September 2015 - Parks & Recreation - 10

EDITOR'S LET TER

The Art of Progress in Many Forms
A massive sculpture underway in China recently made global headline news. The sculpture, named Big Oil Bubble, was erected at the site of the first oil well in the burgeoning
city of Karamay, but the news did not focus on the public showcasing of an artistic
masterpiece. Instead, the headlines spoke to claims of forgery from artist Anish Kapoor,
creator of the world-renowned sculpture, Cloud Gate (aka " The Bean " ), that sits in Chicago's Millennium Park and to which Big Oil Bubble bears a striking resemblance.
Sculptures and other artistic installations within parks is
not a new idea, but it is one that is growing in popularity
and for good reason. A prominent sculpture, such as Cloud
Gate, in an urban park can attract thousands of tourists a
year and generate millions of dollars in extra revenue.
Inside this issue of Parks & Recreation magazine, we
tour several parks where the variety of art used to
enhance public open space ranges from sculptures to
intricate patterns and mazes created through landscape
design. " Using Art to Define Our Parks, " by Paula
Jacoby-Garrett, on page 58, will take you on a fascinating journey of the methods used to create and complement the beauty of park space with art.
This issue also recognizes NRPA's 50th Annual Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, held
September 15-17 at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Convention Center. Beginning on page
68, author Rod Dickens takes us on a tour of lesser-known places to go and things to do
while in Las Vegas, followed by an overview of some of Team NEVADA's most exciting
facilities and parks. This section also includes details about Team NEVADA and this
year's Program Committee, as well as special events and information on how you can
take advantage of Conference virtually, through NRPA Live.
Moving forward into the next 50 years, the importance of NRPA's Three Pillars - Conservation, Health and Wellness, and Social Equity - are destined to become significantly more
relevant than the day they were established. The tools afforded this industry through education
and certification will help to ensure the future success of the Three Pillars. " Education: A Key
to Success, " on page 22 of this issue, highlights the demand for robust accreditation programs
and continuing education opportunities. Thousands of park and recreation professionals have
taken advantage of NRPA's top-quality professional development offerings - with 231 education sessions planned for this year's Annual Conference, we're betting thousands more will
return to their home agencies armed with the knowledge they need to succeed.
Here's to our continued success, as dedicated professionals and as a field with the power
to change lives for the better. We hope you have a great Conference, and we invite you to
visit us in booth 1271 and share your feedback and great ideas.

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

| S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 5 | W W W. N R PA . O R G

PRESIDENT AND CEO
Barbara Tulipane, CAE
VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING,
COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLISHING, AND
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Gina Mullins-Cohen
gcohen@nrpa.org
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Samantha Bartram
sbartram@nrpa.org
MANAGING EDITOR
Sonia Myrick
smyrick@nrpa.org
EDITORIAL INTERNS
Marissa Bracamonte
mbracamonte@nrpa.org
Catrina Belt
cbelt@nrpa.org
PUBLICATION DESIGN
Creative By Design
www.creativebydesign.net
SENIOR MANAGER OF ADVERTISING
Dana Storm
703.858.2174
dstorm@nrpa.org
MAGAZINE ADVISORY
BOARD MEMBERS
Nihal Advani
CEO/Founder
Georama
Gerald Brown
Director
City of Sunset Hills Parks & Recreation Dept.
Ernest Burkeen
Director
Baltimore City Dept. of Recreation & Parks
Gwendolyn Chambers
Chief Communications Officer
Baltimore City Dept. of Recreation & Parks
Brendan Daley
Director of Strategy and Sustainability
Chicago Park District
Ryan Eaker
Nature-Based Programs Coordinator
Lorraine " Grandma " Camacho Activity Center
Robert García
Founding Director and Counsel
The City Project
Kathleen Gibi
Public Affairs Specialist
City of Knoxville Parks and Recreation
Paul Gilbert
Executive Director
Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority
Sandra Gonzalez
Director
Pico Rivera Parks and Recreation Dept.
Greg Harrison
Chief Marketing Officer
Playworld
Todd Lehman
CEO/Founder
Cre8Play
Sam Mendelsohn
CEO
Greenfields Outdoor Fitness
Dr. Kevin Riley
Professor of Parks and Recreation
Henderson State University
Paula Sliefert
Sr. Marketing Manager
The Toro Company
Anne-Marie Spencer
Vice President, Corporate Marketing
and Communications
Playcore
Stephen Springs
Sr. Principal
Brinkley, Sargent, Wiginton Architects
Randy Wiger
Parks Commons Program Coordinator
Seattle Dept. of Parks & Recreation

September 2015 - Parks & Recreation

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