This-N-That
Field Notes
The New Ulm Parks and Recreation Department’s playground at North Market Park has been named a recipient of the 2010 Award of Excellence by the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association. The playground was awarded to the district by BCI Burke during a giveaway contest.
National non-profit KaBOOM! announces Playgrounds!, a free iPhone/iPod touch/iPad app is available to find and rate playgrounds across the nation.
The Synthetic Turf Council unveils Synthetic Turf 360⁰, A Guide for Today’s Synthetic Turf to showcase the uses and benefits of synthetic turf. Available for download without charge, it is the first comprehensive, annotated tool of its kind in the industry.
ParknPool announces its partnership with Vision Financial Group, now enabling the supplier of commercial site amenities to provide leasing options to its clients.
Sport Supply Group Inc. combined its athletic catalog and field sales operations under the Company’s flagship BSN SPORTS brand. The company will change its corporate name from Sport Supply Group to BSN SPORTS on December 31, 2011.
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A Sub And A Smile
Subway is sponsoring a free community outreach program as part of a national goodwill publicity campaign. A volunteer doctor who specializes in nutrition and stress management will come on-site to your company and give a 30-minute presentation during a complimentary catered Subway breakfast or lunch. Register at www.workhealthy2011.org to be contacted by an event coordinator.
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BCI Burke Enhances Green Practices
Fond Du Lac, Wis.--In conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Power Partnership, BCI Burke has boosted the commitment to acquire energy from wind and other renewable sources to offset approximately 20 percent of electrical usage, up from the previous 12 percent. Burke purchases wind energy through Alliant Energy’s Second Nature Program and is the only commercial playground manufacturer to participate in the EPA partnership. For more information, visit www.bciburke.com .
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Oklahoma State University Releases Two New Bermudagrasses
Stillwater, Okla.--Oklahoma State University has developed and released two new bermudagrass varieties--Northbridge and Latitude 36. Both grasses are sterile hybrids with exceptional cold tolerance. They are good choices for home lawns, parks and golf/sports applications from the southern United States to areas north of the transition zone. The grasses should be commercially available in 2012.
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Word on the Web
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On “Saying Goodbye To A Faithful Friend,” July 8 Week-Ender blog post:
Hi Ron,
I have always had dogs…some variation of a black lab or shepherd rescued from shelters or neglected ones from backyards. A few months ago, I also had to make the last trip to the vet on a rainy November day all by myself with just Zeus as my passenger. It has been a hard year for our family, but Zeus was always my rock, and putting him down was devastating. Ten days ago, we visited the shelter and found a black lab named Gunner that is 1 to 2 years old. He was quietly sitting in his cage, but I could not walk past him despite all the other dogs that begged for attention. We adopted him that day despite being told he was “problematic” and this was his second trip to the pound, and he had separation anxiety and hated being alone. No matter how much I have always loved my other “boys,” there always seems to be another that needs us--or is it the other way around?
Sheila M. Wartluft
Assistant Manager
North Lebanon Township, Penn.
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Ron,
Thanks to your great family for saving Lucca. We save the homeless dogs and they end up saving us, too.
My wife and I are rescue volunteers for Brittany’s and Aussies.
Grieve gently with your family.
Bill Dakin
Project Manager - Landscape Architect
Plano, Texas
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I knew I shouldn't have read your article--but I did. What a beautiful tribute to your beloved Lucca. I went through the same thing last year. A friend shared the following with me:
"We wish we could have them for our lifetime but, we are blessed to have them for theirs."
Take care and thanks for sharing Lucca's goodbye story. Now I have to go get another tissue.
Diane M. Sedar
Moser Pilon Nelson, Architects, LLC
Wethersfield, Conn.
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Hello Ron,
I just came across your article and wanted to tell you what a beautiful tribute it was to both Lucca and our relationship with dogs. I have two 4-year-old Labs, and a 7-month-old Malamute/German Shepherd/Pit Bull rescue that we just adopted a few months ago, and your piece was a reminder of how humbling it is to be a part of their lives.
Thank you for sharing your story.
Best,
Nora VandenBerghe
Dog-On-it-Parks
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The July copy of PRB has been sitting on my desk for several days and I finally took a few moments this afternoon to read it. Imagine my surprise as I am reading your Publisher’s Note (“Generations of Fun”) to see my name! I want first to thank you for including my submission and, more importantly, to share with you how touched I am by your column. You brought a tear to my eye!
The relationship of grandparents and grandchildren is very special--my three sons are in their twenties and share a special bond with my parents. It is refreshing to see this explored in the magazine.
I enjoy your publication and want to thank you again.
Best wishes,
Lesly Ferris
Director
Kent Park and Recreation
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Calendar
October
2-5 Mid America Trails & Greenways Conference, Fort Wayne, Ind.—Grand Wayne Convention Center; www.americantrails.org .
2-6 Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association Annual Conference, Paris Landing State Park; www.trpa.net
11-12 Aquatic Facility Operator Course, Little Rock, Ark.--Statehouse Convention Center; www.arkarpa.org
12 -14 World Aquatic Health Conference, Seattle, Wash—Sheraton Seattle Hotel; www.nspf.org ; (719) 540-9119
November
1-3 National Recreation and Park Association Congress and Exposition, Atlanta, Ga.— www.nrpa.org/congress2011
1-4 Wisconsin Parks and Recreation Association Annual Conference, Green Bay, Wis.—KI Convention Center (Hotel Sierra); www.wpraweb.org
8-11 Certified Playground Safety Institute, North Kansas City, Mo.; Gary Gates, gary@mopark.org or 636-3828; More information at www.mopark.org
21-22 Connecticut Parks and Recreation Annual Conference, Montville, Conn.--Mohegan Sun; www.crpa.com