March 2013 - Parks & Recreation - 35

es to spread the word about the event.
Additionally, in conjunction with
NRPA, a formal online registration
system was created for interested user
groups to officially sign up for the
event. This created a more dynamic
tool for gathering information and
detailed feedback regarding specific
Visit a Park Day events. With information-gathering tools such as this,
the YPN can continue to ensure the
success of this event moving forward.
When gauging success, one can use
different parameters with events such
as this. For example, an event can be
a success because it generates revenue, obtains certain participation levels, and/or contributes to the greater
social good. Without requiring each
organization to formally register
and track financial and participation
numbers, it might be difficult to base
the success of this event given such
constraints.
However, it is not difficult to determine whether Visit a Park Day was a
success based on how it contributes
to the greater good of society. Being
able to provide an opportunity for
local municipalities, nonprofits, and
educational institutions to identify ways to utilize their parks for the
betterment of their community is a
powerful resource. Ask the City of
Takoma Park, Maryland, which facilitated a family-friendly event on
Visit a Park Day that was geared toward bringing awareness to all of the
parks within this community. The department's dedicated staff provided
fun activities, games, free food, and
great music, and they capped off the
day with an outdoor three-on-three
basketball tournament. Success stories such as Takoma Park show how
National Visit a Park Day can be so
beneficial to each community that
participates.
National Visit a Park Day is bigger
than what we do on a daily basis. This

National Visit a Park Day
highlights our parks as
personal sanctuaries
that may inspire each
individual to a feeling of
tranquility and happiness.
event symbolizes the importance of
taking a step back, getting outdoors,
and pursuing the happiness that only
parks can bring to us. Whether your
participants join programs such as
old-fashioned tailgate games as they
did in the Town of Fountain Hills,
Arizona, or take a hike on a new trail
system offered in Farmington, New
Mexico, this event helps reconnect
people to the great outdoors and ed-

ucates the public on the importance
of our local, state, regional, and
national parks. In 2013, the Young
Professional Network will have the
opportunity to continue this remarkable event and further enhance park
advocacy across the nation. Whenever you begin to stare at a computer screen or feel too distracted with
other obligations, perhaps it is time
to take a step back and head outside
to your personal sanctuary in nature,
wherever that might be.
Chris Lucas and Jennifer Upah were CoChairs of the 2012 Visit a Park Day Committee.
Chris Lucas is the Sports and Fitness Program
Supervisor in the Highlands Ranch Community
Association in Highlands Ranch, Colorado
(clucas@hrcaonline.org). Jennifer Upah is a
Teaching Assistant Professor and Director of
Internships in the Parks, Recreation, and
Tourism program at the University of Missouri
(upahj@missouri.edu).

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March 2013 - Parks & Recreation

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