November 2021 - Parks & Recreation - 8

EDITOR' S LETTER
Research Presents the Bigger Picture
In just about every industry, companies and organizations rely
on research and evaluation as a roadmap for developing new products,
allocating advertising dollars, and deciding what markets
merit investment. Park and recreation leaders know the importance
of research, especially when it comes to providing elected
officials and potential corporate partners with critical data on communities
that need adequate funding for park and recreation projects.
What's more, research presents the bigger picture - enabling
us to make more informed decisions and provide greater context
to the stories we tell.
In this month's cover story, " PlayGrand Adventures Is Leveling
the Playing Field, " on page 34, author Dr. Taylor D. Bunn offers
a look at the big picture through her study of an all-abilities park
located in Grand Prairie, Texas. She writes, " Through an online
questionnaire, semi-structured interviews and playground observations,
I uncovered information that will help PlayGrand Adventures
and other all-abilities playgrounds respond to community needs, raise funds for development
and sustainment, and design spaces where everyone can play together regardless of ability level. "
Research through community engagement proved quite valuable to the transformation of Western
Sculpture Park in St. Paul, Minnesota. In the feature article, " Infusing Art and Play, " on page
40, Teresa Morrissey, NRPA's park access program manager offers a bird's eye view of this park
project, particularly its 26-year-old play area that needed a long overdue renovation. In fact, the
city collaborated with Public Art Saint Paul to develop the " Birds at Play " theme for the play area.
" The community engagement efforts really led to building something useful for our community, "
explains Bianca Paz, project manager and landscape designer for Saint Paul Parks and Recreation.
" Our community members are proud of this space, of their local backyard. "
Next, the American Academy of Park and Recreation Administration's Research for the Profession
Committee shares helpful management strategies in the feature story, " Management Challenges
in Parks and Recreation Agencies, " on page 44. Using thematic analysis, the article's contributors
identify 10 key themes of concern for park and recreation agency leaders.
Lastly, the NRPA Research team publishes a plethora of research studies and resource tools
throughout the year to assist members in nearly every facet of the field of parks and recreation. I
highly encourage you to check out NRPA's Research section at nrpa.org/Research. After all, we
all benefit from seeing the bigger picture.
PRESIDENT AND CEO
Kristine Stratton
VICE PRESIDENT OF
COMMUNICATIONS AND CHIEF
MARKETING OFFICER
Gina Mullins-Cohen
gcohen@nrpa.org
EXECUTIVE EDITOR AND
DIRECTOR OF PRINT AND
ONLINE CONTENT
Vitisia Paynich
vpaynich@nrpa.org
ASSOCIATE EDITOR AND
WRITER
Lindsay Hogeboom
lhogeboom@nrpa.org
MANAGER OF ONLINE
CONTENT
Jennifer Fulcher-Nguyen
jnguyen@nrpa.org
PUBLICATION DESIGN
Kim Mabon/Creative By
Design
CreativeByDesign.net
SENIOR CORPORATE
DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
Michelle Dellner
949.248.1057
mdellner@nrpa.org
DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR
Melissa Hunter
703.858.2199
mhunter@nrpa.org
PHOTOGRAPHY
Dreamstime.com or NRPA
(unless otherwise noted)
VITISIA " VI " PAYNICH
Executive Editor
Director, Print and Online Content
MAGAZINE ADVISORY
BOARD MEMBERS
Anthony-Paul Diaz, Chair
Michael Abbaté, FASLA
Neelay Bhatt
Ryan Eaker
Beau Fieldsend
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
Ronnetta Spalding
Anne-Marie Spencer
Stephen Springs
8 Parks & Recreation | NOVEMBER 2 0 2 1
| PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G
http://www.CreativeByDesign.net http://40 http://www.Dreamstime.com http://www.nrpa.org/Research
November 2021 - Parks & Recreation

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of November 2021 - Parks & Recreation
