November 2019 - Parks & Recreation - 12

EDITOR'S LETTER

Telling Our Stories
Recently, I was present as praise was given to one of
my colleagues, Rich Dolesh, for earning the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration's Pugsley Award. As I listened, Rich modestly
replied that he was just doing what he loves and how
others would have done the same. The thing is, others didn't do the same, and his contributions are surely something to be honored (read more on page 38).
Despite this truth, this is a message we often hear
from (and is likely believed by) those we know who
do extraordinary things. And, I suspect that many
of us respond this way when praised for our own
achievements. When we talk about our professional or personal accomplishments, we tend to speak
about them softly.
This year, the 2019 NRPA Annual Conference
was all about speaking up to tell our stories and
recognizing the ways in which park and recreation
professionals and advocates go above and beyond to
create a better world through building strong, healthy communities, where all people can live, but
also thrive. As I listened to our speakers, exhibitors and attendees, it became apparent to me that
a larger narrative was being told - one of the many park and recreation impacts the people in the
industry are making every day.
In our conference wrap-up features beginning on page 32, we reflect on the events of the 2019
NRPA Annual Conference, where attendees came together to discuss the challenges faced, innovations tested and lives changed by their agencies and their work. In Baltimore, we honored those
who have worked passionately to make a difference in their communities and learned from the
unique challenges and perspectives of others.
The feature story on page 40, titled " How Parks and Recreation Can Support Mental Health
Initiatives, " by Barbara Heller and Molly Young outlines some of the ways those in this field can
play a role in helping individuals struggling with mental health challenges. " When we talk about
mental health, we really need to start with those around us, " they say. " What [we] didn't know
is that our story is just like others...Talking about and sharing our experiences are what lead to
understanding, a healthy future and removing the stigma forever! "
Talking about the important things you do as park and recreation professionals doesn't have to
be difficult. The simple act of telling your stories - about the good work that you do, the people
you encounter and the inspiration or challenges you see taking place in your community - fosters
connection and relays a larger narrative of a profession of those in public service, dedicated to
making a difference - and succeeding.

GINA MULLINS-COHEN
Vice President of Marketing, Communications and Publishing
Editorial Director

10

Parks & Recreation

| N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9 | W W W. PA R K S A N D R E C R E AT I O N . O R G

PRESIDENT AND CEO
Kristine Stratton
VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING,
COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLISHING,
AND EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Gina Mullins-Cohen
gcohen@nrpa.org
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Sonia Myrick
smyrick@nrpa.org
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Lindsay Collins
lcollins@nrpa.org
EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTOR
Suzanne Nathan
snathan@nrpa.org
PUBLICATION DESIGN
Kim Mabon/Creative By Design
CreativeByDesign.net
SENIOR SALES MANAGER
EASTERN REGION AND EUROPE
Kip Ongstad
703.858.2174
kongstad@nrpa.org
SENIOR SALES MANAGER
WESTERN REGION AND ASIA
Michelle Dellner
949.248.1057
mdellner@nrpa.org
SALES COORDINATOR
Meghan Fredriksen
703.858.2190
mfredriksen@nrpa.org
PHOTOGRAPHY
Dreamstime.com or NRPA
(unless otherwise noted)
MAGAZINE ADVISORY
BOARD MEMBERS
Anthony-Paul Diaz, Chair
Michael Abbaté, FASLA
Neelay Bhatt
Ryan Eaker
Robert García
Kathleen Gibi
Paul Gilbert, CPRP
Tim Herd, CPRE
Brian Johnson, CPSI
Denise Johnson-Caldwell
Roslyn Johnson, CPRP
Michele Lemons
Sam Mendelsohn
Maria Nardi
Lisa Paradis, CPRP
Paula Sliefert
Shonnda Smith, CPRP, AFO
Anne-Marie Spencer
Stephen Springs
November 2019 - Parks & Recreation

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of November 2019 - Parks & Recreation
