August 2022 - Parks & Recreation - 8

PERSPECT I VES A MESSAGE FROM NRPA' S LEADERS
From Small Town to Big City:
Serving All
During the 2020 NRPA Annual Conference, keynote speaker Glenn Harris,
president of Race Forward and publisher of Colorlines, presented a coffee talk
on park equity and racial justice, in which he stated, " When people are in [a]
space together, and especially when they are [engaging] in physical activity
[with] each other, the gap between them, the distance - whether it's culture,
whether it's place of origin - it closes rapidly. I think in that way, it's essential
that we create spaces that allow us to see each other in our full humanity. "
August is a busy time of year for many park and recreation professionals, though
the day-to-day activities may be different from community to community. Whether
it is hosting summer camps, managing boat rentals at the local lake, overseeing a
campground, lifeguarding at the community pool, or hosting events like fairs and
festivals, it's likely you're experiencing an increase in activity and visitors.
As these people visit your community's parks and take part in recreation activities
hosted by your agency, I encourage you to consider the ways in which the spaces
and activities you offer allow us to " see each other in our full humanity. " The articles
featured within this issue explore this idea. For example, in the feature article, " Unity
Park, " author Tara Eaker writes about the ways in which the design of a new park centers equity
by paying homage to nearby historic neighborhoods " where residents describe a painful history of
segregation, as the land once served as a buffer between the predominantly white downtown and the
Black communities. " Beginning in 2012, city staff worked with residents to determine how the design
of a new park on that land could best serve the whole community. Today, community member
Mary Duckett says the park is about " embracing one another and learning from each other, and it's
about a community coming together to create a place where everyone is welcome. "
As you show up to work each day this summer and beyond, not only are you are hosting
activities and ensuring public spaces are available to residents, but also you are bringing people
together and cultivating a sense of community. In the words of Harris, " The fundamental
idea of space and place matters in our lives. Where we meet and where we convene, where we
actually get to interact, is essential to how we understand each other as communities and as a
country. That's why parks and rec is so important. "
Lastly, I would like to express my heartfelt sympathy to the many people whose lives have
been impacted by the tragic shooting that took place during the Fourth of July parade in Highland
Park, Illinois. As park and recreation professionals, we are at the center of community
gatherings, and the health and safety of our community members are always our top priority.
As you plan and host your summer activities and events, I urge you to consider what innovative
approaches we can take to help our communities address the mental and emotional concerns
that contribute to and result from these devastating events.
I wish you a healthy, happy and safe summer. See you in Phoenix at the 2022 NRPA Annual
Conference!
CAROLYN F. MCKNIGHT-FREDD
Chair, NRPA Board of Directors
8 Parks & Recreation | A UGUS T 2 0 22 | PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G

August 2022 - Parks & Recreation

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