The 4 Recreational Trends Hitting the Region Sponsored Post by: Landworks Studio, 2021 KRPA Women's Leadership Summit Sponsor
As we’ve created city-wide parks and recreation master plans over the last few years, we’ve noticed a series of recreational trends. No matter the size of the community these items are highly valued by residents in all areas. In fact, over the last year, the cities of Andover, Kansas; Joplin, Missouri; and Smithville, Missouri all shared similar wants and needs when it came to planning for parks and recreation.
The four primary trends we identified included:
While these four items were popular in the region, the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) identified a few other trends. The first is a focus on health and health equity. Technology is another, as parks and recreation departments determine how to not only make facilities more technologically advanced, but also better utilize the data they collect. Navigating climate change and creating virtual programming are other concerns.
One timely trend is the integration of Insta-worthy parks. In an effort to further increase facility usage, NRPA reports that many cities are incorporating photo opportunities. This tactic provides natural, grassroots promotion, as residents and visitors share their experiences online.
In addition to these trends, parks and recreation facilities saw a surge in usage as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Social distancing practices created an increased need for outdoor spaces and recreational activities. In fact, not only did some city parks experience 50 percent¹ more visitors than previous years, but there was also a record-breaking number of bicycle sales in the year 2020. The number of leisure bike sales skyrocketed 121 percent compared to 2019². This increased need for outdoor space and recreational activities influenced trends in Andover, Smithville, and Joplin. After going through the master planning process with all three communities, it was clear the parks and recreation departments were attempting to keep up with the change in demand. They looked to our studio to help them do it.
To learn more about our master planning process or how to incorporate these trends, contact our team at www.landworksstudio.com.
¹ WHYY, PBS, NPR – Philly Parks Dept: City parks saw 50% more visitors in 2020, December 26, 2020 ² New York Times- Thinking of Buying a Bike? Get Ready for a Very Long Wait, May 18, 2020
Meadowbrook Park, Prairie Village, KS - This park was master planned and designed by Landworks Studio, once built, it acted as the catalyst for the adjacent residential and commercial development. (Images by: Landworks Studio)
Colorado Park & Recreation Association (CPRA) is leading the way for a national recruitment videos for parks and recreation across the nation. You are invited (and KRPA highly encourages you) to participate in this fun and important opportunity.
KRPA Recruitment Committee has been working hard to put together a Recruitment Toolkit to roll out in January 2022 to aid KRPA member agencies in recruiting employees and promoting the profession across the state. This national video and possibly a local Kansas video will be available as part of this toolkit.
CPRA has teamed with Gametime to produce this recruitment video. NRPA has also come along side to support this effort.
How can you participate and help? CPRA and KRPA need short video vignettes of P&R professionals from seasonal to full-time and everywhere in between! We want to highlight the reality of the industry from your point of view. We hope to use these testimonials to show job seekers why a career in P&R is a viable and sustainable path with a variety of opportunities available. Tell them why you chose Parks & Rec!
PR Marketing Video Submission Instructions.pdf
What could your submissions include? - Short video interview under 30 seconds (Ideally close to 10 seconds of solid testimonial) - B-Roll: A wide variety of different shots that illustrate the story and interview audio - Slow pans with slight movement showing the surroundings of your position Ex: The view of the pool from a Lifeguard stand or underwater footage with a GoPro - Dynamic action shots with different angles Ex: Instructors giving programming classes with unique viewpoints - Whatever else you imagine when describing how much you love your job! Ex: Staff laughing together; connecting with your community, etc.
Content Requirements: -All contributors must choose a Category and a Prompt to work from! (Only 1 each per submission!) - Categories: Aquatics and Lifeguards Customer Service and Facilities Parks Trails and Open Space Programming (Summer Camps, TR, Youth, Athletics, etc.) - Prompts: “I love my job because…”-“I choose P&R as a career because…” “A career in P&R means…”-“P&R provides me with…” “I stay in P&R because…”-“Every day I get to…” “Over the past _ years, I’ve gotten to…”
Formatting Requirements:- 16 x 9 horizontal shots - 1080p (Standard 1920 x 1080) Can find in video settings on most phones or recording devices 4k is fine, but no smaller than 1080p will be accepted - Audio: Shoot in a quiet location Separate mics are ideal when possible The closer to the mic the better!
Recording Requirements & Tips: Frame: 1/3 Rule: Have subject on 1/3 of the camera view Interviewers: Start recording a few seconds before your subject starts speaking - This will ensure that you capture the entire story Place interviewer off to the opposite side from subject, so subject is looking diagonally across the screen -Even if no interviewer is present, pretend there is!
Subjects: - Wear agency t-shirt/uniform or other logoed clothing items if possible - Start with your name, agency, title, and how many years you’ve been in the field - Restate your chosen prompt to begin your story Ex: “I love my job because…” then continue with your quick, personal story - Do NOT look directly into the camera - Speak to an (imaginary or real) interviewer off to the opposite side of the camera - Keep the sun to the side (ideal) or in front of you! - Keep content quick and to the point, and stay enthusiastic!
Sending in Submissions: - Please submit all content to amanda@krpa.org. - All Submissions are due by September 8th, 2021!o
In your submission be sure to tell us the name of your employer, city, and state! • Include name of subject and their agency in file descriptions Submit a Release Form with all content - A Release Form is required to be signed and submitted by every video subject If the subject is under 18, their parent(s)/guardian(s) MUST sign the release!
Other Details:
We cannot guarantee that a submission will be used in any of the videos in this campaign, but we truly appreciate your contribution! We hope to create a library of content to be available to YOU and your peers nationally for any further projects or marketing that would benefit from these collected stories. Thank you for your contribution to this resource and for helping us share the good word about the industry we all love!
Timeline: - Submissions due by September 8th - Campaign rolls out in January 2022!
KRPA is thrilled to announce a partnership with Mission Control and to host the first ever Kansas Recreational Esports Championship. This state-wide tournament will be an opportunity for your community to compete against other communities for the chance to be crowned champion.
We'll host an educational webinar led by Mission Control on August 5th at 2pm. The webinar will address the basics of esports, the esports event and answer your questions regarding it all. Call link information is below. We look forward to seeing your town start esports and compete for the championship!
Does my agency have to use Mission Control to run our esports qualifiers?
No, you do not have to use Mission Control to run your qualifiers. There are many ways to run your qualifying tournaments or leagues, and they will be discussed at the webinar.
How do I stay connected with other communities participating in this new opportunity?
KRPA has started a discussion thread in the Locker Room. Click here and let us know if you are coming to one of the webinar to learn more about this first-ever esports state championship.
Have questions?
If you have immediate questions, please contact Jamie Reed at jamie@krpa.org. A big thank you to the KRPA Esports Committee for their hard-work on this championship. Committee Members: Jimmy Kegin, Eudora Parks and RecreationJeremy Reimer, Lenexa Parks and RecreationJaima Nicholson, Maize Recreation CommissionAndrea Kelly, Maize Recreation CommissionTrent Buchman, Blue Valley Recreation Commission
Topic: Esports Education
Time: Aug 5, 2021 02:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
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Safe Sitter, Inc. is now offering a special opportunity to KRPA members: become a Safe Sitter® Registered Provider and offer licensed babysitting training courses at a significantly reduced cost.
For a limited time, KRPA members can apply to become a Safe Sitter® Registered Provider and avoid paying the $699 registration fee. Each member agency approved for the program will pay a discounted registration fee of $399, which includes a Game Pack, Graphics Pack, online Instructor training for one Instructor, marketing resources, and program support. Additional Instructors can be trained for $85 per person.
Ongoing costs are minimal: every student in a Safe Sitter® class must have a Student Handbook ($18) which includes a Completion Card. Registered Providers order Handbooks from Safe Sitter, Inc. National Headquarters and then set and collect their own fees for their classes.
Safe Sitter® courses prepare young teens with the life and safety skills they need when they are home alone, watching younger siblings, or babysitting. All courses are Instructor-led and filled with fun games and role-playing exercises. Students learn:
· Safety Skills: Students learn how to prevent unsafe situations and what to do when faced with dangers such as power failures or weather emergencies.
· Child Care Skills: Students learn tips to manage behavior that will help them stay in control of themselves and the children in their care. Students also learn the ages and stages of child development, as well as practice diapering.
· First Aid & Rescue Skills: Learning skills such as choking rescue and CPR is often students’ favorite part of the class. Students also learn a system to help them assess and respond to injuries and illnesses.
· Life & Business Skills: The ability to screen jobs, discuss fees, and greet employers will set students up for success now and in the future. Students practice these skills through various role plays.
Safe Sitter, Inc., a nonprofit organization, has over 900 Registered Providers across the country. The program was created by nationally-recognized pediatrician Dr. Patricia Keener in 1980 with the goal of partnering with organizations to have their own Instructors trained to teach the program.
KRPA member agencies interested in applying to be a Safe Sitter® training site should contact Amanda Christian at Safe Sitter, Inc. (317.596.5001 x802 or achristian@safesitter.org). The link to the application is https://safesitterinc-abkbr.formstack.com/forms/new_site_application. Additional information about Safe Sitter® can be found at www.safesitter.org.
Are you ready for some friendly competition? Join us for the 2021 KRPA Golf Tournament on August 13th at 9:00am. This will be a fun, 4-person scramble and includes lunch and (2) drink tickets and is hosted by Emporia Recreation Commission. Registration closes on July 30, 2021.
Click Here for Individual Registration Click Here for Team Registration
August 13th, 9:00amEmporia Golf Course1133 S Highway 99Emporia, KS 66801
$65 per person
Not a golfer but want to enjoy the fun? Come join us on the course for a relaxing day in Emporia at the KRPA Cornhole tournament. Tournament starts at 10:30am on August 13th and includes lunch and (2) drink tickets.
Register Here for Cornhole Tournament
August 13th, 10:30amEmporia Golf Course1133 S Highway 99Emporia, KS 66801
$25 per person
On July 1st, 2021, Governor Kelly signed a proclamation celebrating Parks and Recreation professionals in Kansas. By signing the proclamation, July 16, 2021 is officially “Park and Recreation Professional Day” in Kansas. Park and Recreation Professional Day honors the men and women who work tirelessly throughout the state to provide the parks and recreation programs and facilities that Kansans enjoy every day.
The services that park and recreation professionals provide are vital for our communities — from protecting open space and natural resources, to providing fitness programs, and, recently, providing essential services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic — Parks and Recreation Professionals Day encourages everyone to reflect on the exponential value park and recreation professionals bring to communities and thank them.
“We are extremely proud of all parks and recreation professionals in Kansas. During the pandemic, these professionals came together and safely provided services for all of Kansas. They were leaders across the state to provide guidelines on safety and meet the unique needs of their communities that arose the last 18 months. Their hard work, ingenuity, and essential services will continue to enrich Kansas long after this pandemic is over,” said Erika Devore, Executive Director of Kansas Park and Recreation Association. Click here to view the proclamation for Kansas Park and Recreation Professional Day.
Along with Park and Recreation Professional Day, America celebrates Parks and Recreation Month throughout July. Created by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), Park and Recreation Month specifically highlights the vital and powerful role of local park and recreation professionals. Local Parks and Recreation agencies are celebrating throughout the state.
Did you miss the KRPA News Member Call on June 16th? Don't worry! Grab your lunch or take a quick break and watch this short 30-minute video about all the latest KRPA News. Many KRPA projects were put on hold last year due to the pandemic, but now we are turning the page and moving forward.
Garden City Parks and Recreation
Adventures in Garden City await you this summer. Garden City Parks and Recreation is participating in both the Splash Across Kansas and the Par Across Kansas program. Plan your visit around local events, make a splash at Garden Rapids at the Big Pool and play a round of golf at Buffalo Dune golf course. You are sure to enjoy the facilities that Garden City has to offer.
Garden Rapids at the Big Pool is Garden City's destination water park.. Garden City's Big Pool has been well-know as the largest hand-dug public pool in the world since it was built in 1921. But, it doesn't look like it did in 1921 anymore. After major construction on the facility, it is now known as Garden Rapids.
Garden Rapids Fun Facts:-The slides at Garden Rapids are called Snake Springs. - Depending your weight and speed, users are launched about 10 feet in the air after sliding down the Fly High Slides.- It is the only municipally owned facility in the U.S. to have the Slip Stream stand up slide.- It is the only pool in the region to have Fly High Slides.
Don’t forget to purchase your Splash Across Kansas coupon book for your 2 admissions to this amazing, new aquatic park.
Buffalo Dunes Golf Course in Garden City, KS. was ranked as the No. 1 municipally owned golf course in Kansas by Golf Digest magazine, and they were recognized by Golf Magazine and Travel & Leisure Magazine as places to play and best bangs for the buck. Challenging, enjoyable and affordable, Buffalo Dunes will give you a little bit of Scottish feel, as it is nestled among the historic sand hills six miles south of Garden City. Southwest Kansas offers a 4-season climate, and golf can be played throughout the year, weather permitting. Beautifully conditioned, the Dunes has bluegrass fairways, well-maintained bentgrass greens and native grasses that challenge the golfer and provide a memorable experience. Purchase your Par Across Kansas coupon book for discounts to Buffalo Dunes and 8 other courses.
Here is a great resource to help plan your trip is www.visitgck.com. It has a complete list of upcoming events, hotels, and great places to eat for your visit.
Haven't purchased your Splash Across Kansas coupon book yet to get your 2 admissions to Garden Rapids + 11 other aquatic parks across Kansas or your Par Across Kansas coupon book? Don't miss out! Purchase your card here.
KRPA has so many projects underway for 2021 and 2022. We held a short member call on June 16th to update the KRPA Family. If you missed it, click here to watch a recording of the call. It's an easy 30 minute video to watch over your lunch break. If you have any questions about what was discussed, please do not hesitate to reach out to the KRPA office.
Cities Connecting Children to Nature, a partnership of the Children & Nature Network and the National League of Cities, invites organizations to participate in a CCCN Regional, State Nature Connection cohort to build capacity for building a network of cities collectively increase equitable access to high quality outdoor experiences and nature-based learning for children.
This two-year peer learning and technical assistance engagement will build the capacity of participating organizations to support cities in advancing equitable nature connection strategies. Applications are due July 1st. Visit the CCCN Regional, State Nature Connection RFA to learn more. You may also reach out to Monica Lopez Magee, monica@childrenandnature.org with any additional questions.
645 Vermont
PO Box 1283
Lawrence, KS 66044
