Articles
Reflections Of A River
The new 41st Street Plaza in Tulsa, Okla., is a water-loving kidХs dream come true, and Tulsans are water-lovers by nature, given the cityХs hot summer climate and its location on the Arkansas River.
Financially Fashionable
As finances become tighter and legislation on pool regulations become tougher, parks and recreation departments are faced with finding new ways to use aquatics as summer entertainment, while keeping
Memorable Contributions
As park managers, we are in an extraordinary position to help people cope with grief. That may seem like an odd statement since we are in the business of helping people enjoy their leisure time, but
No Bark And No Bite
Dog owners faced with leash laws and looking for a safe place to let their dogs run and play off-leash may be scouting that seldom-used grassy spot in the park as the perfect stretch of land. But
Shear Perfection
The first lawn mower was invented by Edwin Beard Budding in 1830; he came up with the idea while observing a cloth mill, which used a cutting cylinder (or bladed reel), mounted on a bench to trim
The Boys Of Summer
I was born in 1960 and have played baseball since I can remember. There were no formalized leagues in the 1970s for kids younger than 9, but we played pickup games every day. Today those games seem
Interesting Times
While our girls were at soccer practice on a field nearby, my buddy and I took on some young kids in a game of Knockout on the basketball court. As we played, I learned his life was in an uproar.
An Unexpected Gift
With a rush, all five of us barged through Mom and DadХs bedroom door and attacked the bed. The two youngest launched themselves at the lumpy forms that were my unsuspecting parents while the older th
Feedback For Staff
"Chris, my supervisory staff members donХt always know the best way to provide feedback to their counselors. Most of the time, they see what needs improvement but donХt say anything except perhaps to
One Door Closes
Even at 9 a.m., the heat was stifling. As the boys stretched and jogged, sweat soaked their hat bands and dripped down their faces, streaking their cheeks with the tell-tale sign of baseball in
This-N-That
Readers Gladly Shoulder The Blame Ron,Just read your column ТPut the Blame on MeУ (PRB April 2009). Excellent. You are echoing so many of my own sentiments that I had to wonder how and why until I rea
Don't Hide The Handshake
IХve often wondered why most youth sports programs have players shake hands after games rather than before.Think about it.We constantly talk about the importance of displaying good sportsmanship, yet
Stand And Deliver
In the January 2008 issue of PRB, the force-field concept (see Figure 1) suggested that the best way to move toward achieving change is to convert what seems like a threat into an opportunity, rather
Hygienically Speaking
Do you want to ensure park and recreation facilities are clean, sanitary and hygienic, helping to prevent the spread of disease? LetХs take a look at how one hospital ward in England and another in Sc
Pool Restroom Makeover
If your pool restroom is in serious need of a makeover, here are some inexpensive ways to renovate without hiring contractors.Start With The ToiletsWorn, broken toilet seats and doors that are
Makeover On A Budget
The pool area needs sprucing up, but thereХs no money in the budget for it, right? Here are some creative ways to dress it up without spending thousands of dollars.First ImpressionsThe best place to s
Spray-Park Water-Treatment System Design
For hands-on family fun and imaginative heat relief, spray parks are catching on in communities around the world.As the question changes from ТShould we construct a spray park?У to ТWhatХs the best de
Pedaling Toward Progress
EditorХs Note: This column, ТLBWAУ (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 des
Through The Eyes Of Old Timers
Birdie Calvert, her daughter and BirdieХs mother file into the nursing home to visit BirdieХs father. He smiles politely, but his granddaughter complains that it seems like he doesnХt even recognize t