February 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 10

EDITOR' S LETTER
Discovering Tomorrow's Park
and Recreation Leaders
I'm excited to kick off February with our Leadership and Management
issue. It's an opportunity to highlight stories that celebrate the
achievements of people doing important work in the field, as well as
recognize the high bar that these professionals have set for us all. This
issue also allows us to better understand where the park and recreation
profession as a whole is heading in the future.
Parks & Recreation magazine and the NRPA Young Professional Network
proudly present the third annual 30 Under 30 recognition program,
which attracted more than 100 nominations from 15 different
states. In this month's cover story, " 30 Under 30 for 2023, " on page 32,
NRPA Volunteer and Awards Manager Michael Biedenstein and I profile
these 30 outstanding individuals. Find out what makes this year's
class of 2023 a cut above and how their hard work and dedication elevate
the field and help their communities thrive.
Next, in the article, " Workforce Development Trends and Opportunities in Parks and Recreation, "
on page 42, contributor Tim Herd takes a closer look at what changes universities and
private institutions across the country are making to the park and recreation undergraduate program
or related area of study that could potentially impact the field's workforce in the future.
" Of course, readiness of the recreation and park workforce and its competencies is not solely the
responsibility of higher education, nor is it limited only to various academic challenges, " Herd
writes. " A properly prepared and available workforce is also highly influenced by current and
trending social and workplace attitudes, perceptions and choices. "
Speaking of choices, City of Seaside, California, is helping at-risk teens make better choices
for their future through its Youth Employment Program. In the article, " Turning the Tide for
At-Risk Youth, " on page 48, the Seaside Youth Resource Center staff discuss how they steer
vulnerable youth away from drugs, alcohol and gang activity by offering them an opportunity
to work in their recreation department and providing them the soft skills that will help them
throughout their lifetime.
Lastly, we all could do our part to better promote the profession throughout our respective communities,
especially to those young seasonal workers and future high-school graduates. After all,
today's Park and Rec Kid could potentially be tomorrow's park and recreation leader.
VITISIA " VI " PAYNICH
Executive Editor
Director, Print and Online Content
PRESIDENT AND CEO
Kristine Stratton
EXECUTIVE EDITOR AND
DIRECTOR OF PRINT AND
ONLINE CONTENT
Vitisia Paynich
vpaynich@nrpa.org
MANAGING EDITOR
Lindsay Hogeboom
lhogeboom@nrpa.org
MANAGER OF ONLINE
CONTENT
Jennifer Fulcher-Nguyen
jnguyen@nrpa.org
PUBLICATION DESIGN
Kim Mabon/Creative By Design
CreativeByDesign.net
SENIOR CORPORATE
DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
WESTERN REGION AND ASIA
Michelle Dellner
703.858.4635
mdellner@nrpa.org
SENIOR CORPORATE
DEVELOPMENT OFFICER EASTERN
REGION AND EUROPE
Paul Semple
703.858.2174
psemple@nrpa.org
DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
Melissa Hunter
703.858.2199
mhunter@nrpa.org
PHOTOGRAPHY
Dreamstime.com or NRPA
(unless otherwise noted)
MAGAZINE ADVISORY
BOARD MEMBERS
Roslyn Johnson, CPRP - Chair
Michael Abbaté, FASLA
Neelay Bhatt
Anthony-Paul Diaz
Ryan Eaker
Kathleen Gibi
Paul Gilbert, CPRP
Tim Herd, CPRE
Denise Johnson-Caldwell
Michele Lemons
Sarah Lisiecki
Sam Mendelsohn
Maria Nardi
Lisa Paradis, CPRP
Paula Sliefert
Shonnda Smith, CPRP, AFO
Ronnetta Spalding
Anne-Marie Spencer
Stephen Springs
Amelia Storer
10 Parks & Recreation | FEBR U AR Y 2 0 2 3
| PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G
http://www.CreativeByDesign.net http://www.Dreamstime.com
February 2023 - Parks & Recreation

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of February 2023 - Parks & Recreation
