overall conceptualization of the project. Woods also worked with other parks staff to design the master plan for the community campus project in-house. (These efforts resulted in ARC receiving design awards from the American Institute of Architects and the American Society of Landscape Architects.) Woods cites the 32-foot climbing wall in the center as being a feature that was landscaped in-house and would not have been affordable using an outside contractor. But Woods points out that planning for the future was just as important as clearing the initial financial hurdle. " It's not hard to get people to get behind rec centers financially. The real challenge is operations and how to make it work. Very few break through financially. You need a long-term plan. " One of the ways Aspen has been able to do this is to promote the Aspen Recreation Center through tourism. While Aspen is a town of 5,000 residents, it swells to 25,000 during the summer and winter tourist season. By meeting the needs of both locals and visitors, the use for ARC has only increased every year. Plus, tourism helps keep the price low for the locals. It's not hard to get people to get behind rec centers financially. The real challenge is operations and how to make it work. Photo courtesy of Robb williamson -Jeff Woods, Manager of Parks and Recreation for the City of Aspen, Colorado w w w . N R P A . O R G M A R C H 2 0 1 1 Parks & Recreation 51