Tuesday, September 24, 2013

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?



Tuesday, September 10, 2013

2012 VRPS Annual Award Winners

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

******************************************************

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!
Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter View our profile on LinkedIn Visit our blog View our videos on YouTube
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:


2012 VRPS Awards
2012 VRPS Awards
2012 VRPS Awards
2012 VRPS Awards
2012 VRPS Awards
2012 VRPS Awards
2012 VRPS Awards

THANK YOU SPONSORS!
Cunningham Recreation Logo
All Recreation Logo
James City County Logo
SSCI Logo
VRPS Foundation Logo
Tactical Laser Tag Logo

SAY CHEESE!
Did you enjoy the photos in this publication?  There's plenty more on Facebook!

Like me 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!
2014 VRPS Annual Conference Ad