President's Message
 Happy Spring Academy Members!
I hope you are enjoying milder weather and looking forward to a great summer. We have several wonderful things happening with the Academy and I appreciate the efforts being made by our committees and task forces. I believe we will see amazing results as we keep our focus on excellence and furthering the efforts of the Academy. This year we are planning to update our strategic plan and chart the course to ensure a great direction for the Academy. Within the next few weeks, we plan to administer a comprehensive survey to our members. I hope you will share your candid feedback to help the Board of Directors in focusing our work and strengthening our vision and mission.
A more immediate survey is coming from the Task Force on Research for the Advancement of Parks & Recreation chaired by Dr. Larry Allen. This brief survey is being sent to our Practitioner Fellows and seeks to identify the most pressing issues you are facing as an administrator and the degree to which you do or don’t use research in working on those issues. From this survey we plan to communicate the prevalent issues to our Fellow Educators and other educators and ask they consider these topics in doing their own research or when working with students doing their masters or doctoral dissertations. I ask you take a few minutes and complete this important survey.
The Academy Membership Committee conducted an analysis and we noticed several trends: (1) there are states where we do not have an Academy member; (2) some states have a small number of members for the size of the state and (3) we have not inducted any new members from some states in over the past ten years. There is now a concerted effort to reach out to Academy members residing in those under-represented states to encourage nominations. If you know of eligible professionals and educators who met the criteria for membership, we hope you will consider nominating them or asking a fellow Academy member to do the nomination. There are currently 27 professional openings and 9 educator openings. Nominations are due by June 1, 2019 and I hope you will help us and your state make a difference. Click here for the nominations form.
We have several initiatives we are working on this year and we will continue to keep you informed about how you can get connected to the work. One area of interest is the 40th Anniversary of the Academy in 2020. The committee has discussed some amazing ideas to honor the past and celebrate the Academy and its members. I am so excited to see what we are planning, and you will hear more from the committee shortly.
Thank you for the work you are doing for the Academy and in large and small ways improving the health and quality of life for all people through excellent parks, recreation and conservation offerings. Stay strong and keep making a difference!
Sincerely,
Carolyn F. McKnight, AAPRA President
Your Dues Renewal is Due!
Yes, Academy members it’s time to pay your 2019 annual dues. Dues are due no later than April 30, 2019. Dues for Fellows is $200; Emeritus Fellows $70. You may pay your dues online through the Academy website (please note there is a small Paypal processing fee charged) or by sending in a check made payable to American Academy for Park & Recreation Administration (AAPRA). Please send your check to AAPRA, 5716 Folsom Blvd., #237, Sacramento, CA 95819.
Up-Coming AAPRA Deadlines
April 18 Legends Nominations Due Info Online
April 26 Externship Application Due Info Online
May 3 Best Paper (Master’s Thesis) Due Info Online
June 1 New Member Nominations Due Info Online
Fellows: Practitioners & Educators
Urban Directors
June 4 Pugsley Nominations Due Info Online
Updates from AAPRA Committees / Task Forces
Gold Medal Award Committee
Several Gold Medal Award Application promotions and informational pieces have appeared in NRPA Park and Recreation magazine, NRPA blogs, NRPA Connect and on the NRPA website. A huge thank you to the members of the Gold Medal Award Program Committee who contacted their park and recreation state associations to promote the Gold Medal Awards program with ads and other promotions. Plus, several departments were personally contacted by committee members encouraging them to apply. Our promotional work has paid off in that we have received an increase in applications.
Now that the 2019 Gold Medal Awards deadline has passed as of March 29th, the coordination between our NRPA Liaison, Tom Crosley, Gold Medal Award Liaison, Rod Tarullo, and the five Judges begins.
Work ahead for the Gold Medal Committee includes preparing for the NRPA Congress Gold Medal Reception; preparing letters and press releases to the 2019 Gold Medal finalists to their respective local, state and federal officials; and putting final touches on the Gold Medal Award Panel session for Baltimore NRPA Conference.
And finally, we thank Tom Crosley, NRPA, for his work in keeping us informed and organized along the way these last three months. Amazing! Next Gold Medal Awards Program Committee Conference Call will be May 14, 12:00pm ET.
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Leadership for the Profession Task Force
Task Force members Janet Bartnik, Brad Chambers, Linda Kotowski, Bill Nelson, Steve Wolter, and Larry Zehnder met twice with the guidance of MaryBeth O’Dell as Board liaison. The Task Force has taken the time to build on last year’s similar efforts led by Janet Bartnik, and to examine its name, mission, and goals. The result is a work program recommended to the AAPRA Board focusing on developing and recommending programs and activities that AAPRA can implement to improve visibility of the Academy, improve its contributions (perceived and real) to the larger profession, and better engage individual members in service contributions.. See Draft Work Program Here
Mentorship Committee
AAPRA members, and probable mentors:
You are cordially and expectantly invited to participate in the 2019 AAPRA-NRPA Mentorship Program.
Through this program, professionals of any age or experience can connect with you, the best and brightest of our industry. Those of us on the Mentorship Program Committee
hope that you will accept this opportunity to have a long-lasting, positive impact on a young professional, and on the future of the park and recreation profession.
The program is conducted during a six-month window, beginning in July. By completing a
simple, on-line application, the mentor and mentee are matched.
Depending on geographical proximity, mentoring sessions can be in person, on the phone or using an internet system such as Skype. Most will likely be a combination of these. If
both are attending the NRPA Conference in Baltimore, a face-to-face session is strongly encouraged.
For information and to complete an application, visit: the AAPRA Website here.
This program is a collaborative effort of the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration, and the National Recreation and Parks Association Young Professionals
and Leadership Development Networks.
There is an eager, deserving professional out there looking for you, your wisdom and your
guidance. Don’t let them down! Sign up today!
Externship Committee
The Academy Externship Application is now up on the website and needs to be submitted by April 26. The Application and Eligibility Criteria can be accessed here
Check Out the Academy's Website Calendar!
Our committees and task forces meet via conference call and we have begun adding those calls to our Calendar, located on the Academy’s website under the tab “News and Events.” We will also post up-coming deadlines for easy access.
Academy Sponsors
 
 
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The Top Award in Parks, Recreation & Conservation - The Pugsley Award - Nominations Now being Accepted
One of the most prestigious awards given in parks, recreation, and conservation is the Honorable Cornelius Pugsley Award, which is bestowed each fall by the American Academy for Park & Recreation Administration. The Pugsley Award is generously supported by The Davey Tree Expert Company and the National Park Foundation.
Academy members are encouraged to nominate a professional, public official, park advocate, educator, or others who have made a lasting and positive impact on parks, recreation and/or conservation in their community/region, state, or nationally for this prestigious award. The Pugsley Medal will be given at the Academy’s annual banquet, Wednesday, September 25, 2019, in Baltimore, Maryland.
Medal Criteria
- Nominee must be living at the time of nomination and must be a U.S. citizen.
- Nominee will have preserved, facilitated, enhanced and/or created park and/or conservation lands which have significantly enriched the lives of people and/or made significant contributions to maintaining biodiversity.
- Nominee may have developed or refined techniques or programs which advance the cause of parks and/or conservation.
- Nominee’s record reflects advocacy, originality, courageous decision-making, and dedication to the public good.
- The award recognizes achievements/accomplishments, not longevity and/or effort. The award recognizes a life or career-long record of accomplishments. The award is not given for a “one-time” achievement.
- Past recipients have been acknowledged as leaders in professional organizations, but the award is not given for service in such organizations.
- Nominee's personal and/or professional record shall not have unverified or verified allegations that would tarnish the reputation of the honorable Conrnelius Amory Pugsley Medal.
Submission Procedure
Send the following by 5:00 pm PDT, Tuesday, June 4, 2019, to info@aapra.org or 5716 Folsom Blvd., #237, Sacramento, CA 95819.
- Nomination letter summarizing why this individual is worthy of consideration.
- A written narrative reflecting a detailed biographical profile of the nominee describing his/her contributions as outlined in the criteria.
- Not more than two letters supporting the nomination.
- Written confirmation that the nominator certifies that the information provided in their Pugsley Award nomination is true and correct and they have disclosed all material and germane facts related to nominee’s background and eligibility for the Pugsley Award. Nominator must also state that they are aware that inclusion of false, misleading or incomplete information in this nomination may result in investigation, disqualification of their nomination and/or forfeiture of the award.
More information including past recipients of The Honorable Cornelius Amory Pugsley Award, is available on the Academy website, . Questions can be directed to the Pugsley Committee Chair, Ralph Cryder, 803-643-7809, rcryder@gforcecable.com.
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NRPA Announces New President/CEO
Jack Kardys, Chair of NRPA’s Board of Trustees announced Wednesday, April 3rd, the selection of Christine Stratton as NRPA’s new President/CEO. Christine currently serves as the senior vice president of Earthjustice. She begins June 5th.
The Academy acknowledges and appreciates the leadership of Barbara Tulipane, CAE, who has served NRPA for the past 10 years. Send a personal message to Barbara thanking her for her leadership at btulipane@nrpa.org.
Stratton, a staunch advocate for environmental conservation and equity issues, believes strongly in NRPA’s mission. Her belief that everyone has the right to clean water and a healthy environment aligns well with NRPA’s vision that everyone deserves a great park. Stratton will draw on her rural Maine roots and years of work in the environmental movement in cities across the country to advance NRPA’s mission.
“I am truly honored and excited to join NRPA,” said Kristine Stratton. “Parks and recreation centers are the lifeblood of communities throughout this country. Advocating alongside the thousands of professionals who make these critical places stronger every day is a dream come true.” To learn more about Christine, visit NRPA’s website.
Resources & News
Musco Lighting Works on Innovative Partnerships in Newark, New Jersey (National Gold Medal Award Sponsor)
An innovative new soccer mini-pitch system was unveiled at Newark’s Luis Muñoz Marin School marking the fourth mini-pitch opened this year in Newark. The opening is part of a five-year partnership with the New York Red Bulls, Newark Public Schools, U.S. Soccer Foundation and Wells Fargo to increase access to safe places to play across the city by creating 20 new soccer mini-pitches. As part of this initiative, more than 2,500 Newark youth will be engaged in Soccer for Success, the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s after-school soccer program. To learn more visit http://www.musco.com/musco-news/press-newark/.
The Davey Tree Expert Company Talks About Urban Tree Research (Pugsley Award Sponsor)
In a Colorado Green Magazine article, Dan Herms, vice president of research and development for Davey Tree, talks about some of the research and ongoing education being done at Davey to support tree health and maintain urban tree canopies.
Landscape Structures Partners with Kiwanis International to Develop Playgrounds
(Legends Program and Annual Banquet Sponsor)
Did you know LSI has an ongoing partnership with Kiwanis International to develop playgrounds? Under the Legacy of Play contest, you can partner with your local chapter to receive a $25,000 playground grant. To learn more visit here.
Want to Improve Your Partnerships?
The Partnering Initiative has produced The Partnering Toolbook which offers a concise overview of the essential elements that make for effective partnering. Now in its 4th edition (republished in 2011), this basic manual is in use all over the world and many of its tools and frameworks have been adopted by organizations from all sectors and partnerships operating in many different contexts.
To learn more go here
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Important Notification - AAPRA has a new address:
5716 Folsom Blvd., #237
Sacramento, CA 95819
To reach Susan Wipf, AAPRA Executive Secretary, you may email her at swipf5@gmail.com
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American Academy for Park
and Recreation Administration
President - Carolyn McKnight
President Elect - Dianne Hoover
Past President - Mark McHenry
Secretary - Elizabeth Kessler
Treasurer - Bill Foelsch
Directors
Michael McCarty (2019)
Tracey Crawford (2020)
Terry Schwartz (2020)
Mary Beth O'Dell (2021)
Joe Turner (2021)
*year term expires
Executive Director - Jane H. Adams
Executive Secretary - Susan Wipf
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