Articles
Dedicated To Outdoor Recreation
As parks and recreation professionals, we want administrators, elected officials, and stakeholders to agree that the department is an essential service. Farmington, N.M., realizes the value of the profession as it
Leaders In The Field
Leadership often means directing and offering support while staying out of the way. Like a driver of draft horses, workplace leaders need to know how to get the best out of their team. This has been
Performance Evaluations
One of the most difficult tasks expected of management is the end-of-the-year evaluation. Do you say too much? Do you say too little? Do you inadvertently offend the employee with a casual remark
Sustainable Maintenance
As the world’s population grows, more emphasis is being placed on “sustainability” in every aspect of life, from the types of fuel we use to the food we eat; parks and recreation
Living Honorably
As the rain fell, I sat quietly in church behind my drums, waiting for the cue for the next song (I play in the worship band). A guest speaker, standing at the podium, began to talk of some
Mutual Gain Through Mutual Respect
Richard had great credentials, and management loved him. He was rocketing through the ranks and gaining credibility year after year. His office walls were covered with plaques, trophies, awards, and honors
Balancing Act
One of my favorite topics to discuss in youth sports is the idea of having balanced teams. Making a youth-sports program successful and creating a league with as much parity as possible are probably two of the
A Beautiful Moment
Maddy, a seventh grader, is one of five players on her co-ed recreational basketball team. She is a slight, wiry girl with shoulder-length brown hair, a quiet manner, and an engaging smile. But the boys and girls on
Field Maintenance
Perhaps one of the most challenging aspects of maintenance for the average local parks and recreation department is natural-turf sports-field preparation for the spring season.
Passion With A Purpose
Duane Smith has always been passionate about sports. So, when he chose to switch careers—moving from education to parks and recreation—he funneled that passion in a new direction,
Create Exceptional Customer Service
My family and I recently visited Disney World, and while I went with high expectations of experiencing magic, I did not come away with an incredible feeling of exceptional service. We can all learn
Where's The Bully?
If you’ve spent any time watching TV, reading a newspaper or magazine, or talking to colleagues who work with kids, the topic of bullies has surely come up. Among the important issues to address:
Launch The Fleet
As the nation emerges from one of the coldest winters in recent memory, recreation specialists will begin to see water enthusiasts flocking back for sun, exercise, and water recreation.
A Natural Partnership Is Born
Although it was common knowledge that the local Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI) store was the place to buy hiking boots and obtain topographical maps, the store was also a great place to find
Risky Business
As an expert witness called to testify by attorneys in numerous drowning or near-drowning cases, I’ve observed a victim’s family members attempt to ease the pain of losing (or almost
Due Diligence
In the following scenarios, ask yourself what you would do as a recreation professional:
An 11-year-old boy is at baseball practice. All the players on his team are actively participating in a drill.
Political Correctness
Robert G. Ingersoll, after visiting the tomb of Napoleon:
A little while ago I stood by the grave of Napoleon, a magnificent tomb of gilt and gold, fit almost for a
Enjoyable Experiences
Several years ago Mike Buchanan, the superintendent for the city of Manhattan (Kan.) Parks and Recreation Department, was tending to some business at the park on a warm Saturday morning in July.
"Fore" Effective Golf Course Maintenance
The modern game of golf evolved from what 15th-century Scots knew as “gowf,” when it was played on the rolling, sandy terrain common on Scotland’s eastern coast, called “links land.”