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    Open Space Radio

    Open Space Radio is a podcast for park and recreation professionals and outdoor advocates that aims to share inspiring and engaging stories about community, connection, and the impact of local parks and recreation. New episodes are released every other Tuesday. Open Space Radio is the official podcast of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) — Because everyone deserves a great park.

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    Latest Episodes:
    A Listen Back at 2023 So Far — Episode 142 Sep 12, 2023
    Show notes

    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
    Show notes

    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
    Show notes

    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
    Show notes

    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!

    Related:

    Park and Recreation Month: Where Community Grows

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

    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:

    • Park and Recreation Month
    • City of Glenwood Springs Parks and Recreation
    Celebrating Pride Month in Parks and Recreation — Episode 138 Jun 13, 2023
    Show notes

    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:

    • Human Rights Campaign: National State of Emergency for LGBTQ Americans
    • Anti-LGBTQIA+ Legislation Doesn't Reflect Parks and Recreation's Values
    • Episode 132 with Cal Dobbs
    • Episode 94 with Peyton Daisy O'Connor
    • Episode 92 with Chris Mosier
    • Episode 41 with Jason Shriner
    How the NRPA Young Professional Network Is Amplifying the Voices of the Next Generation — Episode 137 May 30, 2023
    Show notes

    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:

    • YPN on Facebook
    • YPN on LinkedIn
    • YPN Connect Community
    • Email Rachel
    • Email Colton
    Prioritizing the Health and Well-Being of Our Military Communities — June Bonus Episode May 25, 2023
    Show notes

    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
    Show notes

    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:

    • Download the Family Health & Fitness Day Toolkit
    • Blog Post: Join Us for Family Health & Fitness Day on Saturday, June 10!
    • Register Your Family Health & Fitness Day Event with NRPA
    • NRPA's Family Health & Fitness Day Informational Webinar
    • Community Wellness Hubs Toolkit
    • Blue Star Families + Healthier Generation Nature BINGO
    • Alliance for a Healthier Generation: Ways to Keep Active Together
    • Kohl's Healthy at Home
    • Let's Move in Libraries
    • Kentucky Youth Tobacco Control Workshop
    • Food Research and Action Center
    A Doomscroll Break: Parks and Recreation on Social Media — Episode 135 May 02, 2023
    Show notes

    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:

    • Follow NRPA on Instagram
    • Follow NRPA on Facebook
    • Follow NRPA on LinkedIn
    • Follow NRPA on Twitter
    • Follow NRPA on (our BRAND NEW) TikTok
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