July 2018 - Parks & Recreation - 12

EDITOR'S LETTER

Unplug and Play
We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow
old because we stop playing. - George Bernard Shaw
Given today's tech-obsessed world, we often find ourselves glued to
our small screens, while forgetting that there's a whole world outside
waiting to be discovered. How many times have we heard parents
pleading with their children to put down their mobile devices and go
outside and play? The problem is, they're saying it while holding a
smartphone in their hand! To truly lead by example, we too must learn
to unplug and play - and just be present in the moment.
We're observing Park & Recreation Month by celebrating A Lifetime
of Discovery. In this month's cover story on page 40, NRPA Communications Manager Cort Jones offers new ways park professionals can
showcase their programs by highlighting the " undiscovered " roles of
local park and recreation centers. Jones also explains why offering STEM programming teaches
youth problem-solving and empowers them to make their own discoveries.
As part of our ongoing series on parks transforming cities, towns and communities, contributor
Vitisia Paynich explores how the city of Detroit, Michigan, is gradually bouncing back after years
of economic decline in the feature, " Detroit's Rebirth, " on page 44. What's more, she profiles
some of Detroit's most anticipated riverfront projects and reveals how smaller nonprofits are using
crowdfunding partners to get their projects off the ground.
Has your city's mayor signed the 10-Minute Walk campaign pledge? It's not too late! On page 50,
NRPA Program Specialist Jared Mummert presents the first 12 cities to participate in technical
assistance for the 10-Minute Walk campaign in " 10-Minute Walk Campaign: Celebrating Mayors
and Cities Leading the Way. " These are grant recipients who have illustrated an understanding
about the importance of improving park access and quality of life in their cities.
Next, contributor John D. Jackson, PLA, LEED AP, takes a closer look at Indy Parks and Recreation's master plan for Indianapolis-based Riverside Regional Park in the article, " Bringing Riverside Regional Park into the 21st Century, " on page 54. Jackson also reveals why the project's design and planning team believed a public engagement strategy was key to implementing the park plan.
Also, starting with our August issue, Sonia Myrick, Parks & Recreation's executive editor, will begin
sharing this column with me, every other month.
This month, as you're celebrating the July Fourth holiday with family and friends, do yourself
a favor: take a few quick selfies, then put away your device and just enjoy being with your loved
ones. Our Founding Fathers will thank you for it.

GINA MULLINS-COHEN
Vice President of Marketing, Communications and Publishing
Editorial Director
10

Parks & Recreation

| J U LY 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
EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTOR
Suzanne Nathan
snathan@nrpa.org
PUBLICATION DESIGN
Creative By Design
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
SALES COORDINATOR
Meghan Fredriksen
703.858.2190
mfredriksen@nrpa.org
PHOTOGRAPHY
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(unless otherwise noted)
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

July 2018 - Parks & Recreation

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