole lot more!

Related Links:

Have feedback about this episode or Open Space Radio overall? Share it with us!

If you enjoyed this episode or learned something that might help you make a positive impact in your community, please consider donating to NRPA to not only support our storytelling efforts, but also our mission to advance parks, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance the quality of life for all at nrpa.org/donate.

Promoting Healthy Aging Through Tai Chi — Episode 158 Aug 06, 2024

As you may know, May was Older Americans Month, and NRPA celebrated by sharing how older adult programs in parks and recreation are making a big impact in communities across the country. On today’s episode, we’re excited to explore one of the most popular programs in NRPA’s Healthy Aging in Parks portfolio: Tai Chi.

Through funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), NRPA has been working with park and recreation agencies across the country for the last 11 years to increase the availability of and participation in the CDC’s Arthritis Appropriate Evidence-Based Interventions, which are Active Living Every Day, Fit & Strong!, EnhanceFitness, Walk With Ease and Tai Chi, which was added to our portfolio in 2022 and has become the most sought-after program through NRPA’s grant application process.

As part of NRPA’s Healthy Aging work, park and recreation agencies across the country have trained more than 1,000 instructors, offering more than 2,000 of the evidence-based interventions you mentioned to nearly 29,000 participants through 441 agencies. And while we’re focusing on Tai Chi today, it’s important to highlight that impact across all of these interventions, because it’s pretty incredible.

Our guests today know a little bit about Tai Chi and the benefits it provides: Patricia Lawson, a master trainer at the Tai Chi for Health Institute, Carol Briseno, a recreation coordinator at Martin County Parks and Recreation, and Colleen Pittard, a partnership manager at NRPA.

Tune in to the full episode below to learn more about this impactful program. You’ll also learn:

Why Tai Chi is such a beneficial activity for physical and mental health (and spiritual and social health) for older adults
How the community in Martin County has embraced its Tai Chi program
How to navigate barriers to older adult programming
How findings from NRPA’s Supporting Older Adults through Parks and Recreation report can help inform your programming approach
And much more!

Related Links:

Inclusive Adventures: Building Belonging Through Adaptive Recreation — Episode 157 Jul 23, 2024

As we continue to celebrate Park and Recreation Month, we’re excited to highlight a story that truly embodies our theme of “Where You Belong.” Today’s episode is all about ensuring opportunities to recreate and spend time in nature are available to all, regardless of ability. And, it’s perfect timing because July is also Disability Pride Month!

We are so thrilled to chat with Caitlin Marcotte, an operations specialist IV adaptive manager at Charlottesville (Virginia) Parks and Recreation, and Sarah Kyriacopoulos, a member of the Charlottesville community who has participated in the city’s adaptive program for years. They both shared so much wonderful insight, and it was really inspiring to hear how the programs that Caitlin and the agency offer are having a positive impact on Sarah and others in the community.

Tune in to the full story below to learn more about Charlottesville Parks and Recreation’s adaptive recreation program. You’ll also learn:

What adaptive recreation is and why it’s so important
How Charlottesville Parks and Recreation is committed to serving the diverse needs of its community, especially its disabled population
What types of adaptive recreation programs are available to the community (and there are a lot!)
What programs Sarah enjoys and how they have benefitted her
Why creating a sense of belonging really comes down to making space for building community
And much more!

Learn More:

Pictured: Charlottesville Adaptive Recreation Department staff and program participants go on a whitewater rafting excursion on the James River in Richmond, Virginia. Photo by RVA Paddle Sports.

Fostering Belonging Through Community Theater — Episode 156 Jul 09, 2024

Happy Park and Recreation Month! On today’s episode, we’re excited to bring you a story that truly embodies this year’s theme of “Where You Belong.” Each year, the NRPA team hosts a cover contest to find a cover photo and story for the July issue of Parks & Recreation magazine that supports the year’s theme, and this year’s winner is a gem.

Today we’re joined by the winner, Rachel Kohler, a recreation coordinator for cultural arts and community engagement for The Majestic Theatre, part of Corvallis Parks & Recreation in Oregon. If you haven’t read the story yet in the July issue, it’s a wonderful piece that shares how community theater is fostering inclusion and belonging among its staff and participants. It’s truly a testament to the power of intergenerational programming, bringing folx together with diverse identities and how we can all learn something from someone else, regardless of our differences.

Tune in to the full conversation below to learn more about Rachel and why this story of The Majestic Theatre’s production of “The Tempest” embodies the power of belonging — and why parks and recreation can be such an important catalyst for continuing to build belonging in communities. You’ll also learn:

How The Majestic Theatre approached its audition announcement to bring in people from diverse backgrounds, experiences and identities
How staff ensured everyone felt safe, welcome and included throughout the production
Why community theater is such a powerful way to build belonging and diversify an agency’s offerings
What challenges arose during the production and how the team and cast navigated them
Why this work is so meaningful to Rachel, and much more!

Related Links:

Park and Recreation Month

Have feedback about this episode or Open Space Radio overall? Share it with us! If you enjoyed this episode or learned something that might help you make a positive impact in your community, please consider donating to NRPA to not only support our storytelling efforts, but also our mission to advance parks, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance the quality of life for all at nrpa.org/donate.

Celebrating Pride: The Power of Partnership and Allyship — Episode 155 Jun 25, 2024

Happy Pride Month! On today’s episode we’re discussing an important partnership in Nevada that provides safe spaces for the LGBTQ+ community to recreate outdoors, build a relationship with nature and build a sense of belonging.

We learned about this partnership when Mihaela Genova, Volunteer Program Manager for Get Outdoors Nevada, submitted a photo (pictured) featuring Angelique Burton, director of advocacy of The Pride Tree, contributing to her community by volunteering for public land maintenance activities at the National Wildlife Refuge outside of Las Vegas, Nevada. The event Burton volunteered for offered insight into how marginalized communities have historically been excluded from outdoor spaces.

Events like this one, part of a partnership between Get Outdoors Nevada and The Pride Tree, illustrate the impact that can be made when groups come together for a common goal. We were thrilled to talk with a few individuals about this partnership to learn more:

Grant Frailich, Founder of The Pride Tree
Shelly Kopinski, Director of Programs, Get Outdoors Nevada
Mihaela Genova, Volunteer Program Manager, Get Outdoors Nevada

Tune in below to learn about this important partnership and how it is supporting the LGBTQ+ community, as well as fostering connections between nature and community. You’ll also learn:

How Get Outdoors Nevada provides outdoor experiences for those who have limited opportunities
How The Pride Tree provides a safe space for LGBTQ+ youth
How collaborating with community organizations can impact your work
Why allyship is so essential
And much more!

Additional Resources:

Building Belonging: Neurodivergent Perspectives in Parks and Recreation (Part 2) — Episode 154 May 14, 2024

As you may recall, our final episode of 2023 was part one of our conversation around neurodiversity and parks and recreation. It was a wonderful conversation with Kande Jones, the Development Director for Mulvane Recreation Commission, and Dave McDaniel, the Operations Coordinator for City of Mobile Parks and Recreation about their experience as neurodivergent individuals. Well, we’re finally back with part two of the conversation!

The inspiration for these episodes came from a 2023 NRPA Annual Conference session, “Neurodiversity and Inclusive Workplaces: Insights from Park and Recreation Professionals.” The session explored the individual strengths neurodivergent professionals bring to their work and the strategies and accommodations that have helped them succeed, as well as ways to find workplace champions and allies.

The presenters also offered suggestions for how organizations can better support and include neurodiverse individuals in the field in a number of ways, and we’re excited to chat with two more of the presenters on the show today: Tammy Schwab, manager of education and outreach for the resource management division of Fairfax County Park Authority in Virginia, and John McGovern, principal-in-charge for The WT Group, LLC Accessibility Practice.

Tune in to our conversation below to hear from Kande and Dave as they share their experience as neurodivergent individuals and how it relates to their careers in parks and recreation. You’ll also learn:

· How a career in parks and recreation can contribute to a positive working environment for neurodivergent individuals

· Some of the challenges neurodivergent individuals face in the workplace (and solutions!)

· How leaders, coworkers and peers can create a culture of belonging and safety for neurodivergent staff

· What it meant to Tammy and John to have the opportunity to discuss neurodiversity at the 2023 NRPA Annual Conference, and much more!

Have feedback about this episode or Open Space Radio overall? Share it with us! If you enjoyed this episode or learned something that might help you make a positive impact in your community, please consider donating to NRPA to not only support our storytelling efforts, but also our mission to advance parks, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance the quality of life for all at nrpa.org/donate.

Creating a World Where Humanity Stands Out — Episode 153 Apr 09, 2024

On today’s episode, we’re talking with someone who has been making a big impact in the larger outdoor industry for a while now. Teresa Baker, founder of In Solidarity Project, is an outdoor enthusiast focusing on community engagement, creating events that encourage people to venture outdoors responsibly, and learning about our open spaces and what it takes to protect them.

Teresa’s commitment to creating outdoor experiences that speak to culture, environmental responsibility and inclusion is something to be admired, and she is a staunch advocate for bringing underrepresented communities into the conversation and the work.

Teresa has led various organizations and initiatives that support this work, such as The Outdoor CEO Diversity Pledge, the African American National Park Event and the Outdoorist Oath, to name a few. We were so thrilled to have the privilege of talking with Teresa to learn more about her determination to make a difference in the work of diversity and inclusion in outdoor spaces.

And, as 2024 marks the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act and the Wilderness Act, Teresa has created a campaign encouraging everyone to get outdoors, doing whatever they enjoy, between now and July. Be sure to share photos of you and your community getting outside on social media using #CivilRightsAct60 – the photos will be turned into a collage of the country celebrating and honoring the anniversaries.

Tune in to our full conversation below to learn more about Teresa and how her work may support your efforts to build more equitable, inclusive spaces and programs in your community. You’ll also learn:

· How Teresa’s work in this space began with a call to the National Park Service to tell them, “you have a diversity problem”

· How to have difficult conversations and get out of your comfort zone

· Why partnerships are key to pushing diversity, equity and inclusion work forward

· How to spend time outdoors (however works for you!) and be aware of your environmental impact

· And much more!

Related Links:

· Follow Teresa on Instagram

· Connect with Teresa on LinkedIn

· In Solidarity Project

· Outdoor Diversity Alliance

· The Outdoorist Oath

· The Outdoorist Oath on Instagram

· Outdoor CEO Diversity Pledge

Have feedback about this episode or Open Space Radio overall? Share it with us! If you enjoyed this episode or learned something that might help you make a positive impact in your community, please consider donating to NRPA to not only support our storytelling efforts, but also our mission to advance parks, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance the quality of life for all at nrpa.org/donate.

Creating Space for Belonging in Juneau, Alaska — Episode 152 Mar 12, 2024

March is Women’s History Month, and this year’s theme celebrates women who advocate for equity, diversity and inclusion. This year we are honoring women who lead change in their field, and today’s episode does just that. There are so many women who are leaders in parks and recreation and bringing positive change to their communities, and today we’re excited to talk with two women who are leading the way in Juneau, Alaska.

Our guests today are Amanda Lovejoy, a recreation coordinator at the Zach Gordon Youth Center for City and Borough of Juneau Parks & Recreation, and Lauren Anderson is the Treadwell Arena Manager for Juneau Parks & Recreation.

Between having a primarily women-led team, facilitating programs that foster inclusion and belonging, and ensuring that every member of the Juneau community feels welcome, Juneau Parks & Recreation is doing some incredible work.

Tune in to our full conversation below to learn more about this unique community and how Amanda and Lauren are truly building a space where you belong. You’ll also learn:

How Juneau Parks & Recreation is providing opportunities for girls, women, and trans and nonbinary youth in the community
How the “Weaving Our Pride” project is bringing the community together and celebrating Indigenous communities in Juneau
How Juneau’s Gender Support Group and Mindfulness Matters programs are making an impact
Why Juneau is such a unique community, and what challenges and opportunities that presents
And much more!

Related Links:

This episode of Open Space Radio is brought to you by support from CivicPlus. CivicPlus’ recreation management solution is the only comprehensive activity, facility, membership, staff and point-of-sale management solution designed exclusively for municipal parks and recreation departments by former local government parks and recreation leaders. Municipal recreation departments that choose CivicPlus increase department revenue from online transactions while fostering positive civic experiences. Learn more at www.civicplus.com.

Have feedback about this episode or Open Space Radio overall? Share it with us! If you enjoyed this episode or learned something that might help you make a positive impact in your community, please consider donating to NRPA to not only support our storytelling efforts, but also our mission to advance parks, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance the quality of life for all at nrpa.org/donate.

Having Fun and Doing the Right Thing in San Antonio — Episode 151 Feb 13, 2024

We know the importance of partnerships in parks and recreation, and on today’s episode of Open Space Radio, we’re diving into an exciting partnership between NRPA and Bobcat. As part of this partnership, Bobcat has extended five grants, each worth $50,000, to support five park improvement projects across the country. Today, we’re excited to learn more about one of these projects taking place in San Antonio, Texas.

We were thrilled to speak with Caryn Odenbach, brand and experience specialist at Bobcat; Kristen Hansen, deputy director of parks and recreation at San Antonio River Authority; and Ayanna Williams, NRPA director of community and environmental resilience.

Tune in to the full episode below to learn how this park improvement project will expand park access, build environmental resilience, engage the community and create a sense of belonging in the San Antonio community.

You’ll also learn:

How NRPA and Bobcat are working together to advance resilient park access in communities across the country
How this partnership is improving and preserving Trueheart Ranch Park
Why San Antonio will benefit from this grant and project
How the community is being engaged throughout the project
Why public-private partnerships are so important in parks and recreation
And more!

Related Links:

Have feedback about this episode or Open Space Radio overall? Share it with us! If you enjoyed this episode or learned something that might help you make a positive impact in your community, please consider donating to NRPA to not only support our storytelling efforts, but also our mission to advance parks, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance the quality of life for all at nrpa.org/donate.

Make an Impact by Leading with a Mentoring Mindset — Episode 150 Jan 23, 2024

As you may know, January is National Mentoring Month, and all month long, NRPA has been sharing content around how mentoring through parks and recreation is helping youth develop positive connections with trusted and caring adults, which we know can support their long-term success.

National Mentoring Month is an annual opportunity to spread awareness of the power of mentoring. It serves as a reminder of the critical role park and recreation professionals play in providing youth development and youth mentoring services in local communities across the country.

We were thrilled to have a conversation with three individuals who have a lot of experience when it comes to the power of mentoring: Katlin Okamoto, director of Coach-Mentor Training at U.S. Soccer Foundation; Char Barnes, a park and recreation professional who previously worked in Columbus, Ohio; and Kent Hunt, NRPA’s program manager of health.

These three shared some wonderful insight on mentoring, and while they all shared from different perspectives, it all boiled down to one thing: Mentoring is essential, and park and recreation professionals are likely already serving as mentors in their communities, whether they realize it or not.

Tune in to our full conversation below to hear from Katlin, Char and Kent. You’ll also learn:

How mentoring changes the lives of youth and adults
What it means to have a “mentoring mindset”
How to embrace and implement a mentoring mindset approach in your programs
Advice for starting a mentoring program in your community
Resources available to support your mentoring programs
And much more!

Additional Resources:

NRPA’s Mentoring Resources
Contact NRPA’s Mentoring Team
Contact U.S. Soccer Foundation’s Coach-Mentor Training Program
Blog Post: Three Strategies to Engage Mentors to Support Youth Development
Blog Post: Engaging Families Leads to Profound Impacts for Youth in Mentoring Programs
Blog Post: Elevating the Spirit of Service in Youth

Imposter Syndrome Is Real — Episode 149 Jan 09, 2024

Season two of Open Space Radio begins today! For the next year, we will focus on conversations around the 2024 NRPA annual theme, “Where You Belong,” and we’re so excited to kick off this season with a wonderful conversation.

On today’s episode, we’re joined by Gabby Vera, CPRP, the regional park superintendent for Maricopa County (Arizona) Parks and Recreation. Between her session at the 2023 NRPA Annual Conference and her Open Space blog post, titled, “You’ve Got This” — which explored practical strategies to boost self-confidence, overcome imposter syndrome and thrive in your leadership journey — we knew we wanted to have a conversation with Gabby on the podcast.

Tune in to our full conversation below to learn more about Gabby’s career journey as a park and recreation professional, as well as strategies she’s used to overcome imposter syndrome. You’ll also learn:

What imposter syndrome is and how it can show up in your life or career
How to create psychologically safe spaces that encourage staff to take on new challenges and ask for help
How to view challenges as opportunities to grow and learn new skills
How to support colleagues, acknowledge them for stepping up and celebrate their successes
And much more!

Resources Discussed on this Episode:

Connect with Gabby:

Email Gabby
Connect with Gabby on LinkedIn

Building Belonging: Neurodivergent Perspectives in Parks and Recreation (Part I) — Episode 148 Dec 05, 2023

Back in October at the 2023 NRPA Annual Conference, there was a session that really piqued our interest – so much so, that we wanted to turn it into a two-part podcast episode, with today’s episode being part one (and part two coming in Spring 2024!).

The session, “Neurodiversity and Inclusive Workplaces: Insights from Park and Recreation Professionals,” explored the individual strengths neurodiverse professionals bring to their work and the strategies and accommodations that have helped them succeed, as well as ways to find workplace champions and allies.

The presenters also offered suggestions for how organizations can better support and include neurodiverse individuals in the field in a number of ways, and we’re excited to chat with two of the presenters on the show today: Kande Jones, the Development Director for Mulvane Recreation Commission in Kansas, and Dave McDaniel, the Operations Coordinator for City of Mobile Parks and Recreation in Alabama.

Tune in to our conversation below to hear from Kande and Dave as they share their experience as neurodivergent individuals and how it relates to their careers in parks and recreation. You’ll also learn:

How a career in parks and recreation can contribute to a positive working environment for neurodivergent individuals
Some of the challenges neurodivergent individuals face in the workplace (and solutions!)
How leaders, coworkers and peers can create a culture of belonging and safety for neurodivergent staff
What it meant to Kande and Dave to have the opportunity to discuss neurodiversity at the 2023 NRPA Annual Conference, and much more!

We’re Stronger Together — Episode 147 Nov 21, 2023

It is our next to last episode of 2023, and we’re so thrilled to chat with our guest today, as she is someone who we’ve been hoping to get on the podcast for a while, someone who is a true leader in the profession, and someone who a lot of our listeners may know.

Dr. Tiffany Johnson — or Dr. J., as she’s known in many circles — is not only one of the most stylish park and recreation professionals out there, but she also is an expert and an innovator when it comes to change management, professional development, strategic planning and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Among her many accomplishments, Tiffany is a Certified Park and Recreation Professional, she sits on NRPA’s Conference Program Committee, she’s the past-president of the National Recreation and Park Ethnic Minority Society, and she has more than 17 years of full-time professional experience in parks and recreation – now serving as the Deputy Director of Aging and Disability Services for the City of Seattle.

Tune in to our full conversation as we chat with Tiffany about her extensive career, why she feels we are stronger when we all come together, and so much more. You’ll also learn:

How Tiffany is supporting Seattle’s aging and disabled populations through her work
How park and recreation agencies can take themselves to the next level through community engagement, change management and customer service
Tips for submitting education sessions for the 2024 NRPA Annual Conference (the deadline is quickly approaching!)
How we can support park and recreation professionals from underrepresented communities
Tips for networking, mentoring and building relationships, and more!

Want to hear more from Tiffany? Check out her recent episode on the RecLess Podcast here!

Entering the Next Era of Open Space Radio — Episode 146 Nov 07, 2023

I’m really excited for today’s episode because I am joined by my colleagues and new co-hosts, Christina High, NRPA’s marketing specialist, and Cara Myers, NRPA’s marketing and engagement manager. I’m really looking forward to this new era of Open Space Radio, and as many of you know, it’s been a while since I’ve had co-hosts.

So, we thought it would be fun to sit down together for an episode and discuss what we’re looking forward to, what you can expect on the show in future episodes, and share some of our experiences and takeaways from the NRPA Annual Conference a few weeks ago.

And, before we jump into the episode below, I’d be remiss if I didn’t give a shoutout to Roxanne Sutton, who is the Open Space Radio host emeritus and original creator of this podcast – I’m so grateful that Roxanne brought me onto the show back in 2017 and not only showed me the ropes, but also helped create such a good foundation for what the show is today.

Tune in to our full conversation below to hear what we’re planning for this next era of Open Space Radio (including asking for more feedback from you, the listener!). You’ll also learn:

· Why Christina and Cara are excited to join Open Space Radio

· What we enjoyed about the 2023 NRPA Annual Conference

· What we’re excited about when it comes to the future of parks and recreation

· Topics we’re excited to explore on future episodes of the podcast

· How we’re planning to be more intentional about the content and stories we share, ensuring the podcast is what YOU want it to be

· Our answers to listener-submitted questions, and much more!

Preparing the Next Generation of Diverse Leaders in Parks and Recreation — Episode 145 Oct 24, 2023

Earlier this month I joined nearly 9,000 other people who are passionate about parks and recreation in Dallas at the 2023 NRPA Annual Conference. It was a week full of inspiration, networking and fun — and for me, a chance to celebrate not only all the good work happening in local parks and recreation, but also see the culmination of my NRPA colleagues’ hard work in putting on what was a truly incredible event.

One of my biggest highlights of the week was connecting with Chris Bass, CPRP, Director of Parks and Recreation for Douglasville, Georgia, and the incoming Board President of the National Recreation and Park Ethnic Minority Society (NRPEMS), and Thamara Velasco, CYSA, a recreation assistant in Douglasville, chair for public relations for NRPEMS and recipient of NRPA’s Young Professional Fellowship.

I really enjoyed our conversation about all the good work going on in Douglasville — who was a National Gold Medal Award Finalist this year — as well as the important work Chris and Thamara are doing to connect and support diverse and underrepresented park and recreation professionals as part of the NRPEMS.

This was truly one of my favorite parts of this year’s conference, and it was such a joy to sit down with Chris and Thamara to learn more about them and soak in some of the passion they have for parks and recreation – I was inspired after this conversation, and I hope you are too.

Tune in to our full conversation below. You’ll learn:

How NRPEMS is building community for park and recreation professionals of diverse cultures and backgrounds
Why it’s important to have a network focused on diverse professionals in our industry
How NRPEMS has been beneficial for Chris and Thamara in their careers
What being part of NRPEMS and being park and recreation professionals serving their community means to Chris and Thamara
How to get involved with the NRPEMS, and much more!

Related Links:

How to Protect What We Love (People and the Planet) — Episode 144 Oct 10, 2023

How to Protect What We Love (People and the Planet) — Episode 144

It’s another exciting day here on Open Space Radio because I get to introduce you to our other new co-host on the show! If you follow NRPA on social media, you likely already know Christina High. Christina is NRPA’s marketing coordinator and is the brilliant person behind all the fun, inspiring and educational content you see throughout NRPA’s social media channels.

A big welcome to Christina as our other new co-host!

Our guest today is someone who Christina and I have both been a fan of when it comes to producing really valuable, easy-to-digest content as it relates to sustainability and just being more environmentally conscious overall.

Kenny Barnes is the program and outreach coordinator for Sustainability Matters, a grassroots environmental nonprofit based in Virginia, dedicated to cultivating community through conservation and making sustainability fun, realistic and inclusive for all.

We have been very excited about this episode for a while now, and hope you enjoy it. Tune in to our full conversation below to learn some simple sustainability tips and how to effectively communicate sustainability efforts with your community. You’ll also learn:

· Why sustainability and promoting a more eco-conscious lifestyle is so critical

· How Sustainability Matters educates the public in a way that is easy to understand and digest

· Emerging trends and new approaches to sustainability

· Tips for park and recreation professionals looking to raise community awareness and educate folx on the importance of sustainable solutions

· What you should consider if you’re thinking, “my park and recreation agency should really be thinking more about sustainability” and much more!

Related Links:

· Sustainability Matters Website

· Sustainability Matters on Instagram

· Sustainability Matters on YouTube

· Sustainability Matters on Facebook

· Sustainability Matters on TikTok

Paving the Way for Girls and Women in Sports with DiDi Haračić — Episode 143 Sep 26, 2023

I am very excited for today’s episode for a couple of reasons. First, if you’ve been listening to the show for a while, you know I haven’t always been a solo host. Well, we have some exciting things happening and I’m very pleased to announce that one of my future co-hosts is making her debut on the podcast today.

Cara Myers is NRPA’s marketing and engagement manager, and she joined the NRPA team recently, coming to us from the marketing team at City of Aurora Parks and Recreation in Colorado. So, a big welcome to Cara as one of our new Open Space Radio hosts!

I am also very excited to welcome today’s guest, DiDi Haračić. DiDi is a professional soccer player (or footballer, depending on where you’re tuning in from) and is the goalkeeper for Angel City FC in the National Women’s Soccer League.

DiDi’s professional career began in 2011, and she has since played professionally in the U.S., internationally, and with the Bosnia and Herzegovina Women’s National Team.

She joined Angel City FC in 2022, when she was named the club’s most valuable player and supporters’ player of the year. Aside from soccer, she is a very talented artist and photographer – and seems like just a generally cool individual.

Cara and I have been fans of Angel City and DiDi since binging the entire Angel City documentary on HBO, so we highly recommend watching that, if you haven’t already.

Tune in below to learn more about DiDi and her journey to becoming a professional soccer player. You’ll also learn:

The progress that has been made regarding women’s equity in sports and the challenges that still remain
How participation in sports and other recreational activities shaped DiDi growing up
How sports can teach various life skills and have a positive impact on a person’s self-confidence
How representation in sports at all levels breaks down gender stereotypes and promotes gender equity
Proactive steps park and recreation agencies can take to ensure equal opportunities and support for girls and women at all levels of competition, and much more!

Social Media:

Follow DiDi on Instagram

Follow Angel City on Instagram

Follow NRPA on Instagram

Follow Open Space Radio on Instagram

A Listen Back at 2023 So Far — Episode 142 Sep 12, 2023

I was recently pulling some of the Open Space Radio statistics for a presentation to NRPA staff, and while I was presenting, I kept thinking to myself, “The numbers are great, it’s important to track these kinds of metrics. But also, we have had some truly remarkable guests and amazing conversations over the course of this show, and you can’t really put that through quantitative analysis.”

So, it inspired me to do a little 2023 so far recap episode. Throughout this episode, I’m featuring little nuggets from a few episodes we’ve released so far this year until August. We’ve released a lot more episodes than the ones featured here, so if something in this episode doesn’t resonate, be sure to check out all of our previous episodes. However, these are just a few from this year that have resonated with me and continue to replay in my head.

I also know not everyone gets a chance to listen to every single episode (but for those of you who do – thank you!), so I thought this would also be a jam-packed opportunity for you to get a bunch of good stuff in one less-than-an-hour package. We're also in autumn mode now, so enjoy the photo of fall foliage :)

I hope you find a little inspiration in one of these clips and I encourage you to go back and listen to the full episodes, which are all linked below. I can’t wait to continue sharing these stories of the impact that parks and recreation is having across the country for the remainder of this year and into the future. We have some exciting things lined up, and I can’t wait to bring you along!

Tune in to the full episode to hear clips from:

Vicky Stott (she/her), senior program officer for racial equity and community engagement at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, who discusses how racial healing is connected to love, cherishing and respecting humanity, and acknowledging others’ lived experiences. Listen to the full episode 127 here.
Will “Akuna” Robinson (he/him), who was the first Black man to complete the triple crown of hiking. We discuss his beginnings in outdoor recreation to heal from PTSD from his previous military experience and how we can continue breaking down barriers so everyone can experience the power of outside. Listen to the full episode 129 here.
Cal Dobbs (he/they), a queer transgender ultra marathoner and long-distance hiker who recently ran across the country — from California to Florida — fighting for the inclusion of transgender people in sports and access to gender-affirming healthcare. Bonus: Cal will also be joining us at the 2023 NRPA Annual Conference in Dallas, Oct 10-12, discussing youth sports equity! Listen to the full episode 132 here.
Mike Cimprich (he/him), the city arborist for Marion Parks and Recreation in Iowa, who was honored with Merrell’s Changing Nature of Work Award for his critical work in the city of Marion after the 2020 Central Severe Weather-Derecho, known as the “costliest thunderstorm event in U.S. history.” Listen to the full episode 134 here.
Daniel Hatcher (he/him), the senior director of strategic partnerships at Alliance for a Healthier Generation, who discusses why park and recreation professionals are critical to physical, mental, and social-emotional health – and the overall health and well-being of our communities. Listen to the full episode 136 here.
Laine Fabijanic, the community and therapeutic recreation supervisor for City of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, who is leading a therapeutic recreation program that is bringing recreational opportunities to all members of the community, regardless of their ability, to increase quality of life for all. Listen to the full July bonus episode here.
Kelly Messer, PE, a project manager for Columbus Recreation and Parks, who discusses how an entire community of supportive skateboarders, and community members alike, led to the completion of the Tuttle Park Skatepark and overall park improvements. Listen to the full episode 139 here.
Sarah Olson, deputy director of Lynnwood (Washington) Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department, who discusses a community-driven, comprehensive park and trail capital project plan and prioritization project that the department is utilizing to center equity in its park system planning. Listen to the full episode 140 here.

This episode of Open Space Radio is sponsored by Niagara Water. This Summer, Niagara Water is providing communities across Texas, California, and Georgia with a chance to upgrade their local park to the outdoor space of their dreams. 9 parks are nominated. 3 will be selected to receive a $75,000 refresh. Support your favorite park daily through September 18th at NiagaraPerkYourPark.com. Niagara Water. Now that’s refreshing.

How Las Vegas Is Leading the Way in Technology and Recreation — Episode 141 Aug 29, 2023

On today’s episode of Open Space Radio, we are diving into the dynamic world where recreation and technology intersect.

The Las Vegas Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs department has always been at the forefront of innovative ideas, and today's episode is all about one of their latest projects — the Becker Technology Center and Recreation Park. I’m excited to be joined by some incredible individuals who've been driving this innovative space forward.

My guests today from Las Vegas Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs are Priscilla Scott, a recreation coordinator; Phillip Payne, a recreation leader; and Jasmine Barrett, a recreation leader. They are joining me today from the Becker Technology Center – and specifically from their very cool podcast studio, which I’m a bit envious of.

Tune in to the full episode below to learn about the center and how it’s benefiting members of the community when it comes to bringing together the energy of play and the endless possibilities of technology.

You’ll also learn:

How the Becker Technology Center will increase access to technology, recreation and learning opportunities for the community
How the center bridges the gap between traditional recreational activities and modern digital engagement
How the center is contributing to youth development in Las Vegas
How the team has taken concerns around technology contributing to a sedentary lifestyle into account to promote a healthy balance
How they are ensuring the center is accessible and user-friendly for individuals of all ages, abilities and tech proficiency levels, and much more!

Listener note: The audio at the beginning of this episode may be a bit choppy, but listening at a slightly faster speed on your preferred podcast player tends to help.

This episode of Open Space Radio is brought to you by support from our partners at the Bobcat Company.

To the passionate visionaries taking on ambitious challenges everyday with Bobcat equipment. The parks maintenance technicians turning playgrounds into community spaces. The program coordinators turning recreation programs into limitless futures. The park development planners keeping pace with shrinking resources and a growing world. And, all those who push through to accomplish more than anyone dared dream of. Bobcat is proud to support park and recreation professionals across the country. Learn more at Bobcat.com.

Advancing Resilient Park Access in Lynnwood, Washington — Episode 140 Aug 08, 2023

I recently had the opportunity to travel to Lynnwood, Washington, with a few of my colleagues to visit the Lynnwood Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department, who was recently awarded one of NRPA’s Resilient Park Access grants.

Our trip consisted of visiting local parks, meeting with members of the community who are collaborating with the department, meeting with the mayor, attending a community “Meet Me at the Park” event, and learning more about Lynnwood’s ParksLove project, which is in the works thanks to NRPA’s Resilient Park Access grant.

This grant is dedicated to advancing community-driven, systems-level strategies for equitable park access that improves the environmental resilience and health of communities. This grant supports park and recreation professionals in partnership with leaders from community-based organizations. Lynnwood is one of six communities nationwide selected to advance equitable park access.

Tune in to the full episode below to learn how the Lynnwood Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department plans to use this grant as an opportunity to complete a community-driven, comprehensive Park & Trail Capital Project Plan and prioritization project centering equity in its park system planning. The department also is creating a park capital prioritization framework tool to evaluate and score all future possible park capital projects by creating equity, resiliency, inclusive and health indexes.

You’ll hear from Lynnwood Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Deputy Director Sarah Olson, MPA, CPRP, as well as NRPA Director of Community and Environmental Resilience Ayanna Williams. We discuss:

What resilient park access means
How the ParksLove project is addressing equitable access to parks and recreation in Lynnwood
How members of the community have been brought along throughout the process
How this project supports NRPA’s goals of building more resilient communities, and much more!

Related Links:

· City of Lynnwood ParksLove Project

· Press Release: NRPA Announces More Than $2.5 Million in Funding to Support Equitable Access to Parks

Where Community Grows in Columbus, Ohio — Episode 139 Jul 11, 2023

It is officially Park and Recreation Month, and it already has been so exciting to see how park and recreation agencies and communities across the country have been celebrating. We’re not even halfway through the month and we have already seen so many amazing stories highlighting how parks and recreation truly is “Where Community Grows.”

On today’s episode, I wanted to highlight one of the wonderful submissions from our annual Park and Recreation Month Cover Contest. One of the photos that was submitted pictured a few smiling skateboarders enjoying time together at the Tuttle Park Skatepark in Columbus, Ohio.

If you’ve listened to the show before, you know I have a love of skateboarding and the community that it builds, so of course I wanted to talk with the folks who submitted this photo.

I’m excited to welcome two members of the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department staff to the show today: Kerry Francis, chief of communications, and Kelly Messer, PE, a project manager. We discuss not only more about this skatepark but also all the good work happening in Columbus.

Tune in to our full conversation below to learn:

How Columbus Recreation and Parks contributes to the health, well-being and overall quality of life for everyone in the Columbus community
How an entire community of support led to the completion of the Tuttle Park Skatepark project
How Columbus Recreation and Parks is creating high-quality, safe and inclusive spaces for the community
How Columbus Recreation and Parks is ensuring that everyone in the community can benefit from the experiences, spaces and programs it provides, and much more!

Where Community Grows in Glenwood Springs, Colorado — July Bonus Episode Jun 22, 2023

It may still be June, but it is officially Park and Recreation Month in our hearts, as the July issue of Parks & Recreation magazine was released today. As you may know, each year NRPA hosts a cover contest leading up to July, with the winner being featured on the July issue of the magazine.

If you’ve seen this month’s cover (also pictured on this page), you will notice a smiling young boy in adaptive climbing gear scaling a climbing wall. We are so grateful that Joe Van Wyk, the marketing coordinator for City of Glenwood Springs Parks and Recreation in Colorado, captured this moment and submitted this photo of Isaac Alonso, which captured all of our hearts immediately.

Once we learned the story behind the photo, we knew we had found our winner.

I am so thrilled to be joined on today’s episode by Laine Fabijanic, the community and therapeutic recreation supervisor for City of Glenwood Springs. Laine has been instrumental in building the community’s therapeutic recreation program, and is doing some really incredible work when it comes to providing access to recreational opportunities for all, despite their perceived or actual limitations.

Laine has been a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist since 1998, and over the years she has worked across the country and throughout the Roaring Fork Valley in Western Colorado in clinical settings, outdoor adventure and community recreation.

Tune in to the full episode below to learn more about Laine and the impact she is making, as well as how this program is helping Isaac, the boy in the photo, and so many others. You’ll also learn:

The unique challenges that children with disabilities face when it comes to recreational activities and how therapeutic recreation addresses them
How Glenwood Springs’ climbing program adapts the climbing experience to meet the needs of each climber
Why Laine has loved watching Isaac participate in this program and how his family has been involved
How community engagement is at the center of this program
The importance of meeting the specific needs of all members of your community, and much more!

Related Links:

Celebrating Pride Month in Parks and Recreation — Episode 138 Jun 13, 2023

It is officially Pride Month – a time to honor and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. And while we are thrilled to celebrate Pride Month this year, the reality is that our LGBTQ+ friends, family, colleagues and community members have been under attack.

In fact, just last week, the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ advocacy group, declared a state of emergency for LGBTQ+ people in the U.S. after a wave of anti-LGBTQ legislation across the country. So far in 2023, more than 525 anti-LGBTQ bills have been introduced and more than 75 signed into law as of the time of this recording – the worst year on record. Be sure to check out Human Rights Campaign’s Impact Report, which shows the real-life impact of this legislation across the country, as well as their guidebook, which provides guidance for navigating states with anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. There are also ways you can make your voice heard on this important issue, and I’ll be sure to link to all of these in the blog post that goes along with this episode.

And while the attacks continue, the fight for equal rights continues. As park and recreation professionals, you have the power to lead this charge through building inclusive, safe spaces, supporting your LGBTQ+ staff and community members, and creating a culture of belonging.

On today’s episode, we’re looking back at some of our previous episodes discussing LGBTQ+ inclusion in parks and recreation. If you haven’t listened to the full episodes from each of these clips you’re about to hear, I encourage you to check them out and consider what role you play in this mission. Together, we can inspire change, embrace our differences, and create a world where EVERYBODY benefits from the power of parks and recreation.

Tune in to the full episode to hear from:

Cal Dobbs (he/they), a queer transgender ultra marathoner and long-distance hiker who is running across America — from California to Florida — fighting for the inclusion of transgender people in sports and access to gender-affirming healthcare.
Peyton Daisy O’Connor (they/she) a past parks and recreation director for Buncombe County, North Carolina, who produced a formal inclusion policy for trans kids, based on their own lived experience.
Chris Mosier (he/him), a trailblazing athlete, coach and the founder of TransAthlete.com. Chris is a six-time member of Team USA, and in 2015 he became the first openly transgender man to represent the United States in international competition.
Jason Shriner (he/him), a past marketing manager for City of Manassas Park in Virginia, who discusses how his agency was re-evaluating policies and spaces to ensure they were inclusive for LGBTQ+ people and the ways they were partnering with local LGBTQ+ advocacy and sports groups.

Related Links:

How the NRPA Young Professional Network Is Amplifying the Voices of the Next Generation — Episode 137 May 30, 2023

If you are an NRPA member, you may know that NRPA provides exclusive member networks to support your professional needs and development. These networks, ranging from Aquatics, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Armed Forces, Leadership Development, and more, are an opportunity to collaborate and connect with like-minded professionals from across the county.

One of these networks, which is highly engaged and doing a lot of amazing work in the profession, is the Young Professional Network, or YPN. The YPN serves NRPA members who are students and young professionals under the age of 35.

I’m thrilled to be joined today by the co-chairs of the YPN’s publications committee to discuss how they’re working to lift up the voices and experiences of young professionals. Joining me is Rachel Smith, a certified park and recreation professional and the operations manager at James City County Parks and Recreation in Virginia, and Colton Patak, the program supervisor at City of Mason in Ohio.

Tune in to our full conversation below to learn how Colton and Rachel are helping amplify the voices and experiences of young park and recreation professionals. You’ll also learn:

Why being part of the YPN is so beneficial for young park and recreation professionals
Why it’s so important for professionals — especially young professionals — to share their stories, experiences, challenges and successes with their peers
What types of topics the YPN Publications Committee is interested in exploring for future publications
How being part of the YPN has been valuable for Rachel and Colton, and why you should join (and a lot more)!

Related Resources:

Prioritizing the Health and Well-Being of Our Military Communities — June Bonus Episode May 25, 2023

The June issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is out now, and on today’s bonus episode of the podcast, we’re diving deeper into one of this month’s feature stories, “Leading the Way to Health and Well-Being: How Armed Forces Recreation Fosters Healthy Military Communities.”

The article, written by Allison Colman, NRPA’s director of health, and Alex Reynolds, Parks & Recreation magazine’s associate editor, highlights how park and recreation professionals working within military communities share the same goal as their peers in local agencies — to support their community’s health, well-being and quality of life through recreation.

I’m thrilled to be joined by two of the professionals highlighted in the article, Shandy Scott, the business and recreation branch chief for the Air Force Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) programs in San Antonio, Texas, and Lisa Sexauer, director of fleet readiness for Navy Installations Command in Washington, D.C.

Tune in to our full conversation below to learn more about the work Scott and Sexauer are doing to keep military families in their respective branches healthy and active through parks and recreation. You’ll also learn:

The role that Armed Forces Recreation/MWR professionals play in the military and communities
What benefits MWR provides for service members, families, and communities
Current challenges impacting Armed Forces Recreation/MWR divisions and professionals and how they are being addressed
How Armed Forces Recreation/MWR and municipal park and recreation departments can partner to address and promote the health and well-being of all people
How Armed Forces Recreation/MWR is centering equity and shifting to a deeper focus on mental health and well-being in its efforts, and much more!

Celebrating How Parks and Recreation Keeps Communities Healthy and Connected — Episode 136 May 16, 2023

We are just a few weeks away from NRPA’s Family Health & Fitness Day, which is taking place on Saturday, June 10. Family Health & Fitness Day is an annual celebration that promotes the importance of parks and recreation in keeping communities healthy.

I’m thrilled to be talking more about Family Health & Fitness Day on today’s episode, as well as all the ways parks and recreation provides accessible, close-to-home health and wellness opportunities in communities across the country.

Joining me is Cina Makres, a program specialist on NRPA’s health team, who is leading up NRPA’s Family Health & Fitness Day efforts this year, as well as Daniel Hatcher, the senior director of strategic partnerships at Alliance for a Healthier Generation.

Tune in as we discuss how you can join in on the Family Health & Fitness Day celebrations in your community, as well as why parks and recreation is so well-positioned to build healthier communities. You’ll also learn:

Why Family Health & Fitness Day is a great opportunity to build awareness around the health and well-being benefits of the spaces and programs your agency manages
Why partnerships are critical to building healthier communities and how you can leverage them on Family Health & Fitness Day
How you can use the Family Health & Fitness Day Toolkit to assist with your marketing and promotions efforts
What other resources are available (see below!) to help you communicate the importance of parks and recreation as it pertains to overall health
Ideas for celebrating Family Health & Fitness Day with your own family (or chosen family), and much more!

Additional Resources Discussed in this Episode:

A Doomscroll Break: Parks and Recreation on Social Media — Episode 135 May 02, 2023

If you’ve been following NRPA on social media, you may already be familiar with my guest today via some very fun, informational, and engaging Instagram reels that have been gracing your feeds for the last few months.

Today I am so excited to be joined by my colleague and the amazing person behind all of NRPA’s social media content, Christina High. Christina joined the team as our marketing coordinator in 2022, and she has been doing some really amazing work ever since when it comes to rethinking our social strategy, what kind of social content we’re producing, and continuing to build an engaged social media community.

Recognizing the power that social media has nowadays, and how there are many ways park and recreation agencies and professionals can be using social media to their advantage, I’m really excited for our listeners to get some of Christina’s insight today.

Tune in to our full conversation below to learn more about Christina and how she’s using social media to highlight the power of parks and recreation. You’ll also learn:

How parks and recreation can be a positive corner of the internet/social media
Why social media is such a valuable tool for park and recreation agencies to use in their awareness, education and marketing efforts
Things to consider when creating a social media plan or strategy
What kinds of trends are performing best on the various social media platforms
Tips for ensuring your social media posts are inclusive and accessible
How to build an engaged community on social media, and much more!

Additional Resources:

How to Build a Culture of Safety — May Bonus Episode Apr 27, 2023

The May issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is out now, and on today’s bonus episode of Open Space Radio, we’re diving deeper into the feature article, “Building a Culture of Safety for Aquatic Facilities,” by Stephanie Shook, CPRP, the senior product manager of aquatics and instructors for the American Red Cross.

I’m so thrilled to be joined on the show by two individuals who were highlighted in the article:

· Dr. William Ramos, a member of the Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council and associate professor at Indiana University School of Public Health

· Nichole Bohner, the aquatics division manager for City of Round Rock, Texas, Parks and Recreation.

They each share their experience when it comes to building a culture of safety — something that is of the utmost importance at aquatic facilities and the wide range of other park and recreation offerings.

Tune in to our full conversation below to learn how you can create a culture of safety in your community. You’ll also learn:

What a “culture of safety” really means
Why leadership being present is critical to a culture of safety
The importance of communication and employee engagement
Challenges to building a culture of safety
Intentional steps to building a culture of safety, and much more!

Additional Resources:

Celebrating Earth Month with Merrell and Marion, Iowa — Episode 134 Apr 18, 2023

All month long, NRPA has been sharing ways that parks and recreation is a climate hero in celebration of Earth Month. Whether it’s increasing biodiversity, managing millions of acres of open space, providing nature-based programming or responding to weather-related disasters, park and recreation professionals are on the front lines of creating a more sustainable future in communities across the country.

I’m so thrilled today to be joined by Regina Hill, the CSR marketing manager for Merrell, who NRPA is proud to partner with on our Earth Month campaign, among many other things, as well as Mike Cimprich, the city arborist for the Marion Parks and Recreation Department in Iowa.

Mike was honored with Merrell’s Changing Nature of Work Award for his critical work in the city of Marion after the 2020 Central Severe Weather-Derecho, known as the “costliest thunderstorm event in U.S. history” – causing widespread power outages, damage to homes, businesses, powerlines and trees. In fact, 40 percent of the city’s public trees were lost in this storm

Tune in to the full episode below to learn more about Mike and his team’s efforts, how Merrell is honoring and supporting these efforts, and the important work that happens as a result of partnerships. You’ll also learn:

What Earth Month means to both City of Marion and Merrell
How Mike and his team stepped up to help their community during an uncertain time
Why Merrell is excited about supporting Mike, as well as other park and recreation professionals across the country
What the future of environmental resilience looks like in Marion, Iowa
How we all play a role in sustainability efforts, whether through planting trees or marketing efforts (or whatever your specialty is!)
What continues to drive Mike and Regina to do this important work, and much more!

This episode is sponsored by Merrell’s "Good things come to those who hike" campaign. The real magic of hiking is about the moments that happen along the way. Each hike, another discovery. Another moment that we can share, remember and relive as we move through our lives. Those are the good things that come to those who hike. Visit www.Merrell.com and start discovering your #goodthings when hiking.

Reflecting on Earth Month: A Look Back at Sustainability and Climate-Focused Episodes — Episode 133 Apr 04, 2023

April is Earth Month, and all month long, NRPA is celebrating the ways that parks and recreation is a climate hero. I encourage you to check out some of the top ways that park and recreation professionals are creating healthier, more sustainable communities and tackling the world’s toughest climate issues.

On today’s episode, we take a look back at a few episodes from the past year, in which my guests talked about climate solutions, sustainability, and all things protecting and preserving nature and the spaces that do so much for us.

Tune in to the full episode below to hear clips from these previous episodes (and I encourage you to listen to each full episode, as well):

On one of our most recent episodes, episode 131, I spoke with Norma Edith García-Gonzalez, director of Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation, to discuss how she's leading with equity, as well as L.A. County's recently adopted 30x30 plan to address climate change and conserve 30 percent of lands and coastal waters by 2030
On episode 124, I was joined by staff from City of Detroit Parks and Recreation: Jac Kyle, a manager I for nature programming, and Rachel Felder, a naturalist, to learn more how partnerships are helping advance their work, fight environmental injustices, and create a new generation of environmental stewards in Detroit.
On episode 122, I was joined by Maneula Barón, a Colombian-American sustainability activist, artist and founder of The Girl Gone Green, an inclusive community that fosters social and environmental change and encourages people to live more consciously. We discussed where to start with your own environmental programming at your agency, as well as how to effectively communicate environmental issues through the lens of others.
On episode 112, I was joined by Jad Daley, CEO of American Forests, to discuss how trees play a critical role in building environmental resilience, cooling our neighborhoods, and improving the health of our communities. We discuss why trees in urban areas are so important and the various roles that trees play when it comes to our health, in terms of reducing heat, filtering air pollution and more.
And finally, we take it all the way back the 2022 April bonus episode, when I talked with my colleague, Ayanna Williams, NRPA’s director of community and environmental resilience, about all things Earth Day. We discussed ways park and recreation professionals are building more resilient communities, ways to ensure decision-makers prioritize environmental justice beyond Earth Month or Earth Day, and more.

Related Links:

This episode is sponsored by Merrell’s "Good things come to those who hike" campaign. The real magic of hiking is about the moments that happen along the way. Each hike, another discovery. Another moment that we can share, remember and relive as we move through our lives. Those are the good things that come to those who hike. Visit www.Merrell.com and start discovering your #goodthings when hiking.

On a Cross-Country Mission to Advocate for Trans Rights — Episode 132 Mar 21, 2023

Attacks targeting LGBTQ+ rights, and especially the rights of transgender youth, are currently taking place in state legislatures across the country. With bans on gender-affirming care for trans youth and the country’s first drag ban, numbers of anti-trans bills were recently introduced, with an alarming number of bills advancing in states across the country.

Many of these bills also are aimed at preventing transgender youth from participating in sports in ways that align with the gender with which they identify. These recent attacks on the trans community is an attack on human rights, and an attack on our mission to build inclusive, equitable communities where everyone can feel safe, feel like they belong, and ultimately, thrive.

Today, I’m thrilled to welcome someone who is taking their advocacy for trans rights across the country. Cal Dobbs is a queer transgender ultra marathoner and long-distance hiker who is running across America — from California to Florida — to fight for inclusion of transgender people in sports and access to gender-affirming healthcare. What was once a childhood dream to run across the country is now a reality for Cal, but for something way bigger than they had ever imagined.

Cal also is the first known trans person to achieve the triple crown of hiking – that is, they thru-hiked the entire Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide Trail – so they are no stranger to extended adventures.

Tune in to our full conversation below to learn more about Cal’s story, how you can follow their run, and how park and recreation professionals can support this important mission. You’ll also learn:

· How Cal’s relationship with physical activity and outdoor recreation began

· What inspired Cal’s dream to run across the country

· How Cal plans to make transformative connections with people across geographic, political and ideological lines in order to make lasting change

· What kind of impact anti-trans legislation has on the trans community, as well as society as a whole

· How park and recreation professionals can ensure they are building safe, inclusive communities where no one is excluded or required to face additional rules or scrutiny to full participate, regardless of gender.

· The importance of community care, and so much more!

Related Links:

Continuing a Legacy of Service to Create a Better World — Episode 131 Mar 07, 2023

Los Angeles County is doing some big things and the department of parks and recreation is continuing to make an impact when it comes to equity, environmental resilience and the health and well-being of its community members.

I’m thrilled to be joined today by Norma Edith García-Gonzalez, who has worked for Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation for more than a decade and was appointed as director of the department in 2020 — becoming the first woman and first person of color to lead the department. What’s more, Norma now leads the same department that made such an impact on her in her youth.

Norma has been a true community leader in advancing the department’s mission, which I’m excited to talk about today. We’re also going to discuss LA’s 2022 Parks Needs Assessment Plus (PNA+) Final Report, which was recently adopted as the county’s 30x30 plan — which is the goal of conserving 30 percent of lands and coastal waters by 2030 to address climate change.

Tune in to our full conversation below to learn more about Norma and the good work that’s happening in Los Angeles County. You’ll also learn:

How Norma’s career in parks and recreation began
The historical barriers when it comes to serving the most vulnerable populations in Los Angeles County
How Norma and her staff are intentionally centering their work in equity and anti-racism
How the 2022 PNA+ Final Report was adopted as L.A. County’s 30x30 plan to address climate change
Some of the opportunities and challenges when it comes to achieving the 30x30 goal of conserving 30% of lands and coastal waters by 2030
Why this work means so much to Norma, and so much more!

Related Links:

How Lifeguarding Provided a Foundation for a First Responder — March Bonus Episode Feb 23, 2023

The March issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is out now, and on today’s bonus episode of Open Space Radio, we’re diving deeper into one of this month’s articles, “From Lifeguard to First Responder.”

I’m joined today by the author, Craig Pattenaude, the marketing and communication specialist for Cosumnes Community Services District (CSD) Parks and Recreation, as well as Cole Munsey, who Craig highlights in his article.

I’m thrilled to welcome them both to the show to learn about Cole’s journey and how a job as a lifeguard propelled him into a career as a first responder, as he recently graduated from the Cosumnes CSD Fire Department intern program.

Tune in to the full conversation below to learn more about Cole’s journey and why serving as a lifeguard was so beneficial in preparing him for his future career. You’ll also learn:

How a traumatic family experience motivated Cole to become a “helper”
How serving as a lifeguarding reinforced Cole’s desire to help others and inspired him to pursue a career as a firefighter
What skills Cole learned as a lifeguard that he continues to use today
What inspired Craig to connect with Cole to help share his story
How Cosumnes CSD is working with staff to help develop their skills for either an extended career in parks and recreation or other areas of the community
How Cole and Craig have been impacted personally by this work, and much more!

· Cosumnes CSD website

Advancing Physical Activity and Health Equity Through Active Parks! — Episode 130 Feb 21, 2023

Parks and recreation is vital to community health and well-being. Local park and recreation agencies connect every member of the community to essential programs, services and spaces that enhance quality of life. And, local parks and recreation provides so many opportunities for experiencing the benefits of physical activity.

According to the guidance from the Community Services Preventive Task Force, park and recreation and public health professionals play a role in ensuring all community members have equitable opportunities to get active. The Active Parks! Increasing Physical Activity Through Parks, Trails, and Greenways recommendation states that combining 1) essential infrastructure improvements with 2) additional activities — like structured programming, community engagement, access enhancements and more — can increase the use of parks, trails and greenways for physical activity.

To support park and recreation and public health professionals in advancing this recommendation, NRPA developed the Active Parks! Implementation Guide. The guide includes a step-by-step process professionals can follow to equitably increase physical activity, plus case studies, sample actions and more. The guide also supports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Active People, Healthy NationSM initiative, which aims to help 27 million people become more physically active by 2027.

We are so excited to have worked with CDC on this new resource, and I was thrilled to learn more on today’s episode in my conversation with Ken Rose, who leads CDC’s Physical Activity and Health branch and oversees national efforts to increase physical activity. Tune in to our conversation below to learn:

Why partnerships between public health and parks and recreation is critical to increasing physical activity and advancing health equity in communities
The origins of the Active Parks! Implementation Guide and what inspired this movement
Key considerations for park and recreation professionals interested in using the guide
Why Ken believes the guide will transform physical activity in communities
How park and recreation professionals can join the Active People, Healthy NationSM movement, and much more!

Related Links:

Parks and Recreation Workforce Development Trends and Opportunities — February Bonus Episode Jan 26, 2023

The February issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is out now, and on today’s bonus episode of the podcast, we’ll be diving deeper into one of this month’s feature stories, “Workforce Development Trends and Opportunities in Parks and Recreation.”

To foster the next generation of park and recreation professionals in our beloved field, workforce development is an area that cannot be overlooked. We’re talking with the author of the article today to discuss some of the trends and opportunities on the horizon when it comes to recruiting and retaining staff.

I’m thrilled to welcome Tim Herd, the CEO of the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society, to the show today.

Tim previously joined us on the podcast a few years ago to talk about Park and Recreation Professionals Day, which began with the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society, and now takes place each July during Park and Recreation Month.

Tune in to the full episode to learn how Tim began his career in parks and recreation, as well as some of the things he’s noticing on the workforce development front. You’ll also learn:

Why workforce development is so critical for parks and recreation

Ways parks and recreation can better promote itself as a viable, sustainable career choice?
Trends in colleges/universities offering majors related to parks and recreation
How perceptions about a career in parks and recreation can be shifted
Creative ways for recruiting future employees and retaining current employees, and much more!

Honoring National Day of Racial Healing — Episode 127 Jan 17, 2023

Today, January 17, is National Day of Racial Healing - a call to action for racial healing for all people. Launched in 2017, this day originated as part of the WK Kellogg Foundation’s national Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation efforts.

As we at NRPA continue to center equity in all that we do, I’m looking forward to this conversation today as we learn how racial healing can advance racial equity, as well as how park and recreation professionals can support racial healing in their communities.

I’m thrilled to welcome Vicky Stott, the senior program officer for racial equity and community engagement at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, where she is responsible for developing and coordinating strategic grantmaking activities aimed at addressing racial equity, community engagement, and nurturing opportunities for positive systemic change for historically marginalized communities and vulnerable children.

We are also joined by an Open Space Radio regular, NRPA Vice President of Education and Chief Equity Officer Autumn Saxton-Ross, who is, and has been, doing some really impactful work in supporting park and recreation professionals (and NRPA staff) on their journeys to advancing equitable outcomes in their communities.

Tune in to the full episode below to hear the conversation. You’ll learn:

How to define racial healing
How racial healing supports and advances racial equity
How park and recreation professionals can support racial healing in their communities
How self-care contributes to racial healing and the idea that “we must fortify ourselves to fortify others”
How to find available resources to bring racial healing to your communities and organizations, and so much more!

Related Links:

DayOfRacialHealing.org — explore National Day of Racial Healing events near you, as well as access resources for engaging children, engaging in professional settings, and engaging policymakers

An Inside Look at Revenue Development and Management School — Episode 126 Jan 10, 2023

Here at NRPA, we are big proponents of continuous learning and professional development. On today’s episode, we discuss a comprehensive and unique professional development program focusing on proven revenue management and development techniques for park and recreation professionals.

Revenue Development and Management School is an annual program taking place at the Oglebay Resort in Wheeling, West Virginia, in partnership with the National Training Center at Oglebay, and it is targeted towards agencies that rely on generating revenues, such as organizations associated with state or local parks, recreation, leisure services, military recreation and other nonprofits.

This year’s school takes place March 12-17, and registration is now open.

I’m thrilled to welcome three individuals to the show today who play integral roles in this Revenue Development and Management School. Joining me today are:

Bill Tschirhart, the Chief of Administration for Five Rivers MetroParks (Ohio) and Chair of the 2023 Revenue Development and Management School
Debbie Woodbury, the Regional Program Director with the City of Alexandria (Virginia), and the Founder of The Meritology Institute, who is serving as this year’s Revenue Development and Management School Extern
Matt Carusona, this year’s Revenue Development and Management School director

Tune in to the full episode below to learn more about Revenue Development and Management School and all the benefits it provides park and recreation professionals. You’ll also learn:

The importance of revenue development and management in moving the field of parks and recreation forward
Advice for first-time attendees or professionals considering attending Revenue Development and Management School
Strategies for creating more sustainable funding
The importance of continuing education, networking and collaboration
How partnerships play a role in the funding and revenue conversation
Why you should attend Revenue Development and Management School, and much more!

RWJF-NRPA Award for Health Equity Celebrates Seven Years of Success — January Bonus Episode Dec 22, 2022

The January issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is out now, and on today’s bonus episode, I’m thrilled to welcome Maureen Neumann, NRPA’s Senior Health Program Manager, to discuss her feature article, “Celebrating Seven Years of Advancing Health Equity.”

In her article, Maureen highlights winners of the RWJF-NRPA Award for Health Equity from the last seven years. Since 2016, this award has been presented annually, and recognizes park and recreation professionals who have worked to reduce health disparities and advance systems-level change in their communities to achieve health equity.

I’m excited to chat with Maureen today to learn more about some of the winners, and specifically how partnerships played a key part in each of the winners’ success.

Enhancing Resilient Park Access in Toledo, Ohio — Episode 125 Dec 13, 2022

As you may have learned on our last episode, NRPA’s Resilient Park Access program supports the advancement of community-driven, systems-level strategies for equitable park access that improve the environmental resilience and health of communities.

The grant funding also provides ongoing peer learning and coaching, professional development and access to networks of like-minded park and recreation professionals throughout the country. Six park and recreation agencies from across the country received this grant, and funding for each project is made possible by support from The JPB Foundation.

One agency that is learning from NRPA's grantee cohort and resources and working to advance equitable access and resilient systems change is the Department of Parks and Recreation in Toledo, Ohio. Toledo is in a moment of transition and opportunity. The department is capitalizing on this moment to prioritize community and equity in their plans to build more parks. Not only that, but they are also building community ownership and stewardship of these spaces, connecting children to nature through nature play amenities, and diversifying the department’s funding to make it more resilient into the future. 

I’m thrilled to be joined today by Karen Ranney Wolkins, the commissioner for City of Toledo Department of Parks and Recreation and Community Enrichment. Tune in to our full conversation below to learn more about this project and how learning from NRPA’s Resilient Park Access program is helping make it possible. You’ll also learn:

How this project is addressing inequities in Toledo and will enhance park equity and access to nature
How City of Toledo is partnering with community-based organizations to support programming
How the city is engaging community members and ensuring they are part of this process
How City of Toledo is diversifying funding to make this project a reality
How the city is measuring success and much more!

Increasing Access to Nature in The Motor City — Episode 124 Nov 29, 2022

NRPA’s Resilient Park Access grant program supports the advancement of community-driven, systems-level strategies for equitable park access that improve the environmental resilience and health of communities. The grant funding also provides ongoing peer learning and coaching, professional development and access to networks of like-minded park and recreation professionals throughout the country.

On today’s episode of Open Space Radio, I’m joined by staff from City of Detroit Parks and Recreation, which was one of seven agencies that received this grant. To increase access to nature and make it more equitably available to all, the City of Detroit will identify and build pocket parks in high-need areas and engage the community on programming and stewardship of the project through workforce development.

I’m thrilled to welcome Jac Kyle, a manager I for nature programming at City of Detroit Parks and Recreation, and Rachel Felder, a naturalist for City of Detroit Parks and Recreation, to learn more about the impactful work they are doing in their community.

Tune in to learn more about how their work will help increase equitable access to nature in Detroit. You’ll also learn:

What inequities exist in Detroit as far as access to nature
What types of programming will make Detroit neighborhoods more equitable
How City of Detroit is collaborating with community-based organizations and community leaders
How City of Detroit Parks and Recreation is navigating challenges with existing policies and practices
What other agencies should consider when working to advance equity in their own communities
Why this work is so gratifying for Jac and Rachel, and so much more!

Related Links:

This episode of Open Space Radio is sponsored by DaySmart Recreation. Grow with your community and simplify operations with the facility management solution that's helping streamline scheduling, registration, payment processing, and community engagement. With DaySmart Recreation's mobile-friendly solution, your staff and members can find important information from wherever they are. Learn more about DaySmart Recreation at daysmartrecreation.com/nrpa.

The State of Inclusivity in the Outdoors — Episode 123 Nov 22, 2022

When most people think of the outdoors, their associations are primarily positive. Happiness, relaxation and calmness all come to mind. Even as issues of social injustice and racial inequality increasingly impacted many over the past few years, communities have sought a form of escape in the outdoors.

Outdoor leader Merrell exists to share the simple power of being outside. Knowing the globally recognized benefits of being outside, Merrell conducted a study of cross-cultural perceptions and experiences in the outdoors to better understand how race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation and income affect how welcome people feel outside. The brand believes the trail is for everyone – inspiring the drive behind the study to make the outdoors inclusive and welcoming to all.

The study – Inclusivity in the Outdoors Report – unveils that despite the globally recognized benefits of being outside, not everyone’s associations fit the positive narrative. Revealing “a tale of two outdoors,” the study shows more people getting outside overall and that positive sentiment has increased. Respondents across the globe indicate a 4 percent increase in feeling happy or alive and a 2 percent increase in feeling thankful when outside.*

Key Findings

The six main takeaways from Merrell’s global outdoors audit are:

Conflicting emotions exist when outside across the globe
Indigenous communities face barriers to being in their natural homes
Communities of color still feel cautious about the safety of outdoor spaces
Women have growing concerns regarding safety and continue to be underrepresented
Income impacts outdoor participation
LGBTQ+ people are left out despite a desire to participate

The Inclusivity in the Outdoors Report showcases there are still barriers to overcome. It is important to address the obstacles that those who identify as Woman, Black, Indigenous, and LGBTQ+ people, and those with lower incomes encounter to ensure everyone feels welcome outside while helping decrease the associations that do not fit within the positive narrative. Merrell is calling for industry leaders — including local park and recreation professionals — to help.

Actions You Can Take

Expand representation in marketing.
Commit to getting youth outside as early as possible to instill a lifelong love of the outdoors and increase a sense of ownership and belonging.
NRPA members are encouraged to leverage the Equity in Practice Resource Library which offers a set of vetted and carefully curated articles, books, technical resources, podcasts, videos and webinars.
Fund green spaces in urban areas to improve recreational areas closer to home.
Address both physical and perceived access issues for underserved communities. Establish and leverage partnerships, provide transportation, reduce, subsidize or eliminate admission fees, and provide access to lower-cost or refurbished products.
Redefine and reimagine outdoors.

The outdoors is everywhere and for everyone. And, outdoor experiences are as diverse as the communities who enjoy them. When we expand upon our perception of the outdoors, we help make it more inclusive for those who have different experiences. Think beyond camping and hiking. Backyards and front yards, playgrounds, city parks, kids walking to school, taking the dog for a walk, sitting outside and watching wildlife, going to get coffee/pizza, gardening, bicycling, and commuters enjoying fresh air as they walk to work. The outdoors is ubiquitous, and it’s up to us to help all feel welcome.

The Trail Ahead

In partnership with Merrell, the National Recreation and Park Association is working to increase access to green spaces and bring park improvement projects to life in communities hit hardest by park funding inequities. The journey toward inclusivity in the outdoors means supporting diversity, representation, education and awareness.

The trail is for everybody regardless of size, gender, race or ability. We all need to work together to create a welcoming environment in the outdoors not only because it’s the right thing to do, but it’s imperative to continue the protection and conservation of the natural environment that sustains us all. The more people we can inspire and welcome to the outdoors, the more people will learn to enjoy, respect and work hard to conserve our natural spaces.

This episode is sponsored by Merrell, and the above text was written by Merrell CSR Marketing Manager Regina Hill.

Creating a More Sustainable, Eco-Friendly World – Episode 122 Nov 15, 2022

It has been some time since our last episode, and I’m so thrilled to be back today with someone who is sure to inspire you to live a more sustainable, waste-free life, while encouraging your community to do the same – and it’s perfect timing as this episode is being released on America Recycles Day, which recognizes the importance and impact of recycling.

Manuela Barón is a Colombian-American sustainability activist, artist and founder of The Girl Gone Green, which is an inclusive community that fosters social and environmental change and encourages people to live more consciously.

Manuela also is an ambassador for our partners at Merrell, and she is doing some really impactful work to educate and bring awareness to environmental issues and more sustainable lifestyles.

Tune in to the full episode below to learn more about Manuela, ways you can live more sustainably, and the importance of building community. You’ll also learn:

What inspired Manuela to start “The Girl Gone Green” and how she’s using her platform to inspire others to live sustainably
How to navigate challenges that arise when doing environmental advocacy work
Where to start with your own environmental programming at your agency
What to consider when building a community/network of support for environmental work
How we can all use our own circles of influence to start the conversation and more this important work forward, and much more!

Related Links:

This episode of Open Space Radio is sponsored by Merrell ReTread - because every great journey deserves a sequel. Our partners at Merrell launched a new recycle and resale platform to give shoes a second shot at adventure and prevent them from ending up in landfills. Visit ReTread.Merrell.com to give back your well-loved shoes and get $20 off your next order.

Introducing NRPA’s Equity in Practice Program – October Bonus Episode Sep 29, 2022

The October issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is out now, and on today’s episode, I’m joined by two of my colleagues to discuss this month’s feature story, “NRPA’s Equity in Practice Initiative.”

We recently launched this program at the 2022 NRPA Annual Conference, and it is not your typical diversity training – NRPA’s Equity in Practice resources and tools are designed to help you take the next step in integrating equity into your park and recreation programs and respond to your community’s specific needs.

And who better to chat with about this program than the individuals who are bringing this program to life? I’m thrilled to welcome Autumn Saxton-Ross, NRPA Vice President of Education and Chief Equity Officer, and Philip Silva, NRPA Director of Learning, to the show today.

Tune in to our full conversation below to learn more about the Equity in Practice program, what led to the creation of this initiative, and how park and recreation professionals can benefit from each piece of the program. You’ll also learn:

Why it was important to ensure diversity in the types of Equity in Practice offerings
What differentiates Equity in Practice from traditional DEI training or learning opportunities
What we mean by “in practice”
Tips for digesting information and implementing the things you learn
How NRPA members can begin participating in the various Equity in Practice programs, and much more!

Related Links:

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month in Parks and Rec — Episode 121 Sep 20, 2022

National Hispanic Heritage Month, which takes place from September 15 through October 15 each year, is a time to celebrate the history, culture, heritage and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. This year’s theme is “Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation,” and on today’s episode, we’re celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with a park and recreation professional who is playing an integral role when it comes to honoring Hispanic Heritage Month within parks and recreation.

I am thrilled to welcome Edwin Rivera-Guzman to the show today. Edwin is a Certified Park and Recreation Professional, the manager for Recreation and Leisure Solutions, LLC, a Ph.D. student at Clemson University’s School of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Management, and the assistant social media manager for the Maryland-National Capitol Park and Planning Commission.

And, as we begin the 2022 NRPA Annual Conference in Phoenix, a city with a very large Hispanic population and culture, the timing couldn’t be any more perfect for this conversation.

Tune in to the full episode below to learn more about Edwin and all the work he’s doing to lift up Hispanic Heritage Month in parks and recreation. You’ll also learn:

An overview and history of Hispanic Heritage Month
Ways park and recreation professionals can participate and celebrate this year
How NRPA Annual Conference attendees can honor Hispanic Heritage Month while in Phoenix
Why it’s important to celebrate cultural heritage months, such as Hispanic Heritage Month?
What drives Edwin to do the work he’s so passionate about, and much more!

Related Links:

Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Professionals in Parks and Recreation Facebook Group
Contact Edwin

On the Pulse of Innovation, Inclusion and Next Practices — Episode 120 Sep 14, 2022

I am so excited for today’s episode for a few reasons: 1.) We’re officially a week away from the 2022 NRPA Annual Conference. And 2.) I’m joined today by someone who has been a big part of NRPA and this podcast, and is not only one of my favorite guests, he’s also someone I’m proud to call a friend.

Neelay Bhatt is an expert when it comes to innovation, inclusion, and helping park and recreation agencies stay on top of trends in the field. Neelay recently launched his new endeavor, Next Practice Partners, along with a stellar team of individuals committed to addressing the inclusion and innovation gap. Next Practice Partners will be helping agencies prepare for what’s next through planning, training, and technology services, and there’s no one better to be leading this mission than Neelay.

He'll also be emceeing our Best of the Best ceremony, which is taking place on Wednesday evening at the conference and is one of the best events of the year celebrating park and recreation professionals.

Tune in to our full conversation below to learn:

How Neelay began in the field and how he’s been able to build such strong relationships with park and recreation professionals and agencies
The importance of being on the pulse of upcoming trends in parks and recreation (and what next practices to be aware of)
How Next Practice Partners will help park and recreation professionals and agencies
How to avoid the “we’ve always done it this way” mindset
How we can always find common ground with someone different than us, and much more!

Related Links:

Creating a Safe Space for Youth and Teens — Episode 119 Sep 06, 2022

It’s hard to believe September is already here and in just a couple weeks, park and recreation professionals from across the country will gather in Phoenix, Arizona, at the 2022 NRPA Annual Conference. If you’ve been fortunate enough to experience this conference in the past, you know that this is the premier event for park and recreation professionals seeking to grow their network, check out some of the latest and greatest products and services, and take advantage of top-tier learning opportunities.

And, speaking of learning opportunities, I’m thrilled to be joined today by one of this year’s education session presenters, Sydney Elliott, MBA, CPRP. Sydney is a Certified Park and Recreation Professional and the youth and business coordinator for City of DeSoto Parks & Recreation in Texas. Sydney will be presenting on teen engagement at this year’s conference, and I’m excited for the opportunity to learn more about her work and get a preview of her session on today’s episode.

Tune in to our full conversation below to learn more about Sydney, how her career in parks and recreation began, and get a preview of her upcoming session. You’ll also learn:

Some of the biggest challenges to engaging youth, specifically teens, in park and recreation programming
Creative ways Sydney is engaging youth and teens in her community
Why creating safe spaces for youth and teens is critical to their development
The importance of partnerships in helping teen engagement programs thrive
What Sydney is most looking forward to the 2022 NRPA Annual Conference, and much more!

Related Links:

This episode of Open Space Radio is brought to you by support from Niagara Water. This Summer, Niagara Water is providing communities across Texas and Florida with a chance to upgrade their local park to the outdoor space of their dreams. 10 parks are nominated. 3 will be selected to win a $75,000 refresh. Vote daily for your favorite park through September 12 at NiagaraPerkYourPark.com. Niagara Water. Now that’s refreshing.

Providing Opportunities for Those Who Think Differently — September Bonus Episode Aug 18, 2022

The September issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is out now, and on today’s bonus episode of Open Space Radio, we’re diving deeper into one of this month’s feature stories, “Dr. Temple Grandin on the Importance of Outdoor Play.”

On this episode, I’m thrilled to be joined by Dr. Temple Grandin, a professor of animal science at Colorado State University, world-renowned scientist, animal behaviorist, advocate for autism and author. She has appeared on television shows such as 20/20, 48 Hours, CNN’s Larry King Live, PrimeTime Live, 60 Minutes, the Today Show and more.

In 2010, Time Magazine named Dr. Grandin one of the 100 most influential people. She has also played a key role in designing play equipment and recreational spaces that are more inclusive for people with autism and others with different minds.

And, if you’re planning to join us at the 2022 NRPA Annual Conference in Phoenix this September 20-22, you will have the opportunity to hear Dr. Grandin speak at the Best of the Best ceremony.

Tune in to hear our full conversation and learn more about Dr. Grandin. You’ll also learn:

The impact that nature and outdoor play had on Dr. Grandin from a young age
Current barriers to play and recreation for individuals with autism and others who think differently
How Dr. Grandin’s collaboration with Play & Park Structures is one of the first to address the needs of neurodivergent individuals and those with different minds who have different play needs and styles
How park and recreation agencies can make their offerings more inclusive for every member of their community
Why Dr. Grandin is excited to speak with park and recreation professionals at the 2022 NRPA Annual Conference, and more!

On a Mission to Make Aquatics More Equitable — Episode 118 Aug 16, 2022

We are just about a month away from the 2022 NRPA Annual Conference in Phoenix, Arizona, and on today’s episode of Open Space Radio, I’m thrilled to be joined by one of this year’s recipients of the NRPA Young Professional Fellowship.

The Young Professional Fellowship provides an opportunity to explore the operation of NRPA and its governing bodies at the NRPA Annual Conference. Participants meet with mentors, are recognized at the Best of the Best ceremony and more. A primary focus of the program is to inspire future participation and leadership in NRPA and to develop professional contacts in the field of parks and recreation.

Today’s guest is also someone I have been meaning to invite to the show for a while now – Kate Connell.

Kate is a Certified Park and Recreation Professional, and the Aquatics Program Supervisor for Iowa City Parks & Recreation. She is an advocate for equity in recreational water use and has assisted in providing free swimming lessons, safety education and accessible pool events. She leads training and conversations on equitable aquatics, staff training and humanness through leadership – and she does a whole lot of other cool things that we discuss on today’s episode.

Tune in to the full episode below to learn more about Kate and how she’s helping to build more inclusive, equitable communities through aquatics. You’ll also learn:

How the Equitable Aquatics community that Kate created is providing connection, training, guidance and resources for aquatics professionals
How Kate felt when she was notified about receiving NRPA’s Young Professional Fellowship and what she is looking forward to at the 2022 NRPA Annual Conference
Words of wisdom for first-time conference attendees and presenters
What drives Kate to continue pushing so that everyone can experience the power of aquatics and parks and recreation
The three Ps of inclusive aquatics: Personnel, Programming and Policies — and much more!

Related Links:

Coffee Talk Replay: How Inclusive Recreation Helps Ignacio Gallegos Find Purpose in Life — Episode 113 May 10, 2022

In the spirit of registration opening yesterday for the 2022 NRPA Annual Conference, I wanted to replay one of our Coffee Talks from last year’s conference, when I had the opportunity to talk with Ignacio Gallegos and his grandmother, Leticia DeLaFuente.

Ignacio has been a participant in the programs through Fox Valley Special Recreation Association in Illinois for the last 11 years, which he says has helped him find purpose in life. Ignacio, who was born blind, shares how the programs at Fox Valley have made him feel included, helped him participate in activities with his peers, and learn something that we have all become widely familiar with over the past few years – how to use Zoom and build connections virtually.

I hope you enjoy this conversation – and be sure to stick around until the end when Ignacio performs his favorite karaoke song, which is one of his most loved programs to participate in. And, if you enjoy this Coffee Talk, I hope you’ll join us at the 2022 NRPA Annual Conference, taking place in Phoenix, Arizona, this September 20-22. Register today at www.nrpa.org/conference.

Tune in below to learn:

What kinds of programs have improved Ignacio’s quality of life the most
What skills Ignacio has developed through the programs at Fox Valley Special Recreation
How Leticia feels witnessing her grandson thrive and immerse himself in these programs
The importance of connection and a sense of belonging
How the staff at Fox Valley Special Recreation have made their way into Leticia and Ignacio’s hearts, and much more!

This episode of Open Space Radio is sponsored by Issuu – the ideal solution to bring your park and recreation program guides to life! Issuu works seamlessly with digital tools you already use, like Canva, Dropbox or InDesign, and allows you to easily create a flipbook with interactive elements and embed it on your park and rec agency’s website or share via email and social media. You’ll also save on printing costs – some park and rec agencies have saved over $50,000 per year by taking their program guides digital with Issuu! Get started today and get 30% off annual plans – visit www.issuu.com/go/parks. The promo code is already applied!

Making Water Safety More Inclusive in Prince George’s County, Maryland — May Bonus Episode Apr 21, 2022

The May issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is out now, and on today’s bonus episode of the podcast, we’re diving deeper into one of this month’s feature stories, “Recognizing Water Safety Month.” In celebration of May being National Water Safety Month, the article explores best practices for safety in and around the water, with an emphasis on equity and inclusion. On today’s show, I am joined by the author of the article, Tara Eggleston Stewart, CPRE, division chief for aquatics and athletic facilities for the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) in Prince George’s County, Maryland.

Tara has been in the aquatics profession since she was 15 years old, and as she has grown in the profession, she has always relied on her passion for aquatics and making a difference to drive her interests and growth, versus focusing on how she might be perceived by a profession where few people looked like her or had a similar background. Aside from her work at Maryland-National Capital, Tara has also served on NRPA’s Aquatics Network, the American Red Cross’ National Training Services, the Association of Aquatic Professionals, and Diversity in Aquatics.

Tune in to the full episode below to learn more about Tara, how she got into the field of parks and recreation, and why making water safety programs more equitable and inclusive is so important. You’ll also learn:

Why drowning is a national public health crisis that disproportionately impacts communities of color and people with disabilities

How park and recreation professionals play a role in ending the drowning crisis
How M-NCPPC is fostering and supporting the development of a “water-well” community through its various programs and partnerships
How M-NCPPC’s new Southern Regional Aquatic Wellness Center was designed with accessibility in mind
How agencies can hire and retain qualified and diverse lifeguarding staff
How to engage our communities in critical conversations and activities around water safety during National Water Safety month and beyond, and much more!

Related Links:

Morale, Welfare and Recreation: Serving Those Who Serve — Episode 110 Mar 15, 2022

With around 65,000 people around the world supporting the quality of life for United States Armed Forces personnel and their families, Morale, Welfare and Recreation (or MWR) — a.k.a. Armed Forces Recreation — is a network of park and recreation professionals who serve in the military and offer everything you would see at a traditional, community-based park and recreation agency. It also is a sector of the park and recreation world that provides a lot of civilian career opportunities for students and young professionals looking to get into the field – and, as one of NRPA’s active member networks is the Armed Forces Recreation Network, I’m looking forward to chatting about a topic we haven’t covered much on today’s episode.

Joining me today are three individuals who are making huge impacts within their respective branches of the military when it comes to recreation and all the benefits it provides those who serve.

I’m thrilled to welcome John Prue, the Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) program analyst for Navy Region Mid-Atlantic and incoming chair of the NRPA Armed Forces Recreation Network; Caité Kendrick, the recreation program manager at IMCOM Readiness for the U.S. Army; and Kiersten Warren, the outdoor recreation business manager for Air Force Services.

Tune in to the full episode below as we discuss all things Armed Forces Recreation/MWR and what led each of them to a career in this field. You’ll also learn:

How access to recreational opportunities are having a positive impact on those who serve in the Navy, Army, Air Force and more
The similarities and unique differences between MWR installations and traditional, community-based local park and recreation agencies
Why MWR is essential for the physical and mental health of those serving in the military, as well as their families
What career opportunities in MWR are available (even for civilians!) and how you can learn more
Why NRPA members should join the Armed Forces Recreation Network, and much more!

Additional Resources:

Building Community Through Access to Skateparks — Episode 109 Mar 01, 2022

Regular listeners of the show know that I have a love for skateboarding, and, as many NRPA members and park and recreation professionals have been inquiring about the benefits of bringing skateparks to their communities, I’m excited for today’s episode. And, I believe you’re going to get a lot out of it if you’re one of those professionals advocating for a skatepark at your agency. On today’s episode, I’m thrilled to welcome Alec Beck, the manager of public education for The Skatepark Project, formerly known as the Tony Hawk Foundation, as well as Cecely Todacheenie, a local skateboarder from Gallup, New Mexico, who was a strong advocate and youth ambassador for a skatepark project in her community.

Cecely, who is a member of the Navajo Nation and co-owner of Enchantment Skate Shop with her husband, Jeremy, developed a love for skateboarding after finding it was a positive outlet for dealing with a traumatic event in her life. When she noticed a need in her community for a safe, accessible space to participate in this activity she loves, she worked with City of Gallup officials, as well as Alec and The Skatepark Project, to make the Gallup Skatepark — a free, public skatepark for skateboarding, roller skating, biking and more — a reality.

Tune in to the full episode below to learn more about The Skatepark Project and why the Gallup Skatepark and other skateparks across the country are such powerful tools for building community. You’ll also learn:

How The Skatepark Project is bringing more skateparks to local communities
How Cecely engaged her community and advocated for the Gallup Skatepark
How skateparks can be a catalyst for equity and inclusion in a community
The importance of breaking down the stigma associated with skateboarding and skateparks
What steps a park and recreation agency should take when considering building a skatepark
What skateboarding means to Cecely and Alec, and much more!

Related Links:

Shaping the Future With Next Practices in Parks and Recreation — Episode 107 Jan 18, 2022

I am so excited for today’s episode for a few reasons. One, I’m always excited when I get to have a wonderful conversation for an episode of Open Space Radio. Two, I really enjoy learning about the innovative things happening in parks and recreation that are helping to create stronger, healthier, more resilient communities. And three, I’m joined by one of my all-time favorite guests of the show today, Neelay Bhatt.

Neelay is Vice President and Principal of PROS Consulting, and he recently published an article in Parks & Recreation magazine titled, “Next Practices for the Post-Pandemic 2020s.” While Neelay always seems to have his finger on the pulse of what’s coming up in parks and recreation, it was his distinction of the words “next practices,” as opposed to “best practices,” that inspired me to invite him on today’s episode.

This idea of reframing the use of the phrase “best practices” has been swirling around in my own head for a bit, and our friend Marissa Moravec of the Let’s Talk Parks podcast recently did an episode with Neelay’s colleague, Jason Elissalde, to talk about this and how best practices are rooted in the past and don’t leave much room for the idea that we can always do better.

On this episode, Neelay further explains some of the next practices to be aware of and the roles they will play in how park and recreation professionals serve their communities. Tune in to the full episode below to learn what the future of parks and recreation may look like in terms of programming, placemaking, financing and more. You’ll also learn:

The difference between park and recreation professionals providing an offering vs. an experience.
How park and recreation professionals can ensure they are prioritizing people and creating true belonging.
What sport may be coming to the U.S. and becoming part of your programming sooner than you think.
Why we should continue telling our park and recreation story at every opportunity.
How Neelay’s grandmother (Dadu) impacted his life and inspired him to be the person he is today, and so much more!

Harnessing Our Power to Create Space and Positive Change — Episode 106 Jan 04, 2022

We are back for a new year of amazing stories and I can’t wait for all the conversations taking place this year on Open Space Radio! To kick off 2022, I’m thrilled to welcome someone who is making some big waves in the outdoor recreation industry.

Dani Reyes-Acosta is a mountain athlete and storyteller rewriting the narrative of who plays outside and how we build community with others on this planet. Originally from Southern California, she has traveled through Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Peru, Andorra, Canada and the U.S. building her mountain craft since 2014, when she graduated from corporate life with a one-way ticket to South America.

A splitboarder, rock climber, mountain runner, and waterwoman, she has been featured in the Washington Post, She Explores, Women on the Road, the Los Angeles Times and regional publications throughout the American West.

Currently partnered with Protect Our Winters, Salomon, Suunto, Trail Butter, Anon Optics and Athletic Brewing, her mission is to inspire individual action and collective communion through self-care and self-determination found in the outdoors. She also works very closely with Latino Outdoors, whose vision is a world where all Latino communities enjoy nature as a safe, inclusive and welcoming place – a world where the outdoors is a place to share and celebrate stories, knowledge and culture, while growing leadership and an active community of Latino outdoor users, mentors and stewards.

Dani’s goal as a mountain athlete is to find the limits of her possible, searching for high peaks and ski lines that tell the story of Mother Earth's most impacted places.

Tune in to the episode below to learn more about Dani, how her love for the outdoors began, and the mission she is on as an athlete and storyteller exploring the human experience. You’ll also learn:

How has access to the outdoors has personally played a role in Dani’s life.
Why human-centered design is so critical when thinking of public spaces.
The importance of being a responsible steward of the land and how local park and recreation professionals can provide educational opportunities around environmental stewardship.
How park and recreation professionals can support both tourism and their local community members in their parks and programs.
How we can use our power to create space for those who have historically been underrepresented or left out of outdoor recreation conversations.
What Dani’s most proud of thus far in her work, and much more!

Related Links:

The Year in Review: A Listen Back at Your Favorite Episodes of 2021 — Episode 105 Dec 21, 2021

It’s so hard to believe that we’re coming to the end of another year. And, with all the hope we had going into 2021 after a traumatic 2020, I think it’s safe to say that this was also a very difficult year. That’s not to say there weren’t a lot of positive things to happen this year, but I just wanted to start by acknowledging the fact that 2021 was hard — for me, for a lot of you, for us. But, if you’re still showing up, whatever that looks like at the moment, I see you and I applaud you. It’s not easy — and especially not in the work that many of you do. But, we made it through the year together.

It’s rare that I get on the podcast to just do a monologue — and honestly, it feels kind of strange not having a conversation with someone else for this episode — but I wanted to end the year with a huge thank you to you, our listeners, for going through this year with me and all of the wonderful guests who have shared their stories on the show this year. It was a year of some of the best conversations I’ve ever had the privilege of being a part of, a year of milestones, and also a bit of a bittersweet year as we said goodbye to my longtime cohost, colleague and friend, Roxanne Sutton, as she moved on from NRPA to, well, be the boss that she is! We still miss her endless wisdom on the podcast, though.

This year we released our 100th official episode, we surpassed 100,000 downloads of the show – which, I can’t thank you enough for continuing to listen that many times. We were also nominated by Blue Ridge Magazine for the Best of the Blue Ridge awards, which we’ll be finding out the results of in February – so another thank you to everyone who voted for the podcast!

All of those milestones are due to your continued support and the amazing individuals who have been open to sharing their experiences. So, today we’re listening back at some of the most popular episodes from this year. The things these folks shared on the podcast taught me so much this year on a deeply personal level, and I hope you feel the same.

Tune in to the full episode below as I reflect on each of these 13 most-downloaded episodes from 2021 and share inspiring messages from guests of each episode:

The Park and Recreation Movement in Mexico and Beyond — Episode 104 Dec 07, 2021

On today’s episode of Open Space Radio, I’m excited to be replaying one of the Coffee Talks I hosted at the 2021 NRPA Annual Conference back in September. So, if you weren’t able to join us at the conference, I’m glad you’ll be able to hear this conversation today with Luis Romahn. Luis is the president, CEO and founder of Parques de México and the National Association of Parks and Recreation Mexico, also known as ANPR.

Luis has led ANPR for the last six years, offering its members professional development, networking and employment opportunities. He has been instrumental in shaping the profession in Mexico through research, standards, data and advocacy, and is doing great work to promote the value of parks and recreation in Mexico. Among his many accomplishments throughout his life, he is also the author of the book, “Building My Park – From Citizen Participation to the Administration of Public Space.”

Luis is also part of the Emerging Urban Leaders Cohort Program through the Salzburg Global Seminar and World Urban Parks, which is a program that provides spaces for emerging urban leaders to collectively advance critical urban parks work across the globe.

Tune in to the full episode below to learn more about Luis and his journey to creating a park and recreation movement in Mexico and beyond. You’ll also learn:

What led Luis to pursue a career in parks and recreation
Why there was a need for creating a national association for park and recreation professionals in Mexico
How the profession is growing across Mexico and Latin America
How having a network of global park and recreation leaders is helping Luis and ANPR advance their work at home in Mexico
How park and recreation professionals in the U.S. can be helpful to Luis and his colleagues in Mexico as they continue to build this movement, and more!

Related Links:

How Unlikely Hikers Is Creating Community and Belonging Outside — Episode 103 Nov 23, 2021

Last week we celebrated National Take a Hike Day, and today on the show we’re continuing our celebrations of the Hike Your Turf campaign in partnership with our friends at Merrell. All month long, we’ve been discussing the importance of getting outside and the need for equitable access to parks, trails, green spaces and more.

On today’s episode, I’m so excited to welcome one of Merrell’s ambassadors to chat about her journey to becoming an outdoor leader, advocate and community builder. Jenny Bruso is the founder of Unlikely Hikers, which is an incredible community she created when she discovered a connection with nature, but found outdoor culture to be hostile to those who don’t fit the white, straight-size, cishet-normative, able-bodied mold.

Unlikely Hikers is a diverse, anti-racist, body-liberating outdoor community featuring the underrepresented outdoorsperson. I’m so grateful to Jenny for joining me on the show to discuss how this community is creating a sense of belonging for people who are often underrepresented or made to feel like they don't have a place in outdoor spaces.

Tune in to the full episode below to learn more about Jenny and her inspiration behind creating Unlikely Hikers. You’ll also learn:

How Jenny reframes what it means to be “outdoorsy.”
How Unlikely Hikers is showing the diverse ways people are getting outside and creating space for the underrepresented outdoorsperson.
How the changing seasons are a great metaphor for the changes we go through in life.
The importance of honoring Indigenous communities and acknowledging the stolen lands we are recreating on.
How Jenny feels when she hears someone went on their first hike because of something they saw on Unlikely Hikers.
Why we should challenge the notion of “being our best selves” all the time and just do the best with what we’ve got, and a whole lot more good stuff!

Related Links:

Inspiring Others to Experience the Fullness of Their Humanity — Episode 102 Nov 09, 2021

It’s hard to believe, but it is already November. One of my favorite things to do this time of year is get outside and take in all the beautiful fall foliage and crisp air here in Virginia, and I’m fortunate to have some great trails close to my home, which has really benefitted my physical and mental health. So, I’m thrilled that NRPA is once again partnering with Merrell for the Hike Your Turf campaign this month, which focuses on encouraging everyone to get outside and explore their local parks and trails, as well as the importance of equitable access to these spaces.

The campaign leads up to National Take a Hike Day on November 17, so be sure to share all the ways you’re celebrating on social media using #HikeYourTurf — Merrell will donate $1 to NRPA for every post using that hashtag, as well as $5 for every email signup on their website!

One way we’re celebrating this campaign is by welcoming today’s guest Mirna Valerio — one of Merrell’s ambassadors — to the podcast. Mirna was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, and she is a former educator, cross-country coach, ultrarunner, obstacle course enthusiast, and author of A Beautiful Work in Progress.

Although she began running in high school, Mirna recommitted to the sport after a health scare in 2008. It was then that her love for running and all its attendant benefits were reignited. She soon started her blog Fatgirlrunning, about her experiences as a larger woman in a world of thinner athletes. Mirna's writing and athletic story have been featured in tons of publications, and in the viral REI-produced documentary short, The Mirnavator. She was also chosen as a 2018 National Geographic Adventurer of the Year.

Tune in to the full episode below to learn more about Mirna, her passion for running and the outdoors, and what compelled her to begin sharing her story, which has inspired so many. You’ll also learn:

How access to local parks and trails has personally benefitted Mirna’s life.
What she is most proud of among her many accomplishments.
How she unplugs and embraces self-care
How park and recreation professionals can “allow people to live, to experience, and to express the fullness of their humanity every time and all the time.”
Why you should #HikeYourTurf on November 17, and more!

Other Links:

Coffee Talk Replay: Continuing to Center Equity in All We Do — Episode 101 Oct 26, 2021

Today, I’m excited to once again be sharing a replay of one of the Coffee Talks I hosted during the 2021 NRPA Annual Conference back in September. As you may know, last week NRPA released a new resource – the Equity Language Guide. We know that words matter and that language has the power to uplift as well as marginalize – but sometimes finding the “right” words to use can be difficult. The guide serves as a glossary of terms to help park and recreation professionals develop a common language around diversity, equity and inclusion. It also provides guidance to help people become familiar with terms they may not be aware of and best practices for making your writing accessible. I highly encourage you to download the guide and consider the ways you can begin using more inclusive language.

With that being said, I thought replaying my Coffee Talk with Autumn Saxton-Ross, NRPA’s vice president of education and chief equity officer would be relevant for today’s episode. We discussed Autumn’s first year with NRPA, how she’s been approaching NRPA’s equity work in the field of parks and recreation, and how NRPA is continuing to center equity in all that we do. Please note this conversation was recorded prior to the release of the Equity Language Guide, so Autumn describes it as an upcoming resource – but, you can access it here now.

You’ll also notice that Autumn and I ask listeners to share ideas in the “discussion forum” throughout the conversation – since the discussion forums were part of the original Coffee Talk at the conference, I’d invite you to leave your ideas in the comments below, share them with me on our Open Space Radio Instagram page, or email them to me at openspace@nrpa.org.

I hope you enjoy this conversation, and I hope it inspires you to continue to center equity in all that you do, as well. You’ll also learn:

How we can ensure that parks and recreation is accessible and inclusive for the whole
How NRPA is supporting its members in achieving more equitable outcomes in their communities.
Small, but impactful, ways you can begin implementing more equitable policies at your agency.
What resources and opportunities NRPA members can expect in the future.
How you can get involved in the conversations around developing equity-related resources for the field, and more!

Resources discussed in this episode:

Out-of-School Time Programs: Essential for Health and Well-Being — Episode 100 Oct 12, 2021

First, I want to take a moment to mention that today’s episode is episode 100 of Open Space Radio! We’ve technically released more than 100 if you include bonus episodes, but since this is “officially” episode 100, I just wanted to thank YOU for listening to the podcast every other week and continuing to show your support.

As you may know, a few weeks ago at the 2021 NRPA Annual Conference, I had the privilege of hosting Coffee Talks and having some really great conversations with some really great people about issues happening in parks and recreation. On today’s episode, I’m excited to share one of those Coffee Talks with you if you weren’t able to join us for the conference.

On this Coffee Talk, I was joined by three brilliant individuals to discuss the importance of out-of-school time (OST) programs and how they can continue to support equitable access to learning, community healing, and the health and well-being of youth as we enter the back-to-school transition.

My guests were Brodrick Clarke, vice president of programs at National Summer Learning Association; Daniel Hatcher, director of community partnerships at Alliance for a Healthier Generation; and NRPA’s own director of health, Allison Colman. This was a wonderful conversation and provided a lot of insight into how park and recreation professionals can continue to support kids and youth now that school is back in session.

Tune in below to hear the full replay of this Coffee Talk. You’ll also learn:

The ways in which the challenges of the last year and a half have impacted the social-emotional health of youth.
How OST providers are stepping up and providing solutions to support equitable access to opportunities for learning, healing and connection.
How park and recreation professionals can partner with other community-based providers to address many of the issues our youth are facing.
How NRPA is supporting its members who are providing OST programs in their communities.
How providers of OST programs helped support a safe, healthy back-to-school transition this fall, and more!

Also, be sure to check out all the great work going on (and available resources!) at Alliance for a Healthier Generation and National Summer Learning Association.

On a Mission to End Playspace Inequity for Good — Episode 099 Sep 28, 2021

One of the core elements of parks and recreation is not something super profound or complicated, but it is absolutely essential. When we get down to it, parks and recreation is about play. Play is an essential component of learning, development, creativity, connection, health and well-being, and so much more – and especially for kids.

But, the reality is that there is a long history of Black, Indigenous and people of color being systemically excluded from, or made to feel unwelcome, in spaces like parks and playgrounds – the primary places people go to play. This history has created barriers that have for many years denied kids in many communities the benefits of play, as well as perpetuated inequities in access to these spaces.

One organization that is working to end playspace inequity for good is KABOOM! KABOOM! unites with communities to build kid-designed playspaces that can spark joy and foster a sense of belonging for the kids who are often denied opportunities to thrive.

Being that KABOOM! and NRPA are very much aligned in centering equity in all we do, I’m so thrilled to welcome Lysa Ratliff, CEO of KABOOM!, to the show today to chat a little bit about her passion for play, the importance of community engagement, and a whole lot of other great things going on with KABOOM!.

Tune in below to learn more about Lysa and KABOOM!, as well as:

KABOOM!’s thoughtful approach to community engagement.
The benefits that KABOOM!’s playspaces are providing in the communities they work with.
Why Lysa believes “Play is the currency of humanity.”
How KABOOM! is working with local park and recreation agencies on the ground in local communities.
How partnerships play a role in the impact KABOOM! is making, and more!

To learn more about KABOOM!, click here.

Leaving a Lasting Legacy in The Big Apple Through a Culture of Care — Episode 098 Sep 14, 2021

When this episode airs, we will be exactly a week away from the 2021 NRPA Annual Conference, taking place both virtually and in Nashville, Tennessee. It’s going to be three dynamic days of learning, networking, inspiring conversation and so much more, and I can’t wait until things get started next Tuesday. In the meantime, I’m honored to chat with someone today who I have been meaning to invite on the podcast for a while now.

Mitchell Silver recently wrapped up a seven-year tenure as parks commissioner for the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, and he is an award-winning planner with more than 35 years of experience. And as of August, he is principal and vice president of urban planning for McAdams, where he is responsible for providing advisory services in urban planning, land-use, parks and public space planning with an emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion.

Simply put, Silver is a community builder and internationally recognized leader who has made invaluable contributions to the field of parks and recreation, and I’m thrilled to welcome him today to chat about his career, and possibly get a sneak peek at his keynote presentation on day two of the NRPA Annual Conference next week.

Tune in to the full episode below to learn more about Silver, his extensive career and the importance of creating a culture of care. You’ll also learn:

How Silver’s background in planning helped redefine NYC Parks, especially in service of equity.
Why he thinks parks are the heart of a city.
What he’s done right throughout his career, and what he may have done differently.
How he reassured his staff that the culture he created will continue beyond him serving as commissioner.
Why parks and recreation should be part of a city’s healthcare system, and more!

Don’t Miss Coffee Talks at the 2021 NRPA Annual Conference — Bonus Episode Aug 24, 2021

Things have been very busy here at NRPA as we gear up for the 2021 NRPA Annual Conference coming up September 21-23. So busy, in fact, that we don’t have a new episode of Open Space Radio for you today, but I wanted to take the opportunity on our regularly scheduled release day to release a bonus episode just to give you a sneak peak of what I’ve been working on for conference.

Over the past couple weeks, I’ve been recording some really incredible conversations for our Coffee Talks that will be taking place at the conference. These Coffee Talks will be airing each morning and evening during the conference on the virtual platform, and I’ll be talking with park and recreation professionals, program participants, community leaders, NRPA staff and more, about the important work and the incredible stories that happen in parks and recreation. So, here are the brilliant guests who will be joining me for Coffee Talks at this year’s conference:

Day One

Morning: Autumn Saxton-Ross, NRPA’s vice president of education and chief equity officer, will join me for the first Coffee Talk to discuss how her first year at NRPA has gone, what she’s been up to, and provide an update on how NRPA is continuing to center equity in all we do.
Evening: Ignacio Gallegos, a participant at Fox Valley Special Recreation Association in Illinois and his grandmother, Leticia DeLaFuente, will share how the programs at Fox Valley have made Ignacio, who was born blind, feel included, helped him participate and given him purpose in life.

Day Two

Morning: Jodie Adams, a parks director emeritus and past president of the NRPA BOD, will talk about an NRPA oral history project that we’ll be integrating into the podcast in the months ahead. We’ll be discussing the history of NRPA as an organization, lessons learned and some amazing stories from previous leaders.
Evening: Luis Romahn, the president, CEO and founder of Parques de México and the National Association of Parks and Recreation Mexico, will discuss all the great work he and his organization are doing to build a park and recreation movement in Mexico and areas of Latin America, and how professionals in the U.S. can support.

Day Three

Morning: Kim and Claude Walker of the Tennessee-based Abundant Life Adventure Club (who have also previously been guests of Open Space Radio) will be updating me on all the incredible things they’ve been up to and how they’re empowering Black people to spend time in nature to inspire wellness, abundant living and connection.
Evening: Brodrick Clarke, vice president of programs for National Summer Learning Association, Daniel Hatcher, director of community partnerships for Alliance for a Healthier Generation, and Allison Colman, NRPA’s director of health, join me for a conversation about the importance of out-of-school time programs and how they can continue to support equitable access to learning, community healing, and the health and well-being of youth.

I sincerely hope you will join us for the 2021 NRPA Annual Conference, whether in Nashville or virtually. And, I hope you’ll join me and the guests above for some great conversation each morning and evening on the virtual platform. So, be sure to head over to the conference webpage to register! But, if you aren’t able to join, don’t worry — some of these Coffee Talks also will be released throughout the year as episodes of the podcast!

As always, thank you for everything you do and thanks for your continued support of the show. I’ll be back in two weeks, and we’ll be back to our regularly scheduled stories that showcase how essential parks and recreation truly is. Talk to you then!

Our Park and Recreation Community Poem: Everything Around You… — Episode 097 Aug 10, 2021

Park and Recreation Month — which is obviously the best month in the park and recreation profession, just wrapped up at the end of July, and I’m excited to share one of the many things we did this year on today’s episode. This year for Park and Recreation Month, in partnership with New York Times bestselling author Kwame Alexander, we created a community poem — one poem compiled from many voices, about what parks and recreation means to people.

We asked members of the park and recreation community to submit original poems about parks and recreation, and Kwame took pieces from each poem and combined them into one single community poem, titled, “Everything Around You…” So, I thought it would be fun to unveil the poem on a special edition of the podcast today.

You can hear Kwame read the final community poem on this episode, as well as read the full text of the poem in the description. You also can see Kwame read the poem if you are planning to join us at the 2021 NRPA Annual Conference in Nashville this September.

Thank you to everyone who submitted to our community poem this July, and a huge thank you to Kwame Alexander for using his incredible talents to help bring everyone’s voices together into one beautiful collective message.

Everything Around You: Our Park and Recreation Story

You arrive and everything around you is green:

The trees, the flowers, the very soil that feeds this planet and that's just the start.

All day everything around you is performing a classic symphony of breathtaking outdoor beauty grounded in the magnificence of wild simplicity in picturesque form:

bison, coyotes, swans, eagles a mama duck prodding her ducklings a sunbathing frog the Lady Slipper anxious squirrels wrestling for their fair share of forbidden fruit.

This is your place.

A sanctuary of hammockers battered straw hats picnic blankets labradoodles and pugs toddlers and mums in blue and red frocks, the gardener weeding in mismatched socks.

Everything around you is alive and well and it occurs to you that you're part of something bigger that when you step into a park it feels so good to congregate with family and friends to walk through woods to take a pulse check—slow down, breathe clean air to be one on one with the sun syncing life's rhythm inside you.

A day like today you simply can't stay inside.

Though rain may fall, on the trail you'll glide.

Everything around you is quiet and chill.

Days like today you don't want to be still.

Everything around you is history Days like today will never grow old.

O, in my soul I am a child again

I am nine years old The paths are covered in brown leaves They're crunchy! The air smells beautiful.

O, in my soul I am free again.

I am fifteen. Running to baseball practice a few minutes late again. Coach smiles pats my shoulder. An osprey flies by O look he has gone fishing.

Everything around you is a bridge—connecting you to nature, to neighbors, to yourself.

Everything around you is home. A place we've always dreamed about: sustainable systems supporting economies crossing boundaries solving problems a sense of belonging growing community a sense of belonging.

Everything around you is a story is a fallen tree is a soaring heron is a lazy river is a drumbeat of dragonfly wings is purple and blue hues is a paintbrush palette of botanical shades is mountain air, glass mirror lakes, and open skies is the cold gray of the past year. is heartbreak is lockdown is love is nature anticipating is tranquil peace is poetic meditation is no more class is children playing in summer is hiking is heat is hope is family reunion.

This. Is. Your. Place.

To live to learn to work to farm to play with everything around you.

A Community Poem compiled by Kwame AlexanderFor the National Recreation and Park AssociationAugust 2021

A Podcast for Any Chapter in Your Parks and Rec Journey — Episode 096 Jul 27, 2021

With the rise in digital content, it’s easier than ever to deliver a targeted message to your intended audience. And, one type of digital content that I’m a particular fan of is podcasting, which continues to be a platform that is seeing tremendous growth. On today’s episode, you’ll meet the hosts of two other podcasts related to parks and recreation, as we discuss why we’re so passionate about podcasting, what listeners can gain from each one of our podcasts, and how easily accessible content and resources — like podcasts — are benefiting park and recreation professionals in their careers.

I’m joined today by Becky Dunlap, who is one of the hosts of the Let’s Talk Parks podcast, and Paul Gilbert, who hosts a podcast called Strategic Leadership with Paul Gilbert. While all three of our podcasts are different, our missions are very much aligned — to support park and recreation professionals, provide inspiration and lift up stories of the good work going on in the field.

Tune in below to learn about each one of our podcasts, as well as:

What park and recreation professionals can gain from listening to podcasts about our field.
How podcasts and other digital content are different from materials and resources that have been previously available.
How our three podcasts can help a wide range of park and recreation professionals, regardless of where they are in their careers.
How digital content has evolved and where it might be going in the future.
What moments have been meaningful for us as podcast hosts, and more!

To learn more and listen to Let’s Talk Parks and Strategic Leadership, visit:

Enhancing Stewardship and Access to the Tennessee River — August Bonus Episode Jul 15, 2021

The August issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is out now, and on today’s episode, we’re diving deeper into one of this month’s feature stories, titled, “A River Runs Through It.” The article explores the Tennessee RiverLine and the partners who worked to advance stewardship and equitable access to the 652-mile Tennessee River.

Joining me today is the author of the article, and previous guest of Open Space Radio, Kathleen Gibi, the executive director for Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful. Kathleen is also a member of Parks & Recreation magazine’s Editorial Advisory Board. We’re also joined by Brad Collett, the director of Tennessee RiverLine, to have a conversation about the good work that’s happening on the Tennessee River and in the surrounding communities.

Tune in to the full episode below to learn more about the Tennessee RiverLine’s vision of establishing a continuous system of paddling, hiking and biking trails that spans the route of the 652-mile Tennessee River. You’ll also learn:

Why so many people turned to the water during the COVID-19 pandemic.
How the Tennessee RiverLine can be used by visitors spending weeks exploring or those just taking day trips to enjoy a certain section of the river (think the water version of the Appalachian Trail).
How Tennessee RiverLine is ensuring all people have equitable access to the river and recreational opportunities it provides.
What a system like the Tennessee RiverLine means for all the communities along the river that it connects.
What efforts are being made to make sure people take pride in the river and help keep it clean, maintained and protected.
How partnerships have been critical in making this vision a reality, and more!

Learn more:

The Genesis Project: How a Mother Is Keeping Her Son’s Spirit Alive — Episode 095 Jul 13, 2021

*Content note: In this episode, you will meet Jennifer Holmes, a mother who tragically lost her son, Genesis, in a drowning accident. This episode contains an emotional account of her traumatic experience, so please listen with care when you feel you are able to, as the content may be triggering for some listeners. If you are unable to listen but want to learn more, please visit the links below for more information on The Genesis Project.

We are just about at the halfway point of Park and Recreation Month, and it has been so inspiring to see how many people are embracing the theme of “Our Park and Recreation Story” and sharing their heartfelt stories, memories and experiences related to parks and recreation.

One story that caught our attention — and really moved a lot of us on NRPA staff — is that of Jennifer Holmes from Charleston County, South Carolina, and I’m honored to welcome her, as well as Gina Ellis-Strother, the chief administration officer for Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission (CCPRC), to the show today.

In 2014, Jennifer’s 13-year-old son, Genesis, tragically drowned in a local pond because he didn’t know how to swim. After Genesis’ drowning, the Genesis Project was established, which aims to raise funds to offer aquatic safety programs in rural areas of Charleston County, alongside CCPRC. Despite her grief and her own fear of water, Jennifer not only conquered her fears and learned to swim, she also volunteered with the Charleston County Parks Foundation to offer swim lessons and water safety instructions to rural areas of the community.

What’s more, when CCPRC opened the West County Aquatic Center in June 2019 in the same small town in which Genesis drowned, Jennifer was one of the lifeguards on duty. And, in keeping Genesis’ spirit alive, the pool at the aquatic center is now named, “The Genesis Pool.”

Tune in to the full episode to learn more about the incredible young man Genesis Holmes was, as well as how Jennifer has channeled her grief into ensuring other families in rural Charleston County don’t have to experience the same loss she and her family experienced. You’ll also learn:

How Jennifer’s faith and the support of her community gave her strength in a time of pain.
How The Genesis Project is raising awareness and providing education about swim lessons and water safety.
How CCPRC is addressing access to water safety resources and education in rural areas of Charleston County and meeting community members where they are.
How Jennifer felt when she conquered her own fear of water and received her lifeguard certification.
What the relationship between Jennifer and Gina has meant to each of them during this time, and more!

Additional Resources:

Fostering an LGBTQ+ Inclusive Environment in Parks and Recreation — Episode 094 Jun 29, 2021

As we continue to lift up stories of inclusion in celebration of Pride Month, my colleagues Allison Colman, NRPA’s director of health, and Teresa Morrisey, a program manager on NRPA’s Park Access team, recently published a blog post on the Open Space blog titled, “A Pathway to Trans Inclusion in Youth Sports.” I highly recommend checking it out to learn more about building more inclusive environments where all people, regardless of their gender identity or expression, are welcomed, accepted and fully able to participate in park and recreation facilities and programming — including recreational sports. One of the individuals featured in the blog post was Peyton O’Conner, AICP, CPRE, CNP, CYSA (they/she), the parks and recreation director for Buncombe County in Asheville, North Carolina. I’m thrilled to welcome Peyton to the show today to have a conversation around LGBTQ+ inclusion in parks and rec, as well as discuss the good work they’re doing in Buncombe County.

When NRPA released guidance on transgender inclusion in youth sports back in April, Peyton reached out in support, and expressed the need for expanding this guidance to adult recreational sports, as well. Peyton has been instrumental in advocating for LGBTQ+ inclusion in their community and in park and recreation programming, and has been on a mission to implement an inclusion policy for trans kids at their agency. And, as we’re also looking ahead to Park and Recreation Month in July and this year’s theme of “Our Park and Recreation Story,” I thought it would be a great opportunity for listeners to hear Peyton’s story, as well.

Tune in to the full episode below to learn more about how Peyton is using their own experience as a member of the LGBTQ+ community to advocate for creating more inclusive spaces and programs in parks and recreation. You’ll also learn:

What compelled Peyton to reach out to NRPA when they first noticed the guidance on transgender inclusion in youth sports.
The importance of approaching conversations about LGBTQ+ inclusion the same as any other anti-discrimination policy — based on a set of facts and not up for discussion or debate.
How Peyton’s agency realized they needed a formal inclusion policy for trans kids, and how their staff and community responded.
How park and recreation professionals can advocate for more inclusive policies in their own communities.
How small changes, like using individuals’ preferred pronouns and gender-neutral restrooms, can have a huge impact, and much more!

Our Park and Recreation Story: How One Family Finds Peace in Parks — July Bonus Episode Jun 17, 2021

The July issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is out now, which not only means it’s time for a bonus episode, it also means that we’re only a few days away from July, and Park and Recreation Month is extremely close. As you may know, each year for Park and Recreation Month, we host a cover contest for the July issue of the magazine. Each year we receive so many incredible photos and stories illustrating how parks and recreation is impacting communities across the country, and this year was no different. While you’ll be seeing many of the submissions throughout Park and Recreation Month on NRPA’s social media, there was one photo and story that really stood out to our esteemed selection committee – and that’s the photo on the graphic for today’s episode, as well as on the cover of the July issue.

A great photo isn’t just a photo, though — it tells a story. I’m so thrilled to be joined by three individuals on the show today — who you can also read about in the July cover story — who all play a role in the story behind this year’s winning photo. Joining me are Jenna Brinkman, the public affairs manager for Cosumnes Community Services District (CSD) in Elk Grove, California; Craig Pattenaude, the marketing and communications specialist for Cosumnes CSD (who is the photographer who took the incredible photo); and David Phommavong, a member of the Elk Grove community and the father of the child in the photo, Khuan.

On today’s episode, they share the heartwarming story behind this photo and how Jenna and Craig’s team are helping David and his family find peace in what can be a painful world for Khuan, who was diagnosed with moderate to severe Autism Spectrum Disorder when he was 2 years old, as well as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and sensory processing disorder.

Tune in to the full episode below to learn about how Cosumnes CSD is helping Khuan, and others, experience the world without barriers, as well as:

How photography has helped Cosumnes CSD better tell the stories of their diverse community, as well as the various offerings their district provides.
How connecting with David and Khuan made the staff at Cosumnes CSD feel about the important work they do.
How Cosumnes CSD’s parks are helping the Phommavong family “find bearing in life.”
Why parks and nature are some of the only places Khuan can find peace and not experience the physical pain that comes with sensory processing disorder.
What Jenna, Craig and David’s favorite park memories are, and more!

Why the Essence of Equity-Centered Work Is Organizational Change — Episode 093 Jun 15, 2021

In line with keeping equity at the center of all we do, NRPA recently released a suite of diversity, equity and inclusion resources for park and recreation professionals. NRPA’s mission of advancing parks, recreation and environmental conservation efforts that enhance the quality of life for all people depends on equity being central to our work. An important piece of this – which is included in these DEI resources in the form of a very insightful story map — is understanding how our history brought us to the inequities in access to parks and recreation that still exist today. In fact, we estimate that as many as 100 million people (or 30 percent of the U.S. population) lack access to the lifesaving and life-enhancing benefits parks and recreation provides.

In considering how we work to close that gap, NRPA has been on a journey to strengthen our organizational culture and practices centered around equity. One individual who has played a big part in some of our NRPA all-staff conversations around this work is Mickey Fearn. Mickey has been a public servant — and parks, recreation and conservation professional — for over 50 years, and recently retired after seven years at North Carolina State University’s School of Natural Resources, where he taught about diversity and equity in parks and recreation. He previously served as the National Park Service’s Deputy Director from 2008-2013, and was a long-time employee of the City of Seattle, where he worked on social justice issues, access to nature and other critical work.

Tune in to the episode below to learn more about Mickey’s extensive career, why he’s so passionate about equity-related work, and why he loves the Stevie Wonder lyric, “I reach out for the part of me that lives in you.” You’ll also learn about:

Some of the defining moments of Mickey’s life and his obsession with learning how relationships work.
How he felt after attending the March on Washington in 1963 and witnessing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech.
How his perspective and experience working in innovation, community engagement and equity have given him a unique view of how systems need to change in order to serve everyone.
Why he feels “your job chooses you, you don’t choose your job.”
How park and recreation professionals play an important role in teaching about and celebrating differences among our community members, as well as the history of our communities.
The significance of celebrating Juneteenth (which is coming up on Saturday, June 19) and much more!

Creating a Culture of Transgender Inclusion in Sports — Episode 092 Jun 01, 2021

Today is the first day of Pride Month, yet, as we kick off this month-long celebration designed to achieve equal justice and equal opportunity for the LGBTQ+ community, we continue to see many states introducing harmful legislation aimed at preventing transgender youth from participating in sports. At NRPA, it’s our position that being recognized as the gender with which you identify is a basic human right. Meaning that for the purposes of recreational sports, youth should be allowed to participate in the gender with which they identify. Last month, NRPA published guidance to empower park and recreation professionals to build more inclusive sport environments that welcome all youth into programming. Today we look forward to building on this guidance through a conversation with someone who is doing incredible work in this space. 

We are thrilled to welcome Chris Mosier (he/him) to the podcast today. Chris is a trailblazing athlete, coach and the founder of TransAthlete.com. He is a six-time member of Team USA, and in 2015 he became the first openly transgender man to represent the United States in international competition. He was the catalyst for change for the International Olympic Committee policy on transgender athletes and has been called “the man who changed the Olympics” by the BBC and New York Magazine. He is also a two-time National Champion and the first transgender athlete to compete in the Olympic Trials in any sport in a category different than their sex assigned at birth. Chris is a go-to source for policy and information on transgender inclusion in sports, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome him to the show today.

Tune in to the full episode below to learn more about Chris’s story, what all of these ‘firsts’ mean to him, and why his motto is, “Be who you needed when you were younger.” You’ll also learn:

How we can apply the same principles used in changing the International Olympic Committee’s policy on trans athletes for adult and youth recreational sports.
Why Chris started Transathlete.com, a resource for students, athletes, coaches and administrators about trans inclusion in athletics.
What advice he would give to park and recreation professionals trying to create cultures of inclusion in their communities where everyone can thrive.
How to take action against recently proposed bills in many states that would prevent transgender youth from participating in sports.
Why we need to consider people and our facilities when implementing more inclusive policies.
What Chris has planned for Pride Month, and more!

Additional resources:

Transathlete website
Transathlete action items (to see state bills and take action)
Follow Chris on Instagram
Follow Chris on Twitter
Chris Mosier's website
NRPA: Supporting Transgender Inclusion in Youth Sports
NRPA Webinar: Transgender Inclusion in Sports: 101 (taking place June 17, 2021 at 3 p.m. EDT)

Caring for the Mental Well-Being of Our Staff and Communities — June Bonus Episode May 20, 2021

The June issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is out now, and on today’s bonus episode of the podcast, we’ll be diving deeper into one of this month’s feature stories, “Mental Health Care in a Pandemic.” In the article, Parks & Recreation’s Associate Editor Lindsay Hogeboom explored the ways park and recreation agencies have provided mental health services to their staff and their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On today’s episode, I’m thrilled to be chatting with two individuals who were featured in the article to learn a little more about how their agencies have navigated supporting their communities during a difficult time, while also experiencing many of the same challenges their community members have been facing. Joining me today are Shelly Strasser, the director of recreation and community services for West Allis-West Milwaukee School District in Wisconsin, and Mike Shull, the general manager of City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks in California.

Tune in to the full episode below to learn how Shelly and Mike are caring for the mental health of their staff members and community, as well as:

How their departments have been navigating the mental health challenges of COVID-19.
How staff at West Allis-West Milwaukee School District have partnered with a heroin/opiate community task force, as well as participated in a trauma-informed care task force.
How nearly 100 percent of the staff at City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks work on emergency response and have provided shelter for people experiencing homelessness throughout the pandemic.
What kinds of mental health resources have been provided to staff at both departments.
What lessons each of them will be taking away from the pandemic, and more!

It’s Not Goodbye, It’s See Ya Later! — Episode 091 May 18, 2021

Today’s episode is a very bittersweet one, as we are bidding farewell to one-half of the Open Space Radio team. Roxanne Sutton, NRPA Director of Communications and the creative mind behind launching Open Space Radio, will be moving on and pursuing some really cool new adventures soon — but this, unfortunately, means she will no longer be co-hosting the podcast.

We won’t lie to you, neither one of us were looking forward to recording this one, but we were grateful to be able to chat on this episode and reflect back on how Roxanne started Open Space Radio from the ground up back in 2017, what she’s enjoyed about it, what experiences and lessons she’s taking with her, some of her favorite memories and more.

Tune in to the full episode below to hear our conversation and learn about:

The story of how Roxanne was tasked with launching Open Space Radio in 2017.
What conversations from over the years have moved her the most and continue to stick with her.
What life lessons she has learned through podcasting.
What words of advice she has for park and recreation professionals.
What she’s looking forward to most in this new chapter in her life, and more!

If you want to stay in touch with Roxanne, be sure to connect with her on LinkedIn or follow her on Twitter.

Coffee Talk Replay: Preparing for the Impacts of Climate Change — Episode 090 May 04, 2021

On today’s episode of Open Space Radio, we’re re-releasing one of our Coffee Talks from last year’s NRPA Virtual, where we discussed the importance of park and recreation professionals being prepared for disasters due to a changing climate. We were joined by Kenny Weigandt from Willamalane Park and Recreation District in Oregon and John DiSpaldo, a regional preparedness liaison for FEMA to talk specifically about the wildfires that were impacting much of the western part of the country last year. We chose to release this episode today because it aligns well with a new tool NRPA just released.

We know there is an increase in the number of climate events we see each year — like wildfires, hurricanes, extreme wind events and more — and that increase is directly related to the impacts of climate change. We also know park and recreation professionals, as managers of a large percentage of our public lands, play a critical role in climate mitigation strategies. One of these solutions is a new tool called Climate.Park.Change., which was created by the design firm Sasaki in partnership with NRPA. This toolkit compiles data on how climate change is affecting park and recreation spaces and offers physical design and community engagement solutions to address climate impacts. The tool currently covers 10 intermountain west states, but the strategies can be applied throughout much of the country.

We encourage you to check out this tool after listening to our Coffee Talk. Tune in below to learn how climate change is impacting the work of park and recreation professionals in the western part of the country, as well as:

How the Willamalane Park and Recreation District responded to the wildfires in September 2020.
How park and recreation professionals play a role in disaster recovery efforts.
How FEMA works with local governments and park and recreation agencies in responding to and recovering from disasters.
Why it’s critical for park and recreation professionals to be prepared for disasters that take place due to a changing climate.
How the wildfires made Willamalane Park and Recreation District re-evaluate their disaster preparedness plans, and more!

Other resources that may be of interest:

Addressing Issues at the Intersection of Climate and Health — Episode 089 Apr 20, 2021

In celebration of April being Earth Month, and with Earth Day coming up on Thursday, we’re excited to be discussing a program focused on creating leaders for climate solutions. The program, Climate for Health, was founded by ecoAmerica and NRPA has partnered with them to bring the initiative to park and recreation professionals.

Climate for Health is a national initiative that offers tools, resources and communications to demonstrate visible climate leadership, and inspires health leaders to advocate for climate solutions. The training program we’re collaborating on will elevate the essential role park and recreation professionals play in dismantling climate and health disparities in order to build resilient communities where everyone thrives.

In this episode we welcome:

Cheryl Salazar, CPRP, Recreation Supervisor II for City of San Marcos, California, and participant in the first Climate for Health Ambassadors Training
Rebecca Rehr, director of Climate for Health at ecoAmerica,
Jenny Cox, program manager for NRPA

Tune in to the full episode below to learn what sparked Cheryl, Rebecca and Jenny’s passion for this work, as well as:

Why the Climate for Health Ambassador Training is an important piece of addressing issues at the intersection of climate and health.
How NRPA is committed to ensuring that park and recreation professionals are contributing to the overall resilience of their communities.
How the Climate for Health Ambassador Training is valuable for park and recreation professionals at all levels of experience, and why you should sign up.
Simple steps you can take today to reduce your climate impact, and more!

Other resources/information discussed in this episode:

Sign up for Climate for Health Ambassador Training
- On this website, we also have a suite of resources, including webinars, research and toolkits, for park and recreation professionals and partners to address inequitable climate-related health impacts through the power of parks and recreation.

Equity-Centered Planning Is About More Than Just Metrics — May Bonus Episode Apr 15, 2021

The May issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is out now, and on today’s bonus episode of the podcast, we’re diving deeper into one of this month’s feature stories, “From Plans to Parks.” In this article, Clement Lau details how the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation is implementing equity-focused park and recreation plans to ensure that communities with the highest need for parks are prioritized.

Clement Lau, AICP, is a departmental facilities planner for the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and a wealth of knowledge when it comes to park planning. He’s worked in the field for over two decades, and regularly contributes his expertise to Parks & Recreation magazine and the Open Space blog, so we’re excited to finally welcome him to the podcast to talk about how keeping equity at the center of park planning will ensure park and recreation professionals are able to serve every member of their community.

Tune in below to learn about what sparked Clement’s passion for planning and why he wanted to pursue a career in the field, as well as:

How the Los Angeles County DPR creates plans with equity and implementation in mind, ensuring that the plans prioritize communities with the greatest need.
How the Los Angeles Countywide Parks and Recreation Needs Assessment’s 2016 findings were so compelling that the county board of supervisors decided to put a parks funding measure on the ballot, which passed with overwhelming support.
How strategic community partnerships have helped Los Angeles County DPR’s efforts to address the needs of six communities with the highest need for parks in Los Angeles County.
How Earvin “Magic” Johnson Park is “an oasis in a region lacking green space.”
Why the stories and experiences that take place in our parks and community spaces are more important than always focusing on data and metrics, and more!

What Inclusion and Accessibility Means to a Special Olympian — Episode 088 Apr 06, 2021

Today’s episode is airing on April 6, National Student-Athlete Day. While today’s guest is no longer a student, she has been an athlete for Special Olympics Minnesota for 19 years. Abby Hirsch, who was born with Down syndrome, competes in various sports, including basketball, bocce ball, bowling, downhill skiing, poly hockey, powerlifting, SOfit, swimming, and track and field. In addition to being a talented athlete, Abby’s list of accomplishments goes well beyond sports. She was a commencement speaker at a high school graduation, spoke on Capitol Hill, has emceed galas, has received numerous awards and is an active volunteer, coach and health and wellness ambassador.

Most recently, Abby even lent NRPA her voiceover talents for a video we’re producing on accessibility in parks and recreation. And did we mention she works Monday through Friday at Walgreens? To say she has an impressive resume is an understatement, and that’s why we’re thrilled to have her join us on the show today to talk about accessibility and inclusion in parks and recreation.

Tune in to the full episode below to learn more about Abby’s story and what accessibility and inclusion mean to her, as well as:

How she got involved in Special Olympics and why she continues to play today.
How the COVID-19 pandemic affected her as an athlete and health and wellness ambassador.
What her favorite local parks mean to her.
Why she feels parks and recreation is important for all people, but especially those with disabilities.
How park and recreation professionals can make sure their spaces are welcoming and inclusive for all people, and more!

From Experiencing Homelessness to Becoming a Community Leader — Episode 087 Mar 23, 2021

A few months ago, we came across a post on LinkedIn that really pulled at our heartstrings and demonstrated how resilient a person can be when they have their mind set on a goal. The post chronicled the journey of one individual who went from experiencing homelessness to becoming the director of a park and recreation agency and a leader in his community, and we knew we wanted to connect with him to learn more about his story of adversity, resilience and how parks and recreation saved his life.

Today we are thrilled to be joined by Dr. Samose Mays, the director of Bryan County Parks and Recreation in Georgia as well as the Georgia Recreation and Park Association district two commissioner. Dr. Mays is also a Certified Park and Recreation Professional, an Aquatic Facility Operator, a Certified Youth Sports Administrator, as well as a professor at Georgia Southern University. On top of all that, he is leading efforts to increase diverse representation within the park and recreation profession through the Minority Recreational Leadership Academy. But, it wasn’t an easy road for Dr. Mays to get to where he is today, and we’re so grateful he joined us to tell us more about his journey.

Tune in to the full episode below to learn more about Dr. Mays’ journey and how he responded to adversity in order to pursue his dream of a career in parks and recreation, as well as:

What challenges he overcame while pursuing his goal.
How the resources at his local library and rec center helped him pursue his doctorate degree while he was experiencing homelessness.
How his lived experiences have helped him to identify and fill any potential gaps in the programming his agency provides.
How the Minority Recreational Leadership Academy is increasing diverse representation in the profession.
What being a professor at the same university he dropped out of twice means to him and what values he shares with his students.
How his story can serve as a valuable tool to break down the stigma associated with people experiencing homelessness, as well as other challenges people may face, and more!

The Importance of Amplifying Contemporary Indigenous Voices — April Bonus Episode Mar 18, 2021

The April issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is out now, and on today’s bonus episode of the podcast, we’re diving deeper into one of this month’s cover stories, “Protecting the Land and Its History.” If you tuned in to last month’s bonus episode, then you’re probably just as excited as we are for tomorrow’s TEDxCollegePark event, “An Equal Future.” On today’s episode, we’re thrilled to be joined by one of the event speakers, as well as an individual who is doing vital work with Indigenous communities on-the-ground in Wisconsin, to discuss the importance of working with Indigenous communities in building “An Equal Future.”

Today, we’re welcoming Sara Sinclair, an oral historian of Cree-Ojibwa and German-Jewish ancestry, Columbia University professor and editor of How We Go Home: Voices from Indigenous North America, which is a book of first-person stories in the long and ongoing fight to protect the land, rights and life of Indigenous people in North America. Sara will be speaking on Friday, March 19 during “An Equal Future,” and we can’t wait for her presentation.

We’re also excited to welcome Stephanie Lozano, a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation tribe — a federally recognized tribe with traditional territory across Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Missouri — and tribal liaison for the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, which works with the eleven federally recognized tribes located within Wisconsin to provide child welfare, support for families and other critical services.

Tune in to our conversation below to learn more about Sara and Stephanie and the importance of amplifying contemporary Indigenous voices to help change the narrative for future generations, as well as:

What real equity looks like from each of their perspectives and lived experiences.
The role of climate resiliency in discussing Indigenous people.
The history of Ho-Chunk Nation and the tribe’s participation in advocacy efforts.
How activism plays a role in addressing the needs of tribal communities.
What Deb Haaland’s confirmation as Secretary of the Department of the Interior will mean for the future of tribal consultation and where priorities lie.
How baking a cake can be used as a good metaphor for explaining equity, and more!

Other resources discussed in this episode:

One Year Later: COVID-19 and Parks and Recreation — Episode 086 Mar 09, 2021

When this episode airs on March 9, 2021, we will be two days away from the one-year anniversary of coronavirus (COVID-19) being declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. The past year has been filled with challenges, adaptations, pivots and so much more. We’re battling multiple health crises on top of economic pressures and racial injustices. And through it all, park and recreation professionals have come together in service of their communities, including taking on new roles and providing essential pandemic response services, while also continuing to deliver their already-life saving services and programs.

The work hasn’t been easy, and we know professionals are facing their own mental health issues while they continue to support equity, resiliency and health efforts for the people they serve. To chat about what the past year has meant to park and recreation professionals and to discuss where we go from here, we are thrilled to welcome Jesús Aguirre, NRPA Board Member and superintendent of Seattle Parks and Recreation. Jesús joined us almost exactly a year ago as we explored what effects COVID-19 was already having in parts of the country like Seattle as well as what we thought the year would bring. Also joining us is Allison Colman, NRPA’s Director of Health, who has led much of the COVID-19 response and content creation for NRPA.

Tune in to the full episode below to learn about the impact COVID-19 has had on parks and recreation from Jesús and Allison’s perspectives, as well as:

Some of the main challenges that park and recreation professionals have faced during the pandemic and how they’re trying to address them.
How COVID-19 has uncovered the disparities in our society, as well as in parks and recreation, and what kinds of guidance has been provided to reduce these disparities.
What kinds of opportunities have arisen due to the pandemic that could change the future of parks and recreation.
The stories of resilience that have stuck out to Jesús and Allison over the past year.
How the upcoming COVID-19 and Parks and Recreation: Response and Recovery report, along with the corresponding communications toolkit, COVID-19 and Parks and Recreation: Making the Case for the Future, will assist in educating decision-makers about the essential nature of parks and recreation, and more!

For more information about NRPA’s response to COVID-19, as well as available resources for park and recreation professionals, please see our Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) webpage.

Creating a Space for Women in Parks and Recreation — Episode 085 Feb 23, 2021

Women’s History Month starts next month, and we thought it would be a good time to tackle a topic that has been on our episode wish list for a while now — women in parks and recreation. Parks and recreation, like many professions, was once a male-dominated industry. Now, however, those figures seem like they may be shifting. When thinking about who to bring on the podcast to talk about women in the field of parks and recreation, there seemed to be an obvious choice.

Today we are welcoming three park and recreation professionals who wanted to create a community for women in the field to come together and share their ideas, struggles and triumphs — something that has become even more important throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Joining us are Lakita Watson, NRPA board member and executive director of the Richland County Recreation Commission (South Carolina); Katy Keller, Recreation Program Coordinator for Indian Trail Parks and Recreation (North Carolina); and Melanie White, Business Development and Retention Manager at Town of Leesburg (Virginia).

Tune in to the full episode below as we discuss their experiences as well as the inspiration behind the Facebook group they created, which now has more than 8,000 members — made up entirely of women in parks and recreation — as well as:

Why they feel it’s important for women to have their own space to collaborate on ideas related to our field.
Some of the ways they are sharing the “mental load” of invisible work that women take on in their personal and professional lives.
What their experiences have been working through a pandemic and what challenges have been unique to women.
What advice they would give young women in the field of parks and recreation.
Some of their favorite stories and ideas that have come from the Women in Parks and Recreation Facebook group, and more!

Building ‘An Equal Future’ with TEDxCollegePark — March Bonus Episode Feb 18, 2021

The March issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is out now, and on today’s bonus episode of the podcast, we’re diving deeper into the feature story, “Ensuring ‘An Equal Future’ for All,” which introduces a new TEDxCollegePark virtual event that park and recreation professionals won’t want to miss. Many of us have seen a TED talk on one topic or another, and they have become a powerful way to use storytelling to provide a deeper understanding of an issue. TEDx events are independently organized TED events, and we’re excited to speak with two of our favorite guests of the podcast about their roles in TEDxCollegePark’s ‘An Equal Future’ coming up on March 19.

On today’s episode, we are thrilled to be joined by the author of this month’s feature story, Neelay Bhatt, who is the vice president and principal of PROS Consulting and curator for TEDxCollegePark. We’re also equally thrilled to be joined by Roslyn Johnson, director of Baltimore County Recreation and Parks. Roslyn is the co-organizer for ‘An Equal Future,’ and during this conversation we learn more about this highly inspirational and educational event.

Tune in to the full episode below to learn more about TEDxCollegePark’s ‘An Equal Future’ and why it is going to be such a valuable experience for park and recreation professionals, as well as:

What the theme ‘An Equal Future’ means
Who the inspirational presenters are that will be bringing this event to life
Why it was important to have park and recreation professionals involved behind-the-scenes
How they made this event as inclusive as possible by making it free to attend and available in multiple languages
How the COVID-19 pandemic has presented challenges, as well as opportunities
What Neelay and Roslyn are personally looking forward to most, and more!

To learn more and register for ‘An Equal Future,’ taking place on March 19, visit TEDxCollegePark.com.

Be sure to follow TEDxCollegePark on social media to stay up-to-date and learn more about the presenters:

Creating Opportunities for Underserved Youth in Louisville — Episode 084 Feb 09, 2021

As we’ve discussed before, the unfortunate reality about outdoor recreation is that not everyone has equitable access to these opportunities and there are people who don’t necessarily feel welcome or safe in certain spaces. And while we continue advocating for equity in parks and recreation, it’s important to recognize that there are many systemic barriers in place that need to be broken down if we want a future with truly equitable outcomes. We’re excited to be joined on the show today by three individuals who are doing their part to address inequities and systemic racism in the outdoor spaces in their city.

Today we are welcoming staff members of the Jefferson Memorial Forest in Louisville, Kentucky, which is the largest municipal urban forest in the U.S., as well as a staff member of the Urban Conservation Corps (UCC) at YouthBuild Louisville. We’re thrilled to be joined by JoCari Beattie, a community outreach specialist at Jefferson Memorial Forest; Dashaune Jones, the ECHO Mobile program lead at Jefferson Memorial Forest; and Kenyetta Johnson, a program assistant and focus area coordinator for UCC at YouthBuild Louisville. These three have been working tirelessly to provide opportunities for underserved youth to experience the outdoors and much more.

Tune in to the full episode below to learn more about JoCari, Dashaune and Kenyetta and the opportunities they’re creating for underserved youth in Louisville, as well as:

What equity in parks and recreation and access to these opportunities means to each of them personally.
How the ECHO Mobile program is meeting people where they are and bringing nature to youth who don’t have access to nature.
How the ECHO Mobile program has been impacted by COVID-19 and how it has been adapted.
How their work is addressing equity and systemic racism in the outdoor recreation space.
How park and recreation professionals can champion and foster equity in their communities and increase access to these kinds of opportunities, and more!

Additional Resources:

Coffee Talk Replay: Park Equity and Racial Justice — Episode 083 Jan 26, 2021

As we continue to work on centering equity in all that we do, and as the fight for racial justice and equity in the United States continues, we wanted to revisit a conversation we had last year about what equity in parks and recreation really means for today’s episode of the podcast. We were fortunate to have each one of the individuals you’ll hear from today on previous episodes of the podcast, and if you joined us at the 2020 NRPA Annual Conference: A Virtual Experience (NRPA Virtual) last October, you may have already heard this conversation — however, it’s never a bad time for a refresher on how we can build healthier, more equitable communities, and with Black History Month coming up in February, we thought it was a good time to reflect on this conversation.

On today’s episode, we’re replaying our Coffee Talk, “Park Equity and Racial Justice” from NRPA Virtual, with Glenn Harris, president of Race Forward and last year’s NRPA Virtual keynote speaker, and Autumn Saxton-Ross, NRPA’s vice president of education and chief equity officer. We’ve already had the privilege of talking with Glenn on our October 2020 Bonus Episode, “Why Conversations About Racial Equity Matter for Parks and Recreation,” and Autumn on episode 76, “How to Center Equity in All That We Do” — and for this Coffee Talk, we were thrilled for them to come together to have a very powerful, insightful conversation.

Tune in below to hear Autumn and Glenn’s full conversation from their Coffee Talk at NRPA Virtual and learn:

What equity in parks and recreation looks like in practice.
How park and recreation professionals can work towards meaningful change in forming a more just and equitable world.
How we can take an objective look at the history of our parks and open spaces and apply that to creating a more equitable future.
How a park and recreation department can create a framework like Race Forward’s that supports implementing racial equity.
How park and recreation professionals can ensure racial equity is addressed in their agency’s master plans, and more!

Celebrating Parks and Recreation’s Inaugural 30 Under 30 — February Bonus Episode Jan 21, 2021

The February issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is out now, and on today’s episode, we’re diving deeper into this month’s cover story, “30 Under 30 for 2021.” We know from our work at NRPA that there are a lot of talented, passionate young professionals in the field of parks and recreation. These individuals truly serve as everyday superheroes in their communities and are continuing to make impacts that are not only felt on a local level, but are absolutely worthy of every bit of recognition on a national level, as well. We’re so excited to talk with our guests today to learn more about how we’re lifting these young professionals up and sharing the good work they do.

The NRPA Young Professional Network, or YPN, and Parks & Recreation magazine recently teamed up to launch the first-ever “30 Under 30” recognition program to honor 30 of the top young park and recreation professionals in the country. With a diverse group of nominees from 29 different states, one Canadian province and one U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, we’re going to assume that the selection process wasn’t easy. But, we’re thrilled to be joined by two people on the show today who worked to get this program moving.

Today we’re speaking with Michael Biedenstein, CPRP, AFO, a park program services division manager for St. Louis County Parks in Missouri and past chair of the NRPA YPN who, along with other leaders from the YPN, brought this great idea to NRPA. We’re also joined by Hayley Herzing, NRPA’s senior manager of membership, to learn about how NRPA has supported this program on a national level.

Tune in below to learn about the role that Michael and Hayley played in bringing the “30 Under 30” idea to life, as well as:

What — or, more appropriately, who — inspired the 30 Under 30 recognition program.
What qualities the selection committee was looking for when selecting the 30 individuals out of more than 100 nominations.
Why Michael and Hayley feel it’s important for parks and recreation as a profession to highlight and elevate young professionals.
What stories from this impressive group of young professionals have stood out to each of them.
How these young professionals’ stories make Michael and Hayley feel about the future of parks and recreation, and more!

How a Group of Teens Is Bringing a Skatepark To Their Community — Episode 082 Jan 12, 2021

It is our first Open Space Radio episode of 2021, and we’re so excited for another year of great conversations on the podcast. To start the year, we’re thrilled to be talking with a group of inspiring teenagers from Lunenburg, Massachusetts, who decided to take a middle school project and turn it into something way bigger that would provide them, and others, a safe space to participate in their favorite activity — skateboarding. They realized that access to public recreational spaces was critical, and decided to take matters into their own hands to create a safe, legal place to skateboard through the Lunenburg Skatepark Project.

Our guests today, Mason Whitcomb, Aidan Moore and Griffin Caiozzo, along with their other teammates Aidan Swift and Chris Roy, noticed there weren’t any safe, legal places to skateboard in their community, and started a grassroots movement to build a permanent, concrete, public skate/BMX/scooter activity park on land donated by their town. Through a common interest in skateboarding and their school’s sponsored Genius Hour program — a movement that allows students to explore their own passions and encourages creativity in the classroom — they were able to come up with the plan for Lunenburg Skatepark, which is soon becoming a reality due to their persistence, creative problem solving, community engagement and innovative fundraising efforts.

Tune in to the full episode below to learn why physical activity through skateboarding is so important to Aidan, Griffin and Mason, and what life lessons they’ve learned throughout this process, as well as:

How they came up with the idea for Lunenburg Skatepark.
What their initial planning process looked like.
What kinds of fundraising activities were the most successful.
How they have engaged the community with the project.
What advice they would give park and recreation professionals who are thinking about a project like this for a community space.
What’s next for Lunenburg Skatepark, and more!

To learn more about Lunenburg Skatepark, stay updated on progress, spread the word or make a donation, visit:

2020 Reflections and Looking Ahead to 2021 — Episode 081 Dec 29, 2020

It’s hard to believe 2020 is almost over. This year has been challenging in so many ways, and on our final episode of the year, we’re looking back at some of the conversations we’ve had, discussing the lessons we’ve learned, and looking ahead at some of our hopes and goals for 2021.

This year, park and recreation professionals have been on the frontlines of a global pandemic, economic collapse, racial justice movement, climate disasters and more, and we are so grateful to play a small part in helping tell the stories of their truly impactful work:

From serving meals to hosting COVID-19 testing sites and staging sites for first responders.
From setting up temporary housing for those experiencing homelessness to helping those struggling with mental health and substance use issues.
From performing wellness checks on older adults to providing innovative ways for our youth to connect with their friends.
From having difficult conversations about institutionalized racism and historic inequities in our public spaces to committing to anti-racist practices, and so much more.

Park and recreation professionals have truly done it all this year, and our communities are so much better because of their essential work.

So, to all of our park and recreation professionals out there: THANK YOU! We’ve always known you were heroes, but this year just solidified that.

We also want to thank everyone who has joined us on the show as a guest, subscribed to the podcast, listened to an episode, sent us your ideas, connected with us on Instagram or simply spread the word about Open Space Radio to your friends and colleagues. We truly love producing this podcast for you, and it’s through your support that we are able to do so!

Tune in to the full episode below to hear us discuss:

Why we decided to add 12 new episodes to our schedule in 2020.
What events impacted the types of conversations we had this year.
How hearing our guests’ experiences impacted each of our own personal journeys.
The pros and cons of producing a podcast during COVID-19.
How we’ve learned to be adaptable and the importance of being gentle with ourselves.
Where we currently sit with the resolutions we set at the end of 2019 for 2020, our hopes and goals for 2021, and more!

And special thanks to those of you who sent us your ideas for future episodes – we love your ideas and can’t wait to explore them in 2021!

Emerging Trends in Parks and Recreation — January Bonus Episode Dec 17, 2020

The January 2021 issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is out now, and this month’s issue features the highly anticipated cover story, “Top Trends in Parks and Recreation 2021,” by Rich Dolesh, NRPA’s retired vice president of strategic initiatives and Parks & Recreation magazine’s editor at large. On today’s bonus episode of the podcast, we’re replaying the full session of our “Emerging Trends in Parks and Recreation” Coffee Talk from the 2020 NRPA Annual Conference: A Virtual Experience (NRPA Virtual) this past October.

In this session, we had the opportunity to sit down with Rich, as well as Greg Weitzel, an NRPA board member and director of the Las Vegas Department of Parks and Recreation, and Brendan Daley, director of strategy and sustainability at the Chicago Park District, to talk about some of the trends park and recreation professionals will be seeing in near future — and some that we’re already seeing come to fruition.

Tune in below to hear our full Coffee Talk with Rich, Greg and Brendan to learn:

How the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has accelerated trends that they have seen occurring or that they predict will take place.
What technology changes will increasingly influence parks and recreation, and why will they happen.
How climate change is having a greater impact on parks and recreation every year and what the greatest impacts are, as well as what is causing them to accelerate.
What new trends they see over the horizon and how will they affect parks and recreation in the future, and more!

How Farmers Markets Benefit the Whole Community — Episode 80 Dec 15, 2020

Over the past decade, there has been steady growth across the farmers market industry nationwide, with new farmers market locations popping up in communities of all shapes and sizes. And, many park and recreation professionals have seen this growth firsthand. With the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic increasing barriers for access to healthy food for so many across the country, park and recreation professionals have been working hard to find ways to meet these needs.

One way to meet the needs of a community has been through farmers markets. And, whether an agency is hosting their own or partnering with a local market, farmers markets provide countless benefits. The Farmers Market Coalition is a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening farmers markets across the United States so that they can serve as community assets while providing real income opportunities for farmers.

The Farmers Market Coalition aims to benefit farmers, consumers and the community as a whole, and we’re thrilled to be joined on the show today by their Training and Technical Assistance Director Darlene Wolnik, to talk all about the great work they’re doing in building healthier communities through farmers markets. Darlene has been a national advocate and trainer for farmers markets for more than two decades. We’re also excited to be joined by Maureen Neumann, an NRPA program manager, to talk about NRPA’s work with the Farmers Market Coalition and how we’re assisting park and recreation professionals in this work.

Tune in to the full episode below to learn how the Farmers Market Coalition is helping farmers earn fair prices for the fruits of their labor, increasing access to fresh, local produce for consumers, and helping communities regain a figurative “town square,” as well as:

How the Farmers Market Coalition is supporting local farmers markets on the ground so they can meet the needs of their communities.
The type of guidance the Farmers Market Coalition has been providing local farmers markets throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to safely manage these spaces.
How farmers markets and parks and recreation are aligned in their missions.
How park and recreation professionals who work for an agency that may not have a farmers market can leverage partnerships to start one or assist with an existing local market.
How working with the Farmers Market Coalition has helped NRPA advance our strategic goals, and more!

How Every Kid Outdoors is Increasing Access to Parks — Episode 079 Dec 01, 2020

We have waxed poetic over the past several months about how critical it has been to get outdoors throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and parks have proven to be the destination of choice for many people to get their necessary physical activity, recharge their mental health batteries and find a sense of community. And, with school systems adapting to the pandemic and distance learning being more prevalent, there’s an increasing need for our youth to have opportunities to engage with nature — and one program that has been assisting in providing outdoor access to our youth is Every Kid Outdoors.

Every Kid Outdoors allows fourth graders in the U.S. and their family members free access to over 2,000 federal lands and waters, which creates important connections and inspires a future generation of stewards for national parks and other public lands.

We’re thrilled to be joined on today’s episode by a previous colleague of ours, Jayni Rasmussen, to talk about the future of this program and how it’s been impacted by COVID-19. Jayni is the senior campaign representative for the Outdoors Alliance for Kids and Youth, or OAK, which is a national strategic partnership of organizations from diverse sectors with a common interest in connecting children, youth and families with the outdoors.

Tune in below to learn more about Jayni’s work with OAK and the benefits of the Every Kid Outdoors program, as well as:

How this program increases equitable access to the outdoors.
How this program has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
How OAK’s Every Kid Outdoors in State Parks campaign aims to extend the pass program to all state and regional park systems with entrance fees and expand access to close-to-home parks.
How local park and recreation professionals can partner with federal agencies on Every Kid Outdoors and take advantage of resources.
Why the U.S. Department of the Interior extended the 2019-2020 Every Kid Outdoors pass program through the 2020-2021 school year to help families that couldn’t use their passes due to COVID-19.
How OAK’s work on Every Kid Outdoors has been pivoting during the pandemic to support park budgets, and more!

How Biodiversity Creates Healthy Communities – December Bonus Episode Nov 19, 2020

The December issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is out now, and on today’s bonus episode of the podcast, we’re going to be diving deeper into one of this month’s feature stories, titled, “Biodiversity Lays the Pathway to Good Health.” The article explores how the COVID-19 pandemic could become the tipping point for connecting biodiversity with human health, and we’re thrilled to be joined by the author of the article and one of her colleagues to talk a little bit more about it.

Joining us on today’s episode are LaDonna Baertlein, the director of business development for Dig Studio, and Laurel Raines, a senior principal for Dig Studio — a company focused on landscape architecture, urban design and planning.

We know the COVID-19 pandemic has shifted the way we think about and use public spaces, but biodiverse landscapes are lesser-discussed aspects of healthy communities. We had the opportunity to chat with LaDonna and Laurel about what biodiversity is and why it’s so important in creating healthy communities, as well as what park and recreation professionals can do to increase biodiversity in the spaces their agencies manage.

Tune in to the full episode below to learn:

How park and recreation professionals can incorporate ecologically supportive landscapes into their existing park systems.
Why community engagement is critical for designing biodiverse landscapes, and who the key stakeholders are.
How location and regional climate can pose challenges to planning for biodiversity.
How investing in biodiversity in communities contributes to more equitable outcomes.
Why a public space should meet the specific needs of the community.
What the world looks like when we align the lens of public health and equity with biodiversity, and more!

Community Healing in the Wake of Trauma — Episode 078 Nov 17, 2020

If you attended the 2020 NRPA Annual Conference: A Virtual Experience (NRPA Virtual), you may have joined us for the Coffee Talk sessions that we hosted at the beginning and end of each day, when we had the opportunity to chat with park and recreation professionals, thought leaders, subject matter experts and NRPA staff about some of the most pressing issues that are impacting your work.

While each of these Coffee Talk sessions was inspiring and thought-provoking, we recognize that not everyone was able to attend NRPA Virtual and benefit from them. So, we’ll be releasing a few of them as Open Space Radio episodes, and we’re excited to share the first one with you on today’s episode!

For this Coffee Talk — the very first session of NRPA Virtual — we were honored to be joined by NRPA Director of Health Allison Colman, as well as Mercy Santoro, the deputy director of Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, to chat about community healing in the wake of trauma. This year, unfortunately, has been full of traumatic experiences for so many, and in this session (and now this episode) we unpacked some of those traumas, as well as discussed how we can support and care for those experiencing trauma.

Tune in to the full episode to learn more about how park and recreation professionals have been — and can continue — supporting the mental health and well-being of the people in the communities they serve, as well as:

Why trauma is one of the emerging areas that park and recreation professionals are more intentionally addressing.
Why it’s so important for park and recreation professionals to play a role in addressing how trauma impacts their communities.
How park and recreation professionals can assist in meeting the challenges associated with addressing trauma.
What resources are available to support critical work related to trauma.
How research on trauma-informed care can benefit park and recreation professionals who are on the front lines of issues related to trauma, and more!

How to Make Your Voice Heard on Election Day and Beyond — Episode 077 Nov 03, 2020

Today is November 3, 2020 – an important day for our country, our democracy, our values and our future. Today is Election Day! On this day — and over the last few weeks — millions of Americans will head to the polls to make their voices heard. And whether you mailed in your ballot, voted early or are still undecided as you listen to this episode, we know that our guests today are going to provide sage wisdom on all things elections, voting and why it’s important to advocate at the federal, state and local level.

We’re thrilled to be joined today by NRPA’s Vice President of Public Policy and Advocacy Elvis Cordova and NRPA’s Senior Government Affairs Manager Kyle Simpson, to talk about some of NRPA’s key legislative priorities, how you can get involved in our advocacy efforts, and you guessed it — the importance of voting!

Tune in to the full episode below as Elvis and Kyle discuss NRPA’s public policy and advocacy team’s role in the organization and how they can assist in your agency’s advocacy efforts, as well as:

Why park and recreation professionals in many states should pay extra close attention to their ballots today.
Why, even though national elections are important, it is critical to get involved in elections at the state and local level
What legislative priorities NRPA will be communicating to the new members of the U.S. Congress in a few months.
How you can be a more involved advocate of parks and recreation.
How you can get all the election information you need for your state by texting VOTE4PARKS to 52286 (which will also keep you up to date on any legislative action items from NRPA), and more!

To learn more about federal policy and legislative issues impacting parks and recreation, visit NRPA’s advocacy webpage or email Elvis and Kyle at advocacy@nrpa.org

Park and Rec Planning in a New Era with David Barth — November Bonus Episode Oct 29, 2020

On this bonus episode of the podcast, we’re going to be diving deeper into one of the feature stories from the November issue of Parks & Recreation magazine, titled, “A New Approach to Parks and Recreation System Planning.” In this article, the author — and our guest on today’s episode — writes about how today’s environment is shifting our thinking about the future of parks and recreation.

David Barth is no stranger to park and recreation planning. He is a registered landscape architect, certified planner and certified park and recreation professional who specializes in the planning, design and implementation of the public realm. He is an expert facilitator and strategic planner — he has developed park and recreation system master plans for over 80 communities, as well as led the planning and design of hundreds of parks and trails across the country.

He is also the Principal of Barth Associates, a firm specializing in parks and recreation system planning, and author of the new book, “Parks and Recreation System Planning: A New Approach for Creating Sustainable, Resilient Communities.” To put it lightly, he is a well-known name and expert in the profession.

Tune in below to learn what park and recreation system planning is and how Barth got started in this work over 30 years ago, as well as:

Why shifts in our society and the various socioeconomic and environmental issues we’re currently facing are causing a need for a new approach to parks and recreation system planning.
Why we should replace the traditional linear, narrowly defined parks and recreation system master planning process with a more cyclical, open-ended process.
How a thoughtful and nuanced decision-making framework gives park and recreation professionals the freedom and flexibility to respond to the issues in their communities.
How this new approach provides the opportunity for conversation and feedback among key stakeholders and decision-makers.
How this new approach will help park and recreation professionals better serve their communities, as well as meet their strategic goals.

How to Center Equity in All That We Do — Episode 076 Oct 20, 2020

With NRPA’s 2021-2023 Strategic Plan, we made a commitment to centering equity in all that we do. And we talked about this with our president and CEO, Kristine Stratton, on episode 70. The vital importance of focusing on equity has been put into the spotlight, as this year has underscored the many systemic inequities that exist in our world. Whether through the lens of public health, criminal justice, climate change or who has safe, reliable access to a park in their community, equity is essential. And because it is so essential, NRPA established a leadership role central to this work and our efforts as an organization, and we’re so glad our guest today is officially part of the team.

Autumn Saxton-Ross joined NRPA as the vice president of education and chief equity officer in early September of this year. She is a true park and rec kid, and before coming on board at NRPA, she served as the mid-Atlantic regional director and equity, inclusion and diversity lead for NatureBridge, the largest residential environmental education partner of the National Park Service.

Autumn’s role at NRPA will increase our capacity and enable us to partner more holistically across the field, promote and scale up equity-centered practices, and ensure that our member engagement and educational programs are aligned and support our park and recreation professionals.

Tune in to the full episode below to learn more about Autumn and her vision for NRPA and the field of parks and recreation, as well as:

How her past experience working with park and recreation professionals will help in this role.
What plans she has for park and recreation professionals who want to share information and support for others in the field who want to start addressing equity, inclusion and diversity issues.
How she plans to advance conversations that can lead to agencies implementing practices and policies that are centered in equity.
What NRPA Virtual attendees can look forward to in her Coffee Talk conversation with NRPA Virtual keynote speaker, Glenn Harris, on the evening of October 27 at 5:45 p.m. EDT, and more!

How Action Sports Can Build More Equitable Communities — Episode 075 Oct 06, 2020

We talk a lot about how important physical activity is, and we know this has been especially true throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, when people have taken to their local parks to not only maintain their physical well-being, but their mental well-being, as well. However, there is a form of physical activity that we don’t get to talk about as often: action sports.

Sports like skateboarding, surfing and snowboarding can be really great outlets for physical activity, but also tools for social connection and fostering creativity and self-expression. And, many park and recreation agencies are well-positioned to offer programming around action sports, as some already manage skateparks or beaches. There are also a lot of ways park and recreation professionals can collaborate with action sports organizations to offer action sports opportunities to members of their communities, opening the door for even more people to experience this style of play.

On this episode of Open Space Radio, we’re thrilled to be joined by Selema Masekela, a beloved commentator, journalist, host and Emmy nominated producer, best known for his work on VICE, E! Network, National Geographic, Red Bull Media House and the ESPN X Games, where he regularly worked with some of the best action sports athletes in the world. He is a relentlessly curious narrator of the human experience, and he thrives as a Black man who has historically been “the only” in the spaces of action sports and entertainment.

We caught up with Selema to learn how action sports and other forms of recreation have shaped who he is as a person, as well as:

How the COVID-19 pandemic has increased his appreciation for recreation and outdoor spaces.
How action sports can play a critical role in shaping youth, breaking down gender norms and fostering resilience.
How to break down the negative stigma surrounding skateparks and make an argument that parks should implement skateparks.
How action sports as a part of park and recreation programming — or partnering with action sports organizations (like Stoked, an organization that Selema co-founded which uses action sports and mentoring to close the opportunity gap) — can be used to build more equitable communities.
How you can use the tools you have to ensure our public spaces are places where people feel welcome, included and safe, and more!

Why Conversations About Racial Equity Matter for Parks and Recreation — October Bonus Episode Sep 24, 2020

On this month’s bonus episode of Open Space Radio, we’re diving deeper into the cover story of the October issue of Parks & Recreation magazine, “Glenn Harris: An Advocate for Racial Equity and Social Justice.” In the article, NRPA’s executive editor, Vitisia Paynich, interviewed our keynote speaker for the 2020 NRPA Annual Conference: A Virtual Experience, Glenn Harris. Glenn is the president of Race Forward, a national nonprofit racial justice organization based in New York and Oakland, California, and publisher of Colorlines, a daily news site where race matters.

Race Forward works to bring a systemic analysis and innovative approach to complex race issues that help people take action toward racial justice and true equity. We’re thrilled to be joined by Glenn on the show today to talk about his extensive experience working on racial and social justice issues and hope this conversation leaves you not only excited about his keynote presentation in October, but also inspired to have conversations about how park and recreation professionals can advance equitable practices in your own communities.

On October 27, 2020, Glenn will speak during the Opening General Session at NRPA Virtual, but for now, tune in below to learn more about him, as well as:

How COVID-19, natural disasters, economic turmoil and the massive social justice and civil rights movement happening right now are impacting Race Forward’s work.
How people can embrace struggle and find healthy ways to not only deal with that struggle, but also work towards meaningful change.
How to differentiate between diversity, equity and inclusion
How Race Forward’s framework supports implementing racial equity
How park and recreation professionals can have tough conversations and help build racial equity in their communities.
What NRPA virtual attendees can anticipate taking away from his highly anticipated keynote presentation in October, and more!

The Great American Outdoors Act is Law, Part II – Episode 074 Sep 22, 2020

On our previous episode of Open Space Radio, which was part one of our Great American Outdoors Act coverage, we spoke with Happy Haynes, the executive director of Denver Parks and Recreation, about what the passage of the Great American Outdoors Act meant for access to quality parks and recreation opportunities in her city and the country as a whole. On today’s episode — part two of our coverage — we’ll be speaking with two members of Congress who played integral roles in getting this historic piece of legislation passed and subsequently signed into law last month.

Today we’re talking with Senator Martin Heinrich of New Mexico, who coauthored the Great American Outdoors Act and was part of a bipartisan group of senators who introduced it in March of this year, as well as Representative Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, who also played a major role in the passage of this legislation. As you’ll hear from them in this episode, getting such strong bipartisan support in Congress on any type of legislation is a challenge, especially a once-in-a-generation conversation package like the Great American Outdoors Act. But, because of the advocacy and outreach from people like you — our listeners and NRPA members — the Great American Outdoors Act had support from both sides of the political aisle and is now officially law.

This landmark legislation also fully funds the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which is the most important source of federal funding for park and recreation projects.

Tune in to the full episode to learn:

What local parks Senator Heinrich and Representative Fitzpatrick visit to get away from the stresses of Washington, D.C., and their favorite parks when they’re home in New Mexico and Pennsylvania, respectfully.
Why the Great American Outdoors Act is so important to each of them personally, as well as what it means for the entire country.
How the Great American Outdoors Act will benefit out local parks and ensure everyone has access to public spaces.
What’s next to make sure all people have access to public parks and recreation, and more!

The Great American Outdoors Act Is Law, Part I — Episode 073 Sep 08, 2020

Last month, we witnessed history as the Great American Outdoors Act was officially signed into law. This legislation will definitively fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). LWCF is the most important source of federal funding to create and develop local parks, trails, boat launches, sports fields, and other recreation areas and park infrastructure that enrich our communities. Permanent full funding of LWCF has been a priority of NRPA’s for decades, and the passing of the Great American Outdoors Act is a huge win for every person in our country, as this critical funding advances our goal of ensuring everyone has access to the benefits of quality parks and recreation.

The Great American Outdoors Act had strong bipartisan support throughout the legislative process because it provides critical resources to local communities for parks, recreation and conservation initiatives. Thanks to the hard work of our Congressional champions, coalition partners, and the many stakeholders who advocated on behalf of parks and recreation, our goal of permanently funding LWCF is now a reality.

One of those strong advocates is Allegra “Happy” Haynes, the executive director of parks and recreation for the City and County of Denver. We’re thrilled to be joined by Happy today to talk about what this means for her community — and the country as a whole — for the first part in our double-header of Great American Outdoors Act episodes. Part two will be released on Tuesday, September 22, where we’ll explore how the Great American Outdoors Act was passed in Congress. In part two, we welcome two members of Congress who championed this legislation, Representative Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania and Senator Martin Heinrich of New Mexico, to share their perspective.

Tune in to today’s full episode below to learn:

Why it’s so important that we make sure our voices are heard by our elected officials about these kinds of things.
Why the passage of the Great American Outdoors Act such a big deal for local parks and recreation.
What securing full and permanent funding of LWCF means for park and recreation projects in Denver.
What the future of advocating for parks and recreation looks like, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and more!

Celebrating Three Years of Open Space Radio — Episode 072 Aug 25, 2020

On this episode of Open Space Radio, we’re celebrating our birthday! We started Open Space Radio a little over three years ago, and while many of you may have heard us talk about the early days of finding our podcasting groove — with not a whole lot of podcasting experience to pull from — we like to invite you, our listeners, in every once in a while to reflect back on some of our favorite Open Space Radio moments from the past. And we’ve had a lot of favorite moments.

Three years later, we still feel so lucky to be able to share with you the conversations we get to have with park and recreation professionals and other incredible people who are truly improving the quality of life for the people in their communities. Since we recently celebrated our official third birthday, we thought it would be a good time to look back on our three most-downloaded episodes to date and share some of our thoughts, as well as give you a bit of a preview of a past episode you may have missed!

Tune in to the full episode below to listen to our reflections on the past three years and hear clips from these past episodes:

1:42: Episode 24, “How Risk Play Can Benefit Kids”

- On this episode, we spoke with Tom Norquist, president of the International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA) about how risk and adventure play is stepping back into the limelight and helping kids’ independence and creativity.

- We reflect on how this episode is still really relevant today – for one, because of the increased awareness we’re currently seeing around the need for outdoor recreation during the pandemic, and also because we recently worked with IPEMA on guidance for safely using playgrounds during the pandemic.

5:57: Episode 46, “Esports at the Rec Center?”
- On this episode, we spoke with Neelay Bhatt, vice president of PROS Consulting and past NRPA board member, about what esports are, their impact on parks and recreation and the potential opportunities they present.

- We reflect on how esports and virtual programming can bridge a gap and reach audiences that haven’t typically participated in traditional park and recreation offerings, and how esports are going to increase in popularity due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

12:48: Episode 61: “How Park and Recreation Leaders are Addressing Coronavirus”

- On this episode, we talked with Jesús Aguirre, Superintendent of Seattle Parks and Recreation and NRPA board member, Brian Zimmerman, CEO of Cleveland Metroparks, and Adriane Clutter, Division Chief at Montgomery County Recreation in Maryland, about how each of them was responding to COVID-19 at the time (March 10, 2020) in their respective areas of the country.

- We reflect on how the stats for this episode are so shocking to look at now compared to when we recorded the episode – for example, at the time of recording for this episode, there were only 432 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the U.S., compared to the more than 5 million current cases. We also discuss our admiration for how well park and recreation professionals have pivoted to serve their communities during such a challenging time (be sure to also listen to the May, June and September bonus episodes for more on this).

Thank you so much for your support and for listening to Open Space Radio over the years. We truly love being able to produce this podcast for you and can’t wait to see what the next three years bring! As always, if you have any ideas for future episodes, reach out! Send us an email at openspace@nrpa.org or connect with us on Instagram!

How to Embrace Change and Lead During Challenging Times — September Bonus Episode Aug 20, 2020

The September issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is out now, and on this month’s bonus episode, we’re diving deeper into the cover story, “Going Above and Beyond,” by NRPA’s executive editor, Vitisia Paynich. The story highlights how the COVID-19 pandemic and the fight for racial equity compelled the Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks to mobilize and take action in order to continue to serve its community.

On today’s episode, we’re honored to be joined by the director of Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks and former NRPA board member, Roslyn Johnson, CPRP. Roslyn recently began her role as director in February of this year, which was a challenging time to begin any new venture. Johnson is also the first woman to ever lead the Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks in this role, which is a huge deal!

We talk with Johnson about the challenges that came along with transitioning into a new role in a new department at the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic taking hold in the U.S., as well as how her department is supporting the community in Baltimore County throughout the pandemic and the movement for racial justice and equity.

Tune in to the full episode below to learn:

6:04: How the department made sure social equity was considered when closing the areas or infrastructure it managed due to COVID-19.
12:38: How Johnson’s staff has served over a million meals since March 23.
20:37: How the department is working with the local school system to ensure kids have educational opportunities due to challenges with distance learning.
29:57: How Johnson helped facilitate tough conversations among her staff in the wake of the murder of George Floyd — among many other tragic instances of racism.
44:44: How the department is supporting protests taking place in their parks, as well as working with the police to make sure everyone remains safe during the protests.
49:45: How the “All Parks for All People” initiative and a $35 million bond referendum are helping expand equity in parks in Baltimore County, and more!

How a BioBlitz Can Help Your Conservation Efforts — Episode 071 Aug 11, 2020

On this episode of Open Space Radio, we are talking about BioBlitzes. And the only thing more fun than saying “BioBlitz” may be actually participating in one. A BioBlitz is an event where your community can visit your park and identify the different wildlife species in that area. It provides an opportunity for people to understand and learn about the various species in that area, and also provides critical data and information to the staff who manage those lands.

As you encourage people in your community to get outside, stay active and connect with nature, a BioBlitz is the perfect opportunity to not only explore local parks, but also learn about the natural wonders around them. It can even be a COVID-19 safe activity as BioBlitzes can be structured to allow people to visit the park on their own. It may even inspire future generations of environmental stewards.

On today’s episode, we’re honored to be joined by the creator of the BioBlitz, Sam Droege. Droege is a Wildlife Biologist for Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Maryland. We’re also excited to be joined by Brett Johnson, an Urban Biologist for the Dallas Park and Recreation Department.

We discuss how the BioBlitz came to be, what it looks like today, and how it is an important tool for creating ecologically beneficial habitat in local parks and for protecting species that are at risk. Droege shares how he has left the BioBlitz untrademarked and open for public use since its creation, and how local park and recreation professionals can use BioBlitzes for environmental conservation, community engagement and education. Johnson shares how these events have been beneficial in Dallas.

Tune in to the full episode below to hear our full conversation and learn:

How a BioBlitz helps land managers gain important insights about the species in their own parks and public spaces.
Tips for park and recreation agencies considering hosting a BioBlitz.
How using technology — such as mobile apps like iNaturalist — everyday people from all over the world can help inform the efforts to preserve and conserve threatened species.
The most interesting things Droege and Johnson have found during their own BioBlitzes.
The future of the BioBlitz, and more!

Interested in learning more about BioBlitzes? You can also sign up to host a Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz this September in your own community and receive tools to help you plan a virtual event with physical distancing in mind. If your agency signs up to host a BioBlitz during the month of September, not only will you be helping raise pollinator awareness, you will also be entered to win a $1,000 prize and one of three ScottsMiracle-Gro prize packs to help with your pollinator habitats or programs!

Looking Forward: NRPA’s Strategic Plan with Kristine Stratton — Episode 070 Jul 28, 2020

On today’s episode of Open Space Radio, we are looking at where NRPA is going in the next three years and beyond. Like any organization or group, every few years we must assess where we’ve been, where we are and where we want to go. Over the past several years, NRPA has centered our strategic plans around our three pillars: health and wellness, social equity and conservation. Now, we’re building upon that very solid base and looking to launch a movement.

And before you tune us out because the words “strategic plan” sound dull, we can assure you that what NRPA has planned for the future — and our guest today — is anything but! Today, we’re speaking with NRPA President and CEO Kristine Stratton about what NRPA wants to achieve in the months and years ahead and how we’re going to get there. Kristine has just completed her first full year with NRPA — a year that has turned out a bit differently than any of us could have imagined.

We check-in with Kristine and see how things are going during this unprecedented time, and dive into NRPA’s recently released 2021-2023 strategic plan. Tune in to the full episode below to learn:

3:02: Why this process important and worth celebrating/talking about.
5:09: The strategic plan’s five strategic goals that, in essence, build upon our three pillars of health and wellness, social equity and conservation:
- Build a movement
- Ensure access for all
- Advance community health and well-being
- Build community resiliency
- Prepare the profession for the future
9:21: Why building a movement is critical to moving our vision forward and how people can get involved.
13:14: How COVID-19 has challenged our strategic plan.
16:54: How NRPA is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in all that we do.
22:16: What differences we will see in NRPA and the profession if we achieve the goals we’ve laid out in the strategic plan.
And more.

Learn more about NRPA’s Strategic Plan here.

Building Better Communities Through Water and Nature-Based Play — August Bonus Episode Jul 23, 2020

The August issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is out now, and on today’s bonus episode, we’re diving deeper into one of this month’s feature stories, “Restoring Nature’s Playground.” We’re thrilled to be joined by the two authors, Patti Sterling, the grants coordinator for Town of Bel Air, Maryland, and Akosua Cook, a park planner for the city of Chattanooga, Tennessee, to talk about the importance of water and nature-based amenities in their local parks and the projects they have put in place to raise awareness and education. We’re also joined by Carrie Williams, president of American Water Charitable Foundation, who has supported these projects through the Building Better Communities Grant program.

Patti and Akosua have been instrumental in implementing these water play and nature-based amenities in their communities through the Chesapeake Sensory Plaza in the Town of Bel Air and “The Spring” in Chattanooga. Tune in to the full episode below to hear our conversation with them about how these projects have gone, how they are creating educational play experiences, and how they are providing opportunities for future environmental stewards.

Other topics we discuss on the episode include:

The benefits of water and nature-based amenities in raising awareness and educating the public about natural resources, as well as fostering new generations of environmental stewards.
Challenges that may arise with similar projects.
The importance of community engagement.
How park and recreation professionals can pursue similar nature-based or water play projects.
Tips on applying for grants to support your projects.
And more.

Breaking Down Barriers with Abundant Life Adventure Club — Episode 069 Jul 14, 2020

On today’s episode of Open Space Radio, we’re thrilled to be joined by Dr. Kim and Claude Walker — the founders of the Nashville-based Abundant Life Adventure Club, which is an outdoor adventure company breaking down barriers to the outdoors so that everyone can enjoy the wellness benefits of parks and open spaces.

The mission of the Abundant Life Adventure Club is one that we’re excited to dive into on the episode today — to empower people of color to spend time in nature to inspire wellness, abundant living and connection. Dr. Kim and Claude join us to discuss the inspiration behind starting Abundant Life Adventure Club, which started when they both lost a combined 140 pounds in 2017 and were looking for ways to continue their active lifestyle and add some variety — things that outdoor recreation provided.

We also discuss how they are part of the first generation of people of color to have full access to the parks and outdoor spaces around them, and how that has impacted their relationship with the outdoors — and how they are providing opportunities for other people of color to experience the benefits of outdoor recreation, as well as mindfulness activities, such as yoga and meditation.

Other topics we discuss on this episode include:

Why this mission is so important to Dr. Kim and Claude.
How their relationship with Nashville Metro Parks and Recreation developed and evolved into maxing out space for programs.
The benefits of a club model, and how park and recreation departments can use this model — either by partnering with local clubs or forming their own.
How park and recreation professionals can start something similar or partner with an organization like Abundant Life Adventure Club.
What the future holds for Abundant Life Adventure Club, and more.

Tune in to the full episode below, and if you’d like to learn more about Abundant Life Adventure Club or the people behind this wonderful mission, check out their website, follow them on Instagram or send them an email!

How Are You Safely and Creatively Engaging Your Community This Summer? — Episode 068 Jun 30, 2020

Today’s episode of Open Space Radio is all about what park and recreation professionals have been doing to creatively and safely engage their communities in the past few months and their plans for the summer ahead. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many park and recreation agencies have had to come up with innovative ways to not only implement virtual programming options, but also make sure the people in their communities continue to have access to essential items like food, shelter, proper healthcare, social connection and the benefits of nature.

With major events like Park and Recreation Month and the Fourth of July right around the corner, we reached out to our followers on Instagram to learn about some of the creative ways park and recreation professionals are safely engaging the people they serve. One great idea came from The Summit in Grand Prairie, Texas, where staff put on a parking lot parade for the older adults in their community to drive through — complete with motivational signs, gift bags, and Roxanne’s personal favorite, staff performing choreographed dances!

A few of our listeners sent in audio clips of what they’re doing in their own communities, so be sure to tune in to the full episode below to hear from:

Rachel Robertson – Recreation Supervisor, North Highlands Recreation and Park District in California
Lindsay Labas – Marketing Director, Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation in Indiana
Anthony Iracki – Recreation Supervisor, Whitefish Bay Recreation in Wisconsin, and
Robert Lloyd – Recreation Programmer, Loudoun Valley Community Center in Virginia

Thanks to these park and recreation heroes for sharing how they’re continuing to provide opportunities for their communities to experience the many benefits of parks and recreation, even during a time like this. Tune in to learn:

How agencies are using social media to stay connected with their communities;
How agencies are providing digital programs and virtual recreation centers including everything from cooking classes to virtual fitness classes to art classes and more;
How agencies have had to pivot from traditional marketing and communications approaches to digital platforms; and
How agencies are assigning a theme to specific days of the week so participants in virtual programs know what to expect on certain days, and more!

And, as part of NRPA’s upcoming Park and Recreation Month celebration, make sure you’re following us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram throughout the month of July as we’ll be recognizing other park and recreation heroes who are making an impact in their communities — and be sure to share your own park and recreation story using #WeAreParksAndRec.

Another way that cities across the world are showing their appreciation for park and recreation professionals is by #GoingGreenForParks. Today, June 30, World Urban Parks encourages park and recreation agencies to light up their civic and iconic spaces and places green at sunset to thank the professionals who are helping communities remain active, healthy and connected during COVID-19.

How We’re Celebrating YOU This July — July Bonus Episode Jun 25, 2020

The July issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is out now, and on today’s bonus episode of Open Space Radio we’re diving deeper into the cover story, “Celebrating YOU This July.” As you know, we usually interview the author or the subjects of the magazine article for our bonus episode each month, but in today’s case, the author is already with us! Cort Jones, NRPA Communications Manager and fellow cohost of this podcast, is our guest today as he is the author of the July cover story and project manager for NRPA’s Park and Recreation Month.

Park and Recreation Month is a favorite for both of us, as Cort and I have both had the pleasure of managing the campaign in previous years. While a lot of our work at NRPA consists of finding stories from the park and recreation field, the month of July is when we get to celebrate all the good work that park and recreation professionals are doing in their communities.

This year for Park and Recreation Month, we are shifting the narrative of parks and recreation and redefining the field as an essential, vital necessity by sharing how park and recreation professionals — full of passion for their communities — represent a diverse group of professionals who are confronting our most pressing health, environmental and social challenges. Recently we have seen park and recreation professionals step into various essential roles to provide services for their communities, and throughout July, we’re going to be telling the stories of those selfless, passionate and essential professionals who are the heroes the world needs now more than ever.

Tune in to the full episode below to learn:

How we came up with the theme “We Are Parks and Recreation”
How we're celebrating park and recreation professionals this July
Ways you can get involved in the celebration

Learn more about Park and Recreation Month and make sure you’re following NRPA on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram throughout the month of July to celebrate with us — and share your own park and recreation story using #WeAreParksAndRec.

Addressing the Stigma Associated with Substance Use Disorder — Episode 067 Jun 16, 2020

We’re in a time where many people are having tough conversations with friends, family, loved ones and colleagues. We’re living through a global pandemic, an economic crisis, a fight for racial equity — and it’s all happening at once.

Amidst all of this, there is another crisis that continues to exist — the opioid crisis and substance use disorder. According to Kaiser Health News, the COVID-19 pandemic may be making things worse as far as the opioid crisis, as treatments and resources have been disrupted for the people who need them most. And while talking about substance use disorder is critically important, conversations are often avoided because of the stigma associated with it.

Many park and recreation agencies have started implementing educational and awareness programs around substance use disorder, and one of them is the City of Port St. Lucie Parks & Recreation Department in Florida. We’re honored to be joined on this episode by the deputy director, Pattie Roberts, who shares the story of how her son, Danny, died of a heroin overdose at only 22 years old and how it pushed her to act on the issue of substance use disorder in her community. We’re joined by Lauren Kiefert, an NRPA program specialist, to talk about how NRPA is supporting programs that raise awareness and address substance use disorder.

Tune in to the full episode below to learn:

What Roberts shared with the 19th Judicial Circuit Bar Association to raise awareness about opioid use
Why it’s so important to address stigma when educating about substance use disorder
What efforts Roberts and her staff are making to break down the stigma associated with substance use disorder
How Port St. Lucie Parks & Recreation is engaging the public in conversations and programming around substance use disorder
What challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has presented in relation to the services Port St. Lucie Parks & Recreation provides that focus on substance use disorder and mental health

To read more about the role park and recreation professionals can play in addressing substance use disorder, read these posts from the Substance Use in Parks and Recreation blog series:

#PodcastBlackout — Black Lives Matter Jun 03, 2020

Open Space Radio condemns all forms of racism and violence. We mourn the loss of all those whose lives have ended as a result of senseless brutality. As part of the #podcastblackout, we stand firmly with all who seek justice and reform and are using our platform to protest the death of these people:

George Floyd
Eric Harris
Breonna Taylor
Ahmaud Arbery
Ezell Ford
Alton Sterling
Sean Bell
Trayvon Martin
Akai Gurley
Eric Garner
Terence Crutcher
Tamir Rice
Mike Brown
Freddie Gray
Alayna Stanley-Jones
Philando Castille
Rekia Boyd
James Clark
Antonio Martin
Walter Scott
Korryn Gaines
Sandra Bland
Elisha Stanley
Kimani Gray
Sam Dubose
Phillip White
Dontrae Hamilton
And all the other names that don’t make the news.

Black Lives Matter.

Supporting People Experiencing Homelessness in L.A. During COVID-19 — June Bonus Episode May 21, 2020

The June issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is out now, and on today’s bonus episode of Open Space Radio, we’re diving deeper into one of this month’s feature stories, “Homelessness and the Global Pandemic,” which explores how the Los Angeles City Department of Recreation and Parks (RAP) is supporting people experiencing homelessness, among other vulnerable populations, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Joining us on the show is the author of the article, Executive Officer & Chief of Staff at L.A. City Department of Recreation and Parks, Anthony-Paul (AP) Diaz. We chat with Diaz about how he and his staff are handling the pandemic and all the challenges that come along with it, as well as how RAP has been providing essential community services during this time.

Diaz discusses how RAP serves as the mass-care shelter and welfare arm of the city of Los Angeles during emergencies and how that has been amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, the Los Angeles Times reported there were nearly 60,000 people experiencing homelessness in L.A. County, which means that a large population of people doesn’t have a home they can go to in order to shelter-in-place. RAP quickly adapted and transformed many of their recreation centers and park spaces into homeless shelters — providing cots, blankets, towels, food, health screenings and protection, as well as connections to various community services, like social services and healthcare.

Additionally, we discuss:

The transition plans RAP has put into place to ensure that people who are currently using the shelters receive proper attention and don’t fall through the cracks when the temporary shelters close
How RAP has set up more than 500 trailers to support individuals who may need to self-quarantine
The emergency childcare centers the city has set up
How the city will use their current momentum to provide better access to parks and open spaces when the first phases of re-opening begin
A heartwarming story of a how a father and son were reunited because of these new shelters

Tune in to the full episode below to hear more about the work Diaz and RAP are doing to ensure people in Los Angeles are safe, healthy and have access to essential services during this time.

Why We’re Celebrating Park and Recreation Professionals This July — Episode 066 May 19, 2020

Every day, in communities across the country, the people of parks and recreation are providing essential services and making their communities better places to live, work and play. This July, for Park and Recreation Month, NRPA will be redefining the field of parks and recreation as a vital necessity by sharing how park and recreation professionals are frontline staff, confronting our most pressing health, environmental and social challenges — even now, amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, park and recreation professionals are selflessly making sure the people in their communities are safe, healthy and have access to necessary services.

One way the Pennsylvania Recreation & Park Society (PRPS) has been celebrating this selfless work is through Park and Recreation Professionals Day, which will take place this year on July 17 – during Park and Recreation Month. This day, much like the entire month of July, celebrates the people who work tirelessly behind the scenes to provide the high-quality programs and facilities we desire and expect in our parks and public spaces. We’re thrilled to be joined on today’s episode by Tim Herd, CEO of PRPS, to learn more about the day, and how you can celebrate at your own agency this July.

Tim talks with us about why he thinks park and recreation professionals and the work they do are so essential, and we discuss our plans to celebrate that work through a nationwide Park and Recreation Professionals Day this July as part of our Park and Recreation Month festivities. Tim tells us about how the idea of a designated day to lift up the people who are working so hard in their communities came to him in the most appropriate setting – his local park!

He also shares an informative document that helps solidify why park and recreation professionals deserve to be celebrated. It’s called the “Recreation & Parks’ Internet of Things” and it highlights “how parks and recreation contribute to everything important” in a community.

And while we’re all excited about Park and Recreation Month and Park and Recreation Professionals Day coming up soon, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the celebrations may look different this year. We discuss how PRPS is adjusting its celebration and some of the things planned for July – including simply thanking a park and recreation professional for the important work they do.

Tim also shares some tips for an agency that may want to plan its own Park and Recreation Professionals Day this summer — his number one tip? Save the date.

Tune in to the full episode to hear why we can’t wait to celebrate YOU this July. And be sure to sign up on our Park and Recreation Month webpage to receive updates on all things Park and Recreation Month, as NRPA will be providing resources for Park and Recreation Professionals Day and the entire month very soon — so you’ll have everything you need to promote the celebration in your community.

Parks and Recreation’s Next Generation — Episode 065 May 05, 2020

We often get to have conversations with park and recreation professionals who are doing incredible work in their communities. Many times, the guests who are gracious enough to join us on Open Space Radio are people who are already established in their careers. It’s not every day, though, that we get to chat with college students who are studying the field of parks and recreation and who will soon embark on the exciting journey of entering a new career in the field.

On today’s episode, we are thrilled to be joined by two inspiring students who are pursuing their degrees in fields related to parks and recreation and will be graduating this year. Joining us on the show today is Mary Elise Conzelmann, who received her bachelor’s degree in recreation management from Humboldt State University in 2019 and will be receiving a master’s degree in business management from Saint Mary’s College of California this May. We’re also excited to be joined by Sean Fitzpatrick, who will be receiving a bachelor’s degree in sports and recreation management from Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire this May.

We recorded this episode in late March, and we discussed how the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted each of their final academic years — both schools they attend have since transitioned to online classes for the remainder of the term.

Mary Elise and Sean also share why they each chose this path and the things they’re looking for in a future career in parks and recreation — not necessarily the specific role they’re looking for, but what they hope to be able to do in that role. They also give their thoughts on why parks and recreation is an essential community service.

Other topics we discuss on today’s episode include:

The things they’re doing to prepare for their future careers, such as internships, attending conferences and networking with current professionals
What park and recreation agencies should look for in prospective employees
What an employer should do to keep staff engaged
What someone should consider if they’re early in their college career or thinking of going to school in a field related to parks and recreation
Resources like the NRPA Young Professional Network Facebook Group, Women in Parks and Recreation Facebook Group and NRPA Connect

Connect with Mary Elise on LinkedIn

Connect with Sean on LinkedIn

The Importance of Collaboration During COVID-19 — May Bonus Episode Apr 23, 2020

The May issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is out now, and on today’s bonus episode of Open Space Radio, we’re diving deeper into one of the feature articles, “Collaboration in the Time of Pandemic.” We’re honored to be joined by the author, and executive director of NOVA Parks, Paul Gilbert, as well as Jane Rudolph, director of Arlington County Department of Parks and Recreation, and Kirk Kincannon, executive director of Fairfax County Park Authority.

On today’s episode, we talk with these three park and recreation leaders from the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C., about their collaborative response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Their three agencies, as well as other local agencies, have been collaborating for many years, but that existing relationship has been even more beneficial during this time. While each of them has navigated tough decisions related to public health and their parks systems, having each other’s support has been key.

We discuss the difficult decisions they’ve had to make as far as closing their parks and the tough conversations that happened prior to making that decision. Although most trails are still open, these agencies, along with others in the area, ultimately decided to close their parks and confront the situation from a public health perspective, hoping to slow the spread of COVID-19. And, in an area like Northern Virginia, where many of the parks and trails that these agencies manage intertwine, it was necessary to have a unified approach.

Their unified approach and collaboration have ensured simple, consistent messaging to the communities they serve, as well as consistent messaging to their staff — many of whom are still working, while maintaining proper physical distancing, to make sure that when the parks are cleared to open, they will be ready.

Tune in to learn how these three agencies have been supporting each other and their communities in a time filled with uncertainty, as well as what types of messaging have been most impactful for them and how this collaboration is helping them plan for the future.

Safely Celebrate Earth Day with Parks and Recreation — Episode 064 Apr 21, 2020

Earth Day is a time when people all over the world promote the importance of environmental awareness, and it serves as a reminder that anyone can take small steps to protect the environment. This year, on April 22, we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.

Earth Day has been a critical event since its inception in 1970 – in fact, in response to the very first Earth Day, landmark environmental laws like The Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act were created, as well as the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). And while this is an extremely important day, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of the planned celebrations have had to go virtual.

On today’s episode, we’re joined by three dedicated and creative staff members of the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department in Ohio to talk about the virtual Earth Day celebrations they have planned so their community can learn more about the environment around them and how to protect it. Joining us on the show from Columbus Recreation and Parks Department are:

Betty Blockinger, Volunteer Manager
Colleen Sharkey, Program Coordinator
Rosalie Herndon, Environmental Planner

We talk about what Earth Day means to each of them, as well as why it’s so important to celebrate. And, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, their department is hosting a 10-day virtual Earth Day celebration to help the people who live in Columbus explore all the things that live and grow around their homes and in the community’s parks through a fun, scavenger hunt-style activity — while being mindful of physical distancing guidelines and state and local ordinances.

Various things to search for will be posted on their department’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts from April 15-25, and community members can win prizes by posting photos of the things they find, tagging the department and using #VirtualEarthDayCbus. People are encouraged to use iNaturalist, a mobile app that can be used to observe and identify various species — everything from the rarest of butterflies to a common weed.

The observations made through iNaturalist also support the conservation community at large. All the observations are verified by a community of experts and go through a process of verification and ultimately end up as data for researchers and environmentalists from around the globe to use. Here’s a video of Colleen showing how easy it is to use!

The Columbus Recreation and Parks Department is also engaging their community during this time through:

Sharing gardening tips and other activities on their outdoor recreation program’s Instagram account
Get Active At Home: With fitness facilities closed, the department’s health and wellness team is posting workouts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to encourage residents to get off the couch and get moving at home. From low-intensity workouts to adaptive yoga to high-intensity interval training (HIIT), there are a variety of workouts for all ages and fitness levels.
CAC Create at Home: While art classes at the Columbus Cultural Arts Center (CAC) are currently canceled, local artists are giving step-by-step instructions on creative arts projects via Facebook Live every Tuesday and Thursday at noon on the CAC Facebook page.

Thanks to Columbus Recreation and Parks Department and the important work of Betty, Colleen and Rosalie, the people who live in Columbus, Ohio, will be able to safely celebrate Earth Day — and regardless of where you live, this episode may give you ideas on how you can safely celebrate, as well!

Celebrating 150 Years of Golden Gate Park, Virtually — Episode 063 Apr 07, 2020

The year was 1870. It was only five years after the end of the Civil War, and it was the year that the California legislature proclaimed the inception of Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. This iconic park is affectionately known to San Franciscans as “Everybody’s Park,” and 150 years later, it is celebrating its sesquicentennial.

We originally recorded today’s episode a few months ago with Phil Ginsburg, general manager of the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, to talk about all the things that were planned in celebration of Golden Gate Park’s 150th birthday, which took place on April 4.

When we recorded that interview, no one could have predicted that things would look the way they do now with the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. With Californians — along with most of the country — being asked to stay home and not gather in large groups to slow the spread, among other precautions, Phil and his team had to get creative in order to allow people to still be able to celebrate this monumental event.

Today’s episode starts off with the first part of our original interview, as Phil talks about the history of Golden Gate Park and some of the things that make it so special and unique. Fortunately, we were able to talk with Phil again yesterday to get an update on the celebration and how people can join in and pay tribute to this historic event, which you’ll hear in the last half of the episode.

To kick off the celebration starting on April 4, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department launched a virtual concert series that will bring some of the historic past outdoor concerts and performances held in the park to people everywhere to enjoy for free. New concerts will be available to view every week throughout the year at the Virtual Golden Gate Park, and the first performance was a Boz Scaggs concert from 2016. The San Francisco-based rock band, Metallica, even sent a special birthday message to the park.

Besides the legendary virtual concerts, the celebration’s website will continue to be updated with ways people can celebrate, including virtual tours, downloadable coloring books and more.

Please join us in wishing Golden Gate Park a Happy 150th Birthday!

Other resources related to this episode:

How Parks Can Ensure Fireflies Continue to Shine Bright — April Bonus Episode Mar 26, 2020

Disclaimer: Today’s episode was previously recorded and focuses on how parks can help save fireflies, which is the cover story of the April issue of Parks & Recreation magazine. We recognize some of the topics discussed on this episode are more difficult to implement at this time during the COVID-19 pandemic, but we hope you find the topic interesting and that it will give you some ideas for the future. If nothing else, you'll learn some fascinating facts about fireflies! We also want you to know that NRPA is actively monitoring developments around the current COVID-19 pandemic and how it is impacting parks and recreation — head to our Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) web page for the most up-to-date information on our response, as well as resources from NRPA, health organizations and federal agencies

The April issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is out now, and on this bonus episode of Open Space Radio, we’re diving deeper into the feature article, “Can Parks Help Save Fireflies?” We’re joined by the author, and editor-at-large for Parks & Recreation, Richard J. Dolesh, as well as Michele White, an NRPA conservation program manager, to talk about the current threat to the firefly species. And, whether you call them fireflies or lightning bugs, one thing is certain: they need our help.

There are about 2,000 species of fireflies worldwide, and approximately 170 species are found in the United States. Currently, the greatest threats to these species are loss of habitat, light pollution and the use of certain pesticides, but there are ways that parks can become more “firefly friendly” and help save the future of these species. On this episode, we discuss some current projects in parks around the country that are helping educate the public about fireflies, as well as some things that parks can do to help stifle the threat to the species, including:

Mowing grasslands and meadow habitat in rotational strips or a mosaic pattern (this is great for pollinators, too)
Creating more meadows and more edge habitat, and leaving a grass buffer strip around forest edges
Trying to create more moisture year-round, if possible.
Planting green infrastructure areas with pollinators and fireflies in mind
Leaving forested areas natural — allow for more leaf litter and leave downed trees in place, as this is where firefly larvae are typically found
Evaluating your outdoor lighting and reducing light-spread, if possible, in high-quality habitat areas

Of course, thinking of fireflies tends to bring a sense of nostalgia, so Rich and Michele each share some of their earliest memories and discuss how the joy of seeing fireflies is often a person’s first vivid memory of connecting with nature. And while the days of running around trying to catch fireflies in mason jars may be behind us (it is strongly advised against, nowadays), we talk about how there are still safe, responsible ways to appreciate our illuminated friends of the night. We also talk about how educating kids about fireflies can be a great catalyst for starting a lifelong appreciation of the outdoors and relationship with nature.

Other useful resources discussed in this episode:

NRPA’s Parks for Pollinators

Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz

International Dark Sky Association

Xerces Society

Conserving the Jewels of the Night

iNaturalist

The Importance of Mentoring in Parks and Recreation — Episode 062 Mar 24, 2020

Disclaimer: Today’s episode was previously recorded and focuses on the importance of mentoring in parks and recreation. While we recognize some of the topics discussed on this episode are more difficult to implement at this time during the COVID-19 pandemic, we encourage you to think of creative ways you can continue to connect with your community, while following all local, state and national ordinances and guidelines. NRPA is actively monitoring developments around the current COVID-19 pandemic and how it is impacting parks and recreation — head to our Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) web page for the most up-to-date information on our response, as well as resources from NRPA, health organizations and federal agencies

One in three young people in the U.S. reaches age 19 without a mentor of any kind. This includes the nine million at-risk youth who are missing the critical support and connections that mentoring can provide. But, park and recreation agencies are closing this gap by offering one-on-one and group youth mentoring programs and helping at-risk youth gain access to quality mentors.

To assist in this work, NRPA recently launched an initiative dedicated to developing and implementing a mentorship program for youth impacted by the opioid crisis in rural Central Appalachia. One community that has felt this crisis heavily is Elizabethton, Tennessee, where many people have been impacted in some way, either directly or indirectly through family and friends struggling with substance-use disorder. The impact of this crisis on the youth in Elizabethton was even recently covered in a New York Times article and includes perspectives from one of our guests today and the work she is doing. In places facing similar issues, park and recreation professionals often serve as mentors and the one caring adult for children who experience adversity and trauma in their households or community.

On today’s episode, we’re joined by Kelly Kitchens, the program/special events coordinator for City of Elizabethton Parks and Recreation Department, and Lauren Kiefert, an NRPA program specialist, to talk a little about NRPA’s Mentoring in Parks and Rec initiative and the critical work being done in Elizabethton.

We discuss what mentoring means to each of them and how mentorship has shaped the person they’ve each become. Other questions we tackle in this episode include:

What does a mentoring program need to look like in an area that has been hit hard by the opioid crisis — like Elizabethton?
Why is it important to implement mentoring programs into existing park and recreation offerings?
How do we ensure the importance of mentoring stays relevant?
What is the future of mentoring in parks and recreation?

How Park and Recreation Leaders are Addressing Coronavirus — Episode 61 Mar 10, 2020

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has made its way to the U.S. and the number of people infected continues to rise, with at least 539 confirmed cases in the U.S. at the time of this recording (at the time this episode was published, numbers had been recalculated to 432 confirmed cases in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). As the gatekeepers of many of our nation’s public gathering spaces, park and recreation professionals are seeking answers to key questions as they prepare strategies around response and prevention in the coming days and weeks — especially in communities that are starting to document confirmed cases.

To help answer some of these questions, on today’s episode we’re joined by three park and recreation leaders from across the country who are actively addressing issues related to coronavirus:

Jesús Aguirre, Superintendent of Seattle Parks and Recreation and NRPA board member
Brian Zimmerman, CEO of Cleveland Metroparks
Adriane Clutter, Division Chief

Each of the states where these three live and work are experiencing confirmed or potential cases of COVID-19. As of this recording, Washington State had 136 confirmed cases, the D.C., Maryland and Virginia region had nine confirmed cases, and in Ohio, there are four potential cases being investigated (three of those cases have been confirmed at the time of publishing this episode).

On this episode, we chat about:

The impact of COVID-19 so far in each of their communities
How they are handling communications to community members and dealing with misinformation and stigma surrounding this disease
How they are collaborating with state and local health officials as well as other nearby park and recreation departments
Preparations for the financial implications of COVID-19
Actions their agencies are taking to ensure they have proper staff coverage while keeping staff as safe as possible
The importance of creating talking points for staff to ensure everyone is on the same page when communicating with the public

Tune in to the episode below to hear our full conversation on how these three leaders are ensuring their communities stay healthy, well-informed and safe.

Resources discussed in this episode:

Other helpful resources:

A Blueprint for Social Equity and Economic Prosperity — March Bonus Episode Feb 27, 2020

The March issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is out now, and on this bonus episode of Open Space Radio we’re diving deeper into one of the feature articles, “St. Louis: A Path Toward Equitable Design.” The article showcases the framework plan for the Chouteau Greenway in St. Louis — a $250 million greenway development. The public-private partnership spans 15 miles and 20 neighborhoods, with the goal of connecting communities and unifying different populations.

One person who has played an instrumental role in this project is Susan Trautman, CEO of Great Rivers Greenway, and we’re thrilled to chat with her on the show.

On this episode, we discuss how important it is that a public space like this connects diverse populations throughout the city, and the impact that this kind of project makes on the communities that it touches.

We also talk about the release of the Chouteau Greenway Framework Plan that was recently released in December 2019. The plan focuses on four main topics:

Alignment (feasibility of possible routes),
Design & Identity (look and feel of the greenway),
Economic Growth (the greenway as a catalyst for opportunity)
Equity (equitable outcomes in project and process)

Social equity remains at the forefront of Chouteau Greenway, as well as community engagement, and Great Rivers Greenway is currently reviewing submissions for the new name of the greenway. Due to the sensitive nature of the name “Chouteau,” which was the name of a slave owner in St. Louis, a large part of this project is soliciting a new name from the community — and they have over 1,000 submissions!

To learn more about this project and see what the future holds for the greenway, tune in to the episode below.

Cultivating a New Generation of Diverse Environmental Leaders — Episode 060 Feb 25, 2020

Parks everywhere serve as a gateway to nature and the great outdoors. As stewards of these spaces, it’s our responsibility to cultivate the next generation of diverse environmental leaders that will utilize and protect these spaces for generations to come.

To assist park agencies with this important work, NRPA recently collaborated with renowned expert and author, Angelou Ezeilo, to host an interactive diversity workshop at our headquarters in Ashburn, Virginia, and we’re thrilled to have her join us on the show.

Angelou is the founder and CEO of Greening Youth Foundation, an organization that focuses on the recruitment and placement of thousands of youth and young adults from diverse backgrounds in careers in conservation and land management. Her book, Engage, Connect, Protect: Empowering Young Diverse Environmental Leaders, illustrates the lifelong pursuit of inclusion and equity in conservation and environmental stewardship.

On today’s episode, we chat with Angelou about her journey and the work she is doing to bridge the cultural divide and activate a new generation of environmental stewards, as well as why it’s so important to foster a love for this kind of mission.

We also chat about why culturally relevant curriculum is necessary to engage more diverse youth in environmental conservation, and how intentional and thoughtful partnerships can help park and recreation agencies work with diverse youth in their own communities.

We discuss why it’s important to have these discussions — even when they may make us feel uncomfortable or unsure. Talking is more important than not talking, and it gets easier the more we do it.

To learn more about Angelou’s inspiring work, tune in to the full episode below, and be sure to check out these resources, as well:

How Park and Recreation Professionals Are Agents of Change — Episode 059 Feb 10, 2020

On today’s episode, we sit down with Kristine Stratton, NRPA President and CEO, and Neelay Bhatt, Vice President at PROS Consulting Inc, to discuss their presentation at the Agents of Change Summit this week. They’ll be in San Diego, California, sharing how park and recreation professionals are agents of change in their communities — particularly around how they influence and change health behaviors and how parks are a solution to many of our most pressing health and wellness challenges, like obesity, mental health issues and substance use.

They will be talking with public health professionals about why they need to be thinking about parks as a partner and solution, and how park and recreation professionals are already tackling many of these issues in their communities.

We talk about why it’s important to share the story of parks and recreation — and all the things that local park and recreation professionals provide in their communities — with various audiences and stakeholders, as well as how park and recreation professionals can ensure they aren’t only part of the conversation about these societal challenges, but leading it.

Tune in to the full episode below to hear other topics we discuss, such as:

How solutions to global problems start at the local level
How other countries are using parks and recreation to help solve many of these problems
How partnerships differ when it comes to public health issues
How park and recreation master planning can help in solving these problems

Turning Impossible Situations into Opportunities — Episode 058 Jan 28, 2020

Today’s episode is a deep dive into how one impossible situation can inspire multiple opportunities within a community. We hear from Jessica Patterson, Community Outreach Coordinator for Groton Parks and Recreation in Connecticut and Officer Heather McClelland, Community Policing Officer for the Groton Police Department. These are two truly inspirational people who came together from two different public agencies to create a network of support for Alzheimer’s Caregivers as well as a Cognitive Safety and Awareness Program for their community.

What started as a way for Jessica to cope with her mother’s diagnosis of Alzheimer’s has turned into multiple programs and cross-department partnerships that are enriching an entire community and making it safer.

Tune into this episode to hear how this came to be and how “we are all in this together.”

Resources mentioned in this episode:

What Does It Take to Be a Courageous Leader? — February Bonus Episode Jan 23, 2020

The February issue of Parks & Recreation magazine is out now, and we recently had the opportunity to chat with Jamie Sabbach about her article, “Leading With Courage,” for this month’s bonus episode. Jamie is the president and CEO of 110% Inc. and Amilia Consulting USA, and she joined us to talk about true courageous leadership, as well as explain why it is so important to the field of parks and recreation.

On this episode, Jamie expands on the idea that the term “leadership” is often confused with other words like “management,” and that there is a misrepresentation of authority figures as leaders simply because of the seats they occupy and the titles they hold. We talk about the idea that a person is sometimes seen as a leader based on their title, not necessarily their “leadership” qualities. And while this is true in many cases, it can also be said that someone doesn’t have to wait to be in a certain “position” to be a great leader.

We also chat about why good leadership is essential to the smart growth and sustainability of a park and recreation agency. In her article, Jamie says that leadership requires the ability to say things that are not necessarily the easiest or most popular. She mentions maintenance backlogs and deteriorating infrastructure being a concern for many park and recreation professionals across the country, and that it’s easier to appeal to those who are attracted to the novelty of growth and new development than to have the less popular and more difficult conversation telling people that they simply cannot have the bright, shiny object without contributing to its ongoing care and maintenance.

Jamie also shares some things that park and recreation professionals can do to make sure their voices are heard in the bigger conversations about some of the major challenges in the world today, such as homelessness, obesity and the opioid crisis.

What are your thoughts on how park and recreation professionals can be courageous leaders in their communities? Email us and let us know!

The Future of Adaptive Programming — Episode 057 Jan 14, 2020

On today’s episode of Open Space Radio, we’re going back to the 2019 NRPA Annual Conference in Baltimore, Maryland, where we met with Julianne Mills, a program manager for Disabled Sports USA. Disabled Sports USA is a national leader in community-based adaptive sports, and has focused on one goal since 1967: To improve the lives of wounded warriors, youth and adults with disabilities by providing sports and recreation opportunities.

We chat with Julianne about why inclusive and adaptive programming is critical to ensuring all people have access to quality park and recreation offerings, as well as some examples of unique adaptive programming that she’s seen in her work (such as the Adaptive Cycling Center at Magnuson Park in Seattle, Washington, that has a fleet of over 200 adaptive bikes).

We also talk about ways that park and recreation professionals can implement more adaptive programming at their agencies. Julianne shares that the best way to get started is to make a commitment and know that it is possible. She also shares the mantra, “Do what you do best, and partner for the rest,” as a way to encourage park and recreation professionals to reach out to other organizations that can assist in these efforts, like your local chapter of Disabled Sports USA.

Julianne also shares the various resources available from Disabled Sports USA, like Adapt2Achieve, which contains free or low-cost training manuals, webinars and other educational resources that park and recreation professionals may find useful in advancing inclusive and adaptive programming.

Other useful resources discussed in this episode:

Roxanne and Cort’s New Year’s Resolutions — Episode 056 Dec 31, 2019

Since New Year’s Eve falls on the same Tuesday as the release of a new episode, we felt it would be fitting to reflect on the past year and share some of our resolutions moving into 2020.

On this episode, we discuss the ways we’re both going to make sure self-care is a priority in the new year. As much as it gets thrown around as a buzzword these days, it’s so important, and absolutely necessary in order to be our best selves. Whether it’s getting more sleep, exercise or water — or whatever it means to you — self-care should always be at the top of the list.

We also share some of our mantras for the new year, such as:

“Because I love myself enough to keep going.”
“Don’t feel guilty for doing what’s best for your body.”
“Eat lunch, don’t be a jerk.”

Tune in to the episode below to hear the inspiration behind these mantras and how they’re going to motivate us in 2020. We also talk about our excitement for the future of Open Space Radio, some new things we have in store and the ways we want to better connect with you (for starters, come say hi and follow us on Instagram)!

Thank you so much for your continued support of the show, and Happy New Year!

Diving Deeper Into the 2020 Park and Rec Trends — January Bonus Episode Dec 26, 2019

Are you ready for a bonus episode of Open Space Radio? In addition to the episodes we release every other Tuesday morning, we are adding an extra episode each month that takes a deeper look at Parks & Recreation magazine’s feature article. Starting with the January 2020 issue of the magazine, you can now enjoy a bonus episode of Open Space Radio and expanded content on the magazine every month!

To kick it off, we are diving deeper into one of our most popular annual magazine articles, written by none other than NRPA’s Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, Rich Dolesh. This highly-anticipated article in Parks & Recreation magazine explores upcoming trends in the field and we're excited to chat with Rich on the show today.

On this episode we explore how one of the hottest topics of 2019 (check out eSports at the Rec Center? — Episode 046) is going to continue its momentum into the new decade. Not only is the Sports Emmy Awards going to have an awards category for outstanding eSports coverage, but we may also see a rise in demand for eSports coaches in parks and recreation.

Tune in below to hear about other technology that park and recreation professionals may start to see more of in 2020, like commercial drones (to deliver pizza to your park event) and micromobility devices that are faster, quieter and better able to navigate various types of terrain.

We also talk about:

How conservation efforts of park and recreation agencies are going to increase in 2020.
How agencies will ban Glyphosate — an herbicide that has links to negative impacts on human health and wildlife, despite the EPA declaring it safe earlier this year.
Green burials and human composting — which is exactly what it sounds like.
“The Mosquito” — a sonic disruptor device that emits a high-frequency noise that can only be heard by people ages 13-2.

Check out the full episode to hear Rich’s thoughts on all this and more.

Are you seeing these trends? We’d love to hear your personal experience. What else do you see popping up in parks and recreation in 2020? Email us your predictions to openspace@nrpa.org! You can even send us a voice memo with your story and we may play it in an upcoming episode.

Wow Your Community with an Epic Fireworks Display — Episode 055 Dec 17, 2019

With the end of the year rapidly approaching, many cities and towns are gearing up for their annual celebrations to ring in the New Year. And while there are a lot of ways you can make your celebrations special, nothing quite brings it all together like a good fireworks display.

On today’s episode, we’re joined by two people who not only know a lot about putting on an epic fireworks display, they also take a lot of pride in it. They presented a session at the 2019 NRPA Annual Conference in Baltimore on the anatomy of a great fireworks display, and recently had an article in the December issue of Parks & Recreation magazine — and we’re excited to chat with them on the show today.

We’re joined by John Prue, Installation Program Director at Morale, Welfare & Recreation (MWR), Naval Station Great Lakes in Illinois. John is also currently serving as the Chairperson for the NRPA Conference Program Committee, which is currently evaluating over 600 education session proposals that were submitted for the 2020 NRPA Annual Conference. He is also an elected member of the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA)

We’re also joined by John’s co-presenter from the conference, Wynn Cramer, an event producer with Melrose Pyrotechnics, a fireworks display company.

Tune in to the full episode below to hear us chat about the things park and recreation agencies should consider when deciding on a fireworks display at an event. We talk about everything from doing the initial research and using resources from organizations like the American Pyrotechnics Association, to finding the right vendor, to using music and narration to add another layer to your fireworks display.

We also discuss ways you can ensure people at your events aren’t negatively impacted if they suffer from conditions like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or sensory sensitivities.

What Is Your Park and Recreation Life Hack? — Episode 054 Dec 03, 2019

A life hack is a clever tip or technique for accomplishing a familiar task more easily and efficiently. And, with so many park and recreation professionals having to wear multiple hats — sometimes in the course of a single day — anything that can efficiently simplify a task and save time is usually welcomed pretty warmly.

On this episode of Open Space Radio, we’re looking back at one of the questions that we asked attendees at the 2019 NRPA Annual Conference in Baltimore, Maryland: What is your park and recreation life hack?

With everything from duct tape and zip ties, to quotes from Michael Jordan and love, you’re sure to find some inspiration when you hear the life hacks of these people who were brave enough to get on the mic with us:

Elena Messenger, Therapeutic Recreation Programmer, Stafford County Parks and Recreation
Gabby Anglin, Recreation Coordinator, Victoria Parks and Recreation
Aaron Davis, Director, Mebane Recreation and Parks
Kristy Lintz, Recreation Program Specialist, Rapid City Parks and Recreation
Kasey Mahony, Cadillac District Supervisor, Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Lisa Mansfield, Recreation Supervisor, City of Findlay Parks & Recreation
Nicole Moore, Recreation Programmer II, Stafford County Parks and Recreation
David Heath, Parks and Recreation Superintendent, Bullhead City

Do you have your own park and recreation life hack that you’d like to share with us? Send us an email at openspaceradio@nrpa.org and we’ll send you some stickers!

As a special bonus for listening to this episode, you can get a discount on NRPA Live — the virtual version of the NRPA Annual Conference. By using the coupon code OPENSPACE, you’ll get 15 percent off the 18 full education session options that are available now!

Serving Our Nation's Capital: A Chat with DCDPR's Delano Hunter — Episode 053 Nov 19, 2019

As a native Washingtonian, a park and rec kid, and a long history of serving the community, Delano Hunter is well suited for the role of director of D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation (DCDPR).

Delano says he’s honored and privileged to serve the city he loves alongside some of the people who shaped him growing up, and we were honored and privileged to have him join us at NRPA headquarters recently to talk about how DCDPR is finding ways to serve members of the D.C. community through innovative programming, special events and community partnerships.

We also discuss Delano’s path to a career in parks and recreation, and how there really isn’t one right/prescribed way to work in this field. Prior to joining DCDPR in 2018, Delano was the Chief Service Officer for Serve DC, a D.C. government agency dedicated to promoting service as an innovative, sustainable solution to pressing social challenges. Before that, he helped develop a mentoring program at Nike. While they may not have been directly related to parks and recreation at the time, these types of diverse backgrounds are what make parks and recreation capable of impacting lives on so many different levels.

Delano also touches on why it’s important for parks and recreation to be an extension of the education system, and why it’s critical to reach kids in out-of-school times. We discuss how partnerships with organizations like Aetna and Lululemon are helping DCDPR reach people of all ages in D.C. Delano also shares about his #30DaysofDPR campaign, where he went on a citywide tour of DCDPR’s 63 recreation facilities last January to highlight the programs, activities and people who make those centers so special.

Tune in to the episode below to learn about all the things DCDPR is doing (and they’re doing a lot of things) to help make the nation’s capital a better place to live.

Note: The morning we recorded this episode, we were saddened to learn about the passing of a great advocate for parks and recreation, Karla Kelley. Karla was a highly-involved member of NRPA, the Chief of Programs for the Bureau of Recreation for City of Baltimore Department of Recreation and Parks and worked for DCDPR for many years. Delano shares his memories of Karla, who was so loved in the parks and recreation community.

Don’t Wait! Take the Jump in Your Career Now! — Episode 052 Nov 05, 2019

Please note: This episode was recorded on the exhibit hall floor at the 2019 NRPA Annual Conference, so you may hear some background noise - it's the sound of over 8,000 passionate park and recreation advocates.

“I do everything around here.”

“Do you think that’s fair?”

“I gotta go master the monkeys [bars].”

These wise quotes have been in the back of Sue Yerkes’s mind for much of her career. They have also been a staple in Sue’s efforts to help others take the jump to advance in their careers. You may be wondering which insightful philosophers are credited with these quotes. Aristotle? Emerson? Steve Jobs?

Try again. These inspiring quotes came from Sue’s nieces, nephews and own kids — who are all under the age of 6. And sometimes, it’s the innocent minds of children that remind us of the most valuable life lessons.

We had the chance to sit down with Sue, who is the director of Grandview Parks & Recreation in Missouri, at the 2019 NRPA Annual Conference in Baltimore, Maryland, to find out about her journey into the field of parks and recreation and some of the “aha” moments she’s had along the way.

Tune in to the episode below to learn how Sue interpreted the advice from children in her family to not only advance in her own career, but also motivate and inspire others to do the same. She also shares her philosophy on how even though it may not always seem like the “right” time to do something, sometimes we have to get out of our comfort zones and “take the jump” in our careers.

Providing Outdoor Recreation in the Big City - Episode 051 Oct 22, 2019

When people think of outdoor recreation, their first thought may not of an urban setting. On this episode of Open Space Radio, we’re talking with two people who know a lot about the challenges of providing outdoor recreation opportunities in urban areas. When we were at the 2019 NRPA Annual Conference in Baltimore last month, we had the chance to sit down with a few of the staff from our local host agency, Baltimore City Recreation and Parks.

Tune in below to hear our conversation with Molly Gallant, an outdoor recreation programmer (aka the park princess), and Bob Wall, the deputy director of Baltimore City Recreation and Parks, about programs they’ve implemented to make sure kids in the city of Baltimore have access to quality outdoor recreation opportunities close to home — like their youth fishing program, among others.

We talk about the importance of providing access to outdoor recreation opportunities — and park and recreation’s role as a mentor — in fostering future stewards of public lands. We also discuss the ways that outdoor recreation can break down barriers, the partnerships that have helped along the way, and what access to outdoor recreation opportunities means to Molly and Bob personally.

And, as a special bonus for listening to this episode, you can get a discount on NRPA Live — the virtual version of the NRPA Annual Conference. By using the coupon code OPENSPACE, you’ll get 15 percent off the 18 full education session options that are available now!

What Advice Would You Give Your Younger Self? — Episode 50 Oct 08, 2019

Today’s episode of Open Space Radio is a special one because it is officially our 50th episode! It was hard to imagine having 50 episodes when we launched two years ago, but we’re here and we’re thriving. Open Space Radio has consistently been in the Apple charts for non-profit podcasts, and often in the top ten!

The timing of our 50th episode is pretty appropriate. We just got back from the 2019 NRPA Annual Conference in Baltimore, and it was amazing to meet so many of our listeners and chat with those of you who have never even heard of the show. We were thrilled to get some of you on the mic, and we’re looking forward to sharing the great answers to six questions we asked people who stopped by the Open Space Radio booth.

So, thank you to everyone who visited us and thank you for listening — whether this is your 50th episode or your first — we really appreciate you tuning in.

And since it’s our 50th episode and we’ve been reflecting on when we first started, we thought it would be appropriate to use this episode to explore one of the questions we asked while we were in Baltimore: What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

Tune in to the show below to hear the sage advice from the following people who were brave enough to get on the mic with us:

Stacie Anaya, Director, City of Lewisville Parks and Recreation Department
Anthony Iracki, MS, CPRP, Recreation Supervisor, Whitefish Bay Recreation
Brissa Ibarra, California State University, East Bay
Beeg Johnson, Recreation Director, City of Eagle Parks, Pathways & Recreation
Tony Phillips, Director, City of South Fulton Parks and Recreation
Donna Lindenmeier, Associate Professor of Recreation and Leisure Studies, Oklahoma State University
Gabriel Passos, Aquatics Recreation Programmer II, Stafford County Parks and Recreation
Jenny Cox, Conservation Program Manager, NRPA
Tom Ellis, CPRP, Parks Superintendent, Oro Valley Parks and Recreation

And of course, we couldn’t have a 50th episode celebration without sharing some of our own advice that we would tell our younger selves, like making sure to make yourself proud first and the importance of stepping outside of your comfort zone.

To finish out our celebration, we have officially launched an Instagram just for the podcast. So be sure to follow us @openspaceradio and say hi, tell us your ideas for future episodes and tag us in photos of you listening to the podcast! You can also send feedback or episode ideas to openspace@nrpa.org, and we’ll send you an Open Space Radio sticker!

Again, a huge thank you to everyone who sat down with us at the 2019 NRPA Annual Conference and thank you to everyone who has listened and helped us get to 50 episodes. We could not have done it without all our amazing past guests, listeners and colleagues at NRPA who support Open Space Radio!

Welcome to Baltimore! — Episode 049 Sep 20, 2019

Today’s episode is a special edition of Open Space Radio — we’re diving behind the scenes of the upcoming 2019 NRPA Annual Conference in Baltimore, Maryland, which is happening September 24-26. We’re releasing this episode a little earlier than we typically do, in hopes that those of you who are attending can tune in as you fly, drive or hike your way to Baltimore. For those of you who are unable to attend, we still have some great tips that you can apply to other conferences (and hopefully a future NRPA Annual Conference).

We’re joined by Amanda Hersey, NRPA’s Director of Conferences aka the mastermind behind the event, and Matt Brubaker, NRPA’s Director of Marketing, who is the guru behind promoting the conference and responsible for sharing the many great things the conference has to offer.

Amanda and Matt share some valuable insider tips on making the most of your time at the conference, things that are new to the conference this year and the events that you won’t want to miss (like Cal Ripken Jr.’s keynote speech or the NRPA Opening Reception sponsored by GameTime).

We also chat about the things we’re all looking forward to this year in Baltimore, but one thing is certain: We can’t wait to see thousands of park and recreation professionals together in Charm City to learn, network and be inspired.

Tune in to the episode below to make sure you don’t miss out on anything at the 2019 NRPA Annual Conference! And, be sure to stop by the Open Space Radio booth (#1519) in the exhibit hall to say hi, answer some questions on the microphone and get some pretty sweet Open Space Radio swag!

More Information:

2019 NRPA Annual Conference

Keynote Speakers

NRPA Annual Conference Mobile App

Workshops, Off-Site Institutes and Local Host Activities

Networking Events

Insider's Tips for Navigating the NRPA Annual Conference

NRPA Conference Facebook Live Streaming Times

NRPA Live

Digital Marketing: It’s All About the Data — Episode 048 Sep 10, 2019

There’s a chance you’ve been scrolling through your social media outlet of choice, doing some online shopping or reading your favorite email newsletter, when you see an advertisement for something that seems like it’s speaking directly to you. You’re wondering how the all-knowing internet knows you need this thing — but it does. And you do.

That’s digital marketing.

Digital marketing is any marketing that is done on a digital channel, such as, social media, mobile apps, email, websites, search engines — and even podcasts.

Digital marketing can be a useful tool for park and recreation agencies that want to promote their programs, special events and other offerings to a broader audience. Letting your community know about the things you offer can be exciting — and increase the impact your agency makes — but it can also be a little overwhelming, whether you’re new to marketing or not, because there are just so many programs and services out there.

On today’s episode, we’re joined by Stephen Gendreau, Director of Advertising and Media Operations for ACTIVE Network. ACTIVE Network — which provides digital marketing services, as well as event and participation management — is one of our partners for this year’s Parks Build Community renovation of Catherine Street Park in Baltimore, Maryland.

We chat with Stephen about what digital marketing means for parks and recreation, as well as the most important thing you need for your digital marketing efforts to succeed (hint: it’s data).

Key takeaways from this episode:

Data and understanding your audience are essential to a successful digital marketing campaign and will help you deliver the right message to the right audience at the right time.
Pixels — such as Google Analytics or other analytics services — on your website can help you understand who is visiting your site and who is interested in specific offerings.
Meeting your community where they are online (social media, search engines, etc.) can help you engage with audiences that are typically harder to reach.
Don’t get complacent in your marketing efforts — just because something worked this time, doesn’t necessarily mean it will work in the future, and vice versa.
Use the data you collect — rather than feelings or observations — to make your marketing decisions

To learn more about how to build and execute effective park and recreation marketing and communication campaigns that will help you better connect with your community, check out the NRPA Marketing and Communications Certificate. And, if you’re going to be at the 2019 NRPA Annual Conference in Baltimore, be sure to attend the Marketing Certificate Program pre-conference workshop!

Programming for the Young and Young-at-Heart — Episode 047 Aug 29, 2019

In this episode we are taking on some listener requests for more podcasts on park and recreation programming (P.S. we’d love to hear your requests for episodes, so email Roxanne or Cort with your ideas!).

Today, we’re looking at intergenerational programming – what it is, how it’s working in the field and how it’s impacting those who participate in the programs. We interviewed three people in order to collect these different perspectives and you’ll likely notice that our mics and audio sound a bit different interview to interview as they were done in different locations.

First, you’ll hear from Emily Patrick of Generations United. She is dedicated to promoting and educating people about the benefits of intergenerational programs.

Second, you’ll hear from Candice Holbrook from the Department of Parks, Recreation and Waterfront in Burlington, Vermont where she manages intergenerational programming.

Third, you’ll hear from Martha Ahmed, an older adult who participates in intergenerational programming in Burlington.

Some key takeaways from this episode:

Interactions between older adults and youth can provide mental and emotional health benefits to both groups and help with loneliness and isolation.
Intergenerational programs can involve older adults serving youth, youth serving older adults, multiple generations working together to serve others, and an organization providing services to both groups at the same time.
You can start intergenerational with the resources you have now — perhaps by combining activities between two existing programs.
The intergenerational experience truly makes a positive impact on those involved.

Resources mentioned in this episode and related resources:

Burlington Parks, Recreation & Waterfront: Recreation and Nutrition Drop-In Programs

eSports at the Rec Center? — Episode 046 Aug 12, 2019

Three million dollars. That’s how much Kyle Giersdorf just won at the Fortnite World Cup — a video game competition held at the Arthur Ashe tennis stadium in New York. That’s right. He won $3 million playing video games in a place typically reserved for the US Open.

eSports, or video game competitions, isn’t new, but it is a growing trend. So much so that eSports is starting to make a space for itself in the world of parks and recreation. Durango Parks and Recreation in Colorado, for example, has included large-scale, competitive video gaming in its draft master plan.

Cort and I had the opportunity to chat about eSports with Neelay Bhatt — Vice President at PROS Consulting, NRPA board member, and an established thought leader in the field of parks and recreation. Our conversation stemmed from the speed session Neelay will be presenting this year at the NRPA Annual Conference in Baltimore titled, “eSports 101: Just What the Heck Is eSports and Why/How Should My Agency Participate in It?”

In this episode we discuss what eSports is, its impact on parks and recreation and the potential opportunities it presents.

Tips for Advancing in the Field of Parks and Recreation — Episode 045 Aug 05, 2019

I think it’s fair to say that many times when people enter a career field, they do so with intentions of advancing in that career and continuing to progress, learn and grow. Of course, there are those moments of complacency that can creep up, and often we’re so busy with the work at hand that we don’t even think about the next steps in our career. Sometimes it’s just that taking that step toward your own professional development seems like a daunting task – especially if you don’t know where to start.

On today’s episode, we’re joined by two people who know a thing or two about advancing in the field of parks and recreation. Joining us are Michael Kalvort, CPRE, the Recreation Services Director for City of Boca Raton, Florida, and Hayley Herzing, NRPA’s Senior Manager of Membership.

Michael discusses some of the steps he took early in his career that set him up to be where he is today, including the importance of:

saying ‘yes’ to everything you can;
certification;
networking;
mentorship;
being part of a state or national association; and
continuing to learn.

Hayley offers guidance on many of the resources NRPA provides to its members, such as:

What’s Your Funniest Moment on the Job? — Episode 044 Jul 15, 2019

It’s no secret that working in parks and recreation comes with its share of unpredictable, funny moments. You must really be ready for anything — and many times these moments provide those deeply-satisfying laughs you can feel throughout your entire body (whether it’s instantly or one of those “this will be funny when we look back on it” moments).

We’ve been asking you to share your funniest moments while on the job with us on our Instagram page, and the responses we’ve received are hilarious (we promise we’ve been laughing with you all). On this episode of Open Space Radio, we had the opportunity to chat with a few folks to get the full story behind their responses to our Instagram post.

On this episode you’ll hear from:

Eryn Mann, Marketing Coordinator, Henrico County Recreation and Parks (Virginia)

Eryn shares about the time a traveling cat circus inquired about using one of their venues for a performance. Sadly, the request was not approved, but the Acro-Cats (and the Rock Cats — an all-cat rock band) appear to still be touring.

Eryn also shared a couple other funny moments with us — the time she was chased by a cow during a farm animal Halloween photo shoot (the cow has been known to chase people) and the time she found a tree in one of their parks fitted with custom-made pants. Fun fact: Eryn’s only been with the department for two years — we have a feeling she’s in for some more funny moments!

Nicole DiCicco, CPSI, Assistant Director, Dover Parks & Recreation (Massachusetts)

Nicole shares about the time there was an accident in a very large tube slide (think poo emoji). According to Nicole, “there isn’t anything as funny as seeing two grown men having to squeeze into a (very stinky) tube slide AND one having to hold the other by the ankles to be able to reach the smeared mess to clean up!”

The mess was from the very top of the slide all the way to the bottom of what Nicole describes as “the tallest playground.” This will most likely be a legendary story in Dover for years to come.

Stephanie Harden, Center Director, Warren Road Community Center and T. Garrett Gymnasium (Georgia)

Stephanie shares about the time that one of her summer campers was answering her phone. Although presumably embarrassing, Stephanie couldn’t help but laugh when she walked over to her phone to find the summer camper say, “No worries, Miss Stephanie — I answered all your calls, took messages and told everyone you were in the restroom!”

As you can imagine, Augusta residents got a laugh — and according to Stephanie, everyone knows this summer camper and thought it was the funniest thing ever. You never really know what you’re going to get working with kids!

And we couldn’t let a “funniest moments” podcast end without sharing a few of our own funniest moments while on the job. Roxanne reflects on the time a person in a gorilla costume was chasing a person in a banana costume through the Starbucks that she worked at, and Cort talks about the time he was called “Curt Johnson” repeatedly on a live interview (Cort Jones, Curt Johnson, same thing).

We also reminisce on a hilarious video that NRPA staff put together back in 2015 to celebrate Park and Recreation Month!

Tune in to the show to listen to hear the full story!

Game On for Park and Recreation Month with SaulPaul — Episode 043 Jul 01, 2019

Happy Park and Recreation Month! Throughout July, we celebrate all of the great things that are happening in local parks and recreation centers nationwide. This year’s theme for Park and Recreation Month is Game On, and we’re excited to have some fun all month long!

On today's episode we’re joined by SaulPaul, a musician with a message. SaulPaul was a keynote speaker at the 2018 NRPA Annual Conference in Indianapolis, and he’s back to help us celebrate Park and Recreation Month this year.

On this episode, we chat with SaulPaul about why he decided to spread his “Be the Change” message to local park and recreation departments, and the work that he’s been doing in communities across the country to entertain, inspire and empower people. We also talk about why he feels parks and recreation is so vital to every community, as well as how he’s celebrating Park and Recreation Month!

We also talk about the inspiration for the #ParkRecTwoStepChallenge, which is a video contest open throughout July encouraging people to get creative, active and have some fun! Tune in to the episode below to learn more — and find out how you can win weekly prizes and the chance to have SaulPaul come film the official Park Rec Two Step music video in your hometown!

Related Links:

Park and Recreation Month

#ParkRecTwoStepChallenge

SaulPaul’s website

No Butts About Cleaning up Cigarette Litter in Tennessee — Episode 042 Jun 24, 2019

We’re talking about a gross topic on today’s episode of Open Space Radio, but fortunately I’m joined by a few people who are on a mission to clean things up. Today we’re talking about cigarette butt litter, and how both Keep Tennessee Beautiful and Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful are doing their part in their state to reduce the amount of cigarette butt litter, which contains really toxic chemicals that can be detrimental to the environment.

On today’s episode I’m joined by Missy Marshall, who is the executive director of Keep Tennessee Beautiful and serves on the board of directors for Keep America Beautiful (KAB). I’m also joined by Edmond McDavis III, affiliate services and training coordinator for Keep Tennessee Beautiful and Kathleen Gibi, Executive Director of Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful.

Keep Tennessee Beautiful is a KAB affiliate whose mission is to inspire and educate Tennesseans to take action every day to improve and beautify their community environment, and Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful is the first KAB affiliate to focus solely on a river — the improvement, protection and preservation of the Tennessee River, specifically.

Part of improving, protecting and preserving the river is to educate people about the harm that cigarette butt litter can cause to waterways and provide safe ways to dispose of cigarette butts. Tune in to the episode below to learn about how KAB’s Cigarette Litter Prevention Program is helping improve the Tennessee River and the communities along the river through the installation of cigarette butt litter stands that not only provide safe disposal, but also feature educational art on the outside.

You’ll also learn how to get your own free cigarette litter stand from Keep America Beautiful!

Related Links:

Keep America Beautiful

Keep Tennessee Beautiful

Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful

To get your free cigarette litter stand, email Keep America Beautiful.

LGBTQ+ Inclusion and Finding Community in Parks and Recreation — Episode 041 Jun 10, 2019

On today’s episode of Open Space Radio, we’re talking inclusion. And, in celebration of June being Pride Month, we’re talking specifically about LGBTQ+ inclusion in parks and recreation.

In our research about LGBTQ+ issues and parks and recreation, we came across a blog by Jason Shriner, the marketing manager for the City of Manassas Park Department of Parks and Recreation right here in Virginia. Jason’s blog talks about some of his own experiences and how working in parks and recreation means being a leader in LGBTQ+ inclusion.

Since he was right in our backyard, we invited Jason over to NRPA headquarters to pick his brain about inclusion and talk a little more about that blog.

On this episode, Jason shares how he got into parks and recreation (spoiler: he and Roxanne share a deep-rooted love of baking), how his own journey has led him to being a leader in LGBTQ+ inclusion and why he thinks inclusion is so critical in parks and recreation.

He also shares a few things that the City of Manassas Park Department of Parks and Recreation has done to ensure that its parks and facilities are more inclusive and welcoming to all, including:

Partnering with organizations like PFLAG (parents, families and friends of the LGBTQ+ community) and Team DC (an LGBTQ+ sports club in Washington, D.C.)
Offering LGBTQ+ specific programs like yoga and self-defense
Using gender-neutral and inclusive language in handbooks/policies
Replacing gender-specific, single-stall bathrooms with all-gender bathrooms
Adding sexual orientation and gender identity to agency’s non-discrimination policy

These are just a few of the amazing things that Jason has helped facilitate at his agency, so be sure to tune in below to learn more, as well as hear some small changes that you can make in your parks and facilities to ensure that everyone feels safe and welcome.

Additional resources:

NRPA’s Parks for Inclusion

NRPA Webinar: Promoting LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Parks and Recreation

Jason's article from the June issue of Parks & Recreation magazine

Jason’s blog that inspired this episode

City of Manassas Park Department of Parks and Recreation

PFLAG

Pride in Parks: The Role of Parks in the Pride Movement and Supporting the LGBTQ+ Community

How Accessibility Is Impacting Fitness Trends — Episode 040 Jun 03, 2019

We have a lot of celebrations coming up this summer. Family Health and Fitness Day is this Saturday, June 8, Olympic Day is June 23, and the entire month of July is Park and Recreation Month! With all of these celebrations in mind, we wanted to highlight the ways in which parks and recreation are part of creating a culture of fitness, as well as making sure that everyone has access to fitness opportunities, regardless of their abilities.

Prepare to be inspired by today’s episode. We’re thrilled to be joined by Jennifer French, who has an amazing story of resilience after overcoming a snowboarding accident in 1998 in which she became a quadriplegic, to becoming a silver medalist representing Team USA at the 2012 Paralympic Games in sailing. We’re also excited to have Sam Mendelsohn, CEO of Greenfields Outdoor Fitness, which has been a leader in accessible outdoor fitness equipment since 2007. Greenfields Outdoor Fitness is also the sponsor of Family Health & Fitness Day, Park and Recreation Month and NRPA’s Parks Build Community.

Jennifer shares her story with us and explains the challenges she faced after her injury, as well as how she had to adapt to continue living an active lifestyle. She also talks about the things she does to stay fit now and gives some tips for others who may be in a similar situation.

Sam and Jennifer also talk about how they connected, and how Jennifer’s story inspired Sam’s work in creating accessible outdoor fitness equipment. Sam shares some of the trends he’s seeing related to accessibility and physical fitness in parks and recreation. They both agree there’s no one way to ensure that everyone in a community has the opportunity to get fit, regardless of physical or cognitive ability, and that getting the community involved is absolutely critical. No one knows the needs of a community more than the people living in that community.

Listen to the full episode to learn more about Jennifer and Sam’s inspiring work — it may even inspire you to go out there and get fit!

Related Links:

Family Health & Fitness Day

Park and Recreation Month

Parks Build Community

Olympic Day

Greenfields Outdoor Fitness

Answering Your Marketing and Communications Questions (And Whether or Not YOU Should Have a Podcast) — Episode 039 May 20, 2019

This month, NRPA has been tackling all things related to marketing and communications. Our May issue of Parks & Recreation magazine was filled with articles and tips about branding your park and recreation agency, how to master Facebook ads, and the importance of raising awareness about the great work you do. We also hosted a webinar tackling the latest trends in media and public relations.

We got a lot of really great questions during that webinar and it sparked some really robust conversation, so we wanted to dedicate this episode of Open Space Radio to taking a deeper dive into some of those questions alongside our friend, colleague and NRPA’s Senior Manager of Public Relations, Heather Williams.

Tune in to the episode below to hear us discuss some common questions such as:

What content should I share on LinkedIn versus Facebook and Instagram?
With limited time and resources, do you feel a podcast is a good use of those resources?
Should I be concerned about copyright infringement when creating memes?
Is a Twitter profile like Denny’s effective?
How many times per day should I post on Facebook?
How do I get my marketing and communications team on board with a social media need?

Links to other resources we talk about in this episode:

A Farewell Interview with Barbara Tulipane and How Parks Will Save the World — Episode 038 May 01, 2019

Today’s episode is slightly bittersweet. The exciting part is that we’re chatting with Barbara Tulipane, NRPA’s president and CEO, about the incredible 11 years she has spent helping transform NRPA into what it is today. But we can’t help being saddened that we’re having this discussion because of her upcoming retirement in June.

On this episode, we talk with Barbara about what she’s learned during her tenure as our fearless leader, as well as why she thinks that parks are one of the last places for tolerance. We also chat about parks and recreation being a cure for loneliness and depression, and whether or not Barbara thinks parks are going to save the world (spoiler: she absolutely thinks parks are going to save the world).

Barbara also shares stories about the incredible things she has seen during her time at NRPA that truly show the power of parks and recreation. Among them, she recalls the time that she was touring a recreation center when a young boy who had just been stabbed ran inside looking for help. The interesting thing — and one that proves the scope of parks and recreation — is that the boy was not stabbed in the park or recreation center. He ran to the recreation center because he knew that it was a safe place where he could get the help he needed.

This instance alone shows how when there is a need in the community, park and recreation professionals step up and fill that need, day-in and day-out. The same goes for Barbara. She stepped up and not only led NRPA in growing its membership substantially, but also helped it grow into the respected association it has become. There’s also a lot to be said about the culture that Barbara has fostered internally here at NRPA. Barbara encouraged robust conversations among people with sometimes opposing ideas, and she admits to loving when some of the younger staffers here challenged her (and challenge her we did).

Tune in to the show to hear Barbara reflect on the past 11 years as NRPA president and CEO, and please join us in wishing her the best in her retirement. She will truly be missed, but this isn’t goodbye, it’s just, “See ya later — in the park!”

Turning "Ugh, Another Meeting?" into "Yay, Another Meeting!" — Episode 037 Apr 15, 2019

I know you know this feeling. You’re sitting at your desk, or out in the field, and you’re really in the zone. You’re on a deadline for something — and it’s coming up — but the juices are flowing and your productivity is on high.

Then it happens.

That dreaded reminder pops up and tells you that in 15 minutes you’ have to halt your momentum and go to another meeting.

But, instead of looking at meetings as a nuisance to our productive day, what if we could look at them as a time when the next great ideas are born? What if we look at it as a time to bring our collective goals and dreams to fruition?

On today's episode, we’re joined by Sharon Tewksbury-Bloom, who worked in local government for several years and is now a professional speaker and organizational development consultant who works with leaders who want to improve employee relationships and have more productive meetings.

We talk about the things that can make a meeting productive, and a space where not only great ideas come to life, but also where everyone's voice is heard. Among some of the things we discuss are:

Finding what the meeting's purpose is
How to design an interactive exercise at a meeting to shake things up a bit
The importance of starting and ending a meeting on time
Inviting the right people to your meeting

Tune in to find out a few simple things you can do to create more engaging, productive meetings. You can also find Sharon's free toolkit at www.sharonspeaks.com as well as a blog about meeting facilitation and design at http://sharonspeaks.com/category/meeting-facilitation/

Community-Minded Design with Todd Lehman — Episode 036 Mar 25, 2019

On today's episode, we're talking about playground design and how design that keeps a community’s spirit in mind benefits the community as a whole.

Our guest on the show is Todd Lehman, owner and "design guy" at Cre8Play. You may recognize Cre8Play from the 2018 NRPA Annual Conference, where they won Best in Show for their playground exhibit.

Todd seemed to have a passion for play in his blood (his father was a park and recreation director for many years and then sold playgrounds) and would cut out playground equipment from catalogs to design his own playgrounds when he was a child. It only made sense for Todd to go into a career where he could merge his passions for design and play in creating playground equipment that not only promotes physical activity, but also brings communities together.

Playgrounds and play spaces should reflect the communities around them - and in the age of customization, it's more doable now than ever. Check out the episode to hear about examples of communities that are implementing play spaces that reflect the area that surrounds them, as well as some pretty cool playgrounds that are replicas of the city they are in.

We also take a look at how agencies can get started on a project to implement more unique and inclusive play spaces.

A Park and Rec Program Created 500,000 Healthier Youth — Episode 035 Mar 18, 2019

Five years ago, NRPA launched Commit to Health – a program that would grow to positively impact 500,000 youth annually through healthier eating and increased physical activity.

In today’s episode, we take a moment to celebrate this monumental achievement and look back at where we started and where we’re headed.

Commit to Health is NRPA’s program to implement healthy eating and physical activity (HEPA) standards in park and recreation out-of-school time programs. It goes beyond just eating right and exercise, though — it’s all about getting staff and youth to engage and learn about lifelong healthy habits while having fun.

Is This the End of Recycling? — Episode 034 Feb 25, 2019

On today’s show, we’re talking about one of NRPA’s Top Trends in Parks and Recreation for 2019: The prediction that park and recreation recycling programs may soon end.

We’re joined by Brendan Daley, the Director of Strategy and Sustainability for the Chicago Park District, which is leading the way in recycling and other sustainability practices, and Rich Dolesh, NRPA’s Vice President for Strategic Initiatives, who made this bold prediction at the beginning of this year.

On this episode, we explore why there’s a sudden fear that park and recreation recycling programs might end, and how we even got into this mess in the first place. We also discuss things like:

The recent changes in recycling practices
What agencies can do when the waste they collect is either not recyclable or the cost of having it picked up is too expensive
What types of recycling are cost-effective and should continue
Things that agencies can do to educate the public regarding recycling
Simple things individuals can do to improve their recycling habits

The future of recycling in parks and recreation should not be taken lightly, and even with recent changes to many recycling practices, there are still things we can do to make sure that this critical conservation and sustainability effort continues. Tune in to the show to find out how.

Lifeguard Shortage? What Lifeguard Shortage? — Episode 033 Feb 11, 2019

On today’s episode, we’re talking about the need for parks and recreation to adapt to younger generations and a changing society. We’re joined by Mark Foote, the aquatics superintendent for the City of Chandler Parks and Recreation in Arizona — who you may recognize from one of our past episodes, “What Are Your Park and Rec Pet Peeves?”

Mark discusses why he thinks it’s especially important in parks and recreation to be able to change the approach to certain things, like hiring, to attract and retain different generations — specifically Millennials and Gen Z. We also explore the current claims about a lifeguard shortage, and why Mark believes that there actually isn’t a lifeguard shortage, at all (he may just convince you, too).

Tune in below to find out what sparked Mark’s passion for parks and recreation, and what things have kept him engaged in this field since his very first aquatics job at the age of 17. You’ll also hear some simple things that his agency has done to attract and retain an incredible staff, as well as create the culture of a big, happy family.

You won't want to miss Mark’s thoughts on the “Chick-fil-A model” and how a few very small things can make all the difference in an organization’s culture.

How One Man (And His Family) Changed the Culture of a Community — Episode 032 Jan 28, 2019

When Derwin Hannah moved from South Carolina to Baltimore, Maryland, 22 years ago, he couldn’t help but notice that things weren’t the way they should be. He noticed that the kids were playing in the street and that the local park, ABC Park, was being overrun with criminal activity and not being cared for. Derwin, who grew up in a large family of 10, wanted the kids in this Baltimore community to have the chance of experiencing the childhood that he had — a chance to play, a chance to feel a sense of belonging.

After Derwin and his wife, Denetria, hosted their son’s first birthday party at ABC Park, they decided to take it upon themselves to bring the park back to life and give this community the opportunity to have a safe space. As a volunteer (on top of his job as a truck driver), Derwin has gone to ABC Park twice a day for the past 17 years to care for the space and serve as a leader for the community. Changing the culture of this place didn’t come without obstacles, but through persistence, buy-in from the community, strategic partnerships and a lot of love, ABC Park is now home to movie nights for the community, an annual kickball game, and sports programs with about 250 participants.

The transformation that ABC Park has gone through under Derwin and his family’s care is incredible, but with very little funding, only so much can be done. Each year, in the host city of the NRPA Annual Conference, a park is selected to be rebuilt and revitalized as part of NRPA’s Parks Build Community project. This year, NRPA will work alongside Baltimore City Recreation and Parks and various top-rated park equipment manufacturers — who donate services and equipment — to make ABC Park a place that the members of this community can be even more proud of than they already are.

Check out the episode to learn more about Derwin’s journey in changing the face of ABC Park and hear the excitement in his voice when we talk about what he’s looking forward to with this year’s Parks Build Community project.

Click here to learn more about this year’s Parks Build Community project and watch a video from the groundbreaking ceremony.

Park Development Means Economic Development — Episode 031 Jan 07, 2019

In this episode we are talking about the case — or really the many, MANY cases — for open space. While it would take several libraries to thoroughly go through all the reasons why open space is important, we went to the expert on land use policy and economic development issues.

Ed McMahon is the senior resident fellow at the Urban Land Institute (ULI). Ed is a sought after thought leader and author on economic development and land use policies and trends. During the past 30 years, he has worked with more than 600 communities in all 50 states on a wide variety of land use and economic development issues.

In this episode, Ed helps us answer questions like why placemaking is so important and why land developers should always invest in parks and open space. He also talks about why initiatives like the 10-Minute Walk Campaign – a joint initiative between NRPA, ULI and the Trust for Public Land (TPL) – are beneficial to all cities.

Resources mentioned:

Help! We're Losing Our Parks! — Episode 030 Dec 21, 2018

On today’s episode, we’re talking about park conversions. In recent history, we’ve seen some pretty remarkable conversions of abandoned or unused commercial and industrial space — such as the internationally acclaimed High Line in New York City and The 606, a rails to trails conversion in Chicago — into vibrant public spaces.

But the reverse is happening, too. Even though parks and open space are vital to every community, parks are being converted to non-park uses. In some cases, the conversions of these parks are for other valuable public purposes, such as schools or roads, but the net effect is the same — the parks are lost.

Joining us on the show today are two experts on the issue of park conversions. Rich Dolesh, NRPA’s Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, and Dr. James Kozlowski, an attorney and Associate Professor in the School of Recreation, Health and Tourism at George Mason University, share their experiences in cases where park land has been threatened by being converted into other uses. Fortunately, some of the cases that we discuss have a happy ending — the parks were saved. However, this is not always the case.

Tune in to learn what you can do to try to save your beloved park if the threat of being developed for something else ever comes its way. It’s not an easy feat by any means, but it’s not as difficult as it may sound, either!

What Are Your Park and Rec Pet Peeves? — Episode 029 Nov 06, 2018

On today’s episode, we’re talking about pet peeves. We know how much passion you have for your communities and careers as park and recreation professionals, but we also know that there’s always that one thing that continues to irk you. On our 25th episode, we asked you to let us know some of the things that you deal with in your career in parks and recreation that really annoy you, and you answered the call.

We met up with a few of our listeners at the 2018 NRPA Annual Conference in Indianapolis to hear a little more about their park and recreation pet peeves, and while some of them are things you would probably assume park and rec professionals have to deal with, you might also learn a thing or two (we did)!

Here’s a sneak peak at the pet peeves in this episode (listen to the show for more):

Samantha Marsden, Central Park Conservancy (1:08) — “Being in New York City, one of my pet peeves is when people — they do it in parks, too, of course — is when they spit on the sidewalk. Any type of bodily fluid, I can’t stand it. It makes me want to gag, or puke, or something.”

Brittanie Propes, Excelsior Springs Parks and Recreation (2:43) — “We bring our families out [to our public parks and trails] for a fresh air experience, and you really ruin it for us when you smoke.”

Nancy Desmond, Cleveland Metroparks (3:13) — “There’s toxins in those cigarette butts, and it’s just not good for the health and wellness of the park visitors or the nature that it affects.”

Trillby Berry-Tayman, Washington Township Park (3:37) — “When the community asks for a program, I find a sponsor to cover the costs, and then my community doesn’t show up.”

Mark Foote, City of Chandler Parks and Recreation (5:23) — “Trying to take square millennials and fit them into our round holes. I think as recreation professionals, a lot of times we have this old-school way of thinking of taking these new kids and fitting them into our systems. We have to adapt to who these kids are.”

Does Our Built Environment Impact Our Health Behaviors? — Episode 028 Oct 22, 2018

On today's episode of Open Space Radio, we’re joined by Aaron Hipp, an Associate Professor of Community Health and Sustainability at NC State University’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management.

Aaron is currently conducting research on topics such as how, where, and why our public built environments impact health behaviors such as physical activity and recreation, and the effect of the environment where we spend most of our time, such as work, school and sleep, on leisure time physical activity.

On the show, we discuss how, statistically, children and people of color have the lowest rates of physical activity as compared to other demographics, and this lack of physical activity has large implications on the health outcomes of communities of color. We examine why these disparities in physical activity exist between demographics, and how parks and improved accessibility to them can be used to close this gap.

We also take a look at Aaron's work on a study through the Physical Activity Research Center (PARC), which is focused on understanding how parks are used by children in communities of color. The study focused on evaluating park use through observation, intercept surveys and community surveys.

Aaron also gives some advice on how a time and resource limited agency can perform this type of research through:

Not being afraid to move forward
A systematic/purposeful approach
Partnerships/collaborations

Tune in to the episode to find out more!

What Does It Take to Raise the Bar in Parks and Rec? — Episode 27 Oct 02, 2018

In this episode, we sit down with Becky Dunlap, a passionate park and recreation professional and advocate, to hear about how she ended up in a career in the field she loves so much without even realizing it.

Becky is a Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) and a Project Consultant for GreenPlay, LLC, where she travels to local parks and rec around the country to help them create a vision for their communities. Becky is also the host of the podcast Becky Talks Parks, which is her passion project and a vessel to share resources, tips and tools with other park and recreation professionals (hey, we love a good parks and rec podcast).

We caught up with her last week at the 2018 NRPA Annual Conference in Indianapolis to find out why she thinks parks and rec is the perfect job for millennials, the need for the field to continue to evolve in order to stay relevant, and why park and recreation professionals should be so proud of what they do!

Universal Recreation: Meh or Magnificent? — Episode 026 Sep 18, 2018

In our 25th episode, we invited you to send us your ideas for future podcast episodes. Lucky for us, Jessica Cannaday, CPRP, Marketing and Communications Manager with Oak Brook Park District, sent in an idea to cover universal recreation. Universal recreation is the philosophy driving Oak Brook Park District – the idea that park and recreation facilities and programs should be open and welcome to all.

In addition to an inclusive family locker room and specialty programming, the department just opened a universal playground last month.

In our conversation, we chat about why universal recreation is important and how it can improve all aspects of parks and recreation.

Resources mentioned in the show:

Parks for Inclusion: resources to improve equity and inclusion in parks and recreation
Photos of the universal playground
Email your ideas or just to say hi – we’ll send you a sticker! Drop a line to rsutton@nrpa.org and cjones@nrpa.org.

Celebrating Our 25th Episode: Why We Love Park & Rec Pros — Episode 025 Sep 04, 2018

Happy 25th episode! This is a huge milestone for Open Space Radio, and we recently hit another milestone — we surpassed 10,000 downloads of the show! Thank YOU for listening and joining us on this journey!

In this episode, we reflect on some of our favorite past episodes and discuss what we love about park and recreation professionals. The passion that park and rec professionals have for what they do is unparalleled — it amazes us every single day — so naturally, we wanted to scream it from the rooftops (or into our mics).

We're also talking about some of our plans for the future of Open Space Radio, and one of those is hearing from you, our listeners. We want to know what you want to hear on the show. Listen to this episode to find out how you can send us your ideas and feedback (hint: let us know you're listening and we'll send you a sweet Open Space Radio sticker).

And, if you're planning on attending the 2018 NRPA Annual Conference, let us know — we want you to come share your parks and recreation pet peeves with us so we can feature them in a future episode!

How Risk Play Can Benefit Kids — Episode 024 Aug 20, 2018

On today's episode, we chat with Tom Norquist, president of the International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA), about how risk and adventure play is stepping back into the limelight and can help kids' independence and creativity.

Typically, when we think about play, the idea of risk or danger may be a little scary, especially if we’re talking about children playing. However, this kind of unstructured, hands on, risk play is making a comeback. Taking a risk and coming out on top provides kids with a great sense of accomplishment. Taking a risk also has consequences, which can also help kids develop critical decision-making skills. Incorporating some type of risk into play can teach kids lessons and skills that they can take with them for the rest of their lives, and truly benefit their development physically, mentally and socially.

Listen to the full episode to hear Norquist's reasons for why risk and adventure play is such a vital component in kids' lives. You'll also want to hear about his own adventure playground that he built in his backyard — it's so cool that one NBC Nightly News reporter cancelled her flight back home to stay longer!

Parks and Rec Brings the Fun — Episode 023 Jul 31, 2018

On today’s episode, we’re talking with Peter Kageyama, one of the 2018 NRPA Annual Conference keynote speakers. Kageyama is an author, whose book For the Love of Cities: The Love Affair Between People and Their Places was recognized in 2012 as a Top 10 Book in urban planning, design and development. He is an internationally sought-after community development consultant and grassroots engagement strategist who is passionate about bottom-up community development and the people who are making change happen.

In addition to writing and speaking around the world, Kageyama is a Senior Fellow with the Alliance for Innovation, a national network of city leaders that is dedicated to improving the practice of local government.

Check out the full episode to hear Kageyama talk about why he loves parks so much, why he thinks that parks and rec are the “fun department” and why he’s so excited about speaking with park and recreation professionals at the 2018 NRPA Annual Conference in Indianapolis.

He also explains his “garden hose solution” and how we sometimes overthink the solutions to our cities’ problems. He emphasizes that sometimes the good enough, or the “garden hose solution,” is not only good enough — sometimes it’s just brilliant!

Celebrating "A Lifetime of Discovery!" — Episode 022 Jun 29, 2018

Park and Recreation Month is right around the corner, and we’re super excited to celebrate with you all in a few days. As many of you already know, the theme this year is A Lifetime of Discovery, and we’re challenging everyone to explore the undiscovered roles and offerings of their local parks and recreation. Things like STEM programming, innovative health and wellness opportunities, programs for older adults, conservation efforts, the list just goes on.

One of our newer supporters of Park and Recreation Month is the Waukegan Park District in Illinois.

Today’s guest is the Waukegan Park District’s Community Relations Manager, Teddy Anderson. In this episode I’m talking with Teddy about all the cool events that they’re planning for Park and Recreation Month, the conservation efforts going on in Waukegan Park District, and her life growing up in and around parks — she even got married in a park!

To learn more about Park and Recreation Month, visit www.nrpa.org/july, and be sure to share all of your photos and videos of your events throughout the month on social media by using the hashtag #DiscoverJuly.

How Parks and Rec Served Over 85 Million Meals — Episode 021 Jun 05, 2018

On today's episode, we're talking about the importance of summer meal programs and the impact that parks and recreation is making in communities across the country through the Summer Food Service Program. We're joined by Allison Colman, NRPA's health and wellness program manager. Allison oversees NRPA's out-of-school time portfolio, including the Commit to Health campaign and our work on the USDA Child Nutrition Programs. We also speak with Colleen Lammel-Harmon, Chicago Park District's Wellness Manager, and Kelsie Kliner with the Greater Chicago Food Depository about what the're doing in Chicago to improve access to food in communities across the city.

As one of the largest providers of meals during out-of-school times, park and recreation agencies are making significant impacts in their communities.

Thanks to funding from the Walmart Foundation — NRPA's biggest partner in the fight against childhood hunger — we've worked to increase the capacity of our local park and recreation agencies to reach more at-risk youth, serving over 85 million meals to over 4.5 million unique children in 310 cities.

Parks and Rec is Transforming the Lives of Older Adults (and Vice Versa) — Episode 020 May 28, 2018

May is Older Americans Month and park and recreation agencies play a crucial role in serving older adult populations.

According to NRPA’s 2018 Agency Performance Review, 41 percent of park and recreation agencies have one or more senior centers and 79 percent offer programs specifically designed for older adults.

NRPA supports this work through our Healthy Aging in Parks initiative — part of which includes a grant program for evidence-based arthritis intervention programs which are funded with the support of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

These programs are remarkable. The individual grants are not large, but they are producing seriously impressive results as they allow agencies to provide new programming for their older adults.

In this episode, we speak with Mr. Joe Trevino, a 93-year-old veteran, and Irma Yepez-Perez, a Senior Management Analyst at the City of Fresno PARCS department. What we learn from them is that community is vital to our health and wellbeing and that inspiration can be found everywhere.

The Great NRPA Owl Rescue — Episode 019 May 07, 2018

Last Monday evening, a group of Boy Scouts were on the trail behind NRPA's headquarters when they came upon a baby Barred Owl who had appeared to have fallen from its nest more than 40-feet up in the trees. They contacted Ted Mattingly, NRPA’s resident hero and Director of Facilities and Administrative Services, who realized that the baby owl’s chances of surviving on its own after falling from the nest were slim. He decided to take matters into his own hands and brought the baby owl inside while he called Rich Dolesh, NRPA's Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and wildlife expert, to get some advice on how to best handle the situation. The decision was made to take the owl back outside in hopes that the mother wouldn't abandon it.

After some back-and-forth, and consultation with a few other wildlife experts, Ted went back later that night and found that the mother had left a frog at the baby's talons. He decided to let nature take its course and see what happened overnight.

When Ted returned early the next morning, he found the baby owl in the same place, but this time there was a dead mouse at its talons — proof that the mother had been watching over her owlet throughout the night. Ted was advised to cut up the frog from the night before and feed it to the baby owl, and did so with no hesitation.

With the baby owl in seemingly good health, Ted quickly began trying to find anyone with the necessary equipment to return the baby owl to its nest. He finally got in touch with one of his contacts at Loudoun County Parks, Recreation and Community Services who had a 40-foot ladder and could come out to help.

Eventually, the baby owl — who will from now on be known as "Lil Ted" — was returned to its nest, to be with its brothers and sisters. As far as we can tell, all is well, and Mama and Papa Owl have been spotted in the area watching over their owlets in the days since the incident.

What Do Dream Parks Look Like to Kids? — Episode 018 Apr 09, 2018

The nation’s largest STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) celebration took place this past weekend at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. The 5th USA Science and Engineering Festival featured more than 3,000 exhibits, 30 stage shows and attracted approximately 350,000 people. This year’s theme was “Where can STEM take you?” and the primary goal of the weekend was to inspire the thousands of kids in attendance.

The hands-on festivities of the weekend included playing games with robots, flight simulators, going on virtual reality space missions and our personal favorite here at NRPA, designing your own dream park.

This was our first year exhibiting at the STEM fest, and we wanted to show festival goers that parks and recreation centers are a great place for youth to engage in the variety of STEM programs that are being offered at many park and rec agencies across the country.

The highlight of my time at the STEM fest was asking kids if they enjoyed going to their local parks, and seeing their eyes light up. Once I asked them to draw what their dream park would look like, and that they could include anything they wanted, they eagerly grabbed a piece of paper and crayons and let their imaginations run wild.

Seeing the joy and excitement that these kids got out of being able to design their dream park brought me back to my childhood when all I wanted was a park where I could ride omalimphs (yes, that’s what I called elephants), have life-size Lego houses and pools full of Nickelodeon slime. Kids love their parks, even if they don’t have friendly dragons, unicorns, or ice cream airplanes. If I ever had any doubt in my mind about that, my faith was restored this weekend.

As park and recreation professionals, we are in such a great position to offer programs and activities that inspire the next generation, get them active and keep their creativity and imaginations alive and well.

Implementing STEM programs that are both fun and educational is a great start, and the rewards are priceless. I had a blast at the STEM fest this weekend, and thanks to all the kids who took me on imaginary tours of their dream parks — and a very special thank you to their very patient parents!

Click here to learn more about the USA Science and Engineering Festival.

Parks and Recreation in a Digital World — Episode 017 Feb 26, 2018

On today’s episode, we’re discussing a new research report titled “From Green Space to Digital Place.” The report takes a look at smart city strategies and how cities are capitalizing on technological advances. When cities are looking at their budgets and identifying key areas for investment, parks and recreation are often put on the back-burner even though they are such an essential element to a thriving community. This report looks at the public interest in park and recreation services, and that the public is ready for a digital shift in how facilities and services are managed, communicated and accessed.

Today’s guests are from the companies that published this research, Paysafe and Amilia. Paysafe is a leading provider of payment solutions that connects businesses to consumers around the world, and Amilia is a Montreal-based software company whose mission is to empower communities by bringing their parks and recreation services online.

We’re also speaking with the Town of Montreal West Recreation and Cultural Services Department, who has recently transitioned to a digital platform for registration and payment for their programs and services.

How to Improve Your Cardiovascular Health and #MoveWithHeart — Episode 016 Feb 05, 2018

It’s February — the month of love. People everywhere are rushing through Hallmark stores and florists to get their significant others heartfelt cards, flowers and heart-shaped boxes of chocolates. Although showing your loved ones that you care every day is important — not just on Valentine’s day — perhaps more important is making sure that your own heart is healthy. February is American Heart Month, and we’re proud to partner with the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute’s (NHLBI) The Heart Truth® program, encouraging people to get more physically active and pledge to #MoveWithHeart.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, yet it is largely preventable by taking certain steps. On today’s episode, we’re joined by Dr. Jerome Fleg, a medical officer with NHLBI’s Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, discussing simple things you can do during the month of February, and throughout the year, to ensure your heart is healthy. After all, in order to live your best life and love those around you, you have to have a healthy heart.

Learn more and find out what you can do to make the pledge to #MoveWithHeart.

How the Rise of Technology Could Help Us Reclaim Our Paradise — Episode 015 Jan 22, 2018

Technology has changed the way we do pretty much everything in our daily lives. With technology-based transportation and convenience services such as Uber, Lyft, ZipCar, Instacart for groceries and Amazon for basically everything else, the ways people are getting around cities is changing drastically. These services dramatically reduce the need for people to use their personal vehicles, and this could mean a change in the future of land use in urban areas.

In today’s episode, we chat with NRPA’s Vice President of Urban and Government Affairs, Kevin O’Hara, about how this shift in how people are getting around cities is causing the use of parking lots to decline, and how that land can be used in other, more environmentally friendly ways. He explains that this transition into a “ride-sharing economy,” coupled with a complete waste of urban space, provides a huge opportunity for increased land use for parks and recreation in dense urban areas.

Converting these unused asphalt parking lots into parks, green spaces or urban farms is a way that we can not only brighten our communities and cities, but our future as well. Many people view their favorite parks as their “paradise.” This could be our opportunity to reclaim that paradise.

Why Everyone in San Francisco Lives Within a 10-Minute Walk to a Park — Episode 014 Jan 09, 2018

In today’s episode, we’re taking a look at a city and mayor who have done some incredible work when it comes to park access. The city is San Francisco, California. Unfortunately, since recording this podcast, we were saddened to hear that San Francisco’s Mayor Ed Lee tragically passed away unexpectedly. Mayor Lee was an extremely passionate advocate for San Francisco’s parks, and under his leadership, the city made park and recreation programs more accessible than ever to its citizens. In May 2017, Mayor Lee announced that San Francisco was the first and only city in the nation where 100 percent of the residents live within a 10-minute walk to a park.

We recently had the privilege of speaking with San Francisco Recreation and Parks General Manager, Phil Ginsburg, about becoming the first city to achieve the goal of the 10-Minute Walk campaign — which is a testament to San Francisco’s great work and the legacy of Mayor Lee.

Ginsburg says that this is one of the city’s proudest accomplishments, and that there may not be anything more important than ensuring that all of the city’s residents have access to green space and recreational opportunities. He says that the work is never done, however, and it is essential to focus on the quality of these parks — ensuring that all residents can enjoy inspiring parks with diverse recreational amenities that are clean, safe, fun and well programmed — instead of just the quantity.

Ginsburg goes on to explain that high quality parks provide a wide range of benefits to people living in cities, which include:

Physical health benefits
Mental health benefits
Opportunities to be physically active
Opportunities to connect with nature
Economic benefits
Economic benefits/climate resiliency

Of course, all records were made to be broken, so Ginsburg invites all other cities and agencies to be part of the “100 Percent Club,” where all of their citizens live within a 10-minute walk to a park.

To learn more about how you can help bring more great parks to your city and the communities that need them, check out the 10-Minute Walk Campaign.

Mayor Hillary Schieve on Why Parks and Recreation is Vital to a Thriving Reno — Episode 013 Dec 27, 2017

Mayor Hillary Schieve is one of the more than 150 mayors across the U.S. who has signed on to the 10-Minute Walk Campaign — an effort between NRPA, the Trust for Public Land and the Urban Land Institute to ensure everyone has access to a park within a 10-minute walk of where they live, work and play.

For Mayor Schieve, Reno’s parks and recreation isn’t just key to improving the quality of life for her residents, it’s vital to attracting and retaining quality businesses and solving some of their biggest challenges, like homelessness. Acknowledging that park and recreation staff have the most interaction with the homeless in Reno, staff are key to connecting homeless to aid such as the Reno Works program.

Reno has gained national attention for the way it has transformed itself post-recession, but the parks and recreation department, like many throughout the U.S., is still working on recovery. Where traditional funding has been tight, the city has turned to many creative methods of funding to maintain and grow their parks and recreation system – federal grants, local philanthropy and even a license plate funding campaign.

Reno wants to be known as a leader for outdoor recreation and a quality park system is important to that. Reno is making transformational changes and it’s happening at the local level. Where many are seeing gridlock and frustration out of Washington, D.C. and federal politics, local politicians like Mayor Schieve are making things happen for their community because they know their residents and their needs best.

In this episode, Mayor Schieve shares many insights into how they are making parks and recreation a key part of Reno’s

overall quality of life
plan to attract businesses
solution to critical challenges like homelessness

9 Minutes with 9-Year-Old Kedar on How to Save Pollinators — Episode 012 Dec 11, 2017

NRPA has always been a champion for pollinators, but in the past few years as bee and monarch populations have seen scary rates of decline, we’ve stepped up our involvement in helping to save pollinators — not only through local parks and recreation, but at our headquarters and through promoting ways we all can play a small part in saving these critical critters.

(You can check out our Pollination Across the Nation poster here.)

As part of this pursuit, we support the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge, which is closing in on its goal and now counts over 600,000 pollinator gardens in every area of the U.S.

NRPA is also a member of the National Pollinator Garden Network (NPGN), a nation-wide non-profit coalition to fight the decline of pollinator species across the nation. At their recent annual meeting, NRPA’s VP for Strategic Initiatives (and previous contributor to Open Space Radio), Rich Dolesh, heard Kedar Narayan, age 9, tell his amazing story of how he developed an app and a board game to bring awareness to the decline of pollinators and ways that kids and their families could help. After hearing Rich’s rave reviews on Kedar, we knew we had to chat with him on Open Space Radio. Luckily Kedar (with permission from his mother Anita — his teacher and fellow coder), agreed to tell us all about his app and love of pollinators.

Photos courtesy of Anita Narayan. Top photo: Kedar presenting his art work to Cindy Brown of Smithsonian Gardens. Lower photos: Other art work he has created for a local nature art show in his hometown.

5 Healthy Out-of-School Time Myths Busted — Episode 011 Nov 27, 2017

In today’s episode, we chat with Ava DeBovis and Daniel Hatcher from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. The Alliance works with NRPA on Commit to Health — our program to increase healthy eating and physical activity during out-of-school time programs managed by park and recreation departments.

Ava and Daniel address common barriers park and recreation staff may feel when attempting to create healthier out-of-school time and provide easy and practical solutions for overcoming them. They use their mythbusting prowess to debunk:

Healthy out-of-school time is too expensive.
My staff won’t buy into healthy out-of-school time.
I don’t have time to change or implement new policies.
My families are going to push back on healthy celebrations in lieu of “traditional” celebrations like cupcakes and pizza parties.
I do not have enough support or resources to do healthy out-of-school time.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Commit to Health
Amazon Healthier Generation Store
Parks and Recreation Youth Engagement Guide
Alliance Food Planner Tool (for healthy holiday celebrations and more!)
Wildlife Explorers
Parks and Recreation Implementation Guide (and more resources!)
Alliance for a Healthier Generation Website
Healthy Out-of-School Time Assessment
Action Planning Tools
Healthy After School (HOST) Blog

Why 3 National Orgs Came Together to Promote Proximity to Parks — Episode 010 Nov 13, 2017

On October 10, 2017, the Trust for Public Land (TPL), the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and the Urban Land Institute (ULI) came together to launch a campaign called 10-Minute Walk.

The 10 Minute Walk campaign concept is simple — every should have access to parks within a 10-minute walk of where they live, work and play.

To date, over 140 mayors have signed on to the 10-Minute Walk campaign. They’ve signed on because they recognize that proximity and accessibility to parks is important and the benefits are almost too innumerable to count.

This campaign has a big goal and it’s not one that could be accomplished by one organization alone. That’s why three have come together to make this happen.

In today’s podcast, we chat with TPL’s Adrian Benepe, ULI’s Rachel McCleary and NRPA’s Kevin O’Hara about how this campaign came to be, why a 10-minute walk and more.

Are You Annoying? And Other Fun Tidbits to Have Conversations that Matter: Interview with Jessica Pettitt — Episode 009 Oct 30, 2017

We’ve all been there. All of a sudden, a normal conversation takes a difficult turn and we find ourselves at a loss. Do we fight? Do we leave the conversation all together and avoid the offending person for as long as possible?

These conversations are hard and it’s easy to just avoid them or walk away. However, we’re missing out on some prime growing and learning opportunities when we avoid instead of engage.

On today’s podcast, I chat with Social Justice Educator and Wednesday Keynote from the 2017 NRPA Annual Conference Jessica Pettitt. She shares:

How she developed her diversity and inclusion techniques. After 20 years she had to ask, “Why wasn’t anyone doing anything different?”
Why doing the best we can with what we have some of the time is better than nothing.
That entering conversations with grace and taking responsibility for how you show up in them can lead to better outcomes and a learning opportunity.
The danger of “blocking” people you don’t agree with. Are you actually in danger or just uncomfortable?
The importance of bringing together different voices, ideas and backgrounds in a professional environment.
The difference between the picture of diversity and actual diversity.
Her number one Halloween tip.

You can learn more from Jessica by visiting her website where you can check out some self-assessments and buy her book Good Enough Now.

Drones in Parks: Part 3. Opportunities, Innovative Uses and the Future — Episode 008 Oct 17, 2017

In this third and final installment of our series on drones in parks, we speak with Rich Dolesh, NRPA’s Vice President of Strategic Initiatives on the future of drones in parks.

In part one, we looked at local, state and federal policies as well as resources for land managers. In part two, we spoke with a park director and how her agency has handled drones in their parks system.

Part 1. Policy, Drone Zones and Resources for Land Managers
Part 2. How Park Managers Manage Drones
Part 3. Opportunities, Innovative Uses and the Future

In today’s episode we cover:

How drones are a disruptive technology for parks and recreation.
- The Drones Are Coming
The evolution of drones and their appeal to the general public.
How the portability and size of drones make them hard for park managers to control on their lands.
The legitimate fears about why people are afraid of drones — number one being privacy. But how much privacy can someone expect on public lands?
Other fears include flying near crowds, interfering with aircraft and disturbing wildlife.
How the future of drones is massive — for hobbyists and commercial use.
- Surveying, infrared mapping, reconnaissance of remote areas, public safety, and search and rescue are all great possibilities for parks and recreation.
- Recreational uses will continue to expand and include things like drone racing, celebratory displays and contests.
Issues with bringing invasive technology into a “pristine” park environment and why it depends on context.
- Moratorium on drones in National Parks

The takeaway from our series on drones? The use of drones in a park depends on the context. While there is no “one-size-fits-all policy” for drones in parks, there should be room to make a safe place for everyone. Park managers and drone users alike are going to have to stay nimble in a constantly changing regulatory environment and it’s beneficial for parks and recreation to work with the drone community when developing their policies.

As always, we want to hear how this trend continues to affect the field. Share your stories in the comments or email me at rsutton@nrpa.org.

Drones in Parks: Part 2. To Fly or Not to Fly: How Park Managers Manage Drones — Episode 007 Oct 02, 2017

In today’s episode, we’re continuing our three-part series on drones in parks. In the second segment, I speak with Evie Kirkwood, Director of St. Joseph County Parks in Indiana about:

Their drone policy.
Problems they’ve run into and how they’ve solved them.
What their thoughts are for the future.
How they currently use drones for their own needs.

In part one, we looked at local, state and federal policies as well as resources for land managers. In part three, we’ll be looking at opportunities surrounding drones in parks and what may be in store for the future.

Part 1. Policy, Drone Zones and Resources for Land Managers
Part 2. How Park Managers Manage Drones
Part 3. Opportunities and the Future of Drones in Parks

Since part one aired, we’ve received feedback from park professionals on their drone policies. Dan Garvy, MS, CPRP, Director of Parks & Recreation at the Lisle Park District in Illinois, shared their one-page fact sheet on their drones policy that they have available at the front desk of their rec center and on their website. They also train their front desk staff to be knowledgeable about the policy and provide it to the police department as well. Lisle has not seen a lot of drone usage yet, but they decided to stay ahead of the trend, so they are prepared. Stay tuned for part three in our series where we interview Rich Dolesh, NRPA’s Vice President of Strategic Initiatives. He and I chat about trends relating to drones in parks and what may be in store for the future.

Drones in Parks: Part 1. Policy, Drone Zones and Resources for Land Managers — Episode 006 Sep 18, 2017

A topic as complex as drones in parks couldn’t be covered in just one episode, so we we’re launching a three-part series to tackle this topic by interviewing experts in the field with three different perspectives.

Part 1. Policy, Drone Zones and Resources for Land Managers
Part 2. Ways Park Managers Are Handling Drones
Part 3. Opportunities and the Future of Drones in Parks

In part one, I chat with Chad Budreau – Public Relations and Government Affairs Director for the Academy of Model Aeronautics.

The Academy of Model Aeronautics is the world’s largest model aviation association with a membership of nearly 200,000. Founded in 1936, AMA's roots go back much further than drones. While their membership still includes model airplane enthusiasts, they have expanded to include resources, guidance and much, much more for drone hobbyists.

Today, we’re covering everything from laws and regulations, advice for park managers on how to deal with newbie hobbyists, drone zones, and resources available to park and public land managers as they look to incorporate flying sites or regulations in their own local government.

Resources from podcast:

AMA’s Learn sUAS website
State and Local Regulation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Fact Sheet (December 2015 guidance from FAA)
How to Create a Drone Zone and Guidance for Land Managers
Know Before You Fly (resources for first-time drone flyers and others)

You can meet with AMA in person at the NRPA Annual Conference next week in New Orleans from September 26-28. They’ll be at booth 1643 in the exhibit hall.

Feel free to drop me a line about your thoughts on drones in parks by leaving a note in the comments, sending me an email or catching me in New Orleans next week — I’d be happy to include your opinions in one of the upcoming segments.

Harvey and How We Can Help — Episode 005 Sep 01, 2017

This week we’re discussing what’s been on top of all of our minds over the past week or so — hurricane Harvey and the devastating destruction it’s wrought on Texas, Louisiana and the Gulf Shore.

To date more than 12 trillion gallons of water has fallen on Texas and the death toll continues to rise.

In this episode we discuss:

Where things stand with hurricane victims as far as we know
The importance of green space
My personal experiences with Houston, including our Parks Build Community project at Shady Lane
What we know about what’s happening in Houston including status of local parks as well as evacuees taking advantage of state parks as a place of refuge
Striking photos of evacuees in the George R. Brown Convention Center
How you can help, including donating to the Houston and Harris County Relief Fund
NRPA President and CEO Barbara Tulipane’s recommendations for helping Harvey victims

Photo credit: defense.gov, Texas National Guardsmen and a first responder help displaced residents and a pet during search and rescue mission following massive flooding by Hurricane Harvey in Cyprus Creek, Texas, Aug. 27, 2017. Army National Guard photo by Capt. Martha Nigrelle

How Cities and Local Parks are Celebrating the American Solar Eclipse — Episode 004 Aug 20, 2017

For the first time in 26 years, all of the US will be treated to some form of an eclipse on Monday, August 21, with a large portion being able to view a total eclipse.

Of course, parks of all types – national, state and local parks – are prime places to gather with community members and visitors to view this once-in-a-lifetime event.

I had the opportunity to chat with representatives from two agencies. I spoke to Chris Terpak-Malm, naturalist and historian for Fairfax County Park Authority who shared how the eclipse is the perfect opportunity to get children and adults interested in the natural sciences.

I also spoke to Pam Spencer, Public Information Officer for the city of Paducah in Kentucky. She talks about how their city is expecting 100,000 to 500,000 visitors and their role as the disseminator of safety information for their citizens and visitors.

Americans Are Staying Put and It’s Affecting All of Us — Episode 003 Aug 15, 2017

This week on Open Space Radio we’re talking about American Mobility — or the rate at which Americans are packing up and moving to find more opportunity elsewhere.

According to a recent Wall Street Journal article by Janet Adamy and Paul Overberg, the U.S. is the least mobile since mobility measurements were first taken at the end of World War II. Mobility levels have even fallen by almost half since their most recent peak in 1985.

According to economists, there are several reason rural residents aren’t moving such as cost of housing, fear of losing sense of community and support, state-level job licensing and cultural differences.

This article drove a lot of discussion at NRPA, so we spoke with a few staff members to get their take on what this lack of mobility means for the U.S. and, specifically, for parks and recreation.

Kevin Roth, NRPA’s Vice President of Research discusses how the lack of mobility can limit the employment pool for park and recreation agencies in larger cities.

Kevin O’Hara, NRPA’s Vice President for Urban and Government Affairs shares how Americans need something to bring them together again and how parks and rec can help us find the things we have in common over our differences.

Lastly, Gina Mullins-Cohen, NRPA’s Vice President of Marketing, Communications and Publications shares how we should feel empowered to enact change no matter where we are.

Hot Topics: Pokémon Go is Back in the News, Recreation Fees and Cool Streets — Episode 002 Aug 07, 2017

Today’s episode covers three trending topics that have been in the news lately.

First, Pokémon Go — a throwback hot topic from last year — but new developments on a lawsuit involving Milwaukee County and Candy Lab games has brought augmented reality games and parks back into the limelight. The maker of the game Texas Rope ‘Em says it’s a first amendment issue, but is it?

Second, a new study from Utah State University finds that even minimal park and recreation fees can dissuade users from using certain public lands. Fees can be a necessity in today’s budgetary climate, but do they pose a social equity issue?

Last, we look at Los Angeles and how they are reducing the heat island effect through “cool pavement” which has many benefits including lowering public road temperatures, cooling the insides of nearby buildings, lessening air pollution and reducing the threats of deaths linked to heat waves.

Photo: SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA - JULY 12, 2016: The hit augmented reality smartphone app Pokémon GO shows a Pokémon encounter overlain on the real world trail in the woods.

Why the World’s First Ultra-Accessible Waterpark is the Coolest - Episode 001 Jul 31, 2017

In this episode we interview Ron Morander, General Manager for Morgan’s Wonderland and Morgan’s Inspiration Island. In addition to the unique features of this waterpark (which include air-powered, water-safe wheelchairs), we cover funding, reaction from the community and beyond, and advice for others who are looking to include ultra-accessible elements into their parks.

Intro to Open Space Radio - Episode 000 Jul 31, 2017

Open Space Radio is your go to Podcast for learning about the latest trends and news in parks and recreation. This episode covers what you can expect to hear from us each week.

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