The Young Professional 1 - Arizona Parks and Recreation Association

Visit a Park Dayby Chris Lucas & Jennifer UpahThe National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)Young Professional Network is pleased to announce thatVisit a Park Day will be Friday, October 4, 2013. Thepublic is encouraged to set aside unnecessary obligationson October 4 and take time to visit a local, state,regional, or national park and enjoy the many benefitsof these locations. The mission of Visit a Park is to fosterfuture enjoyment, visitation and advocacy towards ourpark systems.The goal of getting the public involved has quite a fewbenefits such as: With recent data showing increasesin youth obesity rates, as well as the decrease in overallhealth for a vast number of Americans, there is no doubtthat parks can play a pivotal role in turning the tideagainst these societal ills by providing a multitude ofexperiences all while accomplishing the same outcome,which is to enhance the quality of life for the peopleand communities visiting those areas. Unfortunately,through the rigors of everyday life, the benefits of parksand open space have slowly been lost. According to theAmerican Time Use survey the average person 15 yearsold and older has 5 hours a day of leisure time and theyspend the majority if this time (3.2 hours) utilizingtechnology by watching television, or using anotherelectronic devise such as a computer. Visit a Park Daycontinues to address this by placing the necessaryspotlight on the benefits parks and open space has onnot only the individual, but the community as a whole.Since the inception of Visit a Park Day, many questionshave been asked regarding the types of programmingopportunities that need be present for the event. Thegenius behind Visit a Park Day is that it provides theopportunity for parks and recreation professionals,along with community advocates to educate the publicon the benefits of parks and open space in an unlimitedcapacity. In the past, agencies have programmedpark grand openings, park dedications, outdooreducational seminars, athletic tournaments, outdoorfitness challenges, historical and active interpretivetours, and on-going sustainability and care efforts atlocal parks. The number one aspect that each agencyneeds to consider before facilitating a program is whatare the needs and wants of their local park users. Byunderstanding your local community’s needs andwants, you can plan an event which will encourageparticipation. Once each agency has a firm grasp of thatconcept, it is up to each agency/advocate to program tomeet that need.To state it simply, Visit a Park Day is an opportunity tocreate special park programs, draw attention to on-goingpark efforts, and increase visitation to our parks. Whileit is vital that we understand and position ourselves inthe local and regional communities, it is also vital toeducate the public as to the life-enhancing benefits ofparks and recreation. By reminding people about theresearch supporting the benefits of enjoying nature,this can assist in motivating them to take advantageof the local spaces provided for citizens. The YoungProfessional Network seeks to plant the seed in theleaders and various groups, such as non-profits, youthorganizations, college students, and other communitymembers allowing this special day to grow throughvarious agencies and events. It is through enthusiasticleaders and involved agencies and groups that an eventsuch as Visit a Park Day will continue to prosper.Chris Lucas and Jennifer Upah are the Co-Chairs of theVisit a Park Day committee.Chris Lucas is the Sports Coordinatorat the Fountain Bluff Sports Complexfor the City of Liberty, Missouri.clucas@ci.liberty.mo.usJennifer Upah is a Teaching AssistantProfessor and Director of Internshipsin the Parks, Recreation and Tourismprogram at the University of Missouri.upahj@missouri.eduPage 9 | The Young Professional