September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 103

in

PRORAGIS
Getting the Gist of GIS

shutterstock

L

By haley adams

AST MONTH'S FEATURE OUTLINED KEY ADVANTAGES OF PRORAGIS'S MAPPING ABILITY, or the GIS element of PRORAGIS. Among these advantages is the ability to use custom
filters to compare visual representations of the resources in any profiled department. Used
in tandem, the operating ratio and the geographic information provide powerful sets of information that
can be used for a host of different functions-the benefits of the system are limited primarily by breadth
of the user's imagination. Maps generated by custom searches can be used to analyze similar departments for master planning, best practices, and standards development, or to answer budget questions
and justify spending.
PRORAGIS (Park and Recreation
There are several ways to upload GIS data in
Operating Ratio and
order to start reaping the benefits of a departGeographic
Information
mental profile in the PRORAGIS system. Those faSystem) is NRPA's recently
miliar with GIS applications can import data using
the geodatabase file uploader, which allows a delaunched national database
partment automatically to reconfigure preexisting
and GIS tool for budgets,
GIS data for PRORAGIS. Users can also upload data benchmarks, and best practices.
through the Excel spreadsheet template easily acThe process of establishing a profile, morecessible upon system login. For smaller agencies
without access to a GIS application, the process is over, was a pretty painless experience for Middlestill simple: Map features can be manually drawn ton: " Basically, with just a few exceptions-adding
using points for statues and monuments, or poly- a few attributes to the model to keep past data, for
gons for landmarks such as recreation centers, instance-[Johnson County] has been able to esparks and fields. Users can also customize manu- tablish a PRORAGIS profile to successfully met all
ally drawn features with attribute details like name, our needs. " One specific need Middleton cited was
simplifying and systematizing the data captured by
description, and year built.
So, what have users had to say about configur- PRORAGIS for land conservation funds: Previously,
Johnson County had no way to distinguish easily
ing their PRORAGIS profile maps?
Cliff Middleton, GIS planning manager with the between assets managed directly by the county
Johnson County Park and Recreation District in Kan- and those administered by the city-something
sas, used PRORAGIS's App Geo uploader for the de- simplified by PRORAGIS.
Middleton added that the PRORAGIS profile
partment's GIS profile. According to Middleton, who
has worked extensively with geographic informa- creation itself was a " great exercise to revisit data
tion systems, the PRORAGIS model offers many that had been developed over the past 10 years or
" real advantages with the types of data captured. " more, and correct and update it to make sure it's
He explained that the GIS profile's data set is " rich- all current and relevant. " Overall, Middleton beer than what [Johnson County] had before, and de- lieves " the process has been a real plus, " and he
fines some of the attributes in a clearer fashion. " The is looking forward to the advantages of having a
only real downside he encountered was the need for department profile, especially the ability to bench " time and precision with the parameters " -though, mark against other agencies to coordinate strategic
he admitted, this issue is silver-lined with the poten- goals. " I think it'll be a great thing, and I'm looking
forward to seeing those reports. "
tial for a " more refined output. "

www.NRPA .ORG

Sid Stevenson, Ph.D., Kansas State University,
has configured the GIS system for every jurisdiction in the State of Kansas for PRORAGIS profiling:
Because of his efforts, the entire state of Kansas-
including state and federal properties-will be incorporated into the system. Though the data set was
extensive, Stevenson spoke to the ease of using the
system, especially the manual uploader: " NRPA's
PRORAGIS has an added online editor. I believe this
service is of tremendous value because it allows
agencies without GIS expertise to fully participate.
An agency can input all their data using this tool, or
edit their data compiled with Excel by adding spatial
values. It puts the GIS functionality at the disposal
of the park and recreation professional who is most
aware of the amenities involved. "
Stevenson was also creative about strategically
recruiting resources from outside the parks system
in order to compile statewide data for incorporation
into GIS profiles. " The value of the data compiled
should not be underestimated, " he says. " It goes
well beyond just an asset inventory. The health care
profession is well aware of the benefits and continues to be a major ally in compiling the data set. Kansas used the focus on access to physical activity to
pull together funding to compile the data statewide.
Partners included a private health foundation, the
KRPA, the state LWCF liaison (KDWPT), Kansas State
University and the Data Access Support Center-
Kansas Geological Survey-University of Kansas. "
Ultimately, the profile creation process requires
initiative, but the rewards of that input are vast:
Demographics can be analyzed and compared for
planning and statistical projections, budgets can be
simplified, and funding requests powerfully and
simply explained. Not just with words, but with
maps and figures as well.
HALey AdAMS is a Virginia-based

freelance writer.

SEPTEMBER 2011

Parks & Recreation 101



September 2011 - Parks & Recreation

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of September 2011 - Parks & Recreation

September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 1
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 2
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 3
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 4
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 5
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 6
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 7
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 8
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 9
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 10
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 11
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 12
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 13
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 14
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 15
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 16
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 17
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 18
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 19
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 20
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 21
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 22
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 23
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 24
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 25
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 26
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 27
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 28
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 29
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 30
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 31
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 32
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 33
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 34
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 35
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 36
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 37
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 38
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 39
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 40
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 41
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 42
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 43
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 44
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 45
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 46
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 47
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 48
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 49
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 50
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 51
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 52
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 53
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 54
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 55
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 56
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 57
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 58
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 59
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 60
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 61
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 62
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 63
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 64
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 65
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 66
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 67
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 68
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 69
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 70
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 71
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 72
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 73
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 74
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 75
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 76
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 77
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 78
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 79
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 80
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 81
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 82
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 83
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 84
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 85
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 86
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 87
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 88
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 89
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 90
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 91
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 92
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 93
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 94
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 95
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 96
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 97
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 98
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 99
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 100
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 101
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 102
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 103
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 104
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 105
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 106
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 107
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 108
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 109
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 110
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 111
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 112
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 113
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 114
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 115
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 116
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 117
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 118
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 119
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 120
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 121
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 122
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 123
September 2011 - Parks & Recreation - 124
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/february-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/january-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/december-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/november-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/october-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/september-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/august-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/july-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/june-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/may-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/april-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/march-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/february-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/january-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/december-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/november-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/october-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/september-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/august-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/july-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/june-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/may-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/april-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/march-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/february-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/january-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/december-2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/november-2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/october-2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/september-2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/august-2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/july-2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/june-2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/may-2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/april-2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/march-2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/february-2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/january-2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/december-2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/november-2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/october-2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/september-2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/august-2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/july-2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/june-2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/may-2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/april-2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/march-2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/february-2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/january-2017
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/december-2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/november-2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/october-2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/august-2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/july-2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/june-2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/may-2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/april-2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/march-2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/february-2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/january-2016
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/december-2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/november-2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/october-2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/september-2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/august-2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/july-2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/june-2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/may-2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/april-2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/march-2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/february-2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/january-2015
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/december-2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/november-2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/october-2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/september-2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/august-2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/july-2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/june-2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/may-2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/april-2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/march-2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/february-2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/january-2014
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/december-2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/november-2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/october-2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/september-2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/august-2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/july-2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/june-2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/may-2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/april-2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/march-2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/february-2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/january-2013
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/december-2012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/november-2012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/october-2012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/september-2012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/august-2012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/july-2012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/june-2012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/may-2012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/april-2012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/march-2012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/february-2012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/january-2012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/december-2011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/november-2011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/october-2011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/september-2011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/august-2011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/july-2011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/june-2011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/may-2011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/april-2011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/march-2011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/february-2011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/january-2011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/december-2010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/november-2010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/october-2010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/september-2010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/august-2010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/july-2010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/june-2010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/may-2010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/april-2010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/march-2010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/february-2010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/january-2010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/december-2009
https://www.nxtbook.com/nrpa/ParksRecreationMagazine/november-2009
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com