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Missouri Parks & Recreation ©2012 is the official publication of the Missouri Park and Recreation Association, an affiliate of the National Recreation and Park Association. The magazine is included in annual membership dues.

Jan Neitzert, CPRPExecutive Directorjan@mopark.orgGary Gates, CPRPAssistant Executive Directorgary@mopark.org

Amanda Garrisonamanda@mopark.org

Monica Smithmonica@mopark.org

Deadlines for articles, photos andadvertisements are:Winter - November 15Spring - February 15Fall - August 15

The Missouri Park and Recreation Association will comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by providing reasonable accommodations for our meetings, events and in our services when they are requested. Please make your accommodation request at least 72 hours in advance by calling our office at 573-636-3828.

Missouri Park & Recreation AssociationThe Musco Lighting Building2018 William StreetJefferson City, Missouri 65109-1186(573) 636-3828 (573) 635-7988 (fax)www.mopark.org

Advertising/editor/Production

deAdlines

MAnAging editors

Thank you to Musco Lighting, our Corporate Sponsor.

Winter 2012Inside this issueConference 2012Charlie Barr RetiresSpringfield Installs New BridgeCongratulations, Terri Johnson!AnnouncementsStart Smart in O’FallonNews From Great Rivers GreenwayNew Trail in Grain ValleyCongratulations, Chesterfield P&RTheme Park Ticket InformationFirst CPRE In MissouriLegislative Action Day RecapPalmer Senior Center Receives National Accreditation

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Thank you!

coPy editor

Advertiser IndexMost Dependable FountainsPilot RockMuscoCunningham RecreationLandscape StructuresPublic Restroom Company

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We need your contributions!Missouri Parks and Recreation magazine is composed, in large part, from submitted articles and photos. We rely on your input to produce a successful publication. Please send articles, news and high-resolution photos to amanda@mopark.org.

Park trees protect the environment! 100 mature trees remove about 430

pounds of pollutants annually.

Did you Know?

Tentative Schedule of EventsTuesday, February 28th, 201211:00 - 12:30 pm Board Meeting1:00 - 4:45 pm Breakout Sessions6:00 - 8:00 pm Welcome SocialWednesday, February 29th, 20128:30 - 9:30 am General Session9:30 - 10:45 am Keynote Address11:00 - 3:00 pm Exhibit Hall Open3:00 - 5:30 pm Breakout Sessions5:30 - 6:30 pm Alumni Socials6:30 - 11:30 pm Dinner/Social/Silent AuctionThursday, March 1st, 20129:00 - 11:30 am Breakout Sessions11:30 - 1:00 pm Take a Student to Lunch1:00 - 4:45 pm Breakout Sessions6:00 - 8:30 pm Hall of Fame/Awards Banquet8:30 - 11:00 pm Awards SocialFriday, March 2nd, 20129:00 - 10:00 am Region Meetings9:00 - Noon Sports & Aquatic Section Meetings10:00 - Noon New Board Member Orientation

DiD you know... Without our great conference sponsors - our annual conference

wouldn’t be possible?

MuscoCunningham Recreation

Landscape StructuresBowman Bowman Novick

Planning Design StudioLes Mills

Counsilman HunsakerSSCI

All Inclusive RecNWMS University

Missouri Eagle

Thank you, ConferenCe SponSorS!

did you know... www.mopark.org has much more conference information?!

MPRA AnnuAl ConfeRenCe

The Lodge of Four Seasons, Lake Ozark

February 28 - March 2, 2012

No Smoking - Is It Time for Your Parks?Is your community considering a smoking ban in your parks? Not sure where to start? Looking for research to support your position?Sportsmanship - A Lost EtiquetteWhat happened to being a “Good Sport?” Are there any “Good Sports” left? What can we do as Parks & Recreation Professionals to help change the culture of our programs and leagues to promote sportsmanship?Park Image Maintenance - The Devil is in the DetailsLittle matters, once ignored, can grow into big issues if not corrected. This PowerPoint session helps to provide “new eyes” to look at our parks and see not only the successes but also the small problems.Mizzou Feasibility Study on Statewide Sporting Event PromotionStudents from the University of Missouri, in cooperation with professional practitioners, studied the feasibility of promoting sporting events to generate an economic advantage to non-profit organizations. Come and learn what they have discovered and how this may impact MPRA.

Personnel Scenarios: You Just Can’t Make This Stuff Up!This session will explore various personnel management scenarios collected from our peers across the state in an effort to learn valuable lessons.Missouri’s Children in Nature ChallengeHealthy, happy children are the most precious resources of any community. Today’s children, however, suffer from a disconnection with nature and the outdoors.How to Sell More Memberships at Your Recreation CenterSelling memberships at your Rec Center is often overlooked as a part of staff training. We will discuss the do’s and don’ts of successful membership sales.Healthy Concessions - Seriously?While parks and recreation agencies pride themselves on providing opportunities for citizens to be more physically active, they are also among the worst in the nutritional value that is offered at those very locations. But can we really kill this “cash cow?” Can good nutrition also be cheap, fast, and easy?

DiD you know...these are just a few of the GREAT sessions planned for Conference 2012

His life was a mess. The former professional musician with big dreams had grown to almost 450 pounds

while sitting behind a desk and placing his dreams on a shelf to take care of everyone else. His debt

grew, his weight grew, his helplessness grew… grew so big that there seemed to be no way out. Then he decided to change his mind. Danny was selected for Season 8

of The Biggest Loser, and lost 239 pounds in less than 7 months to become THE BIGGEST LOSER EVER! Listen to Danny motivate and inspire as he explains it is never too late, there is no dream or goal too big, and stop putting limits on yourself ! This speech will be a turning point in your life.

Don’t miss the keynote address by Danny Cahill winner of The Biggest Loser season 8!

6 Missouri Parks & Recreation • Winter 2012

Barr Retires After Diverse, Productive CareerAfter 34 years, Charlie Barr is able to take advantage of a well-earned active retirement. After graduating from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1973, Charlie’s first job was with the City of St. Joseph as an Athletic Supervisor. He also worked at the YMCA of Greater St. Louis, in Dellwood and Creve Coeur. Then in 1987, he

moved to Clay County, where he would spend the next 25 years. Not that he did the “same ol’ thing” for 25 years – quite to the contrary! Over the years, he served as Assistant Director of Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites, Assistant County Administrator/Purchasing Director, Director of Parks, Recreation, Historic Sites and Tourism, finally as Interim County Administrator/Chief Budget Officer. His last day (allegedly) was January 27, 2012, and a farewell reception was held on January 20.

Throughout his professional career, Charlie has been a staunch supporter of MPRA on many levels. He has served as Chair of multiple committees, Section Chair, and member of the Board of Directors, In 2005, he was awarded MPRA’s highest honor, the Fellow Award. He has also received service awards from the YMCA, the city of St. Joseph and from Clay County. The Missouri Alumni Association also selected Charlie as the recipient of the coveted “Eye of the Tiger” award for distinguished career achievement.

MPRA is a better association because of Charlie Barr, and we are grateful for his many contributions – not the least of which is elevating tie-dying to an art form, and passing it on to future generations at the annual fall student workshops!

We wish him the very best in the future, and will count on his continuing involvement with MPRA and our profession. He has agreed to serve on the Hall of Fame Committee, so we know he’ll be around!

DiD you know... Real Facts From

Conference AttendeesRebecca Stidham of the Columbia Parks and Recreation Department knows firsthand how beneficial conference attendance can be: “It was at an MPRA conference session that I learned about MDC’s Community Assistance Program. We applied for this grant and were able to get $157,500 for our community.”What a great example of a tangible result from conference attendance. Turns out, she wasn’t the only one who found that to be the case:

“The MPRA Conference session on citizen surveys taught me how to package and use the survey results to document the benefits of parks and recreation. When decision-makers see that the majority of citizens use their local parks, it is a powerful message.” Mike Griggs

“As a new professional within the parks and recreation industry, the MRPA vendor Expo allowed me to meet with vendors from across the state and develop business relationships that I still utilize today on a daily basis.” Gabe Huffington

In a recent poll taken of parks and recreation department Directors, they were asked if involvement in the state association would positively affect an applicant’s position when interviewing. 90% said “yes.” To them, active involvement means that they are more likely to be serious about making parks and recreation a career, more up to date on parks and recreation issues, and more likely to be a confident advocate for the field and for their department.

Julia Thompson (Director, Cape Girardeau) puts it this way: “I think these folks are leaders, trendsetters, in the front of the pack – this has benefits and I would also think translates back to their job performance.”

The 2012 Conference promises to deliver better value than ever –

register today!

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The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) has announced that the City of Chesterfield Parks and Recreation Department has become one of only 99 park and recreation agencies accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA), and only the third Parks and Recreation agency in the state of Missouri. This distinguished accomplishment was announced during the NRPA 2011 Legislative Forum in Washington, D.C.

National accreditation through CAPRA is an extensive multi-year process, which includes the completion of an application and detailed self-assessment report, a site visit by a committee of experienced park and recreation professionals, and a final assessment completed by the agency and the Commission. Accreditation requires agencies to respond to 144 standards representing elements of effective and efficient park and recreation operations. To become accredited, agencies must fully meet 36 standards deemed fundamental to a quality agency and at least 92 of the remaining standards.

CAPRA accreditation is the only national accreditation for park and recreation agencies, and is a measure of an

agency’s overall quality of operation, management and service to the community. Accreditation is valid for a period of five years.

“The City of Chesterfield strives every day to inspire a passion for parks and recreation and to provide quality programs and facilities,” stated Acting-Mayor Barry Flachsbart. “Our parks and recreational programs enhance the livability of our community, improve health, prevent crime and attract business. National accreditation adds credibility to these efforts. It is an honor worn with pride by each member of our staff and elected officials,” he added.

Mike Geisel, Director of Planning, Public Works and Parks said, “I want to commend our Parks & Recreation staff for their efforts in making this a reality. It’s an outstanding distinction and they can be proud of what they have helped the City to achieve. The designation reflects a level of professionalism, efficiency of operations worthy of our community's high praise. The CAPRA logo is proof to our customers that we do what we say, and we do it well” Geisel stated.

Tom McCarthy, who became the Parks and Recreation Director there in December, 2011, will help Chesterfield continue to meet these high standards. Congratulations, Chesterfield! For more information about the National Recreation and Park Association, go to www.nrpa.org.

Chesterfield Parks and Recreation Earns National AccreditationPictured, L to R: Mike Geisel; Director of Planning, Public Works and Parks, Kari Johnson; Superintendent of Recreation and Operations, Steve Jarvis; Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation, and Greg Mack; Chairman of CAPRA board

Just as we are tying up all the loose ends from the 2011 Ticket Program, it’s time to start all over again! Thanks to the efforts of the 30+ communities who participated in this year’s sales, they earned almost $5000 for their use. In addition, previous ticket commissions have made it possible for these agencies to pay for more staff to join MPRA, and more individuals are able to attend region programs and the annual conference. The prices for the 2012 program will be available soon – perhaps by the time you have this publication! Be sure to respond as soon as you can so we can make sure you can push this special pricing out to your residents, saving them money, and making some for your agency.

If you have not participated in this program before, or it’s been a while since your agency joined in, please consider how your community and your staff could benefit. If you have any questions, call the MPRA office – and watch for the details of the 2012 season program. It’s a definite winner all the way around!

Theme Park Ticket Information Coming Soon!

Congratulations to Patty DeForrest who becomes the first (and only) professional in Missouri to obtain the new designation of Certified Parks and Recreation Executive. Patty, who is the Director in Clayton, took the exam at NRPA’s National Congress in October in Atlanta. It was the first administration of the exam, and she received word shortly thereafter that she

had passed! “I’d encourage anyone who is ready to pursue the next level of professional recognition to pursue this new designation. Since it was the first time it was given, I wasn’t sure how to prepare, but I’m happy with the outcome.”

DeForrest is also MPRA’s President-Elect, and will be installed at the state conference. Please join us in letting her know that we are all proud of her!

DeForrest is Missouri’s First to Obtain CPRE Designation

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For decades, programs geared towards the senior population in Independence shared programming and activity space with other groups at the Roger T. Sermon Center; the only City operated community center at that time. The need for a place specifically designed for serving our senior population was officially recognized in the 2002 Independence Parks and Recreation Master Plan and became an important part of the 2002 Independence Parks and Recreation Sales Tax initiative.

The parks master plan was adopted by the Independence City Council, the ’02 Parks and Recreation Sales Tax initiative was approved and The Palmer Center opened its doors in March of 2004. The increased space allowed the City to begin addressing the growing needs of its older population by expanding programs, offering new services and creating a place the seniors could call their own.

Today, The Palmer Center provides diverse, current and quality enrichment programs for lifelong activity, learning and enjoyment. Services include a daily lunch program for both homebound residents and visitors to the center, para-transit and senior transportation, health, wellness, educational and creative classes, special events, travel to regional destinations, information and referral service, support groups and more. In all, more than 150 programs and activities take place throughout the 24,000 sq. ft. facility which includes use of a full sized gymnasium, fitness room, computer lab, game room, arts and craft room, library and dining hall.

This ongoing success led to the question “How can we be better?” The next logical step was to explore senior center accreditation, the highest national achievement a center of this kind can reach.

In September 2010, The Palmer Center kicked off an accreditation self-assessment process offered through the National Institute of Senior Centers (NISC), a unit of the National Council on Aging (NCA). Forty-nine community members, center participants and city staff worked together to measure the programming and operations of the Center against NCA’s Nine Standards of Excellence: Purpose, Governance, Evaluation, Program Development and Implementation, Fiscal Management, Community Connections, Administration and Human Resources, Facility and Records and Reports.

The self-assessment process was completed in June, 2011 and all required documentation was submitted to the National Accreditation Board for review. In late September, an on-site reviewer, Jill Kranz, from Middleton, WI visited the center to observe operations and interview staff, committee members, volunteers and participants.

During the wrap up meeting and final report, Ms. Kranz shared several positive observations:• ThePalmerCenterisorganized,professionaland

operatingataveryhighlevel.• Itisabeautifulandwelcomingseniorcenter.• TheCenterhasexcellentsupportfromtheParksand

Recreationadministrativeandmaintenancestaffaswellascitymanagementandelectedofficials,whichgreatlyenhancesanalreadystrongseniorcenterprogram.

• TheCenterhasadynamichealthandwellnessprogramthatincludesparticipantswithalllevelsofabilities.

• TheCenterhasdevelopedandsustainedstrongcommunitypartnerships.

• TheCenterisblessedwithaverycommittedvolunteerstaff,manywhoworkeveryday.

Her full report was submitted to the accreditation board in October, 2011. Based on this information, the NCA voted unanimously to award the Palmer Center National Accreditation status.

This process ended in National Accreditation for the City’s senior center, but the real reward comes from the official recognition that the senior population in Independence brings a wealth of experience, skills and talents that add to the overall quality of life in our city and that The Palmer Center is a place that provides excellent opportunities to showcase that fact.

In addition, accreditation supports and acknowledges that the senior services and programs offered at the Palmer Center are of high quality and are being professionally administered. The process drilled down into the day to day workings of the Center to evaluate current practices and provided the staff with a written strategic plan to improve future operations. And finally, with funding opportunities being so very competitive, the accreditation’s mark of excellence provides additional leverage when applying for grants and other funding assistance to further our mission of creating a healthy place for aging in Independence.

“The City of Independence has made senior services a priority for the community and that support has produced a multi-purpose senior center of excellence. The Center is staffed with dedicated professionals and volunteers and offers a wide variety of programs and services. Everyone involved with the Center should be very proud, as it is among the most professional and successful programs in the nation!” Jill Kranz, Director, Middleton Senior Center.

Eric Urfer, Director of the Independence Parks and Recreation Department, added “We are all very proud to have received accreditation. This achievement supports the City’s commitment to providing excellent services to our senior citizens. The Palmer staff, volunteers and accreditation committee members are to be commended for their contributions to this process.”

Out of more than 11,000 senior centers located across the United States, only 126 are nationally accredited. The Palmer Center, operated by the Independence Parks and Recreation Department and Vesper Hall, operated by Blue Springs Parks and Recreation are the only two centers accredited in Missouri.

City of Independence Palmer Senior Center Receives National AccreditationSubmitted by Eric Urfer, Director of Parks and RecreationCity of Independence