Spotlight On - Georgia Recreation and Park Association · Recreation & Parks in Georgia • Fall...

Recreation & Parks inRecreation & Parks inFALL 2007

Official Publication of the Georgia Recreation and Park Association

Spotlight On: Volunteers

Tom Martin:Moving on Down the Road

Table of ContentsDepartmentsFrom the President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7From the Executive Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8GRPA 2007 Corporate Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10Index to Advertisers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30Advertiser.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

FeaturesWhen Community Comes Together . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11The Newest Walk in the Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13Let’s Go Sliding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15Blazing a Trail. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17Inclusionary Sports that Are Missing – The Bankshot Answer . . . . . . . . . . . .19Trail Beautification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22Field of Dreams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25Camp Happy Hearts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26Spotlight On: Volunteers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

FALL 2007

Recreation & Parks in

Official Publication of the Georgia Recreation and Park Association

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Recreation & Parks in Georgia • Fall 2007 5


I also feel that communities that care about

their people will continue to improve the

facilities and opportunities.

During 2007, I traveled all over the State of Georgia to attend various meetings and events. East to west and north to south, I have seen recreation facili-

ties that rival any that I have seen in other states. Recently, DNR completed the Georgia Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. The five-year plan appraised the recreational needs of the state and created a matrix of all the available facilities. Our hope is that when federal funds become available from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), our state will receive the available grant money. LWCF money has not been readily available in recent years. However, most departments around the state are improving their facilities. This fact alone makes me feel that the leaders in Georgia are determined to make our parks a better place to play.

As a kid, I can remember playing games all day long during the summer. We would play basketball during the morning at my friend Ropey’s house. The facility used was a basketball goal placed on a sand court in his backyard. All the neighborhood kids would play for hours as his Mom watched from the kitchen window. Afternoon soft-ball games would take place in an open field at a plant that was located in the neighborhood, and, in the late after-noon, we would play hide and seek, red-rover, and many more fun games. The adults in our neighborhood made sure we were safe as we played on these facilities. They were also determined to make our neighborhood a better place to have a good time.

Today our recreation leaders are no different than the adults in our old neighborhood. The facilities have changed from fields at a nearby plant, and a basketball goal in my friend’s backyard, to multi-million-dollar facilities around the state. Skate parks, SPLASH parks, multi-purpose fields, multi-purpose gymnasiums, and cultural art centers can be seen in every corner of Georgia. Most of these facilities have been funded from a Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST), which is voted up or down by county residents in a referendum. A SPLOST only lasts five years. In Georgia, a SPLOST can be levied by any county, for the purpose of funding the building and maintenance of parks, schools, roads, and other public facilities. As I traveled round the state, I saw numerous signs that said “Tax Dollars at Work.”

As recreation professionals, we should continue to look for alternative funding sources to develop more facilities. Local foundations, local endowments, and/or local business-es can be used as resources. As you visit other communities in Georgia, find out what resources they use and the process to complete the project. The same may work in your area.

In closing, we all realize how important recreation facili-ties are to our community. Industries put recreation and adequate facilities on their list when looking to relocate to another area. I also feel that communities that care about their people will continue to improve the facilities and opportunities. As I continue to travel from east to west and north to south, I am sure I will see many more along the way. I am also confident that the leaders in our state are determined to make our parks a better place to play. ■

From the Presidentby Bill McNair

A Better Place to Play

As recreation professionals, we should

continue to look for alternative funding

sources to develop more facilities.

8 Recreation & Parks in Georgia • Fall 2007

As I write this final article for the GRPA magazine, a lot of thoughts have been running

through my mind. But the first thing I want to do is congratulate Jimmy Gisi on his selection as the Executive Director for GRPA. There have only been four of us since 1978 — and I know Jimmy, with your help, will take the association to new heights and expand the member benefits beyond our current imaginations.

I also want to commend President Bill McNair and the Board for their strong leadership in the recruitment and selection process. The appoint-ment of Craig Sowell as chair of the Search Committee was a very wise decision. With his guidance, their pro-cess was as professional and diligent as it could be. The selection of Jimmy Gisi was based on a procedure that was as nonbiased as possible. You, the members, should know this and be proud of your leaders.

This article shouldn’t be about me, but I can’t help but think about some of the things that have occurred over the past 50 years. Max Lockwood hired me in 1957, while I was a junior at Statesboro High School, to mow grass, line off ball fields, and eventually to coach youth sports, lead the ‘tween teen’ program, and manage the local swimming pool. One of my lifeguards went on to become a college president. Another became a pilot for Southwest Airlines. And another — a mayor in a city in Missouri. Pretty interesting!

During my career in the park and recreation field, every boss I’ve had — except two — has been a president

committee, or a member of a com-mittee at the state and district level. You have served in leadership roles for districts and sections. You have been active in training and profession-al development programs to increase your knowledge and expertise. You recruit students into our field and you talk to civic and community groups about the benefits and value of parks and recreation to the individual, fam-ily and community.

That’s why GRPA has been suc-cessful. Keep it up!

And finally, a special thank you to my family and to Shelly Strickland. My wife of 43 years, Marcia, has endured much and has been my inspiration, my biggest fan, and my best friend. To Shelly, I am indebted for her dedication and loyalty to both me and to GRPA. Jimmy will be in good hands.

My best wishes to GRPA and all of you. ■

From the Executive Directorby Tom Martin, CPRP

Moving On Down the Road

of GRPA and a member of the Hall of Fame. You can’t get much luckier and more fortunate than that.

I have said before that little did I realize, back in 1978, when I was president of GRPA and we officially created the position of executive direc-tor, that I would one day occupy the position. It has been one of the most rewarding and gratifying experiences of my career.

The presidents that I have worked under have all been true professionals and have led the organization with great wisdom and dedication — Craig Sowell, Charlie Beale, Mike Perry, Linda Evans, Tod Tentler, Deborah Mockus, Jimmy Gisi, and Bill McNair. To all of them, I say a special “Thank You.”

An association’s success is not about one person. It’s about a lot of people. And many of you are the rea-son GRPA has been so successful. You have served on the Board, as chair of a


AEK ComputersDeb O’Donnell650 E. Algonquin Road# 403Schaumburg, IL 60173847-397-4235Fax: [email protected]

Anaconda Sports, Inc.Greg Cherny85 Katrine LaneLake Katrine, NY 12449845-336-4024Fax: [email protected]

Athletic Fields Inc.Josh Morrow54 Brown Farm RoadCartersville, GA 30120770-845-7661Fax: [email protected]

Barge Waggoner Sumner & Cannon, Inc.Bill Caldwell, ASLA1050 Crown Pointe ParkwaySuite 1650Atlanta, GA 30338770-698-1400Fax: [email protected]

Bliss Products and ServicesGregg BlissPO Box 6655Douglasville, GA 30154800-248-2547Fax: [email protected]

Brandstetter Carroll Inc.Wayne Bain104 Camak PlaceEatonton, GA [email protected]

Breedlove Land Planning, Inc.Hugh Brown, Jr.510 McDaniel Mill RoadConyers, GA 30012770-483-1173Fax: [email protected]

Clough Harbour & Associates LLPRich Amadon1800 Peachtree Street NWAtlanta, GA 30309404-352-9200Fax: [email protected]

Contract Connection, inc. d/b/a WOW Playgrounds (“Georgia’s Own)Todd KrohnPO Box 848254Pembroke Pines, FL 0800-772-8369Fax: [email protected]

Courtsport Tennis SupplyLarry Holbrook2415 Kings WayCumming, GA 30040770-844-4401Fax: [email protected]

DMP Consulting, Inc.Michael Pfahl1351 Raintree LaneWellington, FL 33414561-798-5159Fax: [email protected]

Ewing Irrigation, Golf & IndustrialTom Shannon2262 Holly Springs ParkwayHolly Springs, GA 30115404-713-1656Fax: [email protected]

FRADennis Decker260 Peachtree StreetSuite 900Atlanta, GA 30303404-841-7886Fax: [email protected]

Gametime/Dominica Recreation ProductsRob DominicaPO Box 520700Longwood, FL 32752407-331-0101Fax: [email protected]

Georgia Outdoor LightingTerry Patrick5644 Hearn RoadEllenwood, GA 30294678-878-8949Fax: [email protected]

Georgia Power CompanyJerry Cook1790 Montreal CircleTucker, GA 30084770-621-2438Fax: [email protected]

Grasshopper CompanyConnie EstepPO Box 637Moundridge, KS 67107620-345-8621Fax: [email protected]

H2O FunShelly Hobbs3786 DeKalb Technology ParkwayAtlanta, GA 30340770-457-3000Fax: [email protected]

Hasley Recreation & Design, Inc.Norvel HasleyPO Box 936Greensboro, GA 30642706-453-7908Fax: [email protected]

Hunter Knepshield Co.Tom KnepshieldPO Box 499LaGrange, KY 40031800-626-6530Fax: [email protected]

IBI Group IncRussell Moore1519 Main StreetSarasota, FL 34232941-954-1718Fax: [email protected]

J.E. Hill PrecastJohn SchoeneckPO Box 491356Leesburg, FL 34749352-787-5897Fax: [email protected]

jb+a park design studioSteve Provost700 Galleria ParkwaySuite 400Atlanta, GA 30339770-803-0900Fax: [email protected]

Jerry Pate Turf & IrrigationCoby Byers5350 Tulane DriveAtlanta, GA 30336678-409-5705Fax: [email protected]

Jim’s Sports FlooringJim Schaffer3806 Riverbank DriveLilburn, GA 30047404-421-7679Fax: [email protected]

Jordan Jones & GouldingBrad Jones6801 Governors Lake ParkwayNorcross, GA 30071678-333-0391Fax: [email protected]

Kilpatrick Turf EquipmentDave Powers4545 Atwater CourtBuford, GA 30518770-935-0858Fax: [email protected]

Landscape StructuresMegan Andrada601 7th Street SouthDelano, MN 55328763-972-5237Fax: [email protected]

Lose & Associates, Inc.David Lose1314 5th Avenue NorthSuite 200Nashville, TN 37208615-242-0040Fax: [email protected]

Lyman Davidson Dooley, Inc.Melanie Robinson1640 Powers Ferry RoadBldg. 1, Suite 100Marietta, GA 30067770-850-8494Fax: [email protected]

Musco Sports Lighting, LLCMatt King2107 Stewart RoadMuscatine, IA 52761800-754-6025Fax: [email protected]

National Alliance for Youth SportsLisa Licata2050 Vista ParkwayWest Palm Beach, FL 33411561-684-1141Fax: [email protected]

Piazza, Inc.Mary PiazzaPO Box 1229Geneva, FL 32737407-349-0800Fax: [email protected]

Pope/Partners Architects, Inc.Susan Pope1176 Grimes Bridge RoadSuite 500Roswell, GA 30075770-645-0130Fax: [email protected]

Pro Star Sports, Inc.Steve Lawver4668 Cutter Mill RoadMartinez, GA 30907706-836-5760Fax: [email protected]

PRS Play ParksJoel PaschalPO Box 423Carrollton, GA 30112770-834-2499Fax: [email protected]

Richard Wittschiebe HandTanya Richard15 Simpson StreetAtlanta, GA 30308404-688-2200Fax: [email protected]

Rubber Wholesalers, Inc.Terry Harris105 US Highway 411 NEPO Box 128Ranger, GA 30734706-334-2331Fax: [email protected]

Southern Playground, Inc.Warren SchlenderPO Box 4681Marietta, GA 30061770-218-1912Fax: [email protected]

Sports Turf Company, Inc.Dan Wright1487 Blackdirt RoadWhitesburg, GA 30185770-832-8691Fax: [email protected]

Spread TechAndy Erler5456 Peachtree Ind. Blvd.Suite 304Atlanta, GA 30341866-685-2438Fax: [email protected]

Sumner Turf, Inc.Ronnie SumnerPO Box 2335Tifton, GA 31793229-387-6927Fax: [email protected]

The Jaeger CompanyDale Jaeger119 Washington StreetGainesville, GA 30501770-534-0506Fax: [email protected]

TruGreen ChemlawnJohn Mazzei1335 North Meadow ParkwaySuite 105Roswell, GA 30005770-410-7558Fax: [email protected]

USTA GeorgiaMichael Graham2849 Paces Ferry RoadSuite 625Atlanta, GA 30318404-256-9543Fax: [email protected]

Water Technology, Inc.Charles Neuman100 Park AvenueBeaver Dam, WI 53916920-887-7375Fax: [email protected]

Williams & Associates Land Planning, P.C.Dale HallPO Box 6146Athens, GA 30604706-310-0400Fax: [email protected]

WK DicksonEd Czyscon2120 Powers Ferry RoadSuite 100Atlanta, GA 30339770-955-5574Fax: [email protected]

Wood + Partner Inc.Harry Housen154 Krog StreetSuite 100Atlanta, GA 30307404-688-4454Fax: [email protected]

Wright Mitchell Associates ArchitectsTom H. Wright, Jr.1174 Grimes Bridge RoadSuite 300Roswell, GA 30075770-998-8059Fax: [email protected]

GRPA 2007 Corporate Members


In an era of ever-tightening budgets and growing competition among recreation service providers for funding and customers, we sometimes face the important

challenge of building the types of facilities important to our citizens with the resources we have available.

It was just such a challenge that Gainesville Parks and Recreation confronted in development of the long-awaited Frances Meadows Community Center and state-of the-art aquatics facility. This $16 million dollar project, which is scheduled to open in July 2008, was identified years ago as a priority in the Agency’s Vision 2014 Strategic Planning Process. Feedback from public input meetings and services illustrated a need for indoor recreation and meeting space, both an aquatics facility and a community center. The main concerns at issue were location and, of course, funding.

To understand more clearly the task at hand, it’s important to note that Gainesville has been identified as the ninth-fastest-growing community of its size in the country. And as a result, the area is experiencing significant shifts in demographics that have contributed greatly to a tremendous increase in growth, not only in population, but in development as well. Land large enough to accommodate a facility of this size was not easy to find.

Our local school system, too, was experiencing growing pains, with respect to the dramatic rise in population. A new middle school, to accommodate the growing number of elementary school children, was a priority. Once again, land was an issue.

Joining Forces with a Longstanding PartnerFor years, our agency has combined resources with

dozens of organizations, both public and private. However, when speaking of the common goals of serving youth and being good stewards of tax dollars, our decades-long partnership with the Gainesville City Public School System has been an alliance second to none.

“Our Joint Facility Use Agreement with the Board of Education has provided our public school children with quality athletic venues and, in turn, additional recreation programming space for our participants,” said Joe Biddy, Gainesville Parks and Recreation board chairman. “And while having a written agreement in place has been fundamental to the success of this or any partnership, strong communication and cooperation have been paramount.”

Combining Resources to Save Tax Dollars“When groups like Gainesville Parks and Recreation,

Gainesville City Schools and the City Council work together, it is the citizens who win,” said Lee Highsmith, Gainesville Board of Education chairperson. “By combining

The Frances Meadows Center will house a 10,400 square-foot community building with multi-purpose meeting space; a 34,800 square-foot indoor aquatics facility including a 10-lane competitive pool and four-lane therapy pool; and a 34,300 square-foot outdoor family leisure pool with slides, current channel, zero-depth entry and a toddler play structure.

resources, we are able to offer our community more than any of us could have created alone.”

So with both organizations in search of property and a community in need of new facilities, 53 acres of land were purchased jointly. Valuable tax dollars will be saved through shared design, development and management of site work. Once both the Gainesville Middle School and the Frances Meadows Center are open, we will share facilities to include the indoor aquatics portion of the project, as well as the middle school’s athletic fields and gymnasium.

Community Support Gets the Project off the Ground

When citizens spoke, our local officials listened. The Gainesville City Council took very seriously the input and recommendations gathered, not only throughout long-term strategic planning, but in a series of public meetings to discuss the new center’s need and funding options. Realizing both the health and economic impact on the future of Gainesville, the council unanimously agreed to develop and fund the project.

The Hall County Commission also dedicated $3 million in county-government-controlled SPLOST funds to the project in return for a guaranteed non-differential fee rate for county residents to what will be the only public pool in the area.

“Partnerships, when done correctly, can yield mutually beneficial outcomes for everyone involved,” said Myrtle Figueras, mayor pro-tem for the City of Gainesville. “And this partnership with the citizens of our community has been key to the project’s success.”

Now with site work on the project complete and construction begun, a project envisioned more than a decade ago is finally coming to fruition. ■

When Community Comes Together The Driving Force Behind a Successful Development by J. Melvin Cooper, CPRP, Director Gainesville Parks and Recreation


With a 23 percent increase in registered members in Georgia last year alone,

disc golf has quickly become one of the state’s top outdoor recreational sports. Professionals, casual players and families can all enjoy disc golf. There are more than 30 courses cur-rently in Georgia, and that number is increasing quickly.

If you haven’t heard of disc golf, you are likely to soon. Here are some quick facts:• The Professional Disc Golf Associa-

tion (PDGA), with more than 16,000 members, is the governing body for the sport and sanctions events for every skill level.

• Disc golf is played much like tra-ditional golf. Instead of a ball and clubs, players use a flying disc, or Frisbee.

• A golf disc is thrown from a tee area to a target, which is the “hole.”

• Specially abled and disabled indi-viduals participate, giving them the opportunity to take part in a main-stream activity.

• Most importantly, disc golf is great exercise from school age to old age, and a single professional quality disc that costs under $10 is all you need to get started.The economic impact potential of

disc golf is only beginning to be real-ized. In addition to local residents, some players travel nearly two hours for a non-competitive round or a week-ly round of doubles, often stopping to eat or for a tank of gas. The cours-es at the City of Roswell’s wooded East Roswell Park course and Forsyth County’s long and open Central Park layout average 35-40 people a day, with numbers reaching more than 100

in this A-tier event.The PDGA granted the event Super

Tour status — only one of 38 events this year in the world — and was also named a qualifier for the 2007 PDGA U.S. Amateur Disc Golf Champion-ships. For the professionals, a purse of more than $8,500 in total prize money, with the top winner netting more than $1,100, provided a tantalizing reason to play and travel.

With players from 14 different states and as far away as Colorado, Missouri and Texas, the tournament had a tremendous impact on the econ-omy in the North Fulton and South Forsyth area. Players stayed in area hotels, ate meals in local restaurants and the awards ceremony hosted more than 100 people at a Roswell restaurant. Numerous spectators from around the area also visited Central and East Roswell Park — some for the first time.

This year’s professional winners were J.D. Ramirez from Allen, Texas, in the men’s open division, Sarah

The Newest Walk in the Parkby Melissa Holder, President of Holder CommunicationsSpecial Article to the Roswell Recreation & Parks Department

players on the weekends. In Roswell specifically, the activity at the course has far exceeded expectations.

“Disc golf has impacted our com-munity far and above what any of us at the department imagined,” said Roswell Parks Coordinator Mark Holder. “The disc golfers are such a terrific and appreciative group of peo-ple that give of their time and resourc-es. The real joy for me is to see a group of kids or a family experiencing this recreation opportunity together.”

But the real potential lies in tour-naments, as experienced by Roswell and Forsyth County this past June. These two recreation departments partnered to host the inaugural Atlanta Open — the premier disc golf tourna-ment in the metro Atlanta area. By all accounts, the event was a huge suc-cess. The sold-out field of 144 players comprised of 72 of the sport’s best, including 13 of the top 100 profession-als in the world and 72 amateurs. The players competed for two days at the East Roswell and Central Park courses


Stanhope from Clemson, SC, in the women’s open division and Toney, Ala., resident Dean Tannock in the pro masters group. On the amateur side, Georgia residents took home all the championships. Brian Ling from Mar-tinez won the men’s advanced divi-sion, Melanie Hughes from Hiram cap-tured the women’s advanced trophy, Cumming’s Jason Dowling garnered the men’s advanced masters division, and Roswell’s Andrew Lofstrand won in a playoff on his home course to take the intermediate crown.

“To host a tournament of this mag-nitude and be mentioned among the nation’s best places to play in just three short years is absolutely amaz-ing,” remarked Holder. “I have been overwhelmed with the success that we have enjoyed with disc golf.”

Disc golf courses provide com-munities with new outdoor recre-ation options with minimal impact on the land. An 18-hole course can be installed on as few as eight acres and, in this day of slim budgets, is a great outdoor alternative to more expensive and traditional forms of recreation. With leagues, tournaments and even some pay-to-play courses, disc golf can be a revenue-producing activity for a department and community. Is it time for your community to have a new walk in the park?

For more information on the courses mentioned, contact the City of Roswell at 770-641-3705 and Forsyth County at 770-781-2215. To learn more about courses in your area, or disc golf in gen-eral, visit www.discgolfatlanta.com or www.pdga.com. ■


In 2002, I was told that we were building a fourth aquatic center here in Cobb County. I immediately starting won-dering about dimensions, capacity and all those wonder-

ful things that I associated with our other three traditional aquatic centers.

Boy was I wrong.South Cobb Aquatic Center was going to have a rather

large play structure in the pool along with a lazy river, as well as a towering waterslide similar to what one might see at any of the huge outdoor water parks. This concept seemed a bit strange to this old-school aquatics professional, but it wasn’t any stranger than indoor swimming was years ago to folks who only swam outdoors during the warm spring and summer months. As unbelievable as it seems, our indoor pools actually get a huge number of calls each week asking us whether we heat our pools.

After a bit of research on the Internet, I discovered that the indoor water-park-type aquatic centers are no longer just a novelty. In the United States alone there were 76 listings for indoor water park facilities, including a brand-new one about to open here in Georgia in mid-2009 in Dekalb Coun-ty that’s supposed to be called Grand Empire Resort Indoor Water Park. While our “little” South Cobb Aquatic Center, with its lone slide tower, one play structure and one lazy river attraction looks tiny compared to what is supposed to be available at this new facility, the thought of it did strike an interesting chord within me. The aquatics industry has

Let’s Go Sliding

reached a point where there are no longer any limitations on how much it can grow.

When I was child in Smyrna, Ga., there were five pools we could go to that were close to where we lived. All of them were outdoor facilities and were, of course, only open during the summer months. The only types of attractions to these pools other than clean water were diving boards with-out even a hint of a waterslide. Now there are four indoor facilities in Cobb County alone with a good many more in the neighboring counties surrounding Cobb, such as Gwin-nett and Dekalb. Many of these indoor facilities have large play structures, waterslides and lazy rivers, as well as other attractions that were once exclusive to the larger outdoor water parks, such as White Water in Marietta, Ga. While many people enjoy being in the great outdoors, it was only a matter of time before these huge parks moved indoors, as well. The most obvious benefit of being indoors is the ability to operate during inclement weather. Many indoor facilities are “grounded” so that they are safe to operate dur-ing a storm. There are many theories about how safe anyone actually is while swimming indoors during storms, and most facilities will shut down during a major thunderstorm. How-ever, many people who would not visit an outdoor water park on a cloudy day will reconsider if the facility is indoors and go ahead and brave the rain.

There are drawbacks to this concept, as well, with the largest roadblock being how busy the facilities will be dur-

by Steve D. HendrixRecreation ProgrammerCobb Aquatic CenterCobb County Park, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Department


ing the months that the children are in school. Even though weather is no longer the problem it once was, the amount of free time people have during the busier months of the year remains a concern. The indoor water parks of private industry don’t have the luxury of most parks and recreation departments by being able to operate without showing a large profit. They need customers in order to stay viable.

A good many of the aquatic centers that have the water-park-type attractions have lap lanes and instructional areas, as well, so that they are being utilized by swim teams as well as having a year-round learn-to-swim program in place in order to offset the costs of running these pools. Other facilities have weight rooms stocked with state-of-the-art exercise equipment, and hold aerobic classes in the water, as well as dry-land classes in separate exercise rooms to help pay the bills. Some of these facilities are not even open to the general public. They are part of large hotel resorts and are only able to be used by the paying guests of the hotel.

How did we as a civilization go from taking a dip in the creek behind grandma’s house for a swim in some freezing water along with some rather interesting little water animals to having these huge chemically treated and climate-con-trolled theme parks to enjoy? I guess it’s just the natural pro-gression of things — any recreational concept that’s worth doing, such as swimming, is also worth expanding. Aquatic recreation is one of the most relaxing forms of entertainment available to us, and the more different ways we can enjoy it, the better we all like it. ■


BlazeSports America Provides Sports and Healthy Lifestyle Programs for Children and Adults with Physical Disabilities

leadership skills; and adults serve as mentors and role models.

Collaborative Partners Key to Local Programs

BlazeSports America is an inter-national network of sustainable, com-munity-based sports, recreation and physical activity programs delivered for children and adults with physical disability through a network of clubs.

“Our partnerships with park and rec-reation departments as well as rehabilita-tion hospitals are keys to the success of our programs,” said Mushett Johnson. “Through these partnerships, our goal is to offer sports and physical activity opportunities for disabled individuals in every Georgia Parks and Recreation Association district by 2010.”

Each of the 62 BlazeSports Clubs provides year-round opportunities for children and adults with physical dis-ability as well as injured military vet-erans to participate in recreational to competitive sports.

Participants receive instruction in seasonal sports and can participate in

sports events and local competitions. Opportunities include junior sum-mer multi-sport camps, sports spe-cific camps, instructional workshops and competitions offered through the national BlazeSports program.

BlazeSports America is moving sports for children and adults with phys-ical disability closer to the community offerings of their non-disabled peers. It’s making the experience of individual and team sports from early youth through adulthood more inclusive and available to people with physical disabilities who wish to lead healthy lifestyles.

Providing Support at the National Level

BlazeSports America’s national office is located in Atlanta, and pro-vides ongoing technical assistance and expertise to its network of clubs in the areas of recreation, sport, healthy life-styles and communications for youth and adults with physical disability.

Education and professional develop-ment opportunities are also offered for coaches, instructors, officials and thera-pists in disability sport, inclusive recre-ation and healthy lifestyle promotion. BlazeSports also hosts competitions and special events at the state, regional and national levels for athletes with physical disability from around the world.

The national office provides leader-ship in advocating for policies on the state and federal levels that impact sport and healthy lifestyle opportuni-ties for persons with physical disabil-ity, as well as raising visibility and community awareness through mar-keting and communications.

To find out more about becoming a BlazeSports America Club, visit our Web site at www.blazesports.org, call 770-850-8199 or contact Becky Lehman CTRS, Coordinator of Community Pro-grams at [email protected]. ■

There is widespread recognition of the physical, psychological and social benefits derived from

participation in sports and recreation. This is why a quick look at almost any community across the country shows a wide variety of sports for non-disabled children and adults delivered through schools, athletic leagues, churches, community recreation providers and others. Likewise, Special Olympics provides an expansive program of sports for those with cognitive or men-tal disability. But sports opportunities for those with physical disability have been fragmented — strong in some communities and nonexistent in others.

Born from the spirit of the 1996 Atlanta Summer Paralympic Games, BlazeSports America is a nonprof-it organization that fills this void by offering community-based sport, rec-reation, physical activity and healthy lifestyle programs for children and adults with physical disability.

“Through partnerships with local parks and recreation departments, we can offer comprehensive, high-qual-ity programs that transform commu-nities by utilizing the full continuum from recreational to competitive sport options,” said Carol Mushett John-son, executive director of BlazeSports America. “By nurturing the physical, psychological, and social well-being of children and adults with physi-cal disability, BlazeSports America actively promotes inclusion and per-sonal development.”

Through BlazeSports recreational activities, developmental and competi-tive teams, camps, clinics, after-school programming, and pre-vocational experiences, young people with dis-ability can discover their full poten-tial; children learn to embrace their individuality and identify their unique capabilities; young adults develop

Benefits of Becoming a BlazeSports America Club• Association with a larger national ini-

tiative and recognized brand.• Ongoing technical assistance and

expertise from BlazeSports Staff on recreation, sport, healthy lifestyles and communications for youth and adults with physical disability.

• Access to training opportunities and resources in various adapted sports.

• Ability to loan adapted sports equip-ment for various sports.

• Ability to partner and interact with other Clubs across Georgia and US.

• Exclusive access to funding opportu-nities from the national office.


Two brothers have a story to tell about growing up together as able-bodied and as differently

abled siblings. They live in Atlanta, Ga. Sammy is 10 years old, and he uses a wheelchair. His brother Philip is 12 years old and doesn’t.

Sammy has his wheelchair friends to play with at various ball-playing sports. They are organized as “pro-grams.” (To be distinguished from “facilities,” which allow for sponta-neous play and pick-up games.) Phil-ip has his ball-playing playmates, who have no need for a wheelchair. Sammy can’t, but his brother and friends could come anytime and don’t have to wait for a program. Did I mention that both brothers love to play ball — virtually any ball-playing sports?

Their ardent wish, as brothers, is to play ball together — spontane-ously, preferably outdoors, when the weather is especially enticing, as the mood hits, whenever they wish, just like others who are able-bodied, with-out prearrangements and without adult supervision or surveillance. In truth, Sammy is marginalized; perhaps even the word “discrimination” applies, at least to a certain extent.

They would like to play ball togeth-er at a neighborhood ball field! They have no use for a climbing playground — they never have. But there are no ball-playing facilities that exist in the

The Bankshot Answer

entire community that can accommo-date kids like the two of them, wheel-chair users and others at the same time. Where is the Universal Design that the ADA and the IDEA laws require for playgrounds and schools?

It’s evident that Philip can join any ongoing group of ball-playing friends at basketball, tennis, soccer, baseball, volleyball, etc. But Sammy — despite making use of the recently upgraded and costly ramps that have been built so that he and others like him can roll up to a tennis and bas-ketball court, and to other ball fields — gets no further than the perim-eters. When was the last time anyone

has seen a wheelchair user rolling up to participate and play at a pick-up game of basketball or some other fast-moving ball-playing sport? He doesn’t have to be told; he intuits that sports come from Sparta. They are not friendly or companionable; they are warlike, and the differently able don’t go to war. Nor do they play sports together with the able-bodied. (Not until Bankshot Sports came along.)

The barrier may not be visible, noticeable or evident to others, but it is nonetheless very real for Sammy. So, while others play, he won’t even come to watch. Should the differently

Inclusionary Sports that Are MissingBy Michelle Worthy, NARE


abled be encouraged to go to a rec center to play ball only to feel mar-ginalized? While others participate, he’s excluded. He can’t get on the court to join them in a pick-up game and he doesn’t have a dozen wheel-chairs to distribute to the other neigh-borhood children who regularly play together so that an occasional game can include him.

While enormous budgets are allo-cated for fields of play for typical children like Sammy’s brother, Phil-ip, and some few dollars are set aside for the Sammys of the world, virtu-ally nothing is earmarked to include them both, or any diverse collection of the community.

In fact, the community offers noth-ing — not a single ball-playing sport that enables the whole family to play ball together. No sport offers universal design. There are no sports offered for the non-athlete to join with his other more athletic friends and neigh-bors. And what ball-playing sport is there that a three-generational fam-ily can participate together? After the

climbing playgrounds and before the age for traditional sports, that’s from about age 6 to the teens and beyond, where are the “transitional” ball-play-ing sports?

Communities invest millions in schools, playgrounds, parks and rec-reation departments. But what one finds when the recreational budget-ary dollars settle in are separation, segmentation, inequality and exclu-sion and virtually no Total-Mix or Universal Design.

Where are the community sports that are non-running, non-aggres-sive without jumping and leaping and swift sudden movements so that all segments of a community and all types of populations can participate together? These necessary condi-tions for “inclusionary” sports are missing in our communities.

The objective of NARE, the National Association For Recre-ational Equality (NARE, “Let’s Play Fair”), is to educate for changing the ideology of communities: Before the budget is allocated for exclusion-

ary sports like baseball, football, soccer, etc, inclusionary sports like Bankshot that offer integration and socialization should be first among the priorities.

Ramps that roll up to frustration must be replaced by ramps that roll up to Total-Mix Universal Design sports. Bankshot Sports, for exam-ple, was conceived for the clear and stated objective of bringing all mem-bers of a community together on a ball-playing field.

NARE is a not-for- profit organi-zation based in Rockville, Md., and is the sponsor of Bankshot Sports and all sports and recreation that are intended to integrate and socialize differently abled segments of a pop-ulation — including the wheelchair user, the physically, emotionally and cognitively challenged, multi-gener-ational and non-athletes on the same field at the same time participating in ball-playing recreation together as a community. NARE and the Bank-shot Organization were founded by Dr. Reeve Robert Brenner, Rock-


ville, Md., to bring about inclusion, integration and socialization for all.

Inspired by his cousin, who was paralyzed in an automobile accident, Dr. Brenner’s first venture into the revolutionary, all-inclusionary sports concept came some 25 years ago when he created Bankshot Basketball, which allows ability-diverse groups of people to interact at play together. He accomplished this by combining elements of billiards and miniature golf with basketball. Knowledge of geometry and physics helped make the game work.

Dr. Brenner has since introduced Bankshot Tri-Sports and Bankshot Tennis. Bankshot Sports are games of skill, not strength, size, speed, or stamina. The fundamental require-ment of such sports is that players play along side one another, not against each other. In a certain sense, it’s as simple as that.

To learn more about Bankshot Family Sports, visit www.bankshot.com or call 1-800-933-0140. ■

If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, then Georgia resi-dents have a lot to partake of. This is especially true as it relates to Peach State trail systems. Whether it’s the

handiwork of The Creator — as in the case of a state-oper-ated park or the brainchild of a community partnership along an urban trail — beautification efforts are in full swing.

Georgia’s state parks are natural wonders that are pre-sided over by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. On any given day, one can walk, bike, run or learn on a wealth of trails. Some are in the mountains, such as Tallulah Gorge and Amicalola Falls, while others are along the coast like Skidaway Island in Savannah. Parks like Providence Canyon — referred to as Georgia’s “Little Grand Canyon” — can be found in the western part of the state.

David Freedman is the Georgia Department of Natural Resource’s Chief of Engineering and Construction. He says that nature constantly beautifies Georgia’s natural resources along state park trails and in turn minimizes the amount of work his department has to do in the way of beautification.

“We specifically have these accommodations (trails) in place to provide access to these natural resources,” Freed-man expressed. “We want people to experience these fea-tures firsthand.”

While Freedman is a strong advocate of state parks, he confesses that he admires and respects the efforts of cities like Macon. The Ocmulgee Heritage Trail is Middle Geor-gia’s only park and trail system. Stretching nine miles along its completion, the trail was devised by NewTown Macon, a public-private partnership, and is primarily maintained by the City of Macon’s Department of Parks and Recreation.

Last year, Macon Arts received a $10,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts for an exhibition of outdoor sculptures on the Heritage Trail. According to a press release from the office of the downtown-Macon-based arts advocacy organization, their goal was to increase interest in and support of public art. John Henry, an internationally renowned sculp-tor from Chattanooga, Tenn., chose five highly regarded artists from around the country whose works went on display last June. Two of the sculptures, consisting of a red, two-story tubu-lar structure and a multi-colored and highly decorative bench, have since been purchased from the artists through Macon Arts by private donors and in turn presented to Macon by the arts

Trail Beautification Efforts Enhancing Recreation Activitiesby Clarence Thomas, Macon-Bibb County Department of Parks and Recreation

group as permanent fixtures on the trail. The other three sculp-tures have been returned to their originators.

Lynn Cass, Executive Director for Macon Arts, says the sculptures also provide an opportunity for community dialogue, interaction and education. “One of Macon Arts primary goals is to make the arts more accessible to the entire community,” Cass stated candidly. “Putting artwork on the river walk affords a variety of people a chance to see art when they may not oth-erwise.”

Evette Thomas of Macon frequently uses the Ocmulgee Heritage Trail and views the art as an enhancement. “The trail art gives you an additional group of items to enjoy and appreciate,” she pointed out.

This type of public response is the reason the Macon-Bibb County Department of Parks and Recreation embraced the opportunity to partner with NewTown, Macon Arts, Friends of the Trail and others in the beautification project, insisted the department’s Interim Director Larry Fortson. He says the sculptures make the awareness of the arts value more acces-sible. Fortson believes that the pieces have added value to the trail’s look, as well. “The artwork on the trail provides the public with a unique opportunity to access art in a place they would not normally get it,” he said. “In addition to an increase in public awareness, the artwork is pleasing to the eye and reminds people that access to art does not have to be confined to a museum or a studio. Municipalities could benefit as Macon has if they look outside the box and embrace things that will generate support from the entire community.” ■


The Legion Stadium is named in honor of the largest legion in the state, American Legion

Post 233, which donated $400,000 to-ward the construction of the facility. Legionnaires Bobby Boss, Al Jays, and Richard McCowan used their infl uence and determination to turn a vision into a reality.

Today, this facility plays host to more than 100 games during the months of May, June and July. Events include the American Legion state tournament, Little League district tournaments, lo-cal league games, middle school games, USSSA tournaments and many others.

Highlighted games feature Friday Night Baseball. The Walton County Parks & Recreation Department sched-uled several of the local high schools to compete at the stadium on Friday nights with the hope of sparking an interest in the community and eventually resulting in baseball being recognized as an equal to the southern tradition of football.

The fi eld itself is remarkable, with a playing surface that rivals any major college facility. Prior to construction, this area consisted of a 300-foot pony league fi eld. The renovation included removing 12 inches of soil that was used to extend the outfi eld to its cur-rent depth of 315 feet down the foul lines and 370 feet to the center. The infi eld was layered with four inches of 89-stone, four inches of sand, and four inches of sandy topsoil/infi eld clay. The drain lines are gravity fed and escape beyond the right fi eld line.

Walton County Parks & Recreation Department’s Field of Dreams

West Walton ParkLegion Stadium925 Twin Lake RoadLoganville, Georgia 30052

The old saying from the movie Field of Dreams ... “Build it and they will come” is true in the case of the new baseball stadium in Walton County.

The outfi eld has three French drains that collect additional water and de-posit beyond the center fi eld wall. The infi eld is equipped with an in-ground water-reel that is used to wet the infi eld and assist with daily maintenance. The fi eld is enclosed with a 40-foot-high net that extends from dugout to dug-out. The outfi eld wall is constructed of treated plywood and four-by-four post. It measures eight feet tall in left and right fi eld and merges to 12 inches in center fi eld. This wall not only serves as a great batter’s eye, but echoes each sound of the game from the announcer to the coach’s instructions. A 10-foot warning track, made of crimson stone, surrounds the fi eld.

Each dugout is located below fi eld level and is connected to clubhouses. The third-base club house is equipped with restrooms, showers, and a coach-

es’ offi ce. Both club houses are cli-mate-controlled and have 20 old-fash-ioned wooden lockers. Batting cages and an iron-mike pitching machine can be found on the fi rst-base side. Bull-pens are located outside the playing area, down each foul line. Beyond the club houses, on the third-base side, is a picnic area.

Fans enjoy watching the games in comfort. Covered bleachers with back-rest will accommodate 700 spectators. This area also houses a press box for announcers and scorekeepers. A state-of-the-art sound system keeps the crowd in the game with music played between innings.

The construction of the facility in 2005-2006 was overseen by the Walton County Parks & Recreation Depart-ment. The Department is also charged with the scheduling and continued maintenance of the facility.

The community is very proud of Legion Stadium and would like to for-mally thank the American Legion Post 233 for their donation and support of youth recreation. ■



Beginning in 1999, the Alpharet-ta Recreation and Parks Department has sponsored

Camp Happy Hearts — a summer day camp for children with mild disabili-ties. Camper disabilities include autis-tic spectrum disorders, ADD, ADHD, visual impairment, Down syndrome, epilepsy and various other develop-mental disorders. The camp is strictly a recreational outlet for the children to have fun. One of the main objectives at this camp is the promotion of social skills. Children aged 7-15 enjoy swim-ming, arts and crafts, games, field trips and special guests. Eight weekly ses-sions are scheduled Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. (7:30-9:00 a.m. pre-camp and 4:00-5:30 p.m. post-camp.) All new campers are inter-viewed before officially registering to be certain the camp is the right fit for the camper.

Camp Happy HeartsThe ratio of counselor-to-camper

is one counselor per four campers. College students are excited to be working at this camp and offer great

expertise. Campers and counselors alike enjoy memorable experiences at Camp Happy Hearts. ■

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When it comes to volunteers in Parks and Recreation, we have a clear vision of what

we need, but do we really know what they need? Whenever planning a pro-gram, event or service that requires the assistance of volunteers, we oftentimes find ourselves scrambling at the last minute. We feel uncomfortable having to beg someone we know to fill the remaining spots necessary to spread the workload and ensure success. When in a pinch, we are inclined to go back to the same “well” time and time again. Mostly because these caring individu-als offer the most comfortable path of least resistance and we are almost guar-anteed a “yes” response when we ask for their help. Volunteers give so much to us, but we seldom consider that our volunteers have needs, too.

Volunteers may silently contem-plate, yet rarely articulate, the WIFM

Spotlight On:Spotlight On:istockphoto.com

/Steven Robertson

Our Most Valuable Yet Neglected Assetby D. Michael Pfahl

(What’s In It For Me) question when asked to volunteer, for fear of appear-ing self-centered. Anticipating and answering this question is an excel-lent recruitment tool and clarifies our intention to create a win-win situation for everyone involved. Consider the following benefits of volunteerism.• Fun — we want you to thoroughly

enjoy the experience• Educational — sharing your knowl-

edge and putting it to good use• Health/Fitness — by staying active• Learn New Skills — and potentially

learn about a new field or profession that can be a resume-builder for a paid position

• Cultivate friendships with like-minded people

• Receive Recognition and Acknowl-edgement

• Making a Difference in your Com-munity

• Sense of Giving and a Sense of Belonging

• Social Interaction — and making new friends

• Mentoring opportunities• Learn more about local resources• Become a community advocate —

having your voice heard• Pride of ownership in your commu-

nity• See “The Results” — both short-

and long-term• Become a team builder• Insist on inclusiveness — regardless

of ability or disability• Better understand generations and

cultures• Enrich your family life

Defining the WIFM can strike a chord and serve as a motivator for a potential volunteer to join in your efforts. The volunteer must know and experience a sense of real gratitude

Volunteers


and the desire we have to make sure their experience is fulfilling. The result is a strong volunteer workforce and an expanded grassroots advocacy group that will support what you do as a crit-ical service in the community.

The parks and recreation profession has depended upon volunteerism for more than 100 years. There are more than 20 million volunteers who serve in so many ways. Typically, many people first think of volunteers as coaches in youth sports. This is partly because volunteer youth coaches are quite visible and serve a large number of children at our sports venues.

However, youth coaches are only a small portion (approximately 15 per-cent) of the volunteer workforce. The remaining 85 percent, getting less rec-ognition, but who are equally valued, are the volunteers that support parks and programs in such diverse areas as: youth development, after school care, education/tutoring, day camps, special events, aquatics, adult sports, outdoor interpretation, natural/cul-tural activities, special needs, senior

services, therapeutic recreation, golf courses/ tennis centers, community centers, fitness, theatre/dance/music, zoos/aquariums/ nature centers, farms, and museums.

In every sense, volunteers are “unpaid staff,” saving our commu-nities millions of dollars. Through their involvement, we are able to offer programs and services that otherwise would not be attainable or affordable. The question is: Do we invest the same level of time and resources to qualify and train the “unpaid staff”as we do our paid staff? Dick Mueller, the Rec-reation Superintendent for the City of Longview Washington, said, “Our motivation to screen and train volun-teers was because we wanted quality volunteers to assist and provide pro-grams for our community. It gives our participants a feeling of confidence when volunteers have identifiable name badges and proper training.”

It is prudent to invest in and grow our volunteer asset to secure the many parks and recreation programs and ser-vices our communities have come to enjoy. To estimate the economic value of their contributions, visit the Vol-unteer Value Calculator at www.kdc-cdc.ca/vvc/eng/. You will be amazed to discover the enormous amount of money saved with a volunteer work-force, as opposed to paying staff to provide the same level of service. Here’s an example: An average youth sports team has one head coach and one assistant coach. A league of just 72 teams would then need 144 coach-es. What if you had to pay 144 part-time staff for 80 hours of contact time at $10 per hour? That’s $115,200 for just this one program! Now, extend this example across the scope of vol-unteers in every aspect of parks and recreation and the cost for paid staff-ing would be staggering.

Increasing public concern regard-ing the qualifications of volunteers

working with youth, families, and the elderly in public settings has resulted in greater attention to risk-manage-ment practices, quality assurance, and training for volunteers and staff. It is clear that volunteerism in Parks and Recreation is an asset that should not be taken for granted. From 2003 to 2005, National Park surveys and focus groups have identified volunteer man-agement as an area needing national guidance and best-practice recommen-dations. Best-practice recommends building a firm volunteer management system on three critical pillars.

Qualification, Identification and EducationQualification — Qualify volunteers with comprehensive national back-ground checks.

This practice demonstrates due diligence, ensuring we have qualified volunteers as an essential component to making our parks and programs safe. The scope of the check must be as comprehensive as available to pro-tect from clearing someone who may have something in their background that would cause a risk.

Thank goodness most volunteers would never consider harming anyone. It is a natural tendency to think we know a person, when in fact, we don’t. Although we want to depend on our instincts and trust anyone who will-fully gives of their time and energy to volunteer, trust but verify. Consider these national statistics:• The average child molester victim-

izes more than 120 times (FBI).• More than 13 percent of all crimes

are found outside the state of current residence.

• Approximately 5 percent of volun-teers can’t pass a comprehensive criminal background check.When Mueller was asked how

his volunteers accepted the idea of doing a background check he said,

It is prudent to invest in and grow our volunteer asset

to secure the many parks and recreation programs

and services our communities have come to enjoy.


“Our volunteers have been pleased to know that safety measures are taken to assure that only qualified individuals are allowed to assist and conduct pro-grams.” He found that this step has a significant impact on ensuring quality volunteerism communitywide. “Our first background checks, performed through a partnership with a communi-ty sports organization, discovered two individuals that, due to their criminal history, have been disqualified from volunteering with youth.”

Identification — Credential volun-teers that “qualify” with a photo ID on lanyard.

This provides staff and the general public knowledge and comfort “at a glance” that a particular volunteer is authorized to be in a particular area and is qualified to represent the agen-cy/organization. This visible tool also provides the volunteer with a sense of “belonging” to a unique group quali-fied to serve the community.

Education — Train volunteers with a standardized orientation.

Orientation and training is an essential function to prepare all vol-unteers to assume their roles, effec-tively carry out their responsibilities and to maximize the enjoyment of representing a parks and recreation agency. Without relevant training and orientation, the desired outcome for all is left to chance.

There is an abundance of categories that could be included in a volunteer training and orientation program; how-ever, the amount of time a volunteer is

willing to invest for training governs the preferred length of any adult edu-cation program. Consultation with pro-fessional trainers reinforces the belief that maximum adult learning and an enjoyable learning experience requires an efficient “to the point” message with engagement and interaction of the participants.

In a parks and recreation setting, all volunteers should have an orien-tation that gives them a brief history of our field, so they know they are contributing to a service that has a rich heritage.

It is helpful to review the benefits of being a volunteer in parks and rec-reation and to take the time to collect information about each individual. It is probable that they may have a skill set that can benefit the agency. We miss many opportunities by not learn-ing more about the individual.

Although most people are fine that — and even expect — a criminal background check will be conducted, it is a good idea to explain the role it plays in providing safety in the parks and programs.

Volunteers represent the agency and serve the park visitors and program participants. Therefore, customer rela-tions training makes sense. Along this line, at some time volunteers will be working with youth. Providing those with information that will help them better understand today’s youth will make them more effective and provide an even more meaningful experience for the youth participants.

Communication skill develop-ment, appropriate interaction and tips

to de-escalate conflict are helpful tools for both staff and volunteers. And, we want all people to enjoy the parks and programs regardless of ability or disability. Preparing vol-unteers with a better understanding of working with people with dis-abilities will have a positive effect on this desired outcome.

We all are challenged to exercise good risk-management practices. Making our volunteers aware of ways in which they can help identify risks and rectify hazards increases the sets of eyes on the lookout for potential problems.

As the largest public sector pro-vider of volunteer opportunities, park and recreation agencies should be the leader to ensure that safety is a pri-ority in managing volunteers. This requires a minimal investment in the most valued asset of parks and rec-reation, with maximum return on the investment. The most proactive agen-cies that have embraced the value of effective volunteerism have carefully crafted their approach by engaging the pillars of Qualification, Identi-fication and Education. The result has maximized the effectiveness of volunteers and increased the safety of parks and programs. ■

D. Michael Pfahl, President of DMP Consulting, Inc., brings more than 30 years of experience working with parks and recreation to effectively train volunteers for public service and serves as the founder of Operation TLC2. www.nrpa.org/tlc2.

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