CONFERENCE SESSION BLOCK 3

• Session 3A
• Session 3B
• Session 3C
• Session 3D
• Session 3E

Lawsuits, Lawyers & Liability – Mastering Risk Management in Parks & Recreation: (Part II) Top Liability Concerns & How to Overcome Them

Description: 

Explore the loss profile for parks and recreation in comparison to other municipal risk exposures, including top risk exposure areas of employment, maintenance and operations, auto liability, and aquatics and how to overcome them.  Gain increased awareness for how prompt incident and accident response, reporting and follow-up is essential.  Explore tips in building positive relations with your risk management and defense team and how that reduces risk challenges.  

Presented by: 

Andy Cooley, Attorneys, Keating Bucklin and McCormack

Biography: Andy Cooley has been with the firm since 1990. He was previously an Assistant Attorney General in the Tort Claims Division. He is past president of the Washington Defense Trial Lawyers and has lectured extensively in Washington and throughout the country. His practice focuses on trial work, emphasizing Federal Civil Rights cases, highway design litigation, and commercial cases. He has tried more than 50 cases to jury verdict in state and federal court.

Andy is married with two children.  In the summers, he and his family  enjoy fly fishing in Ketchum, Idaho. He serves on the board of directors of the Sun Valley Ski Team and the Rotarun Ski Area in Hailey, Idaho.

In June of 2018, Andy was appointed to a position on the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCUTCD). The National Committee is the body which drafts and promulgates the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). The MUTCD is the standard for signs, markings and signals on public roads, and is a critical document in road design liability cases. Andy’s appointment marks the first time a practicing attorney has been appointed to this important committee. He serves on the Signals Technical Committee and the Rules of the Road Joint Task Force. 

Robin Aronson, Risk Services Manager, Washington Cities Insurance Authority

Biography: Robin joined Washington Cities Insurance Authority (WCIA) in 2015 as the Risk Services Manager. With more than 25 years’ experience in the insurance and risk management industry, Robin has had a broad range of experience, having worked as a staff attorney at the Washington State Insurance Commissioner’s Office, claim attorney for a major insurance carrier and risk manager for a national corporation. Robin is a past president of the Washington State chapters of PRIMA and the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter Society (CPCU).

Jefri Peters, Recreation, Risk and Safety Manager, City of Tukwila

Biography: With over 28 years of dedication to the Parks and Recreation sector, Jefri Peters currently serves as Parks and Recreation Manger with a special emphasis on Risk and Safety for Tukwila Parks and Recreation, applying the wealth of knowledge gained from previous pivotal roles, including Vice President of Risk Management at the YMCA of Greater Seattle; Risk, Safety, and Emergency Management Officer at Metro Parks Tacoma; and Recreation Manger at Seattle Parks and Recreation. A Recreation management graduate from Western Washinton University, she is also a Certified Praesidium Guardian, the highest level of child and vulnerable adult abuse protection certification offered in the Nation.

Learning Objectives

1. To identify the common risk exposures and effective controls associated with parks and recreation.
2. To increase awareness and understanding for the importance of accurate documentation and timely follow-up.
3. To demystify the incident and claim management process and build positive relations with your risk management team.

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How Effective Leaders Deal with Change

Description: 

While change can be seen as a 4-letter word in the workplace, it can also be vital to move forward. When change can be seen as an opportunity, an effective leader can transform an organization. Learn the nine core skills of change leaders that allow anyone to lead from any position, including who stakeholders are and for to approach them.

Presented by: 

Jennifer Wills, Parks and Recreation Director, City of Longview  

Biography: Jen has been the Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Longview since 2015. She has a Bachelor's in Outdoor Recreation Management with a Business minor, attended the National Outdoor Leadership School, and is a Certified Park and Recreation Executive. Jen was previously an outdoor guide, trail builder, wilderness ranger, wildland firefighter, sports coordinator, business administrator, recreation manager and restaurant owner. She is passionate about fostering leadership and growth opportunities for Park and Recreation professionals and hopes to inspire others to help their communities become healthier, happier places to live!

Joanna Martin, Parks & Urban Forestry Manager, City of Longview

Biography: Joanna has worked for city municipalities for over 20 years and is currently the Parks & Urban Forestry Manager for the City of Longview. Her formal education includes a Master in Public Administration with Bachelor in Recreation Management, Speech Communication and Psychology. She has additionally completed multiple levels of FEMA Emergency Management Institute, WRPA Risk Management School, NRPA Supervisor Management School and INPRA Resource Management School. Joanna currently holds leadership positions on the following boards and committees: Pacific Northwest Resource Management School, Washington Community Forestry Council and WRPA Annual Conference.

Learning Objectives

1. Participants will learn the types of change and 5 steps in change management
2. Participants will discover nine core skills of change leaders and how to foster change.
3. Participants will be able to share ten ways to initiate change.

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Green Cities Case Studies - What does it mean to be a Green City?

Description: 

The Green Cities Program began in 2004 between the City of Seattle and Forterra with the goal of restoring and maintaining 2,500 acres of Seattle's forested parkland through collaboration and community-based stewardship. Since then, programs have been created in 13 additional cities across Puget Sound. Each program was created to address similar regional and ecological challenges; the need for maintenance of public natural spaces both for the benefits of green services like stormwater retention, carbon sequestration, and wildlife habitat, and also in order to provide cities with spaces where nature can be appreciated close at hand.  (Green City Partnership website). However, each program approached those challenges slightly differently based on the needs, limitations, and opportunities of particular cities and landscapes. Each program has faced increasing pressure from urbanization and climate change and exists in the context of increasing (and overdue) mainstream focus on environmental equity. Again, each program has reacted differently based on local funding, priorities, community input, site portfolio specifics, and professional experiences of management staff.  Twenty years of any program would create a rich opportunity to look back at lessons learned. Twenty years of a network of programs across one of the most ecologically, economically, and culturally diverse parts of the US during an era of major discussion about open space and resources management priorities creates a veritable glut of learning opportunities. The network meets internally to share knowledge, but we think others at WRPA could benefit as well. This talk will take you through three case studies of what the Green City designation has meant and may mean moving forward from three different city parks department's perspectives. While we might all see different opportunities in these types of programs, I think we all agree that any parks department can find some crucial benefits of being a Green City.

Presented by: 

Margaret Wagner, Natural Resources Program Coordinator, Kent Parks, Recreation, and Community Services  

Biography: Margaret spent 15 years working at the nexus of scientifically backed land management, public funding, and community. Before Kent, he was with King County Water and Land Resources Division, Clean Water Services (a public utility district), the Portland Water Bureau, The Nature Conservancy, and the Wisconsin DNR. His position at Kent Parks provides operational leadership during a shift in natural resources management. Division leadership and staff successfully made the case for the formulation of a focused natural resources program. This nascent team will manage undeveloped spaces and our urban forest for ecological function, environmental engagement, and the community opportunities they provide.

Gabbi Gonzales, Recreation Coordinator, City of Burien

Biography: Gabbi has lived her entire life in the Pacific Northwest. Her passions in this work include partnership building, creating access to parks and green spaces, and providing new experiences and opportunities to those farthest from access. Outside of work, Gabbi dedicates time to volunteer advocacy and food justice, bike riding, traveling, spending time with her loved ones, and watching horror movies.

Eric Sterner, Plant Ecologist - Green Seattle Partnership, City of Seattle Parks and Rec

Biography: Eric Sterner has spent his entire professional career in Horticulture/ Urban Forestry Land management. Currently with Seattle Parks and Recreation as a Plant Ecologist supporting the Green Seattle Partnership team. Eric has a deep passion for native

Learning Objectives

1. The participant will be able to analyze the drivers for the initial creation of Green Cities programs within various Parks departments, as well as the motivations and challenges that have led to programmatic evolutions.
2. The participant will be encouraged to evaluate how their city or team could benefit from an integrated and actionable focus on resource management and community engagement if they don't have one, or evaluate how their organization is doing if they do.
   
3. The participant will be empowered to discuss the importance and urgency of incorporating natural resources management into business as normalwhile redefining business as usual to include an ecological equity lens.

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Waterfront Walking Tour 

Description: 

Enjoy a picturesque walking tour of the Waterfront Park. Along the way, hear about the basics of the park construction and what we have learned operationally since the park opened.

Presented by: 

Julie Hannon

Biography: Julie Hannon has over 30 years of experience in parks and recreation, making it her life’s work to provide exception parks, trails and recreation programs for the communities she serves. Her professional accomplishments include outstanding leadership of the Vancouver Waterfront Park and Grant Street Pier project; a complete overhaul of the parks capital strategy to better fund parks; and making Vancouver’s neighborhood parks destinations through engaging themes. Throughout her career, she has worked to build equity-focused partnerships to ensure everyone has the opportunity to experience the life changing power of parks and recreation. Julie has a B.A. in Parks and Recreation from Western Illinois University and an M.P.A. from Ashford University. Before joining the City of Vancouver as the Director of Parks and Recreation in 2013, she served the City of Modesto. Julie Hannon retired in 2024.

Terry Snyder

Biography: Terry Snyder joined the City of Vancouver in 1984, and his expertise as a landscape architect and his passion for parks have been shaping the spaces where Clark County residents love to play ever since. If you’ve ever visited Vancouver, Washington, you’ve undoubtedly witnessed Terry’s work. From the award-winning Waterfront Park, Grant Street Pier and Esther Short Park, to cherished neighborhood parks throughout the city, Terry skillful guidance has been instrumental in creating Vancouver’s most iconic places. A respect for the environment informs Terry’s work, ensuring natural resources are protected and environmental impacts are minimized during park development, construction and ongoing maintenance.  His ability to think creatively and pay attention to detail has contributed to the successful completion of numerous projects. For Terry, his work is his canvas to create beautiful parks for everyone to enjoy, and that is his ultimate reward.

Learning Objectives

1. Participants will learn about the formation of the Waterfront Park Development Project. 
   
2. Participants will identify operational challenges to the Park’s design. 
   
3. Participants will discover maintenance issues associated with the park. 

Illuminating Community Through Cultural Event Partnerships

Description: 

Cultural festivals possess a unique power to showcase diverse cultural traditions, revitalize communities, generate a deeply felt shared sense of connection and fellowship among attendees, and stimulate economic development. By partnering with community groups to run these festivals and other special events, parks and recreation agencies can introduce audiences to a wide range of cultures, thus helping forge new opportunities that bridge divides and engender greater cross-cultural understanding, empathy, and appreciation. The Vancouver Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department and Vancouver Ballet Folk-Rico have partnered to bring the annual Luminarias Día de Muertos Festival to Vancouver for the past three years.  Hear how the festival originated and has grown through the development of their partnership and shared understanding of the importance of cultural connections, as well as best practices and lessons learned that your organization can bring to your community.

Presented by: 

Stacey Donovan, Cultural Services Manager, City of Vancouver - Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services  

Biography: Stacey manages the comprehensive City of Vancouver Arts, Culture and Heritage Program. This includes setting strategy, organizing, implementing and evaluating programs, events and activities that promote art, cultural and heritage programs, projects, education and special events. This program management includes working as the staff liaison with the Culture, Arts and Heritage Commission, as supported in the Vancouver City Council adopted Culture, Arts and Heritage plan. She collaborates with community groups, city partners and other organizations to promote program awareness and advance the overall efforts of City initiatives.  Stacey has worked for the City of Vancouver for 12 years.

Anna Cruz, Artistic Director and Board President, Vancouver Ballet Folklórico

Biography: Anna (Brackney) Cruz is the founder of Tepeyac Pre-Hispanic dance group and founder of Vancouver Ballet Folklórico with a previous collaboration from Jesus Chavez Vega. Anna is VBF's artistic director and board President. Anna has dedicated endless hours and love to VBF along with her two daughters who are also part of the group. Her passion for Day of the Dead celebrations is known in the community as she has collaborated with art organizations in Clark County every year.

Erik Miletich, Special Event Coordinator, City of Vancouver - Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services

Biography: Erik Miletich is the Special Event Coordinator for the City of Vancouver Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department. Erik coordinates city sponsored events including the summer concert and movies in the park series. He also works directly with community partners to help deliver cultural events such as Di­a De Muertos Festival, Juneteenth Celebration and Nez Perce Chief Redheart Memorial. Previously Erik worked as a Recreation Specialist for the City of Vancouver and coordinated the Access to Recreation program, youth sports leagues, and summer camps. He graduated from Washington State University with a degree in Sport Management.

Learning Objectives

1. Develop a collaborative festival that supports the needs of the cultural partnership, strengthens creative economies, honors equity and inclusion, and celebrates community connections created through shared experiences.
2. Design event outreach that assists the cultural organization in telling their story and amplifying their voices.
3. Create a cultural event partnership application and guidance process.

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