May 2016 - Parks & Recreation - 72

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

integration of energy conservation
measures into every design and
building project will also be integral
to keeping pace with national and
worldwide conservation efforts.
*	 Climate Change: Similarly, on the
not so distant horizon is the issue
of climate change (how projected
sea level rise will affect coastal facilities, how more frequent and/or
stronger storms may affect parks
systems, etc.). Work to integrate
coastal resiliency into an overall
risk management strategy is ongoing and PROS continues its attempts to identify better practices.
*	 Terrorism: On a more global scale,
the ever-growing threat of terrorism (domestic and abroad) may
impact design and construction
practices for the public sector and
subsequently project management
processes. How can organizations
like PROS (recreational and educational facilities, museums and the

like) provide enhanced security for
visitors and staff members alike in
their deliverables without compromising the recreational/educational
opportunities?
For Riechmann the future is about
relationships. " More dynamic engagement and public relations are expected by the community and stakeholders, especially when dealing with
public funds. " Keeping up with the
interests of these groups is imperative to creating successful projects
and programs that satisfy the needs
of the public.
" The priority for the future is planning, particularly ensuring parks and
trails have a master plan, " says Wojtech. " Taking the time and putting
effort into creating vibrant, dynamic
master plans that meet the needs of
the public ensures a successful end
product. The issue, of course, is funding for these projects. "
Unique Challenges
Every project has unique challenges either in design, implementation,
funding or construction. For Great
Rivers Greenway District, its ongoing Trojan Park project has had a
few. This project, NRPA's 2016 Parks
Build Community Legacy Park, will
receive donated expertise, materials
and funds for its construction. Located in Wellston, Missouri, just north
of St. Louis, this area was once a
thriving business district but has had
a host of challenges and is now one
of the poorest cities in Missouri.
" This project is a totally new model for us, working with donated products from all over the country, within
a compacted timeframe. Balancing
the expectations of partners with
the needs of the community has proThe entrance to one of three regions of
Miami-Dade PROS' Amazon and Beyond
exhibit, one of two $50-million projects
underway at this facility.

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duced some unique challenges, " says
Riechmann. " That said, the project
has brought everyone together with a
shared goal of creating a wonderful
new space for the children and families of Wellston to play! "
" One of the most unique projects
that the division has undertaken is
the construction/development of the
Wolf River Greenway, " says Toni
Holomon-Turner, public affairs manager, Division of Parks and Neighborhoods for the cityof Memphis,
Tennessee. " The Memphis portion of
the Wolf River Greenway is 22 miles
in length with a 10-12-foot-wide path
that is nestled in amid an urban environment. People can walk, run, jog,
rollerblade, skate or bike along its
path that runs through trees and the
Wolf River Watershed. " This unique
project combines public and private
funding across several cities along
the Wolf River, connecting other trail
systems, local centers and the natural
forest and wetlands.
In Henderson, Nevada, the Wastewater Reclamation Facility inadvertently created a habitat for birds in
its evaporation ponds, and with the
birds came birders with binoculars to
view them. Combining water treatment with a bird-viewing park created an interesting set of challenges. " It
is unique as we are trying to promote
wildlife habitat, but at the same time,
it is a facility that holds reuse water
in evaporative ponds, " says Wojtech.
Currently in the master planning process, the Henderson Bird Viewing
Preserve is combining the needs and
infrastructure of the existing water
treatment facility with the needs of a
public access park.
" The goal is to provide a facility
that will attract more visitors, increase the effectiveness of our trail
system by providing shade, improve
the interpretive signage system, improve the quality of the ponds, and
May 2016 - Parks & Recreation

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of May 2016 - Parks & Recreation
