How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
Recreation
- Details
- Written by: Editor
ASHBURN, VA — Did you ever wonder how your local parks and recreation program compares with those in other cities and states?
As the voice of the U.S. parks and recreation community, the National Recreation & Park Association benchmarked 3,100 agencies around the country.
While the results make for good reading, the NRPA more importantly expects its 2009 “Operating Ratio Report” to guide community leaders and legislators in their efforts to better understand the importance of parks and recreation in the health and well being of all Americans.
Some of the more interesting facts and statistics on U.S. parks and recreation programs derived from the NRPA survey include:
20 – the median number of parks or sites maintained by parks and recreation agencies.
450 – the median number of acres of land maintained by parks and recreation agencies.
10 – the median number of miles of greenways and trails managed by city and county parks and recreation agencies.
20 – the percentage of agencies that passed a bond referendum in the last five years. The last three years have seen a decrease in “yes” votes.
128 – the median number of volunteers assisting parks and recreation agencies. Volunteerism is crucial to the livelihood of the vast majority of parks and recreation programs.
40 – the percentage of parks and recreation agencies assisted by foundations. A smaller percentage report having advocacy groups to support particular parks or entire park systems.
50 – the percentage of parks and recreation programs receiving in-kind support.
Almost all parks and recreation agencies offer instructional classes and festivals/community events. The next most popular are team sports, seniors, and summer camp programs.
When evaluated by jurisdiction type, environmental education is more common for counties while fitness classes are more popular for municipal and special district agencies.
Playgrounds, picnic areas with shelters, and diamond/rectangular fields are the most popular recreation facilities. Less than 2 percent of agencies charge a fee to use playgrounds, while more than half of the agencies charge a user fee for the other areas.
Reports in this study and the accompanying dynamic online database offer baseline data on community demographics, land area, budget, personnel, programs and facilities. They provide broad “yardsticks” against which an agency's operations can be measured.
A free executive summary of the “Operating Ratio Report” is available by visiting www.nrpa.org .
For more information or to purchase subscriptions to the full report, contact Meredith Bridgers at
# # #
The National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing park, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance quality of life for all people. Through its network of 20,000 professionals and citizens, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy lifestyles, recreation initiatives, and conservation of natural and cultural resources.
Headquartered in Ashburn, VA, NRPA works closely with local, state, and national recreation and park agencies, citizen groups, and corporations to carry out its objectives. Priorities include advocating favorable legislation and public policy; increasing public awareness of the importance of parks and recreation; providing continuing education, professional certification and university accreditation; and conducting research and technical assistance. For more information, visit www.nrpa.org.
If you would rather not receive future communications from National Recreation And Park Association, let us know by clicking here.
National Recreation And Park Association, 22377 Belmont Ridge Road, Ashburn, VA 20148 United States
- Details
- Written by: Lake County News Reports
- Details
- Written by: Editor
WOODLAND – As the end of summer nears, Tuleyome will take its last few groups of young adults kayaking on Lake Berryessa.
It was an active year for Tuleyome as more than 120 young adults participated in the annual Youth Outdoor Exploration Program. The kids love it. They learn teamwork, listening, and respect for the environment. Mostly, they just have fun.
The program is funded by the Yocha-De-He Community Fund, the Strong Foundation, Don Saylor’s Soups On! Event and private donors. The project began in 2005 to take local underserved teens rafting on the Cache Creek State Wild and Scenic River who might otherwise not have had that opportunity. This year Tuleyome expanded the program to include trail building, hiking, and kayaking.
Yolo County’s parks and public open spaces provide habitat for wildlife, scenic vistas, and places for people to enjoy the outdoors. Yolo County purchased the Otis Ranch, across from Camp Haswell Park, in 2002. The County Parks Master Plan, which included Otis Ranch, called for the creation of multi-use trails on the property.
Tuleyome volunteered to help Yolo County Parks begin trail construction, by mobilizing volunteers to build the first trail on the property. Teens from Tuleyome’s Youth Outdoor Exploration Program joined with other volunteers to help build the trail, working to clear a route around some of the scenic cliffs found on the property. The teens were enthusiastic and enjoyed seeing the results of their hard work.
After more than
400 hours of volunteer effort, Tuleyome is pleased to announce the first mile-and-a-half of the trail has been constructed. “Yolo County’s leaders were visionary in purchasing the ranch for the public, and we wanted to give back by helping them build the first public trail on the property,” said Andrew Fulks, Tuleyome president and project coordinator for the trail construction.
Vallerye Anderson, outreach director for Tuleyome commented, “These programs have been truly astounding. When the kids are working along side the adult volunteers they get a deeper understanding of what it means to help the community. Many of the youth commented that they would bring their families out to the trail since it was so close to where they live. Thanks to the volunteers at Tuleyome these kids were able to create a lasting connection to this area and can now share that piece of nature with their families. We especially want to thank Dan Garrett of Garrett Landscaping, who donated not only his time, but his Bobcat skid steer for grading work and the materials to build steps on the steeper sections of the trail.”
In addition to enjoying the water and the trails, the young adults get a unique chance to see a different world. On Lake Berryessa, the teens see wildlife including bald eagles, osprey, ducks, fish and turtles.
Jennifer of the Esparto R.I.S.E. after school program writes, “My favorite part of the trip was learning to use a kayak, and I only wished the day was longer.”
Joshua Basofin, an environmental lawyer and Tuleyome volunteer, comments “It is great to be part of the Youth Outdoor Exploration Program. Spending a day on the lake, talking about the natural history of the area, building teamwork skills, and just having fun is rewarding for everyone involved.”
For more information on Tuleyome check www.tuleyome.org or call 530-350-2599.
- Details
- Written by: Lake County News Reports
The coming week promises to be cooler still – a welcome trend for those of us growing weary of the century plus mark on the thermometer.
The algae bloom (and decay) that we’ve experienced this summer here in the south end continues to be problematic. Some folks are simply dealing with it, while others are using it as an excuse (OK, maybe a good excuse) to stay out of the blazing hot sun. Cooler temperatures and some wind could go a long way in getting this stuff out of here …
Bass are holding tight to cooler, deeper water where the oxygen level is richer. Most of our anglers fishing minnows, crawdads, and finesse rigs are doing well in the 20 to 30 foot range. Look for deep water structure such as rocks, dock pilings, or walls for best results.
Live bait anglers are producing the most numbers, but our dedicated bassers using artificials have done well for themselves when they apply the tried and true hot weather formula mentioned above (cool, deep, well oxygenated water).
The top water action we usually see this time of year hasn’t really happened yet – perhaps before August runs out we’ll see something happen on that front.
Crappie fishermen have taken a clue from our Crappie Fishing Rule Book and acknowledged that we usually see a sharp drop off in action this time of year. The bite lasted far longer this year than in recent years past, but alas the bite has dropped off for now. Here’s looking forward to the fall …
Catfish hunters are still enjoying a good bite on mackerel. Several of our regulars have been using our live crawdads with fabulous success. A couple have even complained that they’ve had trouble keeping the bass off the ‘dads while they’re stalking the whiskerfish … Now that’s funny!
Deer hunting season is right around the corner now. If you’ve had trouble finding ammo (everyone has) you’ll be glad to know that we’re stocking up on all your favorite ammo … We’ve got a constant stream of rifle and handgun ammo arriving each week now.
Our next “Introduction to Handguns” class in coming up on Aug. 13. There’s still room in the class. Come enjoy professional instruction in a clean and comfortable environment here at Lakeshore Bait & Tackle in Clearlake. Register in advance for class here in the store.
Bob Rider is owner of Lakeshore Bait & Tackle, 14913-D Lakeshore Drive, Clearlake, telephone 707-994-FISH (3474). Visit the store online at www.994Fish.com .