This-N-That
Field Notes
BECS Technology has acquired Mainline Equipment, Inc. , a manufacturer of broadband equipment for the cable industry. All operations have been moved to BECS’ factory in St. Louis, Mo.
Sod Solutions hired Julie Adamski as the company’s new director of retail and professional development. She will develop new partnerships in targeted markets and strengthen existing relationships, as well as identify and create programs that increase demand for Sod Solutions line of turfgrasses and products.
MaxLite appointed Rich Matthews to regional vice president of sales, north central region and Canada. Under his leadership, the sales force will develop energy-efficient lighting programs in a variety of market segments including commercial, institutional, industrial, residential, hospitality, retail and healthcare.
The National Swimming Pool Foundation will relocate Silvia Uribe, International Business Manager, to Europe from the U.S. office in Colorado Springs, Colo., to better support mission-focused training around the world.
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Kay Park Reflects On 60 Years
In the 1950s, there was a national push to restore public parks for American families. During the World War II the previous decade, many manufacturing facilities had altered their plants to facilitate the ‘war effort.’ There were few places making equipment for public parks.
In 1954, an entrepreneur named Keith Borglum heard from his brother that the city of Cedar Falls, Iowa was looking for someone to fabricate steel charcoal grills for public parks. Keith, who was nicknamed ‘Kay’ from his initial as a child by his grandmother, had already been manufacturing other equipment in the garage on his family’s farm, and was intrigued by the new opportunity. Kay Park Recreation soon began making picnic tables and grills for other parks, and that evolved into more equipment for outdoor public park use, such as benches, trash cans, bleachers and more.
It is with heartfelt gratitude to all customers over the years that they celebrate 60 years in 2014. Congratulations, Kay Park!
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Word On The Web
On “Rolling With New Trends,” PRB Feb. 2014
We are in the beginning stages of planning for the creation of a mountain bike course. Any information or lessons learned from anyone’s point of view would be appreciated. This story and contacts will be of great assistance.
Terry Fink
LaSalle, Calif.
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On “Cooperation and Competition: Evil Twins,” March 7 Week-Ender Blog:
During my youth, participants were taught how to lose with dignity. As a recreational professional, I feel we have bent to this new ideal that winning is the only thing that matters and have lost the practice of teaching good sportsmanship. Competition is not a necessary evil, but a part of every aspect of human existence that needs to be accounted for, not mitigated away.
Antonio Murpny
Mecklenburg County, N.C.
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Well said! I think many times in our profession, we allow the overzealous parents of our “recreational” sports participants to get too much of our attention. We need to revisit the mission and goals of our programs.
Tonya Edwards
Monroe, N.C.
N ote: Not receiving the Week-Ender blog? Start/renew your subscription at www.parksandrecbusiness.com for this exclusive online content.
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Jacobsen Sponsoring Turf Innovation Award
Charlotte, N.C.—Jacobsen will sponsor Turf Republic’s Excellence in Innovation Award, a new industry honor that recognizes men and women in the turf industry who are using innovative ideas to save time, reduce costs, and create a better experience for players.
The award is open to superintendents, assistants, technicians, sports field managers, parks and ground managers and anyone in the industry who is using innovation to make a difference. Nominees will be judged by an independent five-person panel. One finalist will be selected each month, starting in March 2014. One yearly winner will be selected from the 2014 finalists for special recognition at the 2015 Golf Industry Show in San Antonio, Texas.
Award nominations are not limited to tangible products; programs or best practices developed at your facility or company are also eligible for consideration. Nominations are being accepted at www.turfrepublic.com .
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Louisville Serves Up 10 and Under Tennis
Congratulations to California Park in Louisville, Ky., for the dedication of five new tennis courts. Managed by the Louisville Metro Parks, the facility includes four miniature-sized courts for kids to participate in the United States Tennis Association’s (USTA) 10 and Under Tennis Program as well as one full-sized court. The funding to rebuild the courts was provided by grants from the USTA and the Louisville Metro Parks Foundation.
The 10 and Under Tennis program tailors equipment and courts so they are “right-sized,” making the game more accessible—and more fun—by allowing kids to get involved right from the start. Over the last year, thanks to a grant from the Brown-Forman Corporation, the program has flourished, with local elementary schools, community centers and churches adding tennis programs for children. Spring clinics, summer camp activities, and tournaments also have contributed to the program’s success.
--Information provided by Walter Munday, Community Outreach Supervisor for the Louisville Metro Parks.
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Calendar
September
16-19 Colorado Parks & Recreation Association, Steamboat Springs, Colo.—Sheraton Steamboat Resort; www.cpra-web.org
23-26 Minnesota Recreation and Park Association Annual Conference, Blaine, Minn.— National Sports Center; www.mnrpa.org
30-2 West Virginia Recreation and Parks Association Conference, Roanoke, WV—Stonewall Resort State Park; www.wvrpa.org
October
8-10 World Aquatic Health Conference, Portland, Ore.—DoubleTree by Hilton; www.nspf.org
14-16 National Recreation and Parks Association National Congress, Charlotte, N.C.
November
3-6 Georgia Recreation and Parks Association Conference, Jekyll Island, Ga. www.grpa.org