This-N-That
Otterbine Unveils Picture-It App
Emmaus, Penn.—Otterbine releases “Picture-It” with Otterbine a new online app that allows you to imagine how any Otterbine pattern would appear on a water feature. Accessible through www.otterbine.com, there is no need to download a program to use and is available anywhere with an internet connection. Easy to use with a variety of options, in just 4 simple steps a person will be able to have a strong visualization of how their water feature would look complimented by an Otterbine. Visit www.otterbine.com/picture_it_intro to try it out!
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Marblehead Park Awarded Fitness Designation
PlayCore recently gave its Fitness National Demonstration Site Award to Marblehead Park—a brand new outdoor fitness park in San Clemente, Calif.
“The … designation is given to parks that align with the four identified areas of a well-rounded workout, involve the community in planning, actively market the space, and agree to participate in future data gathering,” says Anne-Marie Spencer, PlayCore’s Corporate VP of Marketing.
The site will be listed on the National Fitness Park locator at playcore.fitness.com. To learn how to bring best practices in outdoor fitness to your community, request a copy of Outdoor Fitness Parks: Best Practices for Promoting Community Health by Increasing Physical Activity, send a request to info@playcore.com.
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ASBA Announces Publication Of New Tennis Courts Manual
The American Sports Builders Association (ASBA) has announced the publication of the 8th edition of Tennis Courts: A Construction and Maintenance Manual.
Published jointly by the ASBA and the U.S. Tennis Association, the 2015 edition includes key updates to many areas of court construction and maintenance, including post-tension concrete tennis courts, LED lighting, 36- and 60-foot courts and much more. The manual includes user-friendly technical information on all aspects of courts at all types of tennis facilities and clubs, including design, budgeting and planning, site requirements, drainage, surface selection, construction, maintenance, repair, amenities, accessories, court-building grant information and more.
Copies of the new edition cost $44.95 each. Books can be ordered by contacting the association at 866-501-2722, or by visiting www.sportsbuilders.org. The manual also is available in digital format at the website.
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ASTM Standardizes Headgear For Women’s Lacrosse
ASTM International published a standard for protective headgear for women’s lacrosse players. Experts from the lacrosse community, the medical field, the biomechanics industry and product testing laboratories collaborated on the standard (F3137, Specification for Headgear Used in Women’s Lacrosse).
The standard resulted from a decision by US Lacrosse to standardize headgear for the women’s game. Men’s and women’s lacrosse are treated as two distinct sports, with the full-body contact that is part of the men’s game requiring the use of headgear. However, intentional stick or body contact is considered illegal in the women’s game, thus headgear has always been optional for women.
Ann Carpenetti, vice president of US Lacrosse Operations, expects that helmets meeting the standard may be available for purchase in about 18 months.
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Letters
On “Wise Old Owls” July 17 Week-Ender Blog Post:
So true … love every minute! You can only live in the now!
Content Reaches Beyond The Workplace
I just read your article, “Unjustified Mutiny” and enjoyed its content (PRB July). I have been in parks and recreation since 1978 and am always looking for new ideas, new thoughts, and different ways to approach problems in this career field.
I liked your article since its content and message can be applied to situations beyond the workplace. Congratulations on a unique and well-written article.
John Nixon, CPRP
Recreation Coordinator
Town of Florence Parks and Recreation
Florence, Ariz.
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Field Notes
Jacobsen hired Dena Jenkins as Events and Channel Manager. She will be responsible for planning and managing the company’s events and working with Jacobsen’s network of dealers on marketing initiatives. Jenkins has more than 10 years of experience in the turf industry, working in a variety of marketing roles at Woods Equipment Company, LG Seeds, and most recently, Dixie Chopper.
Congratulations to Floura Teeter Landscape Architects on celebrating 15 years in business! The firm has deep roots in parks and rec community, with work ranging from healing gardens and labyrinths to children’s parks and memorial plazas.
The Council for the Model Aquatic Health Code has hired BatterUp! Productions to assist in a branding and outreach campaign. A newly defined, clear mission and positioning messaging and branding was developed with an updated logo and new tag line to differentiate the organization from their biennial conference.
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Rain Bird Expands Conservation Tips
Azusa, Calif.—Rain Bird has expanded its 25 Ways to Save 25 program with additional water-saving tips and resources for residential and commercial irrigation sites, as well as golf courses and agricultural operations. Rain Bird launched the educational program in May 2015 in response to California’s ongoing drought and water restrictions, in an effort to help Californians and others reduce their outdoor water use by 25 percent or more while still enjoying healthy, sustainable landscapes. Learn more at www.rainbird.com.
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Program Simplifies Fleet Purchasing, Management and Maintenance
Augusta, Ga.—Planning, managing, and maintaining a fleet of utility vehicles can be a formidable undertaking.
But Club Car can help through its Corporate Solution Program. The program helps users see the big picture and build and control a more effective fleet. Trained representatives review customers’ needs and help them select the right mix of vehicles to meet their day-to-day tasks and long-term goals. They take into account issues such as sustainability, safety, accessories, versatility and where the vehicles will be used. These experts can also help clients establish maintenance schedules and logs, assign accountability for various aspects of fleet management and stabilize their monthly fleet costs. To learn more about the program visit www.clubcardealer.com.
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Cascades Park Receives Engineering Excellence Award
Tallahassee, Florida—Each year, the Florida Institute of Consulting Engineers (FICE) recognizes firms in Florida for their original or innovative applications to complex projects and studies. Cascades Park has been selected as a recipient of the Engineering Excellence Grand Award in the Water and Stormwater category for 2015. Genesis President, Mark Llewellyn Sr., P.E., accepted the award. This is the 7th award Genesis has received for Cascades Park.
Cascades Park, a 25-acre urban park in Tallahassee, performs as a major flood control/flood plain management system and an outstanding recreational facility for the community. From 2002 until March 2014, Genesis was involved in the planning, design, and construction of the Capital Cascades Trail and Cascades Park in partnership with Blueprint 2000 and Beyond. The community has embraced Cascades Park as the preeminent recreation and entertainment facility in the City of Tallahassee Parks system.
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Profile Products Celebrates 1 Million Safe Hours
Conover, N.C. (August 3, 2015) — Employees at Profile Products' Conover, N.C. manufacturing facility celebrated one million consecutive safe hours without a lost-time accident. The milestone event continues a streak that began more than seven years ago on February 13, 2008.
The facility was recognized at the state level for its commitment to safety with its seventh consecutive Certificate of Safety Achievement Award from the North Carolina Department of Labor. Profile Products was also recognized for the third time as a Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Employer, an honor it will maintain through June 10, 2017.
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Calendar
November
2-5 Georgia Recreation and Parks Association Conference, Dalton, Ga.; www.grpa.org
7-10 Virginia Recreation & Park Society Annual Conference, Virginia Beach, Va.—Hilton at 31st Street & Virginia Beach Convention Center; www.vrps.com
15-19 Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association Conference, Kingsport, Tenn.; www.trpa.net
December
4-8 American Sports Builders Association Annual Technical Meeting, Scottsdale, Ariz.—Fairmont Scottsdale Princess; www.sportsbuilders.org
2016
January
18-21 Mid-America Pool Spa & Outdoor Living Show, Indianapolis, Ind.—Lucas Oil Stadium; www.midamericashow.com