Open Space Radio

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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!

Other Links:

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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!

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