52 Ways to Use Your VRPS Membership: Week 39, Breaking Boundaries

Sometimes you have to go a bit farther outside the box.
by Nancy Turnage, VRPS Central Office

Call Facebook what you will - to some it's a lifesaver, to some it's a distraction, and still others are indifferent.  But, without a doubt, it offers a wealth of information.  How that information is managed, is up to the user.  For me, it is a valuable tool in composing article blocks for the weekly E-Update member e-blast that arrives each Wednesday afternoon in the inboxes of our members.

And, it's also a snapshot into the Park & Rec windows of member organizations - Agencies, Commercial entities, Colleges and Universities.  If VRPS hasn't "Liked" or "Follwed" you yet, we want to and will.

This week, Danville Parks and Recreation posted a link to the Colgate "Bright Smiles, Bright Futures" dental program.  Colgate's Mobile Dental Van is going to be making a stop at and playing a role in Danville's "Imagine Children's Festival" on October 6.  Not by fluke, assuredly, is the van coming by.  Someone initiated the van visit inquiry that eventually led to putting Danville on the schedule.  Consequently, you can do it too.

Does your community have need?  What other ways have you gone beyond your job description or your agency's mission statement in order to serve the greater good?  By what means have you used Parks and Recreation as the vehicle to extend your reach and improve lives?

2012 VRPS Annual Award Winners

Photo Credit:   Bobette Nelson, City of Norfolk Recreation, Parks & Open Space

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Fellows Award

CAROL E. STEELE, CPRP

Gloucester Parks, Recreation & Tourism 

Distinguished Service Award

J. MICHAEL NEALER

Newport News Parks, Recreation & Tourism

Distinguished Service Award

ART THATCHER, CPRP, AFO

Norfolk Recreation, Parks & Open Space

Distinguished Volunteer Service Award

KEN QUINCY

Fairfax County Park Authority

Distinguished Volunteer Service Award

DONNA BLUEMINK

Norfolk Parks & Recreation Department

Photographed:  Gary Bluemink, Donna Bluemink

Outstanding New Professional

AARON REIDMILLER, CPRP

County of Henrico Division of Recreation & Parks

Outstanding New Professional

JED ROBERTS

City of Salem Parks and Recreation Department

Distinguished Private Sector Award

WILLIAMSBURG BOTANICAL GARDEN

James City County Parks & Recreation

Photographed:  Karen Jamison

Distinguished Private Sector Award

REI, INC.

Fairfax County Park Authority

Photographed:  Cindy Messinger

Best New Program (Population 25,001-50,000)

NIGHT HIKE & CAMPFIRE

Charlottesville Parks & Recreation

Photographed:  Vic Garber

Best New Program (Population 50,001-100,000)

HOLIDAY SKATING

James City County Parks & Recreation

Photographed:  John Carnifax

Best New Program (Population greater than 100,000)

EAST OCEAN VIEW BOAT TRIP

Norfolk Recreation, Parks & Open Space

Photographed:  Darrell R. Crittendon

Best New Special Event (Population under 25,000)

WINE AND FOOD FESTIVAL

Town of Purcellville

Photographed:  Melanie Scoggins

Best New Special Event (Population 25,001-50,000)

LIBERTY RIDE

Orange County Parks & Recreation

Photographed:  Tim Moubray

Best New Special Event (Population 50,001-100,000)

YORKTIME MARITIME WEEKEND

York County Parks & Recreation

Photographed:  Brian Fuller, James Scruggs

Best New Special Event (Population greater than 100,000)

GREAT PUMPKIN WORKSHOP & DERBY

Stafford County Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities

Photographed:  Derrick Carr, Sheila Newton

Best New Facility - Bricks & Mortar (Population greater than 100,000)

WILLIAMS FARM COMMUNITY RECREATION CENTER

Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation

Photographed:  Greg Ferebee, Michael Kalvort

Best New Facility - Parks, Playgrounds, Blueways, Greenways, and Trails

(Population 25,001-50,000)

WOODVILLE PARK

Gloucester Parks, Recreation & Tourism

Photographed:  Carol Steele

Best New Facility - Parks, Playgrounds, Blueways, Greenways, and Trails

(Population 50,001-100,000)

POWHATAN CREEK TRAIL

James City County Parks & Recreation

Photographed:  Nancy Ellis

Best New Facility - Parks, Playgrounds, Blueways, Greenways, and Trails

(Population greater than 100,000)

WILLIAMS FARM PARK AND SKATE PARK

Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation

Photographed:  Amy Woodson, Michael Kalvort

Best New Renovation/Addition - Bricks and Mortar (Population greater than 100,000)

HISTORIC HUNTLEY

Fairfax County Park Authority

Photographed:  Todd Brown

Best New Renovation/Addition - Parks, Playgrounds, Blueways, Greenways, and Trails (Population 25,001-50,000)

BIKE DEPOT AT RAFLO PARK

Town of Leesburg Parks & Recreation

Photographed:  Kate Trask

Best New Renovation/Addition - Parks, Playgrounds, Blueways, Greenways, and Trails (Population 50,001-100,000)

ROANOKE RIVER/TINKER CREEK GREENWAY EXTENSION

Roanoke Parks & Recreation

Photographed:  Steve Buschor

Best New Renovation/Addition - Parks, Playgrounds, Blueways, Greenways, and Trails (Population greater than 100,000)

FOUNTAINHEAD MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL

Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority

Photographed:  Matthew White, Dan Kaseman

Best New Environmental Sustainability (Population greater than 100,000)

PRESERVATION OF PLEASURE HOUSE POINT NATURAL AREA

Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation

Photographed:  Cindy Curtis, Michael Kalvort

Best Promotional Effort - Traditional (Population under 25,000)

SUMMER CAMP GUIDE

Town of Herndon Parks & Recreation

Photographed:  Kerstin Severin

Best Promotional Effort - Traditional (Population 25,001-50,000)

ENDLESS SUMMER CAMP GUIDE

McLean Community Center

Photographed:  George Sachs

Best Promotional Effort - Traditional (Population 50,001-100,000)

2012 ANNUAL REPORT

Reston Community Center

Photographed:  Cheri Danaher

Best Promotional Effort - Traditional (Population greater than 100,000)

SUMMER OF SMILES! SUMMER FUN GUIDE

Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities

Best Promotional Effort - Specialty (Population under 25,000)

HERNDON FESTIVAL MOBILE WEBSITE

Town of Herndon Parks & Recreation

Photographed:  Thomas Schoenauer

Best Promotional Effort - Specialty (Population 25,001-50,000)

DIRTY DAN DASH VIDEO

Danville Parks & Recreation

Photographed:  Johnnie Walker, Jason Bookheimer

Best Promotional Effort - Specialty (Population 50,001-100,000)

SPLASH VALLEY ELECTRONIC MEDIA

Roanoke County Parks, Recreation & Tourism

Photographed:  Jim Basham

 Best Promotional Effort - Specialty (Population greater than 100,000)

PARKER THE SQUIRREL, DEPARTMENT MASCOT

Newport News Parks, Recreation & Tourism

Photographed:  Michael Poplawski

2013 VRPS Annual Conference: TUESDAY 9/10 Notes

Virginia Recreation and Park Society REMINDERS * Grab & Go food stations will be available 6:30-9:30am in the Promenade outside of the President's Ballroom.  Attendees may purchase assorted and individually priced breakfast items. * Tell us what you think!  Please take the time to complete both session and overall 2013 VRPS Annual Conference evaluations. STAY CONNECTED AT CONFERENCE!      1.     Read your emailed Daily 2013 VRPS Conference Notes. 2.     Check the VRPS Facebook Page 3.     Follow VRPS on Twitter 4.     Check the VRPS Blog for timely photos and insight! 5.     POST-POST-POST!  Share your photos and comments! 6.     Let us know what you think: Session Evaluations Overall Evaluation QUICK LINKS VRPS Annual Conference September 7-12, 2013  DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Williamsburg (formerly Williamsburg Marriott) Conference Schedule James City County Education-At-A-Glance www.VRPS.com    VRPS@VRPS.COM THANK YOU SPONSORS! SAY CHEESE! Did you enjoy the photos in this publication?  There's plenty more on Facebook! TUESDAY, September 10 Delegate Registration will be 7:30am-11:30am in the President's Ballroom Lobby. Resource Groups meet 8-8:30am. 8:30am Alexandria's National Safe Place:  Building a Safety Net for Youth in our Community session has been cancelled. CPSI begins Wednesday, September 11. VRPS BUILDING FUND:  PAID-IN-FULL!    Thanks to over 450 individuals and corporations for helping us reach our goal.  The 2100-square-foot VRPS office was purchased in 2008 and is now paid-in-full. CONGRATULATIONS 2012 AWARD WINNERS! Photos are available on the VRPS Facebook page.  They will also be formatted by award name on the VRPS-on-the-blogspot. Fellows Award CAROL E. STEELE, CPRP Gloucester Parks, Recreation & Tourism Distinguished Service Award J. MICHAEL NEALER Newport News Parks, Recreation & Tourism ART THATCHER, CPRP, AFO Norfolk Recreation, Parks & Open Space Distinguished Volunteer Service Award KEN QUINCY Fairfax County Park Authority DONNA BLUEMINK Norfolk Parks & Recreation Department Outstanding New Professional AARON REIDMILLER, CPRP County of Henrico Division of Recreation & Parks JED ROBERTS City of Salem Parks and Recreation Department Distinguished Private Sector Award WILLIAMSBURG BOTANICAL GARDEN James City County Parks & Recreation REI, INC. Fairfax County Park Authority Best New Program (Population 25,001-50,000) NIGHT HIKE & CAMPFIRE Charlottesville Parks & Recreation Best New Program (Population 50,001-100,000) HOLIDAY SKATING James City County Parks & Recreation Best New Program (Population greater than 100,000) EAST OCEAN VIEW BOAT TRIP Norfolk Recreation, Parks & Open Space Best New Special Event (Population under 25,000) WINE AND FOOD FESTIVAL Town of Purcellville Best New Special Event (Population 25,001-50,000) LIBERTY RIDE Orange County Parks & Recreation Best New Special Event (Population 50,001-100,000) YORKTIME MARITIME WEEKEND York County Parks & Recreation Best New Special Event (Population greater than 100,000) GREAT PUMPKIN WORKSHOP & DERBY Stafford County Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities Best New Facility - Bricks & Mortar (Population greater than 100,000) WILLIAMS FARM COMMUNITY RECREATION CENTER Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation Best New Facility - Parks, Playgrounds, Blueways, Greenways, and Trails (Population 25,001-50,000) WOODVILLE PARK Gloucester Parks, Recreation & Tourism Best New Facility - Parks, Playgrounds, Blueways, Greenways, and Trails (Population 50,001-100,000) POWHATAN CREEK TRAIL James City County Parks & Recreation Best New Facility - Parks, Playgrounds, Blueways, Greenways, and Trails (Population greater than 100,000) WILLIAMS FARM PARK AND SKATE PARK Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation Best New Renovation/Addition - Bricks and Mortar (Population greater than 100,000) HISTORIC HUNTLEY Fairfax County Park Authority Best New Renovation/Addition - Parks, Playgrounds, Blueways, Greenways, and Trails (Population 25,001-50,000) BIKE DEPOT AT RAFLO PARK Town of Leesburg Parks & Recreation Best New Renovation/Addition - Parks, Playgrounds, Blueways, Greenways, and Trails (Population 50,001-100,000) ROANOKE RIVER/TINKER CREEK GREENWAY EXTENSION Roanoke Parks & Recreation Best New Renovation/Addition - Parks, Playgrounds, Blueways, Greenways, and Trails (Population greater than 100,000) FOUNTAINHEAD MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority Best New Environmental Sustainability (Population greater than 100,000) PRESERVATION OF PLEASURE HOUSE POINT NATURAL AREA Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation Best Promotional Effort - Traditional (Population under 25,000) SUMMER CAMP GUIDE Town of Herndon Parks & Recreation Best Promotional Effort - Traditional (Population 25,001-50,000) ENDLESS SUMMER CAMP GUIDE McLean Community Center Best Promotional Effort - Traditional (Population 50,001-100,000) 2012 ANNUAL REPORT Reston Community Center Best Promotional Effort - Traditional (Population greater than 100,000) SUMMER OF SMILES! SUMMER FUN GUIDE Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities Best Promotional Effort - Specialty (Population under 25,000) HERNDON FESTIVAL MOBILE WEBSITE Town of Herndon Parks & Recreation Best Promotional Effort - Specialty (Population 25,001-50,000) DIRTY DAN DASH VIDEO Danville Parks & Recreation Best Promotional Effort - Specialty (Population 50,001-100,000) SPLASH VALLEY ELECTRONIC MEDIA Roanoke County Parks, Recreation & Tourism  Best Promotional Effort - Specialty (Population greater than 100,000) PARKER THE SQUIRREL, DEPARTMENT MASCOT Newport News Parks, Recreation & Tourism  JOIN US IN 2014 AT THE HOMESTEAD!