June 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 20

Member to Member
Rural Resurgence
Planners and park professionals can work together to revive rural communities
By Justin Oakes and Nelson Cooper

I

n the past three decades, rural recreation and park agencies have faced extraordinary local culture challenges while trying to maintain quality services
and park facilities. Many rural North American communities have faced a
decline in agricultural and industrial economy, thus resulting in a reduced tax
base, residential population and employment. Each of these reductions may
contribute to the erosion of local education, economy and even public health.
While more urban communities are not immune to these same challenges, their
infrastructure is often not as fragile, so they are often more financially resilient
than rural communities.
Rural recreation and park agencies and professionals are adequately equipped to partner with others

to address these challenges, but they
cannot do so alone. A sustainable
approach requires collaborating

with other public services. Community planners are often vital partners
to parks and recreation, especially
when resources are scarce. In urban
communities, community planners
and recreation and park professionals are often connected, with some
larger recreation and park agencies
even employing their own planning
staff. In rural communities, however, the relationship is not as seamless, and both are often understaffed
and overextended with responsibilities. Even so, the challenges facing
rural communities are addressed
more effectively when the two are
" at the table " together.
A Historical Context
The planning profession was born
out of the response to numerous
social, environmental and health
crises that plagued communities. In
the profession's infancy, urban public health was a primary focus for
planners. Their efforts to control air
pollution, keep water clean, handle
sewage and establish public health inspections were all necessary to combat deadly health epidemics. Fredrick
Law Olmsted, a public administrator
and landscape designer, recognized
the value of utilizing parks to address
public health issues while promoting
moral pastimes, physical activity and
emotional well-being.
The planning profession evolved
over time, with urban planners becoming the caretakers of zoning and development and engaging in fewer unique

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