July 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 10

EDITOR' S LETTER
Park and Recreation Month
Resonates With People
This month's Park and Recreation Month issue had me reflecting
on my own personal connection to the field. I remember vividly
as an 8-year-old, feeling excited as I put on my shiny new tap
shoes and walked across the floor on the first day of dance class at
my local recreation center. I also recall my first dance instructor,
Mrs. Romagnino, who not only embodied grace and talent, but
also truly inspired all the little girls in her class to keep practicing
and never stop believing in ourselves. Even as an adult, I never
forgot her or the impact she had on my life. For that, I am truly
grateful to have been a Park and Rec Kid!
In the cover story, " Telling 'Our Park and Recreation Story,' "
on page 36, Cort Jones, NRPA's manager of strategic communications,
not only highlights the winner of the 2021 Park and Recreation
Month cover contest, Cosumnes Community Services
District (CSD) in Elk Grove, California, but also shares a very
personal story of two frequent visitors to the district's Camden
Park - David Phommavong and his son, Khuan, who has moderate-to-severe autism spectrum
disorder. " It's almost paradise, " says David Phommavong. " I talk about us taking a walk in Camden
Park as a sort of 'Garden of Eden.' My son is able to interact with the environment in a threedimensional
world, away from the screen. He's able to walk around the park without feeling like he's
being chased by a tiger. " Craig Pattenaude, marketing and communications specialist for Cosumnes
CSD, got to know the Phommavongs while working on a photography project about park visitors; his
photo of Khuan enjoying the calming, natural environment earned the district this month's cover. I
also would like to thank our sponsors, Merrell and ACTIVE Network, for making this year's Park and
Recreation Month possible.
NRPA Vice President of Education and Chief Equity Officer Autumn Saxton-Ross shares her
own story about diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) relative to the outdoors in the feature article,
" Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: A Personal Journey, " on page 42. Her own experiences and
insights offer context to NRPA's newly released DEI resources and framework for action.
Lastly, in the feature story, " Tennis Holds Court in a Pandemic, " on page 46, authors Arthur
Kapetanakis and Victoria Chiesa provide an in-depth look at the uptick in new players that this
sport experienced during the height of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. " Even though we
continue to face challenges, it's evident that many people recognize tennis as the ideal socialdistancing
sport, which puts it in a great position to continue to grow and allow people to stay
active and social in a healthy and safe manner, " says Michael Dowse, chief executive officer and
executive director of the United States Tennis Association.
As you celebrate Park and Recreation Month with your communities, please remember that
without your dedication to your constituents, we wouldn't have these wonderful park and recreation
stories from the field. Your work resonates with people and creates lifelong memories.
PRESIDENT AND CEO
Kristine Stratton
VICE PRESIDENT OF
COMMUNICATIONS AND CHIEF
MARKETING OFFICER
Gina Mullins-Cohen
gcohen@nrpa.org
EXECUTIVE EDITOR AND
DIRECTOR OF PRINT AND
ONLINE CONTENT
Vitisia Paynich
vpaynich@nrpa.org
ASSOCIATE 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
Michelle Dellner
949.248.1057
mdellner@nrpa.org
DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
Meghan Fredriksen
703.858.2190
mfredriksen@nrpa.org
PHOTOGRAPHY
Dreamstime.com or NRPA
(unless otherwise noted)
MAGAZINE ADVISORY
BOARD MEMBERS
Anthony-Paul Diaz, Chair
Michael Abbaté, FASLA
Neelay Bhatt
Ryan Eaker
Beau Fieldsend
Kathleen Gibi
Paul Gilbert, CPRP
Tim Herd, CPRE
Brian Johnson, CPSI
Denise Johnson-Caldwell
Roslyn Johnson, CPRP
Michele Lemons
Sam Mendelsohn
Maria Nardi
Lisa Paradis, CPRP
Paula Sliefert
Shonnda Smith, CPRP, AFO
Ronnetta Spalding
Anne-Marie Spencer
Stephen Springs
VITISIA " VI " PAYNICH
Executive Editor
Print and Online Content
10 Parks & Recreation | JULY 2 0 2 1
| PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G
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July 2021 - Parks & Recreation

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