November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 49

Survey respondents expressed the
opinion that all residents, visitors and
customers should receive equal quality
services.
9
Address Environmental
and Physical Resource
Issues (8 responses)
Academy members expressed that
our parklands and open spaces
are subjected to the same environmental
issues and problems as are
all other physical resources. The
impacts of climate change,
preservation and restoration
the
of
park areas where there is significant
human and wildlife impact,
the control of invasive species, the
implementation
of
green
infrastructure,
and an understanding
by the public of the significant environmental
issues that are facing
the profession (and broader communities)
are all concerns worthy
of further investigation. The
profession needs applied research
and evidence-based practices that
innovatively and successfully address
these pressing concerns.
10
Increase
Collaboration Among
Community, Governmental
and Non-Governmental
Partners (5 responses)
This theme focuses on the need
for greater
collaboration among
agencies and understanding how to
establish and build effective collaborative
efforts. To do so, AAPRA
members noted the imperative to:
* Determine strategic needs and
benefits of collaboration.
* Identify potential organizations
as collaborators.
* Consider practical implementation
challenges of collaboration.
* Conduct due diligence and negotiations.
It
is essential that there be continuous
reflection on such collaborative
efforts (and adjustments
made as needed).
Next Steps
The identification of these themes
is intended to stimulate further
discussion amongst the profession
on how to ensure access to existing
evidence (i.e., research) and
to serve as a source of inspiration
for building a research program
among interested parties to address
these critical issues more thoroughly.
The Research for the Profession
Committee will communicate
these thematic areas to universities
with park and recreation degree
programs, so they might encourage
faculty and graduate students
to undertake such applied research.
Further, we know that research
relevant to many of these topics is
already available in agency reports,
and through various forums (e.g.,
NRPA National Research Symposium),
and publications (e.g., Journal
of Park and Recreation Administration).
What remains of concern is the
awareness and accessibility of appropriate
research and evaluative efforts.
We hope that by communicating
these identified challenges and
research needs, those in a position
to engage in such activities (research,
communications, and assistance efforts)
will actively do so.
Dr. Larry Allen (Past Chair), Dr. Ellen Drogin Rodgers (Chair),
Dr. Bob Barcelona (Vice Chair), Marvin Billups, Bill
Clevenger, Dr. Gary Ellis, Sara Hensley, Richard Horton and
Dr. Lynn Jamieson serve on the Research for the Profession
Committee of the American Academy of Park and Recreation
Administration.
PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G | NOVEMBER 2 0 2 1
| Parks & Recreation
49
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation

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