Articles
Marketing Matters
The growing number of park and recreation agencies with dedicated marketing departments bodes well for the industry because it is vital that agencies make their communities aware of
Battling A Bully
From the moment he was born, he was a gentle kid. He was the first child for his mom and dad, so he was extra coddled; he was pretty much the star of the show at every holiday and event—
Flora, Fauna, Friend, and Foe
When I first became a parks and rec director in a town of about 35,000 in Georgia, I had little experience caring for municipal ponds and lakes; however, as fate would have it, there were
Mercy Rules
If you want to get someone in a heated conversation these days, just bring up youth sports. It used to be that you weren’t supposed to talk about religion or politics in social settings, but I
Passionate Leader
Growing up in the 1960s, Jeff Berthney's days were filled with playing sportsСfrom all-day sessions with neighborhood pals to taking part in a variety of organized programs.ТAlthough my dad was in the
Truth Serum
The other day I overheard a mother-daughter exchange that really made me pause. The 5-year old was hanging on a grocery cart while she stood in line with her mother, and both were extremely bored.
A Debt Of Gratitude
My dad was handy. He did many favors for people because of his skills, and I rarely remember him refusing anyone. He wasn’t especially “trained” or anything, but he just had a logical mind when it came to appliances and mechanical things.
Public Restrooms
Editor's Note: This column, “LBWA” (Leadership By Wandering Around), is based on the premise that, in order to find out what's going on in the field, a parks and rec leader has to leave his or her des
A Positive Spin
“The way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice.” – Peggy O’Mara
As a parent of three young children, I have to second-guess so many things I’ve said to my kids. Was I too tough? Not tough enough?
Splash, Trickle, And Flow
Mistakes in design and installation give water features a mixed reputation, despite the fact they can provide valuable elements in landscaping. Several key issues are often overlooked during the
Eternal Vigilance
As representatives from the original 13 colonies gathered in Philadelphia late on the afternoon of July 4, 1776, to sign the Declaration of Independence, President of the Continental Congress,
Dedicated To The Next Generation
Recreation professionals often put in ridiculously long hours, so even the smallest gestures from youngsters in the programs can have the biggest impact. Just ask Landon Carroll, the Recreation
What It Takes To Shine
For years, the National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) has touted itself as the leading advocate for positive and safe youth sports in America. And from time to time, we get people
Riffing Off The Ritz
It is well understood that quality customer service is of utmost importance in any business, and the delivery of recreation and parks services is certainly no exception. However, what too many
Suck It Up
I was 16 years old when I watched underdog Rocky Balboa nearly beat heavyweight champion Apollo Creed into submission late in the last round. He broke Apollo’s ribs and the champ was
Passive Parks
When parks and rec departments develop their inventories of facilities, the lead elements are more often than not the active sports centers that cater to youth and adult enthusiasts: soccer,
Banish Bullying
I remember a day in shop class when one of these kids actually approached me from behind and choked me with a sanding belt. Our teacher saw the entire episode and never did a thing. I
The Art Of Leaving Items "Undone"
In beginning a career—whether it is straight out of trade school, college, or high school—you are told that the way to make an impression and “move up” is to get things done. If people can put their f
Beauty Is More Than Just Skin Deep
When it comes to maintaining outdoor tennis and basketball courts, beauty is more than skin deep. Parks and recreation professionals who care for these facilities are painfully aware of this.
The "Mane" Attraction
It's fairly difficult to miss seeing a lion, but it appears that several of these beasts were overlooked for quite some time before they were re-purposed and thrown into a Boston park to play with chi