Southwest region - Regional Reports

Parks & Recreation, Sept, 2002

On May 30, three area park and recreation departments hosted a Hearts N' Parks launch at the City of Las Vegas municipal pool. Clark County, Henderson and Las Vegas teamed to show their unity around the Hearts N' Parks initiative with a media blitz. Local media, department heads, a city councilman, kids from Las Vegas and Henderson summer programs, and seniors participated in parachute and hula hoop games, and the press conference. Area partners, such as the University of Las Vegas, set up information booths and demonstrations for the participants. Henderson followed the media blitz with a kick-off celebration at the Whitney Ranch Aquatic Complex. Donations were given by community businesses that allowed the city to give out approximately 300 free t-shirts. More than 500 people attended throughout the day.

Former NRPA President James Colley may have just retired as director of the Phoenix Parks, Recreation and Library Department, but he hasn't stopped supporting his community or his profession. Colley was recently elected to the governing board of the Arizona Pioneer Foundation, Inc. The foundation operates the Pioneer Arizona Living History Village, which represents the era from 1880 to 1912, when Arizona became a state. Within the village are an authentic historical building, structures, artisans performing tasks of the time period and various special events and programs.

A group of Oklahoma State University students put in extra hours over the summer to raise money for a trip to the NRPA's National Congress and Exposition. As part of their fundraising campaign, the students did yard work, pet sat, house sat and provided child care to raise the $5,000 needed for the trip. They also had a yard sale and golf tournament. "Their commitment to each other was that they would hang in there together no matter what. They demonstrated wonderful cooperation and teamwork in this hole thing," said Chris Cashel, their faculty advisor. If this is an example of their dedication, can you imagine their contributions to parks and recreation when they become professionals?