Great Lakes region - Regional Reports

Giving back to the community is something that the Women's National Basketball Association strongly supports. The WNBA knows that fans matter, but what's really heartening is that they know that parks and recreation centers matter, too. That's why WNBA players make it a point to visit community programs to encourage sportsmanship and basketball. Here's a list of the WNBA community programs in the Great Lakes region: Minneapolis Parks and Recreation had a visit Dec. 18 by WNBA player Shanele Stires; Columbus Parks and Recreation had WNBA player Helen Darling on Dec. 19; Elaine Powel made an appearance at the Chesterfield Parks and Recreation program in Chesterfield, Mich., and Warren, Mich., Parks and Recreation had a visit in January.

We don't hold parades for people like Patricia Scott, but she represents the sort of qualities that should be celebrated: courage, selflessness and persistence. Above all, persistence. Recently, Scott and the Minnesota Disability Law Center announced that, after a five-year struggle, she has reached a settlement with the city of Brooklyn Park that will make the suburb's parks more accessible to people with disabilities. Under terms of the settlement, Brooklyn Park will make 60 accessibility modifications in 23 of its 50 parks. The city is expected to do such simple things as improve signs and add more parking for people with disabilities. It's also going to do more costly things, such as putting hard surfaces on trails leading from parking lots to playing fields and picnic areas. The city will pay Scott $20,000 and the Disability Law Center $65,000.

The Northbrook (Ill.) Competitive Figure Skating Team has produced comfort and warmth for groups of ill or traumatized children. Participating in a volunteer activity entitled Project Linus, 40 young skaters designed squares of fabric that were sewn together by the "Sew Bee It" quilting circle of the Mt. Prospect Historical Society. Five quilts were donated for this project, a loving effort that distributes the handmade items for needy children to take home and keep for solace and consolation. Quilts were brightly scattered with primary colors, each accentuating life's happy moments. Love and caring concern was transferred within these pieces from each skater to each child recipient.

NRPA Marketing Director Kathy Spangler and Vicki Lynch, NRPA's marketing manager, were co-presenters at the Wisconsin Park and Recreation Association's spring workshop. "Marketing for Success in Times of Survival" was a tremendous success, with 119 delegates in attendance for the two-day workshop in La Crosse. The session focused on marketing methods to package, position and translate park resources and recreation services as a priority focus for governmental support and citizen engagement.

Five lucky Naval Station, Great Lakes sailors and their guests were the winners of a baseball lover's dream escape to Phoenix, Ariz., this March. Through the Navy Morale, Welfare and Recreation's (MWR) Saluting Sailors and Their Families initiative, winners were afforded the White Sox Spring Training Trip getaway. To enter, baseball fans (active duty military personnel) were encouraged to visit participating Great Lakes MWR facilities throughout February to fill out a "scorecard" (entry blank and survey) at the baseball-themed entry boxes, called "dugouts." At the "dugout," contestants could pick-up the "line-up," a listing of other "dugout" locations, thus encouraging entrants to register at as many "dugouts" as possible to increase their changes of winning. Contestants could also enter via Great Lakes, MWR's new Web site at www.mwrgl.com.

WPRA's 4th Annual Groundhog Job Shadow Day on Feb. 5 was a tremendous success. More than 150 university students visited Wisconsin Park and Recreation Association agencies and "job shadowed" park, recreation and therapeutic recreation professionals for a day. If you would like to perform a similar benefit, be an APRS mentor. Go to www.nrpa.org and click on the APRS branch for more information.

Michael Maisner, CPRP, executive director of the Michigan Recreation and Park Association, earned the Certified Association Executive designation from the American Society of Association Executives in January. Before becoming certified, applicants must have obtained career experience for the required length of time within the field of nonprofit association management, obtained multiple hours of continuing professional education and completed a comprehensive examination, which tests fundamental knowledge of all areas of the association management profession.

So far this year, 161 aquatic professionals have joined the new Wisconsin Park and Recreation Association aquatic membership section. For more information about this program, e-mail Steve Thompson, CPRP, WPRA executive vice president, at wpra@execpc.com or call 414-423-1210.

Parks give people places to play, grow and go for the gold. For the past two years, the Winnetka (Ill.) District Ice Arena has been home to the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago's Sledge Hockey program. The program is one of a handful throughout the U.S. and Canada offering hockey for those who otherwise wouldn't be able to skate. Players participate in "sleds," using two hockey sticks with picks to propel themselves around the rink. Other then the sleds, the rules and style of play are identical to professional ice hockey. Recently, gold medal winners from the U.S. Paralympics Sledge Hockey Team presented Winnetka Park District Board of Commissioners an autographed jersey and team picture for display at the Winnetka Park District Ice Arena for hosting team try-outs and practices. The U.S. team went undefeated.