Celebrating 50 years of community sports with Sports Illustrated and NRPA

Parks & Recreation, Feb, 2004 by Kevin Beck

Here are this month's Sportstown! These towns have been chosen by NRPA and Sports Illustrated as some of the best in the U.S. at enhancing the quality of sport through parks and recreation. Keep reading to learn how these Sportstown improve community through sport. And keep reading Parks & Recreation every month to find out about other winning Sportstowns. For a list of winners to date, see www.nrpa.org

BISMARCK, N.D.

Bismarck's the Spot

The northern Great Plains states--home to hardy winters and few large cities--perhaps don't come to mind as sporting havens to those unfamiliar with the heartland. But not only is the recreation and leisure scene in Bismarck (population 55,000) thriving and varied, it's among the country's most progressive by any measure.

The community philosophy of the Bismarck Parks and Recreation District (BPRD)--an organization that celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2002--is "to promote broad-based recreation opportunities to enhance the quality of life for the citizens of Bismarck and its visitors." The key phrase here is "broad-based"--BPRD's strives to bring a variety of recreation offerings and opportunities to every member of an unusually diverse citizenry.

The District takes a three-pronged approach to ensuring top-quality services for Bismarckians: ever-better training programs for coaches, officials, participants and parents; the expansion of partnerships with local clubs, organizations, associations and governmental agencies; and the development and continuation of affordable, high-caliber recreational facilities and programs. Three times a year, 30,000 households are mailed copies of the District's activity schedule; this has long served as the most effective means of reaching and informing community members about BPRD programs and resources.

BPRD takes a variety of measures to promote universal access to programs and facilities. The District offers programs at schools and close to residents' homes, minimizing transportation needs. In addition, BPRD strives to provide low-cost and affordable programming for the community by offering scholarships to families who are unable to pay for programs available through the Park District, Bismarck Public School District, social services, Youth Works, the Police Youth Bureau, the Adult Drug Court and several other program providers. The District also offers many free programs throughout the year, many of them centering on activities that focus not only on competition but on basic fitness: shelter rental, golf, swimming, open houses, ice skating, cross-country meets, elementary-school track meets and even an all-city Halloween Party. Local high schools are also afforded the free use of many BPRD facilities.

Social aspects of program participation are given high priority. Whenever possible, teams in youth sports are organized by school and neighborhood to keep friends together, reduce any uncertainty that kids may be feeling and provide easier program access. End-of-season jamhorees are held in lieu of tournaments to celebrate participation in the program and avoid the stress of further competition. Also, while dozens of competitive leagues exist, BPRD is committed to setting aside ample funds to maintain or enhance non-league sport opportunities for adults and children alike.

For the differently-abled, BPRD has a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist on its full-time staff that is able to assist in program adaptations, staff education and equipment modification to enhance participation by those facing unique physical and mental challenges.

Bismarck and neighboring Mandan, just across the Missouri River to the west, together include more than 30 miles of multi-use trails for jogging, cycling, hiking and simply enjoying the outdoors. Active residents who have lived elsewhere in the United States often note that Bismarck does an unparalleled job of keeping its footpaths clear even in the roughest parts of winter. The area also includes three highly regarded golf courses--Tom O'Leary, Pebble Creek and Riverwood.

In early 2000, Bismarck Parks and Recreation District adopted its third five-year plan, "The Path To 2005." Targeted for construction or development during the next several years are recreation trails (hard-surface and off-road), an indoor swimming pool, improved river access for boating and fishing, additional youth softball and baseball fields, an indoor running track, a recreation center, a climbing wall, additional gymnasiums and soccer fields, an indoor playground and land acquisition for future development. Central to these plans is a tremendous level of community financial support.

Between 1998 and 2002, tax support grew from $3,311,000 to $4,139,000. During this same period, BPRD generated more than $5 million in grants, sponsorships and donations to supplement operations and facility development.

The BPRD Web site, www.bisparks. org, is a comprehensive resource that includes a full listing of available programs, sport schedules tar the area's competitive leagues, upcoming special events, tournaments, maps of trails and parks, golf-course information and opinion polls for feedback purposes. Also on the site are links to a variety of partner organizations and sports governing bodies, among them the Bismarck/Mandan Convention and Visitors Bureau, the North Dakota Amateur Hockey Association and the Dakota West Arts Council.