Articles
Synthetic Turf Fields Save the Day
It had been raining for three days. Not the gentle, soothing showers that bring May flowers, but the raucous, hard-pressing rains that cause creeks to overflow their banks and basements to fill. The
Modern Makeover
In the world of zoological gardens, accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums holds the key to legitimacy. It separates seasonal zoos with only exterior exhibits from those that maintain
Dog Parks 101
We certainly love our dogs, donХt we? Pets mean the world to us, and we often see them as family members. They truly contribute to our quality of life. Take a look at some statistics:б There a
Positive First Impressions
One of the reasons The Boeing Company chose Chicago for its new corporate headquarters was Тthe cityХs quality of life, including recreation opportunities, its downtown and urban life.У Corporate offi
Going Gaga Over Gaga Ball
Statistics note that 70 percent of children who play organized soccer quit by the age of 12. Although children love fast-paced games that involve challenge and movement, traditional sports, such as
Just Say No
I have a friend, a father of four, whoХs told me time and time again, Тyou know Rod our family always says no first.УBefore I knew him well, it used to bother me. How could you always default to no? W
Strategically Sound
EditorХs note: This is the first in a series of articles that will look at the responsibility of boards and how to create dialogue to improve them. Although there are no right and wrong answers to the
Precautionary Measures
When it comes to children, we generally do everything possible to keep them safe--we strap them into seatbelts in the car, make them wear helmets while riding bikes, and take them to doctor
Ten Tips For Locker Rooms
For most patrons, using a recreation center locker room ranks somewhere between public speaking and skydiving on a list of things to avoid. Besides being an unpopular place to spend time, it is also
Not Another Training Session
Training, ranging from voluntary to mandatory, frequently appears on a list of staff expectations. It can also be a source of tension between employees and management. But if training can improve
Ready, Aim, Splat!
Just the suggestion of building a city-owned paintball park will have most officials reaching for the phone to consult a law director or legal advisor. But consider this: The National Injury
Lending A Paw
Why would anyone want to read to a dog? In 2000, a study was done at the Bennion Elementary School in Salt Lake City, Utah, to examine the benefits of providing a dog-assisted reading program. The
Boardwalk Bound
A quiet, northwest Chicago suburb, Niles, Ill., is about 800 miles west of the Atlantic Ocean and light years from Eastern Seaboard resorts such as Atlantic City, N.J. Yet visitors to the Niles Park
Virtual Ride -- Real Slide
Ever wonder what it would feel like to slide into the jaws of a shark? Although it sounds daring and dangerous, it is now possible thanks to technology created by Mike WernerХs Chicago area-based Lase
Aloha, Neighbors!
ТGiving back to the communityУ has become a catchphrase in the corporate world. It seems that everyone recognizes the value, but how many companies are truly practicing what they preach? There are a n
Handling Fowl Birds
EditorХs Note: This column, LBWA (Leadership By Wandering Around), is based on the premise that, in order to find out whatХs going on in the field, a parks and rec leader has to leave his or her desk
Chew On This
I filled up the old gas tank yesterday, almost $55 to fill a 16-gallon tank. Profits at Enron continue to soar. A local, long-time bank in Cleveland seemed poised on the acquisition block for a
Anticipation Is The Spice Of Memories
Every year that I was in high school, five 10th-grade boys and five 10th-grade girls were chosen to be "workers" at the seniorsХ Winter Formal. The group was eclectic, chosen from all walks of school