Fall 2022/ Volume 10, Issue 2

About

GP RED is a 501(c)3 organization founded in 2008.

GP RED’s mission is to fill the gaps in Research, Education, and Development for health, recreation, land management, and allied educators and professionals. We help the professionals who help communities thrive by providing innovative management strategies and knowledge.

eNews Staff

Editor: Robby Layton, PhD

Initiatives

Healthy Communities Research Group (HCRG)

Operation Recreation Response (ORR)

REDLine Survey

Research Briefs

GP RED National Think Tank

Active Living Conference

SHIFT Summit & Awards

Emerging Leaders Program

Organizational & Leadership Development Workshops

Safe Routes to Play

USFS Children’s Forest Corridor Project

Whole Measures for Parks & Recreation

Youth Engagement Strategies Workshop

RED Staff:

Donna Kuethe, CPRP, Executive Director

Teresa Penbrooke, PhD, CPRE, HCRG Director

Amanda Walker, MA, Research & Education Manager

Robby Layton, PhD, FASLA, Senior Research Associate

Katie Muncie, Social Media

Message from the Executive Director

Greetings from New Hampshire where the leaves have already started to transition to their fall colors, although September has just begun. Welcome to the GP RED newsletter - as always it is packed with useful information and, as the name implies, “news you can use”.

In this edition you’ll find a lot of interesting information – including the lead article that refers to a law signed by Colorado’s Governor clarifying that it is not neglect for a parent or guardian to allow children to engage in things such as playing outdoors without parental supervision. For many of us who grew up in a different time, it seems unbelievable that such a thing would need to be legislated, but this is a progressive step forward (or perhaps backwards?) in improving child development and addressing “Nature Deficit Disorder”. Also, in the newsletter there’s information on the second cohort of the successful PREPP (Parks and Recreation Emerging Professional Program) getting underway in October of 2022. PREPP is supported by the University of Colorado – Denver, CPRA (Colorado Parks and Recreation Association) as well as GP RED.

As I write this, I feel quite fortunate to be a part of such an incredible organization, with so much good work happening as we “help those who help communities thrive.” Some of this good work includes but is certainly not limited to the following:

Two of GP RED’s national convenings are coming up this fall.

The SHIFT Summit will be held in Fort Collins, Colorado October 17-20, 2022. The Summit brings together people representing multiple disciplines to share experiences, evidence and ideas for enhancing the reciprocal relations between humans and nature. The theme is Transdisciplinary Integration of Nature and Wellbeing. There is a Live Stream option in addition to the in-person conference. One of the unique aspects of the Summit is the inclusion of outdoor experiences that provide in-person participants the opportunity to network and be immersed in the local environment. SHIFT Awards will also be presented to honor organizations, initiatives, and individuals from around the U.S. who are helping advance and promote equitable access to nature and the health benefits of time outside. Click here for more information or contact Amanda Walker at amandaw@gpred.org.

GP RED’s National Think Tank occurs every other year. After having to hold this as a virtual event in 2020, it’s exciting to be back in person for 2022 and at Dorothea Dix Park in Raleigh, NC November 16 – 18. The Think Tank is a national gathering of a diverse network of thought leaders who discuss innovations, best practices, and collaborations across multiple disciplines. It is unique in its approach, fostering an atmosphere that brings a variety of perspectives to address, identify and create solutions to challenges and problems facing communities. The Think Tank is by invitation, application, and acceptance. Click here for more information on the Think Tank or contact me at donnak@gpred.org.

There are great sponsorship opportunities available for both events. Please contact me for more information.

The library of GP RED Presents continues to grow. Episode 25 addressed Integrating Preventative Public Health into Parks and Recreation Planning, and Episode 26 shares the voices of some of the Alumni of the Emerging Leader’s Program. As a reminder, GP RED Presents is a free YouTube channel designed to connect research and education to help professionals solve community problems.

The full library of GP RED Presents is available on the GP RED website.

Again, this summer, the effects of our ever-changing climate has resulted in severe challenges to our communities – wildfires, flooding, severe drought, extreme heat, and the projected “more active than normal” Atlantic hurricane season - just to name a few.

The need for communities to be prepared for disaster and emergencies is as necessary as ever. GP RED’s comprehensive Operation Recreation Response Manual is in review stages. RED has made a commitment to ensuring that Parks and Recreation agencies are prepared for, respond to, and rebuild for resiliency following disasters and emergencies.

While much of RED’s commitment to Community/Parks and Recreation emergency preparedness deals with natural disasters, there is an increasing focus on ensuring that preparedness includes man-made disasters as well. As gun violence increases and incidents involve camps, parks and the tragedies such as that which occurred at the Highland Park July Fourth parade, it is a “call to action” for communities in general, and parks and recreation agencies specifically, to evaluate their preparedness plans with a critical eye towards the potential for gun violence.

GP RED is fortunate to have an extremely committed, dedicated and talented group of professionals serving on RED’s Operating and Advisory Boards. We currently have an opening on our National Advisory Board. If interested in being a member of this dynamic organization, please contact me.

I hope this finds you all enjoying the last days of summer and welcoming autumn – also known in some places, especially here in New England, as “The Pumpkin Spice Invasion” (Pumpkin Spice Cheerios -really?)

Donna J. Kuethe, CPRP

Executive Director, GP RED

There Oughta Be a Law! (And Now There Is)

According to Newsweek and other sources, the State of Colorado has codified the right of children to play outside by themselves. The bill was drafted in response to increasing accusations of parental neglect, even though the number of substantiated cases has fallen. It was signed into law by this past March by Governor Jared Polis. The new law clarifies that it is not considered neglect for a “reasonable and prudent” parent or guardian to allow children to engage in certain independent activities, such as traveling to school or stores, playing outdoors, and staying home alone.

Independent outdoor play is considered important to a child’s development and overall health. According to Newsweek, the law was particularly welcomed by parents who homeschool their children and have been subjected to police calls while their children are playing outside during the day. The rights and responsibilities of parents to make decisions about their own children is now a fundamental part of the law.

Colorado's Daniels Park

Image credit: Flickr user Sarah Nichols. Used with permission from Creative Commons for Flickr.

Parks, Politics, and the Law (in Colorado Again)

Another story in the news from Colorado (see the article above on outdoor play for children) focuses on a gun-battle standoff between county commissioners in Douglas County, Colorado, and the City of Denver. One of Denver’s unique mountain parks is located outside the City and County of Denver, in nearby Douglas County. The 1,000-acre Daniels Park parcel belongs to Denver, but Douglas County owns a county road through the park. When the City of Denver passed a law in May forbidding concealed weapons in all of its facilities and parks, one of the county commissioners took issue and proposed that the county take the park away from Denver through eminent domain. The commissioners voted 2-1 to look into the proposal, prompting a quick response from Denver’s mayor asserting that the status of Daniels Park is not up for discussion.

The matter seems to have subsided after lawyers for both sides concluded that, while taking land for a park is a legal use of eminent domain, taking land that is already a park could be an entirely different matter. And the county would still have to compensate Denver for the land, to the tune of some $500 million to $800 million dollars. As one of the county commissioners responded, the proposal is “the wrong idea, presented in the wrong manner at the wrong time.”

Emerging Leaders Featured in the Latest Episode of GP RED Presents...

Check out the latest episode from GP RED’s online video series to hear the experiences of young leaders who have participated in GP RED’s Emerging Leaders Program (ELP). In association with the SHIFT Summit (see article below), the ELP trains young professionals to help advance and promote the importance of nature as a social determinant of health. In the video, past participants discuss what they gained from the program and where they see things going for the future.

SHIFT Summit 2022 - Development of the Emerging Leaders Program

Expanding Influence and Connections Across the Generations

In light of the economic and cultural realities of our world, the SHIFT Emerging Leaders Program is re-shaping our presence in 2022 to bring voices directly into the SHIFT Summit gathering and Experiences. Early career professionals from diverse disciplines are being welcomed to share their ideas and experiences, and to work directly with, receive mentoring from, and help shape our collective world.

We recognize that the upcoming generations have much to teach the older generations, and vice versa. We want to promote intergenerational dialogue while modeling experience exchange.

Key Convening Aspects for 2022 - Sponsored by All Trails and the National Park Service

Convening aspects of the Emerging Leaders Program are happening at various times onsite at the SHIFT Summit in Fort Collins, CO. October 17 – 20th, 2022.
Dr. Morgan Green, Director of the Emerging Leaders Program, will meet with attending Emerging Leaders, alumni, and mentoring late career professionals to coordinate networking and key points of contact.
The Tuesday evening program will feature the stories and voices of professionals across the generations discussing how they are doing it, and how we can move forward together.
The mentorship can be sustained through various opportunities throughout the year and at other events.

Interested in being involved and connected? All attendees will be eligible to participate, and sponsored fellowships are available. Contact Dr. Morgan Green at drmorgan@gpred.org.

New Episodes of GP RED Presents... and Supporting Publications are Now Available

The second cohort of the very successful PREPP program (Parks and Recreation Emerging Professionals Program) gets underway on October 27, 2022.

The PREPP program is designed for those who want to move ahead into upper levels of administration in parks and recreation; need a strong basis and competencies in management planning and who are interested in a flexible, yet rigorous program developed for working professionals.

Information, including program design, the schedule for cohort #2 and the application and registration information can all be found on the GP RED website. Apply and register now!

PREPP is supported by the University of Colorado, Denver – School of Public Affairs, GP RED and CPRA (Colorado Parks and Recreation Association).

We're Accepting Session Proposals for

the Active Living Conference

Next year's conference is being co-hosted by the National Cancer Institute and will take place March 13 – 16 at the Natcher Conference Center on the NIH Campus in Bethesda, MD. The theme, Expanding Active Living Applications beyond Chronic Diseases to Synergistic Epidemics, or “syndemics”, focuses attention on the role of active living in addressing multiple intersecting crises, such as coronavirus disease (COVID-19), mental health, climate change, and structural racism. Focus will also include integrations with community-led built and natural environments and related programming, such as parks, recreation, libraries, and other quality of life public assets management.

The Call for Presentation Proposals includes submission categories for research and practice/policy to ensure that the program includes presentations and lessons learned from organizations and advocates that are implementing evidence-based active living policies and strategies in communities across the globe. Session proposals related to increasing physical activity for all people are invited for submission. Proposals related to equity for racially and ethnically diverse populations, people with disabilities, and those living in lower-income urban and rural communities who are at greatest risk for physical inactivity and its related diseases including cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other chronic conditions are encouraged. Proposals related to the conference theme are also welcomed, but it is not a requirement to address this topic.

The deadline for submissions is 11:59 pm PT on Friday, October 21, 2022.

Our GP RED Family in Action

Congratulations to Advisory Board member, Justin Cutler, who is now the Commissioner of Parks and Recreation for the City of Atlanta, GA. We also have one opening on the National Advisory Board. Contact Donna at donnak@gpred.org for more information.

Operating Board:

Chris Cares, President

Robby Layton, PhD, FASLA, Treasurer

Teresa Penbrooke, PhD, CPRE

Tracy Chapman

Chris Nunes, PhD, CPRE

Lora Polowczuk, MPH

Lisa Wolff, MSL, CPRP

Advisory Board:

Daniel Betts, MBA, MS

Jo Burns, MS, CTRS

Justin Cutler, MPA, CPRE

Maureen Dougherty, PhD

Chris Dropinski, CPRE

Charles A. Flink, FASLA

Leslie Fritz, CPRP

Seve Ghose, CPRE

Sheema Hai, CPRP

John Henderson, JD, CPRP

Eric Legg, PhD, CPRP

Alexi McHugh

Sylvie Rokab, M.A.

Lakita Watson, CPRP

Debbie Woodbury, CPM, CPRP, MPA

Contribute

Please share your own success stories, research and resources.

Send submissions to the Editor at: info@gpred.org

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Phone: (303) 439-8369 | Email: info@gpred.org

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