March 2010 - Parks & Recreation - 14

Who, What, Where & how
-Around the Parks

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Anne S. Close

Continued from page 11

For NRPA life trustee Anne S. Close, recreation has always
been a family affair. Or at least family was reponsible for
her early introduction to parks and recreation.

T

o provide a bit more detail, Close's family has
operated recreational facilities in the Fort Mills, South

Carolina, area since the 1950s. These facilities, Close
explains, were originally formed to give working-class folks
ational pursuits that were not otherwise provided.

" Our professional staffers, " says Close, " belonged to the
state parks and recreation association and they were initially
responsible for getting me involved in the parks and recreation movement. "
Since that time, Close has gone on to enjoy a lifetime of
benefits working in and around public parks and recreation.
Close is a recipient of NRPA's Ralph C. Wilson Award, former
NRPA chairman, and current chairman of the Springs Foundation, Close's charitable family organization that contributes to
the causes of recreation and environment, public education
and early-childhood development, and community service
and health. She says getting
involved with the parks and
recreation movement " has
greatly enhanced my ability to make progress in the
effort to provide access to
nature and recreational opportunities for everyone. "
Close, who grew up hiking, swimming, and playing outdoors, has always
cherished an access to the outdoors and recreational opportunities " not available to most
people in the area where I lived. I have always felt it important
to work for public access to parks and recreation. "
And while she came to NRPA as a board member/citizen,
not as a professional, Close observes that serving regionally
as a director gave her valuable insight, ideas, and contacts
to bring home to her recreation business in South Carolina.
" I cameto know so many dedicated professionals, " says
Close, " and to learn so many wonderful and innovative ways
to bring recreation opportunities to our community. " 

-Rachel Roberts

Conservation made fun: After 40 years, Earth Day attracts
more volunteers than ever to celebrate this special ethic.

in the same direction. Big volunteer projects are good for the
parks we manage in the public trust. "
And finally, connectedness is important, says Havel. " People have their favorite parks, for sure, but the idea that all state
parks are part of a system, and that system has a relationship
to the landscape beyond our borders, is powerful. When people realize how their park contributes to the whole, they treat
it with a little more respect and devotion. "
But Earth Day celebrations are hardly limited to the West
Coast. At Virginia Beach's aptly named Mount Trashmore Park,
the park and recreation department is inviting residents to
" Become part of the Green Generation " by engaging in various exhibits, displays, and activities that will offer " a chance to
discover and explore effective, convenient, and cutting-edge
ways to green your lifestyle. "
Shannon Moore, CPRP, a programming supervisor at Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation, says that last year's Earth
Day event drew more than 20,000 people. She believes that
part of the popularity is the uniqueness of the venue.
" Mount Trashmore is our most popular park, " Moore explains, " and was once a sanitary landfill that was converted
to a park setting to emphasize environmental and water-conserving xeriscaping. "
In Chapel Hill, North Carolina, at Southern Community Park, there are classes on composting, a " Swap-o-RamaRama, " which asks folks to clean out their closets in order to
" learn some creative clothing modification techniques " from
local artists, and rain barrels for sale at discounted prices.
Asked how people have responded to Oregon's Earth Day
events in the past, Havel answers, " Joyfully, sweaty, earth-covered, funky-smelling. I've never seen such a happy bunch of
tired people in my life. " 

Douglas Vaira is a freelance writer living in Charles Town,

West Virginia. douglasvaira@hotmail.com.

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March 2010 - Parks & Recreation

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