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Greetings!
From the Executive Director
I hope this issue of the Update finds all of our
members doing well and enjoying the start of the
summer. This is more of a catch-up edition, and I
hope to provide more frequent issues in the future to
supplement the frequent WebNews information from
Emily. We do try to use the WebNews (blasts) to get
timely information to you right away.
The current top focus is the DCNR Budget for 2009-
2010 and particularly the funding to maintain the
operation of our state parks. As most of you are
aware, there are at least two major proposals for the
state budget, the Governor's and the one proposed by
the PA Senate. Both would cut the DCNR Budget to
varying degrees. We are pushing to keep the state
parks open and to keep the reduction for DCNR to a
fair share. At this point, there seems to be an
acknowledgement that the parks should remain
open. The cost may be a loss of some of the grant
funds that would be shifted from Keystone or the
Environmental Stewardship Fund. We need to
increase the General Fund support for the state parks
by about $9 million to keep the rest of the DCNR
programs largely intact. It's going to be an up hill
battle because the deficit is at $3.2 billion and growing
and the list of programs that have received major cuts
is quite long. We are fighting the positioning battle
with other programs that many of you face continually
at the local level, but we are going to keep at it with the
leadership of Governmental Affairs Committee Chair
Bill Forrey who organized our most recent visitation
day on June 2nd.
On other more pleasant topics, I wanted to report
attending a Retirement Picnic on Thursday, June 11th
for Bill Semmel, the long time director of recreation
and parks for 41 years. I had the privilege of
presenting him with a PRPS Retirement Certificate
and thanking him for his many years of active PRPS
support including 41 consecutive years of attendance
at the Annual PRPS State Conferences.
I also attended the dedication of a park in Whitemarsh
Township that will now be named after Donald R.
Koontz, who started the Whitemarsh Township
Recreation and Parks Department back in the late
1950's after being an early graduate of the Penn State
Recreation and Parks Program chaired by Fred
Coombs. Don spent over 30 years as director in
Whitemarsh Township, is an honorary member and
past PRPS president, and was planning director and
then parks director for Montgomery County for about
11 years. It was terrific to see Don honored and
remembered by the citizens and officials in a very well
done ceremony organized by the current Whitemarsh
Township director, Doug Knauss, and his staff.
The 41st Annual PA Therapeutic Recreation Institute
held on June 9-11, 2009 at the Holiday Inn at Grantville
went very well thanks to the leadership of TRI Co-
Chair Teresa Rash and Matt Ernst. The TRI featured
terrific educational opportunities with several veteran
attendees remarking that it was the best content that
they had experienced at a TRI.
The PRPS Board of Directors has been quite active
under the leadership of PRPS President Bill
Rosevear. The conducted the annual Board Retreat at
Kings Gap in April and is continuing the active
implementation of the Plan of Work 2008-2011
adopted last fall based on the most recent
Membership Survey. After a couple months of
preparation and review, the 2009-2010 PRPS Budget
was adopted on June 16 without any increase in
membership dues though we did need to streamline
a number of expense areas just like everyone else in
this economy. Later in this issue you'll find the list of
the new Board members.
The list of the top award winners at the PRPS Annual
Awards Banquet is included as we continued our
tradition of recognizing deserving individuals,
agencies, and programs. This was another well done
effort by PRPS Recognition and Awards Chairperson
Susan Lohoefer, her committee, and her two trusty
assistants, MC Barry Bessler and Usher Paul
Radzevich, Jr. This was also Sue's last awards
program as Jeff Williams has assumed the role of
R&A Committee Chairperson. Thanks again, Sue, for
the many years of outstanding service! Welcome, Jeff,
and thanks for taking on this big task!
During the Awards Banquet, we formally recognized
our five most recent Honorary Membership Award
winners-Lee Bryan, Glenn "GT" Thompson, Nate
Washington, Wayne Johnson (posthumous) and Betty
van der Smissen (posthumous). Lee, GT, and Nate
were present to accept their recognition, and Wayne's
family as in attendance.
Plans for the 2010 Annual PRPS State Conference are
going quite well. Dr. John Crompton, a well-known
expert on the economic and other benefits of
recreation and parks, has been confirmed as one
keynote speaker. His presentations will include a
multi-session workshop focused on "repositioning
recreation and parks" that is designed to assist
directors and others in their effort to move their
agencies up the priority ladder in their communities.
This is an excellent workshop that I attended at the
NRPA Congress last fall in Baltimore, and I wanted to
bring it to PA particularly for our directors.
On April 17, the Park Resource Branch Executive
Committee held its Spring Field Day at the Office
planting several beds of new shrubs and perennial
flowers as well as a couple more trees following the
plan developed by John Mikowychok. We had a nice
sunny day which was a break after the rainy day that
we experienced in September. We also have a
meadow area planted with warm summer grasses
and wild flowers that is developing. Next steps will be
a flag pole installation and the memorial garden area
with seating in the front. If you happen to be in the
State College area, be sure to stop by to visit your
building!
We'll be back soon with our next Update issue. In the
meantime, enjoy a great summer!
Bob Griffith
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From the 2009 Annual Conference |
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March 7-11, 2009
Hershey Lodge, Hershey, PA
Special Thanks to the following vendors for
participating in the "Green Trail of Treasures
Game":
Advanced Enviro Systems, Advantage Sport & Fitness,
Inc., Alpine Services, Inc., Bitting Recreation, Inc.,
Bobcat Company, Boyce Associates, Inc., Camelback
Mountain Resort/Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark,
Computertots and Computer Explorers, CXT, Inc.,
Designed for Fun, Inc., E.H. Griffith, Inc., Eco-Bound,
Inc., Environmental Planning & Design, LLC,
Equishare USA, LLC/PonyShare, General Recreation,
Inc., George Ely Associates, Inc., Hershey
Entertainment Group, Larson Design Group, Inc.,
Liberty Mountain Resort/Ski Roundtop/Whitetail
Mountain, MKSD Architects, Morey's Piers,
O.A. Newton, Philadelphia Zoo, Recreation Resource,
Inc., Six Flags Great Adventure, T&M Associates,
YSM
This year's conference would not have been
possible without the generous contributions from the
following sponsors:
Bitting Recreation, Inc.
Boyce Associates
Bucks County Recreation Council
Camellian Playscapes
Chameleon Ways, Inc.
ClearStream ClearTainers
CMX
Distrcit III
Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
E*L*F Entertainment
General Recreation, Inc.
George Ely Associates
GIANT® FOODS
The Goose Guys
Hershey Entertainment Group
Lock Haven University Recreation Management
Department
Lowee's Group Tours
Modern Precast Concrete
Musco Sports Lighting
Pashek Associates, Ltd.
PA Dept. of Conservation & Natural Resources
Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Zoo
Temple University School of Tourism & Hospitality
Management
YSM
Zeager Bros., Inc.
Thanks for your support!
The 2009 Conference Exhibit Hall Committee
would like to congratulate the following winners in the
Best of Show Exhibit Hall Contest:
Most Creative: Colonial Williamsburg and Camellian
Playscapes
Best in Green: Philadelphia Zoo and T&M
Associates
Most Interactive: Advantage Sports & George Ely
Associates
Best Sweet Spot: General Recreation
Best in Show: EZ Dock & Ski Roundtop
Great job!
See you next year!
March 20-24, 2010
PRPS: Keeping Pennsylvania Green
Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Champion, PA
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Training Corner |
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PRPS recently held two successful workshops in each
district across the state. The Playground Maintenance
Workshop had a total of 66 participants and the
Planning Extraordinary Special Events had a total of
56 participants.
We would like to extend special thanks to three
vendors who helped sponsor the Special Events
workshop:
George Ely Associates-April 30th New Cumberland
Workshop
Toner Sound-May 1st Fort Washington
Workshop
Norris Sales Party Rentals - May 1st Fort
Washington
Workshop
With their generous contributions we were able to
cater a lunch for the participants!
Also, thanks to the following hosts: Warwick
Township, Spring Garden Township, Westmoreland
County Parks & Recreation, West Shore Recreation,
Upper Dublin Township, and Municipality of Murrysville.
If you have a suggestion for a workshop or session,
please send to Kim Woodward, Training Coordinator
at
kwoodward@prps.org or 814-234-4272.
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Branches News |
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Summer Tickets Available |
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The PRPS Community Service Ticket Sales Program
provides an opportunity for you to provide an added
service to your community, generate income for your
agency, and support your state society.
In 2009, we are offering tickets for 30 different
amusement parks and attractions: Adventure
Aquarium, Baltimore Aquarium, Busch Gardens,
Camelbeach at Camelback Ski Area, Cedar Point,
Clementon Park, Colonial Williamsburg, DelGrosso's
Amusement Park, Dorney Park, Dutch Wonderland,
Geauga Lake's Wildwater Kingdom, Hersheypark,
Idlewild, Kennywood, Kings Dominion, Knoebels
Amusement Park, Morey's Piers, Pennsylvania
Renaissance Faire, Philadelphia Zoo, Pittsburgh Zoo,
Roundtop Mountain Adventures, Sahara Sam's Oasis,
Sandcastle, Sea World, Sesame Place, Six Flags
America, Six Flags Great Adventure, Splash Zone
Water Park (Wildwood, NJ), Waldameer Park, and
Water Country USA. There's a park for every
agency.
Most of the agencies participating in the program have
been very successful. In 2008, we sold over 126,000
tickets, and we saved community residents over
$500,000.00 compared to the gate price of the tickets.
If you have any questions, contact Tracy Robert at
(814) 234-4272 or email trobert@prps.org.
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Member News |
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Recognition!
Last month, U.S. Representative Glenn Thompson,
from Howard, praised outgoing Secretary of
Conservation and Natural Resources Michael
DiBerardinis, on the House Floor for his six years of
service to the Commonwealth, and his dedication,
leadership, and vision to Rural Pennsylvania. The
former secretary made numerous visits to the
Pennsylvania Wilds during his tenure and was
instrumental in many of the initiative's successes.
DiBerardinis now serves as Philadelphia's parks and
recreation commissioner.
Congratulations!
On February 3, Jim Miliauskas of East Hills Recreation
is a proud new daddy.
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Tips of the Trade |
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From Kim Woodward, Training Coordinator
"Photographs are getting larger, marketing elements
are getting bolder, and color is being used more
extensively - these are all becoming more important
factors in conveying "the experience." Marketing
Recreation Vol. 20, No.5
Chillax'n Lounge - Name for a teen lounge in City of
Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
Marketing Recreation Vol. 20, No. 5
With more people becoming environmentally-
conscious and the push on our youth groups and
others to do community service related to that, this is a
great time to set up an Adopt-a-Park and or Adopt-a-
Trail Program in your community. City of Tuscon,
Arizona and City of San Jose, California have both
developed similar programs. To view their information
go to www.tucsonaz.gov/tcb/tcbaap.htm and
www.sjadoptapark.org.
Marketing Recreation, Vol. 21, No. 1
At some point, you will introduce people to one
another. Regardless of the situation it is important to
get three things right: The names, the pronunciation
of the names, and the job titles of the individuals.
Small errors could set bad tones for the future. Bear
in mind that for many people, names and titles are the
placeholders of their identities.
Marketing Recreation, Vol. 21, No. 2
Program Name Ideas:
Sports Center for grades 2-5, Worthington Parks and
Recreation (OH)
Mud Puppies, Westerville, OH - kids will learn how to
play and explore with clay
Itsy Bitsy Yoga, Bloomington Parks and Recreation,
IN - for parents and babies through 9 months
Marketing Recreation, Vol. 21, No. 2
Revenue Generating Program Ideas:
Identified by recreation programmers across the US
and Canada as the best revenue-generating camps
and classes from their 2008 programs.
Broadcasting Camp, Video Production Camp, Lego
Engineering Camp, Project Runway, American Idol,
Fear Factor, Pet Programs (Puppy Pre-School,
Birthday Pawties, Dog Shows), Golf Chipping, X-
Sports for Teens, Youth Radio for Teens, Designing
Computer Games for Teens, Kids Triathlons, Organic
Gardening, Kids Gardening Club, Dodgeball for Young
Adults, Ballroom Dance for Adults, Quilting and
Knitting for Adults, Family Geocaching, Family Night
Sky Tours, Family Glow in the Night Parties, Senior
Cardio Tennis, Texting for Seniors, and Mature
Fitness/Balance.
Marketing Recreation, Vol. 21, No. 2
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Greenways & Trails Summit |
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Save The Date!
5th Annual PA Greenways & Trails Summit
"Connecting Communities Through Recreation
and
Heritage"
September 27-29, 2009
Blair County Convention Center
Altoona, PA
Tours and Mobile Workshops
Tracks: Community & Economic Development; Health,
Wellness & Active Living; Technology; and
Maintenance & Management
Main Line Canal Greenway Workshop
Cost: $99 for Full Summit
Interested in vendor opportunities at the summit?
Click here for the details!
Registration Guide available by July 1, 2009
www.prps.org
Summit partners: PA Department of
Conservation & Natural Resources, PA Recreation
and Park Society, National Park Service, Allegheny
Ridge Corporation, PA Environmental Council, PA
Department of Transportation, PA Department of
Health, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, Keystone Trails
Association, PA Equine Council, PA Fish & Boat
Commission, PA Advocates for Nutrition & Activity,
Pittsburgh to Harrisburg Main Line Canal Greenway,
Allegheny Mountains Convention & Visitors Bureau,
Central Blair Recreation and Parks Commission, PA
State Snowmobile Association, Juniata Clean Water
Partnership, Rails to Trails of Central PA, Borough of
Hollidaysburg, Southern Alleghenies Planning &
Development Commission
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General Recreation, Inc. |
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Building Fund Contributions - Thank You! |
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December 08-May 09
Michael King
Lois V. Snowden
Lloyd J. Vye
Kathy Brill
Mark Wilson
Gaylene Carpenter
Maria Olshansky
James Pashek
Fred Schuetz
Joanne Nelson
Mimi Barash Coppersmith
Bob Griffith
Donald Joyce
James Strange
Rex Lord
Gary Smith
Diane Knight-Kallor
Arthur Geisler
George Ely
Joseph Fazio
Joseph E. Hoffman
The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy
Dick Sprenkle
Daisy Carter
Daniel J. DiNunzio
Ronald Chase
Kurt Baker
Annette Logan
Leonard Kratcoski
William C. & Dorothy Forrey
Fran Rubert, Jr.
Pool Renovators.com
Fred L. Owen, Jr.
Jeffrey & Associates
Lalanda M. Stromp
Ann Toole
Linda Dreisbach Ferrol
Jerry Walls
Greg J. Gove
Robert Deffner
Steven & Genevieve Volgstadt
Beth Helterbran
Gaylene M. Carpenter
Robert Loughran
Lynne Pomietlarz
Sue Lohoefer
Paul Radzevich, Jr.
Barry Bessler
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Fall Membership Meeting |
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SAVE THE DATE!
November 18, 2009
Stuart Community Center
Carlisle, PA
More information to follow this summer
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George Ely Associates, Inc. |
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Society News |
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Professional Certification
If you have any questions, you can contact Julie
Johnson at NRPA (703) 858-4732.
FREE- Protective Gym Floor Covers - Dunlap
Industries has protective gym floor covers available
free to schools and parks and recreation departments
for the cost of the hem on the outer edge. Protective
covers are used to prevent scuffing and damage to
gym floors. All shipping costs are free. For more
information call Gene Stephan 530-274-0685. All
requests are on a first come first serve basis.
Facility brochure information
I am looking for facility brochures from other
Recreation Departments. We are looking to develop a
Facility Brochure for our township residents but our
Director would like some examples to look at as we
are developing our own. If any department is
interested in sharing their facility brochure with us,
they can be mailed to Muhlenberg Township Parks &
Recreation, Attn: Joe Mench, 5401 Leesport Avenue,
Temple, PA 19560. Thank you so much for your
help.
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Board of Directors |
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President - Bill Rosevear
President-Elect - John Balicki, CPRP,
CPSI
Past President - Steve Landes, CPRP
Secretary - Doug Wendell, CPRP
Treasurer - Judy Houck, CPRP
Citizen Directors - Don Joyce, Helen Griffith,
APRP
Directors-at-Large - Audrey Logar, Bill Wert,
CPRP,
Kurt Baker, CPSI, Tonya Brown, CPRP
Educators Director - Annette Logan, CPRP,
CTRS
Retired Professional - Bill Forrey
Student Director - Kyla Pugh
Aquatics Branch President - Daphne Sebelist-
Klahr
Community Recreation & Parks - Joe Seltzer,
III
Park & Resource Conservation - Jeff Larsen,
CPSI
PA State Parks Society - Beth Grove
PA Therapeutic Recreation Society - Jenn
Koehler
DI President - Lisa Black
DII President - Tammy Agesen
DIII President - Doug Knauss
Editor - Vanyla Tierney, CPRP
Development & Sponsorship Committee -
Kim
Woodward, CPRP
Executive Director - Bob Griffith
DCNR Liason - Brenda Barrett
Membership Committee - Herb Dolaway,
CPRP
Resort & Commercial Section - Chrissie
Kelly
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PRPS 2009 Award Recipients |
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Fred M. Coombs Honor Award - Gary K.
Smith
Distinguished Member - Kathleen T. Muller, &
Karen
W. Regenfuse
Outstanding New Professional - Daphne
Sebelist-
Klahr
Student Honor Award - Amy Smith, PSU
Governmental Award - George Kaufman
Local Government Award - Warrington Twp.
Bike &
Hike Committee
Lay Honor Award - Dr. Norman Lacasse
Service Group Award - Spring Township Lions
Club
Volunteerism Award - Greg Carl, Borough of
Northumberland
Honoray Membership- Glenn W. Thompson,
Wayne C.
Johnson, Nathaniel Washington, Lee Bryan, and Betty
van der Smissen
John H. "Jack" Snyder Community Service
Award -
Upper Merion Township Parks & Rec. Dept.
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PRPS Staff Change |
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As some of you may know, February 19th, was the last
day for Wendy Jo Hartsock, our TR Education
Specialist. She decided on a career change, and
accepted a new full-time position with the Penn State
Alumni Association working with events management
which began on February 23, 2009.
Wendy Jo is an avid Penn State
fan so this is an ideal change for her. We wish her the
very best of success and thank her for her years of
dedicated service particularly to PTRS and the TR
Institute. She has indicated a willingness to stay
active with PTRS as her new job allows and attended
the recent PTRS Awards Dinner.
"PRPS is an Affiliate of the National Recreation and
Park Association"
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