Great Lakes region

Parks & Recreation, July, 2003

The Lafayette (Ind.) Parks and Recreation Department decided that staff should take the lead and set an example for the planned Hearts N' Parks programs. At the annual Staff Team Day in March, a six-month park staff program was initiated. After a hearty and healthy lunch, the staff took the Hearts N' Parks pre-questionnaire and then played CATCH games, such as Wylie and the Hound Dogs and the Ultimate Flying Disc. Staff also set one goal each on how to be more active and engage in heart-healthy behaviors. These goals were recorded and placed in an envelope, and will be opened at the end of the program to see whether the staff goals were met. Throughout the summer, Hearts N' Parks events are held, including water walking, Hike With Your Hound, or walking on park trails. In addition, educational materials and opportunities for blood pressure and diabetes screening were available for the staff.

Parks and recreation camps are benefiting from NRPA's partnership with the Women's National Basketball Association. In June, the Detroit Shock had a special camp game to support summer recreation camps in the Detroit area. In July, the Cleveland Rockers, Minnesota Lynx and Detroit Shock played for summer campers. For more information on NRPA and the WNBA partnership and how you can get involved, contact programs@nrpa.org.

Des Peres, Mo., recreation professionals are helping to make their community healthier. They developed a four-week Healthy Choices program for families. For the first 30 minutes of the class, a registered dietician from the St. Louis County Health Department presented information on healthy eating choices, portion sizes, fat content and label reading. In the second half, the kids got active doing things like aerobics, a nature hike or obstacle course, while their parents stayed in the classroom for heart-healthy shopping tips.

The League of American Bicyclists has designated the first recipients of its Bicycle-Friendly Community awards. Fourteen communities around the U.S. have been recognized. Schaumburg, Ill., received a bronze level award, which was the highest recognition for a city in the Great Lakes region. A number of communities received honorable mention distinctions, including Hennepin County, and Oakdale, Minn. For more information, go to www.bicyclefriendlycommunity.org/.> Functioning as a team to enhance the quality of life for residents, the Winnetka Park District and the Village of Winnetka have been working together to improve the area's drainage problems. "This was a no-brainer for us to get involved with this project," states Liza McElroy, director of parks and recreation, Winnetka Park District. "The severity of the flooding was affecting the entire Skokie Playfields, as well as the adjacent homes, and needed to be corrected. We are always looking for ways to help our neighbors and other governmental agencies." Updating an old sewer and pump system and improving the drainage lines will relieve water flooding for residential neighborhoods, homes, the golf course, athletic field and parking areas. "The support from the Winnetka Park District and Winnetka residents has been terrific," stated Steve Saunders, director of public works. "The system wasn't working properly, and desperately needed to be updated. This is a win-win for everyone involved." The overall cost of the project is estimated at $2 million. The Winnetka Park District's cost for work on its golf course was estimated at $100,000, but came in under budget at a cost of $44,000. This cost is to be split between the Winnetka Park District and the Village of Winnetka.

Liza McElroy, director of parks and recreation, Winnetka Park District, has been elected as the new chair of the board for the Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association, an intergovernmental cooperative that works to improve the quality of life for people who have disabilities through recreational programs, support for inclusion and by providing partner agencies with information about making recreation facilities and sites accessible. "I am thrilled to have this honor," says McElroy. "The board not only sets policy, but works to assist the individual communities with their needs of providing recreation for people with disabilities." The Board of Directors is made up of one person from each of the 12 partner governing boards. "It is important that everyone have the opportunity to enjoy our parks and recreational programs," says McElroy. A 22-year veteran, McElroy is a member of the Illinois Parks and Recreation Association and NRPA, and has coached tennis for Special Olympics for more that 15 years.

The Ohio Parks and Recreation Association is actively working with new partners in the health and wellness arena, including the Ohio Action for Healthy Kids. This is a state committee of individuals representing the elementary and middle school principals, superintendents, dietitians, children's hospitals, etc. OPRA will host a two-day summit in Columbus, Oct. 2-3, to develop an action plan to improve the diet and activity level of Ohio's children. OPRA will develop 10 regional teams that include recreation professionals to get the job done. OPRA has appointed a Healthy Kids Task Force, chaired by Mary Beth Thaman, CPRP, director of Kettering Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department, to develop regional workshops for members focusing on connecting local park and recreation agencies to local health initiatives. For more information, go to www.opra.org.