HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-05-84 Agenda & Packet • I. f oigvielil
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RAMSEY COUNTY, MINNESOTA
GATEWAY TO THE NORTH 2401 HIGHWAY 10
MOUNDS VIEW, MINN 55112
DEFARTMENT OF PARKS, 784-3055
RECREATION AND FORESTRY
January 3 , 1984
Dear Parks and Recreation Commissioners :
Enclosed is your packet for the regularly scheduled Parks and
Recreation Commission meeting on January 5 , 1984 at 6: 30 p .m.
The meeting will once again be held in the City Hall Council
Chambers and should be relatively short in nature as we only have
three major issues that need some type of resolution .
I have asked Ms. LeAnn Linder, our Wellness Coordinator , to at-
tend Thursday' s meeting and hopefully she will be able to provide
some additional background on our new wellness programs and the
directions in which the program will evolve . The other item that
needs formal discussion centers around the park planning fund , as
we have been receiving other requests from agencies for grants
and related information .
Should you have any additional items that you would like to have
brought before the Commission or would like staff to research ,
feel free to contact me at 784-3055, ext. #41 .
Sincerely,
•
Bruce K. Ander .n , Director
Parks, Rec - - ion and Forestry
1
BKA/sll
• Enclosure
CITY OE MOUNDS VIEW
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Thursday, January 5, 1984
1111 AGENDA
6 : 30 p.m.
City Hall
Council Chambers
I . CALL TO ORDER
SII . CHAIRMAN' S REPORT
'III . COUNCILMEMBER' S REPORT
4V. 1983 YEAREND FORESTRY AND LEAF COMPOSTING PROGRAM UPDATE
V. REVIEW OF GUIDELINES FOR NEIGHBORHOOD PARK PLANNING FUND
•
,'VI . REVIEW WELLNESS PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
/VII . WINTER SKATING PROGRAM
VIII . NORTH SUBURBAN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION REQUEST
IX. STAFF REPORT
X. ADJOURNMENT
C/ 11
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MEMO TO: Mounds View Parks and Recreation Commission
FROM: Staff
1111 DsTE: January 3 , 1984
RE: 1983 Yearend Forestry and Leaf Composting Summary
Attached is a copy of the yearend report from City Forester
Wriskey regarding the 1983 forestrj program. As can be noted in
the report, it appears that we have been able to control the loss
of our elm and oak trees due to the stringent sanitation program
that has been implemented. The total number of diseased and haz-
ardous elms lost was less that 1% of the total elm population in
1983 and we lost 75 red oaks which was also down from previous
years.
The major item that I would like to call your attention to is our
concern regarding the gypsy moth infestation . There were four
separate trappings of the male gypsy moth in southwest Mounds
View in 1983 and the State has raised some concerns that there
may De a need for additional trapping and identification program
in Mounds View in 1984 . We are currently ranked third or fourth
on the State prioritization for trapping efforts and we will he
following this issue very closely. We will keep the Commission
apprised of this issue as it develops over the coming months.
The two other items that I would like to call your attention to
• in the Forestry Program relate to our reforestation or planting
program. One of the more exciting areas is that we planted over
3 , 300 bulbs and plants in 1983, which is a new program for the
City . We are anxious to see what kind of results, if any, we
migh-.7. get from the 1 ,500 tulip bulbs that were planted at Silver
View Park in the spring. In addition , we had our largest tree
planting program in 1983 with 360 new trees and 90 new shrubs
plan =ed. Once again , we feel that our City forestry program has
been well coordinated and managed by our City Forester and would
strongly encourage the continuance of the joint powers agreement
with the City of New Brighton .
The City' s leaf composting program 4.4o met with a very positive
success in 1983 with approximately tons, or approximately .9-4. /0101
cu. yds. of leaves being received. We have already indicated to
Ramsey County that we would like to continue this program again
in 1984 and are currently looking at expanding the program to
being open in the spring for our major oak population as well as
grass clippings. Although the program was extremely well receiv-
ed , and our negative feedback has been minimal , there are some
questions or issues that need to be resolved. The first and big-
gest issue is that due to the program' s success, we basically
have filled our allotted area and we either need to expand our
existing site or look to another site to operate the composting
progam. We have received additional monies from Ramsey County
to expand the site at Ardan Park should the Commission want to go
4111
that route or staff can be directed to explore some other
options.
2-• -2-
1111
Staff ' s feeling on this issue is that we should keep the compost-
ing program at one location and encourage our surrounding commun-
ities to get involved in composting so that we are not serving
residents outside the City of Mounds View. The program was coor-
dinated by Odas Newton , our City Forestry Assistant, in a very
positive and public relations oriented way and staff feels that
the program proved to be very beneficial to all that participat-
ed. We look forward to working with Ramsey County in expanding
this program in 1984 and staff would appreciate any direction as
to how we might resolve the issues at hand.
BKA/sll
Attachment
•
•
MEMO TO: Bruce K. Anderson , Director
Parks, Recreation and Forestry
FROM: Rick Wri.skey, City Forester
SDATE: December 29 , 1983
RE: 1983 End of Year Forestry Summary
DUTCH ELM, OAK WILT AND HAZARDOUS TREE REMOVALS
The tree losses in Mounds View in 1983 totaled 61 dead and dis-
eased elms and 75 diseased red oaks. "Chinese" or "Siberian"
elms removed were 4 or 6. 5% of the total number of elms. A total
of 15 elm and oak woodpiles were removed by residents and the
city contractor .
Three (3 ) "potentially hazardous" boulevard trees were removed by
the contractor. One of these was a giant cottonwood tree with
trunk rot and a precarious lean . The other two were elms with
split trunks. All of these trees were reported to the Forestry
office by the adjacent residents.
The 1983 tree removal contract , Bluemel ' s Tree Service , removed
55 of the above mentioned trees (40% of the total marked) . The
average cost per tree was $88 . 32 compared to $76. 17 for 1982 and
$88 . 25 for 1981 .
1111 Compared to 1982 , the number of diseased elms decreased by 50%
and the incidence of diseased oaks decreased 35%. The total num-
ber of diseased and hazardous elms lost was about .70% of the to-
tal City elm population . This is the lowest loss rate since the
start of the Dutch elm disease control program in Mounds View.
OTHER TREE DISEASES
Several other tree diseases were present during the 1983 growing
season . Most serious among them was the fungus anthracnose which
greatly affected bur oaks during the spring of the year . Symp-
toms of this disease include curling , browning and sometimes loss
of leaves on the tree ' s bottom branches. These same symptoms
were often confused with oak wilt and were the object of concern
of many calls from residents. Oak anthracnose is rarely fatal and
most affected trees recover by July.
Another disease seen in 1983 was hypoxylon canker on aspen trees.
This disease results in a weakened , cankered area on the tree ' s
trunk which can lead to breakage . While it is my feeling that
most aspen trees in urban/residential or "constructed" areas are
"stressed" and thus susceptible to such fungi , good growth and
healthy specimens can be seen among aspen in untouched , "buffer"
and "wild" areas within City limits.
• Reduced incidences of several major diseases of urban trees was
noted in 1983 ( i .e . Verticillium wilt, Fireblight bacteria, apple
scab fungus) .
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DAMAGING TREE INSECTS
4111GYPSY MOTH
Of utmost importance in the realm of new forest insects is the
successful trapping of male gypsy moths in four different traps
in southwest Mounds View. A general end analysis of an active
gypsy moth infestation would by comparable standards dwarf the
cummulative effect of Dutch elm disease . and oak wilt combined .
Thus the implications of these trappings are major . Meetings and
discussions with the responsible State and Federal officials re-
vealed the following facts :
1 . Such trapping results are not final proof of an " infestation”
or imminent danger to trees.
2. A foot search for "egg masses" of the moth was not carried
out in Mounds View. The finding of egg masses is the general
level that the experts define an " infestation" . Egg masses ,
however, were found in a neighboring community during such a
search. It could be said that Mounds View would rank third
or fourth among those communities to be prioritized in State
and Federal trapping efforts for 1984 .
3 . Aerial spraying of Woodbury and the St. Paul Phalen area for
" infestations" have yielded satisfactory results.
410
4 . The 1984 trapping results will most probably define the pro-
blem, if any, in Mounds View.
It should be noted that gypsy moth larvae ( caterpillars) can de-
foliate all trees ( including pines and spruce) but generally pre-
fer oaks.
OTHER DAMAGING INSECTS
Foremost among defoliating insects were once again the spring and
fall cankerworms and linden looper. Preferred species were ap-
ple , oak and basswood trees. Additionally, a preference switch
to maples was seen . Defoliation was severe in some parts of nor-
thern Mounds View and , as usual , occurred in the spring.
Mountain ash sawfly ( larval caterpillar stage ) surfaced across
the City with negligable damage being incurred. Likewise , aphids
were seen in concentrations on willows and other species with
little or no damage .
The "gall" insects had a banner year in 1983 with a newcomer,
wooly oak gall , yielding more than 50 calls, questions or inspec-
tion requests from residents. It was encouraging to note that a
number of these people confused the buff-colored galls for gypsy
moth egg masses. The public may be more informed on this matter
than previously thought. Other bothersome galls were maple vel-
vet call and maple bladder gall on soft maple and long spruce
4111 cone gall on Colorado blue spruce .
-3-
Leaf miners, specifically birch leaf miner, did enough damage
during the spring to warrant concerns of long range effects. I
4111 believe residents should be continuously advised of the perils of
birch stress, be it insect induced , weather induced or a combina-
tion of the two. The end result is always the same : decline -
bronze birch borer - death of tree .
, •
On a less damaging note , numerous reports of the relatively harm-
less Cecropia moth caterpillar were registered. While the five-
inch worm stage feeds heavily and appears formidable , the host
plants rarely incur damage and the beautiful moth that results
more than justifies letting nature run its course in regards to
this insect.
FLOWER BEDS AND PLANTING
About. 1 ,800 flowers were planted in beds around City Hall. Spe-
cies compositions of salvia ( red) , marigolds (orange) , begonias
( red and white ) and impatiens ( red , white and orange ) created a
pleasing color scheme at entrance and side beds. White allysum
in the Mounds View bed fronting Highway 10 was exposed to an
afternoon sun that was too severe . A suitable , more durable re-
placement will be researched for 1984 trial . Additionally, in-
creased weeding and maintenance of the front entrance beds is
planned.
A separate project of 1 ,500 red oxford tulips were planted in the
4111 timbered area north of Silver View pond. It is hoped that these
will result in a welcome touch of spring color for path and park
users. The bulbs will be left in the ground and assuming proper
drainage and moisture content, will be viable for three to five
years.
SILVER VIEW TRAIL PLANTING
A total of 141 trees were planted in and around the chipped path
constructed at Silver View Park as part of the PRAD grant. Of
interest was the opportunity to use some different species not
normally planted in the course of a growing season . In all , some
19 different species were planted including such hardwoods as
paper and river birch and black and autumn purple ash. Four
types of conifers were planted , Colorado spruce , Austrian pine ,
Black Hills spruce and tamarack.
As soil conditions in the park itself do not, by my estimate ,
lend themselves to optimum growth conditions, spacing of some of
the above-mentioned trees will appear to be closer than in areas
where peak growth might be expected. The exception to this would
be in the natural , undisturbed "peat" areas where those of the
water tolerant species should thrive with great vigor.
4111
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TREE CITY USA
410
For the second consecutive year , the State DNR - Urban Forestry
has requested application from the City of Mounds View for na-
. tional "Tree City USA" recognition for its forestry program.
In 1983 , Mounds View was one of three new cities in Minnesota re-
ceiving the award; New Brighton and Sleepy Eye being the others.
It is felt that achievement of this recognition is one of the
more positive public relations participations of the forestry
program.
JOINT POWERS PROGRAM
The joint powers agreement for forestry services between the Ci-
ties of Mounds View and New Brighton has completed its third
year . The final breakdown of time ( 60/40 ) and equipment usage
came nearly given with Mounds View owing New Brighton a few ser-
vice hours and the opposite holding true with the equipment rate
tally. This was all evened out within a weeks time .
The equipment shared during 1983 was New Brighton ' s tree spade ,
trencher and water truck and Mounds View' s forestry pickup truck .
PUBLIC TREE PLANTING
4111A total of 364 new trees and 90 new shrubs were planted in Mounds
View' s parks in 1983, the majority of these in Silver View and
City Hall parks. Ten ( 10 ) trees were moved with the tree spade .
Twenty-three ( 23 ) trees were lost to vandalism, establishment
failure and gophers.
Park planting plans for 1984 include 100 trees and about 100
shrubs and ivies. Of these , 14 spruce and pine are scheduled for
planting at City Hall Park .
4111 f'.�
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TREES TRANPLANTED 1983
1111 DATE WHERE SPECIES # DONATED FROM
8/83 City Hall Mountain Ash 1 Maint. Garage
8/83 City Hall Silver Maple 1 Maint. Garage
10/83 Ardan Park Radiant Crab 1 Gil Groberg
2657 Sherwood
10/83 Ardan Park. Black Cherry 1 Gil Groberg
2657 Sherwood
11/83 Silver View Green Ash 1 City nursery
(Shoreview)
11/83 City Hall Green Ash 5 City nursery
(Shoreview)
•
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I
, •
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TREES VANDALIZED OR FAILED 1983
DATE WHERE SPECIES # WHY
4111 4/11/83 Silver View Greenspire Lindens 4 Failed
4/19/83 City Hall Sparkler Crabs 2 Vandalized
6/7/83 Oakwood Ironwood 2 Vandalized
6/7/83 Silver View Green Ash 1 Failed ( 81 )
6/7/83 City Hall Radiant Crabs 3 Vandalized
6/14/83 Random Niobe Willow 1 Vandalized
6/16/83 Silver View Redmond Lindens 1 Failed ( 81 )
8/31/83 Silver View Sugar Maple 3 Failed
( Insects)
8/31/83 Silver View Radiant Crabs 2 Failed
( Insects)
9/12/83 Silver View Norway Maple 1 Failed(Wet)
10/4/83 Silver View Selkirk Crab 1 Vandalized
III11/16/83 Silver View Colorado Blue Spruce 2 Failed
IIII
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CITY OF MOUNDS VIEW TREE REMOVAL COSTS
410
Diseased tree removal from boulevards
7 ( 6 elms/1 oak) 331 . 55
Diseased tree removal from parks
3 elms 139 . 80
6 oaks 534 . 00
"Hazardous" tree removals ( boulevards)
3 trees ( 2 elms , 1 cottonwood) 264. 55
Brush hauling from parks and clean-up
9-1/2 20 yd. loads 950. 00
Woodpiles removed
1 - 1 cu. yd. 5. 00
Boulevard tree trimming
• 4 trees ( 4 hours) 160 . 00
Stumps removed
5 ( 4 boulevard and 1 park) _ 82. 50
$2, 467 .40
•
-8-
TREE
_TREE PLANTING
• 1983
(Listed by Park)
:ITY HALL PARK SILVER VIEW PARK
10 Amur Chokecherry 20 Northwood Red Maple
9 Selkirk Flowering Crab 20 Northland Red Maple
18 Radiant Flowering Crab 15 Norway Maple
15 Snowdrift Flowering Crab 10 Cleveland Norway Maple
15 Red Maple (Northern collected) 5 Summershade Norway
5 Green Ash 45 Sugar Maple
15 Autumn Purple Ash
4 Black Ash
GROVELAND PARK 1 Green Ash
20 Radiant Flowering Crab
1 Selkirk Flowering Crab 13 Snowdrift Flowering Crab
2 Radiant Flowering Crab 10 Selkirk Flowering Crab
• 5 Royalty Flowering Crab
2 Spring Snow Flowering Crab
ARDAN PARK 10 White (paper) Birch (clump)
12 River Birch ( clump)
1 Black Cherry 15 Amur Chokecherry
1 Radiant Crab 10 Amur Chokecherry ( clump)
2 Swamp White Oak
15 Niobe Weeping Willow
LAMBERT PARK 5 L,ittleleaf Linden
3 Ginko
5 Columnar Maple 7 Austrian Pine
9 Colorado Blue Spruce
5 Black Hills Spruce
2 Tamarack
4110
'_ 11R:'7fJ{-." .!"_m iH -.3a:•,w..asm.,Ma.;,.e...."----- -- :.,Ya"'::�.::--.---..___:__
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1983 SHRUB PLANTING *
• 25 Amur Maple ( compact)
10 Amur Maple
10 Euonymus
10 Prunus Triloba
10 Abbotswood Potentilla
10 Goldfinger Potentilla
15 Jackman ' s Potentilla
90 Total
*All shrubs were planted at Silver View Park parking lot.
•
•
',4:' 1 4111110110POPMIP*00
. , .
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1983 MOUNDS VIEW TREE PLANTING
20 Northwood Red Maple
20 Northland Red Maple
15 Northern Red Maple ( collected )
15 Norway Maple
10 Cleveland Norway Maple
5 Summershade Norway Maple
5 Columnar Norway Maple
45 Sugar Maple
6 Green Ash
4 Black Ash
15 Autumn Purple Ash
25 Amur Chokecherry
10 Amur Chokecherry ( clump)
1 Black Cherry
41 Radiant Flowering Crab
28 Snowdrift Flowering Crab
20 Selkirk Flowering Crab
5 Royalty Flowering Crab
41112 Spring Snow Crab
10 White Birch ( clump)
12 River Birch ( clump)
15 Niobe Weeping Willow
2 Swamp White Oak
3 Ginko
5 Littlelelf Lindens
9 Colorado Blue Spruce
7 Austrian Pine
5 Black Hills Spruce
2 Tamarack
4111
MEMO TO: Mounds View Parks and Recreation Commission
1111
FROM: Staff
])ATE: January 3 , 1984
RE: Review of Guidelines for
Neighborhood Park Planning Fund
Attached is a copy of staff ' s memorandum dated October 25 , 1983
regarding an updated version of the neighborhood park planning
fund guidelines. We have received the $2 ,000 from Honeywell to
get the program off the ground , as well as the $7 , 500 budgeted
from the Mounds View City Council for park projects. We need to
begin finalizing these guidelines and establish a process as to
how the funds might be disseminated. In addition , we need to
have some general discussion as to how you would like staff to
market this concept to other industries and agencies in the
met :opolitan area.
As a sidelight to that program, staff has been in contact with
Mr. Rudy Ashford , the grants coordinator , in San Francisco, CA
regarding the establishment of a fitness trail at Silver View
Park. I have submitted a preliminary grant application for
$2, 500 which has been tentatively approved to develop a fitness
trail at Silver View Park. As can be noted in the attached
sheet , the cost for a fitness or jogging course is $7 , 000 -
$7 , 500 which would bring the net cost to the City of approximate-
ly $5,000. Staff feels that this might be one program that could
be funded through the park planning fund and would request any
inp.rt or direction you might have on this subject. Staff will be
providing copies of a more detailed brochure outlining the Wells
Fargo National Fitness Program at Thursday' s meeting .
Shoild you have any questions regarding the preliminary guide-
lines or jogging/fitness trail information , feel free to contact _.
staff directly at 784-3055 , ext. *41 .
BKA/sll
Attachment
•
MEMO TO: Mounds View Parks and Recreation Commission
FROM: Staff
1111 DATE: October 25, 1983
RE: Preliminary guidelines for the establishment of a
Park Planning Fund
The following policies are preliminary in nature and issues that
staff has attempted to pull together from the general discussion
held by the Park Commission at their regularly scheduled
September 22, 1983 meeting .
P1 RPOSE
The purpose of the Park Development and Planning Fund is to
encourage , promote and assist local residents, neighborhood
organizations and civic groups in the establishment and
development of local park projects from both a financial and
labor perspective ,.
OBJECTIVES
1 . One of the objectives in the establishment of the Park
Development Fund is to create other neighborhood park
planning councils similar to that of the Groveland Park
Foundation .
• 2. That "seed money" will he set aside to encourage other
neighborhood park planning councils to be established which
should not exceed 10% of the total fund account at any one
time .
3 . Both short and long term projects will be considered by the
Park Commission with the priority to be for short and medium
range projects. Furthermore ; no more than 25% of the total
fund balance will be allocated to long range park projects . It
should be further noted that long range park projects are
those projects that exceed $5 , 000 in expenditures including
both labor and materials.
GUIDELINES
1 . The grant monies will be reviewed on an individual project
basis and applications can be submitted to the Parks and
Recreation Commission through City staff throughout the year
and will be reviewed at the following regularly scheduled
Parks and Recreation Commission meeting.
2 . The Park Planning Fund has been established with the
understanding that it will service all neighborhood parks
within the system excluding Silver View Community Park and
the two school locations; Edgewood and Pinewood Elementary
• School .
3 . All applications must be submitted on the approved project
application form whicn will then be reviewed by the Park
Commission and in turn forwarded to the City Council for
final and formal approval .
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•
4 . All park improvements must comply with the c_ iLy ° s park and
open space plan .
5 . The City will supply the materials to a local neighborhood
group or agency willing to provide the required labor .
6 . Fund monies will only be used for capital expenditures and
will not be utilized to fund :labor or staffing positions such
as a building supervisor or activity coordinator .
7 . Promotion of the Park Planning and Development Fund will be
through the City Newsletter and all other media means
available to City staff .
8 . It will be the goal of the Park Development Fund to become
self-sustaining if at all possible to expend only the
interest, leaving the capital amounts invested in some type
of security bond with an initial goal of $50 , 000.
9 . Currently, there will be no limit as to the amounts of money
allocated per grant or per park as each item will be reviewed
from an individual perspective .
It should be further noted that this is just a preliminary
guidelines and needs further refinement and review by the Park
and Recreation Commission .
tee._ Should you have any questions , feel free to contact staff
directly at ext. #41 .
•
•
awqr
MEMO TO: Mounds View Parks and Recreation Commission
4111
FROM: Staff
DATE : January 3 , 1984
RE: Wellness Program Development
Enclosed is a copy of the January/February City Newsletter and
Winter Recreation Brochure which outlines the program listings
relayed to the healthy lifestyle program. As you are aware , we
have entered into a very informal joint powers agreement with the
City of New Brighton to develop a healthy lifestyle program for
the residents of our two respective communities. We have retain-
. ed the services of Ms. LeAnn Linder to coordinate the program and
have received a grant from the state job training center to pay
for ner salary.
The healthy lifestyle program is a new direction for our depart-
ment and we are encouraged by the initial support and involvement
from the community. New program offerings include "Freedom from
Smoking" , "Healthy Eating Habits" , "Personal and Family Communi-
cations" , "Managing Stress and Relaxation Skills" , as well as
"Personal Health Appraisal" and "Aerobics" .
Our long range plans are to develop a healthy lifestyle program
• package that will be marketed and/or sold to local businesses ,
churches , civic and community organizations. Although this is
strictly in the dream stages at this time , we do envision that
this could become a very important phase of our program develop-
ment in future years .
Staff will be expanding on this concept and getting into more
depth regarding the wellness programming efforts at Thursday
evening ' s meeting . I would encourage you to review the wellness
program offerings in the attached newsletter , as they are a
brea< from our past programming efforts.
BKA/sl l
TEE PIC r,ULSTIU' '
4111
1. Competition
Examples of those involved in the wellness areas within
the community are : ''Y , Churches (Salem Abidi.nSavior) ,
Nedtronics , Community Education , the school district staff . etc .
are definitely in competition for Participants in programs .
2 . Changing Irr.age
The Park and Recreation Departments have not traditionally
been identified with wellness type offerings .
3 . Promotion
Now aggressive do we need to be to promote the erorrar,.?
Financial and time constraints are the key issues .
a. Do we wish to package the program and actually sell
to surrounding businesses , for example?
4 . F?hich is our prioritized list of tar -,et populations :
residents , businesses , etc?
4111
5 . Instructor quality and cost do we wish to subsidize the
program through other high revenue producing programs , or
charge a break-even program fee for quality instructors?
6 . Does the Lifestyle Program encompass the entire Park and
Fecreation department?
7 . '.?hat are the exact budget monies available to Pursue a
quality promotion strategy?
8 . LeP,nn will he unable to accomplish the established goals
and additional identified needs within the time allotted
in the original contract . What are the alternatives?
410 Linder Nov. ` 83
Lifestyle Health & Fitness Program Report
a
Visibility in the community -
An iiiiportant aspect of the success of the Lifestyle Health
Program as I see it, will be the amount of visibility and acceptance
the program generates within each community. It is , therefore,
410 essential that public relations and promotion be fully planned and
prepared for each community, based on their specific needs .
•
Budget Narrative
I . General Comments :
Program: as outlined in the three phase contract, this project
cannot be completed in the limited amount of time alloted.
Program Consultant: The program consultant 's time is divided into
410
three phases-Including approximately: full-time , Phasel ,
one-third time Phase II , and one-quarter time Phase III . After
careful analysis following Phase I it seems obvious that the
quality and completeness will suffer due to insufficient time
to complete Phase II and Phase III . This is a discrepancy
in the philosophy that a 'quality ' program be developed, and
developed right the initial push .
Program Instructors : The program will utilize several pro-
fessionals in the areas of health , fitness and wellness . A
orientation and training period will help assure consistency
of the overall theme and expectations for instructors . The
salary range will be commenserat.e with their professional
qualifications. The lecture instructors exceed the average
salary paid to park and rec. employees but the nature of their
class materials varies .
Program areas :
I . Assessment of needs:
II . Planning the program:
III . Marketing: Contract summary/projected weaknesses
(Can be accomplished under original (recommended changes)
• contract.) Logo design/6 hours
City newsletter Typesetting/2 hours
flyers Newsletter/ 4 hours
Newspaper , radio, billboards seperate g hours
T-shirts individual flyers
coupons
recruit instructors , orientation Inst. manual, con' t
• Budget narrative con' t. . . .
III . Marketing:
(to be accomplished) (recommended additions)
410 Speaking 5 times/month over 5 times - 2hours/time
business donations, letters
partial refunds Health Fair, Spring ' 84
presentations
correspondence with community organization - 40 hours
T-shirts , placemats
Decals
$50/month travel expenses
$1/ per new registrant no maximum limit
After assessing the needs of the community I have concluded there
_ is a definite interest, yet commitment on the part of the community
is the real task at hand. I recommend this phase of promotion
and marketing be boosted to insure a fighting chance to spark
initial interest. Under the original contract, there is not adequate
time to approach area businesses with material, and I feel this is
a potential area for consistant, increasing partitipation .
Another problem is linked to inadequate time to prepare a thorough
program manual ,thus offering salesto area businesses to be used
at there services if they desired. I also see myself spending more
time speaking at noon, for example, to encourage participation in
all our program offerings . Initiallyl5 hours/week
4111 IV. Program Implementation:
( to be accomplished) (recommended additions)
Supervision of instructors 5 hours develop a L.H .F. par. tic:ipan
evaluation of program & manual
instructors 6 hours 5 hours total were allotec3
for supervision and
evaluation, this is 6 hour
too little/week
5 hours/month speaking engagements 2 hours/engagement over 6
counseling sessions are nc
continue marketing and promotion realistic under original
10 hours / week
unrealistic to conduct
community seminars .
additional teaching assignmc.
Women 's Health Awareness$2G
Health Appraisal Direc . $lr
V. Supervision : 8 hours/week
VI . Speaking -on going promotion 12 hours/month
VII . Evaluation 3 hours/week
• VIII . Up grade program (future) 10 hours/week
possible Lifestyle & Health
Center
-offer support, counseling, etc . •
Budget page 3
III . Program Revenues :.
4111 Although all classes are calculated by number of participants and
instructor ' s rates , to be maintained on a break-even basis , the
hard to catch-on nature of many wellness classes requires perhaps
a loss in some areas .
It is my recommendation that no compromises be made on the quality
of instructors and their fee be made, thus assuring economy for
the masses . The nature of the establiched goals indicate the prograr
caters to an individual ' s need and we proceed on the assumption
that specific populations will take certain classes .
Area Business Contributions:
Seven local businesses have thus far agreed to donate various free
items to help promote the program.
Outside revenues :
School district #621 has agreed to pay partial or full cost
for any employees enrolling in our program of wellness classes .
I would recommend we seek out similiar situations with area
businesses with the idea their employees become involved in
'our ' program, and their company reimburse for the fees .
410 Grants from area businesses or other Minnesota foundations
should be aggressively pursued. I feel, however, that this
responsibility of the program supervisors, Mary & Pam. I
would recommend I spend time in the above mentioned areas
with local businesses .
IV. Total expenses :
Consultant:
original Hrs revised Hours
Phase I $1, 500 40 $1, 500 40
Phase II $2 , 000 15/wk ? 40/week
Phase III $2, 500 10/wk ? 25-30 /week
4111
Budget Items
1111 }}ours Co___st Total
Four page brochure 30 hours NB
20 hours MV
Extra brochures ( 4-page) $148 . 54/1, 000
2-page brochure $92 .00/1 ,000
1-page flyer/program $5 .00/
5 tapes , recorded for local radio $6 .00 $6 .00
Newspaper articles 6 hours
*HEALTHY PEOPLE T-shirts (rewards) 6 hours
logo design $25 .00
typesetting 2 hours $25 .00
Slide reproduction $29 .00
Film developing $11 .00
Biodots (presentation aids) $16 .50
Research and contacts 3 hours/wk
Recruitment of instructors 25 total hours
Supervision of instructors 6 hours/wk
41/1 Orientation of instructors
preparation & 3 hr . session 6 hours
Sceking donations from business 12 hours
Promotion to businesses 3 hours/week
Writing newsletter-promotion 8 hours
Grants for the L .H .F. Program
inquiry & application 8 hours
Instructor manual - Fitness classes 15 classes 80 hours
Weight control 3 ro 60 hours $9 .00/mei'
Stress management. 20 hours binder/
Nutrition 2 i, 30 hours prin
Women' s Health Issues 15 hours
Smoking 10 hours
Mental well-being 20 hours
Chemical health ? # ' s
Participant manual/recording charts
30 hours 500 $ .75/ma
Fitness classes in-ho
Swimming classes 6 hours 400 printf
4111
Nutrition 10 hours 100
Stress management 12 hours 100
Smoking 6 hours 100
Weight control 12 hours 300
Health appraisal 8 hours 400
education classes ?
Budget Items (Continued)
Hours Cost Total
• Displays NB Dept. 3 hrs .
MV Dept. 3 hrs.
Edgewood Comm.Cntr. 2 hrs.
School District 3 hrs.:
Presentations 2 hrs . speaking/
preparation
3 hrs ./time
questions
1 hr. pre-prep.
Card Displays - Design, print 8 hrs.
delivery
Decals - print 'Healthy $1. 00/page
People ' decals for of. 6
sale in NB&MV
office
1111
11111
MARKETING AND PROMOTION OUTLINE
1111 I. Recruit an Advisory Committee of community professionals to
"brainstorm" on Lifestlye Health activites to promote the
program.
II . Presentations : Slide presentation on wellness , flyers about
program
Community Pastors League of Women Voters
Rotary Club -- NB Senior Group - MV
Park Board - NB Senior Group - NB
Park Board - MV PTA - PTO
Onan School District Teachers #621
UOP Johnson Co. Others
*Ask how they can help sponsor, promote, fund-raise for us?
III . Brochure :
New Brighton
Mounds View
Wellness introduction page *Coloring contest cover
Articles wellness introduction pag,
Class Listings class descriptions
Free Promotions-Point Reward health articles
IIIISystem point system, rewards
IV. Extra Flyers :
Four-page brochure promotion
Two-page introduction page & class listings
One-page mission & goal statements
Separate class promotion - area medical centers, churches, etc.
V. Exhibits - Displays - Billboards :
Mounds View - 'Healthy Pople ' are Coming
Mounds View & New Brighton - 'Wellness ' Display - entrance
Senior Center, Edgewood, local companies - Bulletin Boards
VI . Healthy People T-Shirts
Cost $6 . 00 , charge $2 . 00/person
VII. Newspaper Advertisements :
Local papers: Mpls. Tribune, St. Paul Press , etc .
Radio Announcements : PSA - KQRS, KTIS, WCCO, WAYL, KDWB, KTCR
Church Bulletin : 12 local community churches
410
gealth Fair, Spring ' 84
Sponsor a 'Healthy People' Community Day, May 1984
,}' a� Miscellaneous Promotions
Coloring contest Kids. "Healthy People Habits, Exhibit Winners
T-Shirts for all instructors to wear, while teaching
4F Counter cards for local banks, library
Possibly insert in local businesses monthly bills
1111
1111 '
MEMO TO: Mounds View Parks and Recreation Commission
FROM: Staff
DITE: January 3 , 1984
RE: Winter Skating Program •
The 1983-84 winter skating program is off to its best start in
City of Mounds View in the past five years. We largely at-
tribute this success to the four additional staff we were .able to
retain through our MEED grant from the State of Minnesota . With
the addition of the four maintenance employees , we have been run-
ning a double shift and our ice is in good condition . In spite
of the heavy snow and cold weather , we were able to open our
skating rinks on Saturday, December 17 and have been offering a
full agenda of rink activities for the past three weeks.
We are once again receiving a great deal of assistance from the
Groveland Park Foundation as they have been flooding the pleasure
rink with the City crews maintaining the snow plowing and broom-
ing . We have also experienced a positive response to the build-
ings and it appears that they more than meet our winter warming
house needs.
• We have made three improvements to the buildings that seem to
greatly enhance the program. The first is installing plastic
sheeting on all the windows which has reduced the heat loss out
the windows. The second improvement has beer, increasing the
landing and stairway entrances at each of the parks. The third
improvement has been to Lambert Park where we installed a Casa-
blanca fan to keep the heat fan down at the ground level .
We look forward to building on our initial good start with the
winter skating program and feel confident that we will be able to
offer a very positive and beneficial recreational program ata
nominal cost to each of our Mounds View residents during the com-
ing months.
BKA/sll
i IIII
lMMlIlIIl1liIl....ilillIllIlI.11' .'‘ .
. .,44.,4406**40w4,404001100004000101040111•
MEY.0 TO: Mounds View Parks and Recreation Commission
1111 FROM: Staff
DATE: January 3, 1984
RE: North Suburban Community Foundation
Attached are copies of correspondence from the Minnesota State
Fair regarding the establishment and developront of the North
Suburban Community Foundation . As can be noted in the correspon-
dence , it appears that there is a potential for some type of
funding of our municipal recreation program through the North
Suburban Community Foundation . At this time, we have not receiv-
ed any specific guidelines or detailed information regarding the
NSCF but staff feels we should take the initiative in pursuing
this organization and submit some type of a proposal for their
consideration .
As can be noted in my correspondence to Mr. Heffron , I feel there
are two areas that could be considered for funding; the first
1111 beLng our neighborhood park planning fund and secondly the new
healthy lifestyle or program. We feel that either project would
be conducive for developing a grant proposal and we would welcome
input from the Commission members as to which direction you might
feel we should pursue .
Other possible suggestions might be to further develop our tree
planting program, expand one of our neighborhood parks or Silver
View Park with playground equipment, possible lighting of the two
bailfields at Silver View, irrigation systems, flower planting,
park signs or any other project that the Commission may consider.
I look forward to your input on this issue .
BKA/sll
Attachment
4111
.1 ,
, . ..„, _ ,
n� 7'1 �� t /''
40---,_ . .
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, ,
RAMSEY COUNTY,MINNESOTA
GATEWAY TO THE NORTH ' 2401 HIGHWAY 10
MOUNDS VIEW, MINN. 55112
784-3055
•
December 27, 1983
Mr. Mike Heffron, Secretary/Gen. Mgr.
State Fair Grounds
St. Paul, Minnesota 55108-9983
Dear Mr. Heffron:
Mr. . Wayne Burmeister, Chairman of the Mounds View Parks and Recreation Commis-
sion , has forwarded a copy of your letter dated December 16, 1983 regarding
the North Suburban Community Foundation's interest in our parks and recreation
department. I have enclosed a copy of our last three city newsletters which
outline some of our park and recreation program offerings as well as a copy of
our City's parks and open space plan.
• Our department would be extremely interested in working with the North Subur-
ban Community Foundation in coordinating a financial assistance program to
better serve our residents. There are two specific areas that come to mind
which I feel could be of interest to the NSCF; the first being our neighbor-
hood park planning fund, which is a newly established concept to encourage
involvement at the grass roots level to develop our City's park system. The
second area is the concept of wellness recreation programs which is being
developed to promote a healthy lifestyle amongst our residents. I feel that
both areas would be of extreme interest to your organization and I look for-
ward to presenting them in more detail in the coming weeks.
Our next Parks and Recreation Commission meeting is set for Thursday, January
5 at which time I will be reviewing with the Commission these two proposals
and others for their consideration.
I look forward to working with you and the North Suburban Community Foundation
in the caning months and will be forwarding a more firm proposal to your asso-
ciation in the coming two weeks.
Sin a;
.01001.1"
'
i ' -Ande 4114 46g)-------
Parks,
tg)------''Parks, Recreation . :J Fgrestry
• BKA/sll
Enclosures
cc: Wayne Burmeister, Chairman
Mounds View Parks & Recreation Comm.
MINNESOTA STATE
Kra
• ��
December 16, 1983
Mr. Wayne Burmeister
Chairman
Mounds View Recreation Committee
7565 Knollwood Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55432
Dear Wayne:
To follow up our phone conversation . . .
As a trustee of the North Suburban Community Foundation, I am
currently soliciting information on community recreational needs.
It is our hope that in the near future NSCF will be able to
provide a degree of financial assistance in this area.
• The obvious first step in this process is to assemble a catalogue
of exigency. For this reason, I would appreciate very much your
written input with respect to some of the more immediate needs of
the Mounds View recreational program.
Our trustees will meet towards the end of January to evaluate
various proposals. Could I hear from you before January 15?
Awaiting your response, .I remain
Sincerely,
Ithownimmumm
Mike Heffron
Secretary-General Manager
MH/ng
•
State Fairgrounds •
r4,
St. Paul, MN 55108-9983 w-, s
612-642-2200
-.. .
, .
, i ' . •,!iii'i ..
— -
, ACO
WELLS4F
,11as., RG
, e
" rt * trio. to am 0 ,inok
0tLt't'1:77-
GI/10 WPM
THE NATIONAL FITNESS CAMPAIGN
TO: ALL PARKS AND RECREATION AGENCIES
Dear Fitness Enthusiast:
Park and Recreation Agencies have been the strongest supporters of The National.
Fitness Campaign since its inception in 1979, when more than seventy California
park directors opened their first Wells Fargo Gamefields to the delight of their
.
mayors, city councils, the media, and the public, who have been using them ever
since. Today, more than 1,500 cities feature Wells Fargo Gamefields, with
.
either a single site or a string of facilities, thus creating community—wide
fitness campaigns in neighborhoods and towns across America.
Park directors continue to enjoy the successes as these self—guided facilities
deliver fun and health to the ninety million of us who seek "fitness activity"
and open new doors to our friends
who wonder if they should try it.
Mayors and Park and Recreation Departments are now eligible for 1984 grant
•
awardsofup to three $2,500 seed grants each without special approval, towards
theirchoice of any of the four Wells Fargo Gamefield fitness systems described
in the enclosed brochure. Grants may be applied towards:
1 . Wells Fargo Gamefield Jogging Course . . . . . . . . $7,500
2. Wells Fargo Gamefield Fitness Court . . . . . . . . 7,000
3. Wells Fargo Gamefield Walking Course for Seniors . . 7,000
4. Wells Fargo Gamefield Wheelchair Sports Course . . . 7,000
In addition to seed grants, cities are provided with an elaborate promotional
kit, free of charge. The use of these materials makes certain that the opening
of each Wells Fargo Gamefield is a celebration, an event, an honor for those
whose energies went towards obtaining each Wells Fargo Gamefield, as well as the
beginning of a long love affair with the community.
Cities have delighted in finding that Jogging Courses and Fitness Courts bring
new and contemporary uses to parks, enhance safety by bringing joggers off the
streets, and add a new element of fun to fitness activities now being enjoyed by
millions across the country.
Older Americans and senior groups have been so excited by the Wells Fargo Game—
field Ualking Course for Seniors that the Administration on Aging has heartily
supported the program. The Walking Club Manual ignites seniors towards
exercising through a novel and creative series of Walk—A—Ramas, featuring
adventures, discounts, social activities, and learning workshops, all built
111/1 around walks through the community that begin and end on their Gamefields.
50 Francisco Street.San Francisco,CA 94133•(415)781.7100
....
.,..,i
•.
III/1 State Grant Coordinators are assigned to assist interested agencies in planning,
selecting, funding, and opening one, two, or three Wells Fargo Gamefields in an
additional 500 cities throughout 1984, bringing the Wells Fargo Gamefield
network by year's end to more than 4,000 operating programs in 1 ,500 cities.
Please allow us to assist your agency in opening these facilities and providing
America's most sophisticated and largest privately funded fitness campaign to
your friends, neighbors, and parks. Additional information may be obtained by
contacting:
Wells Fargo Gamefield
.1401 041044..
ational Fitness Campaign
ancisco, Suite 265
rancisco, California 94133
781-7100
Cordially,
Mary Ann Clover
National Grants Director
Wells Fargo Gamefield
• The National Fitness Campaign
MAC/k�;
Enclosure
•
MEMO TO: Mounds View Parks and Recreation Commission
4111 FROM: Staff
DATE: January 3 , 1984
RE: December , 1983 staff report
The following items are issues that do not require official Com-
miasion action but will hopefully provide a better update of re-
cent activities and issues that have occurred within our depart-
me n t
1 . MEED Grant - The Mounds View City Council has formally
approved the hiring of seven ( 7 ) individuals through the Min-
nesota Job Training Act. The initial grant was submitted in
early October and we currently have four ( 4 ) individuals
working in Public Works; one as the City receptionist; one in
finance , and one working as the healthy lifestyle/wellness
coordinator . Each of the peoples are employed for a six
month period and they do not cost the City any money. The
maintenance employees have been extremely important as we
have been able to accomplish many tasks that we were unable
to complete in prior years. In addition , with the hiring of
LeAnn Linder as our wellness coordinator, we are able to ex-
plore some new program areas which we would not have been
able to do with our existing staffing levels.
4111 2. Groveland Park Foundation - Staff has included the November-
December Groveland Park Newsletter for your review. Their
two recent projects include a boutique and bake sale which
made over $600 and they once again are coordinating the win-
ter skating program. Staff has been working with the Grove-
land Park Foundation during the past four months in develop-
ing a more formal organization through the creation of
by-laws and hopefully will have some type of a Board of
Directors by spring of 1984 .
3. Cross Country Ski Project - Eagle Scout Matt Rowley has been
working on the development of a. cross country ski trail at
Silver View Park during the past three weeks. We have groom-
ed the trail on three separate occasions and have secured the
use of the New Brighton track setter and have a fairlysub-
stantial trail system throughout the park. The next project
that needs to be completed is a rest area to put on skis and
boots which should be completed in the next week .
4 . Edgewood Pool Painting The Edgewood Community Center pool
has received a new painting and general cleansing during the
past three weeks. The pool had not been painted in the past
twenty years and as you could imagine is a very welcome and
positive improvement, to our aquatics program.
4111
. ..nat • ee
► -2-
5. NEW EQUIPMENT PURCHASES DURING PAST MONTH - Staff has been
immersed in the preparation of specifications , bid opening ,
1111 and finally bid letting to purchase two new pieces of equip-
ment for the park maintenance division . The first piece of
equipment is a 1984 one ton dump truck which will be used for
hauling trash, small loads of sand , ag lime and other general
landscaping projects. In addition , the vehicle has been
equipped with a two ton crane for use with the City' s sewer
and water department for maintaining lift stations and an
8-1/2 ft. heavy duty plow which will give us a second vehicle
to plow parking lots and sidewalks and City park areas. The
second piece of equipment that has been purchased is a John
Deere 1050 turbo-charged diesel tractor. The tractor will be
replacing the 1963 International which was in poor working
condition . In addition to the purchase of the new John Deere
tractor, a variety of attachments were also purchased such as
a year-round cab, front mounted snow blower , 72" mid-mount
rotary mower and 52" front end loader . Staff feels that with
the addition of these two pieces of equipment, we will be
much more efficient and able to meet the increasing demands
of the City' s park maintenance division .
6. CITY NEWSLETTER - Staff has recommended and the City Council
has approved the mailing of all future issues of the City
Newsletter. As you are aware , we have been utilizing the
services of a local boy scout troop and staff feels that by
going with the postal service , we will he able to improve our.
delivery and insure that every resident receives the newslet-
ter• in a timely fashion . In addition , the City Newsletter is
printed by a local Mounds View printing firm and staff feels
that the January/February Newsletter is of sufficient quality
that we will be continuing that printing agreement through
the remainder of 1984.
7. COMPUTER SOFTWARE - Staff is involved in a statewide effort
to develop computer software for program registration and
athletic tournament and league scheduling . Staff has been
involved in this project for the past four months and hope-
fully some type of software will be developed which will
greatly increase our efficiency. Staff will keep the Commis-
sion apprised as to how this software development evolves in
the coming months.
8 . LAKESIDE PARK - As you are aware , we are currently working
with the North Suburban Boxing Association that has been op-
erating out of Edgewood Community Center. With the advent of
cable television being located at Edgewood , we have been
1 forced to find a new location for our boxing program. One of
the possible sites staff is exploring right now is the use of
the Lakeside Park Pavilion on a year-round basis . It appears
that with some minor modifications , we will be able to util-
1 ize the Lakeside Park facility on a year-round basis and have
a permanent home for the North Suburban Boxing Program. At
1111
this time , we are in the intitial stages of developing this
concept but the boxing club has reviewed the site and it
feels that it could meet their existing and future needs.
BKA/sll
vT ire ia, ;14'°7i" i ,ItT,nilt 'fliiR.,.:.
Groveland Park. ,
Icc
,„!.
Q •O Newsletter � %
Tr
p
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER, 1983
LOLLIPOP LANE GROVRLAND PARK
BOUTIQUE AND BAKE SALE WINTER SKATING PROGRAM
December 2 & 3 , 1983 Our winter skating program will be--
gin Iecember_ 17 , 1983 and run
Groveland Park "Lollipop Lane" through February 25 , 1984 . The
Boutique and Bake Sale will be hours will be 4 : 00 - 9: 00 p.m. , Mon-
held December 2 and 3 from 9: 30 day -- Thursday; 4 :00 - 10 :00 p.m. on
a .m. to 5: 30 p.m. at the Park Fridays; 9 :00 a .m. - 10: 00 p.m. on
Shelter Building . Saturdays and 1 :00 - 9 : 00 p.m. on
Sundays. We hope to run the warming
Families are invited to help house in the same manner as last
draw a Christmas mural for the year; a paid supervisor from 4: 00 -
Boutique on Saturday , November 6 : 30 p.m. and a parent volunteer on
26 at 1 : 00 p.m. at the park. week days and volunteers on week-
Bring magic markers and have ends , as much as possible .
fun !
Last winter our volunteer program
•There will be a raffle held dur- was quite successful . Most evenings
ing the kale ; first prize being and weekends , our children had par-
two tickets to the "Nutcracker ental supervision (which many of us
Fantasy" at Northrup Auditorium appreciated) and we raised $1 ,100
and more . . . Please bring donat- for our park fund.
ed items to your block captain
or Gail Robertson , 8424 Fair- Please call Jan Quick at 786-4631 if
child by Tuesday , November 29 . you can work a shift or two. Your
Baked goods should be delivered participation in this program will
to the address above on Thurs- be most appreciated by our children .
day, December 1 .
On Tuesday, December 6 at 7 : 30 ,
NOTE! THE SUCCESS OF THE BOU- Bruce Anderson of the Park and Rec-
TIQUE DEPENDS UPON ITS PARTICI- reation Department will hold an in-
PANTS. formational and instructional orien-
tation . This will be brief , but
See you there ! ! If you have any your attendance is important (even
questions call Gail Robertson at those who participated last year ) .
780-4656 . With so many people working , it' s
vital to have some consistency and
=— — ------------- uniformity -- and to be informed re-
NEWSLETTERS
e-
NEWSLETTERS gar_ding policy and possible emergen-
cies.
It was decided at our last gen-
eral meeting in October to send
newsletters, out • by bulk --- --- — -- =
. ouc
mail . If you know of someone WARMING HOUSE ORIENTATION
who is interested in receiving Tuesday, December 6 , 1983
one , but not on our mailing 7: 30 p.m.
list, please call. 786-0246. Please Come ! ! Door Prize !
1)64 I
EUMMONSIMMINEMENINEVAIMmire EDfRIAIL
Leadership in the Fitness Field
by William C. Scalzo
As reported before, in almost every NRPA publication, the fitness era is being analyzed,sur-
veyed, and in some instances questioned. NRPA, along with the President's Council on Physi-
cal Fitness and Sports, recognized the challenge and established the Fitness Coalition. Now,
certain notions are being confirmed and new directions are being established.
Various surveys have confirmed the public's support of staying fit by exercising during leisure
hours. The diversity of sports selected by the fitness-minded has continued to grow with in-
creased interest in biking and other self-directed activities. This is verified in a recent article in
the New York Times which used survey data to illustrate that 44 percent of Americans partici-
pate daily in some kind of athletic activity.The top four activities in which Americans claim to
participate at least once or twice a week include: swimming(33 percent), calisthenics(29 per-
cent); jogging (29 percent), and bicycling(28 percent).
The article, based on a scientifically-drawn national random sample of Americans 14 years
and older, indicated that Americans point to self-improvement goals as the driving force
behind their fitness activity.The study,commissioned by Miller Lite,stated,"Americans derive
immense satisfaction from meeting internalized goals." When asked to rank different reasons
for engaging in sports on a ten-point scale, Americans ranked "enjoyment of the game" and
"improved health" at about nine, while the "thrill of victory," related to competition, ranked
only midway between six and seven.
• The study went on to illustrate overwhelming evidence that the shared level of sports in-
volvement is connected strongly to the quality of family life. Certainly this data reaffirms that
fitness is very important to the American people, to their minds and bodies. Furthermore,
numerous medical studies have confirmed its value in reducing hypertension,heart disease,and
stress. Major corporations have recognized these benefits and the subsequent increased produc-
tivity and reduced sick time of fit employees, and many have established fitness centers.
With this knowledge as well as the heritage of the physical fitness movement in NRPA, the
Fitness Coalition has gone forward with development of goals and objectives, professional
development and training, and marketing strategies. This work is intended for the recreation
and park agencies who deliver the fitness and wellness related services.The goals and objectives
are limited to five:(1)to use plain language to describe fitness and to easily communicate this to
the public;(2) to stress personal goal setting;(3) to support the role of local recreation and park
agencies in promoting community fitness programs;(4)to make full use of the 1980s technology
in sharing fitness information,and(5)to encourage research to further define fitness programs.
The 1984 Olymics will further amplify the role of fitness in our society as millions watch the
events in Yugoslavia and Los Angeles next year. This, in turn, provides the local recreation and
park agency with an opportunity to promote their fitness services using the goals listed above.
They can look to the excellent models already developed to bring fitness services to their clients.
These models are available from Long Beach,California's,"March for Fitness"to New Rochelle,
New York's, "Fitness Van." In addition, most states have developed governors' councils on
physical fitness that bring together various professionals in the fitness field to exchange ideas
and programs. Also, opportunities exist for the leisure professional to tune her or his skills
through the American College of Sports Medicine in Madison, Wisconsin; the Cardiac Wellness
Training Project for Park and Recreation attc n Personnel at the University of Colorado; and the
School of Sports Management, North Carolina State University, to name a few. The Fitness
Coalition Professional Development Committee will be working to enhance the training availa-
ble through a needs assessment for each level of service delivery of wellness/fitness activities.,
• At this stage of development in the fitness promotion, it is imperative that the recreation and
park professionals grasp the leadership role. Now is the time to meet the challenge of the NRPA
Board of Trustees resolution that created the Fitness Coalition, "to advocate the importance of fit-
ness to people of all ages through local park and recreation agencies."
Willirrnu C.Sca/zn is Director, Essex County Depart of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs, Newark, NI.
26 PARKS& RECREATION/DECEMBER 1983