Open Space Radio

Latest Episodes:

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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.

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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!

· Instagram video highlighting Cole's story (produced by Craig!)

· Cosumnes CSD website

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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!

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