November 2009 - Parks & Recreation - 32

research update continued from page 28

In order for organizational planning efforts to be responsive and effective, they
must now provide agencies with the type
of information that will lead to informed,
rational and justifiable decision making.
This must include not only data relative to
what the system provides the community
and why the system is important to residents' quality of life, but specifically how

the system is influencing the lives of those
who live in the community, addressing the
agency's responsibility and accountability
to taxpayers. Essentially, planning can do
a better job of articulating and illustrating
the human impacts of services.
Method of Eight Planning Cycle is an
eight-stage planning process that is systematic and logical. The resulting plan is

Need lifeguard training that emphasizes
responsibility and professionalism?

We have a solution for you.
Being a lifeguard is a serious and
important job. The StarGuard
program covers all of the key
lifeguarding competencies
and the four key components
of emergency care training
while providing all the essential
knowledge students need to
become skilled lifeguards.
The StarGuard program can be
offered in a blended format,
with an online course followed
by an instructor-led session.
Throughout the online course,
students will role-play situations
they'll likely face on the job,
resulting in a more thorough
understanding of the key
competencies.

Carmel Middlebos * 800-747-4457 X2413 * CarmelM@hkusa.com

HUMAN
KINETICS
Human Kinetics - Serious solutions for parks and recreation

StarGuard

Emergency Care

AquaTech

ASEP

intended to cover a five-year period and is
designed to be inclusive, meeting all planning expectations and mitigating the need
for multiple planning efforts. It follows a
comprehensive and progressive format, and
includes all planning components that are
critical to responsible and defensible management decisions.
Method of Eight case study projects have
begun with the Austin, Texas, Parks and
Recreation Department (an agency serving a population over 500,000), and with
the Spokane, Washington, Parks and Recreation Department (an agency serving a
population between 100,000 and 500,000).
A third agency which serves a population
under 100,000 is currently being considered. (Note: It is the intent of the Study
that this third agency be a special district.)
According to Sara Hensley, Director of
the Austin Parks and Recreation Department, " This process will allow us the opportunity to take a comprehensive view of
our department from the inside out-a complete physical, if you will. To have a team of
experts in the field of parks and recreation
virtually work through this complete process alongside us is worth its weight in gold.
Not only are we excited about this holistic
approach to rediscovering our work and
system, but Parks and Recreation Board
Members, citizen advocates and elected
officials are fired up and ready to go. We
cannot afford to not do this. "
This research and development case
study will allow for the planning, implementation and evaluation of a contemporary planning process and determine its
effectiveness given today's economic and
social climates. It is intended to substantiate
the value and merits of a comprehensive,
methodical and progressive approach to
organizational planning. Expected agency benefits include but are not limited to:
Component #1
Organizational Values and Vision
Development of organizational values
statements and an organizational vision
statement with participation from all stakeholder groups (community, staff and governing bodies). These are the keystones to
planning and are critical to thoughtful and
justifiable decision making.
Continued on page 32

Circle 19 on product information form on PAGE 67

30 Parks & Recreation

November 2009

w w w. NRPA .ORG

November 2009 - Parks & Recreation

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of November 2009 - Parks & Recreation