CONFERENCE SESSION BLOCK 5

• Session 5A
• Session 5B
• Session 5C
• Session 5D
• Session 5E
  
• Session 5F
  
• Session 5G

Risk Managing Recreation Pathways

Description: 

WCIA and WRCP presents this risk management strategy session on Best Practices for Reducing Liability on Recreation Pathways. This session will define the risk exposure, types of use by standard bicycle and non-standard vehicles; recommended risk controls for the types of us to include Design and Planning, Maintenance and Documentation; review of Current Case Outcomes Impacting Recreational Pathways; The Do’s and Don’ts for Application of Recreation Immunity Statutes 4.24.210; and Lessons Learned, Risk Management Tools and Takeaways for Successful Recreational Use of Paths.

Presented by: 

Andy Cooley, Attorney, Keating, Bucklin & McCormick

Biography: Andy was previously an Assistant Attorney General in the Tort Claims Division, as well as past-President of the Washington Defense Trial Lawyers and has lectured extensively in Washington as well as throughout the country. His practice focuses on trial work, emphasizing Federal Civil Rights cases, highway design litigation, and commercial cases; trying more than 50 cases to jury verdict in state and federal court. In June of 2018, Andy was appointed to a position on the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCUTCD), for road, streets and pathways. Andy has been recognized by the Super Lawyers 15 years in a row.

Learning Objectives

1.  Learn specific risk management steps to help prevent or mitigate potential loss on public use or misuse of recreation paths.
2. Identify the risk exposures and controls associated with recreation pathways that may jeopardize the Recreational Immunity Statute 4.24.210.
3. To provide risk management tools utilized for recreation policy and practice implementation and interaction with staff and the public.

Diversify - THPRD's Paid Internship Program 

Description: 

Learn how to create and implement a paid internship program to diversify your workforce and introduce college students, who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, to exciting careers in parks and recreation. Join Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation as they share about their paid internship program, Diversify. This program is designed for students who identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color and is based on addressing inequities, including the historic underrepresentation of racial and ethnic groups within parks and recreation. Diversify develops professional workplace skills with the guidance of parks and recreation supervisors and career mentors.

Presented by: 

Julie Rocha, Sports & Inclusion Director, Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District

Biography: Julie Rocha graduated from the University of Northern Colorado and embarked upon an extensive career in parks and recreation in Colorado and Washington before coming to Oregon. Julie has been with THPRD for 15 years and led the sports affiliate program, field fee committee, and public field fee task force. She has also expanded programs for individuals experiencing disabilities, implemented a district-wide gender inclusion policy and training, and supervised a paid internship program designed for students who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.

Sabrina Taylor Schmitt, Recreation & Aquatic Director, Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District

Biography: Sabrina Taylor Schmitt is the Interim Recreation & Aquatics Director for Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation (THPRD). Sabrina has over 20 years of experience in recreation ranging from the public to private sectors and has been with THPRD for 17 years, working as a facility supervisor and leading the district in addressing equity and inclusive programs. In 2017, Sabrina received her master's in public administration, and in 2018 received the Inclusive Employment Champion award by the PHAME One Community Event for her work removing barriers to employment for individuals experiencing disabilities.

Learning Objectives

1. Understand why it's important to create opportunities for students who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to explore careers in park and recreation.
2. Learn how to build support within your organization.
3. Discover the core components of implementing a program.
   

Hoopfest Volunteer Management 101

Description: 

Hoopfest is the largest 3 on 3 basketball tournament in the world, with: 422 courts, 24,000 players, 45 city blocks shut down, and over 3,000 volunteers. Hoopfest has been crushing it in downtown Spokane for 33 years strong. This event would not be possible if it were not for the close to 4,000 volunteers that assist with everything from court monitoring, information tent, hospitality, beverage service, score keeping, data entry and much more. Listen to Riley Stockton the Executive Director of Hoopfest as he talks about the logistics of successfully, recruiting, training, communicating, and recognizing volunteers. Riley will provide ideas that can be adopted by any size community event.

Presented by: 

Riley Stockton, Executive Director, Hoopfest

Biography: TBA

Learning Objectives

1. Walk away with volunteer management tips and tools from the largest 3 on 3 basketball tournament in the world.
2. Learn how to successfully place volunteers in roles that are the best fit for them – share volunteer quiz graphic.
3. Gain an understanding of the importance of communication, training and engagement of volunteers leading up to any event.

MythBusters: Fighting Misinformation in Aquatics

Description: 

Do you know how to spot misinformation in the aquatics industry? Bring your smartphones, attendees will compete with other guests and "buzz-in" during this interactive presentation that uses science, logic, experience, and common sense to get to the truth. A few examples of topics that will be covered include: Is it safe to swim indoors during a thunderstorm? What exactly is causing that "pool smell?" Are hydroxyl radicals the future of sanitation? Are learn-to-swim programs the best way to increase attendance? Attendees will study real-world case studies on how misinformation jeopardized renovations and new programming in aquatic facilities using critical thinking skills and questions to quickly spot misinformation. Most importantly, attendees will learn how to proactively communicate to different audiences addressing misinformation before it becomes an issue.

Presented by: 

Ryan Nachreiner, Project Director, Water Technology, Inc.

Biography: Ryan Nachreiner has served in a variety of aquatic industry roles, including Project Director, pool service technician, equipment and materials distribution representative, and operations consultant with a waterpark equipment and chemical supplier. Extensive hands-on experience troubleshooting countless facilities enables him to provide a realistic and broad perspective on aquatic operations, systems and programming. He is committed to the advancement of the aquatic industry through education and the development of best practices. As a NSPF® Instructor for over seven years, Ryan has trained and certified hundreds of aquatic professionals.

Learning Objectives

1. Participants will identify the dangers of misinformation in aquatics.
2. Participants will be able to identify the 10 common myths aquatic professionals face.
3. Participants will develop critical thinking skills to evaluate future misinformation and determine the best approach to become proactive communicators to avoid misinformation.
   

A Higher Level of Inclusion Play

Description: 

The playground should be a place for everyone to experience laughter, friends, and fun for all. Traditional compliant design focuses on minimum access. This session starts by discussing disability in society. How do we talk about it successfully, as well as create a positive atmosphere around disability. Through intentional great design, we can support a much wider range of diagnoses from physical disabilities, developmental disabilities such as ADHD, as well as autism and sensory processing disorders. This session takes a look at designing a successful inclusive environment - from parking to facilities - and all the way to how we can support blind/low vision users as well as deaf and hard of hearing participants. We will explore best practice design elements to foster a strong sensory foundation for all through cognitive, physical and social play; and how we’re able to create innovative spaces that promote inclusion, imagination, literacy and language skills, and engagement. We will discuss how to create rich inclusive spaces that meet the needs of all sizes of spaces, and how our communities are impacted when we implement inclusion successfully.

Presented by: 

Jill Moore, Inclusive Play Specialist, Landscape Structures

Biography: Jill Moore works with the LSI team in adding user voice within product development, as well as inclusive design practices. With a specific focus on merging lived experience with universal design principles, Jill promotes and educates on integrating inclusion in play, and bringing people with disabilities into the conversation. As an accredited educational presenter both in the classroom and the playground, play has become her full-time role. During her lifetime, she has represented Team USA as a multi-sport athlete, bringing perspective on the importance of the formative role of recreation and how imperative equitable access to play is for all.

Learning Objectives

1. Identify the facts about play for people with and without disabilities and why play is important to all people.
2. Discuss the differences between a play environment that simply meets minimum federal accessibility requirements and one that is fully inclusive.
3. Articulate the best practice design elements for inclusive play environments and how it supports different diagnoses.
   

Take Your Recreation Leader Training to the Next Level

Description: 

Most of us have led Recreation programs at one time or another and probably could again on a moment's notice if we need to. The true challenge though is developing comprehensive training for the next generation of Rec Leaders for summer camps, year-around programs and other frontline interaction. If you are new to managing staff or have been doing it for a while, this session is all about sharing our ideas for creating dynamic, engaging Rec leaders and facilitators that will keep your program's safe, high quality and keeping families AND staff coming back year after year.

Presented by: 

Keisha Taylor, Recreation Coordinator, Teens, City of Auburn

Biography: Keisha Taylor brings an amazing amount of knowledge to Washington State and the City of Auburn. Her background encompasses all ages and she currently is working with Teen programming with the City of Auburn.

Ali Maynard, Farm Program Coordinator, City of Redmond

Biography: Ali Maynard overseas the programs at Farrel-McWhirter Farm Park for City of Redmond Parks and has a unique background in agriculture and equestrian education. She has worked in Parks and Recreation for 15 years in youth camps, teen programs, volunteer management, adaptive and inclusion services, and outdoor/nature recreation and education.

Learning Objectives

1. Provide session participants with more resources and ideas from training program staff.
2. Engage different generations and help facilitate cross-generation interaction within the session and create resource takeaways.
3. Provide new program resources and ideas through group discussion and knowledge sharing.

Interview Like a Pro: Preparation and Skill Development

Description: 

Meant to be taken in conjunction with the "Securing the Interview" session, this session will identify the tools needed to prepare and present yourself and your skills effectively to a hiring panel. This session will include a short introduction, leaving a majority of the allotted time for an interview simulation. You will have an opportunity to practice your interview skills with a Parks professional and receive direct, immediate, and constructive feedback. Questions used by interviewers will be tailored by position: entry level, coordinator, and supervisor.

Presented by: 

NeSha Thomas-Schadt, Park and Recreation Regional Manager, Pierce County Parks

Biography: NeSha Thomas-Schadt oversees the operations of the west region of Pierce County's park system. With over 20 years of experience, she has worked for several municipalities in Washington and California. She holds a bachelor's in athletic administration from Pepperdine University, where she competed as a student-athlete, as well as a master's degree in sport management from the University of San Francisco. She is also a Professional Advisory Committee member of Western Washington University's recreation degree program, the co-chair of WRPA's Parks and Recreation Emerging Professionals (PREP) committee, and a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional.

Kelly McGinley Ashe, Recreation Director, Cheney Parks & Recreation

Biography: Kelly received her bachelor's degree in Recreation and master's degree in Recreation Administration from Indiana University. She's worked in the municipal parks and recreation setting for 15 years. Kelly has been a presenter at WRPA for multiple years and is the co-chair of the Parks and Recreation Emerging Professionals (PREP) Committee. Her professional interests include organizing and running community events and getting young people excited about working in the field of municipal recreation. On the weekends you can find her hiking with her husband and dogs, throwing themed parties, and cooking for friends.

Jared Bucci, Athletics Supervisor, Pierce County Parks

Biography: Jared is the Athletic Supervisor for Pierce County Parks. He oversees two athletic complexes and has direct scheduling oversight of 19 sports fields and ice rink. Jared is a USA Hockey Level 5 Master Coach and has coached youth and junior players for over 20 years. He has also had the privilege of coaching for USA Hockey at the national level at the National Player Development Camp in Buffalo, New York. Prior to working in the Sports Industry, Jared owned a commercial construction company for 11 years. Jared is also a member of the Parks and Recreation Emerging Professionals (PREP) Committee.

Learning Objectives

1. Gain a better understanding of the interview process.
2. Improve interviewing skills by practicing with professionals and receiving direct and immediate feedback.
3. Better understand the structure and composition of an effective versus ineffective response to an interview question.

Browns Park Renewal: Inland Beach Volleyball Destination

Description: 

Browns Park located in Spokane Valley is the Northwest's largest sand volleyball complex that features sixteen full size competition courts. The complex is managed by Evergreen Region Volleyball Association (ERVA) in partnership with Spokane Valley Parks and Recreation. Built in six phases over 7 years, Browns Park offers multiple activity facilities of sand volleyball, beach themed ADA accessible playground and splash pad, skate dot, full size basketball court, a 1/3rd mile lighted looped asphalt walking path, two restrooms and two shelters. The inclusion of all of these the amenities have rejuvenated the park to be one of the most active parks in City of Spokane Valley.The addition of the sand volleyball courts met a growing need for public and tournament quality sand volleyball courts for local volleyball associations and a regional destination for sand volleyball tournaments. The splash pad is one of four in the City of Spokane Valley's public splash pad's inventory and the Skate Dot is the only developed skate facility, which both geographically serve a majority of the city. Browns Park playground is one of four playgrounds within the region that focused on inclusive and ADA accessible as the primary design parameter.

Presented by: 

Mike Terrell,  Principal, Landscape Architect, Landscape Architecture, PLLC

Biography: Mike is the principal at Michael Terrell Landscape Architecture, PLLC, a landscape architecture and planning firm in Liberty Lake, WA. Mike has 34 years of experience in landscape architecture. His projects include parks, schools, campus landscapes and trails. His recent work has included park, recreation and trails. Mike is the landscape architect of record for the Browns Park Master Plan and all phases of construction.

Jeff Stiltz, Project Manager, Landscape Architecture, PLLC

Biography: As project manager, Jeff has over eight years of experience in all phases of park and recreation design. He is also a Certified Playground Safety Inspector and utilizes his knowledge in the design of playgrounds for all ages and abilities. He was responsible for the design of each phase of Browns Park from concept through construction administration.

John Botelli, Parks, Recreation & Facilities Director, Spokane Valley Parks & Recreation

Biography: John Bottelli was appointed Director of Parks, Recreation & Facilities for the City of Spokane Valley in 2021. John has a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Vermont and a Master's degree in Natural Resource Management from Central Washington University. Mr. Bottelli has over 23 years of experience as a public employee, including 16 years in Parks and Recreation and an extensive background in managing parks, recreation programs and facilities including involvement in the acquisition and development of park land for recreational purposes. John was a member of the Washington State Local Parks Advisory Committee from 2008 to 2021.

Learning Objectives

1. The participant will be able see how an existing park can be reinvented through collaboration with active and growing user groups.
2. The positive opportunities, programming and relationships within a park will be explored to discuss challenges and the impacts of negative park uses.
3. Participants will be prepared to identify opportunities for collaboration between public and user organizations to activate parks and facilities.

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