minnesota recreation & parks magazine fall 2015

www.mnrpa.orgwww.mnrpa.org

Culturally Appropriate

Space for East African

Girls

Integrating Ethnic

Newcomers



Girls

Integrating Ethnic

Newcomers



Girls

Integrating Ethnic

Newcomers

Engaging a Diverse Community



Technologyin ParksTechnologyin ParksTechnologyin Parks

MINNESOTAMINNESOTAMINNESOTAOfficial Publication of Minnesota Recreation and Park Association

Recreation and ParksRecreation and ParksRecreation and ParksVolume 10, Issue 3 • Fall 2015

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS

OF MINNESOTA MAGAZINE

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Fall 2015 • MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks 3

PublisherMinnesota Recreation and Park Association200 Charles Street NE, Fridley, MN 55432www.mnrpa.org Tel: 763.571.1305

Editorial StaffMichelle J. Snider

Bethani Gerhard

Editorial BoardPatty Anderson, Maple Grove

Jan Ficken, Brooklyn Park

Jennifer Fink, Ramsey County

Chad Ubl, Winona

Heidi Sedlacek, New Brighton

Advertising & DesignPernsteiner Creative Group, pernsteiner.com

MRPA Board of DirectorsPresident: Jay Lotthammer, Eden PrairiePresident-Elect: Mary Jo Knudson, Owatonna Past President: Mary Pat Black, Brooklyn ParkSecretary: Aimee Peterson, ChaskaTreasurer: Randy Distad, FarmingtonRSC Chair: Jerry Ruegemer, ChanhassenEast Metro: Garrett Beck, BurnsvilleEast Metro: Jared Flewellen, EaganEast Metro: Margo Numedahl, FridleyNortheast Region: Jamie Cassidy, BeckerNorthwest Region: Dolf Moon, HutchinsonSouthern Region: Kim Underwood, AustinWest Metro: Jamie Polley, ShakopeeWest Metro: Michelle Margo, Brooklyn ParkWest Metro: John Stutzman, Bloomington

This magazine is the official quarterly publication of Minnesota Recreation and Park Association and is provided complimentary to members as part of their MRPA membership. The editorial board encourages the submission of articles and photos for publication. Articles of approximately 500-700 words or less may be submitted, but may be edited for length and clarity. Contact Michelle Snider, MRPA, at 763.571.1305 x100 if interested in submitting an article for a future issue.

Deadlines for Articles and AdvertisingWinter 2015-16 issue ..................... October 14Spring 2016 Issue ......................... February 28Summer 2016 issue ...............................May 13Fall 2016 issue ........................................July 30

MRPA reserves the right to approve all submitted advertising in MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks magazine. All requests for advertising should be made to Todd Pernsteiner, Account Manager, at 952.841.1111 or [email protected].

An affiliate of National Recreation and Park Association

MINNESOTARecreation and Parks

FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT

By Jay Lotthammer, MRPA President

What a conference! It was great to see so many people and attend some very informative sessions. Thanks again to everyone who made the confer-ence possible.

The conference session on equity really hit home for many people. It is a challenge we all face now, and certainly into the future. We have a large role to play in insuring that the programs and services we provide benefit all of our residents.

The MRPA Board of Directors is proud to share that Minnesota was one of three states to receive a grant from the National Council on Aging (NCOA). This grant provides funding for MRPA, in partnership with the Minnesota As-sociation on Senior Services, to expand NCOA’s Aging Mastery Program® (AMP) in rural Minnesota by offering awards to 13 organizations. NCOA has provided additional information about this program, and we want to share this information with members. Please read the article on NCOA for more information and deadline dates.

The MRPA Board is also crafting the 2016 annual operating budget. As always, there are decisions to be made about how we continue to provide the services and benefits to our members. We’re lucky to have a membership base made up of so many dedicated volunteers.

Outside of work, the rest of my fall will consist of as much upland bird hunt-ing as possible. I’ve already had a very rewarding trip to Montana. My new pup has added to the fun and anticipation. The number of miles that I walk on public land is a testimony to the hard work of professionals like us who protect the land and environment along with making it accessible and avail-able for public use. I hope you’re enjoying the fall season and appreciating what your city and our state has to offer. I hope to see you all soon.

4 MINNESOTA Recreation and Parks • www.mnrpa.org

ADVERTISER INDEX

Bridges Out of Poverty Workshop ............................................................. 19

Commercial Recreation Specialists............................................................ 11

HIWAY Federal Credit Union ..........................................Inside Front Cover

Landscape Structures ....................................................................................9

MRPA Indoor Tri ............................................................................................ 15

Minnesota-Wisconsin Playground ................................................................6

Musco Lighting ...............................................................................................4

Push Pedal Pull .............................................................................. Back Cover

R.J. Thomas Manufacturing ........................................................................ 13

SEH ...................................................................................................................4

Stantec .............................................................................................................4

TABLE OF CONTENTS From the Board President .............................................................................3

Foundation Corner .........................................................................................5

Keeping Up ......................................................................................................6

MRPA in Action ...............................................................................................7

Meet Matt Johnson ........................................................................................7

National Council on Aging Grant .................................................................8

MRPA Flashback..............................................................................................8

Engaging a Diverse Community ................................................................. 10

Culturally Appropriate Space for East African Girls ................................ 12

Integrating Ethnic Newcomers ................................................................... 14

Technology in Parks ..................................................................................... 16

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Minnesota Recreation and Park Foundation: 2015, an Exciting Year… So FarIt has been an exciting year-to-date for the Minnesota Recreation and Park Foundation (MRPF) with many new beginnings, as well as some rejuvenation of existing initiatives. Summer flew by, as it does for everyone in the recreation profession, and was highlighted by the annual golf tournament at Edinburgh USA Golf Course in Brooklyn Park, the new lawn bowling networking event at Brookview Golf Course in Golden Valley, and awarding of the first annual National Professional Development Grant.

Now as the fall is showing signs that winter is approaching, MRPF is excited about our recent activity, which included the continued support of the MRPA Annual Conference, 2016 New Initiative Grants, and the introduction of the MRPF Insider newsletter. To ensure the continued success of initiatives like these, MRPF is guided by the Board of Trustees who provide the direction for our educational and networking opportunities, programs grants, student and continuing education scholarships, and the continued support of MRPA. For more information regarding MRPF’s programs and initiatives please contact MRPF President Nate Rosa at [email protected].

It’s a great time to renew your membership for 2016, or join MRPF for the first time.For $25 (Retirees $20, Students $10) you can become a member of MRPF, the only non-profit organization solely dedicated to promoting excellence in the Parks and Recreation profession. To register or renew your membership and be eligible for the MRPF benefits visit http://www.mnrpa.org/mrpf or contact Nicole at [email protected].

MRPF National Professional Development Grant AwardedMRPF believes professionals receive significant benefits when attending national training opportunities. Congratulations to Tracy Peterson, the 2015 recipient of the first annual MRPF National Professional Development Grant. The grant is intended

to inspire and expand the participation of MRPF membership to develop their leadership and experience the benefits and professional growth which is connected to attending a national educational opportunity. Details for the 2016 grant will be available in January.

2015 MRPA Annual Conference RecapMRPF was once again proud to support the MRPA Annual Conference through the financial support of Wednesday’s student luncheon and Thursday’s keynote Dr. Jody Janati. During these events we hope you also saw the new MRPF Insider newsletter, which will be emailed to MRPF members on a quarterly basis. Additionally, the silent auction and raffle fundraiser was our most successful event to date with over $4,700 raised. Special thanks to Ryan Harper and CJ Harris for volunteering their time and leadership for this year’s silent auction and raffle. Lastly, a good time was had by all in attendance for Thursday morning’s education session presented by the recipients of the 2015 New Initiative Grants.

MRPF Student ScholarshipThe MRPF scholarship program has been created to promote and enable excellence in the field of parks and recreation. It provides financial assistance to juniors, seniors and graduate students who are enrolled in a four-year parks and recreation curriculum at a Minnesota or neighboring state university. Students attending a school outside of Minnesota must be a permanent resident of Minnesota. The scholarship program includes up to five $1,000 scholarships. We ask all members to share this information with students you may know. The scholarship applications must be received by November 6, 2015. The scholarship application and additional information can be found online at: http://www.mnrpa.org/mrpf/ or contact Nate at [email protected].

2015 MRPA and MRPF Annual General Meeting Join us for the MRPF and MRPA Annual General Meetings and Awards Luncheon on January 14, 2016 in Roseville. We will

provide membership with an annual review of the MRPF’s activities, a 2016 membership drive, and recognition of the Student Scholarship recipients.

MRPF Student Scholarship Recipients: Where are they now?Sam Sundermeyer: 2011 Recipient

After receiving an MRPF Student Scholarship in 2011, Sam proceeded to graduate from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in recreation, parks and leisure services, and history. As a requirement for his graduation, he completed an internship in the summer of 2012 with Campbell County Parks in Gillette, Wyoming. Upon the completion of his internship, he then taught health and fitness at Prairie Wind elementary in Gillette. In February 2014, Sam returned to Minnesota when he was hired by Flagship Recreation, the business sponsor of his 2011 MRPF student scholarship, as their marketing manager, which is the position he still holds today. Flagship Recreation continues to be an active sponsor of both MRPF and MRPA and remains an annual sponsor of the MRPF student scholarships.

FOUNDATION CORNER

Minnesota Recreation and Park Foundation Updatesby John Stutzman, City of Bloomington


“Keeping Up” is a feature highlighting MRPA member events, news, people and more. To contribute to this section, please send a 125 word or less brief and photos to Michelle Snider at MRPA ([email protected]).

Congratulations to John W. Stutzman for receiving the National 2015 Young Professional Fellowship by NRPA. Stutzman is a recreation supervisor with Bloomington Parks and Recreation.

Each year, NRPA Fellowships and Scholarships are presented to individuals across the U.S. to honor their efforts in the field of parks and recreation. Recipients are selected from a pool of applicants by NRPA’s National Awards and Scholarship Committee, and are chosen for excellence in a variety of topics, including professional and voluntary service, programming, leadership, research and public outreach. The Fellowship provides up to four selected young professionals with the opportunity to explore the operation of NRPA and its governing bodies at the 2015 NRPA Annual Conference.

Congratulations also to Dave Anderson for receiving the 2015 Robert M. Artz Citizen Advocacy Award from NRPA. Anderson is the parks commission chair for the City of Elk River.

The Robert M. Artz Award recognizes a citizen, an elected or appointed official, or volunteer who has demonstrated outstanding efforts to forward public parks and recreation through education and activating the public in their community, state or at the national level.

Congratulations to Jamie Polley from the City of Shakopee for completing the historic Boston Marathon on April 20, 2015. She survived the rain and Heartbreak Hill to finish in an impressive 3:52:01.

Jason West, from the City of St. Louis

Park, completed his first Ragnar Relay Ultra race by running as a team of six from Madison to Chicago, June 12-13, 2015. His team, the Roadkill Warriors, finished the 200 miles in 31:58. West ran 34 ½ of those miles himself. His team then followed that up with another Ragnar Relay in August.

Is it a Superman? Batman? Captain America? No! It’s John Stutzman, from the City of Bloomington, who completed his first ever Ragnar Relay in August; and he did it in true MRPA style!

MRPA Members Receive National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Awards

MRPA Members Complete Tough Races

KEEPING UP

John W. Stutzman Dave Anderson

< Meet Matt Johnson

Matt Johnson has always been interested in parks and recreation, but it wasn’t until late in his college years it occurred to him he could do it for a living. “I grew up at my neighborhood ice rink and summer programs in Superior, Wisconsin and it’s difficult to picture my childhood without those activities,” says Matt Johnson, recreation supervisor for the City of Roseville. “It sounds cliché, but my time in the parks kept me out of trouble, kept me outside and contributed hugely to my happy childhood.”

One of Johnson’s early jobs was a playground monitor. “It was an absolute blast - I couldn’t believe someone would pay me to play at a park,” says Johnson. “However, it never occurred to me that I could make a living permanently doing something that was so much fun – so I pursued other things in college.”

As a college student, Johnson began to work in the University of Minnesota campus recreation program and met some fantastic mentors who convinced him recreation was something he should consider. “I began my professional career in campus recreation at the University of Minnesota not long after graduating with my bachelor’s degree,” says Johnson. “During my time in campus recreation I had been involved in parks and recreation as a sports official and volunteer in many other aspects, so I always thought of park and rec as an exciting potential option.”

While working for the University of Minnesota Johnson obtained a Master’s degree in park and rec administration. Johnson adds, “In 2013, when a Recreation Supervisor position came open in Roseville – a community that I had always loved, I took the plunge!”

Over the past two and half years, Johnson has attended the MRPA State Conference twice and most of the programming section meetings. He has also presented for the MRPA facilities group and attended the Emerging Recreation Leaders II program through MRPA.

“I’ve benefitted immensely from MRPA,” says Johnson. “Coming from a campus recreation background, I came into the field with considerable experience and knowledge about how to run programs and manage facilities, but lacked a familiarity with the nuance that makes parks and recreation different than campus rec. Very early on, MRPA allowed me to connect with others of varying levels of experience to steer me through some of these early obstacles. To this day, I don’t hesitate to contact many of the folks that I’ve connected with via MRPA anytime that I need a little guidance or just a sounding board for a new idea.”

In addition, Johnson states that MRPA has given him educational opportunities to prepare him for the next step in his career. The Emerging Recreation Leadership Institute II allowed him to hear from current and past directors about topics ranging from staff management to interacting with city council. He says that it was insightful and useful in both his day–to-day work, and long term outlook.

MRPA members are the heart of our organization. They are involved and committed to advancing the parks and recreation programming. MRPA in Action is a new magazine feature which will highlight one section/committee and one professional per issue.

MRPA IN ACTION

MRPA Facility TourMore than 20 members toured parks and recreation facilities during the MRPA Facility Tour on September 25. The tour was hosted by the Parks, Natural Resources, and Facilities Section. The facilities visited during the tour included:

- Webber Park Natural Swimming Pool, Minneapolis

- Central Park of Maple Grove

- Plant + Play Garden Area, Veterans Memorial, Hilde Performance Center, and Millennium Garden, Plymouth

- Aquatics Center, Eden Prairie

- Pamela Park, Edina

- Lawn Bowling Rinks, Golden Valley

MRPA extends a special thank you to those involved in highlighting their facilities.

MRPA is also grateful for the support of tour sponsor, RJM Construction.



Minnesota was one of three states to receive a grant from the National Council on Aging (NCOA). This grant provides funding for MRPA, in partnership with the Minnesota Association on Senior Services, to expand NCOA’s Aging Mastery Program® (AMP) in rural Minnesota by offering awards to 13 organizations. NCOA has provided additional information about this program, and we want to share this information with members.

What is the Aging Mastery Program® (AMP)?

AMP consists of a 10-week core curriculum and ongoing engagement activities designed to help older adults residing in rural communities take key steps to improve their health, independence, and financial stability. Each grantee will receive $12,000 in funding, plus an in-kind donation of $4,800 in program materials to implement AMP. This grant funding is designated for agencies located in rural communities with populations less than 50,000. The states that have previously implemented the program have had great success, and NCOA would like to see this program grow throughout the country.

For more information about AMP, please visit the links below:

Aging Mastery Program Introduction Video (2 minutes): https://youtu.be/vkghbhslb90

Full details of the program can be viewed here: www.ncoa.org/AMPGrant

How to Apply

NCOA will manage a request for proposal (RFP) process for all three states receiving funding, with the timeline beginning this month. Minnesota has formed an advisory committee that will oversee the process locally and make agency recommendations to NCOA for consideration. This advisory committee will also provide technical assistance to the award recipients.

Key Dates for the Aging Mastery Program:

• November 13 – RFP’s due

• December 18 – Advisory Committee reviews RFP’s

• December 31 – Grantees receive notification of awards

• January 1, 2016 – Grant period begins

Questions?

Nicole Gorman, 651-280-6971 [email protected]

Michelle Snider, 763-571-1305 x100 [email protected]

NCOA – [email protected]

National Council on Aging Grant

This year marks the 10-year anniversary for the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association’s magazine. The third magazine issue contained information about the 2006 MRPA Annual Conference. It was the first time annual conference information was in the magazine and mailed to parks and recreation professional, student, and corporate members. The 2006 MRPA Annual Conference was one of the largest conferences year-to-date. There were approximately 350 delegates that attended the conference in Plymouth, MN.

This magazine issue also featured articles on art collaboration, the MRPA professional award recipients, and the Minnesota Recreation and Park Foundation’s New Initiative Grant recipients for 2006.

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By Andrea Breitung, Three Rivers Park District

The demographic landscape of Minnesota is constantly evolving and with it, an increased need for organizations to be inclusive of and reflect a diverse population of people. Diversity encompasses a wide array of factors, with age, gender, and race commonly noted. However, it is important that our users reflect everyone in our service area, and we need to consider other aspects as well, such as physical abilities, language, life experiences, religion, and culture. Three Rivers Park District strives to be inclusive of all people. And with new community engagement efforts developing, we are just warming up.

Almost all programs and activities in Three Rivers Park District can be adapted for people with disabilities. People of all abilities can enjoy outdoor recreation skills such as archery, golf, downhill and cross-country skiing, mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, geocaching, and more through the Outdoor Recreation School,

Eagle Lake Youth Golf Center and Hyland Hills Ski Area. Many of these opportunities are available as public programs and through partnerships with Courage Kenny and other organizations. In addition, Three Rivers Park District provides qualified assistants for programs, sign language interpreters, all-terrain wheelchairs and Mobi-mats, and other adaptive equipment and services.

Seniors stay active through a variety of programs and activities offered by Three Rivers Park District. Older adults fine tune and test their golf skills in summer lesson leagues at Baker National Golf Course. Grandparents and their grandchildren bond during popular art programs at Silverwood Park and an overnight camp at Baker Near-Wilderness Settlement. Scott County seniors enjoy nature tours and conservation-minded readings, and Silverwood Park brings nature-inspired art



programs to residents of senior living facilities around the Twin Cities. Discounts are also available for select programs and activities.

Three Rivers Park District offers assistance to reduce financial barriers, too. School groups and individuals with financial need can experience the parks through fee reductions for bussing and Wonder Fund scholarships for programs. Youth can also participate in golf lessons and leagues with “golferships” through The First Tee of Three Rivers Park District and gain hunting certification and skills at Baker Near-Wilderness Settlement through support from various hunting organizations.

Youth can explore their field of interest with programs in Three Rivers Park District designed for skill development. Older youth interested in careers related to youth services, nature education, and sustainable agriculture acquire experience during service learning programs at Baker Near-Wilderness Settlement, Eastman Nature Center, and Gale Woods Farm. Beginning in 2016, young adults with barriers to employment can apply for a Pathways internship, which will offer opportunities to connect career interests with education, job skill development, and networking.

Three Rivers Park District is building relationships with community organizations which serve minority and

immigrant populations. The Outdoor Recreation School provides service opportunities,

leadership exploration activities, and fun outings to students through Interfaith

Outreach and Community Partners (IOCP). Gale Woods Farm expanded their Farm2School program to Brooklyn Center Schools this year, where the objective is to teach the benefits of growing, cooking, and eating whole foods. New biking initiatives in Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Park teach adults how to ride a bicycle and youth how to bike legally and safely. Naturalists from

Richardson Nature Center engage new immigrant families at meetings

and events through Bloomington Public School’s Office of Educational Equity

(OEE) to increase parent awareness of and comfort with park services and programs.

To further the goal of reaching diverse audiences, Three Rivers Park District launched the Parks on the Go

initiative in 2015. This program focuses on engaging local communities by bringing outdoor recreation and nature education to events across the Twin Cities. A generous donation from the Three Rivers Park District Foundation aided in the purchase of an outreach van to help carry out this initiative.

Three Rivers Park District continues to have open dialogues with many community partners to identify, address, and eventually remove barriers to the parks. Through these conversations and programming, our mission of environmental stewardship is reaching an increasing number of people in our service area. There are unlimited possibilities the more inclusive we can be. And the more inclusive we are of today’s populations, the better we can fully welcome tomorrow’s.

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by Bethani Gerhard, Minnesota Recreation and Park Association

In what is their perfect place to exercise, about 50 East African girls have met for the past several years in the Brian Coyle Center gym in Minneapolis. This is a female-only space in which East African girls can be active, and uphold their cultural beliefs concerning modesty.

“Girls Initiative in Recreation and Leisurely Sports (G.I.R.L.S.) promotes healthy physical activity in a fun, safe and culturally appropriate environment for East African girls in the Cedar-Riverside community,” says Salma Hussein, coordinator of community-based learning at the University of Minnesota. “The program began with Wednesday evening basketball sessions at the Brian Coyle Center gym eight years ago. As the attendance increased and a partnership with Fairview Hospital allowed for the leadership team to expand and add Sunday afternoons.”

The program called G.I.R.L.S. was established by Fatimah Hussein in 2008 as a way to provide culturally appropriate physical activity for East African girls. The Minneapolis Cedar-Riverside neighborhood is home to the largest East African immigrants in the United States.

Demand for the Brian Coyle Community Center gym was high and girls-only time was very limited. Hussein noticed the boys having fun shooting hoops in the Brian Coyle Community Center gym every day, and wanted to start something for the girls. According to the Tucker Center for Research on Girls and Women in Sport, Hussein asked for help from Melpomene, a St. Paul non-profit devoted to women’s health. They provided balls, scrimmage jerseys and two interns to teach the rules.

Culturally Appropriate Space for East African Girls


Recently, leaders of the program teamed with the University of Minnesota to produce culturally sensitive athletic apparel for Muslim girls. Many girls in the program mentioned that their traditional religious attire limited their ability to be active and impacted their comfort level. Students at the U of M College of Design co-designed apparel based on input from the G.I.R.L.S. participants, according to the Tucker Center for Research on Girls and Women in Sport. The team worked with the girls to create a first-of-its-kind sports uniform for Muslim girls. Community members were recruited to sew the clothing at a local mosque. Made from breathable fabrics, the garments included knee-length tunics, and leggings.

These culturally appropriate outfits have allowed the girls to be more comfortable to go to outdoor basketball courts. Having an exercise uniform is the latest development in a long effort to encourage Muslim girls to be more physically fit. In August of 2015, the G.I.R.L.S. program was honored during halftime ceremonies at a Minnesota Lynx game.

According to the Tucker Center for Research on Girls and Women in Sport, one goal is to make the culturally appropriate athletic apparel more affordable and accessible to any physically active Muslim girl. The G.I.R.L.S. culturally appropriate physical activity program has Wednesday sessions that are geared for girls in fifth through ninth grades. The Sunday sessions are for girls in high school, and even attract some in college.

“The girls who participate in G.I.R.L.S. continue to return to the program because of its focus on centering the work around their voice and experiences,” says Salma Hussein. “The program offers a unique opportunity for participants to move into leadership roles. Currently, half of the leaders are past program participants.”

The G.I.R.L.S. program is a part of GirlsWin nonprofit organization. G.I.R.L.S. is supported by several community organizations, including the Somali American Youth Enrichment Club (SAYEC), the University of Minnesota, Cedar Riverside Community School, Brian Coyle Community Center and Fairview Health Services.



Helping multi-ethnic newcomers integrate into the community is what Project FINE is all about. They help to empower those individuals with information and choices.

“We are a small group with a very important mission,” says Fatima Said, executive director of Project FINE, located in Winona County. “We help immigrants and refugees adjust to life in their new homes and become active members of the community.”

The mission of Project FINE is to help the diverse population of Winona County with integration by connecting residents to resources and programs. Project FINE provides foreign language interpreters and translators for immigrants and refugees, as well as opportunities for education, information, referral, and empowerment.

“We are the only organization in the area that works with newcomers,” states Said, who joined Project FINE as executive director in 2005. “We have been in Winona County for almost 25 years.” Their work is accomplished through a small staff of six employees, volunteer groups, language interpreters, and partnerships with businesses and organizations in the Winona community.

The City of St. Charles, 20 miles west of Winona, is a community of nearly 4,000 people that has a very diverse population.

“St. Charles’s diverse population is one of our greatest assets,” says Rick Schaber, director of St. Charles Parks and Recreation. “Project FINE has been an invaluable resource to our department. Through the various programs and services that they offer, our staff has been able to connect with families who otherwise may not have participated in programs or services.”

According to Schaber, Project FINE helps them attain their goal as an inclusive community. Said adds, “St. Charles has individuals from all across the globe, but the largest ethnic groups are Hmong and Latino. Project FINE has both a Hmong community liaison and a Hispanic/Latino community liaison. The City of St. Charles is a very important partner. We are able to use their parks for programs, and their facilities for meetings and educational sessions. They even let us use their equipment and supplies. They have been excellent to work with!”

Project FINE is committed to providing support and education to immigrants and refugees to benefit everyone in their community: businesses, schools and neighborhoods. “Project FINE supports thousands of refugees and immigrants who live in Winona County,” adds Said. “We help newcomers build a new life and support the future of our community.”

Integrating Ethnic Newcomers


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Originally, the City of Monticello tossed around the idea of having its own Internet system as a way to drive down prices and improve services by providing competition. They began exploring the idea in 2005 since local business owners were requesting it.

“The City of Monticello has its own Fiber Optics network, called FiberNet Monticello,” says Kitty Baltos, community center director for the City of Monticello. “This is our Internet, Wi-Fi or hard wired, phone, and TV utility.”

About 10 years ago, the Monticello City Council hired a consultant to study the economic viability of building and operating a municipal fiber optic network. According to Monticello’s website, the results showed that a new system could produce enough revenue to pay for its construction and operation. The City Council brought the idea to voters in a 2007 referendum. It passed with 74 percent voting to move forward with a city broadband system.

With a year delay, the City of Monticello finally built its own city-wide fiber optics network in 2009 and provided 100% fiber optic

Internet, digital telephone and TV throughout the city limits. With a population of about 13,000 people, Monticello is a growing community with a small town atmosphere located in Wright County.

In April of 2014, the Monticello School District started using the high-speed data lines with FiberNet. The district currently has bandwidth through fiber. Prior to installation of the new system, they had 170 Mbps which came from four sources that included DSL, cable and a pair of T-1 lines, making

it hard to manage and difficult to get high speeds.

FiberNet offers Gigabit and 500 Mbps internet speed to residential subscribers. For local businesses, FiberNet’s state-of-the-art fiber network provides reliability due to redundant servers, power and Internet connections. FiberNet offers more bandwidth than other providers in the area. It is environmentally controlled, and offers UPS and generator backed facilities for secure and reliable operation of network equipment.

Since 2005, the City of Windom has delivered Internet, cable television and telephone service to homes, businesses, and schools. The system is all housed in a building with reinforced concrete walls two-feet thick with a backup generator in a nearby room.

“We were the first city-owned telecommunications system in the state of Minnesota,” says Al Baloun, recreation director for the City of Windom. “Windomnet has been city owned for a little over 10 years now.”

One reason the city decided to build a telecommunications system was because many of the local businesses and residents began complaining their providers’ internet service wasn’t fast enough. Windom residents voted to approve the plan in the year of 2000. The City of Windom got to work building its own telecommunications system with the launch date of April, 2005. They had been testing it for weeks prior with local businesses and the feedback was very positive.

Fast forward to August of 2015, now all of the major parks in Windom have Wi-Fi. “The Windom Telecommunications Board really pushed to have Wi-Fi in the parks,” says Baloun. “Visitors can now feel free to use their cellphones to connect to the internet and not have to worry about using their data. They click an agreement for an open connection and it keeps them connected for 30 minutes. This helps us control the number of users on the system at any given time.”

Not only did the City of Windom add Wi-Fi to the ballfield complex and all the major parks in the area, there is also Wi-Fi at the outdoor swimming pool. A wireless antenna was added to the arena for visitors to gain access to Wi-Fi. For more information about the City of Windom’s telecommunications system, visit Windomnet.com.

Fiber Optics Network in the City of Monticello

Technology in ParksTechnology in ParksTechnology in Parks

Telecommunications System – The City of Windom



Agency, Contact Name and Email City of Burnsville, Tom Venables, [email protected]

How many of your parks have Wi-Fi? 6

How long have you provided Wi-Fi in your parks? Started 9 years ago

Have you had any Wi-Fi issues/complaints? Very little that we hear about. Occasional quality of signal issues.

How did you fund Wi-Fi in your parks? Through capital projects that were either initiated by the parks department and some IT enterprise funds. Through coordination of projects.

Any additional information that other city or county Good, reliable Wi-Fi takes some long term planning and requires agencies would find helpful? good backhaul infrastructure to connect to internet service. We started in parks that had fiber Optic infrastructure nearby. Wireless backhaul technology will work, but requires more maintenance, ongoing monitoring and has more issues with external interference like weather and seasonal changes.

Agency, Contact Name and Email New Ulm City Park and Recreation, Tom Schmitz, [email protected]

How many of your parks have Wi-Fi? 5 of 43

How long have you provided Wi-Fi in your parks? 1 year

Have you had any Wi-Fi issues/complaints? No

How did you fund Wi-Fi in your parks? 100% donated by NU Telecom, installation and service.

Any additional information that other city or county Service in parks will probably be turned off in winter. agencies would find helpful? City P&R has paid for installation and service of Wi-Fi in Recreation Center, Civic Center and Community Center. All Wi-Fi is free to users and requires no password.

Agency, Contact Name and Email Dakota County Parks Department, Doug Gross, [email protected]

How many of your parks have Wi-Fi? We offer Wi-Fi service to renters of our facilities in three parks: Thompson County Park, Spring Lake Park Reserve, and Lebanon Hills Regional Park. Wi-Fi is available to individuals who reserve the meeting room at Thompson County Park and Spring Lake Park Reserve. It is available to the general public at the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center and to Individuals who rent a campsite at Lebanon Hills Campground.

How long have you provided Wi-Fi in your parks? Wi-Fi has been available for guests at Lebanon Hills Campground for five years. It has been available to the general public at the Lebanon Hills Visitor Center for three years. Renters of Thompson County Park and Schaar’s Bluff Gathering center in Spring Lake Park Reserve have had access to Wi-Fi for three years.

Have you had any Wi-Fi issues/complaints? No we have not had many issues/complaints with people using Wi-Fi in the parks. We have received feedback that people would like it available in additional parks and locations in our parks.

How did you fund Wi-Fi in your parks? Wi-Fi service at the campground is funded by revenue generated at the campground. The Wi-Fi service at our other locations is funded by the county budget.

Any additional information that other city or county We are currently looking at ways to provide Wi-Fi at additional parks: agencies would find helpful? Whitetail Woods Regional Park and Lake Byllesby Regional Park.

Continued on page 18…

Wi-Fi in Parks Survey Results


Agency, Contact Name and Email West St. Paul Parks & Recreation, Dave Schletty, [email protected]


How long have you provided Wi-Fi in your parks Less than 3 years

Have you had any Wi-Fi issues/complaints? No

How did you fund Wi-Fi in your parks? General fund budgeting and included in park redevelopment projects.

Any additional information that other city or county Partnership with Dakota County to run fiber to our parks. agencies would find helpful?

Agency, Contact Name and Email Ramsey County Parks and Recreation, Jennifer Fink, [email protected]


Have you had any Wi-Fi issues/complaints? County provides guest Wi-Fi in some facilities, but not in outdoor spaces.

How did you fund Wi-Fi in your parks? County funded

Agency, Contact Name and Email Elk River Parks and Recreation, Michael Hecker, [email protected]

How many of your parks have Wi-Fi? One

How long have you provided Wi-Fi in your parks? One year

Have you had any Wi-Fi issues/complaints? No issues or complaints - in fact, residents have made positive comments.

How did you fund Wi-Fi in your parks? IT budget

Any additional information that other city or The system is on the city’s fiber optic network so it’s county agencies would find helpful? fast and is also used for the parks cameras.

Agency, Contact Name and Email Brainerd Parks and Recreation, Tony Sailer, [email protected]

How many of your parks have Wi-Fi? One

How long have you provided Wi-Fi in your parks? 6 months

Have you had any Wi-Fiissues/complaints? No

How did you fund Wi-Fi in your parks? Wi-Fi is provided only at our city campground. Campground revenue funds the Wi-Fi.

Agency, Contact Name and Email Vadnais Heights Parks and Recreation, Brigid Nault, [email protected]

How many of your parks have Wi-Fi? None at this time

Have you had any Wi-Fi issues/complaints? We have only had one request related to our City Festival, for a bean bag tournament.

Any additional information that other city or county We would like to have it in our parks and would like to hear what the costs agencies would find helpful? are, how others fund it, implement, notify park users of the availability, password and other operator all issues.

Agency, Contact Name and Email St. Charles Parks and Recreation, Rick Schaber, [email protected]

How many of your parks have Wi-Fi? Two parks - City Park & City Hall Park

How long have you provided Wi-Fi in your parks? 5 years

Have you had any Wi-Fi issues/complaints? The feedback has been all positive. We are a connected society. It is viewed by the public as one of those services, like water and sewer; you just have it.

How did you fund Wi-Fi in your parks? We were fortunate in that we approached one of our local providers, Hiawatha Broadband Communications (HBC), about the idea of Wi-Fi in our parks and around City Hall for guests coming to visit our community. Whitewater State Park is only seven miles from St. Charles with 265,000 visitors annually. HBC saw enough value to the idea and wanted a way to connect with that user group, so they installed the equipment.


MINNESOTA RECREATION AND PARK ASSOCIATION200 CHARLES STREET NEFRIDLEY, MN 55432

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minnesota recreation & parks magazine fall 2015

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