November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 47

Park and recreation leaders and managers
need clarification on how best to
determine which programs they should
offer versus those that should be offered
by other organizations.
1
Recruit, Train and
Retain Quality Staff
(22 responses)
The emphasis of this theme is obvious
and clear. Academy members
are very concerned with maintaining
and building a strong cadre of professionals
and leaders. From a research
perspective, practitioners are interested
in understanding the motivations
of young professionals in order to
develop effective recruiting, training
and retention strategies that meet the
needs of these professionals and the
field. Further, this theme included
items related to the need for continuous
professional development, including
the best strategies for building
leadership skills and qualities.
2
Enhance Programs
and Services That
Meet the Unique and
Pressing Needs of the
Community
(21 responses)
Academy members are concerned
with how to best balance program
preferences identified by the public
with staff capabilities and facility
capacity; and how to comprehensively
identify and inventory programs
provided in the community
by others. Further, leaders and
managers need clarification on how
best to determine which programs
they should offer versus those that
should be offered by other nonprofits
or private recreation, sport or fitness
providers
in the community.
Academy members also expressed
concerns related to program and
service pricing, especially pricing
structures that may exclude those
who cannot afford to pay.
From a research perspective, these
practitioners would benefit from a
better strategy for determining program
offerings and guidelines for
implementing a community
recreation
program. For example, research
investigating pricing models
that promote financial sufficiency,
but also promote equity across all
user groups would be very valuable.
3
Increase Efficacy of
Advocacy and Elevate
Public Understanding of
the Value, Benefits and
Importance of Park and
Recreation Services
(19 responses)
This theme underscores the importance
of communicating the value
of parks and recreation to governing
bodies; public, private and nonprofit
agencies and organizations; and our
community members. It is essential
to emphasize the economic and
health benefits of park and recreation
programs and services. Specific
efforts for addressing this theme include
the development of marketing
plans, branding efforts, communication
strategies using persuasive messaging
principles, social media plans
and community advocacy groups.
Additionally, research is needed affirming
the value, benefit and importance
of parks and recreation.
4
Resolve Problems of
Aging Infrastructure,
Deferred Maintenance and
Infrastructure Maintenance
(18 responses)
This theme focuses on the expressed
concerns practitioners have for
maintaining and replacing aging
infrastructure. Certainly, investigations
that articulate the pros and
cons of innovative funding strategies
for addressing maintenance backlogs
would be valuable. Also, survey
responses suggest practitioners
would benefit from evidence-based
efforts to effectively quantify infrastructure
needs and to frame them
in a manner by which they are elevated
to a level commensurate with
other department or agency needs.
This theme also suggests that, over
PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G | NOVEMBER 2 0 2 1
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November 2021 - Parks & Recreation

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of November 2021 - Parks & Recreation
