September 2019 - Parks & Recreation - 56

CAL RIPKEN JR.

Cal Ripken Jr. played in 2,632 consecutive
games, a feat unlikely to ever be broken
in today's game.

not only in team sports, but also
many of the other offerings?
Ripken Jr.: What we try to do, and
what we believe is important, is to
make the parks and fields general in
nature. Not just for baseball, soccer
or football, but to allow the kids to do
anything they want: encourage myriad activities and choices. In our technology-heavy world, we must work a
bit harder to show kids how great it
is to move and discover the outdoors.
When I walk through a park, I am so
encouraged by the number of kids
and families enjoying it and taking
advantage of it. In the end, it is all
about exposing kids to new things.

In our technology-heavy world,
we must work a bit harder to
show kids how great it is to
move and discover the outdoors.
initially focused on programming,
but it is hard for programs, no matter how good, to take root when
you are playing on uncut grass
and broken glass. We were lucky
as kids to always have a nice park
to play in, but so many kids across
the country don't have that. We
are providing that space, and it is
making an enormous difference to
both the kids and the surrounding
community.
P&R: In your opinion, how can
parks and recreation play a
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Parks & Recreation

role in preparing today's youth
with the skills they need for the
future?
Ripken Jr.: Kids need to be kids.
My brother, Bill, always says it this
way: When a kid in a city is on the
street, and he or she looks one way
and there is a gang trying to lure
him or her, and then they look the
other way and there is a beautiful
park with programs and people
who care, they will choose [the
latter] every time. We are seeing it
have an effect, and parks and safe,
open spaces are such an important
part of our society.
P&R: What kinds of things do
you believe park and recreation
departments can do to engage
these youth and show the
importance of getting involved

| S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 9 | W W W. PA R K S A N D R E C R E AT I O N . O R G

P&R: What kinds of routines do
you follow to stay active these
days? I know there's a lot of
superstition and rituals when it
comes to baseball. How has that
translated into your life now that
you're retired?
Ripken Jr.: I was never a superstitious player during my career, but
so many guys were. Today, I enjoy
bike riding and playing golf. The
older you get, the more important
it is to stay active. I love that more
and more cities are incorporating
bike trails into their plans.
P&R: Now that we're on the
topic, what was one of the most
outrageous superstitions you
knew of when you were playing?
Ripken Jr.: Do you remember Wade
Boggs? Great third baseman for the
Red Sox, Yankees and Rays, and
a Hall of Famer. Wade had to eat
chicken before every game. Every
game! His nickname was the Chicken Man. I would get so sick of that,
but it was his thing. I guess it worked.

September 2019 - Parks & Recreation

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