Parks & Recreation

Parks & Recreation http://colchesterct.info/blogs/index.php?blog=2 en-US http://backend.userland.com/rss092 Colchester Adds Its Voice to the Chorus <p>[From my September 2 article in the Colchester Bulletin]</p> <p>On May 20th, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution mirroring one approved by the Senate two months earlier: in recognition of the importance of preventing childhood obesity and decreasing its prevalence in this country, congress established September 2010 as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. </p> <p>As you might imagine, this measure enjoyed fairly universal support, passing unanimously by a simple voice vote. While the Senate’s version of the bill had nine co-sponsors, the House bill was championed by 111 co-sponsors, including Connecticut’s Representatives DeLauro and Courtney.</p> <p>This legislation is just one of the latest voices to join the growing chorus of individuals and organizations attempting to call attention to the crisis of childhood obesity. Of course, the effort got a major boost when First Lady Michelle Obama took up the cause as her top issue this past Winter and initiated her “Let’s Move” campaign.</p> <p>In bringing this resolution to life, a coalition of scores of health-focused organizations have partnered to develop a central web site full of information, tools and resources for individuals and families to make small but significant changes that will positively affect their health. At <a href="http://www.healthierkidsbrigherfutures.org">www.healthierkidsbrigherfutures.org</a>, you can find links to things like the CT Department of Public Health’s “Playbook for Prevention”, along with resources from leading organizations throughout the country.</p> <p>With one third of children in this country now overweight or obese, and the ominous prediction by scientists that this may be the first generation to live shorter lives than their parents, now is the time to address the issue. </p> <a href="http://colchesterct.info/blogs/index.php?blog=2&p=192&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#more192">[...] Read more!</a> http://colchesterct.info/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=colchester_adds_its_voice_to_the_chorus&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Taking It All In <p>[From my August 26 article in the Colchester Bulletin]</p> <p>Last week I got to do one of my favorite things with regards to my role as Director of Parks & Recreation: I simply got to watch people enjoying our parks and programs. You might think that this is something I get to do quite often. However, unfortunately, the vast amount of daily work that it takes our department to develop and maintain our facilities and services rarely allows for time to reap the rewards of our efforts.</p> <p>Last Thursday afternoon, though, I had some free time between the end of the day and the Board of Selectmen meeting that evening (where they approved the installation of an Automated External Defibrillator, “AED”, at the Recreation Complex – watch for more information this Fall!) As the weather was beautiful, I grabbed my dinner and took it to the Recplex, where I found a nice place to enjoy my sandwich and people-watch.</p> <p>With fall just around the corner, the park was already buzzing with soccer teams gearing up for the season. From young children just learning the sport to teens fine tuning their skills, volunteer coaches were leading them in games and drills. As the kids scampered up and down the fields, numerous parents, younger siblings, and others took advantage of the one-third-mile walking path around the park – a healthy way to pass the time.</p> <p>In the center of the park, the playgrounds and spray park were alive with children laughing and playing. Still others were enjoying the basketball and tennis courts on the other side of the park.</p> <p>Energized by all of this wonderful activity, I headed off to visit some of our other sites around town.</p> <a href="http://colchesterct.info/blogs/index.php?blog=2&p=191&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#more191">[...] Read more!</a> http://colchesterct.info/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=taking_it_all_in&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 I Did That! <p>[From my August 19 article in the Colchester Bulletin]</p> <p>Since long before I came to Town, the members of the Colchester Garden Club have been the guardians of the grounds at Cragin Memorial Library. Throughout the year they plant, weed, mulch and preen, complementing the work of our Parks Maintenance Crew to ensure that the grounds of the library match the stately visage of this historic building. Not surprisingly, their fantastic work has set an example for others to follow.</p> <p>At a recent meeting of the Colchester Rotary Club, they voted to take on similar responsibilities at the Colchester Town Hall. After getting a taste of what the work might entail by taking on the Town Hall grounds during this year’s “Spring Clean-Up”, the group felt they were up to the task. They have already gotten started, spending an evening weeding some of the beds that surround the building.</p> <p>It is hard to express the level of appreciation that our department has for these, and other, contributions of service. With budgets constricting and staff sizes dwindling, departments across the country are becoming more reliant upon local non-profits, businesses and even families to help maintain parks and other public spaces, which are critical to our sense of place and quality of life.</p> <a href="http://colchesterct.info/blogs/index.php?blog=2&p=190&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#more190">[...] Read more!</a> http://colchesterct.info/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=i_did_that&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 The Power of Six Cents <p>[From my August 12 article in the Colchester Bulletin]</p> <p>Last week the Federal government took another major leap forward in the national fight against youth obesity. Led by a passionate plea from First Lady Michelle Obama, who has made the epidemic her top issue, the Senate passed a bill that would both improve the quality of school lunches as well as make it easier for more students to qualify for free and reduced meals.</p> <p>In part, the bill increases the amount that schools are reimbursed for each meal they sell. While contributing an additional six cents per meal may sound like a paltry sum, cumulatively it can have a significant effect. Anyone who has ever been to a grocery store knows all to well that the healthier foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, whole grain bread and lean meats, are more expensive than the bevy of processed “Franken-foods” that line the shelves. As schools purchase their lunch supplies and ingredients in bulk through national suppliers, they can make the increased subsidies go a long way.</p> <p>Here in Connecticut, when combined with the additional funds that schools can receive by meeting even more rigorous state guidelines and improving the nutritional quality of their student meals, the reimbursements really begin to add up.</p> <a href="http://colchesterct.info/blogs/index.php?blog=2&p=189&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#more189">[...] Read more!</a> http://colchesterct.info/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=title_3&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Avoiding Mediocrity <p>[From my August 5 article in the Colchester Bulletin]</p> <p>Balancing quality and quantity is probably one of the most difficult things in life. And yet, it is a factor in nearly every part of life. It seems to be universally accepted that quality is more important than quantity, though I’m sure there are plenty of situations where that axiom does not hold true. Yet, I would be surprised if anyone said that quantity was completely irrelevant. Eating high quality food is certainly a pleasure and good for your health. However, even the greatest meal in the world can’t offset not eating for an entire month.</p> <p>So in every situation, we must strive to find that crucial balance. What is the best level of quality we can both achieve in the short term and sustain in the long term? With our resources at hand, how often can we reach the pinnacle of quality without sacrificing the number of times we can reach that goal?</p> <p>Seasonally and annually, Colchester Parks & Recreation struggles with this balance. While we could throw all of our time and energy into just a handful of programs and events, there is no way those limited opportunities would meet the ongoing recreational needs of the entire community. Likewise, our parks maintenance crew could spend entire seasons and the bulk of our budget focused on just one or two fields, creating conditions that rival those of professional sports leagues. However, the poor conditions of the remaining fields would not serve the needs of the burgeoning use they all receive.</p> <p>The challenge is avoiding mediocrity. It’s too easy to settle for average when you realize you can’t afford the time or money to reach the gold standard. The standard of acceptability can tend to sink lower and lower. Processes and procedures become routines that degrade over time.</p> <a href="http://colchesterct.info/blogs/index.php?blog=2&p=188&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#more188">[...] Read more!</a> http://colchesterct.info/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=avoiding_mediocrity&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 A Time to Celebrate <p>[From my July 29 article in the Colchester Bulletin]</p> <p>This past Monday marked the 20th anniversary of the landmark legislation that ushered in a new era of equal access for a large segment of our population. On July 26, 1990 Congress signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which sought to ensure that disabled individuals have every opportunity to live, work, learn and play as the rest of the community. Over the years, it has had a significant and positive impact on how parks and recreation services are delivered and facilities are developed, opening the doors to increased health benefits for a whole new audience.</p> <p>This far reaching law covers five areas: employment, public services, public accommodations, telecommunications and a miscellaneous category covering a number of areas. In one form or another, each of these sections has had impacted our field, with many examples right here in Colchester.</p> <p>Perhaps one of most well-known and beneficial effects of this law is to create a level playing field with regards to the hiring process. Since the implementation of the ADA, employers are no longer permitted to discriminate based on disability when selecting candidates. If a potential employee is capable of performing the essential job tasks with reasonable accommodations, then the employer is required to make such adjustments. These accommodations can include such things as making a work site accessible, modifying a piece of equipment, or providing readers or interpreters.</p> <a href="http://colchesterct.info/blogs/index.php?blog=2&p=187&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#more187">[...] Read more!</a> http://colchesterct.info/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=a_time_to_celebrate&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 A Fresh Set of Eyes <p>[From my July 22 article in the Colchester Bulletin]</p> <p>As proud as I am of our department’s people, parks and programs, one of the things I love about Parks & Recreation is its near universality. Just about anywhere you go you can tap into the local system for some affordable family fun.</p> <p>This week my extended family and I are vacationing in North Carolina’s Outer Banks. While twenty of us (including ten children) in one house can be a bit crazy, it’s also a great opportunity to reconnect. So far, some of the best times we’ve had have been taking advantage of what the local area has to offer.</p> <p>Of course, one of the key reasons people come to areas like this is the beach. People do not often give it much thought, but the care and maintenance of a beach can be one of the most demanding tasks of a shoreline community. A close second is surely the multitude of sports fields that are scattered throughout a community, such as the fourteen that now constitute Colchester’s athletic facilities.</p> <p>Yesterday, we took the whole gaggle of kids to the nearby state park, where they had a free program run by friendly and knowledgeable park rangers teaching the kids about animals indigenous to the sand dunes. They learned how to identify the animals by their tracks and even did castings of the footprints that they could take home as souvenirs. We plan to return tomorrow for one of their shoreline programs to find out about the local aquatic life on the Roanoke Sound side of the area.</p> <a href="http://colchesterct.info/blogs/index.php?blog=2&p=186&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#more186">[...] Read more!</a> http://colchesterct.info/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=a_fresh_set_of_eyes&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Going to the Dogs <p>[From my July 15 article in the Colchester Bulletin]</p> <p>This weekend Colchester is going to the dogs! Well, at least a couple of acres are. On Sunday, the long awaited Colchester Dog Park officially opens to the public. After more than two years of hard work by the dedicated committee, their dream has come to fruition. Of course, this was no small feat.</p> <p>This Sunday will be a culmination of all of the work, celebrating the park’s completion with grand opening ceremonies and a pet expo, sponsored by Mr. Lockout and others. Beginning at 11:00am, activities will include a ribbon cutting, memorial unveiling (recognizing the generous contribution in the name of Scott Gagnon), a hike led by the Colchester Land Trust, food, giveaways, vendor booths, and more. And, of course, dogs will be permitted to run off leash for the first time in town in the only approved park for this activity.</p> <p>The new dog park actually sits on a former landfill at 89 Old Amston Road – on the left before arriving at the Transfer Station. It was determined to be a safe and appropriate reuse of what is referred to as a “brownfield” (a previous industrial site).</p> <p>The new site is freshly landscaped and redeveloped, with a gravel driveway and parking area, nearly a third of a mile of fencing, a memorial brick walkway, plantings, a walkway to the Colchester Spur of the Air Line Trail, signage, and more. In line with “best practices”, handlers bringing their dog to the park have their choice of two areas: one for large dogs and one for small dogs. While small dogs are welcome in either area, handlers are discouraged from releasing larger dogs in the smaller area, for dog safety. </p> <p>All of the usage guidelines at the park are geared toward protecting the safety of the dogs, handlers and other visitors. The one overarching rule is the town ordinance that requires that all dogs in town be licensed and vaccinated – which obviously would apply at the dog park as well. Other guidelines include: cleaning up after dogs; refraining from bringing sick or aggressive dogs to the park; supervising the dogs; and the like. Ultimately, by State statute the dog owners are responsible for any damage or injury caused by their dogs. However, neither the dog park committee nor the town wants to see anyone get hurt, and encourage adherence to the posted guidelines.</p> <a href="http://colchesterct.info/blogs/index.php?blog=2&p=185&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#more185">[...] Read more!</a> http://colchesterct.info/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=going_to_the_dogs_1&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 An Endless Parade of Entertainment <p>[From my July 8 article in the Colchester Bulletin]</p> <p>My favorite time of year is back: the Colchester Summer Concerts on the Green sponsored by Rockville Bank! The six-show series kicks off this Sunday on the Town Green and does not slow down until it wraps up on August 15, barring any rain make-ups. While the entertainers take the stage at 5:30pm each week, we invite you to come on down at 5:00pm to enjoy some fun, family activities as well as the on-site cookout.</p> <p>The majority of this year’s cookouts will be served up by our very own Summer Day Camp staff, as they volunteer their time to raise money to help support scholarships for children to attend camp. Their menu will include the standard barbecue fare (burgers, dogs, chips, soda, etc); however, in our department’s effort to offer healthy alternatives the menu will also include chicken, yogurt, water and fruit. </p> <p>The only week that camp won’t be serving is the August 1 show, when Colchester Cougars Youth Football will return for their annual cookout. Regardless of who is cooking, the prices are always reasonable for feeding your family, with the profits going to a great cause. </p> <p>While most of the pre-concert activities will be a surprise throughout the summer, one that you should mark down on your calendar is the annual favorite Teddy Bear Parade. On Sunday, July 18, kids are invited to gather at the gazebo by 5:00pm to register their cherished stuffed animals. Shortly thereafter, they will march through the crowd while our friends from the Colchester Senior Center give out awards in a wide array of categories, such as friendliest, furriest and most lovable.</p> <p>Of course, the main feature of the concerts is the top-shelf entertainment that takes the stage each week. And this year’s line-up is no exception.</p> <a href="http://colchesterct.info/blogs/index.php?blog=2&p=184&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#more184">[...] Read more!</a> http://colchesterct.info/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=an_endless_parade_of_entertainment&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Summer is All About Parks & Recreation! <p>[From my July 1 article in the Colchester Bulletin]</p> <p>Today officially kicks off the 25th anniversary of National Park and Recreation Month, which has been celebrated across the country each July since its inception in 1985. This year’s theme is “Celebrate, Advocate, Recreate!” and I believe that each of those actions is critical, perhaps now more than ever.</p> <p>With unprecedented budget shortfalls across the country, regular budget “trimming” has turned into massive cutting of entire programs and services. Often, the brunt of these cuts has been taken by parks at the local, county and state levels. The stories of entire park systems being shut down and crucial services being eliminated abound. From New York to Iowa to California, massive numbers of state parks are being closed. Here in Connecticut we were spared a major increase in park entrance fees just prior to their implementation due to the hard work of many concerned citizens.</p> <p>The irony of the situation is that it is during times like these that our parks are the most vital. Just when families can least afford to travel to exotic or remote locations to experience and enjoy nature, their local public spaces are locking the gates and closing up shop. Luckily, there is a renewed national movement to save parks and conserve open space. </p> <p>In April, President Obama convened a meeting of stakeholders on the issue, bringing together parks and recreation professionals, government leaders, and numerous other experts to begin the development of a far reaching plan to address conservation. With the last such effort occurring over 100 years ago during Teddy Roosevelt’s presidency, it was long overdue.</p> <a href="http://colchesterct.info/blogs/index.php?blog=2&p=183&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#more183">[...] Read more!</a> http://colchesterct.info/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=summer_is_all_about_parks_aamp_recreatio&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Changing of the Guard <p>[From my June 24 article in the Colchester Bulletin]</p> <p>There is nothing constant except change. Once again, our Parks and Recreation family is experiencing turnover. Chris Woodside, our Recreation Specialist for the past two years, is moving on to new opportunities. </p> <p>When our panel of interviewers first met Chris back in 2008, it was unanimous that he would be an excellent fit for our team. His passion, experience, honesty and humor were just what we were looking for. In fact, we quickly offered him the position that evening, as we did not want to lose him to another town.</p> <p>Since then, Chris has been a devoted contributor to the Colchester Parks & Recreation Department. Like his predecessors, Chris brought a unique perspective to the position and made it his own. He developed new and exciting offerings to complement the wide variety of programs and events already provided by our department.</p> <p>From adult sports leagues, such as flag football and basketball, to fun and educational afterschool programs like Sciensational Workshops, Chris sought out new ways to keep the Colchester community active and involved. However, his greatest legacy will surely be the Halloween Trick or Truck event, which was a smashing success in its inaugural year last fall. This year’s event will no doubt eclipse the astounding 90 cars that participated last Halloween.</p> <p>Over the past year, Chris has been working towards his Master’s degree in Sports Management at UConn. For the upcoming year he has been selected for a Graduate Assistantship, where he will oversee the club sports teams for the school. This will be an excellent opportunity and we wish him will. Our loss is certainly UConn’s gain.</p> <a href="http://colchesterct.info/blogs/index.php?blog=2&p=182&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#more182">[...] Read more!</a> http://colchesterct.info/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=changing_of_the_guard&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Making A Difference <p>[From my June 17 article in the Colchester Bulletin]</p> <p>As the 2010 class of Bacon Academy departs our school system today for the many opportunities that lay ahead, I would echo the sentiment that they will undoubtedly hear from well-wishers many times over the next several weeks: do what you love and everything else will fall into place. Whether the coming months and years hold additional schooling, entering the workforce, traveling the world, or some other exotic alternative, the key is to find something that will be truly fulfilling. Often, this is driven by the feeling that you are making a difference in the world.</p> <p>Of course, this does not mean that you have to change the entire world. Any impact, regardless of the size, can have significant and far reaching influence. Improving the life of just one person in your community can have a ripple effect that ultimately transforms a nation. It is analogous to the theory that a butterfly flapping its wings in one part of the world can contribute to a weather system that becomes a storm halfway around the planet.</p> <p>Nor does this necessarily mean that you have to become professionally involved in an organization that seeks to do good work. In fact, independent and/or volunteer efforts quite often can have even more impact, possibly due to their personal or direct nature. This summer my family will once again be taking part in the Fresh Air Fund, where a child from the inner city comes to stay with us for two weeks. We previously had a young boy join our family each summer from the age of 6 to 13; having reconnected with him recently it is clear that our relatively small contribution to his life had a profound and lasting effect.</p> <a href="http://colchesterct.info/blogs/index.php?blog=2&p=181&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#more181">[...] Read more!</a> http://colchesterct.info/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=making_a_difference&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 A Fitting Tribute <p>[From my June 10 article in the Colchester Bulletin]</p> <p>On Saturday, June 19 the story of Cody Camp will begin a new chapter. The Cody Camp Memorial Field Foundation and Colchester Parks & Recreation will be opening a very special field, dedicated in his memory, in grand style. From 9:00am until 2:00pm at Jackter Intermediate School, the home of the new field, community members are invited to take part in a bevy of fun activities.</p> <p>The day’s line up will include free food and refreshments, a bounce house, face painting, opening ceremonies at 10am, a chance to meet Wally, the Boston Red Sox mascot and more. Perhaps most fitting of all, however, will be a special baseball game to be played by kids who would have been Cody’s peers – two squads of children who are just finishing fourth grade.</p> <p>This journey began a little more than three and half years ago, when Cody Camp, only 6 years old at the time, passed away from Burkitt's Lymphoma. Soon after, family friends decided that a fitting way to memorialize Cody would be to recognize his great love of baseball by building a ballfield in his name. Within no time, the Cody Camp Memorial Field Foundation was born and fundraising took off.</p> <p>Over the next few years, arrangements were made with the town to provide the site for this extraordinary gift – one that would leave an incredible legacy for all of the community’s children to enjoy. The Foundation planned for, and ultimately built, a first class facility. Cody Camp Memorial Field is now one of the premier fields in town, and the only diamond to have irrigation. When the finishing touches are installed, it will include a solar-powered scoreboard along with many other amenities.</p> <a href="http://colchesterct.info/blogs/index.php?blog=2&p=180&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#more180">[...] Read more!</a> http://colchesterct.info/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=a_fitting_tribute&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Over the River and Through the Woods... <p>[From my June 3 article in the Colchester Bulletin]</p> <p>Since 1993 the American Hiking Society (AHS) has sponsored National Trails Day on the first Saturday in June. Each year organizations and individuals across the country produce events and activities that spotlight the many wonderful trails that meander through our parks, towns and cities. Over the years it has grown to encompass well over 1,000 events on that single day, brining much needed and deserved attention to the campaign to expand the trail system.</p> <p>According to the AHS web site, this national effort was actually developed as a response to the report produced in 1987 by President Ronald Reagan’s Commission on Americans Outdoors. A key piece of the report’s recommendations advocated that all Americans should be able to reach a trail system within fifteen minutes walking from their front doors. It actually went even further to say that these trails should wind through our cities and towns and bring us home without retracing our steps. This is an incredible vision, and one that is close to being realized in many progressive cities across the country.</p> <p>With over 200,000 miles of trails already in service, and more being added every day, these trail networks have become a vital part of our country’s infrastructure. Far from simply recreational venues (a critical role in and of itself), trails have transitioned into vital routes for commuting. From serving as bike paths for business people to alternatives to children being bussed to school, the trails are now as valid a route of transportation as roads and rails.</p> <a href="http://colchesterct.info/blogs/index.php?blog=2&p=179&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#more179">[...] Read more!</a> http://colchesterct.info/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=over_the_river_and_through_the_woods&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 Let the Summer Fun Commence! <p>[From my May 27 article in the Colchester Bulletin]</p> <p>As always, Memorial Day Weekend is a celebratory kick-off to the summer season, with many excellent traditions here in Colchester. And from this point forward, the activities only pick up steam, taking us straight into the fall and the annual 57 Fest.</p> <p>Of course, the primary event of this weekend honors the reason for the holiday: the Memorial Day Parade. This perennial event, coordinated by a team of dedicated volunteers on behalf of the town, draws large crowds to remember those who sacrificed their lives for us to be able to enjoy all that America has to offer. Numerous organizations develop impressive floats and march en masse to show their support and respect. You won’t want to miss this year’s parade, which is themed: “Colchester Remembers and Honors Its Citizens Who Fought In The Revolutionary War”. It kicks off from William Johnson Middle School at 12:30pm sharp before heading toward the center of town, and looping around the Town Green.</p> <p>Of course, the fun starts earlier that morning with the Lion’s Club’s annual Memorial Day Breakfast, where they serve up the food from 7:00-11:00am, followed by a lunch menu at 11:30am. The Lion’s Club gets no time to rest, however, as they soon begin setting up for the Carnival, which transforms the green into a wonderland for the following Wednesday through Saturday.</p> <p>Memorial Day Weekend also serves as the traditional opening of the Recplex Spray Park – everyone’s favorite part of the park. Kids and adults alike can enjoy the variety of water features, which randomly turn on and off throughout the ten-minute cycles. To activate the system, simply lay your hand on top of the blue post at the entrance to the park, and enjoy! The Spray Park is open, free of charge, every day from 8:00am to 8:00pm. So grab your bathing suit and join in the fun.</p> <a href="http://colchesterct.info/blogs/index.php?blog=2&p=178&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#more178">[...] Read more!</a> http://colchesterct.info/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=let_the_summer_fun_commence&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 The Benefits Are Endless <p>[From my May 20 article in the Colchester Bulletin]</p> <p>Last week Colchester Parks & Recreation took a major step forward in increasing our capacity to work with volunteers by joining Operation TLC2 – a volunteer management program developed by the National Recreation and Park Association. Beginning this summer, we will be implementing this program as part of our Volunteer Brigade, which will create many exciting opportunities for community members to partner with our department to increase the quality and quantity of services that we can provide.</p> <p>The crux of the program is a significant commitment to train, support and recognize our volunteers through a structured process. The key is realizing the critical role that volunteers play and the value that they bring to our organization, and sharing a mutual understanding that in many instances they represent our department to the community. Consequently, any and all investments made in volunteers, whether through time, money or other resources, is repaid ten-fold.</p> <p>Of course, a well developed volunteer program can be just as beneficial to the volunteers as the organization with whom they partner. Structured opportunities give volunteers the opportunity to: contribute to their community; share an expertise or learn a new skill; increase potential career options; meet diverse people and make new friends; improve health; feel a sense of achievement; and serve as a role model, among others.</p> <a href="http://colchesterct.info/blogs/index.php?blog=2&p=177&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#more177">[...] Read more!</a> http://colchesterct.info/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=the_benefits_are_endless_1&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 A New Direction <p>[From my May 13 article in the Colchester Bulletin]</p> <p>Creating a healthy community through people, parks and programs. No, it’s not déjà vu – you’ve actually seen this before. However, this phrase has taken on new meaning and purpose with the approval of our department’s 2010-11 Strategic Plan at the May meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission.</p> <p>For many years, our department had a descriptive and appropriate mission statement that spoke to our goals for serving the community. However, it was a bit long and cumbersome – difficulty to memorize and use as a daily tool and guide. Working hand in hand with that mission was our motto which was similar to, but not exactly like, the one above. </p> <p>As you may have noticed, we have inserted the word “healthy” into the phrase, recognizing the significant efforts we strive to make in that vein. It is not enough to work towards building a close-knit community of friends, neighbors, businesses and organizations. In our ever more sedentary world we must all make a concerted effort to address the growing health concerns of our residents.</p> <p>So, when our Parks & Recreation Commission and department staff met to draft our current strategic plan, it seemed appropriate to not only recognize this increased focus, but officially replace our lengthy mission with that succinct and impactful statement.</p> <a href="http://colchesterct.info/blogs/index.php?blog=2&p=176&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#more176">[...] Read more!</a> http://colchesterct.info/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=a_new_direction&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 All for One and One for All <p>[From my May 6 article in the Colchester Bulletin]</p> <p>Flip a coin. Heads: we’re working on town property. Tails: we’re working on school property. There’s a fifty-fifty chance that our Parks Maintenance Crew is at one or the other, as that is roughly the split of the vast amount of acreage and fields that we actively maintain. Of course, it is even more likely that our crew is split among the two, as they typically work at multiple sites each day.</p> <p>Once in a while I am asked why our crew spends so much time at the schools if we’re actually a town department. The answer is simple: we’re not only a town department. Like the Facilities Department and the Finance Department, we are actually a shared service between the town and the schools. In fact, my salary is partially paid by each of the two budgets. I report to both the First Selectman and the Superintendent of Schools.</p> <p>This arrangement is actually fairly recent. The process of combination began about seven years ago, when Parks & Recreation was given responsibility for grounds maintenance at the schools. At that time, the schools had their own grounds crew of three people who continued to focus entirely on the schools. The four-member parks crew continued to devote their time to town grounds. </p> <a href="http://colchesterct.info/blogs/index.php?blog=2&p=175&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#more175">[...] Read more!</a> http://colchesterct.info/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=all_for_one_and_one_for_all&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 The Food Revolution <p>[From my April 29 article in the Colchester Bulletin]</p> <p>With the renewed focus that our department, and our entire community, has had on health and wellness, I was particularly drawn into the recent TV show that just wrapped up: Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution on ABC. If you missed it, the celebrity chef spent time in Huntington, WV (which was apparently called out by the CDC as the fattest area in the country) in an effort to change their eating habits and improve the town’s health.</p> <p>While Jamie worked with the community at large, his focus and the majority of his time was spent on changing the food served in schools. His goal was to replace processed foods with fresh, homemade offerings as well as introduce more fruits and vegetables to the menu. His rationale was that if kids were offered more nutritious foods then they would simply eat that and automatically be healthier.</p> <p>After many battles against the “we’ve always done it this way” attitude, along with successful efforts to raise necessary funding, Jamie was ultimately successful in implementing a policy across the entire school district of nearly 30 schools. </p> <p>As you might expect, the younger children were fairly receptive, particularly when they were guided and supported by their teachers and other school staff. Surprisingly, however, even the teenagers got on board with the healthier food, willingly forgoing their regular diet of french fries and pizza.</p> <p>This is a classic example of the national effort, of which I have written numerous times, to improve health through changes in policies and environment as opposed to offering programs. When an institutional change such as this is put into place, it becomes the natural default – the easiest thing to do. Despite the increased costs for these healthier foods, the change appears to be sustainable – a key ingredient in policy change – due to the overwhelming support it received by the conclusion of the effort.</p> <a href="http://colchesterct.info/blogs/index.php?blog=2&p=174&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#more174">[...] Read more!</a> http://colchesterct.info/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=the_food_revolution&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 It's All About the Staff <p>[From my April 22 article in the Colchester Bulletin]</p> <p>With the warm weather returning, our thoughts naturally turn toward summer fun. Running through the sprinkler, playing ball, bike rides, picnics and more. And, of course, that includes one of the highlights of summer for kids and parents alike: summer camp.</p> <p>Far from simply a babysitting service or child care provider, a good camp seeks to make a positive impact on each child every day. Caring and enthusiastic counselors nurture campers’ budding interests and talents by spending quality time with each child and fostering friendships and relationships among the campers and staff. </p> <p>The wide array of activities and events that occur at camp are simply vehicles for achieving those goals, creating endless opportunities where staff and campers can build connections. From archery and arts & crafts, to sports and field trips, to camp songs and relay races – each unique interaction gives a child the chance to shine.</p> <p>Here in Colchester, I am proud to say that our Summer Day Camp and Kindercamp experiences are among the best at focusing on these important goals. Rather than planning activities for the sake of activities, schedules are carefully crafted to infuse numerous scenarios with opportunities for personal interaction.</p> <p>Of course, nothing tells us that we’re doing a good job as well as our campers. We view our record participation throughout the summer last year as a serious vote of confidence in our fantastic staff. And we are happy to say that we are bringing back nearly all of our staff from last year, including our Camp Director, Shannon Tamosaitis. And returning after a short hiatus, Deanna Stella is back as our Kindercamp Director. With a handful of new recruits, most having gone through our two-year counselor-in-training program, we are excited to have yet another top notch team to work with our community’s children.</p> <a href="http://colchesterct.info/blogs/index.php?blog=2&p=173&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1#more173">[...] Read more!</a> http://colchesterct.info/blogs/index.php?blog=2&title=it_s_all_about_the_staff&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1