President’s MessageMembers of the Academy,

We’re only a few weeks until our Congress and Academy meetings are held in Las Vegas! I look forward to seeing all of you. This should be a very fun gathering as we welcome new Academy members and recognize this year’s honorees.

Our annual meeting will be held on Thursday, September 17th, which is expected to be very informative. We will swear in our new officers and board members and new mem-bers. We will also hear from our Best Paper Award winner, and will receive updates on all of our committees. I am pleased to report that the Academy will be partnering in a symposium with Indiana University, so look for more information to follow.

Also, a number of our members will be presenting at various sessions during the Con-gress. The highlight of the opening session on Tuesday morning will be the presenta-tion of the Gold Medals. The Academy, NRPA and our sponsor, Musco Lighting, are thrilled to recognize these winners who represent the best in our profession.

The Academy banquet will be held on Thursday evening. At this event, we will recog-nize our new Hall of Fame and Pugsley Medal winners. I’m confident everyone will be pleased with this year’s outstanding slate of recipients.

I’d like to take moment to recognize the work completed by each of our committees this year. Some have in particular stood out and I will be recognizing them at our gathering. I have enjoyed the opportunity to serve as your president over the past ten months, and thank you for your continued support. I’d like to especially thank Andee Chestnut and Rich Grodsky for their help and support of the Academy’s needs during this last year.

See you in September!

Bill ScalzoPresident

NRPA Schedule

Time Event LocationMonday, September 145:00 - 7:00pm Extern Reunion Border Grill at Mandalay

Bay8:00pm Gold Medal Reception (In-

vitation Only)Wednesday, September 167:30 - 9:00am JPRA Associate Editors

MeetingMandalay Bay, Room Palm A

7:30 - 8:30am Academy Foundation Board Meeting

Mandalay Bay, Citizens Kitchen

Thursday, September 177:00 - 9:00am AAPRA Board Meeting Mandalay Bay, Room Jas-

mine A8:00 - 9:15am Lessons from the Legends

Session at NRPA CongressMandalay Bay

9:15 - 10:00am AAPRA New Member Ori-entation

Mandalay Bay, Room Jas-mine A

10:30 - 11:30 am* AAPRA General Member-ship Meeting

Mandalay Bay, Room Jas-mine EF

6:00 - 9:00pm AAPRA Banquet Bootlegger Bistro, 7700 S. Las Vegas Blvd

*Note: After the General Meeting, you are invited to stay to discuss the preferences and logistics fora Symposium on the Future. Questions may be directed to Ellen O’Sullivan at (941) 349-9039 or ellenosull@gmail.com.

Notes from the Academy Office:The deadline for postmarked officer and board member ballots is August 31st. If you haven’t already voted, please make sure to do so as the contests are extremely close.

Banquet reservations are due September 4th. You may download the flyer here: http://www.aapra.org/sites/default/files/newsletter/Banquet%20Flyer%202015.pdf

Due to recurring spam issues, the Academy listserv has become too difficult to use. We have a new account, but individual members are not able to send emails, so if you have anything to send to the membership, please send it to Andee Chestnut at achestnut@aol.com, and she will take care of it from there.

New Academy MembersAgain, this year, we install new AAPRA Fellows at our Annual Meeting on Septem-ber 17, 2015. The following are our newly selected Fellows. Congratulate them and meet them in Las Vegas.

• Brian Albright, Director of Parks & RecreationCounty of San Diego (CA)

• Scott Bangle, Parks Director/General ManagerRiverside County (CA) Regional Park & Open Space District

• Brad Chambers, PartnerReCreate Park Planning Group, St. Clairsville, OH

• Mike Clark, Executive Director,Palatine (IL) Park District

•

Fred Gray, Jr., Director of Parks & Recreation,City of Tucson (AZ)

•

Carrie Fullerton, Executive Director,Bloomingdale (IL) Park District

• Kirk Kincannon, Executive Director,Fairfax County (VA) Park Authority

• Carol Potter, Assistant Director of Morale, Welfare & Recreation (MWR) Policy,Department of Defense/Military Community & Family Policy

• Arnold Randall, General Superintendent,Forest Preserves of Cook County (IL)

• Cindi Wight, Superintendent,Rutland (VT) Recreation & Parks Department

National Symposium PARKS AND RECREATION IN PUBLIC HEALTHFebruary 10-12, 2016

The Academy Board of Directors has recently agreed to sponsor, in part, the first national symposium dedicated to showcasing the role of parks and recreation in im-proving our nation’s public health. The event, hosted by the School of Public Health at Indiana University Bloomington, has two tracks: a research based presentation track, and a track for innovative park and recreation services-programs that help promote a healthy lifestyle.

Please mark your calendars for February 10-12, 2016 as more information will be released in the near future.

Gold Medal Applicants Best PracticesSubmitted by Academy Fellow Harvey Feldman

The Gold Medal Awards are presented by the Academy in partnership with NRPA, and proudly sponsored by Musco Lighting.

AAPRA has instituted a new component to the Gold Medal Program focusing on Best Practices. The GM judges, in reviewing all of the applicants submitting their applica-tion for consideration of a Gold Medal Award, identified 24 Best Practices for 2015. An AAPRA subcommittee then interviewed the agency directors to learn more about the selected Best Practices.

Regardless as to whether they are selected as the Gold Medal winners, these com-munity program Best Practices were found to strengthen the fabric of community life by creating a stronger sense of place and quality of life in the communities where they are offered.

The AAPRA subcommittee led by Harvey Feldman is compiling the Best Practices for publication by NRPA on their website, but also in a small pamphlet that should be available by the NRPA Congress. A sample of them include:

• Bismarck Free Golf for Kids• Peoria Partnering for Veterans' Health• Washington, DC Aquatics-Based School Programs (2)• Maryland National Park Capital Park and Planning Commission Staff En-

gagement; Community Resources Connections (2)

25 Years of ADA and Parks and RecreationSubmitted by AAPRA Fellow John McGovern

On July 26, 1990 President George H. W. Bush, in the Rose Garden, signed into law the historic Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Much of 2015 has been a 25th birthday celebration of this comprehensive civil rights law. Members of the Academy have been involved with the development of systems and practices mandated by the ADA. This article briefly notes some of the influence the law has had on parks and recreation agencies and professionals.

Recreation InclusionMany parks and recreation agencies are staffed with a Therapeutic Recreation pro-fessional. Tasked with managing the interaction between people with and without disabilities in the same recreation programs, this inclusion manager is a critical posi-tion. Don’t just think this inclusion concept applies to summer camps and after school programs. It also applies to historic tours, birding and nature programs, competitive activities, and senior programs. Don’t have a TR pro on staff? This ought to be your agency’s single greatest priority. This is the right person to firm up your inclusion pro-cess. When a person with a disability seeks inclusion support, to paraphrase Nancy Reagan, “Just don’t say no.”

PlaygroundsPlaygrounds are a complex environment. The application of the ADA requirements found in the 2010 Standards for Accessible Design makes them even more complex, as the interface between safety and accessibility can be challenging. However, today virtually every manufacturer offers accessible components willingly. Surfaces are changing too, although this arguably remains the slowest area of our industry to come into compliance.

BeachesThe next big thing 20 years ago was the beach chair. Pushed by a friend, it com-fortably seated a person with a physical disability so that beaches could be enjoyed. The next generation of beach access though comes with a taste of independence. Rolled mats, extending to the edge of the water, are now common in jurisdictions with beaches. These allow semi-independent use by a wheelchair user.

FitnessThe benefits of health and wellness, achieved by implementing a fitness plan that in-cludes personal training, group exercise, and independent workouts, are well known. Now, through the ADA, design standards exist for the fitness floor. Additionally, a number of court and administrative decisions have made it clear that persons with hearing, mobility, or vision impairments have the right to exercise at a public parks

and recreation fitness facility. That same right exists in the private fitness sector. Finally, an American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) committee is develop-ing guidance regarding how exercise machines should change to be more usable by people with mobility and sight impairments.

Sports FieldsOne of the most common parks and recreation agency assets is a sports field…rect-angular or diamond shaped, these provide both formal and informal uses. All have player areas, whether a dugout or a sideline, and many have spectator areas. The 2010 Standards requires an accessible route to the player area for coaches and players with disabilities, and an accessible route to spectator areas. This will significantly change the way sports fields look in the next decade.

AquaticsThe almost ubiquitous swimming pool lift is here for the next decade or so, until new pools replace the current inaccessible zero depth pools that are in almost every in-stance sloped too steeply. After great hollering from the hotel industry, the pool lift and water access requirements were delayed a whole 10 months, and became effective January 31, 2013. All other design requirements were effective March 15, 2012. In 2012 this was big news…today it is a snooze. Pool operators have for the most part found this to be easy to comply with.

GolfRemember Casey Martin? It isn’t every day that a “recreation” dispute makes it to the United States Supreme Court (see PGA Tour, Inc. v. Martin, 532 U.S. 661 (2001)). In a 7-2 decision the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Martin, a golfer with a disability. This was one of many decisions and regulations that resulted in the increased use of accessible golf cars by recreational golfers with disabilities. Does your agency have a golf course? If so, the $10,000 accessible golf car is one of the most important investments you can make.

The Most Important Aspect…Your Attitude In 1990, even in 2000, it wasn’t hard to find an agency that was waiting for the ac-cess requirements to come to them, instead of seeking the best way to make the benefits of parks and recreation accessible to all. As the ADA turns 25, people with and without disabilities are together making historic achievements in bringing recre-ation to all. Academy Members are key players in this movement…other profession-als at other agencies watch your lead. Eyes are on you, for a good reason. Acade-my Members are great leaders and this is another area in which you can shine!

A Final Word About Demographics… Academy Members by nature are thinkers and thought leaders. The gigantic demo-graphic of disability swells every day as Baby Boomers acquire a disability or health

condition, and as members of other generations are saved by new medical technolo-gy and learn to live life with a health condition or disability. Welcome and invite your neighbors, relatives, friends, and coworkers with disabilities to enjoy your agency services and of course, the benefits of parks and recreation.

Quick Update on AAPRA Mentor ProgramSubmitted by Academy Fellow Chris Nunes

The Academy/YPN/Admin Mentor Program continues with over 80 mentor and men-tee pairs with over 45 AAPRA members involved! Follow up is being provided on a monthly basis to each pair, and a survey is being sent out in the coming weeks to identify if the program is meeting the stated goals.

Member ProfilesSimilar to the last issue, we feature two Academy Fellows profiles in this edition of the AAPRA Newsletter. Susan Trautman and Chris Nunes share a little about themselves and their perspectives in the following profiles. Enjoy and thank them for sharing their opinions and a little about themselves.

Profile: Susan TrautmanSelected to the Academy in 2007

What is the most important trend you feel our profession has to address in the next three years?More than a trend, I think we need a shift in perspective. I believe that park and rec-reation agencies should think of themselves as a part of the whole fabric of a com-munity – more than a department that provides parks and recreation services and activities. We need to recognize how important it is to integrate our efforts with city planning, transportation, health and conservation departments—both internally and externally—within the communities we serve. If we can demonstrate a willingness to collaborate and our ability to transform the quality of life, it will ensure a place at the table when it comes time to make important decisions that advance our communities.

Describe the path you took to enter the park and recreation profession?I like to tell people that I built my first park when I was nine years old! I worked to-gether with my siblings and some neighborhood kids to build “Creektown” in the woods behind our subdivision. However, my first “official” parks job was as summer camp counselor in our community park. I loved that job and have never looked back. I earned my degree in Parks, Recreation and Tourism at Mizzou and my first job out of college was with Missouri State Parks administering the Land and Water Conser-vation Fund in Missouri. This gave me the opportunity to travel across the state and

get to know and help many of the parks and recreation directors in Missouri. They became my mentors and friends and played an important role part in my future as a professional. I have been fortunate to have so many wonderful opportunities to serve our field and am grateful for all of the generous people who have helped me along the way!

What was the most recent book you read and why? The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown. The sheer strength and team determi-nation shown by the 1935 Washington Crew when they won the 1936 Olympics was inspiring! It speaks to the power of a team and the importance of never giving up no matter how impossible a goal might seem to be.

Favorite ‘fun’, leisure activity? I love to ride my bike on our greenways. All is right with the world when I am outside, breathing fresh air, and pedaling my bike!

Profile: Chris NunesSelected to the Academy in 2012

What is the most important trend you feel our profession has to address in the next three years?The largest trend that the parks and recreation profession should come to grips with is we need to understand what model works for each respective community. Trying to meet everyone’s needs is not financially prudent given the amount of competition we are seeing in the parks and recreation industry. There are now more private pro-viders of sports, fitness, culture, and social programs. We need to carve out our niche from the remaining marketplace and program/serve these areas. From there the profession needs to develop operational and business plans that provide a logical and rational approach to providing the service.

Describe the path you took to enter the park and recreation profession?I have been working in the parks and recreation profession since I enrolled at Spring-field College in Massachusetts. My first job was a group leader at the East Valley Boys and Girls Club in Chandler, Arizona and from there I have worked in various positions in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Ohio, Colorado, and now Texas. Over the past 20+ years I have worked for a one person parks and recreation department all the way to my current position where I am responsible for over 133 parks, however I always reflect back to my time in the smaller department and the lessons I learned there.

What was the most recent book you read and why?Very much into reading, but have not had time to dive into a book this past year. I am a constant reader of trade publications such as Parks and Recreation, Athletic Busi-

ness, Parks and Recreation Business, Aquatic International and other industry related professional magazines and journals. These publications enable me to keep up to date on trends and management techniques that could be implemented in my home agency.

Favorite ‘fun’, leisure activity?Spend time with wife and kids and watching their football, lacrosse or volleyball games and tournaments.

American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration President Bill Scalzo

President Elect Becky BennáPast President John McGovernSecretary/Treasurer Judy Weiss

DirectorsRay Ochromowicz (15)Karla Henderson (15)Elizabeth Kessler (16)

Debra Jordan (16)Mark McHenry (17)Chris Nunes (17)

American Academy for Park and Recreation AdministrationP.O. Box 888

Mahomet, IL 61853(217) 590-0231

aapra.org

AAPRA Newsletter Developed by Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands, Indiana Universitywww.eppley.org • www.proValensLearning.com