July 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 12

EDITOR' S LETTER
Inclusion Is Parks and Recreation's
Strength
I believe most people would agree that we all want to feel like we belong
to something - whether it's playing on a youth sports team, joining a fitness
class for older adults, or participating in a therapeutic recreation program
for children with disabilities. Park and recreation professionals understand
the importance of providing all community members opportunities
to make those human connections that stave off loneliness while nurturing
their mental and physical health. I witnessed this firsthand in my own community,
where the youth soccer program that my son participated in when
he was younger welcomed kids on the autism spectrum to play on the same
team. This was a perfect way to teach children, including my own son,
about empathy, patience and sportsmanship through the lens of diversity,
equity and inclusion. It also promoted socialization and teamwork through
sports. This speaks to the strength of the park and recreation profession: The ability to recognize
the impact recreation programming offerings can have on children at an early age and show them
what it means to be an inclusive community.
City of Glenwood Springs (Colorado) Parks and Recreation, featured in this month's cover story,
" Where Community Grows and Thrives, " on page 34, illustrates this notion perfectly. NRPA
Senior Manager of Digital Content Cort Jones profiles the 2023 Park and Recreation Month
Cover Contest winner and how the agency's therapeutic recreation program supports the theme:
" Where Community Grows. " Most importantly, he interviews the mother of Isaac Alonso, the
young boy featured in the photo rock climbing, about what the therapeutic recreation program
means to her family. " According to Isaac's mother, Juana Alonso, the program has helped [Isaac]
in countless ways. Not only has he become stronger physically in his feet, legs and arms, but also
he appears happier and more motivated and is beside himself with excitement on the days he can
go climbing, " Jones writes.
Next, Jennifer Schleining, CAPRA accreditation senior manager at NRPA, shares the
lessons that six park and recreation agencies learned during the Commission for Accreditation
of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) new accreditation or reaccreditation process in the
feature article, " The CAPRA Connection, " on page 40.
Finally, in the article, " Simulation-Based Public Engagement, " on page 44, contributors Chris
Adams, Liz Carey-Linskey and Hillary De La Cruz explain why we should rethink the way agencies
deploy their community engagement processes. " Some cities are going beyond the typical
public meeting process to gather input using new digital tools, including interactive online simulations
(sometimes called scenario planning), " they write.
What's more, be sure to check out our special conference section on page 48, which offers some
key reasons for attending the 2023 NRPA Annual Conference this October in Dallas. If anything,
it's your chance to share with colleagues why your inclusive programming is " where community
grows. " That's something that we all should celebrate!
PRESIDENT AND CEO
Kristine Stratton
CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS
AND ENGAGEMENT OFFICER
Clarissa Garcia
EXECUTIVE EDITOR AND
DIRECTOR OF PRINT AND
ONLINE CONTENT
Vitisia Paynich
vpaynich@nrpa.org
MANAGING EDITOR
Lindsay Collins
lcollins@nrpa.org
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Alexandra Reynolds
areynolds@nrpa.org
PRODUCTION COORDINATOR
Chris Brummett
cbrummett@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)
VITISIA " VI " PAYNICH
Executive Editor
Director, Print and Online Content
12 Parks & Recreation | JULY 2 0 2 3
| PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G
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
http://www.CreativeByDesign.net http://www.Dreamstime.com
July 2023 - Parks & Recreation

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