vrps fall 2012 magazine

FALL 2012 n Virginia Recreation & Park Society 1

Official Publication of the Virginia Recreation & Park Society Fall 2012

VirginiaParks & Recreation

Also in this issue:n Hampton University’s Unique International Experience

n Orange County’s Inaugural Liberty Ride

n Norfolk’s Winning Boxing Team

2 Virginia Recreation & Park Society n FALL 2012

Ticket savings available atthe VRPS Central Officeor your local parks andrecreation department.

$24*

single-eveningticket

$33*

3-day Discoveryticket

Unwrap a Christmas gift for the entire family.

*Select evenings and hours. See website for operating schedule. Member savings not available at park’s front gate. Savings are based on Busch Gardens regular single-evening admission. Christmas Town is a separate-ticketed event, not included with Pass Membership or Here’s To The Heroes. Offer expires Dec. 31, 2012.

Prices and products are subject to change without notice. Restrictions apply. ©2012 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. All rights reserved.

Nov. 23 - Dec. 31*


ContentsVirginia Recreation & Park Society

6372 Mechanicsville TurnpikeSuite 109

Mechanicsville, VA 23111

Phone: 804-730-9447Fax: 804-730-9455

[email protected]

Official Publication of the Virginia Recreation & Park Society

ExEcutiVE DiREctoRJames C. Stutts, CAE, CPRP

Part-Time AssistantsKaren Florey

Nancy Turnage

office ManagerMarlene Bresee

EditorAmy-Jo Hendrix, CPRP

Send Articles to:[email protected] or Amy-Jo Hendrix, CPRP, Town of Vienna Parks and Recreation, 120 Cherry St. SE, Vienna, VA 22180

Virginia Parks and Recreation is published three times per year by the Virginia Recreation & Park Society, Inc. VRPS is a non-profit professional organization supported by membership dues and contributions. VRPS is affiliated with the National Recreation & Park Association.

Subscription Information. Members receive the magazine as part of their annual membership dues. The magazine is available by subscription for $25 per year. Requests for subscription should be directed to VRPS, 6372 Mechanicsville Turnpike, Suite 109, Mechanicsville, VA 23111.

Editorial Statement: Statements of fact and opinions are the responsibility of the authors alone and do not imply an opinion on the part of the officers, members or staff of the Virginia Recreation and Park Society or the Foundation of the Virginia Recreation and Park Society.

Volume 58Fall 2012

MISSIoN The mission of the Virginia Recreation

and Park Society is to unite all professionals, students, and interested lay persons engaged in the field of recreation,

parks, and other leisure services in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Departments

4 Message from the President

5 2012 VRPS Board, Key Leaders and Staff

7 VRPS 2012/13 calendar of Events

8 News from Louisa County VRPS Profile - Tommy Runnett

17 News from Goochland VRPS Profile - Jessica Hewitt

22 VRPS Management Conference 2013

Features

6 News from the city of Hopewell Mathis Pirate Playground Opens

9 News from Norfolk Team Norfolk Boxing

10 News from the City of Norfolk Over 1,700 Celebrate Play

12 News from Henrico 2012 Fellow Recipient Cindy Jo Daniel

14 News from Newport News Fall Festival of Folklife

15 News from the City of Franklin Fun Day Still Going Strong!

16 News from Blacksburg Youth Football Helmet Study

18 News from Orange County Inaugural Liberty Ride

19 News from Playground Guardian New iPad Playground Inspection

20 News from Hampton University A Unique International Experience


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A messAge from the president

Cindy RoederPresident, Virginia Recreation &

Park Society

Hearing Our Members’ Voices is the Key to VRPS Growth

n September we had an excellent con-ference at Wintergreen. The conference team took advantage of the mountain’s

assets and provided a unique, educational and entertaining experience. Education was ranked our number one priority by those responding to the Board’s recent survey*. Comments ranged from revamping the annual conference and offering more local and regional workshops, to developing on line training. This is the kind of informa-tion we hoped to receive, and it affirms the Board’s perception that supporting our member’s professional development is a critical function. What we also heard were requests for training in subject matter that hasn’t been adequately covered recently - therapeutic recreation, planning, park management, aquatics and many open-ended requests for new topics. The Board has started in this direction-the field main-tenance workshops held regionally the last two years, the NPSI certification class of-fered in two parts of the state this year, the Mandatory Child Abuse Reporting on line seminar in December. Your input is critical and we appreciate your candor. Please keep the thoughts and ideas coming. Remember though, we are a volunteer organization. That means we need your help to deliver on your requests. The best way to provide local workshops is through our service ar-eas. If you can’t get involved on the state level in the annual conference for example, offer a little time to your service area. We know spare time is limited, but a few hours from you can result in a great benefit to many others. The Board can offer you help in organizing a workshop-get in touch

and we can provide what you need to get started.

Several of you spoke to accelerating our cap-ital campaign to reduce the building loan and move towards creating an endowment for scholarships and other professional de-velopment activities. The VRPS Foundation launched a formal effort to fundraise for that purpose, and have successfully reduced our building loan to $54,000 and change! That is an incredible achievement and I hope you realize how beneficial it will be to all of us when the loan is retired and VRPS is able to redirect our monthly mortgage payment to other member services.

You also talked about membership and lead-ership - finding ways to bring new leaders for-ward into the Society (a not so subtle message that it’s time for us long-timers to move on?), encouraging students into our profession, preparing for the dirge of historical knowl-edge as those long heralded retirements of the Baby Boomers finally gets rolling, and again, educating and preparing new professionals for the challenges they will face. Our Leader-ship Training Institute and our Management conference were designed for similar purpos-es and perhaps this is where we can look to serve those needs. In 2014 we have the op-portunity to introduce a fresh new perspec-tive into the delivery of our premiere educa-tional and leadership development program. More feedback from you will be valuable in understanding how to structure these pro-grams to be engaging, relevant and of value to you, your colleagues or your staff. Again, your recommendations are welcome.

Some of you mentioned that the Society needs to be responsive to the real needs of our members and not the Board’s percep-tions of member needs. We agree unani-mously. However, we need you to continue to communicate what those needs are. We surmise what you want from what you do and don’t attend, what you do and don’t re-spond to, and how emphatically you do so. But the Board understands those are con-clusions reached without all the information we need to really know what you want. We need to hear your voice - contact a Board or staff member, interact with us on facebook, submit an entry to the VRPS blog, attend a service area meeting. Whatever venue you choose, share your ideas and concerns. You have an elected Board who is passionately committed to the Society and who wants to keep it as vital and relevant 10 years from now as it was 50+ years ago when VRPS was founded. We know that means evolving, embracing new people and opportunities, and facing change openly. Our incoming president, Katey Legg, is extremely engaged in this effort, and has the insight, energy and professionalism to see the organization through whatever changes are needed.

While this won’t be the last time you hear from me this year, I do thank you for the opportunity to serve as President. With our wonderful and generous membership and our extraordinary staff, it has been a great experience. You ought to try it sometime!

*A complete summary of the survey is avail-able on the VRPS website.

I


President Cindy Roeder Herndon Parks & Recreation 703-435-6800 x 2123 [email protected] President Katey Legg, CPRP Gloucester Co. Parks, Rec & Tourism 804-693-1270 [email protected] Art Thatcher, CPRP City of Norfolk Rec. & Open Space 757-441-2400 x 263 [email protected] Member Ed Hamilton Roanoke College 540-375-2409 [email protected] Director Jim Stutts, CPRP, CAE Virginia Rec. & Park Society 804-730-9447 [email protected]

President Cindy Roeder Herndon Parks & Recreation 703-435-6800 x 2123 [email protected] Member Lakita Frazier, CPRP Suffolk Parks & Recreation 757-514-7251 [email protected] Member Cindy Messinger,CPRP Fairfax County Park Authority 703-969-2026 [email protected] Member Pamela Sheets, CPRP,CPSI Shenandoah Co. Parks & Recreation 540-459-6777 [email protected] Member Lisa Cooke, CPRP, AFO Clarke Co. Parks & Recreation 540-955-5140 [email protected] Member Keith Rotzoll, CPRP Prince George Co. Parks & Rec 804-733-2646 [email protected] Member Kathy Williams, CTRS Virginia Beach Parks & Rec 757-474-8877 [email protected] Member Katey Legg, CPRP Gloucester Co. Parks, Rec & Tourism 804-693-1270 [email protected] Member Art Thatcher, CPRP City of Norfolk Rec. & Open Space 757-441-2400 x 263 [email protected] Member Ed Hamilton, Ph.D Roanoke College 540-375-2409 [email protected] Director Jim Stutts, CPRP, CAE Virginia Rec. & Park Society 804-730-9447 [email protected]

Central Lizz Billings, CTRS Henrico Division of Rec & Parks 804-501-7489 [email protected] Tamara Brown Suffolk Parks & Recreation 757-514-4501 [email protected] Blythe Russian No Virginia Regional Park Authority 703-359-4624x221 [email protected] Southwestern Kevin Dye Bristol Parks & Recreation 276-645-7275 [email protected] Jered Hoover Shenandoah Co. Parks & Rec 540-459-6777 [email protected]

Aquatics Kerstin Severin Herndon Parks & Recreation 703-435-6800x2128 [email protected] Diversity Athletics Seniors Judy Jones Chesterfield Co. Parks & Recreation 804-751-4135 [email protected] Catharine Yuseuf Newport News Parks, Rec. & Tourism 757-926-1400x1446 [email protected] Therapeutic Recreation

Annual Conference Arlana Fauntleroy, CPRP James City Co. Parks & Recreation 757- 259-5377 [email protected] Marcy Durrer, CPRP Hanover County Parks & Recreation 804-365-4697 [email protected] Katey Legg, CPRP Gloucester Co. Parks & Tourism 804-693-1270 [email protected] Greg Sager Hanover County Parks & Rec 804-365-4690 [email protected] & Citations Dean Crane, CPRP Blacksburg Parks & Recreation 540-961-1135 x132 [email protected] Melida McKee, CPRP, AFO Roanoke Parks & Recreation 540-853-6865 [email protected] Track & Field Paul W. Berryman Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation 757-496-6766 [email protected] 2012 Margaret Thorne Portsmouth Parks, Rec & Leisure Services 757-393-8481 x4107 [email protected] Conference Bob Antozzi, Ed. D., CPRP Fredericksburg Parks, Rec & Pub Facilities 540-372-1086 x209 [email protected] Wendy Stone, CPRP Fredericksburg Parks, Rec & Pub Facilities 540-372-1086 x203 [email protected] Education Shannon Moore, CPRP Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation 757-385-0420 [email protected] Senior Games Susan Lineberry Newport News Parks, Rec & Tourism 757-926-1400 [email protected] Monica Christiansen Newport News Parks, Rec & Tourism 757-926-1400 [email protected] Jim Spengler Alexandria Rec, Parks & Cultural Activities 703-746-4343 [email protected] Art Thatcher, CPRP City of Norfolk Rec. & Open Space 757-441-2400 x 263 [email protected] Jim Stutts, CPRP, CAE Virginia Rec & Park Society 804-730-9447 [email protected]

CEO Jim Stutts, CPRP, CAE Virginia Rec & Park Society 804-730-9447 [email protected] Manager Marlene P. Bresee Virginia Rec & Park Society 804-730-9447 [email protected] Assistant Karen Florey Virginia Rec & Park Society 804-730-9447 [email protected] Assistant Nancy Turnage Virginia Rec & Park Society 804-730-9447 [email protected]

Board LiaisonsCentral Service Area Keith Rotzoll, Jim Stutts Eastern Service Area Katey Legg, Lakita Frazier Northern Service Area Cindy, Messinger, Cindy Roeder Southwestern Service Area Pam SheetsWestern Service Area Pam Sheets, Lisa Cooke Aquatics Art Thatcher Athletics Lakita Frazier Cultural Diversty Outdoors Jim Stutts, Art ThatcherSeniors Lisa Cooke, Kathy WilliamsTherapeutic Recreation Kathy Williams

LTI Jim Stutts, Katey LeggProfessional Education Kathy Williams, Jim StuttsVirginia Senior Games Jim StuttsHershey Track & Field Lakita FrazierLegislation Art Thatcher, Jim StuttsAwards & Citations Cindy RoederAnnual Conference ‘12 Katey Legg, Jim StuttsFoundation Jim StuttsManagement Conference ’13 Katey LeggSouthern Region Rep Lisa Cooke

Revised11/19/12

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n Saturday, October 13th the City of Hopewell was proud to open Mathis Pi-

rate Playground. Nearly 100 volun-teers helped to build the ship like playground. The City of Hopewell began a Playground Campaign in April of 2012 and began raising dol-lars for the site. With help from the community raising $ 10,045.00, a grant with KaBoom and Dr. Pepper/Snapple for $20,000, a match from the John Randolph Foundation of $15,000 and a match of another $15,000 through the City of Hopewell we were able to build the playground. Also, a big thanks to our

news from the city of hopewell

local Rotary Club as they took this project on to help us with our campaign. We have added a kiosk that will highlight informa-tion dealing with health and wellness and

Mathis Pirate Playground Opens!

a three station adult piece will be added in the upcoming month. Our Civitan Club will donate a swing to accommodate those in wheelchairs and have committed to do this for all our future upgrades at our play-ground sites.

We plan to continue the Playground Campaign as our Recreation Com-mission will be selecting the next two sites for 2013 later this month!

Thanks to our community, volunteers, and our staff for all the work on this project. It was a very exciting time for us and we are looking forward to future projects!

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11/20/12 10am 2013 Annual Conference Exhibits Meeting Newport News11/20/12 1pm 2013 Virginia Senior Games Committee Meeting Newport News11/21/12 11:30am Management Conference Committee Meeting Fredericksburg11/29/12 10am-2pm Leadership Orientation Meeting Henrico

12/4/12 10am 2013 Annual Conference Meeting Williamsburg12/6/12 10am Senior Resource Group Meeting VRPS Central office12/7/12 Eastern Service Area Holiday Social TBA12/12/12 12-2pm Northern Service Area Holiday Social Fairfax12/19/12 11:30am Management Conference Committee Meeting Fredericksburg

2/25-2/26/2013 2013 Management Conference Fredericksburg

3/13-3/15/2013 Natl Playground Safety Inspector Course & Exam Leesburg

5/15-5/18/2013 2013 Virginia Senior Games Newport News

7/21-8/1/2013 2013 National Senior Games Cleveland, ohio

9/7-9/10/2013 2013 VRPS Annual Conference Williamsburg9/11-9/13/2013 Natl Playground Safety Inspector Course & Exam Williamsburg

10/8-10/10/2013 2013 NRPA Congress and Exposition Houston, Texas

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Virginia Senior Games wishes to Thank

the 2012Gold medal Sponsors

www.virginiaseniorgames.org


Place of work : Louisa County Parks and Recreation

Position: Parks and Mainte-nance Coordinator

Education: 3 years of College

Professional memberships: VRPS

Hometown: Mineral, VA

Family: Two Labrador “daughters” Abby and Maddie that were rescues.

Favorite experience on the job: When a plan works out and everything comes together as it did for our two Civil War Re-enactments.

toughest part of the job: Remaining effective while deal-ing with major budget cutbacks.

Favorite recreational activity: Still Hunting

Favorite book: To Kill a Mockingbird

if you could go anywhere in the world where would it be: Back to Germany. I’ve been there once, but there was so much I didn’t get to see, I would love to go back.

news from louisA countyV R P S m e m b e R P R o f i l e

Tommy Runnett

Civil War enthusiasts enjoys visits to Trevilian Station Battlefield in Louisa County.


news from norfolk

eam Norfolk Boxing traveled to Kansas City, Missouri recently with 12 boxers to compete in the

2012 Ringside World Tournament. For the first time, they went without head coach Glo-ria Peek, who was in London coaching the 2012 U.S. Olympic Box-ing Team. Coach Gloria Peek, Head Coach of the Norfolk Recreation, Parks & Open Space’s Team Norfolk Boxing Club was selected by USA Boxing in June as a member of the coaching staff for the 2012 US Olympic Boxing team. She participated in preparation and acclima-tion camps throughout the month of July before heading to London for the Olympic Games. Coach Peek was the first female to ever serve on the US

Team Norfolk Boxing

Produces Champions at Home

and Abroad

Olympic Boxing coach-ing staff. Her addition to the staff came dur-ing another historical

year for O l y m -pic box-ing as it was the first time women were able to compete in the boxing event.

Being without the head coach did not stop Team Norfolk’s determination to win. Under the direction of Coach Peek’s assistant, Shaun Wilson, two boxers advanced to the finals. In the Boys Open 13-14 yr old Division, KeyShawn Davis (85lbs) and Nicholas Sul-livan (95lbs) both domi-nated in their divisions and took home the champion-ship belts.

Team Norfolk’s Coach PeekCoach Gloria Peek,

Head Coach of the

Norfolk Recreation,

Parks & Open Space’s

Team Norfolk Boxing

Club was selected by

USA Boxing in June

as a member of the

coaching staff for the

2012 US Olympic

Boxing team.

Not only do Coach Peek and Team Norfolk produce champions at home, just a few days after Nick and KeyShawn’s victories, Team USA Boxing took home the first women’s gold medal ever. Coach Peek was sent an email and picture of the boys after their vic-tories and had this to say, “I am so proud of my boys, they are my Olympians and I wish I had been there to share in the moment. I have one more thing to accomplish to make my dreams come true and that is to put one or more of my boys/girls on the Olympic Team. Nick and Keyshawn may be the ones.”

Keep your eye on Team Norfolk and for Coach Peek’s dream of having a Team Norfolk member in the Olympics to come true! 2016?

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news from the city of norfolk

n September 15th, more than 1,700 community members

stopped by the Tarrallton Community Center and Park in Norfolk with one item on their agenda—play. Families filled he park for the Sixth Annual Norfolk Play Day, taking part in football games, bounce houses, corn hole, basketball, obstacle courses, hula hooping, pony rides, tug of war, and kickball. The event also provided free food, and entertainment by local art-ists such as the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters Marching Band and the Sam Roundtree Dance Company and the Team Norfolk Boxing Club.

Play Day celebrates Norfolk’s sixth consecutive designation as a Playful city uSA! by Kaboom!, a non-profit organization dedicated to saving play. A Kaboom! press release stated, “Today’s children spend less time playing out-

side than any previ-ous generation, but

213 cities and towns, including Norfolk, earned recognition from KaBOOM! as 2012 Playful City USA communities for their efforts to increase play opportunities for children. KaBOOM! selected Norfolk for its outstanding dedication to play. Norfolk’s play day continues to grow and serve as a way to bring communities to-gether in a fun and rewarding atmosphere. The play day engages citizens to come to-gether and play, while residents have the opportunity to discuss and learn about the benefits of play, physical activity and parks.”

The goal of Play Day is not only to pro-mote play throughout the City of Nor-folk, but to build camaraderie among neighbors, and develop healthy and pros-perous residents. Numerous city agencies and local businesses assisted in making the

Over 1,700 Celebrate

Play with the City of Norfolk

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Play Day celebrates Norfolk’s sixth

consecutive designation as a Playful City USA!

by Kaboom!, a non-profit organization

dedicated to saving play.

event a success by providing resources and giveaways to include, the Norfolk Police Department, Norfolk Public Libraries, Norfolk Public Schools, Norfolk Sheriff’s Department, Norfolk Health Depart-ment, Norfolk PTA Council, Fun for All event rentals, Navy Federal Credit Union, JenCare, Norfolk Master Gardeners, Girl Scouts and more. Norfolk City Manager

Marcus Jones states “Play is critical to the overall well-being of children. Their qual-ity of life is enhanced by their ability to use their imaginations and develop posi-tive social skills. Frankly, play is good for grown-ups too. This event provides op-portunities for children and adults alike to play and interact with one another in a friendly, fun atmosphere.”


his year’s Fellow Award was presented to Cindy Jo Dan-iel. CJ has worked for Hen-

rico County Parks and Recreation for 31 years. During those years she has provided professional service to her agency and to the profes-sion. Although Cindy Jo’s position as a Management Specialist had her working in the administrative side of recreation for the past 20 or so years, she has always stayed true to her recreation roots. Her passion has al-ways been to work hands on, working di-rectly with the citizens of Henrico County. She has worked countless special events over the years, assisted with The Playmak-ers productions for 12 years, worked the Henrico Two Ball Golf Tournament and has worked the playground and preschool programs. Also, she has helped to feed the police horses at Meadow Farm. She has served as a direct report to every Director her department has had, and is the only employee to have that distinction.

She has been an avid supporter of the Vir-ginia Recreation and Park Society, serving as chairman, treasurer and secretary of her ser-vice area on multiple occasions. She has been

a member of the annual conference committee each year the event rotated through Richmond, and often served on statewide conference committees, including serving as Activities Chair for 2012. She has contributed nu-merous articles to the Central Service Area newsletter, The Horn. One of her most notable attributes is the time and effort she has spent serving as a mentor to numerous new profession-als. She is well known for her desire to

encourage and promote new employees to become engaged not only in their job duties, but also in the Society. She can be counted on to assist in any task VRPS needs and does so thoroughly and with outstanding results. While she has decided to retire from her position at Henrico County, she has agreed to stay active with the Central Service Area. The VRPS Board voted unanimously to rec-ognize Cindy Jo Daniels as the 2012 Fellow recipient.

Few people have dedicated themselves to our profession like Cindy Jo has. If she was going to work a program, you knew it would be done well…no detail was too small. CJ has recently reitired and her pas-sion and dedication will be sorely missed!

news from henrico

She has worked countless special events over the years, assisted

with The Playmakers productions for 12 years, worked the Henrico Two

Ball Golf Tournament and worked the playground

and preschool programs. Also, she has helped to

feed the police horses at Meadow Farm.

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2012 Fellow Award RecipientCindy Jo Daniel


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800.438.2780www.cunninghamrec.com

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ewport News Parks, Recreation and Tourism presented the 39th Newport News Fall Festival of

Folklife on Saturday, October 6 and Sun-day, 7, 2012 at Newport News Park. In case you’ve never attended, the Fall Fes-tival of Folklife is southeastern Virginia’s largest traditional craft show with over two-hundred exhibitors. The festival fea-tures a crafts competition for the highest skilled craftspeople and a demonstration area where you can see the creation of items from raw natural materials to the finished craft product. However, the fes-tival is more than just a craft show--it is a celebration of folklife traditions that have been passed down from one generation to the next. Multiple entertainment stages

39th Newport News Fall Festival of Folklife

October 6 & 7, 2012Newport News Park • Newport News, VA

news from newport news

are filled with folk dancing as well as bluegrass, country, and folk music. chil-dren make-and-take their own crafts and have an opportunity to see farm animals up close and personal. Of course no one can resist stopping for snack when the air is filled the scent of kettle corn, freshly cooked pork rinds, barbeque, seafood, and roasted corn on the cob. This year’s event was no different and saw record crowds--in the tens of thousands—on Saturday. Sunday, unfortunately, proved to be a lit-tle more challenging with a cold front that moved through the area, bringing rain, cold temperatures and overcast skies. De-spite the bad weather, several thousand dedicated “festival fans” still braved the rain to attend the second day of the event.

Perhaps what makes the Newport News Fall Festival one of the most unique fes-tivals in Virginia—as well as throughout the Southeast--is its setting. everything takes place in a beautiful wooded area ad-jacent to the lake in the 8,000 acre New-port News Park. Over the years, the Festi-val has become a “signature event” for the city and is an annual tradition for families from throughout southeastern Virginia—and beyond.

Building on almost four decades of suc-cess, the staff of Newport News Parks, Recreation & Tourism is already working on the 2013 Festival with plans for special activities and entertainment to celebrate the Festival’s 40th anniversary.

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news from the city of frAnklin

he Surry County Recreation Cen-ter was the scene on 18 July for the annual Youth Fun Day that is

jointly sponsored each year by recreation departments from Charles City, Surry and cities of Franklin & Petersburg. This activ-ity was started in 1983 and has continued to be conducted and enjoyed by youth of the participating departments. The pur-pose of the annual program is to allow youth to have a fun day of friendly comple-tion in various activities but without the pressure of winning and receiving awards.

Ervin Jones, director of Surry County Parks & Recreation served as the host of the activity and greeted all participants at the start of the day to explain the agenda for the day.

Topping the fun events of this year in games of the old days was the water bal-loon toss. Track & field events, tug of war rope pulling contest were only a few of the many activities of the day.

Fun Day Still Going Strong!

Water Balloon Toss – Franklin youth watch as their team try’s to win the contest. If you could see the conclusion of this photo you would see the water splash as the balloon explodes in the hands of the catcher. For this hot day in July, it seems that the losers were the winners as the cold water splashed all over their bodies.

Staff representing their departments pose for a photo opportunity – left to right, front row, Frank Davis, Director, Franklin Parks & Recreation; Will Berryman, Athletic Coordinator, Surry County P & R; Wesley Gravely, Program Coordinator, Pe-tersburg Department of Parks & Leisure Services; Wilson Darden, Recreation Aide, Franklin P & R.Second row, left to right, Alfred Crump, Director, Charles City County P & R; Tabitha Martinez, Director, Office on Youth, Charles City County; Junious Joyner, Site Director, Franklin P & R; Tami Yerby, Director, Petersburg Department of Parks & Leisure Services; Brenner Carter, Program Coordinator,Charles City County P&R; Ervin Jones, Director, Surry County P & R

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news from blAcksburgA

his fall Virginia Tech and Blacksburg Parks and Recreation are working

together to make youth football safer for its participants. A junior team of 9-11 year olds from Blacksburg are wearing the helmets equipped with sensors (see pictures below) to gather information for Virginia Tech to utilize for their study. The study will take place from mid August through the end of October with VT graduate students on hand at all practices and games to collect the data.

The goal of the study is to characterize the impact distribution of youth football players. Currently, there have been few studies documenting how hard, how frequent, and various other population measurements made for this particular age group. Without some of this information, a lot of helmet manufacturers tend to just “scale back” helmet designs (ex: softer foams, different padding patterns, etc). By doing this research and publishing the results in a peer-reviewed journal, different organizations including helmet manufacturers and league administrators (ex: pop warner, rec leagues) can make adjustments to better protect the youth football players specifically.

This is the second year that this study has been performed at Virginia Tech. Basic questions and answers can be found in a paper that was published last year: http://www.springerlink.com/content/r1w055654612u47j/fulltext.pdf .

Virginia Tech (VT)/Blacksburg Parks and Recreation

Youth Football Helmet Study

This paper led to the direct result of Pop Warner limiting contact drills during practices. New River Valley Youth Football League also has been proactive with these findings and has limited contact in their practices, as well. So in order to determine some of these variables that will assist the various organizations to make the sport safer for youth players, VT utilizes a wireless accelerometer array.

This sensor allows the calculation of linear accelerations and direction of impact to be calculated for every impact experienced by a helmeted player during practices and games. Much of the sensor information is documented in the above link as well. Also, this year, VT is implementing a new pediatric ImPACT neuropsych test to evaluate players’ memory and reaction speed after a concussive event (should one occur). The test is simply a set of computer games that the player sits down and completes. Post-concussive results are then

compared to baseline results noted prior to the beginning of the season.

Blacksburg Parks and Recreation is excited to be working with Virginia Tech on this endeavor and hopes it will lead to more joint partnerships in the future. As one parent stated, “I think that it is wonderful for Virginia Tech and the local recreation departments to work in cooperated roles to enhance the safety of equipment for these young athletes. With the new technology and research that is available through this study, it enables the future of youth football for many years to be a much safer environment an atmosphere for these young athletes and their coaches to participate in. Ultimately, besides helping to develop the premier helmet for these children it also provides an educational awareness, develops proactive practice sessions and demonstrates proper reactive measures when dealing with concussion related issues for the players, coaches and parents.”

Article and Pictures submitted by: Adam Lloyd

Athletics Supervisortown of BlacksburgT


news from goochlAndV R P S m e m b e R P R o f i l e

©2012 Musco Sports Lighting, LLC · ADVA12-3

For Your BudgetFor The Environment

IllumInatIngGenerations

Local area representatives:Steve Wiley800/825-6030 (toll free)804/836-6785 (mobile)[email protected]

Joe Forche800/825-6030 (toll free)804/385-8950 (mobile)[email protected]

You’re not just buying lights. You’re buying a system designed to keep light on the excitement of the game and out of your neighbors’ yard. That means players and residents will benefit from the lights for generations to come.

To learn more visit: www.musco.com/generations

Place of work: Goochland County Parks, Recreation, and Facilities Management

Position: P r o g r a m C o o r d i n a t o r – Community Recreation

Education: Goochland High School. I am currently taking classes towards my degree in Education.

Professional memberships: None.

Hometown: Goochland, VA

Family: Recently engaged.

Favorite experience on the job: I would have to say that my favorite experience has been creating lesson plans

Jessica Hewittand teaching youth art programs for the Goochland community. A few years ago we were studying Jackson Pollock and after the lesson, students were able to create their own version of his work. My Director liked their art so much, that he allowed the campers to splatter paint an entire wall in our building.

Toughest part of the job: The toughest part for me is waiting for people to register for newly implemented programs. In our county, people tend to wait until the last minute to register. I’m really excited about the types of classes that we offer and seeing low registration can be very discouraging.

Favorite recreational activity: Kayaking and painting.

Favorite book: I enjoy a lot of different books. I would have to say that my favorite author so far, has been Ted Dekker. If you could go anywhere in the world where would it be: There are too many places to just choose one. I have a friend from high school who lives in Sweden that I would love to visit. I would also love to go to Italy and Germany.


sion for The Ride to go across pasture land in-stead. Many local busi-nesses also supported the event by purchasing Welcome and Thank You signs.

The Orange County Parks and Recreation Founda-

tion is a 501c3, non-profit that will help fund the future of Parks and Recreation in Orange County. The Foundation will start operation on January 1, 2013, and will be an avenue for individuals and busi-nesses to donate for specific projects in the County. For more info or to donate, please contact Orange County Parks and Recreation at 540-672-5435.

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news from orAnge county

range County Parks and Recreation hosted the Inaugu-

ral Liberty Ride on Saturday, September 22. The event was co-sponsored by the County of Orange, Montpelier, Oak-land Heights Farms, and the Virginia Horse Industry Board, as well as outstand-ing support from local individuals and busi-nesses. The Liberty Ride was a horseback ride and wagon drive from Oakland Heights Farm to Montpelier for lunch and back, and benefits the newly-formed Orange County Parks and Recreation Foundation. The event was also part of Montpelier’s Consti-tution Day festivities.

There were 66 participants with 70 horses from all over Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina. Special guests included

Delegate Ed Scott, Orange County Super-visor Jim White, and longtime Orange resident and equestrian, Diana Dodge. The riders were treated to magnificent views as they traveled over Chicken Mountain and into James Madison’s Montpelier. Much of this trail was trav-eled by Madison and Jefferson many years ago in their commutes between Montpelier and Monticello. James and Dolly Madison joined the ride for the trip to the mansion and addressed the

crowd upon arrival.

The event was made possible by a grant from the Virginia Horse Industry Board and the collaboration of many others. Pied-mont Power supplied ATV’s for transporting supplies and a camera crew. When organizers ran into issues regard-ing closing roads, the adjoining land owners all gladly gave permis-

I n a u g u r a l l I b e r t y r I d e

A Big Success

Orange County Parks and Recreation Director, Tim Moubray and Miss Rodeo Virginia, Lindsey Harper

Raymond Tuckwiler of Lewisburg, WV

Leaving Montpelier

O


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our prop-erty’s play-g r o u n d

represents not only a long-term invest-ment, but also a safe haven for children of all ages. If properly maintained, it can pro-vide fun and exploration for decades. Keeping your investment in peak con-dition can provide many benefits. Re-search shows a well maintained play-ground could lower the risk of costly litigation, increase the life expectancy of your playground equipment, reduce complaints, and most importantly – keep your children safe!

Playground Guardian is a national play-ground inspection and maintenance com-pany with 3 generations of industry expe-rience. For over 45 years their staff has designed, installed, and maintained over 5,000 playgrounds. They have also per-formed safety audits, low frequency in-spections, and ADA assessments on over 500 sites.

In an effort to make inspecting and main-taining your own playgrounds easier than ever, Playground Guardian has just released an iPad and Android playground inspec-tion application to be used in conjunction with their “Cloud Based” Park Protector Playground Management software. This allows you to use your iPad or Android wireless device and inspect your own play-

ground in the field including taking pho-tographs for digital inventory and identi-fying safety issues. Once inspections are scheduled and downloaded to your device, you can complete an inspection without an internet connection and upload the data once you are back online. The APP can perform ADA assessments and high or low frequency inspections by asking the user easy questions requiring a simple “yes” or “no” response. No more paper forms or CDs of pictures to carry back to the office! Park Protector is a web-based, password protected application that helps you moni-tor your entire playground system. This ex-clusive software ensures records are secure and easy to access from any computer with an internet connection.

Park Protector, purchased on a subscrip-

tion basis, provides you with an eco-friend-ly paperless record and reporting system, as

well as a full list of printable reports that include:n Listing of all playground sitesn Full inventory of play-ground equipment complete with photographsn Playground hazard identi-fication and playground risk analysisn Playground inspection re-cords and reportsn Automated “To-Do List” and work orders for play-ground maintenancen Playground accident and

playground compliant records

In addition to this exclusive web-based software and the newly released iPad in-spection application, Playground Guardian provides a number of on-site services which include routine maintenance, high and low frequency inspections, comprehensive audits, surfacing impact testing and play-ground maintenance training. Running low on budget? Don’t forget to ask about their exclusive RENEW program where they can refinish old, worn equipment to look like new for a fraction of the cost of replacement. For more information, please call at 800-438-2780 ext. 200 or email [email protected]. Make sure to visit the website at www.playgroundguardian.com and become a fan on Facebook.

PLAYGROUND GUARDIAN RELEASES NEW iPad

Playground Inspection

Y

news from plAyground guArdiAn


The Hampton University American Culture and Tourism Management Program:

A Unique International Recreation/Tourism Learning

ExperienceBy Dr. William A. Becker

Associate Professor &Academic Coordinator

American Culture & Tourism Management Program

Department of Health, Physical Education and RecreationHampton University

Hampton, VA

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news from hAmpton university

H ampton University has been welcoming international students through its Ameri-

can Culture and Tourism Manage-ment Program (ACTM) for the past five years. The University has hosted Tourism and Hospitality students from both Singapore and China. In-ternational students arrive at Dulles airport and spend three days touring Washington, D.C. and Colonial Williamsburg and then a one day orientation on the Hampton University campus. The students then de-part for Walt Disney World where they spend a semester doing their internship with the Disney College Program. Hampton University has participated on the domestic Disney College Program for many years. Scores of Hampton students have spent a semester at Walt Disney World in both the basic College Program and Pro-fessional Internships. Five years ago, the University was given the opportunity to participate with the International Disney College Program. The ACTM program is housed in the HU College of Educa-tion and Continuing Studies. The College contains, besides Education, the Depart-ment of Health, Physical Education and Recreation (HPER) and the office of In-ternational Programs. The Department of HPER provides the faculty that conducts the tours, provides the on-line educational content and supervises the student’s intern-ship. The office of International Programs issues the J-1 visas, facilitates enrollment and collects the fee. The international stu-dents come to the United States on a J-1,

non-degree seeking student, visa. This visa allows them to do an internship in Ameri-ca and gives them three weeks after the end of their program to tour the country. Hampton University strongly believes that international students should not only have a positive work experience for their internship, but also learn about the his-

tory and culture of America. ACTM students take on-line classes in both American Culture and Tourism. The American Culture class covers topics such as American History, Ameri-can Politics, American Business and American Sports and Leisure. The Tourism class includes content in

Accommodations, Transportation, Attrac-tions and Tourism marketing. Students are also required to take a three credit course through the Disney Education Program. The student’s internship work experience is at Walt Disney World with the Disney College Program. The Disney College Program is a paid in-ternship offering both American and inter-national college students the opportunity to advance their strengths and interests, meet guests and cast members from around the world and take part in educational op-portunities students cannot get anywhere else. This truly unique program allows par-ticipants to network with leaders, take part in personal and career development classes, and build transferable skills such as prob-lem-solving, teamwork, guest service and effective communication. (disneycareers.com) The semester long program features three key components; Living, Learning and Earning. Students work in a Disney role, job, such as; recreation, guest servic-es, hotel front desk, lifeguard, attractions, and others. They can take classes such as Organizational Leadership, Experiential Learning or Corporate Communications through the Disney Education Program. Some of the classes are recommended for

Hampton University has participated on the domestic Disney College Program for

many years. Scores of Hampton students have

spent a semester at Walt Disney World in both the basic College Program and

Professional Internships. Five years ago, the University was given the opportunity to

participate with the International Disney

College Program.


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credit by the Ameri-can Council on Edu-cation (ACE). As part of the Disney College Program, participants live in one of four housing complexes located near the Walt Disney World Resort. Each complex features a variety of offerings to make participants feel right at home. Units are fully furnished and even include dishes and pots and pans. Each complex has pools, club houses and other amenities. Bus transportation to work, shopping and recreation is provided. The apartment rent, which is payroll deducted each week, cov-ers all utilities and amenities. Hampton University currently has signed agreements with Nanyang Polytechnic and Temasak Polytechnic in Singapore. The HU ACTM program hosts students who are majoring in Tourism and Hospitality Management. HU was particularly pleased to partner with these schools because the official language of Singapore is English and we knew that there would not be any language issues. Students who are interest-ed in coming to American to do the Disney College program are interviewed by Disney and must be accepted into the HU ACTM program. Students who are accepted into the program pay a fee that covers the five day tour/on campus orientation, flight to Orlando, twelve credits though HU Con-tinuing Studies, on-line classes and intern-ship supervision.

American students who are interested in participating in the Disney College Pro-gram can visit their web-site at disney-careers.com. The program is open to all part-time and full-time college students. Students must be currently enrolled and taking classes in an accredited college or university in the United States and have completed at least one semester. Students must be at least eighteen years of age to participate. Students can either attend a live presentation by a Disney recruiter at a college in their area or do an on-line e-presentation. Interviews are conducted by phone. As part of the interview process, applicants have the opportunity to express interest in the specific roles for which they would like to be considered. Students who are recreation majors may want to pick po-sitions such as recreation, attractions, or lifeguard.

Once American students complete the ba-sic Disney College Program, they can apply for the Disney Professional Internship Pro-gram. These positions are six month long advanced internships in the student’s area of study. These positions include Human Resources, Park Operations, Engineer-ing, Finance, Marketing and many oth-

ers. These positions pay more than the basic program, offer housing in the student hous-ing complex and give students real world experience in their major. These positions are very competitive and students need to have completed most or all of their studies. Students who

complete the Professional Internship pro-gram may be eligible to move into a Disney Manager Trainee position.

The American Culture and Tourism Man-agement program has yielded additional benefits for the University. We have had student exchanges with Nanyang Polytech-nic each year. Nanyang Sport Management students have come to HU for the semester and we have sent HU students to Singa-pore to study. The Department of HPER at HU will be hosting a Nanyang Sport Management professor this academic year and we are planning to send one of our HU Sport Management faculty to Singapore to teach and conduct research. Hampton University is looking to expand the ACTM program in the near future. We will be including other academic areas from the schools in Singapore and possibly adding other schools to the program. This program is just one example of how Hampton Uni-versity is reaching out to the world.

For more information on the Disney Col-lege program and the presentation schedule at Colleges in Virginia, please visit disney-careers.com.

*ACTM students from Nanyang Polytechnic and Tamasak Polytechnic in Singapore on the Hampton University campus with their HU student guides.*Michelle Tay, Nanyang Polytechnic student, is Chef Mickey.


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news from vrps

ave you ever felt “Unique”, or as my friend Jane from Louisa P&R says “like a unicorn”? You know

the feeling - somehow the typical methods of management, or planning, or even ‘doing’ just don’t seem to fit in your organization. Do you ever wonder how these things are done outside of Parks & Recreation? Well, in just a few short months the Management Conference 2013: Unique Practices & Principles will be held in Fredericksburg. This year we hope to touch on some of the areas where many can’t seem to find a good fit. Utilizing speakers from private industry, the federal government, and the non-profit sectors, we will breathe new life, and new ideas, into familiar topics such as: Strategic Planning, Crisis Management, Communicating with Stakeholders, Collaboration, and Human Capital Management. All are

going to be discussed from a fresh perspective. However, keeping with our unique theme, we will be introducing new topics like Managing Internships, Balancing Life and Work, and Relating to your Hospital System this year in effort to expand on an already outstanding conference. Additionally, this year’s conference features include a dinner

Utilizing speakers from private industry, the federal government, and the non-profit sectors, we will breathe new life, and new ideas,

into familiar topics such as: Strategic Planning, Crisis Management, Communicating with

Stakeholders, Collaboration, and Human Capital

Management.

session and social on Monday night featuring John Hennessey, Chief Historian for the National Park Service. John’s presentation Managing War: Death or Glory will provide insight into the management styles used on the battlefields and in the trenches, and the results they produced. This is a great opportunity to bring new or future managers to a conference focused on the many facets of professional growth within the field. As we all know, management is not a one-size-fits-all (or even three-sizes-fit-all) application. The successful approach is tailored to the people, skills, talents, weaknesses, environment, and tasks before us. The successful approach is as unique as you are. We hope that you will sign up and join us for Management Conference 2013: Unique Practices & Principles on Monday and Tuesday, February 25th and 26th, 2013 in Fredericksburg!

H


c O l O R - 2 3

GOOD-ANY-DAY TICKETSONLY $30

Valid Any RegularOperating Day in 2012

SPECIAL INDEPENDENCEDAYS TICKETS

ONLY $26Valid July 1 – 31, 2012

DISCOUNT PARKING VOUCHERS

ONLY $10Valid Any Regular Operating Day in 2012

DISCOUNT TICKETS

Available at theVRPS Central Office or at

your local park andrecreation department.

HURRICANE HARBOR WATER PARKFREE with your paid admission

sixflags.com/america


Virginia Recreation & Park Society6372 Mechanicsville TurnpikeSuite 109Mechanicsville, VA 23111

cOlOR -24

Prsrtd StdU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDRichmond, VAPermit #3022

For all your support in making 2012 another terrific year.

Thank youVRPS

www.vrps.com

nEW for 2013

KD13-036 © 2012 Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Intim

idator ™ 305 takes its name from

Dale Earnhardt, “the Intimidator”

© 2012 Cedar Fair, L.P. Cedar Fair Entertainm

ent Company

® © 2012 Peanuts W

orldwide LLC, Peanuts.com

See you this spring! • kingsdominion.com

vrps fall 2012 magazine

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