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Carolina Pines Community ParkOperations and Maintenance Manual

Victoria Jones, Taylor Downs, Clark Willard, Megan Bok, Whittley Montgomery

Table of Contents

1 INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................................. 1Background............................................................................................................................................... 1Objectives/Goals.....................................................................................................................................1

2 ADMINISTRATION............................................................................................................................................ 2Employee Structure...............................................................................................................................2Organizational Chart............................................................................................................................. 2Job Descriptions...................................................................................................................................... 2

Full Time...................................................................................................................................... 2Part Time..................................................................................................................................... 3

Employee Policies...................................................................................................................................4Training........................................................................................................................................4Hiring/Firing..............................................................................................................................5Leave Time..................................................................................................................................5

3 INVENTORY OF FACILITIES/PROGRAMS...............................................................................................8Introduction.............................................................................................................................................. 8Land Area/Description........................................................................................................................8

Ball Fields.................................................................................................................................... 8Dog Park.......................................................................................................................................9Playgrounds................................................................................................................................10Tennis and Sand Volleyball Courts..................................................................................10Picnic Areas, Walking Trails, and Parking Lots..........................................................11Indoor Facilities........................................................................................................................12

Building Square Footage..................................................................................................................... 12Evacuation Map........................................................................................................................ 13

Support Facilities....................................................................................................................................13Program Offerings..................................................................................................................................14

Seasonal Programs..................................................................................................................14Non-Seasonal Programs........................................................................................................18

4 RISK ASSESSMENTS AND MANAGEMENT IMPLEMENTATION...................................................19Introduction.............................................................................................................................................. 19Risk Assessments....................................................................................................................................19

Baseball Fields...........................................................................................................................19Dog Park.......................................................................................................................................20Programs..................................................................................................................................... 20Playground..................................................................................................................................21Weight Room............................................................................................................................. 21General Outdoor Risks...........................................................................................................22

Risk Management Implementation................................................................................................22

Safety Training (CPR/First Aid)........................................................................................22Evacuation Procedures (Emergency Action Plan)....................................................23Crisis Management..................................................................................................................24Manager Duties.........................................................................................................................24Insurance.....................................................................................................................................25

5 MARKETING.........................................................................................................................................................26Product Development...........................................................................................................................26Promotional Efforts...............................................................................................................................26Target Markets........................................................................................................................................ 27Public Relations.......................................................................................................................................28

6 TASK ALLOCATION...........................................................................................................................................30Introduction.............................................................................................................................................. 30Task Allocation........................................................................................................................................ 30Task Allocation Matrix......................................................................................................................... 30

Restrooms/ Locker Rooms..................................................................................................31Kitchen..........................................................................................................................................32Weight Room............................................................................................................................. 33Gym................................................................................................................................................ 34Dance Rooms............................................................................................................................. 35Tennis Courts.............................................................................................................................35Baseball Fields...........................................................................................................................36Volleyball Courts......................................................................................................................38Dog Park.......................................................................................................................................39

APPENDIX (Article Reviews)........................................................................................................................... 40Victoria Jones

More Sites for SITES...............................................................................................................40How Parklands Provide Real Value.................................................................................41

Clark WillardPlaying It Too Safe?.................................................................................................................42Grand History Trail- York County, PA.............................................................................43

Taylor DownsPlaying it Safe............................................................................................................................ 44A Case Study on Playground Accessibility....................................................................45

Whittley MontgomeryTalking Tennis...........................................................................................................................46Field of Dreams.........................................................................................................................47

Megan BokMAP-21 and Parks and Recreation..................................................................................49A New Light on Parks.............................................................................................................50

1 INTRODUCTIONBackground:

Carolina Pines Park was originally built in 1972, partially renovated in 2000 and in

August of 2011, a full renovation began and was completed in June 2012. The newly

renovated community center includes a gym, weight room, locker rooms and meeting

rooms. This park offers picnic shelters, baseball fields, volleyball courts, tennis courts, and

playgrounds as well as a dog park for dogs of all sizes. The park is located in South Raleigh

off I-40 on Lake Wheeler Road near the Farmers Market.

Objectives/Goals:

At Carolina Pines Park, the management team has a few both short and long term

goals for future success. The overall objective for the staff at the park is to provide

affordable and safe programming for people of all ages and cultural and/or financial

backgrounds. In fact, if one cannot afford to attend programs at the facility, Carolina Pines

will provide financial assistance to prevent non participation in activities simply due to a

lack of monetary funds. Although the park has done a fantastic job of including various

cultures in their activities, the short term goals of the management is to also provide

universal programming for all ages, ranging from 3 to 99 years old.

Other long term goals of the program include possibly adding a virtual/computer

lab to the facility that would be open to the public for use. In modern society, having a

computer is no longer a privilege but a necessity; but still not all homes in the area have

local access to these amenities. The addition of a computer lab to Carolina Pines’ facility

would not only raise the visitation, but also provide technological opportunities to enhance

the local community.

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2.0 ADMINISTRATIVE

Employee Structure: Carolina Pines, offers three full time positions, two part time

positions and seasonal positions; whereas the City of Raleigh oversees outside contracting

maintenance.

Organizational Chart

Job Descriptions

Full Time

Recreation Facilities and Programs Supervisor:As head administrator of the park, his or her

job is to supervise the numerous part-time and seasonal staff, as well as to develop and

oversee programs. The supervisor will also teach classes for youth, teens and adults, and

organize special events for both the center and the city. In order to provide ideal

programming for every age group, research regarding program trends, workshops and

potential organization collaborations is required. Once research is complete, he/she

actively recruits, hires, trains and supervises part-time staff, instructors, and volunteers.

Other non-recruiting duties include the following: maintain budgets and records, prepare

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reports in conjunction with the Assistant Supervisor, and other administrative duties as

they arise.

Assistant Supervisor: The Assistant Supervisor’s job is to simply assist the

Recreation Facilities and Programs Supervisor in overseeing part time and seasonal staff;

as well as collaborating with the supervisor and other staff to create and facilitate

programs at the community center.

Custodian: Simply stated, the custodian’s duties are to maintain the upkeep of the

community center - inside and outside. This includes the restrooms, kitchen, meeting

rooms, lobby, weight room,gym, windows and parking lots.

Part Time

Afterschool Counselor: During non-seasonal hours, the Supervisor hires part time

employees to oversee afterschool programs for the local community. They are also

responsible for the direct supervision of participants, programming age-appropriate

activities, and working with other staff to address the daily needs of a group of children.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

● Work with youth and teens grades K-12 in a recreation type setting

● Supervise, engage and keep participants involved in daily activities

● Implement age-appropriate activities

● Provide a constant flow of communication with supervisor, parents and co-workers

● Adhere to proper discipline procedures as stated in training and approved by

department

● Be a positive role model at all times

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● Maintain equipment and keep facilities clean and safe

● Attend staff meetings, if required

● Administer minor first aid

● Effectively Communicate with site supervisor

● Other tasks as assigned by supervisor

Summer Camp Counselors - seasonal

● Work with school-age children (ages 5-11) in a recreational camp setting

participating in arts & crafts, sports, games and recreational activities

● Plan, implement and supervise activities

● Provide a constant flow of communication with supervisor, co- workers, parents,

guardians and participants

● Must adhere to proper discipline procedures as stated in training and approved by

the department

● Be a positive role model at all times

Employee Policies

Training

At Carolina Pines Park each employee must undergo extensive training before they

begin work. Every new hire and employee must go to an annual orientation and staff

training. During these orientations and training the staff will learn and review the mission

and the vision. They will learn what to do and what not to do during work hours and what

expectations are present in every position both fulltime and part time. Each employee must

be up to date on first aid and the procedures if an individual were to slip, trip or fall on the

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Park premises. They will also be trained on proper use of equipment for example ladders

and fire extinguishers. After basic training and orientation are complete employees must

then attend training conferences such as educations in shooting, risk management, etc.

Once all training has been completed employees must be evaluated in order to begin work.

Hiring/Firing:

The employee policies of Carolina Pines Park are directly related to the City of

Raleigh’s standards for employee policy because the Park is operated by the City. The Park

attracts potential employees by advertising job positions online; college websites, Raleigh

job portal, and social media are some of the most effective methods. The hiring process

typically takes two to three weeks according to Ms. McNeil. Both part time and full time

employees are needed at the park; with peak seasons revolving around annual summer

camps and baseball leagues. During peak seasons the park can use up to 20 part and full

time employees throughout a busy day; during the winter months as few as five employees

can be required. For both part and full time employees, background checks and drug

screenings are required, with full time employees going through a more extensive

background check. Also, annual background checks are run on all employees to ensure the

City has access to the most current information. Once being hired, training for the City of

Raleigh must be completed, then Carolina Pines Park has supplemental and more

specialized training focusing on park operations. For full time employees, annual trainings

are required by the City of Raleigh; these include A.E.D and first aid training to more

unusual seminars that are held by the City.

The firing procedures of Carolina Pines Park would be considered standard for the

industry. Any employee who goes to jail in Raleigh is immediately suspended and possibly

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terminated depending on severity. A “three strike” policy is in effect for employees who do

not perform as expected at work. A verbal warning with written documentation is a first

step, from there a written warning is issued and lastly termination. However, the

management of the park view termination as a last resort, and will cut an employee’s hours

in hopes of having them quit before firing them in most cases.

Leave Time

Sick Leave

All full-time employees shall earn sick leave at the rate of seven (7) hours for each

completed calendar month of service, exclusive of leave of absence without pay.

Sick leave may be utilized by employees when they are unable to perform their duties

because of:

a) Sickness or injury, or when the individual is quarantined; b) Medical, dental or optical examinations and/or treatment; c) Pregnancy or adoption; d) Required care of a sick or injured member of their immediate family for reasonable

period of time; or e) Death in an employee's immediate family.

Unused sick leave may be accumulated to a maximum of 36 days. Excess hours may

be converted into vacation days. Absences must be reported to the Director as early as

possible on the day(s) of occurrence. Employees are automatically docked for work missed

if they do not call to report within two (2) hours after the time they were scheduled to

report for duty. Reporting illness upon return to work is not acceptable.

The library reserves the right to require medical statements to support the use of sick

leave. Failure to provide requested documentation may result in no pay for the period in

question. When an employee misses three days in any three months, she will be required

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to submit a doctor’s excuse to return to work.

Permanent part-time employees are entitled to sick leave as earned on a pro rata

basis. No sick leave shall accumulate to seasonal or temporary employees. All sick leave

payments are to be approved by supervisor. Thus, any employee who is ill is responsible

for reporting his or her absence to the appropriate person within one hour after his or her

designated time for reporting to work

Vacation Days

At the end of the employee's first year as a full-time employee Carolina Pines Park,

an employee is entitled to 8 days of paid vacation. Vacation time may be taken in

increments of one full day but in all cases must be prescheduled and preapproved. One day

of vacation for every five days that an employee is entitled to may be carried over to the

following year. Vacation must be taken during the calendar year at times convenient to you

and your supervisor. Carolina Pines Park does not provide paid vacation time for part-time

employees.

Other

Other leave time may be granted at the discretion of the company. Reasons include

maternity leave, military leave, jury duty and personal leave time.

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3 INVENTORY OF FACILITIES/PROGRAMS

Introduction

In this section we will provide a physical inventory of all resources that are needed

by Carolina Pines Park to provide programs, as well as staff, and maintain the facility in a

quality manner. Starting with descriptions of the outdoor facilities we have laid out each

division of the park as its own subsection; we then discuss the recently renovated indoor

facility as well as all resources needed to support the park.

Land Area/Description

Ball Fields:

The three ball fields listed below are available for public use and pickup games year round. However, the park does sponsor sports tournaments on the fields during baseball and softball seasons, and the fields are off limits to the public on those days. There is also a concession stand available during league tournaments on the ball fields, but dormant during non-seasonal hours. During this time, the park will hire part-time employees to run the stand.

Ball Field 1:● Fencing: 8’ tall x 10’ wide- 14 interior

○ 104 sections total● 2 swinging gates 8x10● 2 dugouts

○ Steel roofing○ 2 gates each

● 1 set of metal bleachers● Water fountain● Park bench● Scoring booth

○ Metal roof● Pitchers protective screen● 4 bases and pitchers mound● Outfield distance markers: Left = 285’ Center = 292’ Right = 290’● 2 trash cans

○ 20 gallons each● 10 x 4.5 backstop sections: 28 sections● 8 light poles

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○ 8 lights per pole● Stairwell with proper railing 9 steps● Total land area- approximately 2.21 acres

Ball Field 2:● 2 dugouts with benches● 2 sets of bleachers● One 20 gallon trash can● 68 sections on field at 10’x8’● 8 light fixtures

○ 6x3 2x2● 2 field gates● Total land area- approximately .93 acres

Ball Field 3:● Regulations notice● 8 light poles

○ 5 lights each● 1 set of metal bleachers● 2 dugout with benches

○ Water fountain● 4 bases

○ Pitchers mound● Scoreboard● 95 section surrounding fence- 10x8● 2 gates left and right field● Total land area- approximately 1.94 acres

Concessions Area:● 2 Bathrooms

○ Male: 2 stalls, 2 urinals, 1 trash can, 1 sink○ Female: 3 stalls, 1 trash can, 2 sinks

● 1 garbage can● 8 picnic benches● 7 overhead light fixtures● 1 power outlet● Total land area- approximately 0.13 acres

Dog Park

The Carolina Pines Dog Park is only one of three in the Raleigh/Durham/Cary area. This facility is divided into 3 areas - a training area, a small dog area and a large dog area. It is maintained fully by community volunteers and open year round from dusk until dawn.

Dog Park:

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● Fencing: ○ Dimensions of each section: 94” x 54”○ Total sections: 159

● 6 garbage cans○ 20 gallons each

● 9 picnic benches● 10 gates● 1 well pump● 1 park bench● Total land area- approximately 1.9 acres

Playgrounds

Playground areas are open to the public from dusk until dawn year round for all park users. However, Carolina Pines does not provide additional staff for supervision of these playgrounds, so parents should not leave their children unattended.

Playground 1:● 30 ft. by 64 ft.● 2 slides● Monkey bars● 2 ladders● Tunnel● 2 benches● Total land area- approximately 0.15 acres

Playground 2:● Swing set: 38 ft. by 64 ft.● 1 bench● Total land area- approximately 0.10 acres

Tennis and Sand Volleyball Courts

The park also offers both tennis and sand volleyball courts that are available for public use year round, except during tournament play. These areas are also fully maintained by volunteers in the local community.

Tennis Courts:● Overall area: 120 ft. by 180 ft.● 3 courts

○ 78 ft. by 36 ft. each● 4 benches● 6 light poles

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○ 4 lights per pole● 2 gates● Total land area- approximately 0.50 acres

Sand Volleyball Courts:● Overall area: 70 ft. by 90 ft.● 2 sand volleyball courts

○ 65 ft. by 40 ft. each● Total land area- approximately 0.15 acres

Picnic Areas, Walking Trails, and Parking Lots

All three of these areas are open year around for visitors of the park on a first come, first serve basis unless otherwise stated. Picnic areas are also available on reserve to the public to hold private events.

Parking Lot:● 14 handicap parking spots● 264 regular spots● Total land area- approximately 2.53 acres

Picnic Area:● 6 picnic tables

○ 6”L x 30”H each● Picnic area: 40” x 54”● Total land area- approximately 0.05 acres

Main Paved Walking Trail:Main Trail:● Fence

○ 113” x 60”● Main trail

○ 250 yards x 128”● Paved● 105 yards field path● Electrical box (fence)

○ 113x113x124● Total land area- approximately 0.41 acresOther Trails:● 46 ft. by 67 ft.● Total land area- approximately 0.10 acres

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Indoor Facilities

Carolina Pines Park has a recently renovated indoor area including a large gym area that breaks into two practice courts or one regulation size court with adequate spacing around the court to host spectators safely. The new layout includes multiple meeting rooms that are available for rent and are equipped with wireless internet. Also, fitness rooms are used in many ways including aerobics, karate, yoga and other fitness classes throughout the year. Indoor facilities also include office space, locker rooms and storage throughout the building; below we have included square footage for the individual departments as well as a map of the facility.

Building Square Footage

● Club room: 940 sq ft● 3 corridors: 720 total sq ft● Gymnasium: 6000 sq ft● Housekeeping room: 60 sq ft● Kitchen: 200 sq ft● Lobby: 600 sq ft● Large club room: 1240 sq ft● 3 mechanical rooms: 141 sq ft ● Men’s locker room: 280 sq ft● 2 men’s rooms: 85 sq ft ● Office: 160 sq ft● Small club room: 843 sq ft● 8 storage rooms: 141 sq ft ● Weight room: 800 sq ft● Women’s locker room: 330 sq ft● 2 women’s rooms: 90 sq ft ● 2 utility rooms

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Evacuation Map

Support Facilities

Carolina Pines Park has adequate support services that enable the park to provide

the level of customer satisfaction they strive to. Administrative space includes a large main

office where Ms. McNeil and other full time employees have desks, the office is lined with

windows making it accessible to the public and giving it an open atmosphere. The newly

renovated building also includes janitorial storage as well as auxiliary space for gym

supplies.

Outside the main building, CPP boasts an LED lighting system that has been used as

a model for cities across the nation. Originally installed by the City of Raleigh, the LED

lighting system lights all pathways on the park and increases safety at night; many parks

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have used CPP as a model for new lighting. However, the City of Raleigh is responsible for

much more than the lighting at the park, all outdoor maintenance is handled by the City.

Two separate crews come to work at the park with frequency related to the seasonal

demands; one crew handles park maintenance such as mowing and edging grass, replacing

mulch, trimming bushes and any other specific needs. The second crew is responsible for

the athletic fields, and maintains conditions of the baseball fields, tennis courts, and

volleyball courts.

Program Offerings

Seasonal Programs

Fitness Activities:AM Volley: This class is designed to focus on the fundamentals: passing, setting, serving, and spiking. Boys and girls will also focus on digs, diving, offensive and defensive game strategies.

● Age: 8-12 years● April 6-27 Sa 10:30-11:30am● May 4-25 Sa 10:30-11:30am● Fee- $25

("LeisureLedger-1.PDF", 2013, p. 48)

Baseball Spring Youth League District D: The athletic department in coordination with the community centers throughout Raleigh offers youth baseball for ages 5-18 years. Each participant has to provide a copy of birth verification and must have insurance. League age is determined by the participant’s age as of April 30 of the current year Games and practices will be held at the following District D sites Biltmore Hills, Chavis, Carolina Pines, Roberts, Worthdale, Walnut Terrace, Halifax, and Tarboro Road.

● Registration runs from February 13-24.● Class Fee: $30● T-Ball ages 5-6● Pinto ages 7-8● Mustang ages 9-10● Bronco ages 11-12


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Hip Hop Dance in Motion: Hip Hop dance is a great way to get your cardio workout on and have fun while doing it! It is a great workout for those who are interested in an aerobic class with a bit of a twist.

● Age: 18-99 years● January 5 Sa 6:30-7:30pm● February 2 Sa 6:30-7:30pm● March 3 Sa 6:30-7:30pm● April 6 Sa 6:30-7:30pm● Fee- $20


Carolina Pines Let’s Walk Together: A walking class that motivates individuals who are interested in walking with others in a safe place.

● Age: 18 years and up (active adults)● January 2-30 M, W 10:00-11:00am● February 4-27 M, W 10:00-11:00am● March 4-27 M, W 10:00-11:00am● April 1-29 M, W 10:00-11:00am


Gentle Yoga at Carolina Pines: Gentle yoga is appropriate for beginners and all levels. Class will focus on alignment principles and the connection of movement and breath. Each class ends with a period of relaxation. This class will also increase your balance, you will become more flexible, relieve muscle tension and reduce stress.

● Fee: $35● Age: 15 years and up● January 9-30 W 7:00-8:15pm● February 6-27 W 7:00-8:15pm● March 6-27 W 7:00-8:15pm● April 3-24 W 7:00-8:15pm


Soccer- Lil’ Kickers: Pass, dribble, kick, score! Soccer class designed to teach the fundamentals of soccer.

● Ages 4-5 years● January 7-February 4 M 11:30am-12:15pm● January 9-January 30 W 11:30am-12:15pm● Fee-$20


Wado Ryu Karate: Learn the basics of Wado Ryu karate, a traditional open- hand Okinawan style emphasizing evasive movement and balance. Blocks, punches,and kicks. Have fun and learn while you improve your cardiovascular health.

● Age: 16 years and up● January 8-31 T, TH 6:30-8:30pm

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● February 5-28 T, TH 6:30-8:30pm● March 5-28 T, TH 6:30-8:30pm● April 2-30 T, TH 6:30-8:30pm


Zumba at the Pines: Zumba-Latin inspired, easy to follow, calorie burning, dance fitness-party. Feel the music and let loose. Classes taught by Licensed Zumba Instructor, Sarita Smith. Join the party at Carolina Community Center on Monday night or Saturday morning!

● Age: 16 years and up● January 5 Sa 9:30-10:30am● January 7 M 6:30-7:30● Fee- $5


Educational Activities:Carolina Pines Modeling Troop: Do you enjoy fashion? Think you want to be a model? Create your unique fashion look while learning modeling routines and how to walk the runway. There will be a fashion show in the spring.

● Age: 12-17 years● February 1-22 F 7:00-8:30pm● March 1-22 F 7:00-8:30pm● April 5-26 F 7:00-8:30pm


Cake Decorating 101: Don’t want to be a professional, just want to make cakes look better. This basic cake decorating class will help with that. Classes will cover baking, filling, colors, borders. flowers, decorating, designs and writing.

● Age: 12 years and up● January 26 Sa 11:00am-2:00pm● February 23 Sa 11:00am-2:00pm● March 23 Sa 11:00am-2:00pm● April 27 Sa 11:00am-2:00pm● Fee- $30

Children’s Activities:Arts 4 Lil’ Hearts: Paint, crayons, markers, glitter and glue are just some of the things that will be used to create your very own masterpiece. Join us at Carolina Pines for creative arts and craft projects!

● Age: 4-5 years● January 7 M 10:30-11:15am● January 9 W 10:30-11:15am● Fee- $5


Community Afterschool Programs: The Community After School Program is being offered at several local Community Centers for children K-6th grade following the Wake County

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Traditional school calendar. This program is designed to offer recreation activities, homework assistance, and arts and crafts.

● For registration information contact your local community center.● Class Fee: $0● Age: 5-12 years● Jan 3-Apr 30 M-F 3:00-6:00pm


Special Programs:First Friday Movie Night: Treat the whole family! First Fridays at Carolina Pines. Come out and enjoy a movie night with your family at Carolina Pines.

● Family registration required● Location: Carolina Pines Community Center● Course Fee: $2● Age: all ages● January 4 F 6:30-8:30pm● February 1 F 6:30-8:30pm● March 1 F 6:30-8:30pm● April 1 F 6:30-8:30pm


Golden Years Club: Anyone meeting the age requirements may join. Club activities include social activities, trips, games, luncheons. This group of 10 to 20 members meets year round

● Age: 55 years and up ("LeisureLedger-1.PDF", 2013, p. 77)

Modeling Troop Fashion Show: Carolina Pines Modeling Troop Fashion Show.● Location: Carolina Pines Community Center● Age: 1-99 years● Fee: $5● April 26 F 7:00-8:30pm

Spring Baseball Clinic: Come out and enjoy an afternoon full of baseball drills that teach the basic fundamentals of baseball. Clinic is for boys and girls ages 5-14. Bring a glove and wear cleats if you have them (bring sneakers if inclement weather).

● Location: Carolina Pines Community Center● Age: 5-14 years● Fee: $0● March 17 Sa 10:00am-1:00pm


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Non-seasonal Programs

The park also offers non-seasonal programs, although they are limited. These

activities include open gyms, fitness classes, and other similar activities. Participation in

these opportunities are limited due to the surrounding community being otherwise

engaged in either work (adults) or school (children). Users visit Carolina Pines in their free

time, and therefore the activities offered are less-involved and more frequently available.

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4 RISK ASSESSMENTS AND MANAGEMENT IMPLEMENTATION

Introduction

Carolina Pines Community Park offers a multitude of opportunities both indoors

and outdoors. With these opportunities comes risks and Carolina Pines does their part

when it comes to managing the park and assessing risks. Each staffer at the park must

undergo required training frequently and must be up to date on all certifications such as

CPR and First Aid. They are aware and prepared to implement crisis management skills and

evacuation routes in case of an emergency. All facilities are checked and monitored

regularly to prevent dangerous situations.

Risk Assessments

Baseball Fields

Carolina Pines has three baseball fields that can be used for both organized baseball

and softball games along with informal public free play.

The fields present risks for both players and audiences.

For example, if the grounds on the fields are not properly

maintained, it will create possible situations where the

players can hurt themselves by tripping on stray objects

such as sticks or rocks or slipping due to wet fields after

it rains. Another risk is the unsteady scoreboard that is located on one of the fields. This

sign is a huge risk at the facility that needs to be taken care of immediately because of the

amount of potential damage it will do if it falls. Finally, the stands present a potential risk

because they do not seem to be as well maintained as they should be for the amount of

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people moving around on them at once. It is important for the staff at Carolina Pines to

monitor and fix these potential risks so that they can be sure that they are doing everything

they can to avoid any accidents.

Dog Park

The dog park has risks due to having dogs off leash while inside the gated area. In

usual cases there are minor fights between dogs along

with dogs barking and/or jumping on other dog

owners. In more serious cases, it is possible that

owners or dogs may get bitten or seriously injured by

unruly or untrained dogs. In many cases people are

unsure of how to handle their own dog when they are

off their leash around other dogs. Since the dog park is

not monitored by any personnel of the park, owners

and their dogs must be aware and cautious of these

potential risks. In order to avoid some of these risks, people should not bring their dog if it

is untrained or aggressive around other dogs and people

because Carolina Pines does not have enough staff to

monitor this park at all times.

Programs

Carolina Pines Park hosts a variety of fitness oriented

classes offered to the public; many classes involve high levels of physical activity such as

Karate and Kickboxing. Along with providing these classes, CPP must consider the

possibility of accidents and injuries for students and staff. Ways CPP can protect their

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students physically, and themselves legally, include waivers that each attendee must sign to

participate in the programs. Also, many accidents can be prevented when staff members

are properly trained and certified to teach these physical programs. Having staff members

up to date on First Aid and CPR certifications, as well as emergency procedures

implemented by the park, are ways that the park can prepare themselves to handle

emergencies effectively.

Playground

Playgrounds present many risks for children. Children running around the base of

the playground, not paying attention to other children or the terrain on the ground could

fall and become injured. Children on the monkey bars swinging over other children, or just

just swinging have the potential to fall and break something. Kids peering up the slide to

see if any other kids are coming down the slide, may end up getting kicked in the face. Kids

walking too close to other kids swinging may get knocked down or children swinging high

and jumping off the swing. All of the these are typical risks that come with having a

playground on a facilities property. These can be controlled and limited with the

supervision by parents while their children are playing. Kids getting hurt on the

playground is high frequency, with low to high severity depending on the injury. (a scrape

to a broken leg)

Weight Room

The weight room can be a risk due to the amount of weight that can be lifted in the

weight room. Possible risks can come from people that are not aware of the proper way to

lift the weights so that they do not get hurt. Another risk can come from people trying to lift

too much weight for their body to manage. Often times, when people try lifting more

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weight than they can handle, they can seriously injure themselves or drop the weights on

their feet or even someone else’s feet. In order to avoid these risks, signs should be posted

that explain the proper weight room etiquette along with training sessions for people that

have never used the machines that are in the weight room.

General Outdoor Risks

Carolina Pines covers 38.72 acres of land, and with that comes a plethora of

inherent risks such as tripping over a tree stump or a piece of uneven pavement. Even

more specifically, there is a speed bump on the paved path to the concession stand that is

not properly marked. This can be an issue for someone that is visually impaired or

someone in a wheelchair that don’t realize they are about to hit a bump. A simple solution

for this would be to paint it yellow so that it is noticeable. Because the outdoor amenities

aren’t directly maintained by the staff of CPP - but by the city of Raleigh - it is important for

the staff and park users to let someone know if they come across anything that could cause

liability issues.

Risk Management Implementation

Safety Training (CPR/First Aid)

Ongoing training is a major factor in all

effective safety programs. However, improving safety and reducing incidents/accidents not

only reduces operating expenses but also has a positive impact on member satisfaction and

participant retention. As our employees or volunteers are hired they must undergo safety

training that covers all areas of Carolina Pines, and recognizes many potential situations

22

that can occur while they are present and working. Once hired at Carolina Pines

Community Park, employees are required to attend mandatory annual training on general

safety procedures (slips, trips, and falls), bloodborne pathogens, and first aid and CPR. First

aid training focuses on appropriate responses of a visitor suffering from:

-A stroke -Heat exhaustion -Hypothermia -Broken Bones -Stings and bites off multiple kinds -Asthma Attacks

-Dehydration -Sesuires -Heart Attacks -Epileptic Shock

Similarly, the CPR section of the class teaches the proper way to perform CPR to a

helpless victim. This also includes how to check the scene correctly, approach the victim,

administer CPR, and move out of the way when help arrives. The class utilizes practicing

the procedure on dummies but does not certify them until they feel comfortable and have

the procedures under control. Along with the first aid and CPR , training also teaches

employees where to locate emergency numbers, and the knowledge that comes with when

those numbers need to be called. Lastly, employees are made aware of who should be

contacted first in case of an emergency.

Additional trainings may include include:

1.Evacuation Procedures2.Crisis Management3.Closing and Inspection Procedures

Evacuation Procedures (Emergency Action Plan)

Emergency Action Plans entail developing a plan in coordination with emergency

response crews so that they can tell you where their easiest access points will be and

23

where to locate easy access when needed. The first step to this plan is the process of

notification by on site alerting through the staff and off-site summoning if need of

assistance. Depending on the emergency situation, the entire facility may need to be

notified of the situation at hand. Next would be the necessary actions to the set off any

alarm if EMS needs to come or if all visitors needs to seek shelter. If evacuation is

necessary, the proper evacuation procedure will take place. To ensure that staff members

remember these procedures, exit routes are located under the emergency numbers behind

the door to the staff room. Monthly fire drills and evacuation drills are also regularly

performed so that employees are very familiar with the procedures. In the event of an

emergency an incident report must to filled out in detail and kept on file for insurance

purposes.

Crisis Management

When an incident occurs staff should be able to handle crisis situations properly and

calmly. Crisis Management training is occasionally performed with all staff at Carolina

Pines facility. This training includes necessary precautions regarding locking doors as well

as self-defense strategies if necessary.

Manager Duties

Periodically, managers will walk around and check that the facility is clean and

under control. Checklists during this protocol include:

-Their staff members are doing alright and make sure they don’t need anything, make sure that they are where they are supposed to be.-All doors are locked that need to be locked.-Every member is where they are supposed to be and don’t have any members in places that are designated for staff only.-Keep members happy, ask if there is anything that they can do to make the experience a better one.

24

When closing, managers also additionally check for the following things:

-All doors are locked to offices and into the building.-Computers are shut down.-Phones are put to away messages-All the members have left the facility before locking the doors.-The facility is clean and everything is still in its working order.-The money machine is locked and all money is put into a safe.-All lights turned off except emergency ones.

Insurance

As a public park, all incidents that occur in the park are reported to the City of

Raleigh. All incidents that happen on site should to be documented as soon as possible to

protect not only the victim but also future visitors and staff. This also guards the facility

from future incidents that could cause participation rates to drop. It is important to be very

specific in these reports in order to prevent any liability in the event that the victim

attempts to press charges and/or sue. Employees are trained how to properly report an

incident, as well as following up with a solution to the hazard.

25

5 MARKETING

Product Development

Carolina Pines Park covers over 38 acres of land, while this gives the park freedom

to provide many different programs, it also becomes a concern when looking at the

efficiency of the use of the park. Ingenuitive ways that CPP utilizes space includes hosting

multiple events at the same time (ex: Baseball games). By playing more than one game at a

time CPP can use all of the available fields at the same time, this makes it easier to assign

staffing to cover a complete evening of games instead of one game at a time. Also for the

concession stand it can triple the foot traffic that one game would generate, and still use the

same amount of staffing one game would require. In addition to these techniques used to

minimize staff requirements CPP also rents out meeting rooms for public gatherings from

business and community meetings to family gatherings and reunions. By opening the doors

to public use CPP can gain revenue in time periods when they typically would be letting the

meeting rooms sit idle.

Promotional Efforts

Current marketing for Carolina Pines Park can be found within online resources

such as the City of Raleigh’s website (raleighnc.gov/parks) and social media networks such

as Facebook and Twitter, as well as on a bulletin board inside of the community center. The

website not only provides information such as location and hours of operations, but also

has an overview of the park features. In addition, the website can be used to inquire about

facility reservations. In contrast, the bulletin board gives a more detailed description of the

programs that are offered every week and how participants can get involved.

26

Target Markets

Based on our many different outdoor facilities options, we are seeking to partner

with leagues to host their tennis, basketball, volleyball, baseball and softball games and

tournaments. Once we have agreements with these

leagues, they will be responsible for organizing their

time on their specified courts and fields. A specific

example of an organization that would be a great

partner for our facility would be the Miracle League.

The Miracle League is a baseball organization which

allows children with special needs to participate and

compete in baseball leagues. This organization would

have access to our softball and baseball fields for their

games. Since the Miracle League is becoming more and more popular, they need more than

one field for their games and Carolina Pines has three baseball and softball fields that could

all be used at the same time to better facilitate these games. Hosting the Miracle League is a

great way for Carolina Pines to show support for the people in the community along with

bringing a more diverse crowd to our facility.

On the other hand, our indoor facility has programs that target specific audiences

based on the criteria set by the instructor. We offer a wide variety of fitness programs that

are available to participants at all skill levels. We also have programs that target every age

group from young children all the way to senior adults and everywhere inbetween.

Along with our programs, the general public is encouraged to host gatherings at our

picnic facilities. Anyone over the age of 18 can reserve the picnic areas in advance as long

27

as there are no other conflicts in the scheduling of that location. If the picnic areas are not

reserved, these facilities can be used for a wide variety of events such as birthday parties,

wedding receptions, graduation parties, etc.

Public Relations

The indoor recreational facility at Carolina Pines Park was reopened after

renovations in June, 2012. The indoor programs take place every week inside the facility in

the various rooms. The fields and courts are ready for spring recreation. If reservation is

necessary, please do so today in

order to have the best opportunity

based on availability, otherwise

come on out to Carolina Pines and

enjoy the park.

To keep the public in the

know we will update our website

with news and events as well as

staying in the social media scene. We will post updates on Facebook, and Twitter daily, to

inform the public on events, leagues, classes, and the status of construction that is taking

place at the facility. To see our facebook site visit

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carolina-Pines-Raleigh-North-Carolina/

338952272867431?fref=ts.

If anyone has questions, do not hesitate to visit the park, or contact a member of our

knowledgeable staff at Carolina Pines Community Center.

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6 TASK ALLOCATION

Introduction

In this section we will be discussing the major maintenance tasks necessary in order

to maintain a safe environment for visitors to Carolina Pines Community Park. Although we

will only be discussing the major tasks, it is important to note that there are also minor

areas such as hallways and paths that also require maintenance, but these areas have less

liability and chance of danger. The largest areas (and also the most commonly visited

areas) include the restrooms/locker rooms, gym, dance/multipurpose rooms, kitchen,

weight room, tennis courts, baseball fields, volleyball courts, and the dog park. The indoor

maintenance duties are performed by the janitor on staff at the time, and either volunteers

or the lawn maintenance crews that maintain the facility perform the outdoor duties.

Task Allocation Matrix

[see next page]

29

Restrooms / Locker Rooms

Restrooms are the single most important aspect of a facility, and should be properly cleaned and maintained on a

regular basis. Both womens and mens restrooms should be mopped a minimum of five times a day (once a day). Toilet paper

and paper towels should be regularly stocked for visitors to use, and all countertops should be disinfected a minimum of twice

a week. There are no specific skills necessary to perform this duty. Only basic cleaning supplies are needed such as a bleach-

based cleaner and windex for mirrors. These rooms should also be regularly inspected and recorded.

30

Max times per day

Max times

per week

Max times

per month

Total #

(Annual)

Total Hours

Task per hour

Workers per task

Min times per day

Min times

per week

Min times

per month

Total #

(Annual)

Total Hours

Mop 3 5 65 780 260 3 1 1 4 17 156 52Empty trash cans and replace liners

2 7 61 728 243 3 1 1 2 9 78 26

Disinfect walls, mirrors, toilets, showers, and countertops

1 2 9 104 208 1 2 1 2 9 78 156

Replace toilet paper and/or paper towels

1 7 30 364 121 3 1 1 1 4 39 13

Total 4056 3293 Total 1014 884

Kitchen

It is very important that the kitchen is kept clean and tidy at all times. The kitchen should be cleaned at least once a day

and at minimum, four times every week. It is essential to keep the kitchen clean because if bacteria built up in the kitchen, it

would be extremely harmful to the health of customers at the community center. Employees must be sure that all food is

closed and put away in the proper place to ensure that the food does not go bad. No specific skills or abilities necessary to

clean the kitchen and just 1-2 workers are necessary to clean the kitchen daily. Basic supplies such as a mop, disinfectant

spray, cleaning rags, trash bags, containers to keep leftover food in, etc. are necessary to keep the kitchen area clean at all

times.

Max times per day

Max times

per week

Max times

per month

Total # (Annua

l)

Total Hours

Task per hour

Workers per task

Min times per day

Min times

per week

Min times

per month

Total # (Annual)

Total Hours

Sweep 3 5 65 780 260 3 1 1 4 17 156 52Mop 2 7 61 728 728 1 1 1 2 9 78 78Disinfect/ wipe down counters

1 2 9 104 208 1 2 1 2 9 78 156

Take out trash

1 7 30 364 364 1 1 1 1 4 39 39

Total 1976 1560 Total 351 325

31

Weight Room

The weight room must be kept clean and tidy at all times. It is important for the machines to be cleaned and disinfected

frequently so that germs do not spread from participant to participant. Workers do not need any specific skills or abilities to

clean the weight room besides being able to clean thoroughly. Only one worker is necessary to clean the weight room,

however, a second worker should inspect to be sure everything is clean at the end of each day. Basic supplies such as a mop,

disinfectant spray, and cleaning rags are required. Inspections should occur and be recorded at least twice a day, in addition to

cleaning.

32

Max times per day

Max times

per week

Max times

per month

Total # (Annua

l)

Total Hours

Task per hour

Workers per task

Min times per day

Min times

per week

Min times

per month

Total #

(Annual)

Total Hours

Sweep 3 5 65 780 260 3 1 1 4 17 156 52Wipe mirrors

3 7 91 1092 1092 1 1 2 3 26 234 234

Disinfect/ wipe machines

5 7 152 1820 1820 2 2 3 5 65 585 585

Take out trash

1 7 30 364 121 3 1 1 1 4 39 13

Total 4056 3293 Total 1014 884

Gym

The gym must remain clean and disinfected at all times. A gym is one of the most popular locations within a facility. In

order to keep the gym up to standards it must the swept, floors buffed, empty trash cans and equipment disinfected and

wiped. The basic supplies needed to complete these tasks would be a broom, buffer, disinfectant, rags and trash can liners.

Inspections should occur and be recorded at least once a day, in addition to cleaning.

Max times per day

Max times

per week

Max times

per month

Total # (Annual)

Total Hours

Task per hour

Worker per task

Min times per day

Min times per

week

Min times per month

Total # (Annual)

Total Hours

Sweep 1 7 28 365 121 1 1 1 4 20 240 240Buff floor 1 1 4 96 416 32 1 1 1 3 36 72Disinfect/ wipe equipment

1 7 28 365 121 1 1 1 7 28 336 121

Take out trash 1 7 28 365 121 1 1 1 3 30 360 121

Total 1191 779 Total 972 554

33

Dance Rooms

The dance rooms must remain clean and disinfected at all times. In order to keep the gym up to standards it must the

swept, mirrors wiped, moped and disinfected and wiped equipment. The basic supplies needed to complete these tasks would

be a broom, rags, disinfectant and a mop. Inspections should occur and be recorded at least once a day, in addition to cleaning.

Max times per day

Max times

per week

Max times

per month

Total # (Annual)

Total Hours

Task per hour

Worker per task

Min times per day

Min times per

week

Min times per month

Total # (Annual)

Total Hours

Sweep 3 20 80 780 260 3 1 1 4 17 156 52Mop 1 7 28 728 243 3 1 1 2 9 78 26Disinfect/ wipe mirrors

3 7 84 104 208 1 2 1 7 13 78 156

Take out trash 1 7 28 364 121 3 1 1 3 4 117 39

Total 1300 780 Total 429 273

Tennis Courts

Outdoor tennis courts require maintenance contingent upon the weather. However, general maintenance includes

sweeping, filling the cracks, leaf blowing and emptying the trash. Some tasks are required more than others, as shown in Table

[#], courts should be swept at least twice a day and minimum of five times a week; whereas it is only necessary to fill cracks at

least once a week. This maintenance is overseen by the City of Raleigh, with minimal attention from the Carolina Pines

34

employees, themselves. These tasks can be completed by 1 person, but done efficiently with 2. One must be able to operate a

leaf blower. Basic supplies such include a push broom, a leaf blower and protective eye wear.

Baseball Fields

Maintaining the upkeep of the baseball fields is critical, especially during league play. As shown in Table [#], , major

tasks include: mowing and edging; dragging, watering and rolling; picking up and emptying trash; and lining the fields and

painting/washing the bases, home bases and the pitching plate. Maintenance doesn’t occur often during the off season, but

when the fields are being used frequently, the listed tasks are to be performed on every day of play. This maintenance is

35

Max times per day

Max times

per week

Max times

per month

Total # (Annua

l)

Total Hours

Task per hour

Workers per task

Min times per day

Min times

per week

Min times

per month

Total # (Annual

)

Total Hours

Sweep 2 7 61 728 242 3 1 2 5 43 390 129Fill Cracks

1 2 4 52 25 2 1 1 1 9 78 38

Empty Trash

1 7 30 364 727 1 2 2 4 35 312 623

Leaf Blow

1 5 22 260 259 1 1 1 3 13 117 116

Total 1404 1282 Total 897 909

overseen by the City of Raleigh, with minimal attention from the Carolina Pines employees, themselves. 2-4 persons are

required to adequately perform these tasks on a daily basis and they must be able to operate a combination of light and heavy

machinery such as aerators, edgers, tractors and an assortment of other tools.

36

Max times per day

Max times

per week

Max times

per month

Total #

(Annual)

Total Hours

Task per hour

Workers per task

Min times per day

Min times

per week

Min times

per month

Total # (Annual)

Total Hours

Mowing/Edging

1 5 22 260 129 2 1 1 4 17 156 77

Dragging/Watering/Rolling

1 5 22 260 86 3 1 1 2 9 78 25

Dispose of Trash on/around field

2 9 78 936 623 3 2 1 2 9 78 51

Line Fields/Paint and/or wash bases, home plate and pitching plate

1 7 30 364 1811 2 1 1 1 4 39 19

Total 1820 1022 Total 351 175

Volleyball Courts

The Volleyball court is a seasonal attraction for Carolina Pines Park; keeping the courts clear of any debris such as small

tree branches and pine cones are imperative for play. The removal of full trash bags and replacing liners are contributing

factors to keeping the park clean; during peak season trash removal can be required twice a day, every day of the week. Lastly,

the conditions of netting and poles must be inspected to insure that the area is suitable for safe, public use.

37

Max times per day

Max times

per week

Max times

per month

Total # (Annua

l)

Total Hours

Task per hour

Workers per task

Min times per day

Min times

per week

Min times

per month

Total # (Annua

l)

Total Hours

Remove Debris

1 5 20 240 240 1 1 1 2 8 96 96

Empty Trash/ Replace Liners

2 7 56 672 672 1 1 1 2 8 96 96

Leveling Playing Surface

1 5 20 240 240 1 1 1 1 4 48 48

Inspect Nets/ Poles

1 3 12 144 72 2 1 1 1 4 48 24

Total 1296 1224 Total 288 264

Dog Park

The Dog Park is partly maintained by volunteers, but duties still need to be performed by park staff. Keeping

the park free of litter is essential for pet safety and aesthetic beauty; this must be done twice a week, once a day at

minimum. The removal of full trash bags and keeping pet waste bags refilled are contributing factors to keeping the

park clean; during peak season trash removal can be required twice a day, every day of the week. Lastly, the fencing

and mulch conditions must be inspected to insure that the area is suitable for safe, public use.

39

Max times per day

Max times

per week

Max times

per month

Total # (Annual

)

Total Hours

Task per hour

Workers per task

Min times per day

Min times

per week

Min times

per month

Total # (Annual

)

Total Hours

Remove Litter 2 5 40 480 480 1 1 1 2 8 96 96Empty Trash/ Replace Liners

2 7 56 672 672 1 1 1 2 8 96 96

Refill Pet Waste Bags

1 5 20 240 120 2 1 1 2 8 96 48

Inspect Mulch/ Fencing

1 2 8 96 96 1 1 1 1 4 48 48

Total 1488 1368 Total 336 288

APPENDIX

Victoria Jones

Beard, E. (2012, September). More sites for SITES: Sustainable Sites Initiative Pilot program expands to more parks. Parks & Recreation, 15-17.

With the recent sudden need to “go green” in outdoor public facilities, parks and

recreation managers are searching for ways to revise their strategies to be more eco-

friendly. The Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES) is a pilot program that seeks to rate green

buildings, similar to the most commonly known LEED system. Within the article, Beard

uses the efforts of Carlsbad Caverns National Park as an example of an organization that is

seeking to do such. Built in the 1930s, this site has been home of approximately 400,000

bats, becoming a popular tourist attraction form its very beginnings. A large parking lot

was built adjacent to the visitor’s entrance to the caverns, and management was unaware

and unconcerned about how this might affect the area’s natural resources in the future. “

‘The National Park Service never would have done such a thing in later years once a critical

scientific approach was adopted into the management of resources such as the delicate

cavern environment,’ said John Benjamin, superintendent of Carlsbad Caverns National

Park. ‘However, in those early days the only goal was to get tourists to see these

spectacular underground wonders in the quickest and easiest way possible’ ” (16-17). After

many years, management eventually noticed the lot’s effects on the environment, and

ripped up most of the parking lot down to 12 inches.

I think that this article does a fantastic job of giving relevant examples of sites that

are seeking to improve the local environment. If a manager were to read this article,

40

perhaps he would be compelled to consider the practices within his own facility and

convinced to make future decisions with an eco-friendly conscience.

Kirschman, M. (2012, October). How Parklands Provide Real Value: Calculating return on investment. Parks & Recreation, 45-46.

With the recent budget cuts for recreational use, it is important to calculate return

on investment (ROI) to decide if these cuts are truly beneficial. In this article, Kirschman

outlines the multiple categories of positive outcomes from the use of parks within local

communities. These categories include environmental, economic, and health benefits.

Research performed in Mecklenburg County in Charlotte, NC proves that open spaces that

would otherwise have been roads or sidewalks both improve water quality and reduce air

pollution. Economic benefits regarding the use of parks are evident in the rise in home

values near these areas as well as more incoming capital from fees, rentals, and athletic

programs. Lastly, the health benefits that result from the existence of these regions are

undeniable. “Individuals living near green space (within one-and-a-half miles) report

significantly better health than those without such access… Elderly adults tend to live

longer if their homes are near a park or other green space, regardless of their social or

economic status” (46).

Calculating ROI is extremely beneficial to any parks and recreation manager. When

budgets are cut, the first thing to do is re-evaluate expenses and point out which activities

result in the most incoming revenue. It is important to know which activities and programs

are most beneficial simply from a business standpoint- regardless of the facility being

managed. Parks provide a great deal of benefits to the local community, and ROI should be

calculated to measure these benefits in financial and practical terms.

41

Clark Willard

Hayward, H. P., (2012) Playing It Too Safe? Parks and Recreation Magazine, August 2012, 6. http://www.nrpa.org

I know that the point of PRT 250 is to better understand facility management, and

open are minds to a managerial point of view when looking at recreation. This point of

view puts operations, and specifically safety, at a high priority when dealing with

playground management. Throughout the class I have been exposed to good information

with regards to standards for keeping playgrounds as safe as possible, but I can’t help but

wonder how extreme will these measures get? This being said, I have found an article

that will represent my case, and give my point of view credibility.

In this specific edition of “Parks & Recreation Magazine” the cover story is

“Playing it Safe”, an article based on the duties of a playground safety inspector; but

what caught my attention was the letter from the editor in the beginning of the magazine

in which Phillip Hayward argues that new playground safety concerns will stifle

independence and creativity in children. In relating his experiences from his childhood he

states how these new innovations for playground safety are taking the experience away

from its natural roots. However, the most interesting information comes from an article in

the New York Times that Mr. Hayward quoted, “Even if the children do suffer fewer

physical injuries—and the evidence for that is debatable—the critics say that these

playgrounds may stunt emotional development, leaving children with anxiety and fears

that are ultimately worse than a broken bone.” Mr. Hayward goes on to elaborate on

more of his experiences growing up but what I truly appreciated was his alternate point

42

of view. My goal in this review is not to discredit the value of safety, but to simply

appreciate a different perspective.

Knoch, K. C., Loose, L. G., (2012) Grand History Trail- York County, PA. Parks and Recreation Magazine, August 2012, 19. http://www.nrpa.org

This article caught my eye because it involves the planning and creation of large

scale parks and recreation projects. Chairman of the York County Rail Trail Authority

Carl Knoch has proposed an innovative idea that would link a long distance historic trail

through multiple states and jurisdictions. This idea was originally designed by the

previous Chairman, Don Cogniat, who envisioned linking major historic trail in

Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and Washington D.C. While the project has gained

support from many groups, Cogniat feels the project will need support at a national level.

He has considered the possibilities of making it a National Historic Trail as a way to

attract this needed support.

I find this article applicable to our class in the sense that greenways and public

trail are becoming more popular everyday. By using innovation and creativity such as the

ideas shown above, I think greenways can evolve into large scale systems in which many

people can enjoy. Also, the fact that historical monuments can be enjoyed in a park type

setting will grow the amount of foot traffic at these facilities, in turn increasing the

quality of the park.

43

Taylor Downs

Madren, Carrie. "Playing It Safe." Parks And Recreation. Aug. 2012. Web. 21 Apr. 2013.

Source: Parks and Recreation Magazine

Title: Playing It Safe

Main Points:

Playground DangersPlayground HazardsPlayground Inspections

Summary:

Every child will play on a playground at some point in their life. There is much more

thought and planning that goes into a play structure than meets the eye. Playgrounds are

dangerous no matter how much effort is put into making them safe. “Each year from 2001

through 2008, an average of 218,851 preschool and elementary children were taken to the

emergency room for playground-related injuries, according to a Consumer Product Safety

Commission report.”

California is the only state that requires playgrounds to be inspected, but many

states have chosen to follow the Consumer Product Safety Commission standards as

guidelines. Guidelines have evolved over time to prevent deaths and injuries on

playgrounds. Inspectors now look for hazards that have become a common trend in

playground injuries, such as sweatshirt hood cords. Many children have been choked when

the cord becomes caught.

When conducting s safety audit, an inspector is checking to make sure everything is

up to current standards and guidelines. They will follow ideas on preventive maintenance

to allow and maintain a fun and safe place for children to enjoy.

44

Hurst, Keneth. "A Case Study of Playground Accessibilty." Parks And Recreation. Aug. 2012.

Web. 21 Apr. 2013.

Source: Parks and Recreation Magazine

Title: A Case Study of Playground Accessibility

Main Points:

1. High Universal Accessible Design2. Playground Observations3. Results

Summary:

Over the course of one week, seven playgrounds were observed to see which

Independent Playground was used the most frequently. During the last 20 years many new

rules, regulations and guidelines have been put into effect to encourage safety and

accessibility to everyone. With additions to playgrounds to increase accessibility to

playgrounds such as ramps the cost goes up considerably. The hypothesis of this study is

that playgrounds designed to high universal accessible design standards, going beyond the

minimum requirements of ADA, are more attractive to children of all abilities and are

highly attractive to the general populations of users, possibly even more attractive than

playgrounds designed based off the minimum standard accessibility requirements. The

study was taken while the weather was moderate and all the play areas were within a six

mile radius and six of seven were designed by the same person.

In conclusion, the user counts and the hypothesis seem to support the theory that

high universal play areas are more attractive to everyone, regardless of ability. The study

45

supports the idea of spending the extra costs in making play areas highly accessible to all

people.

Whittley Montgomery

The Supreme Court: Talking Tennis. (2008). Parks & Recreation, 43(5), 20.

When recording maintenance tasks for the tennis courts at our facility, I was having

a hard time coming up with what exactly needed to be done besides clearing the leaves and

other debris, and keeping the nets nice for use. The article The Supreme Court: Talking

Tennis gives a few tips on design considerations for establishing new courts, in addition to

how to maintain already built tennis courts.

We learned in class that if you build it right the first time, you won’t have to worry

about wasting money having to constantly fix things that were poorly put together. In

regards to new courts, the article stresses an “expert” opinion on the site you choose before

beginning development, the type of material to use, warranty considerations and how to

make it all come together. On the other hand, maintenance of already built venues included

making immediate repairs, the clean-up of dirt and vegetation, water control, fencing and

appropriate use. The article also stressed the importance of annual inspections by stating

that “little problems are easier to overcome”.

This article was beneficial to me personally because now I can go back and add

necessary maintenance tasks that I missed to the list for my group’s facility. I would

recommend it to management at all recreation facilities that have tennis courts, and

owners of future venues.

46

Chaltas, J. (2004). Field of Dreams. Grounds Maintenance, 39(10), 20-24.

The Field of Dreams article focuses on the construction of the baseball field for the

2004 Summer Games in Athens, Greece. This project was overseen by Murray Cook – an

American – which created cultural and language barriers. He was to turn an old abandoned

airport into a magnificent playing field. This particular spot was chosen because it

contained an abundance of flat land. As with any other project, it required communication

and teamwork; especially since baseball and softball aren’t commonly played in Greece so

it was essential for the construction and design crew to be knowledgeable of the game and

it’s playing facility in order to be able to successfully complete this development. As

suspected it was very expensive - $50 million. It cost so much than a normal renovation

because it was done from scratch.

I chose this article because I was responsible for noting the required maintenance

for the baseball fields at our facility – Carolina Pines Park – and when doing so, I specified

the major tasks of maintaining the already designed field, which were intense, so I could

only imagine what went in to creating one. This article delves into the specifics of how they

had to alter the soil mixtures, gather personnel, work through barriers, and collectively

cooperate. In the second half of this semester we focused heavily on design considerations

of several different types of facilities. Upon completion, there were a few design issues. One

was that some of the low walls were too close to the foul lines. We also focused on

maintenance considerations and one that they talked about in the article was how to keep

the fields adequately moistened. Temperatures reached 105 degrees on average, so one

thing they decided to do was water the diamonds twice a day for 45 minutes when it was

expected to be that hot.

47

I would recommend this article to anyone in facilities management; particularly

baseball/softball facility managers when considering renovations or taking on the

construction of a new field – even if it’s in the United States.

48

Megan Bok

MAP-21 and Parks and Recreation

Topic of Article: Recent surface transportation legislation has major implications for

walking and bicycling. There is a new, two-year federal surface transportation law in town

(Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century MAP-21), and, as expected, major policy

changes with regard to funding for walking and bicycling are coming down the pike, so to

speak.

This article discusses the US Congress passing a new two- year Surface

Transportation Act (MAP-21) in late June. MAP-21 contains over 600 pages, but the two

major changes are the combining and streamlining of existing programs along with less

funding and more competition. This is not good for recreation because under the previous

law, programs such as Transportation Enhancements (TE), Safe Routes to Schools and the

Recreational Trails Program (RTP) each received annual funding.

Under the law that just passed, these programs will no longer be funded as stand-

alone programs and they will be grouped into a new funding category called

Transportation Alternatives (TA). Now, these recreation programs will have to compete for

funding with not only each other but also with environmental mitigation and limited road

construction projects. I do not feel that this is a good law because now it makes funding for

recreation activities such as walking and biking limited. This is going to make it difficult for

parks to attain grants and funding when they need it for maintenance or repairs.

Citation: Parks & Recreations (September 2012) pages 23-24

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A New Light on Parks

Topic of Article: Remote control lights are just one of the technologies making parks

brighter, safer and more energy efficient

This article discusses the limited lighting issue in Tennessee parks. Specifically in

Chattanooga’s Coolidge Park which was built in 1999. This park is becoming one of the

city’s most visited and used parks in the day time, but at night, it is taken over by

dangerous gangs and teenagers participating in risky activities. Larry Zehnder,

administrator of parks and recreation, says, “This is one of our premier parks in

Chattanooga. We were having gang issues, with teenagers in gang groups assembling in the

park.”

Overall, police are finding it difficult to identify people at night therefore gangs and

teenagers assemble at these parks with little to no lighting. This is making these parks

dangerous for the surrounding community and residents in the nearby neighborhoods

because they are not able to recreate at these public parks without the fear of coming face

to face with gang members or having a dangerous encounter.

In order to resolve this issue, the city of Chattanooga attained a grant from the US

Department of Energy for $252,000 to go towards a new high-tech lighting system for

Coolidge Park. I believe this is a great way to resolve this issue in one of Tennessee’s most

used park because it is important that people feel safe in their recreation places. I think this

is a great use of money because parks should not be a place where gangs congregate.

Citation: Parks & Recreation Magazine (October 2012) page 76-78

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