mpra spring 2013 magazine

parksofficial publication of the missouri park and recreation associationrecreationsp

ring 2

013

Missouri

&

turn to pages 4-8 for a complete list of award recipients

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Missouri Parks & Recreation ©2013 is the official publication of the Missouri Park and Recreation Association, an affiliate of the National Recreation and Park Association. The magazine is included in annual membership dues.

Jan Neitzert, CPRP, CAEExecutive [email protected] Gates, CPRPAssistant Executive [email protected]

Amanda [email protected]

Ashley [email protected]

Deadlines for articles, photos andadvertisements are:Winter - November 15Spring - February 15Fall - August 15

The Missouri Park and Recreation Association will comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by providing reasonable accommodations for our meetings, events and in our services when they are requested. Please make your accommodation request at least 72 hours in advance by calling our office at 573-636-3828.

Missouri Park & Recreation AssociationThe Musco Lighting Building2018 William StreetJefferson City, Missouri 65109-1186(573) 636-3828 (573) 635-7988 (fax)www.mopark.org

Advertising/editor/Production

deAdlines

MAnAging editors

Thank you to Musco Lighting, our Corporate Sponsor.

spring 2013Inside this issueAssociate Fellow and Fellow Awards MPRA 2013 Awards and Citations Hall of Fame Conference Re-Cap MPRA Education FundAnnouncementsMPRA Members in WashingtonThe HillBrumble’s Forest in GrandviewNational Trails DayClayton Earns NRPA Accreditation

4689

12 141819202122

Thank you!

coPy editor

Advertiser Index

We need your contributions!Missouri Parks and Recreation magazine is composed, in large part, from submitted articles and photos. We rely on your input to produce a successful publication. Please send articles, news and high-resolution photos to [email protected].

Cannon DesignBowman Bowman Novick, Inc.JacobsPlanning Design StudioMusco LightingZeroWaste

293032353536

Most Dependable Fountains, Inc.Northwest Missouri State UniversityCunningham Recreation/GameTimeMissouri Eagle - Busch BeerPilot Rock - RJ Thomas Mfg. Co.All Inclusive Rec Hydro Dramatics

2121324252626

Cover photo: Brumble’s Forest in Grandview. See page 20 for story.Photo below: Scholarship recipients accepting certificates at Conference.

A National Trails Day ChallengePARK(ing) Day 2013Celebrating a CentennialEmbracing ChangeNews From SpringfieldWhat’s Happening in HannibalSunset Hills Community CenterLet’s ALL Play in KirkwoodAvery ParkIce Cycle in Jefferson CityMore Function at the Junction

2324262728303132333334

4 Missouri Parks & Recreation • Spring 2013

St. Charles Parks and Recreation has been selected to receive the Recreation Council of Greater St. Louis’ 2013 Recreation Program of the Year Award. Mary Brown, grandmother of Tommy Brown, nominated the department for this exemplary award. Tommy has been a camper with the St. Charles Parks Department for the past five years. During that time, the day camp staff has been presented with many challenges to include Tommy in the camp. The happy memories and enthusiasm Tommy has for

day camp has made this a very rewarding experience for the staff. Teresa Martchink, Recreation Coordinator and Amanda Mejia, Recreation Specialist received the award on March 21, 2013 at the Des Peres Lodge which hosted the Annual Meeting and Recognition Ceremony.

Scott Davis began his professional career in 1999. After an internship in Colorado, he came to work for the City of Richmond Heights as a Recreation Specialist. His primary responsibilities were recreation programming for a new department and to prepare to open the much-anticipated community center, THE HEIGHTS.

It didn’t take long for Scott to move up the ladder and he was quickly promoted to Recreation Supervisor, then Recreation Manager, Facility Superintendent and now is Deputy Director. Each time he picked up more knowledge necessary to lead, manage, and mentor others. In his new position he is rapidly learning about park operations management.

Beyond work he has many hobbies including cooking, golf, softball, rooting on the Cardinals, dabbling in the market, and partying with friends, family, co-workers, and old fraternity brothers. His most recent endeavor, photography, started as a hobby. It has quickly become a passion for him, expanding into a side business of professional photography.

His greatest passion is his love of his family: wife Debbi and daughter Aubrey. Scott totally melts when he is around or talks about his daughter.

Scott realizes the importance of networking, being involved, and offering his talents on an even higher level. For MPRA, not only does he regularly attend annual conferences, socials and workshops, but he has been involved on the board level serving as a director at large. His creative ideas and solutions have greatly benefitted the Association. He single-handedly crafted and carried out the Splash Pass program which has netted the Association tens of thousands of dollars. Each year he sees the program through from start to finish, often driving to each site to drop off and pick up passes. He also uses his financial talents to serve on the investment and annual fund committees. Scott attained his AFO and CPRP certifications, is a graduate of the Leadership Development Institute and most recently completed year one of the NRPA Park and Recreation Maintenance Management School.

Richmond Heights has been fortunate to have an employee of Scott’s caliber. He is a natural choice as the 2013 Associate Fellow Award recipient.

Congratulations to the 2013 Associate Fellow, Scott Davis of Richmond Heights.

Scott DavisAssociate Fellow Award

A Closer Look at MPRA’s Fellow Recipients

Recreation Award Goes to St. Charles Submitted by Rosie Rosenthal, St. Charles Enterprise Superintendent

Tommy Brown (far left) with his day camp group

www.mopark.org 5

Bob is a Springfield native who is now responsible for many of the parks he used as a child. Bob grew up playing in Sequiota Park and participated in the Park Board’s baseball and basketball programs. He prepared himself well for the position he holds today as Director of Parks at the Springfield - Greene County Park Board. He is back where he completed his graduate internship in 1998 working with Jodie Adams. He graduated from Missouri State University and University of Missouri with degrees in Psychology, Parks, Recreation and Tourism.

Bob has held the positions of Assistant Director and/or Director in four major Parks Systems - City of Blue Springs, MO, Sioux City, IA, City of Independence, MO, and now at the Springfield-Greene County Park Board as Director after serving as Assistant Director and Interim Director for the past six years. Springfield City Manager, Greg Burris, said: “Bob possesses institutional knowledge of the department, greatly appreciates that history, and is focused on listening to our citizens as we plan our future. As we near the Park Board’s 100-year anniversary, we’re lucky to have him leading Parks into our next 100 years.”

He’s an MPRA Past-President and received the Outstanding

Young Professional Award in 1993 and the Associate Fellow Award in 1996. Bob has served on the MU School of Natural Resources Advisory Council since 2002 and as a representative to the Great Lakes Region of National Parks and Recreation Association. Bob sits on the Board of Directors for the Springfield Sports Commission, an organization whose mission is to promote and develop the Springfield area for athletes at all levels.

The influence of retired directors like Dan Kinney, Jodie Adams, Roscoe Righter and his academic mentor, Dr. Randy Vessel, all played an important role in grooming Mr. Belote for success.

Bob, his wife, Deanna, his son, Alex and daughter, Abby, were named the 2011 USTA Mo Valley Tennis “Family of the Year,” and the Belote household routinely calls the Cooper Tennis Complex their “second home.” “The best things about our Parks system” said Belote, “are the people who use it and the great partners and groups that our staff has the privilege of working with.” Missouri born and educated, there’s no doubt Bob deserves the MPRA Fellow Award.

Congratulations to Bob Belote, 2013 Fellow Award Recipient.

Bob Belote Fellow Award

The Raymore Parks and Recreation program Nature Quest continues to grow in its second year. The number of participants doubled in 2013. This year, Kim Hess from the Lakeside Nature Center presented a program on “Birds of Prey” and Joe Ketchum from the Missouri Hunting Heritage Federation taught the kids about tracking local

furbearing animals. In March, Phil Needham of the Missouri Department of Conservation took the kids on a hike at Raymore’s Hawk Ridge Park. Phil discussed different animal habitat, food supplies, animal and bird sounds and fish and ducks found in Johnston Lake. The students saw deer, ducks and watched a flock of pelicans fly over.

Nature Quest in Raymore Left: Evan Campbell studies his furbearers guide to match the deer hoof he is holding.

Right: Phil shows the students a seed pod from a willow oak and explains how it gets eaten by critters and redistributes seeds for more oaks to grow in the future.

Submitted by: Jerri Lynn Keith, Recreation Coordinator, Raymore Parks & Recreation

Support Staff awardMichelle Clemens (L) - Webster Groves

Nominated by: Mike Oppermann (R)

IndIvIdual CItatIonChip Cooper (R) - City of Columbia

Nominated by: Becky StidhamPresented by: Mike Hood (L)

IndIvIdual CItatIonSharon Sumner - Kansas CityNominated by: Forest Decker

organIzatIon CItatIonLee’s Summit Parks and Recreation

Accepted by: Tom Lovell (L)Nominated by: Janet Snook (R)

MuSCo gIvebaCk awardAnn Moore (center) - City of Eureka

Nominated by: Michael Biedenstein (R)

retIreMent ServICe awardKen Kwantes (R) - City of Rolla

Nominated by: Joey Rich (L)

retIreMent ServICe awardSteve Lampone - Kansas CityNominated by: Mark McHenry

retIreMent ServICe awardRon Veach (R)- City of Florissant

Nominated by: Bettie Yahn-Kramer (L)

organIzatIon CItatIonOsage Region Trail Association

Nominated by: Phil Stiles (holding plaque)

organIzatIon CItatIonSunset Optimist Club of Blue Springs

Nominated by: Pam Buck and Marty Bears

organIzatIon CItatIonConfluence Chapter of the Missouri Master Naturalists

Nominated by: The St. Charles Parks and Recreation Department

Do you know someone deserving of an award? Be sure to nominate them! Information for 2014 isn’t available yet - but you can visit

http://bit.ly/MPRAawards to find out more about the nomination

and selection process.

park & natural reSourCeS SeCtIon dIStInguIShed ServICe

Tim Brunsman (R)- City of Richmond HeightsNominated by: Jim Kent (L)

park & natural reSourCeS SeCtIonoutStandIng Young profeSSIonalMike Snyder (Center)- City of Columbia

Nominated by: Jim Kent (L)Presented by: Gabe Huffington (R)

SportS SeCtIon exCellenCe In ServICe

Corey Newgent (R)- City of Des PeresNominated by: Nikki Thole Buechler

Presented by: Brian Schaffer (L)

SportS SeCtIonoutStandIng volunteer CoaCh

Steve Strum (R) - City of ClaytonNominated by: Tim Hohenstein

Presentedy by: Patty DeForrest (L)

aquatICS SeCtIon dIStInguIShed ServICe

Jason Valvero (L)- City of KirkwoodNominated by: Bert Forde (R)

aquatICS SeCtIon outStandIng Young profeSSIonal

Jessica Rallo (R)- Midwest Pool ManagementNominated by: Crissy Withrow (L)

“Today, with an increased focus on conservation, recreation, health and wellness, good stewardship of our parks and open spaces has never been more important . . . Too many kids are spending too much time in front of computer screens. Think about it: Parents can pay hundreds of dollars for an Xbox360 so their kids can sit on the couch and kill zombies all day. Or they can turn off the videogames and go to the city park, a county park, a state park– and have fun in the real world - for free! And with an aging population focused on wellness - us Boomers want to live forever - there’s no better medicine than getting into the great outdoors.

“At a time when other states were shutting down their parks, we kept all of ours open. Despite record heat and drought,

2012 saw our highest number of visits and highest revenues ever. We have a unique opportunity for a bond issuance that would pay to improve our parks system . . .an investment that will have

big impact on tourism, and tourism is big business in Missouri. Last year, 36 million visitors came to Missouri, pumping nearly $11 billion into our state’s economy.

“With outstanding support from MPRA and others, we’ve worked hard for the last year towards the creation of the Missouri Trails Alliance. Our goal is to make Missouri not only the Nations’ Number One state for camping, but also the nation’s best trails state.

“The forests, streams and wildlife of Missouri are part of who I am. In many ways, they made me the man I am. So I look at the things I’m being honored for today as a way of showing my gratitude, and paying it forward . . .

by visiting every state park and historic site in my second year in office, by launching the Children in Nature Challenge, by starting the nationally-recognized State Parks Youth Corps.

“Like you, I want not only to preserve our priceless outdoor heritage for all Missouri citizens, but to leave things in better shape than we found them. So again, thank you for this award, and for your commitment to good stewardship of this place we call home.”

Jeremiah (Jay) Nixon Governor of Missouri

Nominated by: Bill Bryan

Governor Nixon with State Parks Director, Bill Bryan


Presented by: Hall of Fame

Committee Chair, Roscoe Righter

Peter G. Sortino is the 2013 inductee for the Missouri Recreation and Parks Hall of Fame. Many of you may never have heard his name, but he has been a tireless advocate for Missourians’ quality of life for many years, most notably in the St. Louis region.

In 1999, Peter led the effort to pass enabling legislation in the Illinois and Missouri General Assemblies to create metropolitan parks and recreation districts in each state. His leadership led to the overwhelming bi-state approval on Proposition C, the first of its kind - and the resulting creation of the Great Rivers Greenway District, the legacy of the “St. Louis 2004” vision of the Danforth Foundation. Mr. Sortino served as President of that initiative.

In the Spring of 2011, Mr. Sortino again aligned himself with a new vision: “Framing a Modern Masterpiece CityArchRiver 2015.” Working with Civic Progress, this legislation was passed in the 2012 Missouri General Assembly and will go to the voters in St. Louis County and St. Louis City in April, 2013. If passed, this 3/16 cent tax will generate an estimated $38 million annually for GRG, Arch Grounds redevelopment, regional parks and municipalities in the area. The 2012 legislation also includes a provision for Jackson County to pursue the MetroGreen initiative.

Mr. Sortino’s efforts have allowed the St. Louis region to leave a legacy for the future that sets it apart, creating a community that attracts and retains young people, visitors and businesses who want to be part of an active and vibrant lifestyle.

Peter G. Sortino

L to R: Susan Trautman, Peter Sortino, Roscoe Righter and Mary Vaughan

L to R: Susan Trautman, Mrs. Sortino, Peter Sortino, Roscoe Righter and Mary Vaughan

haringhaping thePast

FutureI would like to take a moment to look back on the 2013 Conference, “Sharing the Past and

Shaping the Future.” To begin with, I’m very grateful to Patty DeForrest for asking me to be the 2013 Conference Chair. I was very fortunate to get to work with the MPRA staff and an amazing conference committee who wanted to provide members with a Conference to remember.

Snow, snow, and more snow! I was happy to see that not even a mini blizzard could stop MPRA members from getting together to attend conference. While we had a ton of great educational sessions during Conference, the weather

snafu kept a few of the speakers from being able to get to the Lake. Thankfully, our association is full of professionals who are willing to step up and fill in when needed. That’s what I call commitment! We missed out on the winery, but found out we can have a great time if we just have a place to hang out, and some food and drink. The folks in our profession know how to make the best out of what we have available! Of course, we also like to go all out as we experienced in the other socials. MPRA members love reuniting with friends from our past, meeting new individuals in our field, having fun and spending time together learning more about our profession.

I learned many new things about myself just from the General Session. I learned that Jan thinks we’re all tools. I learned from our keynote speaker, Andy Core, that I need to drink more water and get

more sleep. Now, if I could just find a few more hours in the day I would be great. We had several awards given to individuals. We also had a unique opportunity having Governor Jay Nixon join us to receive an award and speak about our great profession. We have so many sponsors who support our Conference and make Conference more affordable for everyone. Please don’t forget how important they are! We had a packed Expo Hall with venders willing and able to help with all of our business needs. Finally, we had a successful auction and many student activities throughout the week. Remember: students are our future!

Finally, hats off to the new Fitness Section! And start looking forward to another great Conference in 2014. Thank you!

A Look Back At Conference

Laurie Herzing

2013 Conference Chair

Patty DeForrest – PresidentLaurie Herzing – Conference ChairChris Deal – Program ChairMaralee Britton – Exhibit Hall ChairJulia Thompson – Sponsor ChairAmy Epple & Melissa Strader – Social Chairs

Kim Nicas – Auction ChairErika Coffman – Room Host ChairAmy Hays – Student ActivitiesPaul Beck – Technology ChairCraig Feldt – Awards ChairRoscoe Righter – Hall of Fame Chair

Thank you, Conference Committee


February 26-March 1

Tan-Tar-A Resort

Lake Ozark, Missouri

haringhaping thePast

Future

Thank you for joining us at

Conference 2013! See you next year!

-MPRA Staff

www.mopark.org 11

thank

you,

co

nfere

nce s

pons

ors

All Inclusive RecBowman Bowman Novick

Cannon DesignCommercial AquaticsCouncilman-Hunsaker

Cunningham Recreation – Delegate GiftDG2 Design

Fry & Associates, IncGateway Fireworks

JacobsLandscape Brands

Landscape StructuresMissouri Eagle

MOPERCMusco Lighting

Northwest Missouri State UniversityOates Associates

Planning Design StudioSSCISWT

University of Missouri - MOCAN

2013 MPRA Conference Sponsors


MPRA Education Fund “Launch” Exceeds Expectations

Create possibilities for individuals and communities to enhance parks and recreation

for their citizens!

Copyright © Missouri Park & Recreation Association. All rights reserved. [email protected]

Missouri Park and Recreation Association2018 William Street

Jefferson City, Missouri 65109www.mopark.org

The Board of Directors has approved the establishment of a new fund with our partner, Truman Heartland Community Foundation. They offer expertise in planned giving solutions to assist us in growing that fund. It is set up to begin taking donations immediately . . . starting at our 2013 Annual Conference . . .

Our first goal is to build a fund of

at least $25,000. This would generate $1,250 in scholarships annually

and continue to grow.

In June of 2013, the 2013-2014 Board of Directors will establish a standing committee whose task it will be to draft guidelines for the administration of the program. (If you are interested in serving on this committee, we would welcome you - please contact the MPRA office as soon as possible.)

This committee will work with our partner, Truman Heartland, on how to draft and solicit applications, how the application review will be conducted, specifications for awards, etc.

In addition, the committee will ensure compliance with all applicable tax laws for both donors and MPRA.

So, in order to

get ready...

Coming up...

Online donations can be made via the THCF website at www.thcf.org

it forward!

Let’s

The MPRA Charitable Giving initiative was rolled out with great success at the 2013 Annual Conference. Over $5,000 in donations and commitments was received from contributors. The enthusiasm and response displayed by many towards this effort exceeded expectations. Our initial committee of Dave White, Jodie Adams, Roscoe Righter, Charlie Barr, Mike Oppermann and President Patty DeForrest, along with MPRA staff, displayed solid leadership in getting things out of the gate.

A survey taken by MPRA late in 2012 supports educational opportunities as the priority on an immediate basis. As the program evolves and matures a more diverse undertaking will be considered including the potential of supporting community projects at a certain level. The initial goal of $25,000 has been established to allow for the principal to remain untouched after awards are made. All funds will be professional managed by our current Fund Manager, Truman Heartland Community Foundation.

The strategic plan specifically calls for consideration of a plan where in members and friends of MPRA can include the association in their planned giving decisions. The intention will be for MPRA to be considered being a recipient of bequests from wills, estates and other charitable instruments. The potential long term benefits for MPRA and its membership is significant.

In June of 2013 the Board of Directors will establish a standing committee whose task it will be to draft guidelines for the administration of the program. If you are interested in serving on this committee we would welcome you. Please contact Jan at the MPRA office as soon as possible at 573-636-3828.

Department of Health and Human Services

Dr. Terry Long, Graduate [email protected]

Dr. Matt Symonds, [email protected]

Advance your career with a graduate degree fromNorthwest Missouri State University

The Department of Health and Human Services offers graduate programs in:

■ Recreation■ Applied Health and

Sport Science■ Health and

Physical Education

Graduate assistantships are available

Congratulations to Mary Jo Dessieux! If you made a donation at the 2013 Conference, you were entered in a chance to win an iPad. Mary Jo was the lucky winner. Thank you to everyone who contributed!

Are you ready to contribute to the Charitable Giving Fund?

Go to the following web address for step-by-step directions on how to donate immediately

via the internet.

http://bit.ly/MPRAdonation

www.mopark.org 13

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Maryland Heights Hires Social Services CoordinatorIn response to a growing need for services for seniors in the community, the Maryland Heights Parks and Recreation Department has expanded its Social Services Coordinator position from part-time to full-time and hired Elizabeth Mensing to fill the role.

Mensing, a Wisconsin native, earned a bachelors degree in Social Work and Psychology from the University of Wisconsin Madison. She then worked for two years at a non-profit senior coalition in Madison, where she was a bilingual (Spanish/English) case manager for older adults living in the community. She left to pursue a Master of Social Work degree with a focus in Gerontology at the Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis. Mensing was attracted to the newly expanded position with the City of Maryland Heights because it will allow her to develop new programs and provide individual support to residents in need of assistance in a variety of areas, from leisure time programming, to understanding Medicare benefits to the challenges of home maintenance.

“The job is a great opportunity to work with older adults in a community setting,” she said. “I like the idea of providing programs and services to older adults so that they can continue to live active and engaged lives in their community.” Mensing looks forward to getting to know the senior residents who are already involved in city programs and finding out what programs and services are important to them. “I hope to expand access to social services and add to the variety of great programming we have in order to appeal to more older adults in the community,” she said. “Additionally, I hope to create partnerships with other departments to further meet the needs of older adults in the community.”

Mike Griggs Named Director of Columbia Parks and Recreation Mike Griggs was recently promoted to the position of Director of the Columbia Parks and Recreation Department after a nationwide search by the City of Columbia. He replaces Mike Hood who retired on March 14. Griggs had served as the

department’s Assistant Director for the last year. He has been with Columbia Parks and Recreation for 26 years. Griggs was hired in 1984 as the Sports Programming Supervisor and stayed in that position until he moved to Sedalia as Director of Parks and Recreation. He returned to Columbia in 1993 as Superintendent of Parks Management and Operations, until a department restructuring in 1998 created the Park Services Manager position, which he held until his promotion to Assistant Director in 2012.

Griggs holds a bachelor’s degree in recreation and parks administration and a master’s degree in parks, recreation and

tourism from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He has served as an adjunct instructor teaching parks management for the UMC School of Natural Resources for almost 20 years. Griggs has held numerous leadership positions—including president—with MPRA and won the Fellow Award in 2004. He is accredited as a Certified Park & Recreation Professional by the National Recreation and Park Association.

Chesterfield Parks and Recreation Welcomes New Employees

Ashley Wiedner has been hired on as a Recreation Specialist. She was born and raised in St. Charles and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation Administration from Lindenwood University. She says, “I love everything about recreation– it’s been a huge part of my life and I couldn’t think of having any other career. I love the outdoors and try to get outside as much

as possible. I like to go camping, biking, hiking and pretty much any other outdoor activity. I also really enjoy sports and am a huge Cardinals, Blues and Mizzou fan.” Welcome, Ashley!

Chesterfield is also happy to welcome Craig Shelley as a Recreation Specialist. Craig received his degree in Parks, Recreation and Tourism with a minor in business from the University of Missouri.

Craig was our intern at MPRA in 2012 and was a tremendous help with the 2012 Conference.

In his free time, Craig enjoys watching the Cardinals, Blues and Mizzou basketball. He

also plays occasionally in volleyball and soccer leagues, as well as a St. Charles County billiards league. “I have been playing the guitar for three years,” he added, “but I’m still not very good at it.”

Hohenstein Promoted at ClaytonTim Hohenstein joined Clayton Parks and Recreation as a Recreation Assistant in 2010. Recently, Tim was promoted to the new expanded position of Athletics and Facilities Supervisor which combines the responsibilities of two sports supervisors into one all-encompassing role. Tim oversees sports programs, summer camps, and youth

and adult sports leagues, as well as the management of Shaw Park Ice Rink, Tennis Center and athletic fields. Tim is excited for the challenge of redesigning the sports division to more efficiently serve the needs of the Clayton community.

Announcements

New employee? Promotion? Transfer? Get the Word Out! 14 Missouri Parks & Recreation • Spring 2013

www.mopark.org 15

New employee? Promotion? Transfer? Get the Word Out! email news to [email protected] 15

Springfield-Greene County Park Board Announces New Employees

The Springfield-Greene County Park Board welcomes John Waldo as its new Financial Analyst.

John, who joined the Park Board in January, holds an MBA in Finance from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. He is certified as an American Society for Quality - Six Sigma Black Belt.

Originally from Minnesota, John is an experienced classical guitarist who has

performed around the world and recorded several albums. He is a voting member of the Grammy Recording Academy and also teaches classical guitar.

John comes to Parks after working with Springfield’s Askinosie Chocolate, where he was instrumental in developing their financial model, the farmer profit-sharing protocol, and the Choc-o-lot database.

John says he has enjoyed the use of the Springfield-Greene County park system, and now looks forward to new challenges in serving the Park Board as financial analyst.

The Springfield-Greene County Park Board was pleased to name Jon Carney as Superintendent of General Services in September 2012.

Jon grew up in Wichita, KS, earning a MA in Park Resource Management from Kansas State University in 2001. He has worked for the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Platte County (MO) Parks and Recreation. He served as

Parks Superintendent for the City of Topeka Parks Department and Shawnee County (KS) Parks and Recreation, before the two departments consolidated in early 2012.

Jon lives in Springfield with his wife, Amy, and 4-year-old daughter, Fabian.

Jon replaces former Superintendent of General Services Miles Park, who was promoted to Assistant Director of Parks in 2011.

Gottschalk Retires from Kansas City ParksSharon Gottschalk recently retired after 12 years and 11 months of service to Kansas City Parks. Congratulations, Sharon! Enjoy retirement!

New Employees in WillardJ.C. Loveland was hired as the Community Service Director for the City of Willard in February, 2013. He comes from Springfield-Greene County Park Board where he worked for 2 years as a Recreation Specialist and 6 years as a Recreation Supervisor. J.C. has a Masters Degree in Education Athletic Activities Administration. “I am very excited for the opportunity to work for the Willard community. I cannot wait to build on the already great park board in Willard.”

Amanda Allen was hired as the Programs/Events Coordinator for the City of Willard in March, 2013. Amanda has worked seasonally for 5 years in the Willard Parks system. Best wishes in your new position, Amanda.

Whitney Shoffner was promoted to the Operations & Aquatics Supervisor for the City of Willard in January, 2013. Whitney has worked full time for Willard Parks for 3.5 years. Previously Whitney worked for the City of Ozark Park Board for 1 year. We congratulate her on the promotion.

Recreation Supervisor Hired in Mexico

Mexico Parks and Recreation would like to announce the hiring of a new recreation supervisor Megan Wilkerson. Megan is from South City St. Louis, born and raised. She graduated from the University of Central Missouri in 2010 with her Bachelor

of Science in General Recreation. She has worked for the YMCA of Greater St. Louis and the Missouri Department of Conservation. She also has worked as an outdoor education specialist at the Besty Jeff Penn 4-H Educational Center in Reidsville, NC.

spring 2013

The oldest city park on record by The Trust for Public Land is the Plaza de la Constitucion established in 1573 in St. Augustine, Florida.


Republic Parks & Recreation Welcomes Jackson as new Recreation SupervisorSuzanne Jackson has been hired as the new Recreation Supervisor for the Republic Parks & Recreation Department. Ms. Jackson previously served as the General Manager for the Executive Conference Center in

Springfield, MO. She will serve the department and the citizens of Republic in multiple capacities including athletics, community programs, special events, marketing, etc.

Kansas City Announces New Deputy DirectorTerry Rynard was hired as Deputy Director for the City of KCMO on Feb. 25. Terry returns to her hometown of Kansas City where she started in 1981 as a seasonal maintenance worker before leaving the City in 2003 as the Park Superintendent. Her

career took her next to Ann Arbor, Michigan and most recently served as the Deputy Director of Fort Lauderdale, FL for the past 8 years. While she states the experience and knowledge she gained in this other cities has proved very valuable, “there is no place like home.”

Terry enjoys coaching, spending time with family and friends and reading when not at work. When asked what drew her back to the department after 10 years away, she replied, “It was always a pleasure working in the City I was born and raised in, and to have an opportunity to end my career where it started over 30 years ago was definitely intriguing. But the reality is, I have always had the utmost respect for the department, the leadership and the legacy that is Kansas City Missouri Parks and Recreation, and coming home to this department just felt right. Mr. McHenry and Mr. Lampone have both been tremendous mentors for me throughout my career and I guess I just felt like I still had a little more to learn. I am blessed to have this opportunity and hope to carry on the tradition of this Department.”

Two Promotions For the City of Harrisonville Parks & Recreation

The City of Harrisonville is proud to announce two promotions within the Parks and Recreation Department. John Forbis was promoted to the position of Recreation Services Manger. John started his duties on March 4th and they include direct supervision of all recreation services, manager of the Community Center operations including membership growth, retention

and facility expansions. John also oversees fitness programming, department marketing, Rec Trac system administration, website maintenance, financial accounting services and direct supervision of front desk operations.

Cassie Murphy was promoted from part time to Full Time Recreation Services Coordinator. Cassie also started this position on March 4th, which includes youth and adult sports leagues, clinics and tournaments, summer day camp assistance, department wide concession sales and special events.

Section Election Results

Sports SectionLiz Hickox - President

Andy Fleck - Secretary/Treasurer

Aquatic SectionMatt Crouse - President

Jessica Rallo- Secretary/Treasurer

Fitness SectionChristie Gleason - President

John Forbis - Secretary/Treasurer

Announcements

New employee? Promotion? Transfer?16 Missouri Parks & Recreation • Spring 2013

Get the Word Out!

$146 billion was spent in 2011

by hunters, anglers and wildlife watchers on related

equipment, trips or other purchases.

www.mopark.org 17

New employee? Promotion? Transfer? Get the Word Out! email news to [email protected] 17

spring 2013Legislative Update - 2013 SessionAs of this magazine’s printing, below are bills that MPRA is monitoring for potential impact on our members and/or our partners:

Bill Number Sponsor Description MPRA’s Position

SB 10 & 25 Schmitt Tax Credits for Sporting Events In Favor Cities and counties are Signed by Governor eligible applicants. HB 345/SB 241 Lager Installation of Wireless facilities In Opposition on Public Lands; allows tele- Passed out of Senate; communications companies to Awaiting comittee referral. sue if denied. SB 157 Sater Enhanced enforcement for illegal In Favor scrap metal sales.

SJR3/HJR14 Schaefer Bondingthatwouldbenefit In Favor State Parks Voted Do Pass

SJR 16 & HJR 23 Kehoe 1% sales tax for transportation, In Favor* McKenna including consideration of non- Contact Regional motorized. Would go to vote of Planning Commissions the people. with support. Attend Listening Sessions** *Would prefer solid set-aside formula for non-motorized**http://www.missourionthemove.org/events/month/Please monitor these bills (and others that you become aware of) and stay in touch with the MPRA office as we share updates and request actions from members.

Ballwin - June 5, 2013O’Fallon - June 26, 2013Kirkwood - July 10, 2013

For details - visit: http://bit.ly/MPRAaquatic

MPRA members joined almost 200 parks and recreation professionals and friends in Washington, D.C. March 18-20 for NRPA’s annual Legislative Forum.

Mark McHenry, Tom Lovell, Janet Snook, Bob Hall, Jennifer Upah and Jan Neitzert traveled to the Capitol to meet with our Senators, Representatives and their staff, prepared to discuss Federal issues and how they are affecting Missourians back home.

The major issues included: Funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, specifically protection of the Stateside portions; authorization of the Community Parks Revitalizations Act (formerly UPARR); and re-authorization of the surface transportation programs (MAP-21), specifically funding for biking and walking projects. On the MAP-21 issue, it was also

emphasized that if this taps the Outer Continental Shelf revenues, it should not be at the expense of LWCF allocations. We were also informed about the value of exposing children to nature and how parks and recreation agencies and professionals can be significant partners in providing well-rounded education and assistance in health, wellness and physical activity.

Another member of Missouri’s delegation was Jay Snook, 12, who accompanied MPRA members to several meetings. His reflections on the Capitol experience are included in this issue of Parks and Recreation. MPRA is grateful to this group who spent their time and resources to keep our elected officials informed about all we do to benefit their constituents.

MPRA Members a Long Way from Missouri

Governor Nixon has proclaimed May 18 to be

Kids to Parks DayStart the summer season out right by taking the kids on an outdoor adventure! Missouri State Parks encourages all Missourians to get out in a park on

National Kids to Parks Day! This national event is sponsored by the National Park Trust and endorsed by Missouri State Parks.

At a time when an obesity epidemic touches nearly one in three children who are either overweight or obese, communities are witnessing sky-rocketing rates of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and elevated cholesterol levels in children. Missouri State Parks is committed to a simple motto: “active kids are healthy kids” and encourages visitors to use National Kids to Parks Day as the first of many days spent outdoors, at state parks and historic sites, to develop more active, healthy lifestyles! Attend a family-oriented activities planned for National Kids to Parks Day! A brief listing of activities and locations is provided. Find many more at: http://mostateparks.com/page/60264/national-kids-parks-day

Reach for the Sky! Arrow Rock State Historic Site, Arrow Rock 10:30 a.m.

Outdoor Adventures Sam A. Baker State Park, Patterson 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Trillium Trail Nature Hike

Battle of Athens State Historic Site, Athens 1 p.m.

Old Time Games Battle of Lexington State Historic Site, Lexington

10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Scavenger Hunt Bennett Spring State Park, Lebanon 11 a.m.

Town Ball Game Bollinger Mill State Historic Site, Burfordville 2 p.m.

Nurturing Nature at Bothwell Lodge

Bothwell Lodge State Historic Site, Sedalia 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Natioanl Kids to Parks Day

Crowder State Park, Trenton 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Cuivre River Snake Program

Cuivre River State Park, Troy 2 p.m.

Youth Fishing Day Finger Lakes State Park, Columbia

10 a.m. - Noon

Historical Children’s Festival

First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site, St. Charles

10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Outdoor Play + Learning = Fun

Ha Ha Tonka State Park, Camdenton 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Nature Scavenger Hunt

Hawn State Park, Ste. Genevieve 10 a.m.

Mudpie Magic Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park, Lesterville

2 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Katy Dawdle Ride Katy Trail State Park, St. Charles 10 a.m.

Insect Olympics Knob Noster State Park, Knob Noster 1 p.m.

www.mopark.org 19

The HillSubmitted by: Jay Snook, 12, a 6th grader at Sunset Valley Elementary in Lee’s Summit. Jay comes from a parks and recreation background:

parents Janet and Joe are both parks and recreation professionals.When my Mom asked me to join her for the NRPA Legislative Forum, I agreed to go. I had been to Jeff City twice before with my parents for MPRA’s legislative action day. I figured that my trip to DC would be much the same – I would tag along with Mom and sit quietly while she talked to the senators and representatives at the Capitol. Boy, was I wrong!

Truthfully, I wasn’t very happy with mom when she woke me up so early to get to Washington. We needed to go to the education sessions to learn about the points to talk about with the legislators. The first session gave us info on the Transportation Bill, MAP-21, and a proposal to create an urban parks funding program. In MAP-21, there are special trail funding programs that were grouped together. Those programs included one called Safe Routes to Schools. As I learned a little more about it, an idea came to me.

I was thinking that it would be cool to have a trail going from my neighborhood to my school. I felt like I needed to encourage the legislators to fund these programs for all the benefits that trails like this give us students.

The very next morning, we got on the bus at the hotel and drove to Capitol Hill. On the bus I didn’t feel nervous, but once I got inside the Capitol butterflies were building up in my stomach. The first meeting we had was an open reception at a senator’s office. There were a lot of people there, and it felt like the staff wasn’t able to take in as much information as I felt they needed. The second meeting was with Congressman Cleaver on the complete opposite side of the Hill. One of the senator’s staff members kindly led us under the Capitol to the House side so we would not have to go through security again! (Thank you, Mr. Brown!)

One of the other members of our group did a great job of telling our story to Congressman Cleaver’s staff, so I didn’t feel like I needed to talk. I really liked meeting

Congressman Cleaver. He shook my hand and we got a cool picture!

After lunch we met Senator McCaskill’s staff member. I felt shy and talked very little, but I was proud that I had found the courage to speak up at all.

At the last meeting, with Congresswoman Wagner’s staff, one of our team members, Bob Hall, opened up the floor to me in the middle of our meeting. I mustered up the courage to speak a lot about my point. I really liked it because I felt like the staff members truly listened to me as I talked about the benefits of trails and about my specific trail idea.

I am very glad that I did not sit quietly at the Capitol! I am ready to tackle the trail project at home at my school!


This spring, Grandview Parks and Recreation will commemorate its 25th Arbor Day celebration...and it will be holding the event in an “enchanted” forest!

Brumble’s Forest − a $1.2 million project that includes a new shelter house, restroom, parking lot and “magical forest” playground − is the

newest addition to Meadowmere Park. The unique playground was designed to be a destination spot where families could spend an entire day. It features a treetop fort, giant mushrooms and climbing rocks with hidden fossils, sand and water play areas, a Dodo Bird maze, a nature trail, and traditional features like swings and slides.

As part of the design process, students at nearby Meadowmere Elementary School, as well as kids and parents at The View Community Center in Meadowmere Park, voted on the play features they wanted to see most. Evelyn Jones, who teaches 5th grade at Meadowmere, said the process was a real treat for her students.

“They were so excited and ecstatic about the whole process,” Jones said. “They liked helping figure out what elements of the playground other kids might enjoy. They felt honored because they were really part of the process.”

The result was Brumble’s Forest - a magical forest where endangered, extinct and imaginary animals thrive. An existing grove of trees allowed for play equipment to be nestled within the shade, providing the comfort requested by the public...as well as creating a home for the imaginary character, Brumble Pondswatter.

“Brumble was to remain unseen, though the evidence of him is all around...his footprints crisscross the walkways,” explained Lara Justesen, Vireo Landscape Architect for the project. “Though Brumble hides, his friends (a Dodo bird, a hornless rhinoceros and a three-toed Sloth) can be spotted within their favorite hangouts. In the future, we envision educational opportunities with interpretive signage explaining

Brumble’s friends and playing further to the childrens’ imaginations.”To access the grove of trees to create the “magical forest”

playground, designers had to turn a former nuisance into a park feature.“Pre-construction, this whole area of the park experienced

drainage problems that limited its use,” Justesen said. “Now, rainwater is collected in a stream children cross by wooden bridge, creating a gateway experience into the playground.”

Grandview Park Services Manager Don Fowler said that alleviating the drainage problem also allowed them to redesign Meadowmere’s parking lot.

“Before Brumble’s Forest, people had a long walk to get to the amenities in Meadowmere Park,” Fowler said. “Now, the public can park right next to the park features they want to access.”

The cohesive park design extended to every aspect of the project, including a unique shelter house with a wave-styled roof matching the architecture of the nearby community center.

“It’s a one-of-a-kind design,” said Angie Geist Gaebler with Susan Richards Johnson & Associates. “Although the ‘shwooped’ roof is contemporary, when you are inside the shelter, the traditional materials like stained cedar make it feel comforting and familiar. It reminds you of being in the trees.”

EnWood Structures, who manufactured the shelter, liked the shelter design so much that they are offering it as one of their standard models, called “The Grandview.”

It will be at this shelter on Saturday, April 13th where the city will celebrate its 25th Arbor Day. A new tree will be planted in Brumble’s

Forest, and residents will be reminded to recognize the magic of nature...not just in “enchanted” forests, but within trees everywhere.

Grandview Celebrates 25th Arbor Day in an Enchanted ForestCity’s Arbor Day event to be held at new destination playground - Brumble’s Forest

Submitted by: Andrea WoodGrandview Resident & Park-Loving Mom

www.mopark.org 21

Submitted by: Andrea WoodGrandview Resident & Park-Loving Mom

What is National Trails Day®?

American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day (NTD), is a nationwide celebration of trails and an opportunity for you, your organization, business, or agency to celebrate our country’s 200,000+ miles of trails by organizing or participating in an outdoor event in your area. Join the effort to promote healthy living, protect green space, and reinforce the importance of trails in your community.

When is National Trails Day®?

The official date of National Trails Day® is always the first Saturday in June. This year, NTD will be held on Saturday, June 1, 2013.

How much does it cost to register and who is an eligible host?

It’s FREE! Any individual, group, club, organization or business with an interest in trail use may host a NTD event. Visit AmericanHiking.org/NTD to register your event today.

How much does it cost to attend?

Public events are also FREE unless otherwise stated by the host in their event description.

What are examples of common NTD events?

Examples include all non-motorized activities related to trail-recreation such as hikes, bike rides, trail maintenance, health fairs, educational workshops, children’s programs, horseback rides, backpacking trips, river and paddling excursions, wildlife viewing, photography clinics, gear demonstrations and more! The possibilities are endless!

How do I get started?

To learn more about National Trails Day®, to register an event, or to find one near you...

Visit www.AmericanHiking.org/NTD

American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day® is a nationally recognized trail awareness program that

occurs annually on the first Saturday of June and inspires the public to discover, learn about, and celebrate trails while participating in outdoor activities, clinics, and trail

stewardship projects. National Trails Day® is a registered trademark of American Hiking Society.

Outdoor Enthusiasts Moosehorn, ME

Hikers on the Finger Lakes Trail, NY

National Trails Day®American Hiking Society’s

BS Troop 483 North Country Trail, NY

Volunteers; photo by M. Durana Golden Gate National Park, CA

Mother and Daughter PaddlersBLM Gila Box, AZ

Backcountry Horsemen of Utah Kanab, UT

American Hiking Society StaffHQ, Washington, DC

Father and SonPatapsco Valley State Park, MD

Family Volunteers Sweetwater State Park, GA

Bikers on the Bizz Johnson National Trail, CA


Satisfaction surveys have shown that residents have long viewed Clayton Parks and Recreation as a high caliber department, but the time had come for Clayton to truly prove their expertise to both residents and the employees themselves. Backed by the approval of the City Manager’s office, the department sought accreditation by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). Beyond the clout that comes with earning national accreditation, the department found the process rewarding in itself.

The most important consideration in beginning the process was the staff’s ability to devote the time and resources needed. At Clayton, the current Parks and Recreation staff have been in their positions for several years which allowed them to both fully understand the specifics of their roles and be able to take on the challenges of an extra project without affecting their core duties. Additionally, Eric Gruenenfelder, Superintendent of Recreation, passionately took the lead and was instrumental in seeing the process through to completion.

After the application, the accreditation process involved a two-year detailed self-assessment report which requires agencies to respond to 144 standards representing elements of effective and efficient park and recreation operations. To become accredited, agencies must fully meet 36 standards deemed fundamental to a quality agency and at least 92 of the remaining standards. Staff needed to work individually, as a team and with other City departments to complete the full review.

The self-assessment process was a truly invaluable experience for both current employees and the future legacy of the department. Each facet of the department’s planning, management, operations and reporting were thoroughly evaluated and compared to national standards of best practices. This process was challenging from a time standpoint and stretched the imagination of each staff member in the department. Every detail of the department was scrutinized which led to the discovery of several ways to save time on day-to-day responsibilities, created written records of policies and procedures

that were in practice but not yet fully documented, and stabilized the department’s efficiency through the development and updating of manuals and process maps. In addition it provided evidence of professionalism and organization to residents and commissions.

“The rigorous self-assessment process has been both difficult and rewarding for staff. It gave the department the opportunity to identify our strengths and weaknesses. It has become an invaluable tool in the review of our policies and operational procedures that were already in place. It has also afforded us the opportunity to identify policies and procedures that were lacking and needed to be created,” said Patty DeForrest, Director of Clayton Parks and Recreation.

After nearly two years of reflection, codifying and improvement, the process culminated with a week-long on-site evaluation by a committee of experienced park and recreation professionals. They were able to provide instant comparisons to other accredited agencies, which allowed refinement of some challenges before the final submission. After their full analysis of all 144 standards, Clayton sent their materials to the Commission who completed the final assessment.

Clayton Parks and Recreation became one of only 17 park and recreation agencies accredited by CAPRA in 2012. This distinguished accomplishment was announced during the 2012 NRPA Congress and Exposition held in Anaheim, California. Clayton becomes the fourth agency in Missouri to receive this distinction, the second in the St. Louis Metropolitan area, and one of 109 accredited agencies across the United States.

Accreditation is valid for a period of five years, creating an environment for regular reviews of operations, policies and procedures, promoting continual improvement. It also improves the quality of services to every customer, building on the current objective of branding Parks and Recreation as an essential service.

Clayton Parks and Recreation Earns NRPA Accreditation

www.mopark.org 23

Missouri State Parks Director Bill Bryan sent this challenge to his staff. We thought MPRA members might like to join in on the fun.

Save the date for National Trails Day on Saturday, June 1st!

National Trails Day (NTD) is a series of outdoor activities, every year on the

first Saturday in June, designed to promote and celebrate the importance of trails in the United States. Individuals, clubs and organizations from around the country host National Trails Day events to share their love of trails with friends, family and their communities.

To showcase some of the best trails in the

nation, I’m challenging each staffed park and historic site with a trail to host at least one trail related event on June 1st. Examples of events include guided hikes, backpacking events, stewardship projects, bike rides or even a trail cleanup! For more examples, additional information and other ideas, visit: http://www.americanhiking.org/ntd/

A Challenge from Missouri State Parks Director, Bill Bryan

One hundred and fifty years after history was made, the site associated with a significant Civil War milestone was dedicated as a state historic site. The Battle of Island Mound marked the first time that African-American troops were engaged in Civil War combat, nearly a year before the battle depicted in the film Glory. Battle of Island Mound State Historic Site was dedicated on Oct. 27, 2012 in Bates County.

The Battle of Island Mound occurred Oct. 29, 1862, and involved troops of the First Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry who had been sent to the area to clear out local guerrillas and Confederate recruiters. They commandeered the local home of Enoch and Christiana Toothman as their headquarters and named it “Fort Africa.”

The new 40-acre historic site, which is

located eight miles southwest of Butler off of Highway K in Bates County, preserves a portion of this significant site and interprets the battle and its far-reaching outcome. Visitors are able to walk the interpretive trail loop and learn about this battle as well as the effect that the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry had on later Union decisions to allow African-American units to fight. The park grounds are open year round from sunrise to sunset.

For information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks.com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Submitted by: Steph ReedDivision Information Officer,

Missouri State Parks

New State Historic Site Marks Civil War Milestone

Ribbon cutting at the grand opening of the Battle of Island Mound State Historic Site.

Split rail fence at the Battle of Island Mound State Historic Site.

Executive Forum 2.0 – Save the Date!Sixty parks and recreation leaders from Kansas and Missouri attended the first joint Executive Forum in September of 2012 and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive.

Mark your calendars for the 2013 event – September 25-26 (Wednesday/Thursday) in North Kansas City. The planning committee is working to develop the highest quality content designed for this unique audience – watch for details coming soon!

More than 60 percent of outdoor

enthusiasts age 18 to 44 use technology

to search for information about outdoor recreation.


PARK(ing) Day is an annual event where groups of citizens, artists and designers transform metered parking spots into temporary public parks. It started in 2005 in San Francisco, CA, when one design studio transformed a single parking spot downtown into a “parklet”, and it has since grown into a worldwide movement celebrated across the globe on the third Friday of September.

According to their website, the mission of PARK(ing) Day is “to call attention to the need for more urban open space, to generate critical debate around how public space is created and allocated, and to improve the quality of urban human habitat … at least until the meter runs out!”(parkingday.org). Parks and Recreation departments and their partner organizations can certainly play a vital role in advocating for public open space, and also have a lot to gain from such a movement.

That’s why we at Mizzou want to get involved! As the newly formed Parks, Recreation and Tourism Graduate Student Association (PRT GSA), we are looking to host a PARK(ing) Day on campus this upcoming fall. PARK(ing) Day 2013 is scheduled for Friday, September 20th, and we hope to create 2-4 miniature parks near the center of campus.

We are currently looking for partnering organizations to help us kick off this inaugural event. Any support is appreciated, such as small donations and/or materials (such as sod, portable trees, potted plants, park benches, signage, etc.). If you or your organization would like to be a part of Mizzou’s 1st Annual PARK(ing) Day celebration, please contact PRT GSA president Laura Thal at [email protected].

Visit www.parkingday.org for more information.

PARK(ing) Day 2013 - Friday, September 20th!

A parklet in San Francisco (2012). Retrieved from http://inhabitat.com/parking-day-2012-pop-up-parks-spring-up-in-parking-spots-across-the-states/

Missouri State Parks provide more than 930 miles of trails, ranging from half-mile walking paths to rugged backpacking trails that lead deep into the wilderness. Recent work to inventory these trails has resulted in a valuable, award-winning resource to help people enjoy the 233 trails in 47 state parks and 11 state historic sites.

In 2008, Missouri State Parks embarked on a two-year survey of all

state park and historic site trails to collect pertinent information and inventory each trail. Missouri State Parks’ trail planner and a crew of two park aides hiked every trail, collecting data on each trail, which was then entered in the database. The extensive field work collected and organized information, including GPS coordinates with a corresponding digital image, for more than 930 miles of trails.

In addition to being an excellent management tool, the inventory provides a wealth of information that served as the basis for the newly published Trails of Missouri State Parks. The 422-page, full-color book is a first of its kind for Missouri State Parks. Each trail is summarized with a written description and a map that includes contour lines, GPS coordinates for trailheads and outstanding features.

Together, the book and the inventory database epitomize the commitment of Missouri State Parks to provide outstanding public service. For these reasons, the Trail Inventory Database and the Trails of Missouri State Parks book received the Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals (SORP) 2013 Project Excellence Award.

The spiral-bound book costs $19.95 and is available at mostateparks.com.

Trails of Missouri State Parks

Submitted by: Laura Thal - Graduate Research Assistant Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, University of Missouri

4.8 million Americans ages 6 and older participated in trail running in 2009.


The year 2013 is a reason to celebrate for the City of Richmond Heights, MO. On Friday, December 13, 2013, the

City of Richmond Heights will be 100 years old. A year-long celebration is already underway. The celebration will include a large Centennial Celebration Festival in October, Gala Celebration in December and many other monthly activities. A new Veterans Memorial Gazebo is being built as part of the celebration. In total, there are over 40 events that will take place this year. These events are well suited for the community including residents of all ages (past and present), civic groups, churches, businesses and more.

The Centennial planning committee is made of councilmembers, city employees, Historical Society members, local non-profits and involved residents. These dedicated folks have been busy planning a number of events to mark the city’s birthday and centennial year.

The Parks and Recreation department has incorporated the “Centennial theme” in all their regularly scheduled

special events. In February, parents and their kiddos danced the night away at our Sweetheart Dance decorated with 100 red and pink balloons. Centennial prizes were given away at our annual Easter egg hunt this spring and our senior bingo program will receive bookmarks highlighting our past mayoral leadership. Our day camp kids this year will participate in a coloring contest to mark this all important birthday. The parks department is working with residents to identify our oldest centenarian trees. These are just a few ways the parks and recreation department is celebrating. More will develop in the coming months.

As the city celebrates, we do too. Our vibrant city, loyal residents and caring staff are excited to make this year a celebration unlike any we will see again in our lifetime. Happy 100th Birthday, Richmond Heights! For more information about our centennial events please view our Centennial website www.rh100.org.

Submitted by: Ellen Cooper

Membership and Marketing SpecialistTHE HEIGHTS

Celebrating a Centennial

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For more information call: (314) 231-9806

AquaMaster has floating fountains and underwater aerators.

Distributed by Hydro Dramatics.

Keep your lakes healthy!

www.hydrodramatics.com

www.mopark.org 27

The City of St. Charles Parks Department will mark its 100th anniversary in 2014, and during that time, many things have changed. It has a very small Enterprise Team, comprised of four full time individuals: Aquatic Coordinator Missy Hollander, Recreation Coordinator Teresa Martchink, Concessions Manager Don Borgmeyer and me. Hollander and Martchink started as lifeguards with the department when they were both 16 years old. Ten years later they became full time recreation professionals. This staff is responsible for three aquatic centers, eight concession stands, 372 softball leagues, senior trips, events and numerous recreation and fitness programs.

A character trait the four of us embrace passionately is change. We all admit that we get bored easily if we aren’t challenged. We are incredibly fortunate that our director, Maralee Britton, is totally supportive of any ideas or changes we come up with.

The first task we tackled as a team was to evaluate and scrutinize every program, event and piece of equipment we had. If it was still a worthwhile program or event, we figured out how to put a fresh spin on it. The food service equipment was next. Borgmeyer has worked in food service for 30 years. He purchased a kitchen rack with wheels and tray stands. The next change was pre-setting the dining tables for bingos and performance dinners with salads and desserts. A few minor adjustments to the food serving line and we were ready. These changes enabled our team to serve 180 people a full luncheon in 20 minutes instead of 45. It also eliminated the need for four part time employees thus saving a substantial amount of money.

The next big change came when our Parks Superintendent changed. The department was fortunate to hire Nick Donze, who has many years of experience and also thrives on change. He organized the personnel hours, work duties and purchased the MainTrac component of the Vermont Systems RecTrac. This made work orders, regular scheduled maintenance and record keeping more streamlined. He adjusted the schedules of the personnel so now there is someone available in the later afternoon hours when something needs attention.

This past fall, we tried a program that combined the

efforts of the Enterprise and Maintenance Teams. A hayride trail was mapped out along the Missouri River, complete with a bonfire ring and benches. The wagon driver would meet with three Enterprise staff, drop two of them off at the bonfire ring and start the fire. Two of the Enterprise staff would stay at the bonfire, setting up the coolers of hot dogs, soda and s’mores fixings while the driver and lead host would meet and greet the guests. After a 30 minute ride, the guests would roast hot dogs, s’mores and stretch their legs. After re-boarding the hay wagon, they would finish with a 40 minute ride.

The Maintenance division also drives the hay wagons and haunts the trail for the Halloween event. This promotes team work and camaraderie with the rest of the Parks and Recreation staff.

Our park department has been challenged with many changes over the past years. With creative ideas and a supportive staff, the winds of change have made this a vibrant and fun place to work.

Submitted by: Rosie RosenthalSt. Charles Enterprise Superintendent, [email protected]

Embracing Change“Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels.

The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to thing they can change the world, are the ones who do.”

--Apple, Inc.

Gale Faerber from Maintenance pulling the hay wagon.

Office Manager Monica McCarthy and Aquatic Coordinator Missy HollanderHay ride bonfire


The Springfield-Greene County Park Board celebrated the Grand Opening of the Doling Aquatics Addition Saturday, Feb. 23 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, refreshments and free swimming.

The 13,778-square-foot addition features three pools: a 25-meter three-lane lap pool; a zero depth entry recreation/therapeutic pool with a water slide, aqua arch sprays, pools and falls play feature, water umbrella, basketball goal, a whirlpool spa and changing rooms. Construction began in fall of 2011.

The Doling Aquatics Addition offers swim classes and private swim lessons for all ages, as well as water aerobics, water yoga and other therapeutic classes. Some pool hours are dedicated to classes, lap swimming and adults-only swimming.

The $3.358 million project was funded through Springfield-Greene County’s 2006 Parks Sales Tax. Architects were Hood-Rich Architecture, with mechanical and electrical engineering by Smith-Goth Engineers, Inc. General contractor was Dock Brothers Construction Company. It is an energy-efficient building, designed to meet LEED-Silver Certification.

The Doling Aquatics Addition is built on the site of the former Doling Pool, an outdoor pool dating to 1965. The aquatics addition adjoins the Doling Family Center, which opened in 2003.

Doling Park, which surrounds the facility, is one of the Park Board’s ten historic parks highlighted this year during the Park Board’s 100th anniversary. Doling has been part of the Parks system since 1929, and has been a popular destination

for generations of Springfieldians who remember roller skating and picnicking in the park and swimming in Doling Lake. Before it became a public park, Doling was privately operated as an amusement park with a dance hall, bandstand, ball fields, penny arcade, boat rentals and Shoot-the-Chutes, a multi-story outdoor slide with flat-bottomed boats, which people rode down into Doling Lake. Doling has functioned as a park as far back as 1882, when the Doling family purchased the land.

Springfield now has eight pool locations: indoor aquatics centers at Doling and Chesterfield Family Centers, outdoor pools (open seasonally) at Fassnight, Grant Beach, Meador, Silver Springs and Westport parks, and the McGee-McGregor wading pool at Phelps Grove Park. The Park Board’s outdoor pool attendance set a new record of 98,331 in 2012, up 10.4 percent over 2011.

Submitted by: Jenny Fillmer EdwardsPublic Information Administrator, Springfield-Greene County Park Board

Springfield’s Doling Aquatics Addition Now Open

The final tally of participants in Springfield’s 18th Annual Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk was a record-breaking 9,007 — far exceeding the race day estimate of 8,500.

Warm sunny weather help boost this year’s numbers, up 12 percent from 2011’s attendance of 8,036. Turkey Trot attendance has steadily grown since 1994, when 117 people ran in 17-degree weather. Attendance has more than doubled since 2007.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled about the tremendous growth of this event and the impact it continues to make in our community,” said Anne-Mary McGrath, Turkey Trot Director. “Turkey Trot has become a Springfield community holiday tradition that brings out multiple generations of families. It’s an event with a great deal of camaraderie, energy and excitement.”

Turkey Trot is held every year in downtown Springfield on the morning of Thanksgiving Day. It’s Springfield’s largest 5K walk/run of the year and the largest Thanksgiving Day 5K in Missouri.

Since the first Turkey Trot in 1994, the Park Board has split the event proceeds between the Developmental Center of the Ozarks and the Park Board’s Scholarship Fund.

Turkey Trot participants also donated 7,045 pounds of non-perishable food items to Ozarks Food Harvest, enough to provide 5,870 meals. Turkey Trot remains one the organization’s largest single-day food drives. Combined with the Park Board’s summer Splash-n-Sizzle food drive at outdoor pools, Parks patrons have donated 20,799 pounds of food to Ozarks Food Harvest.


2012 Turkey Trot Final Count Exceeds 9,000

Happy Birthday, Springfield Park Board–

Celebrating 100 years in May!

www.mopark.org 29

The Springfield-Greene County Park Board marked the grand opening of the Dan Kinney Family Center Saturday, January 12, with a dedication ceremony and ribbon-cutting, with facility tours, equipment demonstrations, open gym and kids’ activities available 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Named for long-time Parks Director and MPRA member Dan Kinney, the facility is the Park Board’s third Family Center, expanding family fitness and recreation opportunities to eastern Springfield and Greene County.

The two-level 35,279-square-foot facility includes a full-size gymnasium, indoor 1/16-mile walking/running track, fitness center and weight room, aerobics room, game room, childcare, community room and locker rooms. The building is designed to meet LEED Silver Certification and could accommodate future construction of an aquatics addition. The Family Center is located in the 18-acre Dan Kinney Park, home of the Betty and Bobby Allison Miracle League Ball Field, Springfield’s first universal playground, a multifunctional pavilion and a 7/10-mile paved recreation trail.

“We’re very proud to honor the legacy of Dan Kinney and his contributions to the parks system with this beautiful facility and park,” said Bob Belote, Parks Director. “This Family Center is something residents in this area have wanted for a long time. It’s great to be able to deliver this facility to them.”

The Dan Kinney Family Center offers fitness and dance classes, sports programs, access to personal trainers, childcare, health assessments, seminars, the Healthways SilverSneakers fitness program and Fitness on Request, a new interactive group fitness video program.

The $5.2 million building project was made possible through the Park Board’s county-wide voter-approved Parks Sales Tax and bonding arrangements with Greene County. The facility was designed by Hood-Rich, Inc., with mechanical and electrical engineering by Smith-Goth Engineers, Inc. The general contractor was Branco Enterprises, Inc. City Utilities of Springfield provided the land for development of Dan Kinney Park and Family Center through a long-term lease with the Park Board.


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Seventh Annual “Ice Bowl” There were participants from all over the Tri-State area in the seventh annual Ice Bowl February 16 at Huckleberry Park’s disc golf course, sponsored by the Hannibal Parks & Recreation Department. The cold weather of 20-25 degrees didn’t stop the participants from taking advantage of Hannibal’s beautiful disc golf course.

Proceeds went to the Douglass Community Services food pantry.

Don Crane, tournament organizer, said almost 50 participated in the tournament. “It was a very competitive group,” he said. “Even in the cold weather, they love to come to the Hannibal course because it is challenging.”

The sponsors for the event were: Hannibal Parks & Recreation, Innova, Casey’s General Store, General Mills, Disc Stalker, Discraft, Millennium Golf Discs and Excitement Disc Golf.Submitted by: Mary Lynne Richards, Assistant supervisor for promotion and planning, Hannibal Parks & Recreation

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Congratulations to the winners!Open:1st: Tim Sullivan from St. Charles 2nd: Josh Cole from Wentzville3rd: Kyle Whitaker from St. Louis4th: Jerry Barklage from KirkwoodBeginners:1st: Mark Burks from Wright City2nd: Joe Williams from Wright City3rd: Bryan Garland from Moscow Mills4th Ryan Adcock from Hannibal

Intermediate:1st: Harlen Nolan from St. Peters2nd: Bryan Barklage from St. Peters3rd: Gary Polkinghorne from O’Fallon4th: Brook White from BrookfieldWomen’s Debbie Polkinghorne from O’FallonAce Fund WinnerTravis Anderson from Fort Madison, Iowa, won the Ace Fund for coming closest to the pin.

What’s Happening in Hannibal

First Snowman Contest a Success!“I wanted people to build snowmen in our parks,” said

Mary Lynne Richards, Assistant Supervisor for Promotions and Planning at Hannibal Parks & Recreation Department. “But we decided to make it easier on them and allow them to also build them in their yards.”

Families and individuals were to build a snowman in their own yard or in one of Hannibal’s 25 parks and take a photo of it for judging.

“We extended the deadline when a big snow hit on the first deadline date of Feb. 25 and received many more entries,” she said. “People really enjoyed it. We received entries from youth groups, teams, families and individuals.”

Prizes were awarded for Biggest, Most Original and

Most Hannibal Spirit. Winners received prize packages from Hannibal businesses.Submitted by: Mary Lynne Richards, Assistant Supervisor for Promotion and Planning, Hannibal Parks & Recreation

A snow rat was one of many unique

creations entered in the contest.

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In late 2011, the Sunset Hills Community Center received a Municipal Parks Grant to renovate a storage area into a room designated for SPIN® classes. Completed in August of 2012, this addition to the two-year old facility has been a blessing, attracting a whole new group of community members who love to cycle. With ten bikes and ten instructors, the room is always booming with full classes and happy members. The facility was also approved to become a SPINNING host site for future certifications and continuing education workshops, and has since hosted two instructor orientations.

Submitted by: Jen Rowlen, Fitness Recreation AssistantCity Of Sunset Hills Parks and Recreation

Sunset Hills Community Center adds a Spin Room!

The public turned out to attend the City of O’Fallon’s Grand Opening for Westhoff Plaza, a new facility for skateboarders, BMX bikers and inline skaters in Paul A. Westhoff Park, O’Fallon, Missouri. The event was held from 10 a.m. – noon on Saturday, November 17 with approximately 300 in attendance. The day started with an official welcome by Mayor Bill Hennessy, followed by a few demonstrations by local talent and the ribbon cutting.

“The new park offers skateboarders, BMX bikers and inline skaters a great place to test their skills,” said Cindy Springer, O’Fallon’s Director of Parks and Recreation. “We anticipate that the public, including spectators, will truly enjoy the park. Some of the main features incorporated into the custom-built concrete design are grind rails and ledges, a bank ramp, a quarter pipe ramp, a stairset, hubba ledges, a mini volcano, a jump gap and a six-foot bowl.” The skate park is an outgrowth of the city’s 2009 park master plan and had been mentioned by many young people as a facility needed in O’Fallon. “It was a much-needed feature in this area,” Springer told the crowd attending the ceremony. “As you can see, we do listen when the community brings us ideas.”

Joe Genens, owner of Wood and Wheels Skate Shop in O’Fallon, was one of many who provided input into the park’s design. “This one is different than the others,” he said. “We have all new obstacles. No others have stairs like this, or handrails,” Genens said. “So, all round, it’s pretty awesome. We tried to make it as unique as possible.” Genens said the park will generate more interest in skateboarding and BMX biking. “It’s going to draw people from all over the place,” he said.

Submitted by: Cindy Springer, O’Fallon Parks and Recreation Director

Skate Park Grand Opening at O’Fallon’s new Westhoff Plaza


The National Inclusion Project has partnered for a year with Camp Kirkwood to implement “Let’s ALL Play—Inclusion in Recreational Programs.” The partnership will continue to enable children with disabilities to enjoy successful recreational experiences in an inclusive setting. As part of this initiative, the National Inclusion Project provides a program model, training, expertise, and an award of $10,000.

The National Inclusion Project was co-founded in 2003 by entertainer Clay Aiken, and works to bridge the gap between young people with disabilities and the world around them by opening doors for all children to be included in recreation programs after school, summer camp and classroom activities. “Let’s ALL Play” is a research-validated national model funded by the Project that brings an inclusive recreational experience to children with disabilities by giving them the same experience as children without disabilities. All children come together to participate in typical recreational activities such as swimming, arts and crafts, community service, physical fitness and more. Over the last three years, the Project has provided training, curriculum, and support to YMCAs, Boys & Girls Clubs, 4H, CampFire USA, and other community organizations.

In 2013, the Project is partnering with 85 recreational programs in 34 states. Teaming with Camp Kirkwood is another exciting step toward their goal of full inclusion. “We feel that working with Camp Kirkwood will help us further our mission to open doors in communities nationwide for children with disabilities to experience everything life has to offer,” says Jerry Aiken, Executive Director. In 2008, the Project enlisted the services of The Center for Social Development and Education at the University of Massachusetts-Boston to assess the implementation of “Let’s ALL Play.” Overwhelming evidence shows that children with disabilities improved self-esteem, social skills, confidence to participate, and sport and motor skills. Children of all abilities were equally likely to develop friendships with each other.

About Camp Kirkwood: Celebrating 60 years of fun and friendship, Camp Kirkwood offers day camps for kids ages 3-15. To find out more call 314-822-5855 or visit www.kirkwoodmo.org.

About the National Inclusion Project: The National Inclusion Project serves to bridge the gap that exists between young people with disabilities and the world around them. They partner with communities and programs to teach others how to be inclusive so that kids with and without disabilities

can experience life-long benefits. By driving the movement for social inclusion in after school programs, summer camps, and in the classroom, children of all abilities learn, play and serve together. To date, the Project has partnered with over 200 programs nationally and has impacted over 50,000 children. For more information on the National Inclusion Project visit their website at www.inclusionproject.org.

The National Inclusion Project Partners with Camp Kirkwood to Create Recreational OpportunitiesSubmitted by: Katy Nieman, Kirkwood Parks and Recreation

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Continuing a trend to bring parks to underserved areas of Kirkwood, the City of Kirkwood Parks and Recreation opened Avery Park to public use in October 2012. The opening culminated a two-year project to acquire land on the north side of the City and then complete planning and construction processes.

“We’re excited to meet a goal established in various planning documents as early as 1992 and restated in our 2005 Parks and Recreation Master Plan,” stated Director of Parks and Recreation, Murray Pounds. “This new park has been highly desired by a portion of our population that is underserved by park facilities and it is great to deliver on the goals of that master plan.”

The process began when local neighbors brought the idea to the Kirkwood Park Board of buying two lots in their neighborhood. After several months of negotiations, the two properties, totaling about three-quarters of an acre, were acquired in March 2011. A planning grant from the Municipal Park Grant Commission of St. Louis County was used to fund a neighborhood-based planning process. The process involved a design charette held at a nearby school conducted by the architectural landscape firm, Planning Design Studio. A conceptual plan for the park was created based on input received at the design charette and was then refined through a second public input session.

Following the successful application to the Municipal Park Grant Commission of St. Louis County, additional funds were awarded for construction of the park. The grant award was for $290,000 which represented about 60 percent of the total construction costs. The balance of the funding was supplied by Kirkwood’s half-cent Parks and Recreation Sales Tax.

Working with the original concept plan, the landscape architect firm of Loomis and Associates developed actual construction documents. Bids were issued in April 2012. A local firm, J.A. Mills Builder, was hired to complete the construction. Ground was broken in June 2012, and the official dedication of the park took place on October 14, 2012.

The new park features two age-appropriate play areas and swings, built by Landscape Structures, a picnic pavilion, misting station for water play and a half-court basketball facility. Add in paved and natural surface walkways and an extensive landscape package and the park has become a favorite spot for the neighborhood.

Avery Park Now Open in KirkwoodSubmitted by: Murray Pounds, Director

Kirkwood Parks and Recreation

The Ice Cycle in Jefferson CityWinter can certainly be a dull time for kids. The cold weather can be tiresome and outside activities (that don’t include snow) are at a minimum. They’re quickly bored with their holiday gifts and school is in full swing again. It becomes imperative to find fresh experiences to shatter those winter doldrums. On a particularly frigid Saturday morning in Jefferson City, twenty-five kids and their parents decided not to spend their morning in the warm comfort of their homes. Instead, they chose to load up their tricycles and Big Wheels and head to the Washington Park Ice Arena. The attraction was a brand new event called The Ice Cycle.

Held on February 23rd, the Jefferson

City Parks, Recreation & Forestry department invited kids ages 2-6 to ride their tricycles around the outside of the ice rink. For a small admission fee, they were given a numbered race bib (so that we could count their laps) and a goody bag. After a little while, the ice was opened to the kids and their parents, and eventually, everyone was out there. We thought the children would be content doing laps, but it turns out the lure of the fresh ice in the middle was too tempting. I mean, how often do you get to ride your tricycle on an ice rink? The event lasted for an hour and a half and all of the proceeds went to the Jefferson City Parks and Recreation Foundation Youth

Sponsorship Fund.While a bit unconventional, The Ice

Cycle was a fun and inventive opportunity for the kids that attended. They were able to get back on their tricycles or Big Wheels, which had most likely been stuck in the garage for the last few months. They were also granted exclusive access to the only ice arena within fifty miles. However, the most important benefit to the parents was a simple, inexpensive and enjoyable way for their children to get out of the house and stay physically active in the middle of the winter.

Submitted by: Drew Wendt, Parks InternJefferson City Parks, Recreation & Forestry


More Function at the Junction

How does a community spark a downtown revival, provide much needed gathering space, expand city programs and promote health and wellness – all on a very limited budget? One method is through “fusion.”

The Carl Junction Community Center embodies a combination of different organizations working together to develop a multi-use structure that serves the growing needs of the community. This new 24,000 sq. ft. building whole-heartedly exemplifies the emerging design paradigm known as a “Fusion-Facility.” As defined by Mills & Medici (2012), “fusion facilities bring together two or more programs previously housed in separate buildings into a single location.” This new facility offers multiple benefits including new revenue sources, creative funding options, and lower initial construction costs.1 It not only integrates diverse interest groups, but is easily adaptable to accommodate future expansion and demonstrates sustainability and energy efficiency.

The property for the new Community Center was once a railroad spur line and industrial park. In 2003, a tornado destroyed several structures, including the industrial buildings in this area.

The City of Carl Junction opted to build their new community center on this piece of property in order to address some of the issues that have plagued this site and those surrounding it, as well as take advantage of its location. A major benefit to the site was its connection to Main Street. It was important that the new facility would help promote the revitalization of Main Street and create an impetus for the downtown revitalization efforts.

Because of the combined efforts of this small community of 7,500, the facility has become greater than the sum of its parts. The City was able to partner with the Senior Center and pool their resources to accomplish much more than they would have been able to do separately. Through a combination of integrated interests and needs, they were able to share spaces that would otherwise be unoccupied during much of the day if each organization were to build a separate facility. Therefore, the Community Center could be enhanced with amenities instead of burdened with excessive, low-use square footage.

Housed within the building is a series of overlapping programmatic elements: Senior Center, Dining Hall, City Hall & Council Chambers, Record Storage, Recreation & Fitness, Event Space, Media Center, Indoor and Outdoor Classrooms, and Youth Lounge. The main lobby acts as a bonus gathering space, as well as a central control point to all of the activity spaces. It allows for plenty of display space and to house a replica of a prehistoric mammoth skeleton, which celebrates the community’s rich and intriguing history. Visibility to each space is important for supervision and creates a vigorous sense of action within the building.

The organizational layout was adopted from the grid-pattern of the town as it was bisected by the angled railroad line. All of the major activity centers are organized around the lobby and are designed with flexibility in mind. The senior center is occupied until the afternoon, at which point it becomes a rentable venue for evening activities, adult continuing education, or after-school programs. Community rooms can be expanded into the senior center for large events. Within the gymnasium, athletic rubberized flooring - in lieu of the traditional wood flooring - allows a variety of functions from tournaments to tradeshows without compromising the flooring material or the playability of the surface.

The fusing of activities goes beyond mere function. The facility’s interior materials are utilized to express the interweaving of uses and promote a user-friendly approach. The flooring patterns provide interest and flow to demonstrate the connectivity of all spaces within the building. Frosted glass was utilized on west-facing walls and

at the clerestories to provide an abundance of natural light while diminishing possible glare – intolerable to senior citizens. The frosted clerestory glass emits light like a glowing beacon during evening events. Bright colors draw the eye through the interior storefronts and into the spaces beyond. The storefront glass enhances the idea of connectivity and activity while providing an acoustical separation.

Because of the Community Center’s significance to the city of Carl Junction, it was important to provide durable, low-maintenance materials that could identify with the city’s history and endure for many years. The exterior materials consist of precast concrete, brick, cedar siding, and standing seam metal panels. The brick and standing seam metal panels relate to the adjacent Police Station and Fire Station, as well as the historical zinc mines upon which the community was founded. However, the cedar siding was selected as a durable, yet unique material, to create a sense of hierarchy amongst the Civic buildings.

As a publicly-funded facility, open typically sixteen hours a day, it was critical that the building have low operating costs. Energy-conservation measures included utilizing regional materials, the installation of a ground-source heat pump system, super-insulating the exterior building envelope, capturing daylight and views, using high-efficiency lighting and occupancy sensors, low-flow plumbing fixtures, and a roof sloped appropriately for future installation of solar panels. Due to its energy saving strategies, the City has experienced much lower operating costs.

This building has become the focal point for the future Civic Campus. Since its opening, the Community Center has become a fusion-facility in its truest sense. It is a bustling, synergetic activity center full of students, adults, and senior citizens throughout the day. Demand for gym time is encouraging the City to explore future expansion options. Fitness memberships continue to grow. Senior citizens have begun operating a volunteer-staffed lending library from the Senior Center. The Chamber of Commerce has currently taken up residence in the spare spaces slated for future growth. And finally, “Claudia,” the prehistoric mammoth, has found a home within the display space at the main lobby.

1 Mills, David & Medici, Michael. “Fusion Facilities: 8 reasons to consolidate multiple functions under one roof.” Building Design & Construction. www.bdcnetwork.com. July 25, 2012.

Submitted by: Kristi Beattie, Project ArchitectSAPP Design Associates Architects

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