June 2022 - Parks & Recreation - 25

Know the danger zone for your area.
It can be impacted by temperature, air
quality, cloud cover and other factors.
* Children who grow up in more
polluted areas face the increased
risk of having underdeveloped
lungs, which may never recover
to their full capacity. The average
drop in lung function was
20 percent below what was expected
for a child's age, similar
to the impact of growing up in a
home with parents who smoked
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Here are other things to consider:
1. Making the decision: Identify
those who have the authority to
close a park, postpone a game
or adjust hours based on the
summer warming trends. Your
department leadership or recreation
center management team
are likely the people to help
make these decisions, but also
consider inviting a volunteer advisory
board to help. Community
engagement is helpful - these
community members are versed
on the community and with
basic training can provide the
bridge between your department
and the community at large.
2. Volunteer/Partner engagement:
Volunteer projects can be popular
in the summer with corporate
volunteers. If they generally work
in a climate-controlled office, they
might not realize the difference
in temperature if the volunteer
project starts at 8:30 a.m. rather
than 2 p.m. I encourage you to
share your local temperatures
from a recent hour-to-hour
forecast. Encourage participants
to consider volunteering outside in
the morning, share boxed lunches
and release people after a half day.
Consider projects that
are
meaningful for your park and
community, while also being accessible
to people with different
abilities. While some volunteers
mulch and pick up litter, others
might assemble goody bags under
the shade of the pavilion.
Encourage participation in community
science events that track
rain, heat or other things that
can be educational, fun and help
to better understand how heat is
distributed in your community.
3. Communications: Consider the
format and the mode in which
communication is provided to
the community. Relevant messaging
informing the public on
hazardous conditions,
closings
or limited access is imperative.
Messaging could include
emails, social media or text
alerts. Consider using colorful
flags for traditional green, yellow
and red warnings that hang near
the park amenity or entrance.
4. Staffing and other scheduling
adjustments:
Consider
adding
lights to tennis courts and opening
them after sunset or setting up
hospitality tents at playgrounds
or golf courses that provide a
bit of shade. Also, consider providing
water during the hottest
hours of the day to patrons. If
budget is a concern, develop relationships
with elected officials
or community partners who may
be interested in sponsoring items,
like water,
fans, as giveaways during sporting
events.
As you consider the options listed
above, keep in mind the following:
* Know the danger zone for your
area. It can be impacted by temperature,
air quality, cloud cover
and other factors.
* Invest in a thermometer to check
temperatures on artificial
turf,
playgrounds, tennis courts and
golf courses.
* Educate staff, coaches and partners
on the signs of heat stroke
and share strategies for keeping
everyone cool.
* Avoid idling trucks.
* Start the workday as early as possible
to limit strenuous activity
during the hottest part of the day.
* Keep water coolers on trucks and
accessible during youth sports
and camps.
* Test, repair and monitor access
to water fountains.
* Post signs that warn the public
about the dangers of heat stroke.
As temperatures continue to rise
across the United States, we can
help staff and park users beat the
heat. Implementing one or more of
these tips can help save a life.
popsicles or paper
Ayanna Williams, MSW, is Director of Community and
Environmental Resilience at NRPA (awilliams@nrpa.org).
Angela Hill, CPRP, is Administrator of Parks and
Neighborhoods at Shelby County Government (angela.hill@
shelbycountytn.gov).
PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G | JUNE 2 0 22 | Parks & Recreation
25
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June 2022 - Parks & Recreation

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