CONFERENCE SESSION BLOCK 1

Day 1 Wednesday, May 14 | 11:00 AM — 12:15 PM

Session 1A | Session 1B | Session 1C | Session 1D | Session 1E | Session 1F | Session 1G 

Journey Mapping: Small Steps for Big Impacts to Equitable and Inclusive Parks

Description: 

From universal accessibility to designing for neurodiversity to trauma-informed placemaking, parks profoundly impact visitors' sense of belonging in their communities. Using a journey-mapping framework, this session will explore how parks departments can create more inclusive communications, environments, outreach, and programs. More than merely checking a box, this session will encourage agencies to meet users where they are to understand how to improve the entire park’s visitation experience. The session will specifically call out best practices in four stages in the park users' typical "journey" to their park, starting with the pre-visit. This step recognizes the power of parks agencies' external communications to make venturing out to parks feel more accessible to more community members. Using techniques like translated text, including images, demonstrating diverse user groups, and using alt text for screen readers can help send potential visitors the message that not only are they welcome here, but they belong. That impression carries on at the next step of the journey map: arrival where visitors get oriented to the park and understand what it has to offer through maps, wayfinding, storytelling and more. The inclusion journey then continues during the park visit itself: here participants will identify ways that parks may unintentionally convey that certain community members are not valued as much as others and strategize quick, fast, low-cost wins to overcome these challenges. These include new wayfinding strategies, tactical built environment fixes, finding trauma-informed spaces, and creating play experiences for neurodivergent kids.  Finally, the journey concludes with post-visit strategies including feedback forms, social media posts, and more. 

Presented by: 

Brice Maryman, PLA FASLA CPSI, Founding Principal, MxM Landscape Architecture

Biography: Brice Maryman PLA FASLA CPSI is a Founding Principal of MxM Landscape Architecture. He has been working with people experiencing homelessness in parks since 2017, which has propelled his interest in trauma-informed design.  He has worked to design significant parks, streets, plazas, playgrounds, and plans for the region. He is currently an active cohort member of the ULI Health Leaders Network.

Karen Braitmayer, Founding Principal, Studio Pacifica

Biography: Karen Braitmayer is the founder and managing principal of Studio Pacifica. As a registered architect, Karen was admitted to the prestigious College of Fellows by the American Institute of Architects (AIA). In 2019, national AIA honored Karen Braitmayer with the prestigious Whitney M. Young Jr. Award. Karen was appointed by President Barack Obama to the United States Access Board in 2010, and she served in that position until July 2023. She is also an active volunteer and non-profit board member.

Amanda Bailey, Senior Landscape Architect, MxM Landscape Architecture

Biography: Amanda Bailey PLA is a Senior Landscape Architect with MxM Landscape Architecture. Amanda works tirelessly to bend the built environment toward justice. She utilizes her training as a landscape architect, urban designer, design-builder, and artist to deliver places that empower people to thrive. Amanda brings the designer’s greatest tools to each project: empathy, humility, and a probing curiosity about the community’s hopes, needs and aspirations.

Learning Objectives

• Participants will learn how to increase the accessibility of their written and visual materials on websites, social media, surveys, and design graphics.

• Participants will learn how to use the journey mapping framework to better understand the barriers community members encounter when trying to use their parks. 

• Participants will learn how foregrounding inclusion in Parks' work helps broaden access and enjoyment of these vital resources to their community members.

Conversational AI - Unlocking it's Potential and Productivity

Description: 

This presentation aims to demystify conversational AI and demonstrate its potential as a powerful tool rather than a cause for concern. We will explore what conversational AI is, with a particular focus on OpenAI's GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) models, including ChatGPT. Participants will gain an understanding of the benefits, practical applications, and common misconceptions surrounding this technology. Through testimonials, case studies, and live demonstrations, the session will provide insights into how individuals and businesses are leveraging ChatGPT effectively. We will also address common fears, discuss potential risks, and outline necessary precautions to ensure responsible use. By the end of this training, attendees will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to start using ChatGPT confidently and effectively in their own contexts.

Presented by:

Jennifer Wills, Director of Parks and Recreation, Longview Parks and Recreation

Biography: Jen has served as the Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Longview, Washington, since 2015. A graduate of Springfield College in Massachusetts with a degree in Outdoor Recreation Management and a minor in Business, Jen also completed training with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) in Patagonia.  She is a Certified Park and Recreation Executive (CPRE) with broad oversight of Longview's Urban Forest, Golf Course, and Parks and Recreation programs.

Learning Objectives

• Understand What Conversational AI is and how to use it

• Distinguish Misconceptions vs. Realities

• How to Use Conversational AI to Make You More Productive

Pickleball Policy for Inclusive Play

Description: 

With the rapid growth in pickleball players, the "culture" of pickleball has changed dramatically over the past four years.  Get insiders' knowledge on how pickleball's historically inclusive culture is shifting towards more "exclusive" play and what this could mean for your community.  Walk away with real strategies and policies that can help you maintain a balance between inclusive community play and private exclusive play.

Presented by: 

Marianne Johnson, Recreation Specialist II, City of Shoreline

Biography: Marianne Johnson is a Recreation Specialist for the City of Shoreline with 20+ years experience in the areas of youth, adult, and senior recreation programming. For nearly a decade, she has been a competitive pickleball player, community play advocate, and co-founder of the Seattle Metro Classic, Washington’s largest pickleball tournament. Her experience in both municipal recreation and local community advocacy makes her a great “connector” with a balanced approach.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the culture of pickleball historically and why its inclusive format allowed for such rapid growth in the sport.

• Learn about trends in pickleball play and the cultural shift in players from larger inclusive communities to smaller exclusive groups.  Understand the impact of this shift and the case for more policy to help maintain a balance of inclusive and exclusive play.

• Learn various strategies and policies that help maintain a balance between your community's various needs including drop-in use, structured open community play and private rentals.

A Safe Space for Play: Consent and Boundaries in Recreation

Description: 

Recreation is for everybody, even those who like their personal space. In this workshop, we'll be discussing the basic principles of consent and boundaries, adopted from "consent choreographers" in theatre and film. Develop the skills you'll need to use these ideas in your day-to-day programming, in any recreation space. Learn new tools for how to instruct staff and participants without making physical contact. With easy hands-on applications and real-world examples, these workshop facilitators will help you to feel more comfortable when working with vulnerable populations or dealing with difficult situations. If you're not sure how to create a "safe space," or even what that means, this is the training for you

Presented by: 

Billie Hassebrock, Community Services Supervisor and Artistic Director, Bellevue Youth Theatre, City of Bellevue

Biography: Billie Hassebrock is the Artistic Director of Bellevue Youth Theatre, where she produces 10-12 mainstage productions and 12 weeks of performing arts camps annually.  A veteran theatre arts educator and administrator, Billie has dedicated her life to creating diverse and equitable artistic spaces that remove barriers to access and inclusion so that everyone feels welcome and at home in the theatre. She holds an MFA in Theatre Education from Emerson College, where she subsequently taught following her graduation, and a BA from University of California: Santa Barbara.

Mary Boyle, Inclusion Coordinator, Highland Community Center, City of Bellevue

Biography: Mary Boyle has a BA in psychology and specializes in behavior modification techniques. She is the inclusion coordinator for the park’s recreation division focusing on training general recreation staff on inclusion services for programs and provides support to staff for program modifications.  She is responsible for the adaptive recreation programs held at the Highland Community Center serving adults and youth with physical and intellectual disabilities.

Learning Objectives

• Gain a better understanding of common aspects to the application process and what employers use to advance applicants.

• Improve your cover letter and resume.

• Learn how to prepare yourself as an ideal candidate to secure an interview.

Preparing for Success: Securing the Interview

Description: 

Meant to be attended in conjunction with the "Interview Like a Pro: Skill Development" session, participants will learn tips and tricks for navigating the application process. This will include the application process, scouting the agency, resume, cover letter, supplemental questions, first contact, and discussing salary. This session will also briefly analyze effective and ineffective interview question responses for various categories that you may encounter in an interview. This session is great for emerging professionals to help secure interviews in their employment search.

Presented by: 

DJ Mackie, Recreation Supervisor, Pullman Parks and Recreation

Biography: DJ is the Recreation Supervisor for Pullman Parks and Recreation and current chair of the Parks and Recreation Emerging Professionals (PREP) Committee. He has worked in recreation for 10+ years between Campus Recreation and Parks and Recreation. He also instructs an undergraduate course at Washington State University teaching about recreational sports and event management. DJ received his master's degree in Sport Management at Washington State University and continues to work closely with the university to get students involved in community recreation.

Kylee Ashley, Recreation Coordinator, Pierce County Parks

Biography:  Kylee has 7 years of working in Parks and Recreation, she is currently a Recreation Coordinator with Pierce County Parks planning and executing special events, programs, and coordinating volunteers for the parks department. Kylee graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University and received her bachelor's degree in Sport Management and Minor in Coaching in 2017.

Learning Objectives

• Gain a better understanding of common aspects to the application process and what employers use to advance applicants.

• Improve your cover letter and resume.

• Learn how to prepare yourself as an ideal candidate to secure an interview.

The ABCDs of an Extraordinary Workplace: Accessibility, Belonging, Culture and Diversity

Description: 

From senior leaders to line-level staff, everyone desires an extraordinary workplace. However, for many businesses, the extra is missing. As in, we work in seemingly ordinary workplaces. An investment in the ABCDs Accessibility, Belonging, Culture and Diversity, can enhance retention, recruitment, culture, innovation, customer experience and organizational successes. Enhanced understanding of the cultural benefit of advancing accessibility. Learning to leverage the voices at all levels of the organization to create belonging, foster innovation and build a leadership pipeline. View diversity as key to driving strategic leadership and a higher frequency of organization wins.

Presented by: 

Michael Novakovich, President and CEO, Columbia Ability Alliance

Biography: Michael Novakovich is the President and CEO of Columbia Ability Alliance. He holds a MBA from Washington State University, where he also graduated summa cum laude with a degree in business administration. He is a Certified Destination Management Executive. As a lifelong learner, Michael is pursuing a doctorate in Organizational Change and Leadership at the University of Southern California. Miichael has led several teams to international, nation and regional award recognition for various strategic, innovative and creative endeavors.

Learning Objectives

• Enhanced understanding of the cultural benefits of advancing accessibility.

• Learn to leverage the voices at all levels of the organization to create belonging, foster innovation, and build a leadership pipeline.

• View diversity as key to driving strategic leadership and a higher frequency of organizational wins.

Blueprints for Safety: Mastering Facilities Management for Recreation (Part 1)

Description: 

Part one steps into the realm of strategic foresight as this workshop is tailored for facilities managers, park administrators, and anyone vested in the upkeep of recreational environments. Participants will master the art of crafting comprehensive maintenance plans that blend preventive and reactive strategies to uphold the highest standards of safety and accessibility. Through hands-on learning, attendees will delve into routine inspections, hazard identification, and the crucial aspects of ensuring that facilities are not just compliant, but examples of safety and efficiency. Additionally, the session will cover how to seamlessly integrate risk management practices to minimize accidents and reduce liabilities, creating a safer environment for both staff and visitors. Equip yourself with the knowledge and tools to turn every facility into a beacon of safety and functionality. Join us to build a foundation as sturdy and reliable as the facilities you manage!

Presented by: 

WCIA (Washington Cities Insurance Authority Speaker)

Biography: TBA

Learning Objectives

• Participants will learn how to develop comprehensive maintenance plans that integrate both preventive and reactive strategies to ensure facility safety and accessibility.

• Participants will acquire skills in conducting routine inspections and hazard identification to maintain high safety standards and reduce risks in recreational facilities.

• Participants will understand how to incorporate risk management practices into facility operations, minimizing accidents and liabilities to create a safer environment for staff and visitors.