November 2009 - Parks & Recreation - 12

Who,What, Where &
HOW - Around the Parks

e: Randy
l
i
f
o
Pr
Cooper

t is not surprising that 56-year-old Randy Cooper enjoys
golf. The game is relentless, requiring the player to adjust to
each hole, to avoid sand traps, and to sink the putt to take

the game. Cooper takes the same take-no-prisoners approach
to running Fresno Parks & Recreation: He is not scared to take a
chance or to make mistakes, and has repeatedly proven that he
is a leader in the field (even if he is still working on his golf game).
Cooper became director of parks and recreation by accident-after 29 years of serving San Jose,
California, as a police officer he was looking
to retire. He heard about a director opening in Fresno where they wanted someone with a law enforcement background
to help make the parks safer in the city. He
stopped working as an officer on January
5, 2005, and began working as director on
January 6. He hasn't looked back.
" According to our statistics, parks are
now the safest places in the city to go, "
he explains. " We want our parks to be
an oasis. "
Cooper explains that there are many
similarities between being a police officer
and working in parks and recreation-both
jobs allow someone to impact the community in a positive way.
However, in addition to " a lot more meetings, " Cooper also explains that he now deals with the minutiae of how grass is cut,
to handling $1 million in after-school contracts.
In fact, Cooper is handling the change in careers so well,
that Fresno was recently recognized by the California Parks
and Recreation Society for being a leader in the state. Fresno
has more venues for recreation within its city limits than any
other city in California. Included are a paintball facility, BMX
track, and a skatepark. " We don't like to stay in the box, " says
Cooper. " We partner with city groups to leverage all we can to
provide recreation, especially to low-income families. "
While Cooper continues to buck the status-quo with programs like his Youth Nutrition Assistance Program that is providing two meals a day to kids at 16 different sites, and his movies
in the park that is providing families with a free Friday night out
for 17 weeks, he also is still looking for ways to improve his city.
" I do it because I care and I want to make an impact on
people's lives, " he says. " Urban parks have to be the hub of
the city-we have the land and resources to provide a place
for mothers and their children to just relax and just enjoy each
other's company. "
R

10 Parks & Recreation N oNvoevmebmebre 2r020090w
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Continued from page 9

The land was about
to go into foreclosure
because the owners, the
Mt. Zion Church Preservation Association,
couldn't afford payments
on the Mosby Run prop- Mosby Run in Loudoun County, Virginia
erty. Across the road, the
county owned the Mt. Zion Church that had recently undergone
almost $1 million in renovations. When Gilbert was approached
about taking control of Mosby Run and its loan, he also asked
about Mt. Zion.
" It makes sense because the history of the properties is connected, " says Gilbert. The Battle of Aldie occurred in 1863, and
the wounded were taken to the church.
So with help from Loudoun resident Joan Rokus, who sat on
the preservation board and was originally responsible for securing funds to renovate the church, the county transferred Mt. Zion
and the preservation association transferred its Mosby Run parcel to NVRPA.
" I formed a 501(c)(3) Friends of Mount Zion Church Preservation committee to help with raising money for restoration, " Rokus
explains. " It was originally opened to the public for special events
and children from the county schools and a local college visited. "
" It was a good deal all around, " explains Gilbert. " The county's
investment in the church is protected, we will manage both properties, and the preservation association will become the friends
organization that can help us in developing programs. " He sees
potential activities such as Civil War lectures at the church, and
historical walking paths through Mosby Run.
The community will also get a new regional park in a crowded area that will provide needed recreational space. Gilbert also
wants to quickly begin bringing in revenue to offset costs, and
will be working to market Mt. Zion Church as a wedding destination as well.
" The Mosby Run property has already been opened for jousting
events, " says Rokus. " Chestnut tree saplings have been planted
there. It is my hope that much of the area remain open to protect
the view seen during the 1850s. No doubt trails will be included
in future planning. "
Unlike Civil War forces engaged in hours of fighting, this time
Mosby Run land became a win-win for all the parties involved.
" We are thrilled with this transfer, " says Gilbert. " It is a chance for
us to do something with history that isn't really known, but has a
great story. "
R

ints:
o
P
g
n
Children from nonTalki
swimming households are eight
times more likely at risk of drowning.

Source: Swim Foundation

November 2009 - Parks & Recreation

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