April 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 34

The
of Parks and Recreation
How to position your agency for a more reliable and resilient future
By Richard J. Dolesh
O
ne of the most far-reaching trends that will sweep the field of
parks and recreation during the next decade is the conversion
of fossil-fueled power sources to electric power. Many park and
recreation agencies already have begun to implement the conversion
from fossil fuels to electrically powered tools, equipment, vehicles
and even buildings. However, other agencies have barely acknowledged
that there is a tidal wave of change sweeping over public parks and recreation.
They may be far less prepared to meet the challenges that such a
changeover encompasses.
We are on the cusp of great
change. Park and recreation agencies
have an opportunity now to
plan, budget and implement
a
changeover to electric power that
positions them for more costefficient
operations and a more
reliable and resilient
future
that
demonstrates a commitment to
sustainability. We can make a truly
sustainable commitment to doing
our part to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions and contribute to slowing
the pace of climate change.
The cost of inaction in meeting
this challenge will mean those
agencies that do not step up will be
left behind in capacity and ability
to adopt innovative solutions, in
34 Parks & Recreation | APRIL 2 0 2 3
the cost savings of electrification,
and in the ability to reduce their
environmental footprint in a future
challenged by a changing climate.
What Is Happening
and Why?
There are many reasons why this
ground-shaking
changeover is
occurring so rapidly. These include
a push toward more cost-efficient
operations,
a recognition
that
electric power based on renewable
rather than fossil-fueled energy will
provide better reliability, and the
knowledge that renewable sources
of energy will be more sustainable
and environmentally responsible.
Electrifying
equipment,
| PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G
vehicles
and buildings will be driven by
public expectations, causing us to
make a tangible commitment to do
our share to reduce the impacts of
climate change and to operate in a
way that supports better health for
our workers and the public.
The bottom line is that electrification
is happening everywhere, all
at once, and the cost of inaction is
unsustainable.
Twenty-one states have now
enacted laws requiring them to
move toward 100 percent carbonfree
energy sources, as have 180 cities
through legislative or executive
action. Six states have enacted laws
phasing out sales of new vehicles
powered by internal combustion engines
(ICE). Approximately 24 percent
of all electricity in the United
States will be generated by renewable
sources of energy in 2023, according
to the U.S. Energy InformaThe
City of Raleigh (North Carolina)
Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources
department has converted about 60
percent of its tools, small equipment and
mowers to electric.
PHOTO COURTESY OF CITY OF RALEIGH
April 2023 - Parks & Recreation

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