January 2018 - Parks & Recreation - 12

EDITOR'S LET TER

Showing Our Resolve
Although the world is full of suffering,
it is also full of the overcoming of it.
- Helen Keller
2017 has definitely challenged our endurance for withstanding whatever Mother Nature has thrown our way, such as hurricanes, floods
and wildfires. And, while we've seen the devastation caused by these
tragic events and grieved for those who suffered great losses, we've
also witnessed extraordinary acts of compassion and heroism -
especially within the parks and recreation industry.
In fact, this month's cover story, " Resiliency in the Face of Adversity, " on page 38, shows how park and recreation agencies survived the wrath of Hurricanes
Harvey, Irma and Maria, as well as the intense wildfires that burned out West, only to come back
stronger and help their communities to heal and begin to rebuild. NRPA's Rich Dolesh and Cort
Jones examine this topic by going one-on-one with park and rec staff to understand the challenges
they faced during these events, as well as the lessons learned that have helped them prepare for
future catastrophes.
Social media played a key role during these harrowing events, as it enabled people to let their
loved ones know they were alive or to alert others they were in need of assistance. Parks and recreation knows all too well the power of social media. What's more, contributor Landon Schenck
discusses the importance of establishing and implementing a thorough social media policy in your
own agency in the article, " Creating Social Media Policies for Your Parks and Rec Department, "
on page 44. He offers such tips as determining which employees may post to your social media
accounts and ensuring all messaging is consistent with your community's brand voice.
Our third feature this month on page 48, begs the question: " Who helps older adults? " According
to contributor Corey Clark, Heritage Park Senior Facility in Henderson, Nevada, has certainly
stepped up to the plate. This 29,667-square-foot center is able to meet the needs of its older adults
by forming partnerships with other community service organizations. The key is having a separate
office that connects older adults directly with community services, including Homebound Meals
on Wheels, Meals on Wheels for Pets and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program.
Time and time again, park and recreation agencies have shown their resolve by facing challenges
head on, leading their communities through tough times and finding the silver lining in the wake
of tragedy and adversity.

GINA MULLINS-COHEN
Vice President of Marketing, Communications and Publishing
Editorial Director

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Parks & Recreation

| J A N UA R Y 2 0 1 8 | W W W. PA R K S A N D R E C R E AT I O N . O R G

PRESIDENT AND CEO
Barbara Tulipane, CAE
VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING,
COMMUNICATIONS AND
PUBLISHING, AND EDITORIAL
DIRECTOR
Gina Mullins-Cohen
gcohen@nrpa.org
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Sonia Myrick
smyrick@nrpa.org
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Cort Jones
cjones@nrpa.org
EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTOR
Catrina Belt
cbelt@nrpa.org
PUBLICATION DESIGN
Creative By Design
www.creativebydesign.net
SENIOR SALES MANAGER
EASTERN REGION AND EUROPE
Kip Ongstad
703.858.2174
kongstad@nrpa.org
SALES MANAGER
WESTERN REGION AND ASIA
Michelle Dellner
949.248.1057
mdellner@nrpa.org
MAGAZINE ADVISORY
BOARD MEMBERS
Keith Anderson
Gerald Brown
Ernest Burkeen
Brendan Daley
Anthony-Paul Diaz
Ryan Eaker
Robert García
Kathleen Gibi
Sandra Gonzales
Tim Herd
Brian Johnson
Todd Lehman
Sam Mendelsohn
Maria Nardi
Lisa Paradis
Gil Peñalosa
Vic Richard
Dr. Kevin Riley
Karla Rivera
Paula Sliefert
Anne-Marie Spencer
Stephen Springs
Randy Wiger
January 2018 - Parks & Recreation

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of January 2018 - Parks & Recreation
